Thomas Sidney Jesup was born December 16, 1788 in Berkeley County (West) Virginia and died on June 10, 1860 in Washington, DC. He started his distinguished military career in 1808 as a 2nd Lieutenant of the 7th Infantry and was a Major of the 19th Infantry in the War of 1812. He was promoted successively to Lieutenant Colonel for gallantry in action at the Battles of Chippewa and Niagara in 1814. On May 8, 1818, President Jackson appointed him temporary Adjutant General and Quartermaster General. For his duty and faithful service he was brevetted Major General on May 8, 1828. Known as the Father of the Modern Quartermaster Corps, he held the post as the 12th Quartermaster General for forty-two years and died while in office at age 72. Originally interred at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC, his remains were relocated to Georgetown’s Oak Hill Cemetery in 1862. The 1822 Washington Directory notes that Jesup lived at Mrs. Ann Eliza Peyton’s boarding house on the north side of C Street “near City Hall.” Jesup married Ann Heron Croghan on May 17, 1822 near Louisville, KY. The 1827 Washington Directory lists him living on I Street, NW between 16th and 17th streets.

This collection of receipts reflects the cost of setting up a household for a recently married couple in 19th century Washington, DC.