The account book, which probably belonged to the farming steward at Dunham Massey, contains inventories of the stock of cattle compiled at the beginning of each year, and chronological accounts of cattle bought, sold or killed for the use of the Hall during the year. The accounts of cattle purchased give dates, brief descriptions, purchase prices and the total annual cost. The accounts of cattle killed or sold give dates, brief descriptions, the individual value and the total annual value. From 1777 onwards there are separate accounts for sheep bought and sold, and for dead animals.
The detailed chronological accounts end in 1785, although there is a note of animals killed in 1789. At the back of the volume are accounts of sheep bought and sold, and inventories of sheep up to 1776, and annual inventories of all livestock (cattle, horses, sheep and pigs) from 1774 to 1815.
Entitled "Account of Cattle Bought | Sold and Kill'd | Within" in ink on the front cover.
[Among the papers of George Harry Grey (1737-1819), 5th Earl of Stamford, are bundles of vouchers for personal and household expenditure, which include statements of the expenses of John Davenport, farming steward, for the cost of purchasing cattle and transporting them to Dunham Massey and Enville, 1800-17 (EGR4/1/6/2).]