This image comes from part of an expense submission by John Herbert to the estate of Michael Trautvetter, probated in Hancock County, Illinois, in 1869. Herbert’s wife was actually Michael’s niece.

Herbert was allowed $4.50 per day for taking care of Trautvetter in his final illness. I’m not certain if there was a table of rates the court used or not. Interestingly enough, just for comparison, the refreshments at the wake were $4.75–just about the same as the per day allowance for care. It’s always good to put costs in perspective when possible.