Talley, Or Tally

Talley, or Tally, a stick cut into two parts, on each whereof is marked, with notches or otherwise, which is due between debtor and creditor. It was the ancient mode of keeping accounts; one part was held by the creditor, and the other by the debtor. The use of tallies in the Exchequer was abolished by 23 Geo. 3, c. 82, and the old tallies ordered to be destroyed by 4 & 5 Wm. 4, c. 15, and destroyed they were in a fire which held to the burning down of the Houses of Parliament.