This collection consists of a single journal maintained by James H. Lowry, a schoolmaster and farmer living in Washington County, Virginia during the mid 19th century. Containing 38 pages, the journal covers the latter half of 1846, with entries commencing on June 7 and ending on December 30. Lowry's entries focus largely on financial transactions with neighbors and local merchants, with the community frequently relying on a barter system in conducting business among themselves, many of the transactions involving salt. Lowry also notes receiving money or goods for tuition in his schools and documents the money-making activities of his wife Abigail, such as selling eggs and butter. Lowry makes brief mentions of school business, noting start dates and trustee names. He mentions traveling to Lebanon to help with "camp" (likely a revival camp) and attending "class meeting" and Sabbath school at Mahanaim and Yellow Spring. Lowry also occasionally describes the weather and briefly chronicles local deaths and other events. Among the other names mentioned in the journal are members of the McNew (particularly Elisha McNew), Clark, and Greenway families.