Hamilton Ledgers, 1900-1918
Scope and Content
The Warm Springs, Virginia, Ledgers collection includes 26 ledgers divided that account for the business of John E. Criser, J. S. Kelley, Blakey and Hamilton Co., and Yancey and Faulkner, as well as others in and around the town of Warm Springs. Ledgers date from 1884-1942, but the majority are from 1900-1920. The various companies appear to have done assorted business with each other as they appear sporadically in each other's ledgers.
This collection of ledgers documents small businesses from the late 19th century to the 20th century. The records provide insight not only to the businesses themselves but also a generalization of how business was run, prices for individual items, types of things a business would sell, etc. In addition to the records themselves, many of the items contain other pieces of information of importance to the businesses: wage earnings, population and demographic statistics, currency, tax returns, etc.
Several of the daybooks also historical information on a variety of topics, including general and local history. One daybook has documentation of the 116th infantry and the members of the "Federal Street Bunch" from Petersburg. From information gathered, this "Bunch" was a company from Petersburg, VA with members from across the state that joined the 116th U.S. Infantry, party of the 29th Infantry Division during the first World War. Another daybook contains biographical details of about 20 boys including age, birth place, popular songs, dances, books, sayings, etc. of that time period.
Dates
- 1900-1918
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 1.2 Cubic Feet (4 boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu