William Smith Account Book
Scope and Content
This collection consists of a single, small account book maintained by William Smith, a resident of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the early twentieth century. The structure and contents of the book suggest that it may have been the cash book of a grocery merchant. The entries, in chronological order, list names and prices of goods sold. The items consist overwhelmingly of foodstuffs (frequently listed items are bread, fruit, pretzels, salt, butter, and cheese), though household items are occasionally listed.
Dates
- 1907 - 1908
Creator
- Smith, William (Person)
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Biographical Note
The front cover of this account book bears the name of William Smith. The front cover verso bears, in a latter-day hand, the words "Lancaster Co. Pa." The 1900 census lists a 55-year-old grocer named William M. Smith living in the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania home of Milton Wenges, his brother-in-law. William M. Smith, son of William and Elizabeth Ringwalt Smith, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on May 29, 1845. He died in Lancaster County on December 2, 1917, and was buried in Saint Stephen United Church of Christ Cemetery, Lancaster County.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Account book maintained by William Smith, of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, documenting purchases of groceries and other household goods.
Source of Acquisition
The William Smith Account Book was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1988.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the William Smith Account Book by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
The processing and description of the William Smith Account Book commenced and was completed in May, 2021.
- Title
- William Smith Account Book, 1907-1908
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John M. Jackson
- Date
- 2021 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2020-08-26: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
- 2021-04-22: LM Rozema added subjects and missing notes for an unprocessed collection, added FA title, added FA date from EAD, and added component with instances previously attached to collection level.
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