James H. Lowry Journal
Scope and Content
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.
Dates
- 1846
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 / Historical
James Henry Lowry was born in Virginia on December 18, 1814. In the 1850 federal census, he appears as a 36-year-old, Virginia-born farmer living in Washington County, Virginia with wife Abigail (32) and two young Loury children. By 1860, the Lowrys were living in Riceville (McMinn County), Tennessee. James H. Lowry died on December 31, 1877, and was buried in Riceville Cemetery, as was Abigail McNew Lowry, who died on October 2, 1890.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Journal of James H. Lowry, a schoolmaster and farmer living in Washington County, Virginia during the midddle of the 19th century, documenting items purchased for the school, tuition paid, and financial transactions with neighbors and local merchants.
Source of Acquisition
The James H. Lowry Journal was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1990.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the James H. Lowry Journal by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
General
This item was purchased, accessioned, and originally cataloged under the title "Schoolmaster's Journal." A closer inspection during processing revealed that it could more accurately be entitled "James H. Lowry Journal."
Processing Information
The processing and description of the James H. Lowry Journal commenced and was completed in August, 2022.
- Title
- James H. Lowry Journal, 1846
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John M. Jackson
- Date
- 2022 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2020-09-08: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
- 2021-03-11: LM Rozema added missing notes for an unprocessed collection, added FA title and filing titles, 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