P. Johnston Diary
Scope and Content
This collection consists of a diary maintained by P. Johnston, identified as an agent of the Virginia State Agricultural Society. The diary is written on blank pages within a copy of Virginia State Agricultural Society, Officers, Rules and Regulations, and Schedule of Premiums, for 1874, and Johnston's entries commence with his riding from the home of Mr. Moorhead in Fauquier County to see Robert Beverly on October 1, 1874. Through successive entries, Johnston recounts his travels throughout the state on behalf of the society, apparently charged with promoting the society and its upcoming 1874 fair. He names the many farmers that he meets along the way and describes their encounters. The nine-page diary ends on October 23, with Johnston arriving in Richmond from Lynchburg, where he had attended the local agricultural fair.
Dates
- 1874
Creator
- Johnston, P. (Person)
- Virginia State Agricultural Society (Organization)
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 keeper of this diary is identified as P. Johnston, an agent of the Virginia State Agricultural Society. Published accounts of the time period identify Peyton Johnston as an officer of the VSAS. Born in Ireland on December 16, 1810, Peyton Johnston Sr. is described by the 1860 federal census as a merchant living in Richmond, Virginia with wife Ann and seven children. The 1880 census lists his occupation as "retired druggist." Peyton Johnston died in Richmond on February 3, 1887, and was buried in the city's Hollywood Cemetery.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Diary maintained by P. Johnston (possibly Peyton Johnston), agent for the Virginia State Agricultural Society, with entries describing his travels throughout Virginia on behalf of the VSAS in 1874.
Source of Acquisition
The P. Johnston Diary was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1991.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the P. Johnston Diary 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 P. Johnston Diary commenced and was completed in October, 2022.
- Title
- P. Johnston Diary, 1874
- 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
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