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Francis Bell Letter

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2024-088

Scope and Content

This collection contains a letter from Francis Bell, a cattle dealer from Augusta County, Virginia, to Major James R. Kent, an enslaver and plantation owner in Montgomery County, Virginia. In the letter dated October 18, 1860, Bell asks Kent to sell him his stock of cattle directly rather than going through the firm of Crouse and [Sons?].

Dates

  • 1860

Creator

Language of Materials

The material in this collection is in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for 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

Francis Bell (1820-1893) was an international cattle dealer from Augusta County, Virginia. He frequented Pulaski County and Montgomery County, Virginia, for business. He became well acquainted with Major James R. Kent, an enslaver and plantation owner in Montgomery County, through his work as a cattle dealer. Bell later married Kent's daughter, Sarah, in 1855. They settled in Pulaski County, where Bell would go on to become one of the largest land owners in the post-American Civil War era.

External Sources:

National Register Of Historic Places Registration Form. National Register of Historic Places. [Washington, D. C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places, 2003] Web. https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/VLR_to_transfer/PDFNoms/077-0045_Rockwood_2005_Final_Nomination.pdf, accessed on September 4, 2024.

"Francis Bell" entry, Findagrave.com. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37956086/francis-bell, accessed on September 4, 2024.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

This collection contains a letter from Francis Bell (1820-1893), a cattle dealer from Augusta County, Virginia, to Major James R. Kent, an enslaver and plantation owner in Montgomery County, Virginia. In the letter dated October 18, 1860, Bell asks Kent to sell him his stock of cattle directly rather than going through the firm of Crouse and [Sons?].

Source of Acquisition

The Francis Bell Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in March 2017.

Related Archival Materials

See the following materials related to the Bell and Kent families, which are also at Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives:

Black, Kent, and Apperson Family Papers, Ms1974-003

James Randal Kent Papers, Ms1987-031

Elizabeth Kent Adams Papers, Ms1990-045

Bell, Kent, Cloyd, Withrow Family Collection, Ms2008-040

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Francis Bell Letter 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, arrangement, and description of the Francis Bell Letter was completed in September 2024.

Title
Francis Bell Letter, 1860
Status
Completed
Author
Zoe Brooks, Graduate Assistant
Date
2024 (CC0 1.0)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308