William Q. Thomson Day Book
Scope and Content
This collection is a ledger or day book used by William Q. Thomson of Happy Valley, Louisa County, Virginia, dated 1845-1854, 1882-1891. The book includes debts to associates, purchases, and bills paid, including for family members. Some of the early entries are for hiring the labor of enslaved people.
Dates
- 1845-1854, 1882-1891
Creator
- Thomson, William Q., ca. 1825-1891 (Person)
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
William Q. Thomson (also Thompson) was born in Louisa County, Virginia, around 1825. He married Nicie H. Daniel on September 22, 1851, and they had three children together. Thomson was a farmer and plantation owner, who enslaved at least 22 people, inlcuding Georgeanna and her baby Peter Dudley. He died on April 25, 1891, at the age of 65 from paralysis.
Sources:
U. S. Federal Censuses, 1850-1880
"Peter Dudley" in the Virginia, U.S., Birth Registers, 1853-1911, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/62153/records/582333, accessed January 24, 2025.
"William Q. Thomson" in the Virginia, U.S., Select Marriages, 1785-1940, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/60214/records/316948, accessed January 24, 2025.
"Wm Q Thomson" in the Virginia, U.S., Death Registers, 1853-1911, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/62152/records/377624, accessed January 24, 2025.
"Wm Q Thompson" in the 1850 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/8055/records/92844636, accessed January 29, 2025.
"Wm Q Thompson" in the 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/7668/records/92456803, accessed January 29, 2025.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
This collection is a ledger or day book used by enslaver and farmer William Q. Thomson of Happy Valley, Louisa County, Virginia, dated 1845-1854, 1882-1891. The book includes debts to associates, purchases, and bills paid, including for family members. Some of the early entries are for hiring the labor of enslaved people. Thomson (ca. 1825-1891) enslaved at least 22 people, inlcuding Georgeanna and her baby Peter Dudley.
Source of Acquisition
This collection was purchased by Special Collection and University Archives in 2017.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the William Q. Thomson Day 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, arrangement, and description of the William Q. Thomson Day Book was completed in January 2025.
- Title
- William Q. Thomson Day Book, 1845-1854, 1882-1891
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Vibeka JensenOyaski, Student Assistant
- Date
- 2025 (CC0 1.0)
- 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