Petersburg (Va.) Jail Meal Account Books, 1937-1946

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Creator:
Petersburg (Va.) Circuit Court.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Petersburg (Va.) Jail Meal Account Books, 1937-1938 and 1945-1946, are a record of the supplies used to make meals for the inmates of the Petersburg city jail. The entries are arranged chronologically by date and then by meal. The 1937-1938 volume contains entries for breakfast, dinner, and chain gang. The 1945-1946 volume contains entries for breakfast, dinner, and supper. The amount of supplies used is recorded as well as type. Supplies recorded include hamburger, beef, chicken, potatoes, sweet potatoes, succotash, onions, coffee, bread, eggs, sausage, fresh fish, herrings, corn flakes, string beans, grits, bologna, black eyed peas, tomatoes, cabbage, biscuits, spaghetti, pancakes, and macaroni as well as other supplies such as lard, sugar, and baking powder. Inmates got a special holiday dinner of turkey, dressing, cranberries, and fruit cake on December 25.

Biographical / historical:

Petersburg was formed from parts of Dinwiddie, Prince George, and Chesterfield counties. A garrison and fur trading post called Fort Henry was established in 1645 on the site of the Indian village of Appamattuck. The present name, suggested in 1733 by William Byrd II, honors Peter Jones, Byrd's companion on expeditions into the Virginia backcountry. Petersburg was established in 1748 and incorporated as a town in 1784. In the latter year the towns of Blandford, Pocahontas, and Ravenscroft were added to Petersburg. It was incorporated as a city in 1850. Petersburg was enlarged by annexation from both Prince George and Dinwiddie counties in 1972.

Acquisition information:

These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from the city of Petersburg.

These items are located at the State Records Center. Contact Archives Research Services for access information, directions and hours.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Physical location:
State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia
Physical description:
2 v.