Wood, Kasey, and Wood Account Books

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Wood, Kasey, and Wood Account Books, Ms2008-035, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.7 Cubic Feet 2 boxes
Creator:
Wood, Kasey, and Wood (Max Meadows, Va.) and Wood, Thomas, 1812-1891
Abstract:
The Wood, Kasey, and Wood Account Books document the transactions of a general store and zinc distributor in Max Meadows, Virginia, during the mid- to late nineteenth century. Materials include two detailed ledgers, three day books, and one cash book.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Wood, Kasey, and Wood Account Books, Ms2008-035, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Wood, Kasey, and Wood Account Books document the transactions of a general store and zinc distributor in Max Meadows, Virginia, during the mid- to late nineteenth century. Materials include two detailed ledgers, three day books, and one cash book. Customers and suppliers named in these account books include (but are not limited to): Lehigh Zinc Company, Mercer Zinc Works, Union Lead Mines, a school house, Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Co., Palmer Hartsook & Co. (commission merchants), Ogelsby & Robinson, Jolen Rhodes, Columbus Smithers, Polley Hubbard, Charles Holliday, Robert H. Crockett, and J. M. Brower and Bro. Cotton. The proprietors' names, Thomas Wood and sons, along with A. M. Kasey, also appear in accounts. Examples of common transacted items include: coffee, eggs, tobacco, sugar, oil, butter, a pack of cards, soap, perfume, cotton, candy, potatoes, shoes, whiskey, zinc, and "sundries." Some loose letters to Thomas Wood concerning business also appear, affixed within the ledgers.

Biographical / historical:

Wood, Kasey, and Wood Company (sometimes referred to as Wood Kasey and Co.) served Max Meadows, Virginia, as a general store during the mid- to late nineteenth century. While dealing largely in foodstuffs, clothing, alcohol and common household items, Wood, Kasey, and Wood also shipped zinc ore from local mines to the Lehigh Zinc Company of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Mercer Zinc Works of Trenton, New Jersey. According to Wythe County Virginia, A Bicentennial History, iodized zinc ore was hauled to Max Meadows from local lead mines because it was the closest shipping point.

Thomas Wood, the elder proprietor of Wood, Kasey, and Wood, appears in the 1880: Wythe County Virginia Census as a 67-year-old merchant-placing his birth year around 1813. Born in England, Wood immigrated to Virginia and married Margaret Elizabeth Crockett in November 26, 1841. This union produced many children: William, Robert, Grafton, Bamford, Mary Agnes, Margaret Louise, Elizabeth Graham, John, Ann, and Josie Wood.

Wood is likely the Thomas Wood (June 20, 1812-March 29, 189[1?]) buried in Crockett Cemetery in Wytheville, Wythe County, Virginia. His tombstone states "Born in Cumberland Co. Eng."

Several of Thomas's sons appear in the ledger books and G. C. (Grafton) and William Wood sometimes appear as Thomas's partners. Daughter Margaret Louise Wood married Alexander Marion Kasey, likely her father's business partner.

External sources:

U.S. Census, 1850-1880

"Thomas Wood", Virginia Compiled Marriages, 1740-1850, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/144572:3723, accessed March 29, 2023.

Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70982170/thomas-wood, accessed March 29, 2023.

Acquisition information:
The Wood, Kasey, and Wood Account Books were purchased by Special Collections in 1985.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Wood, Kasey, and Wood Account Books commenced in June 2008 and was completed in July 2008.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged by material type.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard