Reed Island Iron Company Ledgers

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], Reed Island Iron Company Ledgers, Ms2012-081, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.7 Cubic Feet 2 boxes
Creator:
Reed Island Iron Company (Pulaski County, Va.) (1881-1906)
Abstract:
The collection includes customer account, invoice, and workman's hours ledgers from the Reed Island Iron Company. Records date from 1880-1896, during most of the known active period of the company (c.1880-c.1906).
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], Reed Island Iron Company Ledgers, Ms2012-081, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection includes customer account, invoice, and workman's hours ledgers from the Reed Island Iron Company. Records dates from 1880-1896, during most of the known active period of the company (c.1880-c.1906).

Series I: Customer Account and Invoice Ledgers consists of ledgers dating from 1880 through 1893. The majority records are customer accounts (eight of nine ledgers in this series) and include names and transactions, as well as amounts due and paid. The remaining book is a list of customer invoices. There is some overlap among the ledgers and they do not cover all months for the 13 year period.

Series II: Workman's Hours Ledgers contains small booklets from 1886-1896. These ledger include lists of the names of workers for a given month, tracking their hours. There is no apparent overlap between the ledgers and they do not cover the entire time period between August 1886 and April 1896.

Biographical / historical:

The Reed Island Iron Furnace, located three miles from Allisonia, Virginia, commenced operation in 1881 and operated until 1908. The furnace produced up to 12 tons of pig iron per day.

The Reed Island Furnace was first operated by the Reed Island Iron Company, in Reed Island, Virginia (near Allisonia), beginning around 1881. The furnace itself was in Pulaski County, while the company was based in Wythe County. By 1898, the furnace and the company appeared to be the property and works of the Virginia Iron, Coal, and Coke Company, who ran the furnace until about 1906. The furnace produced up to 12 tons of pig iron per day and operated until 1908.

External Sources:

Directory to the Iron and Steel Works of the United States and Canada. Philadelphia: The American Iron and Steel Association, 1890. Available online at Google Books.

Supplement to the Directory of Iron and Steel Works of the United States. Philadelphia: The American Iron and Steel Association, 1900. Available online at Google Books.

Acquisition information:
The Reed Island Company Ledgers were acquired by Special Collections prior to 2009.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Reed Island Iron Company Ledgers was completed in December 2012.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into two series, both of which are arranged chronologically, Series I: Customer Account and Invoice Ledgers, 1880-1893, and Series II: Workman's Hours Ledgers, 1886-1896.