John Garst Account Ledgers, 1844/1850

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Dr.
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 26041-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
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], John Garst Account Ledgers, 1844-1850, Ms2023-077, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.4 Cubic Feet 1 box
Creator:
Garst, John N. , ca. 1796-1875
Abstract:
The ledgers in this collection are detail John Garst's carpentry and mill business, including selling and purchasing planks and repairing and making wagons. Garst (ca. 1796-1875) built the Garst Mill in 1845 along Mason's Creek in Roanoke, Virginia.
Language:
The material in this collection is in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], John Garst Account Ledgers, 1844-1850, Ms2023-077, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The ledgers in this collection are detail John Garst's carpentry and mill business. The ledger entries include the making of 1100 rails, selling and purchasing planks, and repairing and making wagons. There are many people mentioned throughout the ledgers, including Charles Parrish, Jr., Colonel Abraham Hupp, Robert Paxton, Adolphus Huff, and more.

Biographical / historical:

John N. Garst (also Gharst; ca. 1796-1875) was the son of Frederick and Magdalena Garst. In 1842, he purchased 130 acres of land on Mason's Creek in Roanoke, Virginia, and built the Garst Mill in 1845. The mill was later renamed the Kesler Mill and operated until 1922.

Garst married Christina Peffley in 1821, and they had several children.

External sources:

U.S. Federal Censuses, 1850-1870

"John N. Gharst I", findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64345556/john-n-gharst, accessed on July 19, 2023.

"Garst/Kesler Mill Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail", Historical Marker Database, https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=15146, accessed on July 19, 2023.

"John Garst" in the Virginia, U.S., Deaths and Burials Index, 1853-1917, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/2558/records/742440, accessed February 6, 2025.

"John Garst" in the U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/7836/records/454952, accessed February 6, 2025.

Acquisition information:
The John Garst Account Ledgers was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in February 2017.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the John Garst Account Ledgers was completed in July 2023.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged chronologically.