Snell Grocery and Hardware Company Ledger

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk. (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Snell Grocery and Hardware Company Ledger, 1913-1916, SC 0196, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.3 cubic feet 1 ledger
Creator:
Snell Grocery and Hardware Company (Harrisonburg, Va.) and Suter, Scott Hamilton
Abstract:
The collection consists of one 10 3/4" x 16" x 2 1/4" account ledger for Snell Grocery and Hardware Company in Harrisonburg, Virginia, 1913-1916.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Snell Grocery and Hardware Company Ledger, 1913-1916, SC 0196, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Snell Grocery and Hardware Company ledger consists of one book, 1913-1916. The ledger contains a list of all customers during that period, detailed lists of their purchases, whether their purchases were by cash, credit or check, as well as expenses of the company per month. The company sold grocery items such as: dairy products, meats, grains, fruits and vegetables, as well as fertilizer, cement, coal and livestock feed. The Long's Store Records (SC 0218) includes bills and receipts for items purchased from Snell Grocery Company in 1908.

Biographical / historical:

Using the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps for Harrisonburg, Virginia, from 1891 to 1930, it was determined that this ledger belonged to the Snell Grocery and Hardware Company. The 1891 Sanborn map shows Yancey, Snell & Company, Wholesale Grocer's plaster mill and warehouse at 541 North Main Street. By 1907, the company was known as Snell & Berry Grocery Company. By 1918, the company was renamed J.M. Snell Grocery. The company is known to have operated from at least 1891 to 1924. Sometime between 1919 and 1924, J.M. Snell Grocery was acquired by Merchants Grocery and Hardware. An additional warehouse was located at 135 West Market Street, but was acquired by Merchants Grocery and Hardware Company between 1919 and 1924, the structure of which still stands. The main warehouse on North Main Street near Kratzer Road has since been demolished.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from a private seller in November 2007.
Custodial history:

The ledger was sold at Green Valley Auctions, Inc. on June 26, 2004.

Processing information:

In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in 2017-2018. This collection was previously cataloged as SC 5017.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard