Samuel William Long Diary

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 open to 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 #], Samuel William Long Diary, 1931-1935, SC 0283, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.12 cubic feet 2 folders
Creator:
Long, Samuel William, 1869-1961 and Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Abstract:
The Samuel William Long Diary, 1931-1935, consists of Long's diary and financial receipts that detail a standard year of a shopkeeper's life in Sangerville, Virginia.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Samuel William Long Diary, 1931-1935, SC 0283, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The Samuel William Long Diary, 1931-1935, measures 4.75" x 3" x 1" and is divided into three sections. The first section includes information one might find in an almanac, including dates of eclipses, populations of principal cities in the United States, dates of holidays differentiated by state, tide tables, and other practical information. The second section comprises the diary entries and spans the entire year of 1931. In this section, Long comments on how many brooms he's made (and the customers), outings with his wife Ida and other friends, the weather forecast, and events that unfolded at church. The last section is a headed with "Cash Account. January" and is a record book for his personal finances throughout the year. This section also includes a small address book section, in which he lists four contacts at the very back of the diary. A pocket at the back of the diary contained numerous receipts, checks, and a vehicle registration card for a 1930 Chevrolet Coach.

Biographical / historical:

Samuel William Long was born in Orange County, Virginia on February 15, 1869 to Emanuel and Elizabeth Miller Long. He married Ida Rebecca Click (1876-1951) on December 14, 1899 and moved with her to Bridgewater, where they had two sons, DeWitt (1900-1997) and Arie (1904-1978). Until his death on March 14, 1961, he worked as a farmer and broom-maker and attended the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. He is buried alongside his wife at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Bridgewater, Rockingham County, Virginia.

Acquisition information:
The diary was acquired at Jeffrey S. Evans and Associates' Winter Americana and Variety Auction on February 16, 2019.
Processing information:

Documents in the back pocket of the diary were removed and housed in a separate folder.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged chronologically in two folders.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard