Central Virginia Farmer's 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 #], Central Virginia Farmer's Diary, 1899, SC 0284, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.12 cubic feet 2 folders
Creator:
Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Abstract:
The Central Virginia Farmer's Diary, 1899, documents the activities of an unidentified farmer in central Virginia.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Central Virginia Farmer's Diary, 1899, SC 0284, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The Central Virginia Farmer's Diary, 1899, is a mass-produced diary consisting of three sections. The first section reads like a basic Farmer's Almanac, with a calendar, dates of the phases of the moon, interesting laws of different states, tide tables, currency exchange rates, and other general information. The second section comprises the bulk of the diary, with daily entries written by the farmer on affairs such as plowing fields, weather reports, who worked that day, and church matters. The last section consists of blank pages for names and addresses and an account book. Loose items include business cards and what is assumed to be a map documenting where different families lived in the area.

Biographical / historical:

While the specific identity of the diary's creator is unknown, it is speculated that the diarist owned land near or around Gordonsville in Orange County, Virginia during the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century. Names mentioned in the diary include Miller, E. P. Cason, George, Thomas Cason (1873-1936), Cora Miller Cason (1877-1943), Richard "Dick" Crittenden Booton (1866-1911), and John Robertson Coons (1866-1929). It is assumed that Miller, E. P. Cason, Thomas Cason, George, Booton, and Coons were employed by the diarist.

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

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

Arrangement:

The materials are housed in two folders.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard