J. W. Tate Ledgers, 1888/1905

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 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 Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], J. W. Tate Ledgers, 1888-1905, SC 0301, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.2 cubic feet 5 folders
Creator:
Tate, J. W. (John William), 1858-1915 and Tim Abbott Americana
Abstract:
The J. W. Tate Ledgers, 1888-1905, comprise four account books documenting Tate's blacksmith business in the Amberly area of Rockingham County, Virginia. Additional materials include correspondence, printed ephemera, and an incomplete autobiographical sketch of Luna Tate, J. W. Tate's daughter.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], J. W. Tate Ledgers, 1888-1905, SC 0301, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The J. W. Tate Ledgers, 1888-1905, comprise four account books documenting Tate's blacksmith business in the Amberly area of Rockingham County, Virginia. Additional materials include correspondence, printed ephemera, and an incomplete autobiographical sketch of Luna Tate, J. W. Tate's daughter.

The ledgers include the names of Tate's customers, services or materials provided, and their respective cost.

In her autobiographical sketch, Luna Tate describes her family's farm, her father's blacksmith shop, schooling, and travels. A five-page biography of Christopher Columbus written by Luna Tate, likely for a school assignment, is included. Correspondence is from family in Ohio (Dayton and Clayton) and friends in Waynesboro, Virginia.

Biographical / historical:

John William Tate (1858-1915), son of John Henry Tate (1833-1898) and Sarah A. Tate (1822-1898), was a life-long resident of the Amberly/Greenmount area of Rockingham County, Virginia. He was a blacksmith by trade and also served as the postmaster of the Amberly post office, established in 1891. He married Sarah Fulk (1867-1950) with whom he had three children - Edward Carl Tate (1888-1966), Luna C. Tate (1891-1918), and William Newtown Tate (1894-1979). According to Luna Tate's autobiographical sketch, included in this collection, Edward and William Tate oversaw the 55-acre family farm while their dad ran the blacksmith shop.

Acquisition information:
Acquired from Tim Abbott Americana in November 2019.
Processing information:

Loose materials not otherwise related to Tate's blacksmith business were removed from the ledgers and foldered separately.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard