Baker's Store daybooks

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 not 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 #], Baker's Store daybooks, 1861-1878, SC 0403, James Madison University Special Collections, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
0.6 cubic feet 1 box
Creator:
Tim Abbott Americana and Baker's Store (1860-2018) (Mount Olive, Va.)
Abstract:
Two daybooks documenting the mercantile activities of Baker's Store in Mount Olive, Virginia.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Baker's Store daybooks, 1861-1878, SC 0403, James Madison University Special Collections, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Two daybooks documenting the mercantile activities of Baker's Store in Mount Olive, Virginia from 1861-1878. The daybooks are organized chronologically and include the names of patrons and itemized accounts of their purchases from the store. Common items purchased include fabric, eggs, butter, coffee, tobacco, pins, needles, camphor, paper, whiskey, sugar, clothing, and shoes. Names present in the daybooks include Rosenberger, Funkhouser, Grove, Hockman, Hamman, Edmonson, Coffman, Keller, Pifer, Clem, Hottle, Eberly, Copp, and others.

Biographical / historical:

Baker's Store, located in Mount Olive, Virginia in Shenandoah County, operated from 1860 until 2018. Baker's Store sold general merchandise including foodstuffs, perishables, dry goods, fabric, notions, alcohol, tobacco, and sundry items. Ephraim Baker (1836-1919) was the original proprietor of the store until his death when his son William Baker (1895-1989) took over ownership.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Tim Abbott Americana, March 2025.
Custodial history:

The ledgers were sold on eBay by a seller in Greencastle, Pennsylvania on January 15, 2025, presumably to Tim Abbott Americana.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard