John Walter Rice slavery documents

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 #], John Walter Rice slavery documents, 1831-1832, SC 0417, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.08 cubic feet 1 folder
Creator:
Rice, John W. (John Walter), 1793-1862 and Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Abstract:
The collection comprises three documents recording Dr. John Walter Rice's purchase of two enslaved people named Dianah and Edmund.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box#, folder #], John Walter Rice slavery documents, 1831-1832, SC 0417, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection comprises three documents recording Dr. John Walter Rice's purchase of two enslaved people - Dianah from Robert Harry Turner of Woodstock, Virginia (later of Front Royal, Virginia) in 1831 and Edmund from John William Dulaney of Woodville, Virginia in 1832. The documents include an 1831 promissory note and indenture as well as an 1832 bill of sale. Brothers Benjamin and Philip Grandstaff Jr. of Shenandoah County were named in the documents related to Dianah as one or both were previously her enslavers.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. John Walter Rice (1793-1862) attended medical school in Philadelphia before permanently moving to New Market, Virginia by 1819. He served in the War of 1812, possibly as a surgeon. In 1815, Rice married Anna Maria Gilliams in Philadelphia, and the couple had twelve children. In 1834, Rice, one of the largest landowners in the New Market area of Shenandoah County, built Stanley Hall, a Greek Revival plantation house, that is presently situated on land preserved by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. He was elected president of the Valley Turnpike Company in 1843, a position he held for many years. According to the 1840 census, Rice enslaved 12 people. The 1850 census lists 22 people enslaved by Rice.

Other than their names and previous enslavers - information found within the documents in this collection - the archivist was unable to locate additional information about Dianah (also spelled Diana) and Edmund. In the documents, they are referred to as a girl and boy respectively, suggesting they were children at the time of their sale.

Robert H. Turner (1789-1861), originally from Woodstock, moved to Warren County in 1836 where he became county clerk.

John W. Dulaney (1800-1883) was born in Culpeper County, Virginia and later moved to Ohio.

Philip Broadus Grandstaff Jr. (1792-1865) and Benjamin Grandstaff (1794-1873) were brothers from Edinburg, Virginia.

Acquisition information:
Purchased November 21, 2025 at Jeffrey S. Evans Associates, Inc. Fall Premier Americana: Day Two Featuring The Benny Long Collection.
Custodial history:

From the collection of Benny Long, New Market, Virginia. Previously Booze Vaughn estate, New Market, Virginia.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard