Lietzan Family Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Thomas Balch Library
Thomas Balch Library
208 West Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Alexandra S. Gressitt
Phone: (703) 737-7195
Fax: (703) 737-7195

Summary

Extent:
.5 cubic feet
Creator:
The Lietzan family, Arlington, VA
Abstract:
The Lietzan Family Collection consists of a ledger, a day book and the binding and pages of a "Physics Record" book. Also included in the collection are numerous papers and botanical samples that were placed in the bound volumes. All of the materials included in the collection were found in the attic of the structure that used to be the Ashburn House.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Lietzan Family Collection consists of a ledger, a day book and the binding and pages of a "Physics Record" book. Also included in the collection are numerous papers and botanical samples that were placed in the bound volumes. All of the materials included in the collection were found in the attic of the structure that used to be the Ashburn House.

The ledger and day book belonged to W. H. Moffett, a blacksmith and entrepreneur in Loudoun County during the second half of the nineteenth century. Both books detail blacksmithing, tool and wagon repair accounts payable to W.H. Moffett. Amos Jenkins was one of Moffett's customers and visitors to the Ashburn Hotel also likely relied on Moffett's services. Well-known Loudoun County surnames appearing in the ledgers include Gullick, Skinner, Nixon, Elgin, Carr and others.

Biographical / historical:

Amos Jenkins' (1855-1932) parents were Samuel L. (fl. 1799-1865) and Nancy Jenkins (fl. 1814-1880). Amos Jenkins was married twice, first to Mary Bell Wynkoop Jenkins (1868-1909) and then to Cassandra H. Rusk Jenkins (1864-1936). They are all buried at Union Cemetery in Leesburg, VA. Amos Jenkins was the proprietor of the Ashburn House in Farmwell, VA, the area that became known as Ashburn in 1896. This hotel that was built in 1882 and is now a private residence. Visitors would stay at the hotel during their trips to explore the Loudoun County countryside. The hotel, at one time referred to as the Home Sweet Home Boarding House, could accommodate up to 23 guests.

William Henry Moffett (1829-1906) lived in Leesburg, Virginia and was married to Alice Amelia Jenkins Moffett (1830-1894). A blacksmith and entrepreneur, Moffett is buried at Union Cemetery in Leesburg, Virginia. Moffett's ledger and day book were found in the attic of the Ashburn House. The ledger indicates that Amos Jenkins was one of his many customers.

Acquisition information:
The Lietzan family, Arlington, VA
Physical description:
.