James M. Beard Mercantile ledger

Access and use

Location of collection:
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library
Special Collections and Archives
James G. Leyburn Library
Washington and Lee University
204 W. Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tom Camden
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964
Restrictions:

This collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.

Preferred citation:

James M. Beard Mercantile Ledger (BBM Coll. 0004), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Summary

Extent:
1.3 Linear Feet one flat box
Creator:
Beard, James M.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

James M. Beard Mercantile Ledger (BBM Coll. 0004), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of a mercantile ledger kept by Brownsburg, Va. merchant James M. Beard. He also operated the local post office as was common during his time. The ledger contains entries that apply to his mercantile business documenting who bought what and for how much as well as entries specific to the post office. The last page has his copy of two letters he wrote in 1835. At some point, someone used the ledger as a scrapbook. Many of the first pages are covered by newspaper clippings.

Biographical / historical:

James M. Beard was born in 1796. He was a merchant and postmaster in Brownsburg, Va. and owned several properties. He died on February 28, 1861.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Places:
Virginia -- Brownsburg