R. A. Patterson to James Thomas, Jr. Letter

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

R.A. Patterson to James Thomas, Jr. Letter, 1855, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Summary

Extent:
0.01 Linear Foot
Creator:
Patterson, Richard Archibald, 1826-1912
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

R.A. Patterson to James Thomas, Jr. Letter, 1855, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

Three page letter from R.A. (Richard Archibald) Patterson to James Thomas, Jr. dated March 14, 1855. Patterson is writing from Norfolk, Va. to Thomas is Richmond. In the letter, he complains about the abundance of tobacco and the negative effects of the surplus on his ability to sell his tobacco for a decent price. "there is tobacco enough in Norfolk for two places like it and besides the trade here possesses the same ammonia for bright Tobacco as almost everywhere else- They want nothing but bright colored Tobacco, "that is for pounds and half pounds." He further goes on to discuss his competition, "Dr. Saunders Tobacco seems to have the sun here now." Later he suggests that he will try to sell one more time and then perhaps head to Charleston in hopes of encountering a more profitable market.

Biographical / historical:

Founder of R.A. Patterson & Sons Tobacco Company

Administrative History: Dr. Richard Archibad Patterson is the founder of R. A. Patterson and Son's Tobacco Company and for the famous introduction of "Lucky Strike" cigarettes in 1871.

Founder of R.A. Patterson & Sons Tobacco Company

Dr. Richard Archibad Patterson is the founder of R. A. Patterson and Son's Tobacco Company and for the famous introduction of "Lucky Strike" cigarettes in 1871.