Jerome Blair Collection 1836-1894

Access and use

Location of collection:
Wytheville Community College
F.B. Kegley Library
Wytheville Community College
Smyth Hall, Room 103
1000 East Main Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
Contact for questions and access:
POC: William A. “Bill” Veselik
Phone: (276) 223-4876
POC: George Mattis
Phone: (276) 223-4744
Fax: (276) 223-4745

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Jerome Blair Collection, Mss. Collection 1990.1, contains ledgers and account books from several general merchandise stores and businesses owned by Blair. Included are records for Peirce Forege (Cripple Creek Forge), Hutsons Creek Store, Brown Hill Furnace Store, and Walton Furnace Store in Wythe County and Cherry Grove Store and Blair and Hall Store in Grayson County. Also included are court proceedings held in the Walton Furnace area of Wythe County and presided over by Jerome Blair, a justice of the peace.

Biographical / historical:

Destined to become a prominent Wythe County merchant, Jerome Blair was born on 12 April 1819 in the Walton Furnace area. Blair evidently intended on studying law and migrating to Texas or Oregon. In an 1845 letter (Kegley Library Vertical File, Families-Blair #34), he admits to William Blair that "if times get any better perhaps I may stay in this county." Blair supported himself by teaching.

On 13 December 1848, Jerome Blair married Emily H. Caldwell (1828-1897). They raised several children together including Isabella Margaret Blair (1852-1917), Hannah E. Blair (1862-1956), Susan Blair, Charles David Blair (1869-1928), and John Blair.

Blair operated general merchandise stores in Grayson and Wythe counties. His Wythe County stores included Brown Hill Furnace, Hutsons Creek, Peirce Forge (Cripple Creek Forge), and Walton Furnace while his Grayson County stores included Cherry Grove and Blair and Hall.

His Walton Furnace property also proved lucrative for Blair. In 1872 he leased it to Millon Howard and Dr. Richard Walton Sanders. The Lobdell Car Wheel Company rented the property in 1879. Blair received preference for hauling goods and providing supplies.

Jerome Blair served as justice of the peace for the eastern part of Wythe County as well as postmaster for Ivanhoe. He died on 2 March 1900.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Gladys Blair, Ann Blair, and Eleanor Sue Murphy in 1990.
Arrangement:

Items are arranged by county, then by store in no certain order.

Physical description:
33 volumes..