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The Thruston family commonplace book (1604-1925; 0.03 cubic feet) documents the family history of the Thruston family of Bristol and Virginia, with early records concerning Martin's Hundred, Virginia, a plantation on the north shore of the James River, first settled in 1638. The manuscript opens with an "Epistle dedicatory" dated 25 October 1628 by Abell Louering, addressed to Robert Rogers, Esq., whose wife was present at the baptism of John Thruston's son John. The manuscript then passes to John Thruston, Chamberlain of Bristol (1606-1675), son of Malachais Thurston of Wellington. Thurston had 16 children with his first wife, Thomasine Rich. Their various births, deaths, and marriages are recorded here, including the birth of son Edward in 1638. Dr. Edward Thurston began writing in the book in 1666, and his entries contain the first reference to Virginia in the manuscript.

The Ephemera Collection contains material primarily acquired for teaching. It includes material in various formats, most of which have been previously published. The collection is currently being processed and new items will be added on an ongoing basis. For this reason, the indicated date range is approximate at this point.

The collection comprises mostly of anatomical illustrations of humans and animals by professional medical illustrators and medical practioners, but there is a good number of caricatures. Many of the images depict 20th century surgical prodedures; there are also physiological illustrations included in the collection. Most items are drawn in pencil on illustration paper with cardboard backing. In addition, there are some drawings in notepads and on tracing paper.

Microfilm include State Land Office Records; S. Bassett French, Biographical Sketches; Mott-Alston Collection of Colonial Families; Confederate Service Records of Virginia Soldiers; Revolutionary War, Public Service Claims; Revolutionary War, Public Service Claims; Revolutionary War, Bounty Warrants; Revolutionary Pensions; Revolutionary War, Rejected Claims; Family Genealogical Notes; and List of Baptist records at the University of Richmond.

Deeds, wills, court orders, marriage and other records for Accomack County; Alexandria City; and parish registers, vestry books, marriage bonds, etc. for Albemarle County, Alexandria City, Abingdon, Atrim and Augusta parishes.

This collection consists of 17 folders. In addition to the untitled book, designated the "Von Frieling Sammelband," the collection contains photocopies of the book and materials related to the 20th century version of Von Frieling's green butter salve, also called Von Frieling's plaster salve. These materials include documentation and packaging for the salve, patent paperwork, correspondence, and various items related to herbal medicine and early German printing, as well as two samples of the salve itself.

The Waller family papers contains original documents including correspondence, deeds, land indentures, receipts, photographs and other papers related to the genealogical research of the Waller family by Anne Waller Reddy (1890-1971). Materials contain those belonging to or documenting Governor Littleton John Waller Tazewell as well as Benjamin and John Waller.

Negative photostats of items from the correspondence of the Rev. William Dawson and the Rev. Thomas Dawson, both of whom were commissaries of the Church of England in Virginia and presidents of the College of William and Mary. Prominent correspondents include Patrick Henry, Samuel Davies, John Blair and Robert Dinwiddie.