The collection is open for research.
This content of this collection is in the public domain. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Mathews Court House (Va.) Account Books, Ms1940-021, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The Mathews Court House (Va.) Account Books were acquired by the univeristy in 1939 or 1940 and transferred to Special Collections and University Archives in 1955.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Mathews Court House (Va.) Account Books commenced and was completed in November 2011. Initial description was completed in or prior to May 1970.
The volumes in this collection seem to have been rebound soon after having been aquired by Virginia Tech, with all original identifying information lost in the process. Latter-day labels on the new bindings, however, indicate that the ledgers originated with stores operated by Francis Armistead and a succession of business partners. The day book spanning 1838-1839 bears the name Tompkins, Armistead and Diggs, while the 1850-1852 volume is labeled "F. A. & Co." On the front endpaper of the 1869-1874 day book is written "A & M [Armistead & Marchants?]." The text of an 1845 deed, found online, identifies Francis Armistead and Albert Diggs as the surviving partners in the firm of Tompkins, Armistead and Diggs. Francis Armistead appears in the 1860 census as a 50-year-old merchant, living in Mathews Court House, Virginia; he appears again in the 1870 and 1880 censuses with the same occupation. A Francis Armistead (1809-1896) is buried in Mathews County's Armistead-Miller Family Cemetery.
This collection contains three day books maintained by a general mercantile business, likely operated by Francis Armistead with a sucession of partners, in Mathews Court House, Virginia. The volumes provide customer names, dates of transactions, descriptions and prices of items purchased.
The collection is arranged chronologically.
The guide to the Mathews Court House (Va.) Account Books by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your- work/public-domain/cc0/).