Mathews Court House Account Books,

The volumes in this collection seem to have been rebound soon after having been aquired by Virginia Tech and 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.