William Thomas Account Book,
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of a single account book maintained by William Thomas, a merchant in Montgomery County, Virginia around the middle of the 19th century. Included are names of customers, itemized lists of goods purchased, dates of puchases, and amounts paid.
Dates
- Creation: 1845 - 1852
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the William Thomas Account Book must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Biographical Note
The 1860 census records only one William Thomas in Blacksburg: a 64-year-old Maryland-born farmer. According to various sources, a Blacksburg merchant named William Thomas was born in Maryland on May 25, 1796. The son of Giles T. and Nancy Ann Wheeler Thomas, William Thomas moved to the Blacksburg area while in his late teens. In 1819, he married Rachel Montgomery Hoge (1800-1828), and the couple had three children. Following Rachel's death, Thomas married Lucretia Howe (1806-1889), with whom he had five children. Thomas served as Montgomery County sheriff and operated a successful mercantile business and tanyard, as well as a farm. He also had an interest in Montgomery White Sulphur Springs and served in Virginia's General Assembly, as clerk for Blacksburg's Presbyterian Church, and as a trustee of the Blacksburg Female Academy. William Thomas died on February 14, 1863 and is buried in Blacksburg's Westview Cemetery.
Full Extent
0.3 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Account book of William Thomas, a merchant in Blacksburg, Virginia during the mid-19th century.
Acquisition Information
The William Thomas Account Book was acquired by Newman Library prior to 1941.
Physical Characteristics
0.3 cu. ft. 1 box
Processing Information
The processing and description of the William Thomas Account Book commenced in October, 2011 and was completed in November, 2011.
- Title
- A Guide to the William Thomas Account Book, 1845-1852
- Subtitle
- A collection in Special Collections.
- Author
- John M. Jackson
- Date
- ©2011 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. All rights reserved.
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu