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Martin Urner Ledger,

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2010-041

Scope and Content

The ledger is organized by customer name and date. Each page usually contains either one or two customers, while each line represents an individual day's transactions. Some item descriptions are detailed, but most are simple, e.g. "1 Wagon whip" or "For repairs to a side saddle."

Details are also recorded for payments. Urner accepted many methods of payment, including cash, services, and barter for his services. Examples of payment include bushels of potatoes received over the course of a year, the use of a horse and plow hand for four days, and "dentistry."

Dates

  • Creation: 1867 - 1881

Creator

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish from the Martin Urner Ledger must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Biographical Information

Martin Urner was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, in 1813. In March 1837, he married his first wife, Barbara Zirkle (1818-1845). Before her death, they had four children: Sarah C. (1838-1864), John Osborn (1840-1914), Lewis Harvey (1842-1925), and Emily Susan (b.1845). In 1848, he married Susan Keyser (b.1824) and together they had five children: Annie Floren (1851-1862), Charles Keyser (b.1854), Clarence Henry (b.1856), Frances Mary (1858-1862), and Margaret C. (b.1863).

Urner was a saddler in New Market, Shenandoah County, Virginia. He was also a minister and served as pastor of the Smith Creek Baptist Church in New Market from 1868 until his death. (His second wife was the daughter of a previous minister at the church.) Urner died in New Market in 1888. Susan Urner lived until at least 1910.

Full Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection contains a single ledger from Martin Urner’s harness and saddle-making business in New Market, Virginia. The ledger includes customer and payment information from 1867 to 1881.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by material type.

Acquisition Information

The Martin Urner Ledger was purchased by Special Collections in December 2009.

General Physical Description note

1 folder; 0.1 cu. ft.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Martin Urner Ledger commenced and was completed in June 2010.

Title
A Guide to the Martin Urner Ledger, 1867-1881
Status
Completed
Author
Josh Howard and Kira A. Dietz
Date
© 2010 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. All rights reserved.
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Description is in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308