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John W. Massie and Company Daybook, 1824-1839. Local government records collection, Arlington County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.
This item came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Arlington County.
John W. Massie and Company, established in 1815, sold hardware items, agricultural implements, and cutlery in Alexandria, Virginia. Additional items sold include Nova Scotia grindstones, mahogany and maple frame mirrors, and Swedish steel. Paton and Butcher held interest in John W. Massey and Company. Massey bought the entire interest of the company following the dissolution of Paton and Butcher in 1825.
The volumes were used as exhibits in a chancery suit, William H. Irwin and others versus Charles McKnight and others, heard in the Circuit Court of Alexandria County during the 1840's and 1850's.
Arlington County was originally named Alexandria County. It was formed from a part of Fairfax County that was ceded to the U.S. government in 1789 but was returned to Virginia in 1846. The county name was changed in 1920 to Arlington, the name of the Custis family mansion (former home of Robert E. Lee), which is located in the county.
John W. Massie and Company Daybook, 1824-1839, records transactions as they occurred on a daily basis. Information found in includes name of customer, items purchased, quantity purchased, cost per item, form of payment, and amount owed and paid. Items sold include grain scythes, plough plates, anvils, frying pans, screws, hammers, and guns. Sale of cutlery and candles make up the bulk of the household items sold.
For additional information see the Arlington County Chancery Cause, William H. Irwin and others versus Charles McKnight and others. It can be found in the Local Records Collection at the Library of Virginia. The index number is 1854-005.
See also Paton and Butcher Business Records, 1811-1837 and Ezra Kinsey and Company Memorandum Book, 1796-1812 , which were also used as exhibits in the Arlington County Chancery Cause, William H. Irwin and others versus Charles McKnight and others. They can be found in the Local Records Collection at the Library of Virginia.