Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. 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.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], William Smith Account Book, Ms1988-103, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The William Smith Account Book was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1988.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the William Smith Account Book commenced and was completed in May, 2021.

Biographical Note

The front cover of this account book bears the name of William Smith. The front cover verso bears, in a latter-day hand, the words " Lancaster   Co. Pa." The 1900 census lists a 55-year-old grocer named William M. Smith living in the Lancaster   County, Pennsylvania home of Milton Wenges, his brother-in-law. William M. Smith, son of William and Elizabeth Ringwalt Smith, was born in Lancaster   County, Pennsylvania, on May 29, 1845. He died in Lancaster   County on December 2, 1917, and was buried in Saint Stephen United Church of Christ Cemetery, Lancaster   County.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single, small account book maintained by William Smith, a resident of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the early twentieth century. The structure and contents of the book suggest that it may have been the cash book of a grocery merchant. The entries, in chronological order, list names and prices of goods sold. The items consist overwhelmingly of foodstuffs (frequently listed items are bread, fruit, pretzels, salt, butter, and cheese), though household items are occasionally listed.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Account books

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the William Smith Account Book by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).