Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

An appointment for research is required. Collection is open for research. No interlibrary loan.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item] Joseph H. Chumbley Collection, Radford University Appalachian Collection, McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA. Joseph H. Chumbley Collection , Accession # AC 003, University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University

Acquisition Information

Accruals

Additonal accruals are not expected.

Processing Information

Gene Hyde July 2009. Additional processing by Adrian Whicker, March 2012.

Biographical Information

Joseph Harper Chumbley (November 7, 1844-July 24, 1917) was a merchant, bank president, notary public, and magistrate who ran a general merchandise store in the town of New River and a woolen mill in Radford. The store was originally called Chumbley and Einstein, and co-owned by Chumbley's partner Henry Thomas Einstein. He later partnered with J.T. Harper who ran a branch store in Morristown, TN. Chumbley was a native of Pulaski County and served in the 39th VA Cavalry Battalion as a courier for Generals James Longstreet, Gabriel C. Wharton, and Robert E. Lee. Chumbley was married to Ella Hanna Shell (June 22, 1846-October 24,1930) and had four children: Eula, Anna C., Ella J., and Robert Edward Lee Chumbley. Chumbley was a Presbyterian and a member of the Masons.

Scope and Content

Contains the personal, business, and legal correspondence, business records, newspapers, and other ephemera of Joseph H. Chumbley and the ledger book of business accounts of Chumbley and Harper Company of Radford, VA, dry goods and general merchant. The ledger book contains 400 pages of account transactions with individuals, plus detailed accounts payable information to suppliers, Bank of Radford accounts, and other business accounts, such as the account ledger for the building of Chumbley's house in Radford. Personal correspondence includes letters of Chumbley's wife, Ellen Hanna Shell Chumbley to various Confederate soldiers during the Civil War and letters of Laura Kirkwood to various friends and family members from the 1870s-1890s. Coverage includes 1861-1918.

Arrangement

Box 1: Ledger Book

Box 2: Documents and other materials