Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Harry C. Dudley Account Books must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Harry C. Dudley Account Books, Ms1940-007, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Harry C. Dudley Account Books were acquired by Newman Library prior to 1941.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Harry C. Dudley Account Books commenced and was completed in December, 2011.

Biographical Note

Harry Cleveland Dudley, son of Virginia L. Dudley, was born in the Fagg community of Montgomery County, Virginia on June 23, 1885. He married Pearl Alice Haley (1888-1965), and the couple had seven children. The 1910 census describes Dudley’s occupation as farmer, and he continues to be described as a farmer through the 1930 census. Harry C. Dudley died on November 28, 1955 and is buried in Montgomery County’s Dudley Cemetery.

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains account books maintained by Harry Cleveland Dudley, who operated a farm, general store, saw mill and lime kiln in Montgomery County, Virginia during the early 20th century. Included in the collection is a ledger detailing the expenses of a lime kiln, listing names and wages of workers. The volume also includes notes on a few other expenses and a few sales. A similar ledger relates to labor and other expenses at Dudley's sawmill but also includes lumber sales accounts and farm labor accounts. The greater part of the collection, however, is comprised of three large ledgers detailing the customer transactions at a general mercantile store from 1910 to 1924. Evidence within the ledgers indicates that the store was operated by John L. Dudley (likely the uncle of Harry C. Dudley) under the name J. L. Dudley and Bros. The ledgers provide customer names, transaction dates, lists of goods purchased, and prices paid.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by item type, then chronologically.

Index Terms

Subjects:

• Local/Regional History
• Montgomery County (Va.)