A Guide to the Farmers Bank of Virginia Broadside, [1839-1842] Farmers Bank of Virginia, Broadside 1968.6

A Guide to the Farmers Bank of Virginia Broadside, [1839-1842]

A Collection in
Special Collections, Kegley Library
Collection Number 1968.6


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Special Collections, Kegley Library, Wytheville Community College

Special Collections
Kegley Library
Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, Virginia 24382-3308
USA
Phone: (276) 223-4744
Fax: (276) 223-4745
Email: gmattis@wcc.vccs.edu
URL: http://kegleylibrary.wcc.vccs.edu/

© 2011 By Wytheville Community College. All rights reserved.

Processed by: Cathy Carlson Reynolds

Repository
Special Collections, Kegley Library
Collection Number
1968.6
Title
Farmers Bank of Virginia Broadside [1839-1842]
Physical Characteristics
1 item.
Language
English

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Farmers Bank of Virginia Broadside, Mss. Collection 1968.6, Kegley Library, Wytheville Community College, Wytheville, VA

Acquisition Information

Donated by the estate of Frederick Bittle Kegley in 1968.

Historical Information

The Farmers Bank of Virginia opened in Richmond in 1812 with capital investments of two million dollars. Many branches eventually opened statewide, however before 1817 the branch in Staunton was the furthest west. The Wythe Court House branch evidently opened between 1839 and 1842 but closed soon after the Civil War ended. The branch was located at the corner of East Main and First Streets.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of a broadside dated between 1839 and 1842 proposing the establishment of a branch in Wythe Court house [Wytheville] by "presidents, directors and stockholders " of the Farmers Bank of Virginia. The broadside argues that Wythe Court House's convenient location as a center of regional trade makes it a better choice than Abingdon; it particularly notes that livestock, lead, flour, bacon, and other agricultural products are traded in eastern markets such as "the towns upon the James River or Maryland. The entire trade of this section of country is Eastward, which would enable it to create an Eastern fund, by which the Bank could keep up its balances, in such a manner as to preclude the possibility of any specie being drawn from its vaults, by the holders of its notes in the East, from whom our merchants purchase their supplies of goods for our market. "

The broadside, measuring "9 " inches by "15 " inches, is signed by David McComas, William H. Spiller, and John B. Floyd. An annexed statement on the broadside provides information on monetary worth of livestock, manufactured goods, minerals, agricultural and other products exported from Wythe and surrounding counties. According to this statement, Wythe County exported over $121,000 worth of goods annually.