Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Van Meter Family Papers, 1749-1870. Accession 28128, Personal Papers Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace Foundation, Staunton, Virginia, 1973.

Biographical/Historical Information

The Van Meter family were prominent residents of Hardy County, (West) Virginia. Isaac Van Meter was born on 10 December 1757 at "Fort Pleasant." He married Bettie Inskeep (1763-1827) in Hardy County on 27 June 1780. They had thirteen children. Isaac Van Meter died at "Oldfields" on 13 December 1837. His oldest son was David Van Meter. He was born on 1 September 1784. He married Hannah Cunningham (d. 1878). David Van Meter died on 12 May 1871. Both Isaac and his son David were successful cattle and stock breeders in Hardy County.

Scope and Content

Papers, 1749-1870, of the Van Meter family of Hardy County, (West) Virginia, and Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky. Most of the collection relates to the activities of Isaac Van Meter (1757-1837) and his son David Van Meter (1784-1871). Includes correspondence, accounts and receipts, and subject files.

The correspondence covers the period 1794 to 1869. Subjects include the Van Meter's involvement in the cattle and stock business, legal and financial matters, land sales, health, social activities, such as their involvement in the Presbyterian church, and other news of the family. There are a number of letters relating to David Van Meter's militia service during the War of 1812 while he was stationed near Norfolk. Also of interest are letters during the late 1820's on the topic of the education of David's children, including correspondence between him and their teacher. There is correspondence concerning state and national politics, including letters on the subject of the removal of deposits from the Bank of the United States. There are also letters written by John Inskeep Van Meter (1798-1875), David's brother, who was a member of the Ohio state legislature, and also served in the United States House of Representatives.

The subject files contain a variety of information on the family, including agreements, bonds, cattle and stock business papers, and estate papers. David Van Meter served as administrator or executor on a number of estates, including William Cunningham, Sr. (d. 1828), for whom there is a considerable amount of material. The subject files also contain fee bills, memorandum books, military service papers, plats and surveys, promissory notes, and tax tickets and receipts.

The collection also contains a large group of accounts and receipts, as well as oversized items.