Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

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Use Restrictions

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Preferred Citation

David S. Baker Journal, 1860-1874. Local government records collection, Fluvanna County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219

Acquisition Information

This item came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Fluvanna County.

Historical Information

David S. Baker served as manager of Byrd Plantation in Fluvanna County owned by Thomas Baker during the latter half of the 19th century.

Fluvanna County takes its name from an eighteenth-century designation of the upper James River. The name, meaning river of Anne, was originally bestowed in honor of Queen Anne of England. The county was formed from Albemarle County in 1777. The county seat is Palmyra.

Scope and Content

David S. Baker Journal, 1860-1874, records the transactions of Byrd Plantation in Fluvanna County. It records transactions as they occurred on a daily basis from January 1860-February 1865. Information found in each entry includes name of individuals doing business with the plantation, items purchased or payment of debt by customers, items purchases or payments made by plantation, and amount owed or paid. Merchandise sold and purchased include turkeys, ox hide, butter, oats, straw hats, and whiskey. Payments made by plantation to individuals to build a church, weave cloth, hiring slaves, and nails. Also included in volume are contracts signed by David S. Baker related to hauling lumber from the estate of Thomas Baker.

Index Terms

Persons:

• Baker, David S.

Corporate Names:

• Byrd plantation (Fluvanna County, Va.)

Subjects:

• Plantations -- Virginia -- Fluvanna County.
• Slavery -- Virginia -- Fluvanna County.
• Virginia -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.

Geographical Names:

• Fluvanna County (Va.) -- History -- 19th century.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Business records -- Virginia -- Fluvanna County.
• Daybooks -- Virginia -- Fluvanna County.
• Journals (accounts) -- Virginia -- Fluvanna County.
• Local government records -- Virginia -- Fluvanna County.