Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk. (library-special@jmu.edu).None.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], [box #, folder #], Walton and Walton Law Firm Records, 1859-1900, SC 0073, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

All items were present in an area of the stacks called the Cage in September 1982, when the Special Collections program was initiated.

Processing Information

In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in the spring of 2017. This collection was previously cataloged as SC 1755.

Administrative History

The Walton and Walton Law Firm Records, 1859-1900, are representative of the Walton and Walton Law Firm of Woodstock, Virginia. The Walton and Walton Firm was founded in the 1830s and operated until the 1930s. Various generations of Walton family members have distinguished themselves as lawyers and statesmen, including: George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia, born in Virginia; and Morgan Lauck Walton, member of the firm and state senator responsible for enacting the Walton (ballot) Law of the 1890s.

Several documents (mainly correspondence) within the collection represent John Edwin Roller, a prominent citizen of Rockingham County. Born near Mt. Crawford, Virginia, in 1845, Roller was a lawyer, lecturer, and antiquarian in Rockingham County. Roller attended the Virginia Military Institute and graduated in 1863. He served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War and served as a senator from 1869-1873. In January 1872, Roller became major-general of the 3rd division of the Virginia Militia. Roller also served as the president of the Rockingham County Historical Society.

Scope and Content

The Walton and Walton Law Firm Records, 1859-1900, consist of one folder of 47 items. The collection consists primarily of correspondence between attorneys, such as John E. Roller, clients and representatives of the Walton and Walton Law Firm. Also included are notes, summaries of legal cases, and documentation of legal transactions, such as deed transference and settlements of estates, especially the Jacob Dinges estate. Other names that are seen throughout the collection are: Allen, Cook, and Williams.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically in a legal sized folder.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Law firms -- Virginia -- Woodstock
• Letters (correspondence)
• Shenandoah County (Va.) -- History
• Walton & Walton (Firm)
• Walton family
• Woodstock (Va.) -- History