A Guide to the Wampler Family Papers, 1798-1962 SC 0150

James Madison University Libraries Special Collections

820 Madison Drive
MSC 1706
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Telephone: (540) 568-3612
library-special@jmu.edu
URL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/

Lindsay Mannell and Chris Bolgiano, Alicia Henneberry, Tiffany Cole

Repository

James Madison University Libraries Special Collections

Identification

SC 0150

Title

Wampler Family Papers 1798-1962

Quantity

0.2 cubic feet, 1 box

Creator

Wampler family

source

Wampler, Charles W., Jr., 1915-2017

Language

English .

Abstract

The Wampler Family Papers contain family items, legal and financial documents, and agricultural information related to the Wampler family in Dayton, Virginia.

Administrative Information

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).

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 #], Wampler Family Papers, 1798-1962, SC 0150, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Acquisition Information

Gift of Mr. Charles W. Wampler Jr. in March 1998.

Processing Information

This collection was minimally reprocessed in February 2018. At this time the collection was renamed to Wampler Family Papers, a change from the Charles W. Wampler Jr. Collection, to more accurately describe the contents. 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 3095.

Bio/Historical Note

The Wamplers have been one of the most influential families in Rockingham County, Virginia. John Wampler and family, members of the Brethren Church, moved from Pennsylvania to the Timberville area of the county in 1811. In 1871, John Wampler III purchased a farm in Dayton that he named Sunny Slope and built a house there. His son, Charles W., began various agricultural experiments, particularly in poultry raising, and was one of the earliest farmers to hatch eggs in incubators. He served as the first Rockingham County Extension Agent and in 1927, with two brothers, founded the Wampler Feed and Seed Company. His son Charles Jr., born at Sunny Slope in 1915, continued and furthered these business ventures and community endeavors, including serving in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1954-1966.

Scope and Content

The Wampler Family Papers, 1798-1962, consist of five folders of letters, deeds, and agricultural information from 1798 to 1962 related to the Wampler family of Dayton, Virginia. The collection is arranged topically into five folders.

The collection is comprised of family papers which includes mostly letters on agricultural, family, and church matters and an 1871-1971 Wampler Family Reunion booklet; land surveys; and legal documents containing mostly tax receipts and deeds. Of particular interest is an 1844 patent describing an improved Wheat Farm invented by David Watkins of Port Republic, with a receipt for purchase by John Wampler of exclusive rights to use it. There is also the will of John Wampler from 1861, with 1863 codicil. Financial documents include promissory notes, receipts for miscellaneous purchases, and receipts for inheritance monies received. A stock certificate for Mt. Jackson and Howard's Lick Turnpike Co., a sale of right to use Cray's Washing Machine from 1872, letterhead receipts for sales by Wampler Feed & Seed Co., and receipts for payment of yearly toll on Warm Springs and Harrisonburg Turnpike are also included. Agricultural information is comprised of lists of books, three photos, several brochures produced by Wampler's Feed & Seed Co. describing the poultry business. The Yearbook of Agriculture is heavily annotated with many inserts and notes, as well as information sheets and brochures, mostly concerning poultry.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged topically into five folders.

Related Material

Wampler Business Records, 1918-1972, SC 0202, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

WLR Foods records, 1984-2002, SC 0112, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Separated Material

A photocopy of Wampler's Practical Turkey Methods , (Harrisonburg, Va: 1929) was removed from the boxed collection and placed in Special Collections' book collection for ease of use, and given the call number SF507.W36 1929. A second photocopy is also available in Carrier Library's circulating collection