A Guide to the J. W. Tate Ledgers, 1888-1905 SC 0301

A Guide to the J. W. Tate Ledgers, 1888-1905 SC 0301


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James Madison University Libraries Special Collections

880 Madison Drive
MSC 1704
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Telephone: (540) 568-3612
library-special@jmu.edu
URL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/

Tiffany Cole

Repository
James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
Identification
SC 0301
Title
J. W. Tate Ledgers 1888-1905
Quantity
0.2 cubic feet, 5 folders
Creator
Tate, J. W. (John William), 1858-1915
Language
English .
Abstract
The J. W. Tate Ledgers, 1888-1905, comprise four account books documenting Tate's blacksmith business in the Amberly area of Rockingham County, Virginia. Additional materials include correspondence, printed ephemera, and an incomplete autobiographical sketch of Luna Tate, J. W. Tate's daughter.

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to 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 Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], J. W. Tate Ledgers, 1888-1905, SC 0301, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

Acquired from Tim Abbott Americana in November 2019.

Processing Information

Loose materials not otherwise related to Tate's blacksmith business were removed from the ledgers and foldered separately.


Bio/Historical Note

John William Tate (1858-1915), son of John Henry Tate (1833-1898) and Sarah A. Tate (1822-1898), was a life-long resident of the Amberly/Greenmount area of Rockingham County, Virginia. He was a blacksmith by trade and also served as the postmaster of the Amberly post office, established in 1891. He married Sarah Fulk (1867-1950) with whom he had three children - Edward Carl Tate (1888-1966), Luna C. Tate (1891-1918), and William Newtown Tate (1894-1979). According to Luna Tate's autobiographical sketch, included in this collection, Edward and William Tate oversaw the 55-acre family farm while their dad ran the blacksmith shop.

Scope and Content

The J. W. Tate Ledgers, 1888-1905, comprise four account books documenting Tate's blacksmith business in the Amberly area of Rockingham County, Virginia. Additional materials include correspondence, printed ephemera, and an incomplete autobiographical sketch of Luna Tate, J. W. Tate's daughter.

The ledgers include the names of Tate's customers, services or materials provided, and their respective cost.

In her autobiographical sketch, Luna Tate describes her family's farm, her father's blacksmith shop, schooling, and travels. A five-page biography of Christopher Columbus written by Luna Tate, likely for a school assignment, is included. Correspondence is from family in Ohio (Dayton and Clayton) and friends in Waynesboro, Virginia.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Account books
  • Blacksmiths -- Virginia -- Records and correspondence
  • Ledgers (account books)
  • Letters (correspondence)
  • Printed Ephemera
  • Rockingham County (Va.) -- History
  • Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History
  • Virginia -- History

Bibliography

Obituary of John W. Tate, Daily News-Record, November 3, 1915.
Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 31 January 2020), memorial page for John William Tate (8 Dec 1858–2 Nov 1915), Find A Grave Memorial no. 58158477, citing Antioch United Church of Christ Cemetery, Rockingham County, Virginia, USA ; Maintained by RaderFarm (contributor 47191113) .

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Tate, J. W. (John William), 1858-1915

Significant Places Associated With the Collection

  • Rockingham County (Va.) -- History
  • Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History
  • Virginia -- History

Container List

Mixed Materials [1000898621] box: 1 folder: 1
Ledger
1888-1898
Mixed Materials [1000898621] box: 1 folder: 2
Ledger
1895-1897
Mixed Materials [1000898621] box: 1 folder: 3
Ledger
1897-1898
Mixed Materials [1000898621] box: 1 folder: 4
Ledger
1899-1900
Mixed Materials [1000898621] box: 1 folder: 5
Loose papers, ephemera, and correspondence
1893-1905