James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
880 Madison DriveMSC 1704
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Telephone: (540) 568-3612
library-special@jmu.edu
URL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/
Tiffany Cole
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