Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Edwin J. Amiss Land Grant, Ms1988-044, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Edwin J. Amiss Land Grant was acquired by Special Collections and University Archives prior to 1989.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Edwin J. Amiss Land Grant commenced and was completed in April, 2021.

Biographical Note

Edwin Jones Amiss, son of Lewis J. F. and Elizabeth Mastin Amiss, was born May 20, 1810. He married Sarah S. Peck (1916-1870) in Giles County, Virginia, in 1832. Six years later, Amiss received a grant for 150 acres of land in neighboring Montgomery County. The "1850 Census Slave Schedule" lists 21 Black and biracial enslaved people on Amiss's farm (13 men and eight women between the ages of two and 60).

During the Civil War, an Ed. J. Amiss served in Wade's Regiment, Local Defense Troops (aka the Montgomery County Home Guards). Following the war, Amiss submitted a petition for a presidential pardon on July 5, 1865. In his application, he wrote that he had opposed secession and did not serve in the Confederate military. He also stated that he aided the "Cause of the South" by feeding soldiers and their families and "making occassional contributions in provisions to the necesseties of the service." He also estimated the value of his property between $20,000 and $30,000. Finally, he confirmed his allegiance to the United States. His pardon was recommended on August 2, 1865.

Edwin Jones Amiss died on August 2, 1880, and was buried in Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg, Virginia.

Edwin and Sarah are buried in Westview Cemetery in Blacksburg.

Sources:

Scope and Content

This collection consists of an 1838 land grant to Edwin J. Amiss for 150 acres on Stroubles Creek in Montgomery County, Virginia, signed by Governor David Campbell.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Montgomery County (Va.)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Edwin J. Amiss Land Grant by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).