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], James H. Lowry Journal, Ms1990-010, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The James H. Lowry Journal was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1990.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the James H. Lowry Journal commenced and was completed in August, 2022.

Biographical / Historical

James Henry Lowry was born in Virginia on December 18, 1814. In the 1850 federal census, he appears as a 36-year-old, Virginia-born farmer living in Washington County, Virginia with wife Abigail (32) and two young Loury children. By 1860, the Lowrys were living in Riceville (McMinn County), Tennessee. James H. Lowry died on December 31, 1877, and was buried in Riceville Cemetery, as was Abigail McNew Lowry, who died on October 2, 1890.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single journal maintained by James H. Lowry, a schoolmaster and farmer living in Washington County, Virginia during the mid 19th century. Containing 38 pages, the journal covers the latter half of 1846, with entries commencing on June 7 and ending on December 30. Lowry's entries focus largely on financial transactions with neighbors and local merchants, with the community frequently relying on a barter system in conducting business among themselves, many of the transactions involving salt. Lowry also notes receiving money or goods for tuition in his schools and documents the money-making activities of his wife Abigail, such as selling eggs and butter. Lowry makes brief mentions of school business, noting start dates and trustee names. He mentions traveling to Lebanon to help with "camp" (likely a revival camp) and attending "class meeting" and Sabbath school at Mahanaim and Yellow Spring. Lowry also occasionally describes the weather and briefly chronicles local deaths and other events. Among the other names mentioned in the journal are members of the McNew (particularly Elisha McNew), Clark, and Greenway families.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the James H. Lowry Journal by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).

General

This item was purchased, accessioned, and originally cataloged under the title "Schoolmaster's Journal." A closer inspection during processing revealed that it could more accurately be entitled "James H. Lowry Journal."