Edmundson, Henry, Letters Henry Edmundson Letters, 1814-1847 Ms.2010.085

Henry Edmundson Letters, 1814-1847 Ms.2010.085


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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
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Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

Marc Brodsky, Public Services and Reference Archivist

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2010.085
Title
Henry Edmundson Letters 1814-1847
Quantity
0.1 Cubic Feet
Creator
Edmundson, Henry, Major, 1774-1847
Creator
Preston, William Ballard, 1805-1862
Creator
Woods, Joseph Robert
Creator
Peyton, Bernard, 1792-1854
Creator
Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
The Henry Edmundson Letters contain nine letters, eight of which were written to Edmundson and one, the earliest of the letters, written by Edmundson in 1814 to General John Preston. The senders include William Ballard Preston; Francis H. Smith, superintendent of Virginia Military Institute (V.M.I.); Bernard Peyton; Isaac White; and Joseph Robert Woods.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

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Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Henry Edmundson Letters, 1814-1847, Ms2010-085, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Henry Edmundson Letters were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in October 2010.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Henry Edmundson Letters was completed in November 2010.


Biographical Note

Henry Edmundson was born in 1774 in Pennsylvania and moved, when quite young to Botetourt County, Virginia, with his mother. After marrying Peggy King in 1799, they moved to Montgomery County and purchased land there in 1801.

Having quickly built an estate, Edmundson served in the Virginia General Assembly, representing Montgomery County on three occasions between 1818 and 1827. He also served as sheriff of Montgomery County in 1842 and 1843. On August 30, 1828, Edmundson, in partnership with Elijah McClanahan, purchased from George Hancock, Jr., the Alleghany Turnpike--a seven-mile long road that ran from the confluence of the north and south forks of the Roanoke River to the top of Alleghany Mountain near Christiansburg--along with two adjacent tracts of land. Edmundson also acquired the estate, "Fotheringay," which would become his residence. McClanahan and Edmundson owned the Turnpike until it was sold to the Southwestern Turnpike Company in 1847. Later that same year, Edmundson died.

Edmundson's son, Henry Alonzo, born on 14 June 1814, served in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1849 to 1861 and as a lieutenant colonel in the Confederate Army.

Scope and Content

The Henry Edmundson Letters contain nine letters, eight of which were written to Edmundson and one, the earliest of the letters, written by Edmundson in 1814 to General John Preston. The senders include William Ballard Preston; Francis H. Smith, superintendent of Virginia Military Institute (V.M.I.); Bernard Peyton; Isaac White; and Joseph Robert Woods. One letter, signed simply, "Wade," may indicate John Wade, one of the directors of the Lafayette and Ingles Ferry Turnpike.

The subjects of the letters range quite widely, but many have to do with financial matters, including various debts, loans, notes, and Bank of Virginia stock certificates. The letter to General Preston, dated 29 November 1814, refers to Edmundson's task of procuring hogs, perhaps to supply troops. Bernard Peyton's letter to Edmundson of 3 November 1823 is largely about "the progress of our unfortunate business with the Treasury," which refers to the aftermath of John Preston's tenure as Treasurer of Virginia and the disposition of property to satisfy his debt. Francis H. Smith writes to discuss a leave of absence at V.M.I. for Edmundson's son.

Arrangement

The letters in this collection are arranged in chronological order.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Edmundson, Henry, Major, 1774-1847
  • Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
  • Montgomery County (Va.)
  • Preston, Francis, 1765-1835
  • Preston, James Patton, 1774-1843

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Edmundson, Henry, Major, 1774-1847
  • Peyton, Bernard, 1792-1854
  • Preston, Francis, 1765-1835
  • Preston, James Patton, 1774-1843
  • Preston, William Ballard, 1805-1862
  • Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890
  • Woods, Joseph Robert

Container List

item folder: 1 item: 1
Letter from Major Henry Edmundson, Lynchburg, to General John Preston, Richmond
29 November 1814
item folder: 1 item: 2
Letter from Robert Joseph Woods, Nashville, to Major H. Edmundson, Lafayette, Montgomery County Court House, Virginia
29 June 1820
item folder: 1 item: 3
Letter from Robert Joseph Woods, Nashville, to Major H. Edmundson, Montgomery Court House, Virginia
25 January 1822
item folder: 1 item: 4
Letter from Bernard Peyton, Richmond, to Major H. Edmundson, Lafayette, Montgomery Courth House, Virginia
3 November 1823
item folder: 1 item: 5
Letter from Isaac White, Richmond, to Henry Edmundson Esq, Blacksburg, Montgomery County
24 March 1827
item folder: 1 item: 6
Letter from M. Johnson to Major Henry Edmundson, Fotheringay, Montgomery County
7 November 1832
item folder: 1 item: 7
Letter from Wade to Major H. Edmundson, Fotheringay
10 February 1841
item folder: 1 item: 8
Letter from Francis H. Smith, V.M.Institute, to Major H. Edmundson, Lafayette, Montgomery County
9 March 1846
item folder: 1 item: 9
Letter from William Ballard Preston, Richmond, to Major Henry Edmundson, Lafayette, Montgomery County
7 December 1847