Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Appomattox Iron Works and Supply Company Records must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Appomattox Iron Works and Supply Company Records, Ms1988-040, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Appomattox Iron Works and Supply Company Records were purchased by Special Collections in 1988.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Appomattox Iron Works and Supply Company Records commenced and was completed in May, 2013.

Historical Note

Appomattox Iron Works was founded by Esek Steere and E. J. Armstrong in Petersburg, Virginia in 1872. The company operated an iron foundry, specializing in the manufacture of machinery for the peanut and tobacco industries. The company's products were sold throughout the United States, and its peanut shelling machines were sold in several foreign countries. Later, Appomattox Iron Works added sawmills to its list of products and also opened a machine shop for general repair work. In 1876, Steere and his son Albert bought out Armstrong's interest in the company. In 1910, the company added a mill supply department, and in 1916, it was incorporated as the Appomattox Iron Works and Supply Company. The company ceased operations in 1972.

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains business records of the Appomattox Iron Works and Supply Company, a Petersburg, Virginia manufacturer of machinery for the peanut, tobacco, and lumber industries. The collection contains correspondence, notes, and other records of the company's operations. The majority of the collection consists of correspondence regarding the credit risk of potential customers. These files contain both the company's inquiries to references supplied by customers and the responses of those references. The collection also contains files of correspondence and other papers relating in other ways to its customers. Many of the letters concern purchase authorizations and other routine matters relating to customer accounts. A file of general business papers completes the collection and includes account collection lists, notations, and forms. Also included is a letter providing a very brief history of the company to 1933.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by record type, then alphabetically by first initial.

Index Terms

Subjects:

• Iron foundries--Virginia
• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Railroad