Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for 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 University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Provenance

From the estate of Larry Derrer, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], John Spader Account Book, 1860-1884, SC 0370, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

Purchased at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates' Americana Auction on March 22, 2024.

Biographical / Historical

The account book was likely kept by John Spader (1835-1906) of Mt. Crawford, Virginia. Early accounts may have been kept by Jacob Spader (1784-1862), John's father. John Spader fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War and was enlisted in Company H, 12th Virginia Cavalry. He was a farmer and member of nearby St. Jacob's-Spader's Lutheran Church.

Scope and Contents

The bulk of the entries relate to farming activities (ploughing, hawling) and the sale of crops and other provisions. One page details an account with a person known as "Black Jim." His exact identity is unknown. One page of accounts is titled "Money paid for the church" and is dated 1874. It details payments made to community members for materials and services rendered presumably for construction on St. Jacob's-Spader's Lutheran Church in Mt. Crawford. The back of the account book includes recipes for home remedies (bad colds, cough).

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Account books
• Agricultural prices -- History
• Agriculture -- Virginia -- History
• Alternative medicine -- History
• Derrer, Larry, 1944-2022
• Farm income -- History
• Field crops -- History
• Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
• Mount Crawford (Va.) -- Agriculture
• Mount Crawford (Va.) -- History