James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
880 Madison Drive MSC 1704 Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807 Telephone: (540) 568-3612 library-special@jmu.edu URL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/
Chris Bolgiano and Lu Chima, Alicia Henneberry
Repository
James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
Identification
SC 0122
Title
John W. Wilson Collection 1766-1963
Quantity
0.39 cubic feet, 2 boxes
Creator
Wilson, John W.
Language
English
.
Abstract
This collection is comprised of a variety of documents, including letters, deeds, indentures, receipts, and accounts, all
relating to Jacob Bear, Benjamin Graves, Jacob Sipe, and the Dean (Deane, Deen) and the Harnsberger family.
The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library.
For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Conditions Governing Access
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.
Acquisition Information
Donated by John "Bill" Wilson Jr. of Port Republic, Virginia in December 1995.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [box #, folder #], John W. Wilson Collection, 1766-1963, SC 0122, Special Collections, Carrier Library,
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
Processing Information
In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering
campaign in the spring of 2017. This collection was previously cataloged as SC 3012.
The Mount Vernon Iron Furnace was located in Brown's Gap, Virginia, and was started by the Faussett family. It was built in
1848 and was operated by the Miller family, John F. Lewis, and a variety of others until 1878.
The John W. Wilson Collection, 1766-1963, consists of a variety of documents (receipts, deeds, accounts, and letters) relating
mostly to Jacob Bear, Benjamin Graves, Jacob Sipe, and the Dean (Deane, Deen) and Harnsberger (Hansberger) families of Rockingham,
Madison, Orange, and Augusta counties, Virginia from 1766 to 1963. Of particular interest are the 1842 Elk Run Class Book;
the 1858-59 Housekeeping Book, which lists household and farm items needed for life at the time; and accounts of the Mt. Vernon
Iron Works (Rockingham County) from 1878-1879.
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