Historical Information: The Brent family was the first Catholic family to settle in Stafford County during the mid-1600's.

Daniel C. Brent and Robert Swan formed a business partnership in 1804. They owned a mill, store, and blacksmith shop that were part of the Brent family plantation known as Richland located in Stafford County. The mill was known as Brent's Mill which operated from the mid-1600's until 1900.

The volumes are compilations from the originals made by a Commissioner Parke. They were used as exhibits in an unknown suit heard in the 1820's.

Scope and Content: Brent and Swan Records, 1804-1806, consist of a daybook, ledger, a supplemental ledger, and an account book. They record financial transactions related to the partnership's activities as a mill, blacksmith shop, and general store. They record the name of customers, amount owed, amount paid, and transactions made by mill.

Historical Information: : Robert H. Carmichael was a merchant who conducted business during the late nineteenth century in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

This volume was used as an exhibit in an unidentified suit.

Scope and Content: : R.H. Carmichael Daybook, 1879-1882, is actually a cashbook. It records cash receipts from sales of unidentified merchandise and payment of debts owed to Carmichael and cash disbursements related to expenses and bank payments.

Historical Information: :Hugh P. Chew owned a hat store in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

The daybook was used as an exhibit in an unidentified suit.

Scope and Content: Hugh P. Chew Daybook, 1867-1870, records in chronological order the store's daily transactions. Information found in daybook includes date of transaction, name of customer, hat purchased, amount owed, amount paid. The last few pages record the individual accounts of customers. Each account lists transactions in chronological order.

Historical Information: :The Corbin family was one of the largest landholding families in Virginia during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. They owned land in Caroline, Essex, King and Queen, Middlesex, and Spotsylvania Counties. Their primary estate was Laneville in King and Queen County.

Scope and Content: Corbin Family Business Records consist of two Account Books, 1782-1808 and 1782-1801, and a Memorandum Book, 1810-1817.

Corbin Family Account Books, 1782-1808 and 1782-1801, record the accounts of members of the Corbin family and other individuals. Information found in the accounts include date of transaction, items purchased or services rendered, amount owed, form of payment, and amount paid. Transactions include land rent, room and board, maintenance (food, drink, clothing, etc.), purchases of property such as land and enslaved individuals, purchases of goods such as butter, fodder, wheat, corn, and tobacco, and purchases of merchandise such as wedding clothes, gold watches, and boats. Payments made by barter (fodder, tobacco, etc.), cash, credit, or in the case of Corbin family members, family fortune. Corbin family members listed in the account books include Lettice Corbin, Martha Maria Corbin, Anna Francis Maria Corbin, Henrietta Matilda Corbin, Henry Elkenhead Corbin, Richard Corbin, John Tayloe Corbin, Gawin Lane Corbin, and Francis Corbin. An entry on the inside cover of account book, 1782-1808, written by Richard Corbin states that the first nineteen entries were entered by Francis Corbin for Maria Corbin and the rest entered by Richard himself. The account books include an index listing names of individuals and the page numbers where there accounts can be found.

Corbin Family Memorandum Book, 1810-1817, records the cash transactions of Richard Corbin. Transactions include traveling expenses, loans to family members and acquaintances, rent and debt payments to Corbin, enslaved individuals sold, reparations to Corbin for enslaved individuals executed, clothing purchases, and other miscellaneous receipts and payments. Laneville, the name of Corbin's estate in King and Queen County, is referenced in the volume.

Historical Information: Ellis and Heflin was a sawmill owned by D. C. Ellis and C. G. Heflin that conducted business during the late nineteenth century in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Ellis also owned a livery and was a farmer. Heflin was also a carpenter.

Scope and Content: Ellis and Heflin Records, 1870-1875, consist of account books, daybooks and ledgers.

Four Account Books record the accounts of individual customers. The accounts list transactions in chronological order. Information found in entries record date of transaction, form of transaction, and amount owed and paid. Most entries do not list the name of item or service transacted; rather, they use the general term "cash." The account books include an index that record in alphabetical order the names of customers and controlling accounts and the page numbers where accounts can be found.

Three Daybooks record in chronological order the partnership's daily transactions involving customers and the company's controlling accounts. Information found in daybooks include date of transaction, name of customer or controlling account, form of transaction, amount owed, amount paid, and page number where transaction was entered into corresponding ledger. One of the daybooks includes a note written by Ellis to an unidentified gentleman he served with in a unit during the Civil War. Ellis shares how he misses his "comrades in arms" and his life in Virginia since the war.

Two Ledgers record the individual accounts of customers, the owners' accounts, and the partnership's controlling accounts. Entries in each account are listed in chronological order. Information found in each entry include date of transaction, form of transaction, service rendered, quantity of lumber cut, cost per item, purpose for lumber cut, amount owed, form of payment, and amount paid. Lumber was cut for following purposes: floors, bridges, fences, siding, and roofs. The controlling accounts include cash account, expense account, lumber account, and sawmill account. The ledgers include an index that record in alphabetical order the names of customers and controlling accounts and the page numbers where accounts can be found.

Historical Information: Fredericksburg Bank of Commerce was organized in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on December 15, 1853.

The minute book was used as an exhibit in an unidentified suit.

Scope and Content: Fredericksburg Bank of Commerce Minute Book, 1853-1865, records meetings of the company's stockholders and board of directors from its inception. Information found in the minutes includes date and location of meetings; election of officers; by-laws; resolutions; committee reports; amount of funds in the bank's possession in notes, currency, and specie; and decisions made by the board of directors and stockholders related to the activities of the bank. The volume is organized chronologically by meeting date.

Historical Information: The Market House was constructed prior to 1752. It was Fredericksburg's arts and entertainment center until it was taken down in 1813 and replaced by a new building at William and Princess Anne Streets. The new building housed the Market House and Town Hall and was used for balls, social gatherings, public meetings and lodge rooms. The Market House comprised Fredericksburg's only legal vending place. The building now houses the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center.

The Market House property (lots, stalls, and rooms) was owned and managed by the city of Fredericksburg. The trustees who oversaw the Market House were answerable to the Corporation Court.

Scope and Content: Fredericksburg (Va.) Market House Accounts, 1796-1819, record transactions primarily involving the sell and rent of Market House lots and rooms. Information found in the accounts include lot numbers, dimensions of lots, name of individuals who rented rooms, date of transaction, length of rental period, amount due, form of payment, amount paid, date of transaction, legal service rendered, form of payment, and amount owed or paid. The accounts include a map of a portion of Market Square bordering on William Street drawn in 1813. Additional information recorded in the Market House accounts includes an account of sales of lots sold in 1796. Entries contain the following: name of purchaser, lot number, dimensions of lot, price of lot, and purchase price. The accounts also record the accounts of trustees who managed the Market House property on behalf of the city.

Historical Information: Fredericksburg Savings Institution conducted business during the mid-nineteenth century in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

The minute book was used as an exhibit in an unidentified suit.

Scope and Content: Fredericksburg Savings Institution Minute Book, 1839-1844, records meetings of the company's stockholders. Information found in the minutes includes date and location of meetings; names of stockholders; election of officers; reports made by treasurer and clerk; resolutions; and decisions made by stockholders related to the activities of the bank. The volume is arranged chronologically by meeting date.

Historical Information: : Garrit Minor practiced law during the early nineteenth century in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Found on the inside cover of the account book is a statement written by Garrit Minor's son W. Garrit Minor saying that he gave the volume to John James Chew, the clerk of the court, for safekeeping.

Scope and Content: : Garrit Minor Legal Account Book, 1806-1831, records the accounts of individual clients. Each account lists transactions in chronological order. Information found in each entry includes date of transaction, legal service rendered, form of payment, and amount owed or paid. Legal services include drawing up legal documents, offering legal advice, representing clients in court cases, and serving as an administrator of estates. Form of payments include cash and credit. Additional information recorded in the volume include a list of petty fees owed to Minor and an inventory of books found in Minor's library. The volume includes an index that lists the names of clients in alphabetical order and the page number where their accounts can be found. Minor's clients included free Black people.

Historical Information: George H. Peyton was a hotelkeeper who conducted business during the latter half of the nineteenth century in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

The ledger was used as an exhibit in an unidentified suit.

Scope and Content: : George H. Peyton Hotel Ledger, 1855-1875, records the accounts of individual customers. Each account lists transactions in chronological order. Information found in the accounts include date of transaction, form of transaction, items or services purchased, cost of item and service, form of payment, amount owed, and amount paid. Items and services purchased include meals, drinks, mostly alcoholic beverages, oysters, crab, cigars, and room rental. Forms of payment include cash and credit. The volume also includes miscellaneous loose documents mostly accounts. Ledger includes an index that lists in alphabetical order the names of customers and the page numbers where their accounts can be found.

Historical Information: : Alexander K. Phillips and Company was a commission merchant business in Fredericksburg, Virginia, established in 1815 by Alexander K. Phillips. It was primarily involved in the buying and selling of grain and coal. R. W. Adams was a partner in the company.

Scope and Content: : Alexander K. Phillips and Company Records, 1865-1892, record the company's financial transactions. They consist of two ledgers and five daybooks.

Alexander K. Phillips and Company Ledgers, 1865-1885, record the individual accounts of customers and the company's controlling accounts. Information found in account entries include date of transaction, form of transaction, amount debited, amount credited, and the page number where transaction was entered into corresponding daybook. Entries do not record the merchandise or services involved in transactions. Instead, they contain generic terms such as "Cash," "Merchandise," and "Sundries." Controlling accounts found in ledgers include cash account, drayage account, coal account, commissions accounts, and bills payable account. Both ledgers include an index that record in alphabetical order the names of customers and controlling accounts and the page numbers where accounts can be found.

Alexander K. Phillips and Company Daybooks, 1868-1892, record in chronological order the company's daily transactions involving customers and the company's controlling accounts. Information found in daybooks include date of transaction, name of customer or controlling account, form of transaction, merchandise involved in transaction, expenses charged to customers, amount debited, amount credited, and page number where transaction was entered into corresponding ledger.

Historical Information: Rappahannock Fire Insurance Company was incorporated on April 10, 1853, and its headquarters was in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

The minute book and ledger were used as exhibits in an unidentified suit.

Scope and Content: Fredericksburg (Va.) Rappahannock Fire Insurance Company Records, 1873-1878, consist of two volumes.

Rappahannock Fire Insurance Company Minute Book, 1873-1874, records the petition of stockholders to the Spotsylvania Circuit Court to create the Rappahannock Fire Insurance Company; company charter; and meetings of the company's shareholders and board of directors from its inception. Information found in the minutes includes date and location of meetings; names of shareholders; election of officers; by-laws; resolutions; committee reports; financial reports; and decisions made by the board of directors and shareholders related to the activities of the company.

Rappahannock Fire Insurance Company Ledger, 1873-1878, records the accounts of the company's agents, shareholders' accounts, policyholders' accounts, and controlling accounts such as cash account, commission account, and premium account. Information found in accounts include date of transaction, form of transaction, amount owed, form of payment, and amount paid. Ledger includes an index that lists in alphabetical order the names of agents, shareholders, policyholders, and controlling accounts and the page numbers where their accounts can be found.

Historical Information: :Scott and Bowering was an iron foundry owned by two machinists, John F. Scott and Benjamin Bowering. It conducted business during the mid-nineteenth century in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

John F. Scott was a prominent businessman and city leader in Fredericksburg. He was one of nineteen men imprisoned by Union forces in August 1862 in retaliation for the arrest of Union officials by Confederate forces in Richmond.

The ledger was uses as an exhibit in an unidentified suit.

Scope and Content: Fredericksburg (Va.) Scott and Bowering Foundry Ledger A, 1865-1870, record the accounts of individual customers and the company's controlling accounts. Information found in the accounts include name of customer, residence of customer, date of transaction, form of transaction, merchandise purchased, amount owed, form of payment, and amount paid. Entries do not record the specific item purchased; rather, they use the general term "Merchandise." The ledger also records the personal and business accounts of the foundry's owners John F. Scott and Benjamin Bowering. Controlling accounts found in the ledger include cash account, bills payable account, interest account, merchandise account. The ledger includes an index listing in alphabetical order the names of individuals and controlling accounts and the page numbers where their accounts can be found.

Historical Information: : Hawkins Stone practiced medicine during the late nineteenth century in Stafford County, Virginia.

James Withers Stone was a merchant who conducted business during the mid-nineteenth century in Stafford County, Virginia.

The ledgers were used as exhibits in an unidentified suit.

Scope and Content: Doctor Hawkins Stone Ledgers, 1852-1902 (bulk 1875-1902), consist of two volumes that record the accounts of individual patients. Each account records transactions in chronological order. Each entry list date of transaction, style of transaction (service rendered, form of payment, etc.,) and amount owed or paid. Payments made by cash, credit, check, labor, and barter of items such as lumber, wheat, herring, and oats. Services rendered include visits to patients, medication, consultations, and examinations for mental illness. The first volume, 1852-1902, was originally a ledger used by merchant James Withers Stone to record the transactions of his mercantile business. These transactions are found in the first portion of the volume and date from 1852 to 1857. Most of the volume records Doctor Stone's transactions and date from 1875 to 1902. The ledgers include an index listing in alphabetical order the names of patients and the page numbers where their accounts can be found.