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James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
820 Madison DriveTiffany Cole
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From the estate of Larry Derrer, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
[identification of item], [box #, folder #], John Spader Account Book, 1860-1884, SC 0370, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
Purchased at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates' Americana Auction on March 22, 2024.
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.
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).