Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Charles Herbert Pierson Papers, Accession 38-139, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Acquisition Information

This collection was given to the Library on January 18, 1939, by Leonard F. Pierson of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Funding Note

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Scope and Content

The papers of Charles Herbert Pierson (1847-? ) contain 283 items, 1874-[1894], chiefly concerning his work with the "Old Hickory" Farmers Alliance of Chestnut Valley in Caroline County, Virginia ; as business manager of the Alliance Exchange; and as editor of the Farmers Alliance newspaper Necessity .

The collection consists of correspondence, bills and receipts, miscellaneous materials, and the minute book of the "Old Hickory" Farmers Alliance , kept from the inception of the organization on December 5, 1889, until it disbanded and turned its funds over to the People's Party Club on January 13, [1894].

The correspondence generally pertains to requests for subscriptions to Necessity , questions concerning the Fredericksburg District Alliance Exchange , articles and other items discussed in Necessity , the effects of various government bills upon the farmer and the efforts to increase membership in the Alliance.

Specific items of interest include: The Farmer's Institute (September 19, 1890); the Fredericksburg District Exchange (October 20, 1890); a proposal to run Necessity in conjunction with the Southern Planter (November 21, 1890); the political impact of the Alliance, particularly among Democrats (November 24, 1890); a review of the progress of the "Old Hickory" Alliance (January 12, 1891); the eligibility for membership to exclude merchants (January 16, 1891); a mention of the platform for the Ocala Convention in Florida (January 19, 1891); a resolution opposing the continuance of turnpikes into Richmond (January 30, 1891); a prospectus of the Alliance Fertilizer Works (February 1, 1891); commercial sheep-raising (May 16, 1891); a discussion of the terms necessary for a local alliance to come under a Virginia Charter (June 8, 1891); free-coinage and sub-Treasury bills (November 14, 1890; December 23, 1890; February 20, 1891; and March 25, 1891); and a printed proposal for the organization of a State Business Exchange (n.d.).

Of note in the miscellaneous folder is a list of the stockholders of the "District Farmer's Alliance Exchange of Fredericksburg" (n.d.).