Historical Information: Bowman and Stroock were wholesale jobbers of auction goods operating in New York and Richmond during the 1860s. By July 1868 the partnership was insolvent and involved in a Richmond Circuit Court suit against the Georgia Home Insurance Company, an assignee in Bowman and Stroock's bankruptcy.

Bowman and Stroock Receipt Books, 1865-1867, contain receipts for purchases made by Bowman and Stroock from auctioneers and merchants located in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Richmond. Information found in each receipt include the name of merchant or auctioneer, date of transaction, name and quantity of items purchased, price per unit, and the total amount paid. Items purchased included clothing, cloth, hats, boots,and household goods.

Historical Information: Clarkson Anderson and Company operated in Richmond, Va., during the late nineteenth century.

Clarkson Anderson and Company Ledger, 1859-1867, records the accounts of individual customers. Information found in each entry includes customer name, date and type of transaction, and amounts debited or credited to the customer's account. All purchase are listed as "merchandise" so it is unclear what type of business Clarkson Anderson and Company operated. Also, the front cover and first sixty pages are missing from the ledger. Notations also refer to other unidentified ledgers.

Historical Information: The Commonwealth Bank operated in Richmond, Va., during the early twentieth century. The bank was known as the Realty Bond and Trust Company before changing its name in 1906. In August 1913 the State Corporation Commission of Virginia placed control of the bank in the hands of receivers after determining that the bank was not fully observing the banking laws of the state. Generally, receivers are a neutral person appointed by the court to receive and preserve the property in litigation and to apply or dispose issues and profits at the direction of the court. James W. Gordon and John B. Lightfoot, Jr. were placed in charge of the bank's affairs and assets and were authorized to oversee the dissolution of the bank. The business of closing the Commonwealth Bank concluded in 1917.

Commonwealth Bank of Richmond Receivers' Cashbook, 1913-1917, documents the cash received and disbursed by receivers James W. Gordon and John B. Lightfoot, Jr. as they oversaw the dissolution of the bank. Information found in each entry includes the date, type of transaction, and the amounts received or disbursed. Also included in the back of the volume is an inventory of books and records found in the banking rooms and vaults along with an inventory of furniture left in the bank.

Historical Information: Created in 1865, First National Bank was one of the first banks established in Virginia after the Civil War.

First National Bank Ledger, 1871-1877, documents the bank's accounts with W. B. Wooldridge, Treasurer of Chesterfield County. Account deposits and withdrawals were entered as they occurred.

Historical Information: Jacob Shook was a butcher and grocer operating in Richmond, Va., during the mid-nineteenth century.

Jacob Shook Daybook, 1828-1832, records the daily transactions of the Richmond area butcher and grocer. Information found in each entry includes the date, customer name, type of transaction, name and quantity of items purchased, and monies debited or credited to the customers' individual accounts. Items purchased include various types and cuts of meat such as lamb, sausage, beef, veal, fish, and mutton. Customers also bought grocery items including eggs, asparagus, lettuce, and potatoes. The last few pages of the volume record Jacob Shook's purchases of cattle.

Historical Information: Born in Ireland, James Murphy was a soap and candle manufacturer in Richmond, Va. In the late 1860s, Murphy switched industries to become a retail grocer.

James Murphy Ledger, 1859-1873, records the accounts of individual customers. From 1859 to 1866, the ledger documents Murphy's sales as a soap and candle manufacturer. In 1867, Murphy began to record his accounts as a retail grocer. Information found in each entry includes customer name, date of purchase, name and quantity of item purchased, and amounts debited or credited to the customer's account. Also included in the volume is a copy of an agreement between James Murphy and Euker that allowed Euker to operate a barroom in one of Murphy's properties located on Cary Street in Richmond.

Historical Information: Chartered in September 1890, the Lisburn Land Company purchased land to improve and sell in Richmond and Henrico County.

Lisburn Land Company Minute Book, 1890-1901, records meetings of the company's Board of Directors and stockholders. Early entries document the formation of the company, creation of by-laws, and the purchase of land to be divided into lots and improved upon. The drafting of deeds and sales of stock were among the topics recorded in later entries.

Lisburn Land Company Stock Ledger, 1897-1901, records the weekly payments of individual stockholders. Each entry includes stockholder name, date of purchase, house number and street name, number of shares purchased, amount of initial loan, and amount of weekly dues.

Historical Information: Mechanics Building Company operated in Richmond, Va., during the late nineteenth century. Early board members of the company included Richmond area merchants Julius Ide and John A. Kratz.

Mechanics Building Company Journal No. 3, 1877-1886, records the accounts of individual stockholders on a monthly basis. Information found for each stockholder include the number of shares owned and any monies owed for dues,interest fees, and fines. The inside of the volume cover notes that the journal was entered as an exhibit with a deposition of John A. Kratz given 8 July 1889 for an unidentified court case.

Historical Information: Incorporated in May 1911, the National Auto Schools Corporation operated for a brief period in Richmond, Va.

National Auto Schools Corporation Stock Book, 1911, includes blank stock certificates and certificate stubs for purchased shares. Each stock certificate stub includes a certificate number, date, name of buyer, and the number of shares purchased.

Historical Information: The Old Dominion Electrical Construction Company operated in Richmond, Va., during the 1890s. Maurice W. Thomas acted as the company's manager, and Maurice Hunter was its engineer. In early 1896 the company was placed under the control of receivers. Generally, receivers are neutral persons appointed by the court to receive and preserve the property in litigation and to apply or dispose issues and profits at the direction of the court.

Old Dominion Electrical Construction Company Ledger, 1895-1896, records the company's financial activities. The first part of the ledger documents the company's controlling accounts such as cash, stock, merchandise, expenses, and bills payable and receivable. The remainder of the ledger was used to record the accounts with the company's customers and creditors. Information found in each account includes date and type of transaction and monies debited or credited to the accounts.

Historical Information: R.H. Boykin and Company was a tobacco manufacturing company located in Richmond, Virginia. Robert Hill Boykin was the primary partner. Boykin also served as the company's agent in Boston, Massachusetts.

R.H. Boykin and Company Letterbook, 1895, records outgoing correspondence to other businesses, customers, and the company's agents. Most of the correspondence relates to tobacco transactions. The letterbox includes an index listing names of recipients of correspondence in alphabetical order and the page number of correspondence.

Historical Information: The Richmond Wood Ware Manufacturing Company were contractors and builders specializing in builders' supplies, woodware, and tin and metal ware for household goods. The company was founded in April 1894, but after being plagued by business and financial problems the company closed its doors in October 1894. Officers for the company included John T. Terrell, president; J. L. Dickinson, vice president; and C. W. Honegger, secretary and treasurer.

The Richmond Wood Ware Manufacturing Company Business Records, 1894, consists of a minute book, letter book, account book, daybook, and cashbook.

Minute Book, 1894, records meetings of the company's board of directors and stockholders. Early entries document the formation of the company and the creation of its by-laws. Other meetings discussed stock sales, profit and loss statements, and various construction projects. The final entries include accusations of financial mismanagement and neglect against the company's president and   secretary.

Letter Book, 1894, provides a record of out going correspondence related to the company's business activities. Letter topics include lumber and machinery purchases, construction projects, the company pay-roll, and stockholder and customer accounts.

Account Book, 1894, records the shipments of lumber and machinery supplies received. Information in each entry includes, date, name and quantity of items received, name of company or individual sending the items, and amounts owed.

Daybook, 1894, documents business activities on a daily basis as they occurred. Entries include date, account name, type of transaction, and monies debited or credited. Transactions recorded include merchandise accounts, bills receivable, real estate, and customer purchases.

Cashbook, 1894, records cash received and cash disbursed. Transactions were listed chronologically as they occurred. Entries document monies debited and credited for such activities as bills receivable, stock purchases, taxes, and sales. Company expenses were recorded for such things as employee salaries, lumber and machinery supplies, and office supplies.

Historical Information: Robert Nowlan Macomber was a member of the Macomber family who were part owners in the Nowlan Company, a Richmond area jeweler. The Nowlan Company was established in 1850 in Petersburg by Thomas Nowlan. In 1866, Thomas Nowlan joined with partners Robert E. Macomber and Robert L. Winston and relocated the business to Richmond. For most of his adult life Robert Nowlan Macomber was a patient at Western State Hospital; however, he still held a claim on the Nowlan Company and his estate's funds were derived from the business.

Robert Nowlan Macomber Checkbook, 1912-1914, contains blank checks and stubs of checks written by Robert E. Macomber and Ida N. Macomber, Robert Nowlan Macomber's committee. Information found in check stubs includes date check was written, name of individual or business to whom check was written, amount of check, and the purpose check was written. Checks were written for expenses due to Western State Hospital, where Macomber was a patient, or for expenses needed for the upkeep of the Nowlan Company's store. Also included in the checkbook are two accounts recording the money debited and credited to Macomber's estate.

Historical Information: Originally from New York, Samuel P. Lathrop relocated to Richmond, Va., where he was a dry-goods merchant during the late nineteenth century.

Samuel P. Lathrop Checkbook, 1878, contains blank checks and stubs of checks written by Lathrop presumably for his dry-goods store. Information found in check stubs includes date check was written, name of individual or business to whom check was written, and amount of check. Occasionally notes were included explaining the purpose for the payment.

Historical Information: Turner Brooks and Company were tobacco merchants operating in Richmond, Va., during the mid-nineteenth century.

Turner Brooks and Company Account Book, 1869, records the expenses paid out for tobacco supplies, rent, and drayage fees. Entries also document money paid to employees for "twister work" and "lumps made in lump room."

Historical Information: The unidentified business operated in Richmond, Va., during the late nineteenth century. It is possible that the business was Julius Meyer and Sons, a dry-goods firm in Richmond operated by German immigrant Julius Meyer and his sons Henry H., Alexander, and William Meyer.

Unidentified Cashbook, 1887-1889, documents cash on hand by recording cash received and disbursed. Information found in each entry includes date, type of transaction, and monies debited or credited.

Historical Information: This unidentified business operated in Richmond, Va., during the late nineteenth century.

Unidentified Cashbook, 1888-1891, documents the petty cash on hand by recording cash received and disbursed. Information found in each entry includes date, name of individual or business, and monies debited or credited.

Historical Information: This unidentified business operated in Richmond, Va., during the mid-nineteenth century.

Unidentified Checkbook, 1865-1866, contains blank checks and stubs of checks for an account kept with the National Bank of Virginia located in Richmond. Information found in check stubs includes date check was written, name of individual or business to whom check was written, and amount of check. Occasionally the purpose of the check was written in place of the check recipient. Checks were written for such things as rent, storage, lumber, and cattle.

Historical Information: This unidentified grocer operated in Richmond, Va., during the late nineteenth century.

Unidentified Grocer Ledger, 1890, records the accounts of individual customers. Information found in each account includes customer name, date of purchase, and name and quantity of item purchased. Customers purchased fruit, produce, beef, fish, eggs, and tobacco. At some point the volume was repurposed to document court business. A few entries dated 1892 and 1901 record sales of personal property made to settle suits and pay court fees. Information found in these entries include style of suit, name and quantity of property sold, name of purchaser, amounts paid, and name of party receiving the proceeds of the sale. Also, a jury list is given for various cases in 1894.

Historical Information: The unidentified business operated in Richmond, Va., during the late nineteenth century. It is possible that the business was Julius Meyer and Sons, a dry-goods firm in Richmond operated by German immigrant Julius Meyer and his sons Henry H., Alexander, and William Meyer.

Unidentified Ledger of Northern Accounts, 1890, documents the accounts of individual customers. Information found in each entry includes date and amounts debited or credited to the accounts. Little information is provided as to the type of transactions recorded in the ledger. Transactions are described by notations such as "to mdse," "to check," or "to bills pay" with no other information provided.

Historical Information: This unidentified liquor dealer operated in the Richmond, Va., area during the early twentieth century.

Unidentified Liquor Dealer Ledger, 1912-1913, records the accounts of individual customers. Information found in each entry includes the customer name, date of transaction, name and quantity of item purchased, and amount owed. Customers bought cigars, cigarettes, and a variety of alcoholic beverages including beer, port, whiskey, and gin.

Historical Information: This unidentified business operated in Richmond, Va., during the early twentieth century.

Unidentified Profit and Loss Ledger, 1911-1913, records the accounts of individuals and companies that owe money to the unidentified business. Information found in each entry includes original date note was due, interest accrued on the debt, and the date the debt was paid off or suspended.

Historical Information: This unidentified restaurant and ice cream parlor operated in Richmond, Va., during the early twentieth century.

Unidentified Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor Daybook, 1911, records transactions on an almost daily basis from July through September 1911. Information found in each entry includes customer name, item purchased, and amounts owed. In addition to serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant also functioned as an ice cream parlor selling ice cream, candies, lemonade, cigarettes, and cigars.

Historical Information: Chartered in July 1882, the Virginia Manufacturing and Trading Company was engaged in the manufacturing and selling of cigars and cigarettes in Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia. The company sold George Campbell and Company's tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes and John H. Bryant and Company's Virginia sumac and quercitron bark. Officers of the company included J. R. Stebbins, president; George Campbell, general manager; and R. Colston, secretary and treasurer. After incurring debt and facing legal proceedings, the company dissolved in March 1884.

Virginia Manufacturing and Trading Company Minute Book, 1882-1884, records the meetings of the company's board of directors and stockholders. Early entries document the formation of the board of directors, creation of by-laws, and the purchase of land for the company's two factories in Richmond and Petersburg. Later meetings include profit and loss statements. The final entries in March 1884 outline plans to liquidate the company after a suit was filed by D. N. Walker and Company in the Richmond Circuit Court.

Historical Information: Virginia Marl Phosphate Company was a fertilizer company located in Richmond, Virginia. It was formed 26 December 1888 and ceased active operations on 15 October 1894.

Virginia Marl Phosphate Company Business Records, 1888-1892, consists of a record book that records the company's charter; a cash book, a ledger, and a journal that record that company's financial transactions; a blank stock certificate book; and miscellaneous loose records (mostly correspondence.)

Historical Information: The Virginia Protection Life Insurance Company operated in Richmond, Va., during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. At some point in its history the company changed its name to the Virginia Protective Life Insurance Company.

Virginia Protection Life Insurance Company Journal A, 1874-1882, records various accounts that document the financial activities of the company. Examples of accounts include bills receivable, expenses, profits and losses, commissions, and medical examiner accounts. Each entry includes date, type of transaction, and monies debited or credited. Also included in the journal are a record of insurance policies purchased, which include the policy holders name, certificate number, and amount paid.

Historical Information: Julius Meyer and Sons was a dry-goods business operating in Richmond, Va., during the late nineteenth century selling ready-made clothing, textiles, and household items. The mercantile firm consisted of German immigrant Julius Meyer and his sons Henry H., William, and Alexander Meyer.

Julius Meyer and Sons Ledger, 1888-1890, documents the dry-goods company's financial activities. The ledger records both the accounts of individual customers and the company's working accounts for things such as bank transactions, expenses, freight, and merchandise. Entries are organized in chronological order under the individual account name. Each entry includes date, type of transaction, and monies debited or credited.

Julius Meyer and Sons Daybook, 1888-1889, and Henry H. Meyer Daybook, 1889-1890, record transactions on a daily basis as they occurred. Information found in each entry includes date, name of customer, name and quantity of items purchased, price per unit, and total amounts owed.

Henry H. Meyer General Daybook and Merchandise Returns, 1888-1890, records merchandise returns on an almost daily basis as they occurred. Each entry includes date, name of customer, name and quantity of items returned, price per unit, and the total amount of money returned to the customer.

Julius Meyer and Sons Cashbook, 1888-1889, documents cash on hand by recording cash received and disbursed. Information found in each entry includes date, type of transaction, and monies debited or credited.

Julius Meyer and Sons Petty Cashbook, 1888-1890, documents the petty cash on hand by recording cash received and disbursed. Information found in each entry includes date, type of transaction, monies debited or credited, and the customer or employee name associated with the transaction. Expenses, such as freight and postage fees, merchandise sales, and employee salaries were recorded in the volume.

Henry H. Meyer Checkbook, 1890, contains blank checks and stubs of checks written by Meyer for his family's mercantile business. Information found in the check stubs includes date check was written, name of individual or business to whom check was written, and amount of check. Occasionally notes were included as to the purpose of the payment.