Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection open to 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.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Rockingham County account book, 1874-1885, SC 0400, James Madison University Special Collections, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Acquired from Tim Abbott Americana in February 2025.

Processing Information

Loose items were removed and placed in a sub-folder with the account book.

Biographical / Historical

The creator of the account book is unknown. Contextual evidence (i.e. patron names, vendor stamp inside front cover) suggests the account book originates in Rockingham County, Virginia.

Scope and Contents

The account book, likely kept by one individual, documents payments made and received for labor and farming activities, household expenses, and other goods and services in Rockingham County.

The account book is arranged by patron name with entries listed chronologically. Entries describe the type of work completed (i.e. thrashing wheat, harvesting, shelling corn, general labor, etc.), goods bought and sold, and other services provided or paid for. The book also includes entries for laborers presumed to be in the employ of the creator of the account book. The volume also includes pages of entries labeled "Money paid out" and "Money taken in" for each year. Surnames represented in the account book include Huffman, Dungeon, Winegard, King, Stephens, Pitt, Falls, Dovel, Bowman, Carrier, Armentrout, Fridley, and others.

Of interest are several pages of account entries (1879) with John Dungeon, a local Black laborer and brother to Israel Dungeon who established Dungeon's Chapel, a historic Black church in the Pleasant Valley area of Rockingham County. Abe Dungeon and Robert (Bobb) Dungeon, sons of John Dungeon, are also listed. Additional extensive entries document money paid out toward building a barn (1880; pgs. 88, 91) and grain taken to a mill (1883, pg. 85). Two pages document an account with "Coulored Lewis" (1880, pgs. 32-33). The listing of money paid out in 1884 includes a July 1 entry for "cash pd to negroes for harvesting - $34.09."

An 1881 election ticket for the Readjuster Party, an invoice for Richard A. Stevens' subscription to the Episcopal Methodist, and other financial documents and notes are loose and placed in a sub-folder. A braided lock of hair is laid in the account book.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Account books
• African American agricultural laborers -- Virginia -- Rockingham County -- 19th century
• Agricultural laborers -- Virginia -- Rockingham County -- 19th century
• Agriculture -- Virginia -- Rockingham County -- 19th century
• Farmers -- Virginia -- Rockingham County -- 19th century
• Rockingham County (Va.) -- Economic conditions -- 19th century
• Rockingham County (Va.) -- History -- 19th century
• Rockingham County (Va.) -- Social conditions -- 19th century
• Stephens family
• Stephens, Richard A., 1831-1890