A Guide to the Baker's Store Daybooks, 1861-1878 SC 0403

James Madison University Libraries Special Collections

820 Madison Drive
MSC 1706
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Telephone: (540) 568-3612
library-special@jmu.edu
URL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/

Tiffany Cole

Repository

James Madison University Libraries Special Collections

Identification

SC 0403

Title

Baker's Store daybooks 1861-1878

Quantity

0.6 cubic feet, 1 box

Creator

Baker's Store (1860-2018) (Mount Olive, Va.)

Language

English .

Abstract

Two daybooks documenting the mercantile activities of Baker's Store in Mount Olive, Virginia.

Administrative Information

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.

Provenance

The ledgers were sold on eBay by a seller in Greencastle, Pennsylvania on January 15, 2025, presumably to Tim Abbott Americana.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Baker's Store daybooks, 1861-1878, SC 0403, James Madison University Special Collections, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Purchased from Tim Abbott Americana, March 2025.

Biographical / Historical

Baker's Store, located in Mount Olive, Virginia in Shenandoah County, operated from 1860 until 2018. Baker's Store sold general merchandise including foodstuffs, perishables, dry goods, fabric, notions, alcohol, tobacco, and sundry items. Ephraim Baker (1836-1919) was the original proprietor of the store until his death when his son William Baker (1895-1989) took over ownership.

Scope and Contents

Two daybooks documenting the mercantile activities of Baker's Store in Mount Olive, Virginia from 1861-1878. The daybooks are organized chronologically and include the names of patrons and itemized accounts of their purchases from the store. Common items purchased include fabric, eggs, butter, coffee, tobacco, pins, needles, camphor, paper, whiskey, sugar, clothing, and shoes. Names present in the daybooks include Rosenberger, Funkhouser, Grove, Hockman, Hamman, Edmonson, Coffman, Keller, Pifer, Clem, Hottle, Eberly, Copp, and others.