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

From a Shenandoah Valley private collection.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], M. E. Greene ledger, 1895-1912, SC 0409, James Madison University Special Collections, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Purchased at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates Summer Americana auction (day 3), 8/29/2025.

Biographical / Historical

Milton Erastus Greene (1876-1942) was a lifelong resident of Augusta County where he was a landowner, real estate dealer, and contractor. Per the 1910 census, Greene was employed as a contractor for the lumber industry (a lumber distributor/wholesale dealer in lumber according to canceled checks laid in the ledger).

Scope and Contents

One bound ledger documenting the business activities of wholesale lumber dealer M. E. Greene who was based out of Spottswood in Augusta County, Virginia. The ledger includes an alphabetical index of customer names followed by pages of individual accounts including descriptions of services rendered, materials (primarily lumber) purchased, and other credits and debits. Greene dealt in oak, chestnut, pine, poplar, etc., with individuals as well as local and national companies including Basic Furniture Co. (Waynesboro), W. W. Putnam Organ Co. (Staunton), Kidd and Buckingham Lumber Co. (Spottswood), Blue Ridge Lumber Co., Valley Tie & Lumber Co., Cumberland Valley Spoke & Bending Co., American Lumber and Manufacturing Co., Chicago Lumber Co., Buffalo Hardwood Lumber Co., Hagerstown Table Works, and others. Individual names listed include Campbell, Lilley, Lamb, Noble, Decker, Berry, Southers, McClure, and others.

Assorted receipts for M. E. Greene that were previously attached to pages with straight pins were detached and placed loose in the ledger.

Five Lambert Brothers and Lambert Manufacturing Company (Waynesboro) receipts for chairs and lumber are loose inside the front cover of the ledger. The receipts date from 1895 to 1911.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
• Ledgers (account books)
• Receipts (financial records)