Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have 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 is open for 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 ledger was sold at Green Valley Auctions, Inc. on June 26, 2004.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Snell Grocery and Hardware Company Ledger, 1913-1916, SC 0196, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

Purchased from a private seller in November 2007.

Processing Information

In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in 2017-2018. This collection was previously cataloged as SC 5017 .

Bio/Historical Note

Using the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps for Harrisonburg, Virginia, from 1891 to 1930, it was determined that this ledger belonged to the Snell Grocery and Hardware Company. The 1891 Sanborn map shows Yancey, Snell & Company, Wholesale Grocer's plaster mill and warehouse at 541 North Main Street. By 1907, the company was known as Snell & Berry Grocery Company. By 1918, the company was renamed J.M. Snell Grocery. The company is known to have operated from at least 1891 to 1924. Sometime between 1919 and 1924, J.M. Snell Grocery was acquired by Merchants Grocery and Hardware. An additional warehouse was located at 135 West Market Street, but was acquired by Merchants Grocery and Hardware Company between 1919 and 1924, the structure of which still stands. The main warehouse on North Main Street near Kratzer Road has since been demolished.

Scope and Content

The Snell Grocery and Hardware Company ledger consists of one book, 1913-1916. The ledger contains a list of all customers during that period, detailed lists of their purchases, whether their purchases were by cash, credit or check, as well as expenses of the company per month. The company sold grocery items such as: dairy products, meats, grains, fruits and vegetables, as well as fertilizer, cement, coal and livestock feed. The Long's Store Records (SC 0218) includes bills and receipts for items purchased from Snell Grocery Company in 1908.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Account books -- Sources
• Business records
• Business records -- Sources
• General stores -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg
• Ledgers (account books)
• Merchants -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg -- Records and correspondence
• Rockingham County (Va.) -- History -- Sources
• Snell Grocery and Hardware Company (Harrisonburg, Va.)
• Suter, Scott Hamilton
• Virginia -- History, Local -- Sources