Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection 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.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Wittig Store Ledger, 1886-1889, SC 0217, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

Purchased from K. B. Getz in January 2009.

Processing Information

The binding and boards were removed from the ledger. Several damaged pages were photocopied.

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 5043.

Bio/Historical Note

The Wittig Store was owned and operated by the Wittig Family of the Dovesville area of Bergton, Virginia. Ulrich Wittig and his wife, Catherine Baughman Wittig, came to the New Market, Virginia area after Siram Henkel sponsored their passage from Germany in return for the Wittigs' labor. Eventually, Wittig earned enough money to buy what is considered the Wittig Store District - a large amount of land in Dovesville which also included a store and mill. In addition to owning the store, Wittig was the first postmaster of the area until the post office was discontinued in 1866. The Wittig general store was run with the help of his seven children. It was not until 1872 that the postmaster position was reinstated due to the post office being a part of the general store. Ulrich's sons, Henry Wittig, then became the postmaster.

Scope and Content

The Wittig Store Ledger, 1886-1889, documents the business activities of the Wittig Store in the Dovesville area of Bergton, Virginia. The ledger records customer names and account activities, specifically the merchandise - foodstuffs, perishables, clothing, sundry household and farming items - purchased from the store. An index of customer names is included at the front of the ledger.

The front index pages also include sketches of a woman referred to on one page as Miss Bernice Smith. These sketches post-date the other contents in the ledger.

Arrangement

The ledger remains bound and is arranged in its original order.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Account books -- Sources
• Business records
• Business records -- Sources
• General stores -- Virginia -- Bergton
• Getz, K. B.
• Ledgers (account books)
• Merchants -- Virginia -- Bergton -- Records and correspondence
• Rockingham County (Va.) -- History -- Sources
• Virginia -- History, Local -- Sources
• Wittig Store (Bergton, Va.)