Francis Watkins Account book, 1782 - 1791

Item — Box: 5, Object: 1

Staff Only

Abstract

From the Collection: The Account Books, SC-000200, contains 13 account books or ledgers written by various people. Some of the items track family accounts while others track business accounts. Not included in this collection are any daybooks or diaries pertaining to the daily lives of the individuals. Each account book spans a couple of years while some cover a larger amount of time but altogether, the account books were created in the 19th century.

Dates

1782 - 1791

Access

Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files will be provided for use upon request.

Biographical History

Francis Watkins was born in 1745 and died in 1826. He was the son of Thomas Watkins of Chickahominy, VA. As a youth and young man, he was largely self-taught. In 1765, he married Agnes Woodson (1748-1820) who was sisters with Elizabeth Woodson, Nathaniel Venable’s wife, making the two men brother in laws. During the Revolution he served on the Prince Edward Committee of Safety. After several years as Deputy Clerk for Prince Edward County he was elected Clerk of the Court in 1783. He was a founder of Hampden-Sydney College along with Nathaniel Venable and from 1776-1792 he served as a Trustee of the College.

Extent

From the Collection: 7 Boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Provenance

The provenance of the item is officially unknown but it is believed to have been transferred from the Eggleston Library at Hampden-Sydney College.

Physical status

Item is approximately 372 pages of handwritten accounting between Francis Watkins and several associates throughout Prince Edward County. Bound in leather, relatively good condition, spine is intact, staining on almost every page around the edges, ink bleeding on several pages but writing is still legible.