Jerdone Family Papers, 1762-1866

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Jerdone Family Papers, 1762-1866. Accession 21607, Personal papers collection. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Jerdone Family Papers, 1762-1866. Accession 21607, Personal papers collection. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Papers, 1762-1866, of the Jerdone family of Louisa, New Kent, Orange and Spotsylvania Counties, Virginia, consisting mainly of correspondence to Francis Jerdone, Jr. (1756-1841), of Louisa County from his sons, relatives, friends, and business partners regarding personal, family, and business matters. Also includes personal and business correspondence to and from his sons John Jerdone (b. 1800) of Spotsylvania County, Francis Jerdone (1802-1874) of Orange County, and William Jerdone (b. 1805) of New Kent County. Also contains business accounts, receipts for business purchases, personal purchases, and tax payment, as well as a list of slaves for the Jerdones' New Kent County plantation. Also includes the account book of Francis Jerdone (1720/1-1771) of Louisa County which also contains the will of Patrick Belsches (d. 1764) and the inventory of the estate of Judy Belsches (d. 1768), both of Louisa County.

Biographical / historical:

Francis Jerdone (1720/1-1771) arrived in Virginia from Jedburgh, Scotland about 1740 and established a mercantile firm in New Kent County. In 1752, he moved to Louisa County, Virginia, and built "Jerdone Castle." Jerdone married Sarah Macon (1731/2-1818) 10 February 1753. His son, Francis Jerdone, Jr. (1756-1841), inherited "Jerdone Castle," as well as lands and businesses in Louisa and New Kent Counties upon his father's death, but may have almost lost them during the American Revolution. Jerdone reputedly was a tory, but his mother was a friend of Martha Washington and his property was not confiscated. Jerdone maintained a business network with relatives and friends in New Kent and York Counties, Richmond, Virginia, and England. Jerdone married Mary "Polly" Byars 20 June 1799. Three of their sons, John (b. 1800), Francis (1802- 1874), and William (b. 1805) became planters in Spotsylvania, Orange, and New Kent Counties respectively.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Miriam Huxter, 9 July 1939.
Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically, with the undated material, business records, and account book of Francis Jerdone located at end of collection.

Physical location:
Personal papers collection, Acc. 21607
Physical description:
0.60 cubic feet