Catoctin Farmers' Club Records 1868-1983

Access and use

Location of collection:
Thomas Balch Library
Thomas Balch Library
208 West Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Alexandra S. Gressitt
Phone: (703) 737-7195
Fax: (703) 737-7195
Restrictions:

Collection open for research.

Terms of access:

No physical characteristics affect use of this material.

Preferred citation:

Catoctin Farmers' Club Records (M 034), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

Summary

Creator:
Henry B.R. Brown, Leesburg, VA
Abstract:
The collection contains 12 volumes of minutes from 1868 to 1943 (volume 8, 1907-1914, is missing) and unbound minutes from 1944-1983. Minutes are incomplete. Inserted materials include copies of minutes, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous notes and receipts. Following Book 9 is a partial transcription of the volume done by researcher Louisa Hutchison in 2012. The rest of the collection contains correspondence, much of which is between members, to government officials, and to university professors about agricultural sciences. There are also a few essays and speeches, newspaper clippings, magazine articles pertaining to agriculture, grain and cattle price-reports, rainfall and weather tabulations, and other information about the club itself and agriculture in general.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Catoctin Farmers' Club Records (M 034), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains 12 volumes of minutes from 1868 to 1943 (volume 8, 1907-1914, is missing) and unbound minutes from 1944-1983. Minutes are incomplete. Inserted materials include copies of minutes, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous notes and receipts. Following Book 9 is a partial transcription of the volume done by researcher Louisa Hutchison in 2012.

The rest of the collection contains correspondence, much of which is between members, to government officials, and to university professors about agricultural sciences. There are also a few essays and speeches, newspaper clippings, magazine articles pertaining to agriculture, grain and cattle price-reports, rainfall and weather tabulations, and other information about the club itself and agriculture in general.

Biographical / historical:

One of the many developments in agrarian regions during Reconstruction Era was the rise of farm clubs. Advancements in agriculture stagnated during the Civil War; post war farmers were anxious to resume improvement activities. Continued economic instability after the war prompted farmers to look for new opportunities to stimulate growth. Farmers gained by working together through cooperative purchasing, shared equipment, shared lessons about pesticides and fertilizers, cooperative lobbying efforts in the local government, and the possibility to control farm-hand wages. For a brief time in 1875-1876 local farm clubs in Loudoun County united to form the Grange in Northern VA. The organization did not last long and quickly disassembled into several other farm organizations.

The Catoctin Farmers' Club was established 9 April 1868. Farmers in Waterford, VA held their first meeting at "Clifton," the home of Col. Simon Elliot Chamberlin (1834-1908) to assign committees and draft by-laws. Chamberlin and 13 other men founded the club "to consider the propriety of organizing themselves into a body for the purpose of mutual improvement." They saw economic benefit to pooling their resources. Improving transportation in the area was one of the club's first orders of business. Founders and early members include: Robert R. Walker (1851-1931), J.E. Walker (ca. 1818-n.d.), Elisha H. Walker (1844-n.d.), James Janney (1804-1878), Lewis Steer (n.d.), O.J. Pierpont (ca. 1854-n.d.), Cornelius Shawen (n.d.-1820) - owner of C. Shawen and Co., a general store in Waterford - Isaac C. Hoge (1844-1893), David Mansfield (1802-1871), Samuel Hackney (n.d.), Aaron Hackney (n.d.), Amasa Hough (1831-1905), C.S. Hollingsworth (n.d.), Thomas Phillips (n.d.), R.L.J. White (n.d.), William H. Schooley (n.d.), and Sydnor Bennett (1850-1891).

Throughout the 20th century, the Catoctin Farmers' Club continued to deal with the same agricultural issues which faced farmers at the end of the 19th century. Insects, viruses, disease, and bad weather destroyed the profitability of crop and cattle alike. Veterinary medicines, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and seasonal forecasts were always common discussion points for the club. The club also closely watched for and encouraged technological advancements in farm implements and techniques. They often pooled finances to purchase new plows or other equipment.

Other discussion points and activities were sparked by the local and national landscape. During the home front efforts of WWII the club supported finding domestic sources for materials previously obtained from abroad, like growing rubber in the U.S. The club lobbied Senator Harry F. Byrd, Sr. (1887-1966) for assistance when gasoline rationing crippled farmers, keeping them from running equipment. Other issues such as real estate became more complex throughout the 20th century as development rapidly accelerated.

The club's membership in the 20th century reflected some of these issues with which farmers dealt - many of the members as large estate owners were involved in real estate. Bankers, military officers, and prominent businessmen of Loudoun County also filled the club's ranks. Influential members toward the middle of the century included Allen B. McDaniel (1879-1965), Hayden B. Harris (1885-n.d.), J. Churchill Newcomb (1899-1962), and General William C. Crane (1891-1978). The club is still active.

Acquisition information:
Henry B.R. Brown, Leesburg, VA
Processing information:

Austin A. Backus, 8 August 2007. Updated by Rebecca K. Ottinger, 20 June 2011

Arrangement:

Box:Folder

Accruals:

1993.0005

Physical / technical requirements:

None