Brook Hall Ledger Book - 1830s and Emory and Henry Accounts with Jos. W. Davis, merchant, 1854-55, 1830-1837

Access and use

Location of collection:
Radford University
University Archives
McConnell Library
Radford University
P.O. Box 6881
801 East Main Street
Radford, VA 24142
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Bud Bennett
Phone: (540) 831-5694
Phone: (540) 831-5701
Restrictions:

An appointment for research is required. The collection is open for research. No interlibrary loan.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Brook Hall Ledger Book, Appalachian Collection, McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA. Brook Hall Ledger Book - 1830s and Emory and Henry Accounts with Jos. W. Davis, merchant, 1854-55, Accession # AC 008, University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University

Summary

Extent:
1.5 Linear feet
Abstract:
Contains the Brook Hall Ledger Book, Letter of provenance from Radford President John Preston McConnell and Emory & Henry College accounts with merchant Jos. W. Davis. The full collection can be found here.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Brook Hall Ledger Book, Appalachian Collection, McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA. Brook Hall Ledger Book - 1830s and Emory and Henry Accounts with Jos. W. Davis, merchant, 1854-55, Accession # AC 008, University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the Brook Hall Ledger Book and Letter of provenance from Radford President John Preston McConnell written in 1935. Also included are six monthly account statements between Emory & Henry College and Jos. W. Davis, merchant, dated various months in 1854-55.

Biographical / historical:

This ledger book was used at Brook(e) Hall in Washington County on the Lee Highway, rather in between Emory and Henry College and Glade Spring. It contains transactions from the 1830s. Brooke Hall was owned by Colonel Alexander Biers, According to John Preston McConnell, Brooke Hall was a very imposing palace or residence on the Lee Highway. Alexander Biers was a great farmer, slave-owner, and business man. He owned and operated a mill at his place for all kinds of grain, a carving machine, saw mill and general store, a distillery and tannery and participated in about everything that an old-time Virginia farmer of the very highest order carried on. His house, Brooke Hall, was the stopping place for many distinguished men from Tennessee, and the Southwest on the way to Washington, Richmond, Baltimore, and the eastern sections of population and influence. - notes from John Preston McConnell's letter of provenance. Brooke is the spelling Dr. McConnell uses, but Brook is found in the ledgers.

Acquisition information:
Donated by John Preston McConnell.
Custodial history:

Presented to John Preston McConnell by the grandson of Alexander Hess while McConnell was a professor at Emory and Henry College (e.g., prior to 1911).

Processing information:

Processed by Gene Hyde, Summer 2011.

Arrangement:

Brook Hall Ledger Book

Letter of provenance from Radford President John Preston McConnell, April 5, 1935

Emory & Henry College accounts with merchant Jos. W. Davis, 1854-55

Accruals:

No further accruals are expected.

Physical description:
.