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Letters, chiefly 1862-1865, written by Nathaniel Venable Watkins to his wife Nancy Daniel Watkins. During the Civil War, Watkins served with Co. H, 4th Virginia Heavy Artillery, which became part of the 34th Virginia Infantry Regiment. Watkins appeared to have saw little combat, spending much of his time in defensive positions guarding artillery batteries. His unit was stationed at Gloucester Point (during the Peninsular Campaign), near Richmond (Chaffin's Bluff) and near Petersburg. His letters concern camp life, religion among the soldiers, his work as a clerk for courts-martial; and he gave directions to his wife concerning the management of their farm in Granville, North Carolina.

Collection contains account journals, some papers and other items of James M. Nicolson, a general merchant in Gloucester County, Virginia (1802-1869), an account book kept by Nicolson and Capt. John L. Hibble as Assistant Quarter Masters of the 26th Virginia Regiment, 1861-1864 (discusses slaves labors); a letter book of H. Yeatman & Co., merchants of Gloucester Court House, 1869-1870, which also contains some of Nicolson's correspondence; and ledger accounts, 1892-1899, for farming at 'Severn Hall', Gloucester County, Va. Includes a list of slaves hired out on 23 Dec. 1802.

Deed, 1834, from John Duffield, wife Amanda A. Duffield, John Duffield, Jr., wife Frances Duffield, Henry M. Myers, wife Caroline M. Myers and William H. Duffield transferring their rights as heirs of David Ross (to the estate, "Cobbham," Cumberland County, Va.) to Frederick A. Ross, trustee; deed of trust, 1844, from Overton B. Pettit and wife Mary E. Pettit to William Fontaine and Abraham Shepherd, trustees for money owed to Samuel Pettit (includes "Cobbham," enslaved persons, equipment and crops); and attachment, 1850, on property of Overton B. Pettit.

Papers, 1829-1905, of Patrick H. Jones of Louisa County, Va. Chiefly accounts of Jones, both personal and related to his partnership with Elisha Melton. Includes account book for a bar operated by Jones in 1852-1853 and contracts between Jones and Melton to lease the bar, lease for woodland and contract with railroad to sell wood. Collection also includes agreements to hire slaves.

Papers, 1812-1870, of Philip Howerton and his family of Halifax County, Va. Includes a letterbook, 1829-1853; account books, 1825-1857, of the store and blacksmith's shop of Philip Howerton and tobacco manufacturing company of Philip Howerton and W. M. Howerton.

Papers, 1772-1872, of the Blow family. Chiefly business papers, 1772-1820, of Richard Blow of Portsmouth and "Tower Hill," Sussex County, Va. and his son George Blow, Sr. and George Blow, Jr. of 'Tower Hill' and Williamsburg, Va. Richard Blow was a partner in stores in Virginia and North Carolina (trading as Richard Blow and Co., Briggs & Blow, Baker & Blow [South Quay, Nansemond County, Va.], Blow & Barksdale [Petersburg, Va.], and Blow and Scammel). He was also a plantation owner that operated in part by labor of enslaved persons. He shipped the goods produced by the plantation by sea, often to European markets. His correspondence and papers during this period provide a model source on plantation management, sea trade, trade during the American Revolution, and trade during the War of 1812. Includes correspondence, plantation accounts, ship accounts, and legal papers.

Papers, 1807-1938, but mainly 1830-1870, of the Ritchie and Harrison families. Includes letters, documents and a diary of members of the family of Thomas Ritchie, his wife Isabella (Foushee) Ritchie and ten of their twelve children of Richmond, Va., "Brandon," Prince George County, Va. and Washington, D.C.

Included are oystering accounts; farm accounts for "Porto Bella," York County, Virginia and "New Hope," [?]; cash accounts of Williamsburg, Virginia; list of ages and prices of enslaved persons; records of physician's visits to family and enslaved persons; remedy for colic; and memorandum of a purchase of land from College of William and Mary in October 1847.

Correspondence, 1833-1856, between the Shipman family of Rockingham County, Va. and the Wills family of Fluvanna County, Va. There are letters, 1838-1840, between James C. Shipman while serving in the Virginia House of Delegates and his wife Mary Minor Wills Shipman. Many letters are written by women. The collection includes letters of Jane R. Riordan discussing her going to Richmond to learn the millinery trade and starting in business; letters concerning marriage and courtship; letters describing stagecoach rides as well as a pass, 1839, for a slave to go from Fluvanna County to Rockingham County; and a printed circular, 1870, advising southerners to take advantage of the United States Bankruptcy Act.

Contains letters, bills, receipts, business accounts, and miscellaneous personal writings of the Laine and Travis families of Southampton County, Va. The bulk of the collection concerns the business and general financial affairs of the Laine family, particularly Jeremy and Miles Laine. It also contains several short personal writings of the Travis family, who were the final owners of Nat Turner prior to his rebellion. This includes the names and birthdays of many members of the family shortly before 1831. Also featured is a letter discussing an enslaved girl asking to be resold to her previous owner as well as the business agreements of several "Free Negroes," including the apprenticeship indenture of a boy who was involved in Virginia's placement program for illegitimate children. This collection also contains correspondence with the United States Pension Agency and various nineteenth century advertisements.