Historical Information:In 1741, Samuel Cobbs, the first Amelia County court clerk, was authorized to build an 'ordinary' (tavern) at the crossroads near his house. He maintained an office there as well as at Amelia, thus the location eventually became known as Office Tavern Post Office, and a small community grew up around it.

Egbert Giles Leigh, Sr., also served a term as Amelia County Court clerk.

Scope and Content: Office Tavern Post Office Account Book, 1832-1834, records the accounts of individual customers. Each account lists transactions in chronological order. Information found in each account includes dates of transactions, amount owed for mailing or receiving letters, location where letters were mailed and received, and form of payment. This account book was kept by postmaster Egbert Giles Leigh, Sr.

Office Tavern Post Office Account Book, 1837-1839, records the accounts of individual customers. Each account lists transactions in chronological order. Information found in each account includes dates of transactions, amount owed for mailing or receiving letters, location where letters were mailed and received, and form of payment. This account book was kept by postmaster Peter R. Leigh.

Historical Information: The Pridesville Tavern operated in Amelia County during the early nineteenth century.

Scope and Content:The Pridesville Tavern Daybook, 1801-1803, records transactions on a daily basis. Information found in each entry includes name of customer, date of transaction, items purchased or services rendered, and amounts owed and paid. Services provided by the tavern included renting rooms, serving of meals and alcoholic drinks, and the feeding and livery of horses. Some alcoholic drinks served at the tavern were grog, whiskey, julep, wine, brandy, and rum.

Located in the front of the volume is a list of students attending Jefferson College in 1801. Jefferson College, incorporated 26 December 1800, was located in Amelia County. The list includes student name, date student entered college, amount of tuition payment received, and, for a few students, a note on when a student quit the college.

Historical Information:The Upper Appomattox Company was incorporated by the General Assembly in 1795. Stock certicates were sold by the company to promote greater transporation along the Appomattox River ultimately resulting in the building of a canal. Walthall, Jeter and Company may have sold building supplies in Amelia County in the mid-19th century. Boisseau and Coleman operated a general store in Amelia County in the late 19th century.

Scope and Content:The Amelia County Business Records, 1800-1898, are comprised of three folders, reflecting the loose records of three businesses, found within a single Half-Hollinger box. The following series are:

Upper Appomattox Company, 1800, contains a stock certificate.

Walthall, Jeter and Company, 1834-1835, contains a receipt from another business, Wingo & Hurt.

Boisseau and Coleman, 1871-1898, were dealers in drugs, notions, groceries, stationary, and fancy articles. The majority of the receipts are for goods bought by and paid for by Boisseau and Coleman. Items wre bought from wholesalers and include flatware, soap, food stuffs, tobacco, clothing and medical supplies.