The collection is open for research.
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Henry Edmundson Letters, 1814-1847, Ms2010-085, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The Henry Edmundson Letters were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in October 2010.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Henry Edmundson Letters was completed in November 2010.
Henry Edmundson was born in 1774 in Pennsylvania and moved, when quite young to Botetourt County, Virginia, with his mother. After marrying Peggy King in 1799, they moved to Montgomery County and purchased land there in 1801.
Having quickly built an estate, Edmundson served in the Virginia General Assembly, representing Montgomery County on three occasions between 1818 and 1827. He also served as sheriff of Montgomery County in 1842 and 1843. On August 30, 1828, Edmundson, in partnership with Elijah McClanahan, purchased from George Hancock, Jr., the Alleghany Turnpike--a seven-mile long road that ran from the confluence of the north and south forks of the Roanoke River to the top of Alleghany Mountain near Christiansburg--along with two adjacent tracts of land. Edmundson also acquired the estate, "Fotheringay," which would become his residence. McClanahan and Edmundson owned the Turnpike until it was sold to the Southwestern Turnpike Company in 1847. Later that same year, Edmundson died.
Edmundson's son, Henry Alonzo, born on 14 June 1814, served in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1849 to 1861 and as a lieutenant colonel in the Confederate Army.
The Henry Edmundson Letters contain nine letters, eight of which were written to Edmundson and one, the earliest of the letters, written by Edmundson in 1814 to General John Preston. The senders include William Ballard Preston; Francis H. Smith, superintendent of Virginia Military Institute (V.M.I.); Bernard Peyton; Isaac White; and Joseph Robert Woods. One letter, signed simply, "Wade," may indicate John Wade, one of the directors of the Lafayette and Ingles Ferry Turnpike.
The subjects of the letters range quite widely, but many have to do with financial matters, including various debts, loans, notes, and Bank of Virginia stock certificates. The letter to General Preston, dated 29 November 1814, refers to Edmundson's task of procuring hogs, perhaps to supply troops. Bernard Peyton's letter to Edmundson of 3 November 1823 is largely about "the progress of our unfortunate business with the Treasury," which refers to the aftermath of John Preston's tenure as Treasurer of Virginia and the disposition of property to satisfy his debt. Francis H. Smith writes to discuss a leave of absence at V.M.I. for Edmundson's son.
The letters in this collection are arranged in chronological order.
The guide to the Henry Edmundson Letters by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your- work/public-domain/cc0/).