Newly-Available Archival Accessions, October 1-December 31, 2025

The Library of Virginia maintains the most comprehensive collection of information about Virginia’s history, culture, and government. We hold more than 200 million manuscript items, digital images, and records in our archives that tell countless stories of Virginians and our collective past. In addition to state and local government records, the Library has an unparalleled collection of private papers that includes records of businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals. These archival collections continue to grow, and archivists are constantly acquiring and processing records to make them accessible to the public. Four times a year, we publish reports of newly accessioned records. View the New Archival Accession Reports online.

Here are a couple highlights from our most recent accessioned collections:

Papers, 1968-2010, of William Wade Harlowe of Fluvanna County, Virginia, detailing his career as an auctioneer selling antiques, art, automobiles, cattle, chinaware, farm equipment, furniture, jewelry, lumber, real estate, silver, watches, and other items at auctions held in Albemarle, Fluvanna, Nelson, and Orange Counties, and Charlottesville, Virginia, among other places. Collection contains advertisements, catalogs, magazines, newspaper clippings, sales information, and other documents. Gift of William W. and Roberta Harlowe, Troy. (Accession 54422).

William Wade Harlowe began his career as an auctioneer in 1968, attending the Reisch American School of Auctioneering. He opened H. & W. Auction Service with Cecil W. Wooldridge, and after Wooldridge left the business, it became Harlowe Auction, LTD. In 1997, Harlowe became partners with Vernon Powell as Harlowe-Powell Auction, LTD. Harlowe auctioned a wide variety of items including antiques; artwork, including paintings and sculptures; automobiles; clocks and watches; coins and money; glassware and chinaware; and real estate, including homes and lots. He often conducted fundraising auctions for charity organizations. William W. Harlowe is in the Virginia Auctioneers Hall of Fame.

Valuation ledger, 1914-1929, of the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad, listing the value of property, tracks, roads, buildings, equipment, and supplies for the RF&P and for the Richmond Terminal Railway. Ledger shows the change in value from original costs to then-current costs. Purchased. (Accession 53764)

Ledger, 1899-1924, of the Rockingham Draft Horse Association of Rockingham County, Virginia, containing accounts for members, as well as a record of work and purchase of shoes and fodder for horses. Also contains an account for poultry and eggs. Purchased. (Accession 54587)

“Dearest Virginia, a True Valley Love Story; Melvin Montelle Renalds and Virginia Doll, a Collection of Letters, 1925-1926,” collected and transcribed by Janet Renalds Ramsey in 2021, containing correspondence between Melvin Montelle Renalds (1904-1988) of Waynesboro, Virginia, and Washington D.C., and Virginia Doll (Renalds) (1902-1933) of Roanoke, Virginia, detailing their courtship and marriage. Also contains biographical and genealogical information on Melvin Renalds and Virginia Doll. Gift of Janet Renalds Ramsey, Richmond. (Accession 54622)

Melvin Renalds’ family knew very little about his first wife, Virginia Doll Renalds. Melvin and Virginia were married July 19, 1926. Virginia died at home from rheumatic heart disease on November 12, 1933. They had two children, one of whom died at age four in 1936. After Melvin’s death in 1988, the family discovered the letters describing Melvin’s and Virginia’s courtship and marriage. The letters were transcribed by Melvin’s granddaughter Janet Renalds Ramsey.

Deed of gift, dated 1831 and recorded 14 March 1831, of an enslaved person named Charity from Robertson Cheatham (1769-1843) of Campbell County, Virginia, to his son Samuel R. Cheatham (1805-1863) provided that Samuel R. Cheatham allows his sister Martha Cheatham Fisher (1803-1866) to remain in possession of Charity. Purchased. (Accession 53835)

The harsh reality of slavery in the United States meant that enslaved persons were not considered people but were legally property that could be given or sold to someone else. While it is possible to find information about the white Cheatham family members named in this deed, finding information on Charity is much more difficult. Often, a document such as this deed is the only written record of an enslaved person’s existence.