The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-09-04
NEARLY A CENTURY OLD.
VIRGINIA. MERCHANTS DAY.BOOK
Interesting Revelations II Makes-The
Record Of Store Kept ut Acquia Creek
in the Early Part Of the Last Century.
By Dr.. Joseph NJ; Toner. Of Washington

ID. C.l
In the first half OF the last century the
village of Aqua, in Stafford county, Va,
had its beginning, and from its eligible sit
uation on navigable water 1t gradually be-
came gateway for trade with the planters
of that vicinity. The now old but once
elegant Aqua church was erected near by,
and the main road from the upper Potomac
10 fredericksburg and the lower counties
The Maryland Point Ferry, the main road
from Maryland to Virginia and Fredericks-
burg, was near by and added to the import
ance Of the place. 1t is now, however, TO
be classed as "a deserted village" having
neither postoffice nor name in gazetleers
or upon modern maps.
LOOKING BACKWARD.
To those who are interested In looking
backward, the following is an interesting
list of names of the people who traded at or
resided near Aqua In Virginia in 1875.
Among these were men OF note, aud the de-
scendants OF many have acquired distinc-
ton In the various walks OF lite. The
names are taken from merchants bl0tter,
or order book, kept In store having mis-
cellaneous assortment OF goods AZ that
place, where, II would seem, nearly every
article needed by planters and their fami-
lies, mechanics, fisheries, river men, coast
traders and shipping merchants was to be
found on sale. The book is imperfect and
does not reveal the name Of the proprietor,
but from some OF the entries 10 is rendered
probable that the store and shipping ware
house was owned by Robert Brent, and pos
sibly the father of Robert Brent who was
acknowledgement Of the United States
army during the war OF 1912, and tor years
after.
ENTRIES OF SALES.
The entries of sales begin the 9th of May,
1885, and end December 7th, 1885. The
handwriting in the book is by five several
persons, some of which is difficult TO read.
1t presents great variety in the spelling
OF the names OF persons buying as well as
Of the article sold.
To this store and warehouse the planters
brought whatever they had to sell or ex-
change, which was chiefly tobacco. corn,
wheat and bacon, finding here ready mar
ket. Many disposed OF their tobacco at the
store, while others packed In hogsheads
and had it shipped to merchants in London
for sale. This merchant had accounts
opened with the following firms, some Of
them doing business in tho States and 9TH
ers in Europe: Bruce & Murray, Robert
Cary d Co.. Cuthbert IL Byrum,
Dixon IL Falmouth, Eden Il Co.,
Forrest 4 Stoddard, Lea IL O'Brien, Leith
Il Harrison, Robertson, Sanders 81 Rumny,
Watson & Co. The following plant
ers, according TO this book, through the
agency Of this house, made consignments
and (paylng an export duty shipped to
London merchants at least portion Of
their crop Of tobacco: Aaron Bolts, Daniel
Va.
Brent, Charles Carroll, Isaac Eustice,
John Fitzgerald, Nathaniel Fox, John
Fristoe, Philip Garner, William Hunter,
Richard Hewitt, John Kendall James
knight, Jeremiah knight, Thomas Lee, ST.,
Thomas Ludwell Lee, Thomas Montgom-
erie, James Muslatt, Valentine Stone, Eliz-
abeth TOltsOn. Bsily Washington, Jr.. and
Josiah Watson. This early Aqua mer-
chant seemed to have been enterprlslng
and accommodating, making frequent ac-
cessiOns TO his stock In the lines of goods
desired by his customers. tits probable that
in many cases he did what our modern
store-keepers do; received orders and then
sent to London or elsewhere to have them
filled. For instance, Thomas Lee, ST., buys
"a set % volumes Of the British and Irish
Theatre" for which he pays 96 10 O; to
other parties he sells "BIem0irs Of the Bas-
tile" the "HstoIy OF North America"
Swinburne's Travels in Sicily" and other
books, presumably upon orders. George
Brent, Esq, had seal cut. 1t is probable
that work Of this character was done in
London.
OUR SHOPPING GRAND DANES.
The store was much frequented by ladies
to see the styles and make purchases, in
modern parlance "do their shopping" The
nearest towns. having rival stores for the
IL, of N,,r NaQLx az AiPninia
Fredericksburg, OccOquon and Alexandria.
This bOtter or day-bO0k shows from the
bills sold that the ladies found at the store
the following goods OF various styles and at
prices and III quantities TO suit many pur-
chasers. Gloves, kid, silk and thread: hats,
flats, bOnnets, ribbons. artificial flowers,
pumes and ostrich feathers; silk, worsted
aud cotton stockings and silks for dresses,
and shoes of various kinds and styles OF leath-
er, Morocco, Calmanco and lasting, China
and crockery-ware, cut and common glass
with pewter, Britannica and plated ware
for table and domestic use, spoons, knives
and forks. ETC., sheetngs Of cotton and
linen, white and brown, blankets, irish
linens lawns, book-muslin, dmity, Mar
settles, quilting calico, muslins, swan-skin
twill oznaburgs, calico, nankeen, Padua-
stun, fustian, tabby, beauiant, shalloon,
velyets, gauZe, fine tatieta and silk hand
kerchiefs, fine cloaks and shaws, buttons,
hooks and eyes, fans, smelling-salts, sew
ing silk, in hanks, skeins, sticks, twist,
balls, etc, Nuns thread (tne spool silk and
cotton is not mentiOned), thimDles, needles,
assorted knitting need es, pins, etc.,
shagg, durants, huckaback carpets. mats,
scrubbing brushes and "lrish soap" ivory,
horn, and shell combs, gold sleeve buttons,
gold rings, spectacles, watch chains and
articles of jewelry. There was besides
great variety OF other things, many IN IA
miiar use now.
At this Bon Marche the planters and men
of the neighbOrhOOd had a sort Of primitive
exchange, and found market for anything
they had 10 sell. They could at the same
time buy boots and shoes, felt hats, wool
and fur, breaches Of cloth and leather,
stockings OF silk, worsted and thread,
waist.cOats Of broadcloth, jeans, corduroy,
cotton and linen, shirts, overalls, tshng
hooks aud lines, sails and ropes for river
craft, as well as tackle suited 10 needs OF
cOasting vessels and sea-gOlng craft, SILK
bapdana and spotted handkerchiefs, horse
trainings, as saddles for men aud ladies,
brides with bits of various kinds, saddle
cloths of felt, whips and rawhldes, knee
buckles OF silver and brass, scythes,
sickles, hoes. augers, gimlets, claw and
lathing hammers, axes, saws, files, oarpen-
ters' rules aud squares, writing-paper,
playing cards, ink, powder, decanters,
of plain and cut glass, wine glasses and
tumblers, tes-kettles, pots, pans, skillets,
shoyels, tongs, fowling pieces, lead, shot
and powder, nails Of all sizes (Which at
that time were sold BIZ count,n by weight,
leather, upper and sole, tanned in America
or imported, ball backing, rope for plow-