Manuscripts Department
Library of the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill

SOUTHERN HISTORICAL COLLECTION

#3168
A. E. RANKIN AND COMPANY ACCOUNT BOOKS
Inventory

Abstract:      Ledgers and daybooks of a large Fayetteville, N.
           C., mercantile firm, chiefly in the 1880s, but also
           1833-1835 and 1870s; and accounts of the firm with an
           African-American man who did hauling and errands, 1885-
           1888.

Online Catalog Terms:
   A. E. Rankin & Company (Fayetteville, N.C.).
   Account books.
   Afro-Americans --North Carolina--Economic conditions—19th
       century.
   Fayetteville (N.C.)--Commerce--History--19th century.
   Merchants--North Carolina--History--19th century.

Size:          5 v. (1.0 linear ft.).

Date Span:     1833-1888 (bulk 1880s).

Provenance:    Received from Claude W. Rankin, Fayetteville,
               N.C., in 1955.

Access:        No restrictions.

Copyright: Retained by the authors of items in these papers, or
           their descendants, as stipulated by United States
           copyright law.


Historical Note:

   According to the donor, A. E. Rankin and Company later became
A. E. Rankin Co., Inc.  The building at 116 Person Street in
Fayetteville, N.C., was occupied and owned by them from 1880 to
1954.  “The firm catered to farmers and merchants and at one time
was one of the largest mercantile establishments in the Cape Fear
section.”  Volume 1, listed below, was found in the store of A.
E. Rankin Company in Fayetteville when the firm went out of
business in 1955, and the donor believes that the accounts in the
back are those of  “Uncle Billie Williams,” an African-American
man who ran a dray for hire business.


Description:

Volume 1.  October 1833-May 1835.  Daybook, accounts for
           merchandise and sundries, Fayetteville.  Other
           miscellaneous accounts, 1875, 1877, and other dates.
           1885-1888.  Accounts for drayage—hauling shingles,
           lumber, etc., and  miscellaneous errands and carrying,
           charged against A. E. Rankin, A. H. Slocumb, and
           others.  (These are said to be the accounts of “Uncle
           Billie Williams.”).

Volume 2.  3 September 1877-4 April 1879.  Ledger, itemized
           accounts of individuals for small purchases.  Also
           contains a statement of capital stock put in by A. H.
           Slocumb and A. E. Rankin, 1877.  700 pages.

Volume 3.  Ledger, mostly 1883, but with entries as late as 1887.
           Total amounts transferred from daybooks, not itemized.
           About one-third of the 524 pages are used.

Volume 4.  1 November 1883-10 June 1884.  Daybook, accounts for
           general merchandise, staples, produce, and cash.  718
           pages.

Volume 5.  12 November 1884 - 28 February 1885.  Daybook, as
           above.  384 pages.