Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

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.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Bigler-Sessler-John Family Papers, Ms1993-011, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The collection was acquired by Special Collections in 1993.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Bigler-Sessler-John Family Papers was completed in October 2013.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains correspondence, legal documents, and accounting receipts and records relating to the Bigler, Sessler, and John families who were connected to each other through marriage and resided predominantly in rural Southwest Virginia. The collection contains a varied array of documents including a math workbook from 1803, which belonged to Mark E. Sessler; a share cropping agreement between John Patterson and George Odewait from 1820; and a letter from Priscilla R. John to "Moll," which gives a very detailed description of revival and prayer meeting in Montgomery Co. in 1859. The documents in this collection provide insight into several facets of daily life in Southwest Virginia from the mid eighteenth century through the early twentieth century through the perspectives of members of the Bigler, Sessler, and John families.

Arrangement

Physical arrangement of the collection reflects the order in which the collection was received. The "Contents List" groups like materials together into series.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Montgomery County (Va.)
• Slavery -- United States
• Virginia, Southwest

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Bigler-Sessler-John Family Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).