Restrictions to Access

No restrictions. Open for research.

Copyright Notice

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

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], in the A. E. Rankin & Company Account Books #3168, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Acquisitions Information

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

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• A. E. Rankin & Company.
• Account books.
• African Americans--North Carolina--Economic conditions--19th century.
• Fayetteville (N.C.)--Commerce--History--19th century.
• Merchants--North Carolina--History--19th century.

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.

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 a black man who did hauling and errands, 1885-1888.

• Oversize volume (SV-3168/3)