A to Z April Challenge: F is for Fitzhugh

My theme for the A to Z April Challenge is “In-Laws and Out-Laws – Friends of the Family.”  I will be researching friends, colleagues, neighbors - those people who came and went touching my family’s lives in both small and large ways. 

is for Fitzhugh.  Rufus K. Fitzhugh.  He was one of my Jollett ancestors’ neighbors in Greene County, Virginia, back in the 1840s-1860s.  When I was indexing the 1855 Price-Hill Daybook for the Greene County Historical Society, I noticed ol’ R.K. was a frequent shopper.  I sometimes thought Mr. Price and Mr. Hill must have been grateful for Mr. Fitzhugh’s patronage at their general store because he did spend some money.

And he could afford to!  In 1850, the Fitzhugh farm, with its 30 or more slaves, was valued at almost $7000.  That was huge. 

In 1855, Rufus K. Fitzhugh had been married to his second wife Henrietta for only 5 years, but she was the lucky recipient of much of his spending.  In June, he purchased numerous yards of cotton, gingham, calico and bobinett (think TULLE).  Three linen handkerchiefs, lady’s cotton hose, kid shoes, and picnic gloves were obviously hers as were the brass candlesticks and “waiters” (think SILVER TRAY).

There was more fabric purchased in July including bed ticking and velvet trimming.  In October, with colder weather looming, there was Merino wool, plaid linsey, Irish linen, silk, and the sturdy cambric and drill (something like canvas).  New scissors and knit pins must have come in handy as Mrs. Fitzhugh went to sewing.

Rufus must have pampered his young wife because jet and pearl buttons were on the shopping list as well as tortoiseshell sidecombs. 

Rufus’s personal purchases usually consisted of tobacco and 8-penny nails, but he also helped himself to a “Superior” black hat, gum overshoes, and new shaving brush. 

Now who do you suppose was using Lyons Kathairon?  It was a hot item recently introduced in 1850 promising to cure baldness and prevent the signs of aging.  It also was a hair dye for covering grey.  Rufus K. Fitzhugh purchased Lyons Kathairon in July and again in December.  It must have worked! 

For more Frivolity, Fantasy and Fun, do yourself a Favor and Find your way to the A to Z Challenge.  

© 2014, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.