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Nathan Neer Slave Receipts and Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-110

Scope and Contents

This collection includes approximately 350 documents that once belonged to Nathan Neer and his family, chiefly consisting of receipts and promissory notes. One folder of documents consists of receipts for the sale of slaves and payments for slave labor. There are also tax receipts related to slave ownership. One folder relates to the family's experience of the Civil War, including substitutions for the draft and confiscation of property. Many of the documents relate to the daily business of the family, such as receipts for food, clothing, tuition, magazine subscriptions, house repairs, legal fees and other goods and services. The documents, which cover the period 1830-1870, appear to have been assembled in order to settle accounts for Nathan Neer's estate. Some of the later documents are in the name of Nathan's son and heir, Edward Henry Neer. See inventory for a listing of folders.

This collection was purchased by Victor Atiyeh, who was the governor of Oregon from 1979-1987. He acquired them because of his personal interest in historical documents, particularly from the Civil War period. He donated the collection to the Pacific University Archives in April, 2014.

Dates

  • 1830-1870

Creator

Biographical Note

Nathan Neer (1794-1865) was a prominent businessman and landowner who lived near Harper's Ferry in Loudoun County, Virginia. Nathan Neer was married to Eliza Potts, who came from another prominent family in Loudoun County. Their home in Hillsboro was about 12 miles south of Harper's Ferry. The Potts owned a grist mill, which Nathan bought in 1848 and operated until it was destroyed by Union troops during the Civil War (see: "Hillsboro 's History," http://www.hillsborova.org/hillsboro_history_2.htm ).

Extent

0.75 Cubic Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Creator

Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.
Sponsor
Sponsored by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission

Repository Details

Part of the Pacific University Archives Repository

Contact:
2043 College Way
Forest Grove OR 97116 United States