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Record Group Number: 900000
Series/Collection Number: M86- 26
Creator: Parmenter, William Elliston, 1855-1932
Title, Dates: William E. Parmenter, Jr., papers, 1884-1932.
Amount: 6.50 cubic ft.
Medium Included: photographs
Organization/Arrangement: By record type.
Restrictions:
Terms Governing Use:
Biographical/Historical:     William E. Parmenter, Jr. (1855-1932) was born in Arlington, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard in 1877 with an A.B. degree. In 1883, Parmenter migrated to Florida, which was the object of an advertising campaign promising arable land and a moderate climate. He bought land in Orange Park in Clay County on the St. Johns River where he planted orange trees and grew vegetables and strawberries. In addition to his farming activities, he took an active part in the development and politics of the community. He served several times on the city council and as mayor of Orange Park. In 1894, he married Ione F. Fisher (1870-1952) of Cayuga, Mississippi. They had three children, Mary Fisher, Helen Fisher, and William George.

Summary:     The collection contains thirty bound volumes of personal diaries, journals, and ledgers of William E. Parmenter, Jr. The diaries (1892-1932) contain short daily entries that reflect the planting, harvesting, and marketing of his produce. Entries often include the names of farm workers in his employ and a notation of the weather and temperature. The diaries also reflect family travels and home life.

    There are two types of journals in this collection that document events and agriculture. The event journals (1890-1906; 1919-1931) reflect Parmenter's interest in affairs outside his farm. His entries describe not only local matters, but also events of national and world significance. The entries are divided into several categories including deaths, events, and marriages. The agricultural journal (1884-1931) contains notes and sketches of his plantings and the varieties of plants he raised.

    There are also volumes in which Parmenter documented his financial transactions. The cash books (1901-1906) contain information on accounts paid and received; the account ledger (1902-1926) documents the money owed to Parmenter by other people. In addition, the collection contains a book transcribed by William Parmenter, Jr. in 1885 titled "The Oeconomy (sic) of Human Life," probably written by Robert Dodsley (1703-1964). Furthermore, scrapbooks contain a variety of materials including news clippings, cards, and memorabilia. Lastly are several photographs of the family and a photograph of Orange Park.

Finding Aids: Box listing available. 0
Additional Physical Form:
Reproduction Note:
Location of Originals/Duplicates:
Associated Materials:
Language Notes:
Ownership/Custodial History: Mary Parmenter is the daughter of William E. Parmenter. Jr.
Publication Note:
General Note:
Electronic Records Access:
Subject Access Fields: Parmenter family.
Agriculture Florida
Citrus fruit industry Florida
Country life Florida
Diaries. aat
Business records. aat
Clay County (Fla.)
Orange Park (Fla.)
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