Thomas B. Rowland Scrapbooks, 1793-1917 | Sargeant Memorial Collection

By Sarah Osorio

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Collection Overview

Title: Thomas B. Rowland Scrapbooks, 1793-1917

ID: 001/01/MSS 0000-231

Primary Creator: Rowland, Thomas B. (1825-1918)

Extent: 4.0 Boxes

Arrangement: Arranged by volume.

Date Acquired: 00/00/0000. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Cape Henry (Virginia Beach, Va.), Hampton Roads (Va. : Region), Norfolk (Va.), Norfolk (Va.)--History, Norfolk (Va.). Fire Department--History

Forms of Material: Correspondence, Scrapbooks

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Three scrapbooks containing late-18th-century to early-20th-century clippings of Norfolk, Virginia history, along with handwritten notes by Thomas B. Rowland. The clippings primarily focus on ships, buildings, and local historical events, and many of the clippings include images. Volumes 1 and 3 were originally ship logs for the Virginia Pilot Association, featuring pilot boats Relief and William A. Graves; many pages in these volumes have been pasted over with clippings. Volume 2 includes minutes from the Veteran Volunteer Firemans Historical Society in Norfolk, Virginia. Additionally, there are indexes to the three volumes, typescripts of Rowland's newspaper column "Sidelights on Old Norfolk," and miscellaneous correspondence.

Biographical Note

Thomas B. Rowland was born on November 9, 1825 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was a produce merchant for Rowland Brothers and was known locally as the "father" of roasted peanuts. Rowland served as a member of the volunteer fire department and later as a fire commissioner for the Norfolk Fire Department. He married Mary Eliza Waller on December 20, 1855 in Virginia. During the Civil War, Rowland served as a purchasing agent in England for the Confederate States. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Norfolk. Rowland died on June 14, 1918 in Norfolk, Virginia and was buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia.

Subject/Index Terms

Cape Henry (Virginia Beach, Va.)
Hampton Roads (Va. : Region)
Norfolk (Va.)
Norfolk (Va.)--History
Norfolk (Va.). Fire Department--History

Administrative Information

Repository: Sargeant Memorial Collection

Accruals: The indexes were compiled by Norfolk Public Library staff.

Access Restrictions: This collection is open to all researchers.

Use Restrictions: The status of copyright for these materials is governed by Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. C.). Copyright restrictions may apply.

Physical Access Note: Scrapbooks are in poor condition; a majority of pages are taped on three sides.

Acquisition Source: Thomas B. Rowland by donation

Preferred Citation: Thomas B. Rowland Scrapbooks, MSS 0000-231, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.

Processing Information: Processed August 20, 2020.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[All]

Box 1

Item 1: Scrapbook, Volume 1, circa 1903-1912

Title page reads, "Property of Virginia Pilot Association, Pilot Boat Relief, Cape Henry, Va." "Thos B. Rowland, His Scrapbook, Norfolk, Virginia, 1908, Intended as a casual scrap refuge—much for marine matters which to me are interesting—Refer to my Hamersly's Naval Encyclopedia in which years before I have put in some scraps of note in vessels and such."

Clippings pasted on top of ship log for Pilot Boat steamer Relief. Many of the clippings include images of ships from Shipping Illustrated, The Nautical Gazette, and The Marine Journal.

Clippings primarily focus on ships, buildings, and historical events from 19th century Norfolk, Virginia. Many clippings include images. Also includes handwritten commentary by Thomas B. Rowland.

There are stamps pasted onto the back inside cover.

Box 2

Item 1: Scrapbook, Volume 2, circa 1793-1917

Front inside cover reads, "The Veteran Volunteer Firemans Historical Society of Norfolk, Virginia, Organised Oct 23, 1893."

Includes minutes of the Veteran Volunteer Firemans Historical Society of Norfolk, Virginia, beginning October 16, 1893. Also includes handwritten obituaries of members.

Clippings primarily focus on ships, buildings, and historical events from 19th century Norfolk, Virginia. Many clippings include images. Also includes handwritten commentary by Thomas B. Rowland.

There are stamps pasted onto the front and back inside covers.

Box 3

Item 1: Scrapbook, Volume 3, circa 1902-1906, 1911-1916

Clippings pasted on top of ship log for Pilot Boat William A. Graves (circa 1902-1906). Ship log data includes time, anchored location, weather, and knots. Page 560 includes a list of captains for P. B. Relief and page 570 includes list of captains for P. B. Graves.

Clippings primarily focus on ships, buildings, and historical events from 19th century Norfolk, Virginia. Many clippings include images. Also includes handwritten commentary by Thomas B. Rowland.

Back inside cover of scrapbook reads, "Norfolk never possessed any cuts or pictures of its locality—buildings—I have never seen any—other places have them. Therefore I place in my old scrapbooks—such newspaper cuts as I become possessed of per chance these old books survive. Thos. B. Rowland, Norfolk, 28 Aug 1911."

Box 4

Folder 1: Index, Volume 1, Thomas B. Rowland Scrapbooks
Folder 2: Index, Volume 2, Thomas B. Rowland Scrapbooks
Folder 3: Index, Volume 3, Thomas B. Rowland Scrapbooks
Folder 4: Typescript, Sidelights on Old Norfolk by Thomas B. Rowland
Folder 5: Correspondence and Historical Sketch, Thomas B. Rowland, 1873-1906