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Rayner Brothers Incorporated records

1 carton, 1 overize box (2.25 linear feet)

(1909 – 1993)

bulk 1956-1970

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier 2013.021
Creator(s) Rayner Brothers Inc.
Acquisition

The Rayner Brothers Incorporated records were donated to the Nabb Research Center by Jane Rayner Massey, August 2011.
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding aid written by John Plinke, May 2013, with edits made by Regina Miller, January 2015.
Related Materials None
Separated Materials

Three-dimensional objects have been housed in object storage.
Abstract

The Rayner Brothers Incorporated records documents the growth and development of both Rayner Farm Inc. and Rayner Brothers Inc. The materials date from 1909-1993 with the bulk of the material dating from 1956-1970. Records include meeting minutes which document the company’s by-laws, financial records, and business concerns. These records also include stock certificates, land deeds, ledgers containing plant orders and expenses, and correspondence which include letters of recommendation for Hedley Rayner. Also included are a series of the Rayner’s Berry Book published from 1926-1992. Photographs document the development of the farm and the different treatments implemented to increase strawberry growth.

Administrative History

The Rayner Family of Wicomico County owned and operated two agricultural businesses for approximately 70 years from the 1920s to the mid-1990s, Rayner Farms Incorporated and Rayner Brothers Incorporated. Rayner Farms Inc. was located on Idlewild farm and specialized in growing strawberries. As the farm became more successful their business expanded to growing a number of other fruits including blueberries and cantaloupes. Rayner Brothers Inc. was a plant nursery which cultivated plantings for their sister company to harvest. With the success of both companies, Rayner Brothers Inc. began to sell their plants to other local farms. In the 1980s the sister companies merged together and became known as Rayner Brothers Incorporated.  With the decline of sales, Rayner Brothers Inc. went out of business in the mid-1990s.

Arrangement Statement

Folders are listed by their location in each box; any given subject may be dispersed throughout the entirety of the collection.

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Accounting Records
    • Agriculture
    • Agriculture
    • Business
    • Farm Life
  • Corporate Names
    • Rayner Brothers Incorporated
    • Rayner Farms Incorporated
  • Personal Names
    • Massey, P. Curtis ( )
    • Rayner, Hedley Jack ( )
    • Rayner, Stanley H. ( )
  • Location Terms
    • Salisbury (Md.)

Inventory List

The inventory list for this item is hidden due to its length. Click the button below to view it.

Box 1

1.      Land Deed, Kate and George A. Mathews to Hedley T. and Annis J. Rayner, 1920 April 30

2.      Ledger, Idlewild Farm, 1925, July 31

3.      Ledger, Day Book, 1918- 1934

4.      Ledger, Plant Orders and Catalogues Sent, 1927-1978

5.      Ledger, 1927-1932

6.      Meeting Minutes, Rayner Farms, Inc., 1956-1987

7.      Meeting Minutes, Rayner Farms, Inc., 1957-1993

8-9. Stock Certificates, 1956-1970

10.  Correspondence, From H. J. Jefferies & Co. To Hedley Jack Rayner, 1929-1931

11.  Correspondence, Letters of Recommendation for H. T. Rayner, 1909-1912

12.  Correspondence, From Various people To Annis and Hedley Rayner, 1916-1918

13.  Photographs, Strawberry Plants and Packaging, 1950, 1977

14.  Photographs, Strawberry and Blueberry Plants, 1958-1960

15.  Photographs, Strawberries, undated

16.  Photographs, Rayner Business Buildings and Advertisements, 1934-1948

17.  Photographs, People, 1960

18.  Photographic Negatives, Strawberries, undated

19.  Booklets, Truth About Strawberries, The Rayner Boys, 1924-1925

20.  Booklets, Rayner’s Berry Book, 1926-1939

21.  Booklets, Rayner’s Berry Book, 1940-1949

22.  Booklets, Rayner’s Berry Book, 1950-1959

23.  Booklets, Rayner’s Berry Book, 1960-1969

24.  Booklets, Rayner’s Berry Book, 1970-1979

25.  Booklets, Rayner’s Berry Book, 1980-1992

 

Box 2

1.      Account Book, Rayner Brothers Farm, 1933

2.      Account Book, Rayner Brothers Farm, 1934

3.      Account Book, Rayner Brothers Farm, 1935

4.      Account Book, Rayner Brothers Farm, 1936

5.      Account Book, Rayner Brothers Farm, 1937

Artifacts

See Nabb Center Staff

Attachments

None