This item is an Algoma Virginia Apples original label from the S.S. Guerrant Estate in Callaway, Virginia. "'Algoma' Virginia" is in blue text on a yellow background, framed in the upper left-hand corner and lower right-hand corner by images of apples. "Apples" is in white text beneath it on a blue background. At the bottom of the label on a green background is the text "Grown and Packed by S. S. Guerrant Estate Callaway, Virginia U.S.A." The land for Algoma Orchards was purchased by Peter Guerrant III (1764-?) and he began farming in Franklin County in 1814, nearly 70 years before the City of Roanoke was chartered. The orchard then passed to his son, John R. Guerrant (1794-1858), then to his grandson Peter Moss Guerrant (1829-1868). The orchards were then passed on to Peter Moss Guerrant's sons, Dr. John Reveley Guerrant, M.D. and Dr. Samuel Saunders Guerrant, M.D. Dr. S. S. Guerrant then purchased his brother's half of the land and operated the orchards from 1903 until his death. Dr. Guerrant was also in possession of a letter written by General Robert E. Lee on February 23, 1865, thanking his mother, Sallie Anne Saunders, for a barrel of apples from Algoma. He also had a letter from the late President Woodrow Wilson thanking him personally for a barrel of apples which "were especially good, because they were flavored with friendship." After Dr. S. S. Guerrant, it is unknown exactly what happened to Algoma Orchards. Below is information on the Guerin family, the French Huguenot family that immigrated to Virginia to become the Guerrants:
The Guerin family settled in Anjou, France between 1520-1550. According to The French Book of Heraldry, "The Guerrants are of the ancient and grand nobility, one of them being among the 2,000 Chevaliers who defended Mont Saint Michele against the English in 1427". ...descendants have continuously occupied the ancient Chateaux and Lordship of Grand Cannay, whose tenure extended over three parishes." Henri Guerin (ca. 1633-1696), father of Daniel, was broken on the wheel in France in 1696 (Smiles, 6). Daniel married Marie L'Orange before 16 Nov. 1730. (1690?) Daniel Guerin, his wife, and four children came to VA in 1700 on the Nassau, coming from Santogne, St. Nazaire, France, west of Nantes. His patent (#739) was not within the French lands. He witnessed numerous deeds and wills and farmed the glebe land briefly (http://huguenot-manakin.org/manakin/martin.php).
https://hswv.pastperfectonline.com/archive/15FF1E21-DB81-469B-AFDE-365715531675
