Legislative Petition of Tobias, 1811 Dec. 17

Access and use

Location of collection:
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

microfilm (Legislative Petitions, Reel 27).

Preferred citation:

Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Petitions: Legislative Petition of Tobias (Brooke County), 1811 Dec. 17. Accession 36121, State Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Collection context

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Petitions: Legislative Petition of Tobias (Brooke County), 1811 Dec. 17. Accession 36121, State Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Legislative Petition of Tobias, a free negro of Brooke County, asking for an act permitting him to remain in the state. Tobias was the former slave to Colonel Richard Brown.

Biographical / historical:

Petitions to the General Assembly were the primary catalyst for legislation in the Commonwealth from 1776 until 1865. Public improvements, military claims, divorce, manumission of slaves, division of counties, incorporation of towns, religious freedom, and taxation were just some of the concerns expressed in these petitions. The petitions often contain hundreds of signatures and are a useful tool in genealogical research. Frequently, the petitions contain supplementary support documents useful in research including maps, wills, naturalizations, deeds, resolutions, affidavits, judgments, and other items.

Acquisition information:
Acquired prior to 1905 (no other acquisition information available).
Arrangement:

Legislative Petition collection is arranged alphabetically by locality, and chronologically thereunder.

Physical location:
State Records Collection, General Assembly (Record Group 78), Legislative Petitions, Box 36, Folder 42, Reel 27.
Physical description:
1 item (part of General Assembly, Legislative Petitions, 1776-1865, 273 cubic feet).