Deputy Sheriff Oath, Barbour County, West Virginia, 1870

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Dr.
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 26041-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Deputy Sheriff Oath, Barbour County, West Virginia, Ms2009-087, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Shaffer, Stingley, 1834-1919
Abstract:
This document is an oath taken by a Deputy Sheriff of Barbour County, West Virginia, stating that he never fought for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Deputy Sheriff Oath, Barbour County, West Virginia, Ms2009-087, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains a signed oath by the deputy sheriff of Barbour County, West Virginia, stating he had never served with or aided the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. While the Wheeling Conventions helped to ease some of the laws restricting the rights of ex-Confederates, not every county was willing to do so. This oath–written in 1870–suggests that Barbour County was rather hesitant to allow ex-Confederates to take public offices. The document is signed by Stingley Shaffer and is both witnessed and signed by Louis Wilson.

Biographical / historical:

Stingley Shaffer was born in Virginia about 1835. By 1867, he married Elizabeth C., and they had moved to West Virginia. They had two sons: Amos (b. abt. 1867) and Arthur (b. abt. 1873). The family lived in Barbour County until at least 1880.

There is a Stingley Shaffer (1834-1919) buried in Jerusalem Cemetery, Barbour County, West Virginia.

External sources:

United States Federal Census

"Stingley Shaffer", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/251351086/stingley-s-shaffer, accessed April 13, 2023.

The oath seems to be the result of the laws enacted by the West Virginia legislature following the Second Wheeling Convention in August of 1861. The Wheeling Convention brought about the creation of the state of West Virginia after forming a Committee on a Division of the State - Virginia. In addition to dividing the existing state into Virginia and West Virginia, this convention brought about the attempted relaxation of the laws against ex-Confederates during the Americna Civil War.

For more information on the Wheeling Conventions see the "A State of Convenience: The Creation of West Virginia On-Line Exhibit by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.

Acquisition information:
The Deputy Sheriff Oath, Barbour County, West Virginia was purchased by Special Collections in 2009.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Deputy Sheriff Oath, Barbour County, West Virginia, commenced and was completed in June 2009.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged by material type.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard