Discovered in a book.
Processed by Ellen Strong in 1996.
Description enhancement by Robert Browne, SCRC volunteer, 13 November 2019
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Kentucky-Virginia Boundary Settlement Collection, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Collection includes two official copies of Kentucky and Virginia's acts to confirm and establish a boundary line. The acts were fixed by Commissioners appointed by both states. Though the two acts serve similar purposes, they differ in how each Commissioner's report was written and rendered as official copies.
The Kentucky document is dated 26 May 1803 and it has several discrete parts. It contains (1) a copy of the "Agreement between the commissioners of the states of Virginia and Kentucky relative to the boundary lines between the said states, (2) a copy of Kentucky's enactment ratifiying and confirming the boundary line, and (3) a copy of a separate enactment concerning "the title papers of lands lying in the forks of Big Sandy." All of these parts are certified by Harry Toulmin, Kentucky's Secretary of State from 1796-1804, and Toulmin's authority was certified by James Garrad, Kentucky's Governor from 1796-1804. The document is bound together by several threads and secured by thin papers. It contains Kentucky's state seal that authenticated the copy.
The Virginia document is dated 5 July 1803 and it consists of three large papers, folded into six leaves and twelve pages. It is organized as follows (1) provides a date for passage in Virginia's General Assembly, (2) identifies the Commissioners appointed by both Virginia and Kentucky, (3) establishes and confirms the boundary, (4) memorializes a further report made by the Commissioners concerning the legitimacys of land claims made by Virginia and Kentucky, (5) validates Kentucky's land claims, and (6) states that enactment is dependent on the passage of a like law in Kentucky. It is signed by James Pleasants, Jr. as "Keeper of Rolls" or Clerk of the House of Delegates from 1803-1811, and his authority is certified by John Page, Virginia's governor from 1802-1805. The document is bound by a ribbon.
James Pleasants, Jr. and John Page both graduated from the College of William & Mary. The Pleasants and Page buildings, located in the Randolph Complex, are named in their honor.
Kentucky documents: 14 October 1799. "Agreement between the commissioners of the states of Virginia and Kentucky relative to the boundary line between the said states." Signed by Arch Stuart, Jos. Martin, Creed Taylor, Jno. Coburn, Robt. Johnson, and B. Thruston. 4 pp. Cy of DS. 22 Dec[embe]r 1802. "An act establishing the boundary line between the state of Virginia and this commonwealth." Signed by John Adair and John Caldwell and approved by James Garrand and Harry Toulmin. 4 pp. Cy of DS. 26 May 1803. Document certifying that the preceeding copies of agreement are "faithful transcripts". Signed by Harry Toulmin. 1 p. Cy of DS. Document stating that Harry Toulmin was Secretary of State for the commonwealth of Kentucky. Signed by James Garrard, Governor of Kentucky. 1 p. Cy of DS.
Virginia documents: 2 December 1799. "An act for confirming and establishing the boundary line between this state and the state of Kentucky ascertained and fixed by certain commissioners appointed by both states, and for other purposes." Signed by J[ames] Pleasants, Jr., Keeper of Rolls. 9 pp. Cy of DS. 5 July 1803. Document certifying that the preceeding paper was signed by James Pleasants, Jr., Keeper of the Rolls and that "full faith and credit ought to be given to all things certified by him..." Signed by John Page, governor.. 1 p. CyofDS.