{"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A","last":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026page=1"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":1,"next_page":null,"prev_page":null,"total_pages":1,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":0,"total_count":1,"first_page?":true,"last_page?":true}},"data":[{"id":"vi_vi06168","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi06168#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Alexandria (Va.) Circuit Court\n","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi06168#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eAlexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, consist of several documents related to the petitions of two individuals. These petitions are applications that formerly enslaved individuals submitted to state and local courts for permission to remain in Virginia with their free status. The petitions often include the formerly enslaved individual's name, their method of emancipation, name of their former enslaver, and whether the application/petition was successful or not. Petitions may also include affidavits signed mainly by white residents or witness statements again provided by white residents. Additional names of enslaved or free Black and Multiracial individuals can be found in these records. \u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi06168#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vi_vi06168","ead_ssi":"vi_vi06168","_root_":"vi_vi06168","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi06168","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi06168.xml","title_ssm":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853"],"title_tesim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853"],"text":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853","Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, are digitized and available through  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital images.\n","This collection is arranged \n Series I: Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, arranged chronologically.","Arranged chronologically\n","Context for Record Type:  Sometimes referred to as \"Applications to Remain,\" these records are applications that formerly enslaved individuals submitted to state and local courts for permission to remain in Virginia with their free status. The Virginia General Assembly passed a law stating that all formerly enslaved people freed after 1 May 1806 who remained in Virginia more than twelve months could be put on trial by the state. Individuals who wished to remain in the commonwealth were to petition the state legislature. In 1816, a new Act of Assembly gave the local courts power to grant permission to remain. The documents in these cases will include: the name(s) of the petitioner(s), the circumstances of free status, and a request to remain in the county. Individuals needed to prove that they had in fact been emancipated. Therefore, application packets might also include supporting documents such as the formerly enslaved person's register, a copy of a will or deed of emancipation, or witness statements known as affidavits. \n","Locality History:  Alexandria in Fairfax and Arlington Counties, was named for John Alexander, an early owner of the tract in Fairfax County on which the town was located. The act to establish Alexandria was passed in 1749. Its site had previously been known as Hunting Creek Warehouse and as Belhaven. Alexandria was incorporated as a town in 1779 and was ceded to the federal government in 1789 for use as part of the site of the new national capital. It officially became part of the District of Columbia in 1801 and was renamed Alexandria County by Congress. By an act of 9 July 1846, Alexandria County, including the town of Alexandria, was retroceded to Virginia, which took jurisdiction over the area on 20 March 1847. The town was incorporated as a city in 1852.\n","Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth were originally described as part of the Alexandria (Va.) \"Free Negro\" and Slave Records, 1800-1853, but were removed to the present Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, record to enhance discoverability in June 2025. \n","These records were processed, scanned, and indexed by S. Nerney, L. Neuroth, and LVA staff for the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative at an unknown date.","Encoded by C. Collins: June 2025.","Records related to free and enslaved people of Alexandria (Va.) and other localities are available through the  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website.  \n","Additional Alexandria (Va.) Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"","Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, consist of several documents related to the petitions of two individuals. These petitions are applications that formerly enslaved individuals submitted to state and local courts for permission to remain in Virginia with their free status. The petitions often include the formerly enslaved individual's name, their method of emancipation, name of their former enslaver, and whether the application/petition was successful or not. Petitions may also include affidavits signed mainly by white residents or witness statements again provided by white residents. Additional names of enslaved or free Black and Multiracial individuals can be found in these records. \n","These records include a notice, 1834, regarding Martha Ann Honesty's plans to submit an application to remain in the state, and a petition, 1853, requesting that George Brooks be allowed to remain in the state. Brooks, emancipated by Harriet Brooks, was described by the witnesses who signed his petition as a \"correct, respectful \u0026 obliging drayman.\"\n","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","English\n"],"collection_title_tesim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853"],"collection_ssim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Alexandria (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Alexandria (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These records came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Alexandria (Va.) as part of an undated accession. \n"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["3 items"],"extent_tesim":["3 items"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAlexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, are digitized and available through \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/aan\"\u003eVirginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection\u003c/extref\u003e on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital images.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, are digitized and available through  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital images.\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is arranged \n\u003clist type=\"simple\"\u003e\u003citem\u003eSeries I: Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, arranged chronologically.\u003c/item\u003e\n\u003c/list\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArranged chronologically\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection is arranged \n Series I: Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, arranged chronologically.","Arranged chronologically\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eContext for Record Type:\u003c/emph\u003e Sometimes referred to as \"Applications to Remain,\" these records are applications that formerly enslaved individuals submitted to state and local courts for permission to remain in Virginia with their free status. The Virginia General Assembly passed a law stating that all formerly enslaved people freed after 1 May 1806 who remained in Virginia more than twelve months could be put on trial by the state. Individuals who wished to remain in the commonwealth were to petition the state legislature. In 1816, a new Act of Assembly gave the local courts power to grant permission to remain. The documents in these cases will include: the name(s) of the petitioner(s), the circumstances of free status, and a request to remain in the county. Individuals needed to prove that they had in fact been emancipated. Therefore, application packets might also include supporting documents such as the formerly enslaved person's register, a copy of a will or deed of emancipation, or witness statements known as affidavits. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eLocality History:\u003c/emph\u003e Alexandria in Fairfax and Arlington Counties, was named for John Alexander, an early owner of the tract in Fairfax County on which the town was located. The act to establish Alexandria was passed in 1749. Its site had previously been known as Hunting Creek Warehouse and as Belhaven. Alexandria was incorporated as a town in 1779 and was ceded to the federal government in 1789 for use as part of the site of the new national capital. It officially became part of the District of Columbia in 1801 and was renamed Alexandria County by Congress. By an act of 9 July 1846, Alexandria County, including the town of Alexandria, was retroceded to Virginia, which took jurisdiction over the area on 20 March 1847. The town was incorporated as a city in 1852.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Context for Record Type:  Sometimes referred to as \"Applications to Remain,\" these records are applications that formerly enslaved individuals submitted to state and local courts for permission to remain in Virginia with their free status. The Virginia General Assembly passed a law stating that all formerly enslaved people freed after 1 May 1806 who remained in Virginia more than twelve months could be put on trial by the state. Individuals who wished to remain in the commonwealth were to petition the state legislature. In 1816, a new Act of Assembly gave the local courts power to grant permission to remain. The documents in these cases will include: the name(s) of the petitioner(s), the circumstances of free status, and a request to remain in the county. Individuals needed to prove that they had in fact been emancipated. Therefore, application packets might also include supporting documents such as the formerly enslaved person's register, a copy of a will or deed of emancipation, or witness statements known as affidavits. \n","Locality History:  Alexandria in Fairfax and Arlington Counties, was named for John Alexander, an early owner of the tract in Fairfax County on which the town was located. The act to establish Alexandria was passed in 1749. Its site had previously been known as Hunting Creek Warehouse and as Belhaven. Alexandria was incorporated as a town in 1779 and was ceded to the federal government in 1789 for use as part of the site of the new national capital. It officially became part of the District of Columbia in 1801 and was renamed Alexandria County by Congress. By an act of 9 July 1846, Alexandria County, including the town of Alexandria, was retroceded to Virginia, which took jurisdiction over the area on 20 March 1847. The town was incorporated as a city in 1852.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAlexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853. Local government records collection, Alexandria (Va.) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853. Local government records collection, Alexandria (Va.) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. \n"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAlexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth were originally described as part of the Alexandria (Va.) \"Free Negro\" and Slave Records, 1800-1853, but were removed to the present Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, record to enhance discoverability in June 2025. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese records were processed, scanned, and indexed by S. Nerney, L. Neuroth, and LVA staff for the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative at an unknown date.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by C. Collins: June 2025.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information\n"],"processinfo_tesim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth were originally described as part of the Alexandria (Va.) \"Free Negro\" and Slave Records, 1800-1853, but were removed to the present Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, record to enhance discoverability in June 2025. \n","These records were processed, scanned, and indexed by S. Nerney, L. Neuroth, and LVA staff for the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative at an unknown date.","Encoded by C. Collins: June 2025."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRecords related to free and enslaved people of Alexandria (Va.) and other localities are available through the \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/aan\"\u003eVirginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection\u003c/extref\u003e on the Library of Virginia website.  \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional Alexandria (Va.) Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003e\"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"\u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Records related to free and enslaved people of Alexandria (Va.) and other localities are available through the  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website.  \n","Additional Alexandria (Va.) Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\""],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAlexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, consist of several documents related to the petitions of two individuals. These petitions are applications that formerly enslaved individuals submitted to state and local courts for permission to remain in Virginia with their free status. The petitions often include the formerly enslaved individual's name, their method of emancipation, name of their former enslaver, and whether the application/petition was successful or not. Petitions may also include affidavits signed mainly by white residents or witness statements again provided by white residents. Additional names of enslaved or free Black and Multiracial individuals can be found in these records. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese records include a notice, 1834, regarding Martha Ann Honesty's plans to submit an application to remain in the state, and a petition, 1853, requesting that George Brooks be allowed to remain in the state. Brooks, emancipated by Harriet Brooks, was described by the witnesses who signed his petition as a \"correct, respectful \u0026amp; obliging drayman.\"\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, consist of several documents related to the petitions of two individuals. These petitions are applications that formerly enslaved individuals submitted to state and local courts for permission to remain in Virginia with their free status. The petitions often include the formerly enslaved individual's name, their method of emancipation, name of their former enslaver, and whether the application/petition was successful or not. Petitions may also include affidavits signed mainly by white residents or witness statements again provided by white residents. Additional names of enslaved or free Black and Multiracial individuals can be found in these records. \n","These records include a notice, 1834, regarding Martha Ann Honesty's plans to submit an application to remain in the state, and a petition, 1853, requesting that George Brooks be allowed to remain in the state. Brooks, emancipated by Harriet Brooks, was described by the witnesses who signed his petition as a \"correct, respectful \u0026 obliging drayman.\"\n"],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions\n"],"userestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc label=\"Location\"\u003eLibrary of Virginia\n\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Library of Virginia\n"],"language_ssim":["English\n"],"total_component_count_is":2,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T10:58:02.300Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vi_vi06168","ead_ssi":"vi_vi06168","_root_":"vi_vi06168","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi06168","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi06168.xml","title_ssm":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853"],"title_tesim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853"],"text":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853","Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, are digitized and available through  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital images.\n","This collection is arranged \n Series I: Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, arranged chronologically.","Arranged chronologically\n","Context for Record Type:  Sometimes referred to as \"Applications to Remain,\" these records are applications that formerly enslaved individuals submitted to state and local courts for permission to remain in Virginia with their free status. The Virginia General Assembly passed a law stating that all formerly enslaved people freed after 1 May 1806 who remained in Virginia more than twelve months could be put on trial by the state. Individuals who wished to remain in the commonwealth were to petition the state legislature. In 1816, a new Act of Assembly gave the local courts power to grant permission to remain. The documents in these cases will include: the name(s) of the petitioner(s), the circumstances of free status, and a request to remain in the county. Individuals needed to prove that they had in fact been emancipated. Therefore, application packets might also include supporting documents such as the formerly enslaved person's register, a copy of a will or deed of emancipation, or witness statements known as affidavits. \n","Locality History:  Alexandria in Fairfax and Arlington Counties, was named for John Alexander, an early owner of the tract in Fairfax County on which the town was located. The act to establish Alexandria was passed in 1749. Its site had previously been known as Hunting Creek Warehouse and as Belhaven. Alexandria was incorporated as a town in 1779 and was ceded to the federal government in 1789 for use as part of the site of the new national capital. It officially became part of the District of Columbia in 1801 and was renamed Alexandria County by Congress. By an act of 9 July 1846, Alexandria County, including the town of Alexandria, was retroceded to Virginia, which took jurisdiction over the area on 20 March 1847. The town was incorporated as a city in 1852.\n","Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth were originally described as part of the Alexandria (Va.) \"Free Negro\" and Slave Records, 1800-1853, but were removed to the present Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, record to enhance discoverability in June 2025. \n","These records were processed, scanned, and indexed by S. Nerney, L. Neuroth, and LVA staff for the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative at an unknown date.","Encoded by C. Collins: June 2025.","Records related to free and enslaved people of Alexandria (Va.) and other localities are available through the  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website.  \n","Additional Alexandria (Va.) Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"","Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, consist of several documents related to the petitions of two individuals. These petitions are applications that formerly enslaved individuals submitted to state and local courts for permission to remain in Virginia with their free status. The petitions often include the formerly enslaved individual's name, their method of emancipation, name of their former enslaver, and whether the application/petition was successful or not. Petitions may also include affidavits signed mainly by white residents or witness statements again provided by white residents. Additional names of enslaved or free Black and Multiracial individuals can be found in these records. \n","These records include a notice, 1834, regarding Martha Ann Honesty's plans to submit an application to remain in the state, and a petition, 1853, requesting that George Brooks be allowed to remain in the state. Brooks, emancipated by Harriet Brooks, was described by the witnesses who signed his petition as a \"correct, respectful \u0026 obliging drayman.\"\n","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","English\n"],"collection_title_tesim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853"],"collection_ssim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Alexandria (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Alexandria (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These records came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Alexandria (Va.) as part of an undated accession. \n"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["3 items"],"extent_tesim":["3 items"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAlexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, are digitized and available through \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/aan\"\u003eVirginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection\u003c/extref\u003e on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital images.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, are digitized and available through  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital images.\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is arranged \n\u003clist type=\"simple\"\u003e\u003citem\u003eSeries I: Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, arranged chronologically.\u003c/item\u003e\n\u003c/list\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArranged chronologically\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection is arranged \n Series I: Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, arranged chronologically.","Arranged chronologically\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eContext for Record Type:\u003c/emph\u003e Sometimes referred to as \"Applications to Remain,\" these records are applications that formerly enslaved individuals submitted to state and local courts for permission to remain in Virginia with their free status. The Virginia General Assembly passed a law stating that all formerly enslaved people freed after 1 May 1806 who remained in Virginia more than twelve months could be put on trial by the state. Individuals who wished to remain in the commonwealth were to petition the state legislature. In 1816, a new Act of Assembly gave the local courts power to grant permission to remain. The documents in these cases will include: the name(s) of the petitioner(s), the circumstances of free status, and a request to remain in the county. Individuals needed to prove that they had in fact been emancipated. Therefore, application packets might also include supporting documents such as the formerly enslaved person's register, a copy of a will or deed of emancipation, or witness statements known as affidavits. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eLocality History:\u003c/emph\u003e Alexandria in Fairfax and Arlington Counties, was named for John Alexander, an early owner of the tract in Fairfax County on which the town was located. The act to establish Alexandria was passed in 1749. Its site had previously been known as Hunting Creek Warehouse and as Belhaven. Alexandria was incorporated as a town in 1779 and was ceded to the federal government in 1789 for use as part of the site of the new national capital. It officially became part of the District of Columbia in 1801 and was renamed Alexandria County by Congress. By an act of 9 July 1846, Alexandria County, including the town of Alexandria, was retroceded to Virginia, which took jurisdiction over the area on 20 March 1847. The town was incorporated as a city in 1852.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Context for Record Type:  Sometimes referred to as \"Applications to Remain,\" these records are applications that formerly enslaved individuals submitted to state and local courts for permission to remain in Virginia with their free status. The Virginia General Assembly passed a law stating that all formerly enslaved people freed after 1 May 1806 who remained in Virginia more than twelve months could be put on trial by the state. Individuals who wished to remain in the commonwealth were to petition the state legislature. In 1816, a new Act of Assembly gave the local courts power to grant permission to remain. The documents in these cases will include: the name(s) of the petitioner(s), the circumstances of free status, and a request to remain in the county. Individuals needed to prove that they had in fact been emancipated. Therefore, application packets might also include supporting documents such as the formerly enslaved person's register, a copy of a will or deed of emancipation, or witness statements known as affidavits. \n","Locality History:  Alexandria in Fairfax and Arlington Counties, was named for John Alexander, an early owner of the tract in Fairfax County on which the town was located. The act to establish Alexandria was passed in 1749. Its site had previously been known as Hunting Creek Warehouse and as Belhaven. Alexandria was incorporated as a town in 1779 and was ceded to the federal government in 1789 for use as part of the site of the new national capital. It officially became part of the District of Columbia in 1801 and was renamed Alexandria County by Congress. By an act of 9 July 1846, Alexandria County, including the town of Alexandria, was retroceded to Virginia, which took jurisdiction over the area on 20 March 1847. The town was incorporated as a city in 1852.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAlexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853. Local government records collection, Alexandria (Va.) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853. Local government records collection, Alexandria (Va.) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. \n"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAlexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth were originally described as part of the Alexandria (Va.) \"Free Negro\" and Slave Records, 1800-1853, but were removed to the present Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, record to enhance discoverability in June 2025. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese records were processed, scanned, and indexed by S. Nerney, L. Neuroth, and LVA staff for the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative at an unknown date.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by C. Collins: June 2025.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information\n"],"processinfo_tesim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth were originally described as part of the Alexandria (Va.) \"Free Negro\" and Slave Records, 1800-1853, but were removed to the present Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, record to enhance discoverability in June 2025. \n","These records were processed, scanned, and indexed by S. Nerney, L. Neuroth, and LVA staff for the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative at an unknown date.","Encoded by C. Collins: June 2025."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRecords related to free and enslaved people of Alexandria (Va.) and other localities are available through the \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/aan\"\u003eVirginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection\u003c/extref\u003e on the Library of Virginia website.  \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional Alexandria (Va.) Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003e\"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"\u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Records related to free and enslaved people of Alexandria (Va.) and other localities are available through the  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website.  \n","Additional Alexandria (Va.) Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\""],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAlexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, consist of several documents related to the petitions of two individuals. These petitions are applications that formerly enslaved individuals submitted to state and local courts for permission to remain in Virginia with their free status. The petitions often include the formerly enslaved individual's name, their method of emancipation, name of their former enslaver, and whether the application/petition was successful or not. Petitions may also include affidavits signed mainly by white residents or witness statements again provided by white residents. Additional names of enslaved or free Black and Multiracial individuals can be found in these records. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese records include a notice, 1834, regarding Martha Ann Honesty's plans to submit an application to remain in the state, and a petition, 1853, requesting that George Brooks be allowed to remain in the state. Brooks, emancipated by Harriet Brooks, was described by the witnesses who signed his petition as a \"correct, respectful \u0026amp; obliging drayman.\"\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, 1834, 1853, consist of several documents related to the petitions of two individuals. These petitions are applications that formerly enslaved individuals submitted to state and local courts for permission to remain in Virginia with their free status. The petitions often include the formerly enslaved individual's name, their method of emancipation, name of their former enslaver, and whether the application/petition was successful or not. Petitions may also include affidavits signed mainly by white residents or witness statements again provided by white residents. Additional names of enslaved or free Black and Multiracial individuals can be found in these records. \n","These records include a notice, 1834, regarding Martha Ann Honesty's plans to submit an application to remain in the state, and a petition, 1853, requesting that George Brooks be allowed to remain in the state. Brooks, emancipated by Harriet Brooks, was described by the witnesses who signed his petition as a \"correct, respectful \u0026 obliging drayman.\"\n"],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions\n"],"userestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc label=\"Location\"\u003eLibrary of Virginia\n\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Library of Virginia\n"],"language_ssim":["English\n"],"total_component_count_is":2,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T10:58:02.300Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi06168"}}],"included":[{"type":"facet","id":"repository_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Repository","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Library of Virginia","value":"Library of Virginia","hits":1},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Library+of+Virginia"}}]},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/facet/repository_ssim.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A"}},{"type":"facet","id":"collection_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Collection","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853","value":"Alexandria (Va.) Petitions to Remain in the Commonwealth, \n1834, 1853","hits":1},"links":{"remove":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A"}}]},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/facet/collection_ssim.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A"}},{"type":"facet","id":"creator_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Creator","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Alexandria (Va.) Circuit Court\n","value":"Alexandria (Va.) Circuit Court\n","hits":1},"links":{"remove":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A"}}]},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/facet/creator_ssim.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A"}},{"type":"facet","id":"level_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Level","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Collection","value":"Collection","hits":1},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Collection"}}]},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/facet/level_ssim.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"all_fields","attributes":{"label":"All Fields"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026search_field=all_fields"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"keyword","attributes":{"label":"Keyword"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026search_field=keyword"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"name","attributes":{"label":"Name"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026search_field=name"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"place","attributes":{"label":"Place"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026search_field=place"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"subject","attributes":{"label":"Subject"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026search_field=subject"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"title","attributes":{"label":"Title"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026search_field=title"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"container","attributes":{"label":"Container"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026search_field=container"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"identifier","attributes":{"label":"Identifier"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026search_field=identifier"}},{"type":"sort","id":"score desc, title_sort asc","attributes":{"label":"relevance"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026sort=score+desc%2C+title_sort+asc"}},{"type":"sort","id":"date_sort asc","attributes":{"label":"date (ascending)"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026sort=date_sort+asc"}},{"type":"sort","id":"date_sort desc","attributes":{"label":"date (descending)"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026sort=date_sort+desc"}},{"type":"sort","id":"creator_sort asc","attributes":{"label":"creator (A-Z)"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026sort=creator_sort+asc"}},{"type":"sort","id":"creator_sort desc","attributes":{"label":"creator (Z-A)"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026sort=creator_sort+desc"}},{"type":"sort","id":"title_sort asc","attributes":{"label":"title (A-Z)"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026sort=title_sort+asc"}},{"type":"sort","id":"title_sort desc","attributes":{"label":"title (Z-A)"},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Petitions+to+Remain+in+the+Commonwealth%2C+%0A1834%2C+1853\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Alexandria+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026sort=title_sort+desc"}}]}