Legislative Petition of Agnes Gorrell, 1811 Dec. 12

Access and use

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

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Legislative petition of Agnes Gorrell of Augusta County requesting permission to bring two slave girls into Augusta County or Rockingham County. These slaves were left to her by her husband Robert Gorrell of South Carolina.

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 16, Folder 35, Reel 12.
Physical description:
1 item (part of General Assembly, Legislative Petitions, 1776-1865, 273 cubic feet).