Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth correspondence, 1891-1911

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

Background

Scope and content:

Contains incoming and outgoing correspondence of the Virginia Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth during the tenure of Secretaries J.T. Lawless and D.Q. Eggleston. Also included are letters to and from the clerk of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, J.G. Hankins.

Biographical / historical:

The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth evolved from the position of the Secretary of the Colony during colonial times. Thomas Nelson held the position of the first Secretary of Virginia in 1776. Early Secretaries were elected by the public. An Act of the General Assembly in 1920 changed the election to a joint vote of the General Assembly. In a 1930 act of the General Assembly, the duties of the Secretary were redefined with the Secretary of the Commonwealth serving as the ex officio secretary of the Governor, as custodian of many official State records, and as keeper of the Greater and Lesser Seals of the Commonwealth. The office of the Secretary has gradually acquired other functions, such as: service of out-of-state civil process; appointment and regulation of notaries public; and registration and oversight of lobbyists. The Office became a gubernational appointment subsequent to a 1958 Act of the Assembly. The Secretary of the Commonwealth is under the jurisdiction of the Governor's Office and is appointed by the Governor for a term of four years.

Acquisition information:
Transfer information is unavailable. Accessioned 6 June 2001.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • Series I. Secretary's Correspondence, 1894-1909
  • Series II. Clerk's Correspondence, 1891-1911
Physical description:
12.35 cu. ft. (13 boxes)