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Library of Virginia

Rockbridge County (Va.) Atha Sorrells by her next friend William Sorrells vs. A. T. Shields, Clerk of Circuit Court, 1925

Rockbridge County (Va.) Atha Sorrells by her next friend William Sorrells vs. A. T. Shields, Clerk of Circuit Court, 1925. This judgment consists of the papers related to the suit that Atha Sorrells brought against the clerk of Rockbridge circuit court after he denied her a marriage license to marry Robert Painter on the grounds that she was not a white person. The case contains her petition for a writ of mandamus to force the clerk to declare her a white person and grant her a marriage license, an order appointing William Sorrells as her next friend since she was a minor, a memorandum opinion of Judge Henry W. Holt ordering the license to issue, witness subpoenas, depositions, and correspondence and evidence related to the case including a large family tree of the Clark family from whom Altha Sorrells descended.

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Rockbridge County (Va.) Atha Sorrells by her next friend William Sorrells vs. A. T. Shields, Clerk of Circuit Court, 1925

Rockbridge County (Va.) Circuit Court.

Rockbridge County (Va.) Atha Sorrells by her next friend William Sorrells vs. A. T. Shields, Clerk of Circuit Court, 1925. This judgment consists of the papers related to the suit that Atha Sorrells brought against the clerk of Rockbridge circuit court after he denied her a marriage license to marry Robert Painter on the grounds that she was not a white person. The case contains her petition for a writ of mandamus to force the clerk to declare her a white person and grant her a marriage license, an order appointing William Sorrells as her next friend since she was a minor, a memorandum opinion of Judge Henry W. Holt ordering the license to issue, witness subpoenas, depositions, and correspondence and evidence related to the case including a large family tree of the Clark family from whom Altha Sorrells descended.

Library of Virginia

Rockbridge County (Va.) James Clark vs. J. P. Moore, Clerk of Court, 1876 December

Rockbridge County (Va.) James Clark vs. J. P. Moore, Clerk of Court, 1876 December. This judgment consists of the petition of James Clark (alternately spelled Clarke in the documents) for a writ of mandamus to force the clerk to issue him a previously denied marriage license to marry Cerinda Robison, a whtie woman, on the grounds that he is a black man. Clark claims to be of mixed blood and less than the one fourth minimum negro or Indian blood that the law required. Included is a letter from the clerk of court of Amherst County to whom Moore had written to inquire about Clark's racial background and ancestry. Clark was successful in getting the court to order the clerk issue him a marriage license.

1 result

Rockbridge County (Va.) James Clark vs. J. P. Moore, Clerk of Court, 1876 December

Rockbridge County (Va.) Circuit Court.

Rockbridge County (Va.) James Clark vs. J. P. Moore, Clerk of Court, 1876 December. This judgment consists of the petition of James Clark (alternately spelled Clarke in the documents) for a writ of mandamus to force the clerk to issue him a previously denied marriage license to marry Cerinda Robison, a whtie woman, on the grounds that he is a black man. Clark claims to be of mixed blood and less than the one fourth minimum negro or Indian blood that the law required. Included is a letter from the clerk of court of Amherst County to whom Moore had written to inquire about Clark's racial background and ancestry. Clark was successful in getting the court to order the clerk issue him a marriage license.

Library of Virginia

Rockbridge County (Va.) James Connor and Dorothy Johns vs. A. T. Shields, Clerk of Court, 1924 September

Rockbridge County (Va.) James Connor and Dorothy Johns vs. A. T. Shields, Clerk of Court, 1924 September. This judgment consists of the petition of James Connor, a white man, and Dorothy Johns, a free issue or triple mixed blood (white, Indian and negro) woman, to the court to issue a writ of mandamus to the clerk of court. Shields had refused to issue them a marriage license under the provisions of the 1924 Racial Integrity Act. Also included in a witness summons for Silas Coleman of Amherst County. The verdict is not recorded on the court papers but Mr. Connors and Miss Johns were not successful in their request.

1 result

Rockbridge County (Va.) James Connor and Dorothy Johns vs. A. T. Shields, Clerk of Court, 1924 September

Rockbridge County (Va.) Circuit Court.

Rockbridge County (Va.) James Connor and Dorothy Johns vs. A. T. Shields, Clerk of Court, 1924 September. This judgment consists of the petition of James Connor, a white man, and Dorothy Johns, a free issue or triple mixed blood (white, Indian and negro) woman, to the court to issue a writ of mandamus to the clerk of court. Shields had refused to issue them a marriage license under the provisions of the 1924 Racial Integrity Act. Also included in a witness summons for Silas Coleman of Amherst County. The verdict is not recorded on the court papers but Mr. Connors and Miss Johns were not successful in their request.

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