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The Zechariah Johnston papers includes personal, business, political correspondence to and from Zechariah Johnston. Correspondents include family members and notable Virginians of his era. The collection also includes correspondence received by Thomas and James Johnston. In addition to correspondence, the collection includes resolutions, bills, petitions, and notices of or concerning the Virginia Assembly during Johnston's tenure as a delegate from Augusta County (1778-1792) and Rockbridge County (1797-1798). This includes Johnston's copy of an unsigned manuscript draft titled "Memorial and Remonstrance" by James Madison concerning religious freedom and his arguments for separation of church and state. There are also deeds and property descriptions, tax rolls, business and account records, including documents pertaining to enslaved persons owned by Johnston; business and accounting records (1796-1845) of Thomas Johnston, a son of Zechariah Johnston, two letters from William Graham, first rector of Liberty Hall Academy, to Zechariah Johnston, and the will and estate inventory of Ann Johnston. Other highlights include student notes or lectures from Liberty Hall Academy, a poem to reverends William Graham and Samuel Houston, and a petition from Augusta County residents to the Virginia Assembly regarding fishing rights in the South River. There are ephmeral items as well.