Your Humble Petitioner: Legislative Petitions Gave Voice to Virginians
On display from Feb. 7–Nov. 19, 2022, Your Humble Petitioner highlighted legislative petitions submitted by Virginians to the General Assembly that involved deeply personal issues such as divorce and requests by emancipated Black people to remain in the commonwealth, offering a glimpse into the realities of 18th- and 19th-century life.
The right of citizens to petition their government is an ancient one, dating back indirectly to the “Great Charter” (Magna Carta) from 1215 and in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
During the years between the American Revolution and the Civil War, Virginians submitted petitions to the General Assembly to bring local or personal issues to the attention of their legislators. The Library’s collection of nearly 25,000 legislative petitions reveals how Virginians communicated their concerns on a wide range of topics. To obtain legal permission to operate a ferry, maintain a tavern, or carry out many other activities, residents of the commonwealth were required to introduce a petition into the House of Delegates to begin the process of acceptance or rejection. The right to petition was not restricted by class, race, or sex.
Select one of the featured petitions below to see it and a transcription in our online catalog.
Listening to the Voices of Virginians
Retired Library of Virginia historian Brent Tarter discusses the Legislative Petitions Collection and why Virginians submitted petitions to the General Assembly in the decades between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.
Miserable Little Children: The Legislative Petition of Mary Webley
Library of Virginia historian Mari Julienne discusses the petition of Mary Webley, who sought assistance from the General Assembly after her family was bombed out of their Norfolk home during the American Revolution.
10,000 Signatures for Religious Freedom
After the Revolutionary War, Virginians seeking religious freedom petitioned the General Assembly to disestablish the state church. Retired Library of Virginia historian Brent Tarter describes one of these petitions that garnered thousands of signatures throughout the state and how it helped to shape the Constitution of the United States.
To Remain in the Commonwealth
Some of the most poignant legislative petitions are those from recently emancipated Black Virginians who faced being forced to leave Virginia by state law. If they remained without permission, they could be sold back into slavery. The Library's exhibition coordinator Barbara Batson discusses petitions by women who requested permission to remain in Virginia close to family and their communities.
The UncommonWealth Blog
Visit The UncommonWealth to learn more about some of the petitions featured in Your Humble Petitioner.
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Legislative Petitions Collection, 1776–1865
Looking for more information about our Legislative Petitions Collection? Take a look at our Research Guide.
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