About
This collection contains the records of the five Virginia conventions that met before the creation of a new state government in 1776. The first convention was held at the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg on May 30, 1774. Twenty-five members of the House of Burgesses gathered to protest the closing of the port of Boston by British authorities as a punishment for the Boston Tea Party in 1773. The convention met in open defiance of Lord Dunmore, the royal governor, who had earlier dissolved the House of Burgesses. The members expressed their support for Boston and called for the creation of a Continental Congress. The conventions continued to serve as an alternative government in Virginia through July 1776. For more information, please see this blog post.
Prior to scanning, the Virginia Revolutionary Conventions, 1774-1776 records were conserved to remove damaging cellulose acetate lamination that was causing the documents to degrade. Additional documents in the collection are currently being conserved. Once completed, images of the documents will be added to the digital collection.
Works
Resolution instructing the Committee of Safety to write a letter to the President of the Convention of Maryland regarding Governor Eden, 1776 May 31.
Resolutions regarding the the evacuation of Norfolk, 1776 Jan. 15-16.
Petition of the merchants and traders of the Borough of Norfolk and Town of Portsmouth, 1775 Aug. 1.
Resolution of the Committee of Privileges and Elections regarding the election of delegates from King William County, 1776 May 18.
Petition of the freeholders of Louisa County, 1775 Mar. 17.
Resolution of the Convention, 1775 Mar. 22.
Resolution of the Convention, 1775 Mar. 22.
Draft resolution of thanks to Governor Dunmore, 1775 Mar. 25.
Petition of William Preston, 1775 July 18.