It isn’t every day that long-lost state government records make their way back the state archives – especially those dating from the 18th century – but that is what happened several years ago when the Library of Virginia was contacted by Heath Heist with Emerald Ventures Stamp and Coin Auctions. When Mr. Heist received an inventory of stamps on consignment that also included a collection of old documents, he reached out to the Special Collections Research Center at W&M Libraries to get more information about the records that had been placed with him for sale. He was advised by archivists there that what he had appeared to be public records and suggested that he contact the Library of Virginia for confirmation and guidance before attempting to sell the records.
With his client’s approval, Mr. Heist brought a box of records to the Library for review. We weren’t sure what to expect after the initial contact but were more than pleasantly surprised by what we found when he arrived – an entire cubic foot box full of tri-folded House of Delegates and Land Office records from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Once we had determined that these documents were indeed state government records and explained to him that the Virginia Public Records Act (§ 42.1-89) forbids the separation and sale of public records, his client was more than happy to transfer the collection to the Library of Virginia.
After closer examination, the box revealed House of Delegates Resolutions (1787-1789), House of Delegates Rough Bills (1804-1808, 1846-1849), Land Office Plats and Certificates (1785, 1800, and 1801), and Land Office Military Certificates (Nos. 6002-6042). (See detailed contents list.) A review of existing files confirmed that these records fill in gaps in our current House of Delegates and Land Office collections, and these documents will be interfiled in their proper location. Examples of records include a bill divorcing Charles Bosher from his wife Susanna Wingoe (December 29, 1807); a bill to establish the Ann Smith Academy for the education of women in the town of Lexington and appoint trustees to govern the academy (January 1, 1808); a resolution authorizing payment to Paul Shry, who enlisted in Loudoun County and served as a soldier in the First Regiment of the Light Dragoons but had since relocated to New Jersey (November 24, 1789); a survey completed for James Tygard of 175 acres adjoining the property of Andrew Kincannon in Washington County (January 4, 1783); and Land Office Military Certificate No. 6011 of Burrus Moore, that includes an oath detailing family relationships.
Survey for James Tygard, January 4, 1783.
The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, doesn’t know how or when these records parted ways with the state and isn’t sure exactly how they ended up in her possession. Her family at one point owned a bookstore that closed many years ago, and it is surmised that the records were brought into the bookstore for a sale that never happened. The documents and stamps were discovered in the abandoned bookstore building while cleaning out one of the storerooms, at which time the stamp and document inventory was brought in for auction. On behalf of his client, Mr. Heist worked with us to make this donation possible, and we are extremely grateful to him for his assistance in getting these records back where they belong. We don’t know when, how, or why these records were separated from governmental control, but we are delighted that they have been returned. You can view a list of all the returned records here. Who knows what other fantastic finds are awaiting discovery in attics, basements, and closets across the Commonwealth?
