In 1906, Thomas M. Henry of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, had a grand idea. He would build a road to carry an electric tram from Fredericksburg to…
Joanne PorterMay 9, 2018
New ideas are sometimes birthed out of tragedies. In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill passed by both houses of Congress authorizing an ambitious…
Joanne PorterNovember 18, 2015
The Library of Virginia is pleased to announce that digital images for Spotsylvania County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1812-1913, are now available online through the Chancery…
Joanne PorterApril 24, 2015
From 1922 to 1966, the Virginia Division of Motion Picture Censorship was responsible for reviewing all motion picture films and their associated advertising materials– banners,…
Joanne PorterJanuary 22, 2015
A chancery case from Frederick County looked like any other business dispute except for a unique item presented as an exhibit. Columbia Wagon Company vs. John…
Joanne PorterApril 23, 2014
It has been said that there is a thin line between love and hate, and apparently love and obsession. Or so appears to be the…
Joanne PorterNovember 13, 2013
When creating a who’s who list of the early days of film, the list is dominated by men – Cecil B. De Mille, D. W.…
Joanne PorterJuly 31, 2013
In court documents from Lunenburg County Chancery Cause 1856-042, the petition of Araminta Frances reveals an interesting and life-changing request. On 10 March 1856 Araminta…
Joanne PorterJune 19, 2013
Three Highland County Commonwealth Causes (Barcode 0007281802) reveal a tangled web of conspiracy, murder, and secret affairs. The cast of players includes Elizabeth Sheridan, wife of the…
Joanne PorterMarch 21, 2012
In 1913, Mary Ella Gray stated in a deposition that she moved to her parents’ home in Fredericksburg after her husband James “continuously abused me,…
Joanne PorterSeptember 8, 2010
