Updated November 25, 2022
Background
Petitions to the General Assembly were the primary catalyst for legislation in the Commonwealth from 1776 until 1865. Public improvements, military claims, divorce, manumission of slaves, division of counties, incorporation of towns, religious freedom, and taxation were just some of the concerns expressed in these petitions. The petitions often contain hundreds of signatures and are a useful tool in genealogical research. Frequently, the petitions contain supplementary support documents useful in research, including maps, wills, naturalizations, deeds, resolutions, affidavits, judgments, and other items.
| Petitioner | Locality | Date | Description | Reel | Box | Folder |
| GILLIAM, Charlotte | Southampton | Dec 20 1826 | Widow & relict of Henry R. GILLIAM asks for a law empowering the county court of Southampton to decree a sale of his estate. Includes deeds. | 184 | 234 | 77 |
| GILLIAM, Christian; Eppes, Mary & Archibald | Prince George | Dec 18 1806 | Ask for the establishment of an inspection of tobacco at City Point. Includes notice & affidavit. | 162 | 208 | 36 |
| GILLIAM, John | Brunswick | Nov 21 1781 | Asks for compensation for two mares, impressed into public service, for which he has not received payment, and for allowance in their appraisal due to the depreciation of money. | 29 | 39 | 11 |
| GILLIAM, John & Others | Prince George | Jan 17 1835 | Protest against the petition making the Appomattox River a lawful fence. | 162 | 208 | 67 |
| GILLIAM, Robert | Prince George | Jan 16 1846 | Clerk of the County Court of Prince George asks that the justices of the peace be provided with Hening's Justice. | 162 | 208 | 86 |
| GILLIAM, Robert | Prince George | Jan 26 1848 | Administrator of Watkins Fenn, deceased, asks a law directing the sale of real estate belonging to the decedent. | 162 | 208 | 90 |
| GILLIAM, Robert | Prince George | Jan 31 1860 | Harbor & Ballast Master at City Point asks for an amendment to the 3rd & 4th sections of Chapter 95 of the Code of Virginia regarding fees. | 162 | 208 | 104 |
| GILLIAM, William | York | Jan 18 1840 | Certificate regarding the fire in Yorktown which destroyed the public warehouse for the inspection of tobacco. | 207 | 260 | 70 |
Sources
- Library of Virginia. Legislative Petition Database.