CONTENT WARNING
Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; and gender and sexual orientation.
Context
In 1806, Virginia's General Assembly passed a law that required enslaved people who had been freed after that date to leave the state within one year's time. Those who remained in the Commonwealth more than a year could be re-enslaved and sold. Often, however, the law did not always operate to full effect. Some people petitioned the General Assembly to remain in Virginia, some received permission from the local court where they lived, and sometimes the local community simply looked the other way.
Clara Robinson was 60 years old when she petitioned the General Assembly in 1848. She asked to remain in Richmond after she was emancipated by Elizabeth Gibson. Clara Robinson was an established and successful midwife, who had been trained to assist women in childbirth. Richmond lawyer James A. Seddon and several prominent white physicians who had relied on her services signed a statement supporting her request. The House of Delegates referred the petition to the committee on the Courts of Justice, which recommended approving her petition. The bill allowing her to remain failed in the state senate, but it was introduced again in the next session and was approved in March 1850. There is no further information about Clara Robinson afterwards.
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. Learn more about legislative petitions and search for other examples here.
Learn more about petitions to remain in The UncommonWealth blog.
Citation: Petition, Clara Robinson, December 20, 1848, Henrico County, Legislative Petitions of the General Assembly, 1776-1865, Accession 36121, Library of Virginia.
Standards
Suggested Questions
Scan It: Scan the transcript of the document. What information does it provide about the basis for the petition?
Post Activities
Think About It: Why would Virginia law require freed people to leave the state? How might this law have affected emancipated people and their families, members of whom might remain in slavery?
Another Perspective: What is significant about Clara Robinson’s petition? What made her situation unique?