Stevenson, William Erskine (1820-1883) to George W. Koonce
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08606.06 Author/Creator: Stevenson, William Erskine (1820-1883) Place Written: Charleston, West Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 September 1870 Pagination: 1 p. ; 24.7 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy
Stevenson, Governor of Virginia, poses questions regarding the condition of the Board of Registration (possibly of Jefferson County). Asks, "Are you sure Mr. Roderick is not having persons registered who gave voluntary aid to the Rebellions? I have received statements from quite a number of Republicans besides those you have named that the Registrars at least have registered very many persons who are not qualified voters under the law, and that there is great danger that the Board will allow the names to remain on the lists." Refers to the recent death of Judge Thomas Chapline. Informs Koonce of the appointment of Judge Hall to fill the vacancy caused by Chapline's death.
Koonce served as a Justice of the Peace for Jefferson County and as a town constable for Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in the early 1860s. He was a County representative at the 1861 Second Wheeling Convention to vote on the secession of Western Virginia, a member of the West Virginia State House of Delegates from Jefferson County 1865-1867, and a member of the West Virginia State Senate, 11th District, 1870-1871.
[excerpt]
…Are you sure Mr. Roderick is not having persons registered who gave voluntary aid to the Rebellion? I have received statements from quite a number of Republicans besides those you have named that the Registrars at least have registered very many persons who are not qualified voters under the law, and that there is great danger that the Board will allow the names to remain on the lists...
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.