Virginia. Governor's Office

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An act was passed by the General Assembly on 18 February 1817 entitled an act arranging the counties into districts for the election of senators and for equalizing the land tax. A similar act was passed on 24 March 1838 providing for the reassessment of lands in the Commonwealth. These acts established a board of principal assessors of four members for the newly created four districts. These acts also called for the appointment of assistant assessors in every county appointed by the Executive and recommended by the county court.

From the guide to the Records of Principal and Assistant Assessors, 1817-1838, (The Library of Virginia)

The General Assembly passed an act on 20 December 1791 authorizing the governor to transmit to sheriffs lists of land on which taxes were delinquent, so that the sheriffs might sell the land. An act passed on 9 February 1814 required the reversion of the land to the Literary Fund if no bid was received, to be held for future sale.

On 20 February 1817 the General Assembly passed an act authorizing the governor to redeem, or purchase for the state, certain lands already sold for taxes. The governor appointed agents to make the payments on his behalf, using public money. The purpose of the act was to discourage the practice of purchasing land for taxes, then holding it for speculation rather then settling and cultivating it. Subsequent acts were passed for the same purpose.

From the description of Records of lands redeemed by the Executive, 1792-1859. (Library of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 122555144

During the colonial period of Virginia's history, the governor, as an appointee of the Crown, was the colony's principal representative and upholder of royal authority.Although his powers were limited somewhat by the Council and by the laws passed by the House of Burgesses, the governor still had the authority to prorogue, adjourn, or dissolve the legislature to confirm or veto its acts, to preside as the chief jurist of the colony, to command the provincial military forces, and to appoint many of the subordinate officers of government.

Most of these powers, excepting the military and appointive, were swept away by the American Revolution. The several revolutionary conventions assumed the executive role in 1774 and 1775 until the Committee of Safety was created in July 1775 to function in that capacity. The constitution adopted in 1776 made the governor subordinate to the legislative branch, elected by the General Assembly and circumscribed by a Council of State appointed by the assembly.

It was not until the constitution of 1851 was adopted that the power of the governor was strengthened appreciably. The Council of State was abolished and the governor was popularly elected. In subsequent years his authority was consolidated and expanded to statute, and his veto power was restored. The state government reorganization act passed by the General Assembly on April 18, 1927, firmly established the governor as the chief administrative officer of a government composed of departments, the directors of which serve at the pleasure of the governor. In addition, the organization of the governor's a staff has increased in size and complexity until it has become virtually a department itself: the Office of the Governor, encompassing both the chief executive and his staff.

From the guide to the Militia Commission Papers, 1777-1858, (The Library of Virginia)

During the colonial period of Virginia's history the governor, as an appointee of the Crown, was the colony's principal representative and upholder of royal authority. Although his powers were limited somewhat by the Council and by the laws passed by the House of Burgesses, the governor still had the authority to prorogue, adjourn, or dissolve the legislature, to confirm or veto its acts, to preside as the chief jurist of the colony, to command the provincial military forces, and to appoint many of the subordinate officers of government.

Most of these powers, excepting the military and appointive, were swept away by the American Revolution. The several revolutionary conventions assumed the executive role in 1774 and 1775 until the Committee of Safety was created in July 1775 to function in that capacity. The constitution adopted in 1776 made the governor subordinate to the legislative branch, elected by the General Assembly and circumscribed by a Council of State appointed by the assembly.

It was not until the constitution of 1851 was adopted that the power of the governor was strengthened appreciably. The Council of State was abolished, and the governor was popularly elected. In subsequent years his authority was consolidated and expanded to statute, and his veto power was restored. The state government reorganization act passed by the General Assembly on April 18, 1927, firmly established the governor as the chief administrative officer of a government composed of departments, the directors of which serve at the pleasure of the governor. In addition, the organization of the governor's staff has increased in size and complexity until it has become virtually a department itself: the Office of the Governor, encompassing both the chief executive and his staff.

From the guide to the Records of the Virginia Governor's Office, 1946, 1970-1985, (The Library of Virginia)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Virginia. Governor's Office. Index to records of grants by the Governor to the United States from the Virginia Land Office, 1874-1908. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Virginia. Governor's Office. Autographs, 1784-1865. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Virginia. Governor's Office. Revolutionary War military certificates not acted upon from the Virginia Land Office, 1781-1869. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Militia Commission Papers, 1777-1858 Library of Virginia
referencedIn Faulkner, James A. Letter, 1814 April 20. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Virginia. Auditor of Public Accounts (1776-1928). Capitol Square data records, 1784-1931. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Records of Principal and Assistant Assessors, 1817-1838 Library of Virginia
creatorOf Executive Papers of Governor John Letcher, 1859-1863 Library of Virginia
creatorOf Records of the Virginia Governor's Office, 1946, 1970-1985 Library of Virginia
creatorOf Virginia. Governor's Office. Executive letter books [microform], 1780-1860. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Virginia. Governor's Office. Records of lands redeemed by the Executive, 1792-1859. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Virginia. Land Office. Records of grants by the Governor to the United States from the Virginia Land Office, / 1874-1908. Library of Virginia
referencedIn University of Virginia. Office of the President. Papers of the President's Office [manuscript], 1976-2003 (bulk 2001-2003). University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn University of Virginia. Office of the President. Papers of the University of Virginia President's Office [manuscript], 1987-2003 (bulk 2002-2003). University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Dunmore, Earl of. Proclamation of revocation of a hue and cry concerning Patrick Henry, 1986 May 29. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Virginia. Governor's Office. Subscription list, 1818. Library of Virginia
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Dunmore, Earl of. person
associatedWith Faulkner, James A. person
associatedWith Harrison, Benjamin, ca. 1726-1791 person
associatedWith Johnson, Joseph, 1785-1877 person
associatedWith Letcher, John, 1813-1884 person
associatedWith Mason, James M. person
associatedWith Pierpont, Francis Harrison, 1814-1899 person
associatedWith Pleasants, James, 1769-1839 person
associatedWith University of Virginia. Office of the President. corporateBody
associatedWith Virginia. Auditor of Public Accounts (1776-1928) corporateBody
associatedWith Virginia. Governor (1860-1864 : Letcher) corporateBody
associatedWith Virginia. Land Office corporateBody
associatedWith Virginia. Office of the Lieutenant Governor. corporateBody
associatedWith Washington, George, 1732-1799 person
associatedWith Wise, Henry A. 1806-1876 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Virginia
Virginia
Wheeling (W. Va.)
Virginia
Virginia
Washington Monument (Richmond, Va.)
Virginia
Subject
Bounties, Military
Foreclosure
Governor
Governors
Land grants
Real property tax
Sales tax
Tax collection
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

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