Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], John Letcher Letter, Ms1993-014, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The John Letcher Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1993.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the John Letcher Letter commenced and was completed in October, 2023.

Biographical / Historical

John Letcher, son of William H. and Elizabeth Davidson Letcher, was born in Lexington, Virginia, on March 29, 1813. He attended Randolph-Macon College before graduating from Washington Academy (today Washington and Lee University) in 1833. He was admitted to the Virginia bar six years later and established a private practice in Lexington in 1839. The following year, he became editor of Lexington's Valley Star newspaper. Letcher married Mary Susan Holt (1823-1909); the couple had eight children. In the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1850, Letcher played a significant role. He was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives the following year and won election to three successive terms in Congress In 1859, he was elected Virginia governor and served through the first three years of the American Civil War. He was defeated in his bid for an election to the Second Confederate Congress in 1863. Following the war, Letcher resumed his private law practice in Lexington and was elected to a single term in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1875. John Letcher died in Lexington on January 25, 1884, and was buried in the city's Oak Grove Cemetery.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a single letter from Virginia Congressman (1851-1859) and future Virginia Governor John Letcher. Dated from the House of Representatives on December 20, 1852, the letter is addressed to "My Dear Sir." Letcher writes of having recently "sold Mr Rodgers warrant for $35.50 to D. Rowland" and of having made inquiries at the pension office, as requested. He then discusses the many applicants in the city, seeking federal office, following the recent presidential election. "The son-in-law of Govr [Joseph] Johnson," he writes, is making a desperate effort." Letcher also notes the widespread speculation regarding the selection of a new cabinet by the president-elect (Franklin Pierce). Letcher closes by conveying his regards to "Mrs. Shands." In a postscript, Letcher asks that Waitman and Maupin send his papers to him in Washington.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the John Letcher Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).