Conditions Governing Use:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation:

George Wythe Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Acquisition Information:

Gift.

Biographical Information:

George Wythe was born in 1726 in Elizabeth City County, Va. He attended the College of William and Mary. Wythe studied law and was a member and clerk of the House of Burgesses. Member of Continental Congress. Signed Declaration of Independence. Speaker of House of Delegates. Judge of Virginia High Court of Chancery. Professor of Law and Police at William and Mary, 1779- 1790. Moved to Richmond where he died in 1806.

Scope and Contents

Manuscript in the hand of and signed by George Wythe, giving legal advice to the recipient who purchased land from John Twitty, the title which could be subject to the payment of a judgment recovered by the King against Twitty in a case before the General Court.  If John Twitty will not recant the bonds for payment of the purchase money, Wythe advises the recipient not to pay the money until the suit is ended or until he can be assured he will not be evicted. October 13, 1774.

Plaintiff's bill in suit of equity before the Virginia High Court of Chancery in the case of Patrick Boyle and Michael McKewan vs George Lindenberger.  Witnessed by Charles Ossick, 12 January 1801.  Injunction written and signed by George Wythe, 26 January 1801.  Patrick Boyle made his oath in Berkeley County, Virginia.  Other names mentioned:  George C. Lindenburger, Charles Ingolesby and Charles McGovern, Transcript included.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Agreements
• Berkeley County (W.Va.)--History--18th century
• Correspondence
• Legal documents
• Practice of law--Virginia
• Real property--Virginia
• Virginia. High Court of Chancery