Browse Items (377 total)

Clemency petition of Virginia Christian, submitted in her behalf by her attorneys George W.Fields and J. Thomas Newsome.

"Red indicates location of colored population."

Virginia's General Assembly passed an act to create the state's first public school system on July 11, 1870. Section 47 of the act required that "white and colored persons shall not be taught in the same school, but in separate schools, under the…

In 1882, the Virginia General Assembly, which then included thirteen African American members, created the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, the nation's first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for African…

Photograph of Virginia Christian probably taken on June 3, 1912, when she was transferred from Hampton to the Virginia Penitentiary Death House in Richmond.

Respite of Virginia Christian granted on June 12, 1912, by Governor William Mann, delaying execution until July 19, 1912. Mann granted Christian a respite to enable her attorneys to file an amended petition for a writ of error. The Virginia Supreme…

Respite of Virginia Christian granted on July 18, 1912, by Governor William Mann, delaying execution until August 2, 1912. Mann granted Christian a two week respite in order to see her spiritual advisers.

Respite of Virginia Christian granted on July 26, 1912 by Governor William Mann, delaying execution until August 16, 1912. The Newport News Daily Press reported on July 25, 1912, that Governor Mann granted the respite after meeting with a committee…