Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Use microfilm copies, Richmond (Va.) Reels 993 and 994.

Preferred Citation

Manchester (Va.) City Council Minute Books, Vols. 2-5, 1875-1909. Richmond (Va.) Reels 993 and 994, Local government records collection, Richmond (City) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Acquisition Information

These original volumes came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from the City of Richmond.

Reels 993 and 994 were generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.

Historical Information

Manchester was established as a town by the General Assembly in November 1769. According to this act, "the honorable William Byrd hath lately laid out a parcel of his lands at Rocky Ridge, at the falls of the James River, in the county of Chesterfield, in lots and streets for a town." Directors and trustees were appointed and the town was named Manchester. The town was incorporated on February 27, 1834. On March 20, 1874, a city charter was approved by the General Assembly and the city was divided into 4 wards. Three members from each ward served on the City Council, the main governing body of the city along with the mayor. On April 15, 1910, the city of Manchester was officially annexed to the City of Richmond with the provisos that a free bridge would be constructed to connect Manchester with Richmond and that Manchester would retain a courthouse. Today the area is also known as South Richmond. The town of Manchester was named probably for Manchester Parish in Chesterfield County. The parish in turn was named either for George Montague, fourth duke of Manchester, or for the town of Manchester, England.

Scope and Content

Manchester (Va.) City Council Minute Books, 1875-1909, are comprised of four volumes covering the administrative functions of one of the city's two governing bodies. According to the February 15, 1901 Acts of the Assembly (p. 241), "the administration and government of the city shall be vested in one principal officer, to be styled the mayor; the City Council to be composed of the Board of Alderman, consisting of two members from each ward, and the City Assembly, consisting of three members from each ward." Furthermore, "each board composing the city council shall have one regular meeting during each month and as many special or called meetings as the interests of the city shall require. A majority of the members elected to each board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. No ordinances or resolutions shall become a law of the city until adopted by a majority of each board present and voting." The first volume of City Council Minutes is found with the last volume of the Board of Trustee Minutes Books, 1870-1875, on pages 436-563. The second volume dates from 1875-1880 and numbers 452 pages. On page 232, the minutes reveal the proposal to incorporate the city of Manchester with the city of Richmond. The third volume dates from 1881-1890 and numbers 623 pages. The fourth volume dates from 1890-1897 and numbers 639 pages. The fifth volume dates from 1897-1909 and numbers 510 pages. Volumes 2-4 contain an internal index alphabetically arranged from A-W. The last volume contains an internal index alphabetically arranged from A-Z. All volumes deal with similar subjects such as bonds, committees, communications, election of city officials, finance reports, ordinances, petitions, committee reports and the formation of special committees.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Related Material

Additional Richmond City Government Records can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult "A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm"

A wonderful history of Manchester "Old Manchester and Its Environs, 1769-1910" was published in 1993 by noted local historian, Benjamin B. Weisiger III. The volume is found in the Library of Virginia's book collection.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Richmond (Va.) Circuit Court

Subjects:

• City councils--Virginia--Manchester
• Committees--Virginia--Manchester
• Local elections--Virginia--Manchester
• Public records--Virginia--Manchester

Geographical Names:

• Manchester (Va.)--History

Genre and Form Terms:

• Bonds (legal records)--Virginia--Manchester
• Communication (function)--Virginia--Manchester
• Local government records--Virginia--Manchester
• Ordinances--Virginia--Manchester
• Petitions--Virginia--Manchester
• Reports--Virginia--Manchester

Added Entry - Corporate Name:

• Manchester (Va.) City Council

Adjunct Descriptive Data