A Guide to the Petersburg (Va.) Organization Records, circa 1805-1957
A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
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Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia800 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000
USA
Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives)
URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/
© 2025 By The Library of Virginia. All Rights Reserved.
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Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Use Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Preferred Citation
Petersburg (Va.) Organization Records, circa 1805-1957, [series or volume title]. Local government records collection, Petersburg Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.
Acquisition Information
These records came to the Library of Virginia in transfers of court papers from Peterburg in an undated accession.
Processing Information
Prior to 2025, the various organization records in this collection were originally described as individual records, but they have been consolidated into one large organization record for the locality. Since 2025, these records additionally include identified but not processed records.
Encoded by J. Taylor: August 2025.
Historical Information
Context for Record Type: Organization Records, both volumes and loose records, are in some cases transferred to the Library of Virginia as components of court record transfers. These organization records in some cases were simply stored in the local court building for safe keeping by business owners. In other cases, organization records (particularly ledgers, account books, etc.) may have been filed in a court case as an exhibit. These organization record exhibits appeared both in chancery causes and in judgments, these records serving as exhibits for business dissolution cases, debt suits, and contract disputes.
Locality History: Petersburg was formed from parts of Dinwiddie, Prince George, and Chesterfield Counties. A garrison and fur-trading post called Fort Henry was established there in 1645 on the site of the Indian village Appamattuck. The present name, suggested in 1733 by William Byrd II, honors Peter Jones, Byrd's companion on expeditions into the Virginia backcountry. Petersburg was established in 1748 and incorporated as a town in 1784. It was incorporated as a city in 1850. Petersburg was enlarged by annexation from both Prince George and Dinwiddie Counties in 1972.
Scope and Content
Petersburg (Va.) Organization Records, circa 1805-1957, is comprised of various records created by groups in Petersburg. These records consist of a membership directory and register, minute books, and other loose re
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into three series:
Related Material
Additional Petersburg records can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult "A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm" found on the Library of Virginia's web site.
Contents List
Scope and Content: The records of the First Baptist Church consist of a baptism register and membership directory, as well as a minute book.
Historical Information: First Baptist Church (Petersburg, Va.) was founded in 1756 in Prince George County and organized in 1774 as First African Baptist Church. Later, the organization moved to Petersburg and a house of worship was built on Harrison Street.
For additional information see Petersburg City (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1914-001: Pleasant Webb, etc. vs. William H. Major etc. and Petersburg City (Va.) Chancery Cause, 1915-002: James Blackwell etc. vs. William H. Major etc.
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Barcode Number 1125835: First Baptist Church Baptism Register and Membership Directory, 1908-1911
The volume contains a list of individuals who were baptized and received into the church from 1908 to 1911. Each entry contains name, age, and street address. The list of baptisms (3 pages) is followed by an alphabetical list of names and addresses that appears to be a membership directory.
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Barcode Number 1125858: First Baptist Church Minute Book, 1914
The volume contains minutes of regular monthly meetings from 1914 April 27 to 1914 December 7. Minutes note scripture lessons read, hymns sung, names of persons attending, and church business, such as reception and dismissal of members, committee reports and other business, and plans to repair the church building and parsonage.
Scope and Content: The records of the Petersburg Bar Association consist of a minute book.
Historical Information: The Petersburg Bar Association is a local coalition of attorneys from Petersburg and the surrounding area.
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Barcode Number 1125809: Petersburg Bar Association Minute Book, 1953-1957
Scope and Content: Petersburg (Va.) Organization Records, circa 1805-1903, typically consist of appointments of trustees, minutes, and miscellaneous records of religious organizations, fraternal organizations, independent associations, and cooperatives.
Includes boxes containing material identified as organization records. These records may be flat filed or foldered but not fully processed.
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Barcode Number 1152191: Marriage Records, Military and Pension Records, Miscellaneous Records, City Administrative Records, Organization Records, Road and Bridge Records, School Records, 1805-1903, undated