Washington and Lee University, University Library Special Collections and Archives
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for use.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Matriculation Books (RG 1.02), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.
Scope and Contents
Matriculation books document the enrollment of students at the university. The earliest matriculation signatures available for Washington and Lee University are from June 1805. From the 1805-1813, the pages include the student's signature and then a sequential number after each name documenting the order that they signed. Please note that there is at least one page missing from 1805 as the numbering of student signatures begins with 42. Starting in 1814, the matriculation pages include the names of the students, the sequential number that follows the order in which the students signed, the names of parents or guardians, and the place of residence of parents or guardians and later the post office location including city, town, county, and state.
In 1830, the students signed under the following statement, "We the undersigned hereby enter ourselves as students of Washington College during the present session and promise that we will obey the laws of the institution." By the 1838 session, the promise has changed to "We the undersigned students of Washington College hereby promise that we will faithfully endeavor, while students of said college, to obey all its laws, rules and regulations." There are minor changes in the statement leading up to the matriculation list for 1851-1852. The promise evolves to include the words "pledge" and "honor." It reads, "I do solemnly promise and pledge my word and honor that I will faithfully obey all the laws, rules and regulations of Washington College so long as I continue a student of the same." The pledge written at the start of the 1866/1867 session is written in Washington College President Robert E. Lee's hand.
Volume 3 is the first book to have purposely printed paper including the college's name at the top and what is identified as the Obligation (pledge). The page on the left side of this volume includes columns for name, residence, age, name of parent or guardian, post office of parent or guardian, and date of entry. The page on the right is titled Register of Studies and includes columns for the subjects taught, such as Greek, Latin, Chemstry, etc. The last column on that page lists the total tuition and college fees charged and presumably paid.
The printed pages changed for Volume 5. Each page is titled "Matriculates, Wshington and Lee University, Session ______." The columns on each page include the sequential number representing the order in which a student signed, name, age, name of parent or guardian, post office of parent or guardian and of student, and date of entrance.
In addition to serving as a matriculation book, the first volume also served to document examinations of students in both the Grammar School (preparatory classes) and upper classes. Content includes handwritten notes, student names, classes, and proficiency. The years covered range from 1808-1833.
The whole collection dates from 1805-1971.