Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Letters of Thomas S. Bocock, MS 43, Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, Charlottesville, Virginia

Acquisition Information

Gift of Mary N. Runkle, Charlottesville, Virginia

Biographical/Historical Information

Thomas S. Bocock (1815-1891) was a politician and lawyer from Virginia. He was born in Buckingham County to John Thomas Bocock and Mary Flood. After graduating from Hampden-Sydney College he began a legal practice in Buckingham County. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1842 to 1844, and of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1847 to 1861. Bocock was a committed slaveholder and Southern nationalist, even praising Senator Preston Brooks' attack on Charles Sumner. Following Virginia's secession, Bocock served in the Confederate States House of Representatives from 1861 to 1865. After the Civil War Bocock moved to Lynchburg and practiced law. He died in Appomattox County, Virginia, in 1891.

Scope and Content

This collection contains five letters sent to Thomas S. Bocock of Appomattox County and Lynchburg, Virginia.

Arrangement

(1) ALS from M.M. Miller, 27 January 1860. Miller asks Bocock to send tomato seeds and discusses the Union: "I think the Union will not stand much longer."

(2) ALS from W. Latham, Jr., 11 October 1871. Sent from Greenwood Depot, Albemarle County, Virginia. Latham discusses his failed attemp to establish a school and asks for assistance in securing a position with the railroad.

(3) ALS from Richard Smith, Attorney-at-Law, 23 September 1873. Smith apologizes for the late reply.

(4) ALS from L.P. Hodges, April. Hodges requests book on smithing or farming.

(5) Bill from Guggenheimer Co.,Lynchburg, Virginia, 30 November 1883. Requests payment.

Index Terms

Persons:

• Bocock, Thomas S., 1815-1891