Conditions of Use

There are no use restrictions.

Access Information

There are no access restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Latter of William H. Richards, 1850 May 3. Accession 51094, State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Accession 51094 was purchased by The Library of Virginia from Crown Collectibles, 11/7/2013

Biographical/Historical Information

William Harvie Richardson was born 18 December 1795 in Richmond, Virginia, to George Parke Richardson and Frances Bacon Whitlock Richardson. He served as a captain in a rifle company during the War of 1812. In 1821, Richardson was elected clerk of the Council of State and served until 1852. He organized and served as the first librarian of the Virginia State Library from 1828 to 1852. Richardson was the first Secretary of the Commonwealth, holding that position from 1832 to 1852. In 1841, he was appointed adjutant-general of Virginia, a position he retained until 1876, except for a brief time following the Civil War. He also served as a member of the Board of Visitors for the Virginia Military institute from 1841 to 1876. He was active in the Virginia Agricultural Society. Richardson married Mary Carter Randolph (1797-1856) 16 December 1816 and they had 2 children. Richardson died 1 September 1876 and was buried in Hollywood cemetery.

Scope and Content Note

Letter, 3 May 1850, of William H. Richardson, Adjutant General of Virginia, to General Roger Jones, Adjutant General of the United States. Richardson asks Jones for sample patterns of clothing used by the United States Army so that Virginia Militia can design their uniforms in a similar fashion. Richardson also asks for a bill or a letter stating the amount that this request will cost so that he can pay it.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Jones, Roger, 1789-1852
• Richardson, William H. (William Harvie), 1795-1876.
• Virginia. -- Adjutant General's Office.
• Virginia. -- Department of Military Affairs
• Virginia. -- Militia.
• Virginia -- Militia -- 19th century.
• Military uniforms.
• Correspondence (letters) -- aat.
• State government records -- Virginia. -- aat.

Additional Note

These records are part of the Dept. of Military Affairs record group (RG# 46)