Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], John Janney Papers, Ms2001-019, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The John Janney Papers were donated to Special Collections in 2000.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the John Janney Papers commenced and was completed in 2001.

Biographical Note

On November 8, 1798, John Janney was born in Alexandria, Virginia, to Elisha and Mary Janney. The Janneys were members of the religious denomination of Friends or Quakers. Janney obtained little formal education, instead going to work at his father's mill. He later left the mill to study law, and at the age of eighteen, he entered the Bar in Loudoun County. On January 26, 1826, Janney married Alcinda (Alice) Marmaduke. When separated, they wrote almost daily letters to one another.

Janney became a respected lawyer and in 1850 he represented Loudoun County at the Virginia Constitutional Convention. Janney also served his state when he accepted the position as President of the Virginia Secession Convention in 1861. As a strong Whig and Unionist, Janney fought against secession and voted against it twice. When secession finally passed, Janney embraced it fully. He signed the Ordinance of Secession and formally appointed Robert E. Lee as commander of military forces of Virginia. Janney continued to serve as a lawyer in Loudoun until his death in 1872.

Charles Janney, nephew of John Janney, was born May 27, 1839 to James and Rebecca Janney. Charles Janney attended the Benjamin Hallowell School in Alexandria, Virginia until his eighteenth birthday. After graduation, Janney worked at his father's flour mill while also studying the law. Janney ran for office and was elected clerk of the county court for Loudoun and served in that position until he entered the Bar in 1871. In 1921, he was elected as mayor of Leesburg and served for two years.

Charles Janney married Nannie Lee Pollock on November 23, 1868. They had eight children: Thomas, Rebecca, Lilas, Charles P., A.D. Pollock, Phillip, Nannie, and John.

Scope and Contents

The John Janney Papers consist of over 800 letters written to John Janney and members of his family. The most influential letters are ones written between John Janney and his wife while Janney served as President of the Virginia Secession Convention. In these letters Janney gives brief details of the Convention and comments on the other delegates in attendance. Other letters are between Charles Janney and his wife and family. The bulk of the letters describe legal matters and are from John Janney's years as a practicing lawyer. Additional materials include biographical information, books, and periodicals.

Images from this collection are available on Imagebase.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into three series:

Series I: Biographical Information is arranged in three subseries: John Janney, Journal of the Convention, and Miscellaneous Government Documents. This series includes biographical information, newspapers, inventory of property, and Convention minutes. Each subseries is arranged chronologically.

Series II: Correspondence is arranged in nine subseries: John Janney with Alice Janney (wife); Janney Family Letters; Letters to Alice Janney; Pollock Family Papers; John Janney Letters; John Janney Legal Letters and Court Cases; Court Cases; Miscellaneous Letters, and Letters and Ledgers.

Series III: Books, Periodicals, and Media is arranged in three subseries: Books, Periodicals, and Media.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• Janney family
• Janney, John, 1798-1872
• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the John Janney Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).