Minutes of the House of Burgesses, 1768-1775

A copy of the minutes of the Virginia House of Burgesses in Wythe's hand, from his time as clerk, circa 1768-1775. Original in the Charles Roberts Autograph Letters Collection, Quaker & Special Collections, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania.

A later copy of the minutes of the Virginia House of Burgesses from November 29, 1753, in Wythe's hand. Wythe served as the clerk of the House of Burgesses from 1768-1775 (abbreviated here as "C.H.B."). The House of Burgesses was the representative branch of the Virginia legislature in the time period before the Revolutionary War, and included many famous members, such as George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson.

Document text, c. 1768-1775

Page 1

Thursday, November 29th, 1753.

The house being informed, that John Doncastle had treated a member of this house with very abusive language, and threatened to deny him any entertainment if he ever came to his house, Resolved, that the said John Doncastle, in so doing, is guilty of a breach of the privileges of this house. Ordered, that the said John Doncastle be taken into custody of the serjeant at arms.

A true copy, extracted from the journal by

G. Wythe, C.H.B.