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Deputy Sheriff Oath, Barbour County, West Virginia

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2009-087

Scope and Content

The collection contains a signed oath by the deputy sheriff of Barbour County, West Virginia, stating he had never served with or aided the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. While the Wheeling Conventions helped to ease some of the laws restricting the rights of ex-Confederates, not every county was willing to do so. This oath–written in 1870–suggests that Barbour County was rather hesitant to allow ex-Confederates to take public offices. The document is signed by Stingley Shaffer and is both witnessed and signed by Louis Wilson.

Dates

  • 1870

Creator

Language of Materials

The materials in the collection are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

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.

Biographical Note

Stingley Shaffer was born in Virginia about 1835. By 1867, he married Elizabeth C., and they had moved to West Virginia. They had two sons: Amos (b. abt. 1867) and Arthur (b. abt. 1873). The family lived in Barbour County until at least 1880.

There is a Stingley Shaffer (1834-1919) buried in Jerusalem Cemetery, Barbour County, West Virginia.

External sources:

United States Federal Census

"Stingley Shaffer", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/251351086/stingley-s-shaffer, accessed April 13, 2023.

Historical Note

The oath seems to be the result of the laws enacted by the West Virginia legislature following the Second Wheeling Convention in August of 1861. The Wheeling Convention brought about the creation of the state of West Virginia after forming a Committee on a Division of the State - Virginia. In addition to dividing the existing state into Virginia and West Virginia, this convention brought about the attempted relaxation of the laws against ex-Confederates during the Americna Civil War.

For more information on the Wheeling Conventions see the "A State of Convenience: The Creation of West Virginia On-Line Exhibit by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

This document is an oath taken by a Deputy Sheriff of Barbour County, West Virginia, stating that he never fought for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by material type.

Source of Acquisition

The Deputy Sheriff Oath, Barbour County, West Virginia was purchased by Special Collections in 2009.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Deputy Sheriff Oath, Barbour County, West Virginia by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Deputy Sheriff Oath, Barbour County, West Virginia, commenced and was completed in June 2009.

Title
Deputy Sheriff Oath, Barbour County, West Virginia, 1870
Status
Completed
Author
Lora Settle, Student Assistant
Date
2009 (CC0 1.0)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308