Virginia
Pennsylvania
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
General Assembly passed a bill saying, no contract between a white & a black, for the labor of service of the latter for more than 2 months, shall be binding on the black unless the contract is written & signed by both parties & a public official.
Virginia
- National
Johnson vetoed the Suffrage in the District of Columbia Bill
- National
Representative James Ashley of Ohio charged Johnson with usurpation, corruption & interference in election. The case was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
New directors of the 1st National Bank of Greencastle elected.
Franklin County
- National
Overriding Johnson's veto, Congress granted suffrage to African-Americans in Washington, D.C.
Legislature rejected the proposed constitutional amendment.
Virginia
Valley Spirit reported that a faith doctor visited Waynesboro.
Franklin County
John Geary inaugurated as governor. Simon Cameron inaugurated as U. S. senator.
Pennsylvania
Valley Spirit reported counterfeits of the Nation Bank's $5 bills surfaced, & that Reverend E. E. Higbee will be the new professor of church history at the Theological Seminary of Mercersburg.
Franklin County
Fire destroyed Jacob Middour's residence.
Franklin County
Young men of the county founded the Philomathesian Society, a debating club.
Augusta County
Staunton Musical Association formed. Counterfeit $5 National notes surfaced.
Augusta County
Spectator reported that the African-American population in VA declined by over 190,000 since 02-01-1860.
Virginia
Reverend S. D. Stuart delivered a lecture at the Staunton Lyceum detailing his trip to England.
Augusta County
Friendship Fire Co. quickly extinguished a fire at John A. Grove's marble works.
Franklin County
A. H. H. Stuart left Staunton for Richmond to settle difficulties between VA & WV.
Augusta County
Billy Wilson, a freedman, charged with burning a barn, claimed another black paid him to do so.
Augusta County
Valley Spirit reported new counterfeits surfaced.
Franklin County
William & Henry Bird, two freedmen, charged with burning a house.
Augusta County
Legislature debated whether or not to allow blacks to ride in public conveyances.
Pennsylvania
The Chambersburg Cornet Band conducted a play with a scene involving a white man dressed as a black woman.
Franklin County
Dr. C. R. Harris delivered a lecture on "Freedom of Thought" at the Staunton Lyceum.
Augusta County
The local Building Association formed.
Augusta County
Martin Snyder arrested for the rape of Mary Elizabeth Eberly, a 10-year-old resident of the local Children's Home.
Franklin County
Legislature ratified the 14th Amendment.
Pennsylvania
Valley Spirit reported a fire broke out in Joseph McKinney's house.
Franklin County
Concert held at the Presbyterian Church.
Augusta County
Valley Spirit reported Pope Wilson & George Book, 2 freedmen, arrested for stealing a coat from White's clothing store.
Franklin County
Concert at the Presbyterian Church repeated.
Augusta County
- National
Congressional resolution provided for a survey for a canal at Darien, Panama.
Valley Spirit reported the temperance fair last week raised nearly $2000.
Franklin County
Episcopal Methodist Church made appointments.
Augusta County
Senate called for a convention under the provisions of the military force bill. House of Delegates passed a bill forbidding the sale or distribution of liquor near voting places.
Virginia
- National
NE admitted as the 37th state.
Under 1st Reconstruction Act, VA became part of Military District 1.
Virginia
Thieves broke into Mr. Greathead's store & stole money & merchandise.
Franklin County
- National
1st Reconstruction Act, which denied removal powers of the president, passed. Tenure of Civil Office Bill passed over Johnson's veto. National Bankruptcy Bill passed. Department of Education established. Judiciary Committee concerning impeachment recommended a continuance of investigation.
Sherry's Theatrical Troupe performed at Repository Hall.
Franklin County
Voting rights of blacks challenged in Alexandria, when 1000 black votes were rejected.
Virginia
John Randolph, a freedman, imprisoned for stealing shoes from P. B. Hoge's store.
Augusta County
- National
Order of the Knights of St. Crispin established to halt the rise of unemployment in the shoe industry.
- National
Johnson began assigning generals to the command of the 5 military districts in the South.
Reported that a Radical paper will soon be started in Staunton.
Augusta County
Gen. Schofield arrived in Richmond & replaced Governor Pierpont with Gen. Wells.
Virginia
Valley Spirit reported on the projected railroad from Carlisle to Pine Grove in Franklin County. Fire destroyed a steam sawmill of the Doubling Gap Lumber & Mining Co. & Matthew Elder's barn.
Franklin County
Trustees of the Agricultural College of PA met.
Pennsylvania
Election for borough, township, and election officers held.
Franklin County
Telegraph office opened in Waynesboro at J. F. Kurtz's Drug Store.
Franklin County
George Rock stabbed Jacob Fisher 11 times during a scuffle in Quincy.
Franklin County
North Ward Democrats met at Montgomery House. South Ward Democrats met at William Bender's House. Valley Spirit announced Governor Greary pardoned Mrs. Bernthisel of Greencastle of her adultery conviction.
Franklin County
- National
2nd Reconstruction Act, which provided for registration of all qualified votes, passed over Johnson's veto.
Ladies' Memorial Association hosted a fair & dinner to raise money for the soldiers' cemetery.
Augusta County
- National
Secretary of State Seward agreed to pay Russia $7,200,000 for Alaska.
A thwarted burglary occurred at George Etter's home.
Augusta County
Frank Wilson of Staunton elected the "Smallest Man" of the Ugly Club at the University of Virginia. E. L. Houff, a delegate from Augusta to the Loyalist Convention returned home unhappy with the proceedings. William Marshall charged with the rape of Elizabeth White.
Augusta County
Explosion in the coal mines outside Richmond killed about 70 men. Loyalist Convention held in Richmond. Conflicts arose over whether or not African-Americans should be allowed to ride in Richmond streetcars.
Virginia
Col. McClure & his family departed for Montana to inspect gold & silver mines, in which he had a stake.
Franklin County
Jacob Foreman's son drowned while playing in the Conococheague.
Franklin County
Col. Bolivar Christian lectured at the Staunton Lyceum on the character of the people of the Valley of VA.
Augusta County
The home of Samuel Parent burned.
Augusta County
John McCoy of Mifflin Township committed suicide.
Franklin County
- National
Congress ratified the purchase of Alaska.
The Freedmen of Staunton held a meeting and produced resolutions.
Augusta County
Valley Spirit reported that an act passed the state legislature incorporating a co. in Chambersburg for the purpose of erecting a Market House & a Public Hall.
Franklin County
The remains of an infant were found buried on a lot near Burke's Foundry.
Augusta County
Schuyler Colfax delivered his lecture, "Across the Continent" in Repository Hall.
Franklin County
Franklin County Bible Society held its anniversary meeting in the German Reformed Church.
Franklin County
Valley Spirit reported Matthew P. Walsh was confirmed as the new Postmaster of Chambersburg.
Franklin County
Lightning struck Jacob Lear's blacksmith shop in Shady Grove.
Franklin County
4 local teachers announced their intention to open a new institution for young men.
Augusta County
- National
Gen. Hancock and Gen. Custer led an expedition against the Indians in western KS.
Chambersburg Musical Union concert.
Franklin County
Reverend George D. Chenowith, corresponding secretary of the State Temperance Union, spoke at the Methodist Episcopalian Church.
Franklin County
H. M. Sibbett won the post of Chief Burgess in the Waynesboro election.
Franklin County
2nd Annual Floral Tribute to the memory of the soldiers buried in the Soldiers' Cemetery. 4th anniversary of Stonewall Jackson's death celebrated
Augusta County
Jefferson Davis visited Richmond.
Virginia
Jefferson Davis taken to Richmond on habeas corpus and admitted to bail.
Virginia
Gen. Lee visited Staunton for the week to attend the Episcopal Convention.
Augusta County
Valley Spirit reported the town council appointed John Forbes street commissioner.
Franklin County
Valley Spirit advised a group of gypsies encamped in the woods near Chambersburg be immediately driven out.
Franklin County
Annual meeting of the Stockholders of the Valley Railroad held at the courthouse.
Augusta County
Registering officers appointed.
Augusta County
Valley Spirit reported counterfeit bills surfaced.
Franklin County
The youngest class of the Augusta Female Seminary held a May party.
Augusta County
William Stoner, an African-American, shot David Montgomery, also an African-American, in Wolffstown after a confrontation earlier that day.
Franklin County
Hope Fire Co. held elections
Franklin County
Valley Spirit reported the town council approved a plan to number dwellings and businesses in Chambersburg.
Franklin County
Peter McGaffigan drowned in Falling Spring.
Franklin County
A party of men left Chambersburg for a tour of the Shenandoah, including a stop in Staunton.
Franklin County
A mutual protection society to respond to the frequency of horse theft formed.
Augusta County
State Democratic Convention held in Harrisburg nominated George Sharswood for the PA Supreme Court.
Pennsylvania
Public exercises of the closing session of the Augusta Female Seminary began.
Augusta County
Reverend H. Y. Hummelbaugh baptized 5 people in Falling Spring.
Franklin County
Appeals to the Assessor of Internal Revenue Taxes held at the office of J. L. P. Deltrich.
Franklin County
Churches of Chambersburg collected donations for the relief of the destitute people of the South.
Franklin County
Charlie Evans, an African-American, arrested for attempting to hug a white woman.
Augusta County
Committee appointed to enable the VA Railroad Co. to complete the Covington and Ohio Railroad. Court case over whether African-Americans or whites of a church have claim to the land began.
Augusta County
Valley Spirit reported counterfeit $10 notes in circulation.
Franklin County
- National
1st Annual Belmont Stakes won by Ruthless.
Voter registration began.
Augusta County
Committee to complete the Covington and OH Railroad met at the courthouse to consider the proposed extension of the Southern railway. Commencement exercises at the Wesleyan Female Institute began.
Augusta County
Jackson Sunday School opened. The Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution gave a concert.
Augusta County
Valley Spirit reported a monument erected in Church Hill in memory of Capt. James P. McCullough by the members of Co. C., 19th Regiment, P. V.
Franklin County
Voter registration ended in 2 districts in Augusta with District 1, Staunton, having 380 whites & 184 blacks registered & District 2, Staunton, having 366 whites & 258 blacks registered. Directors of the Augusta County Fair met.
Augusta County
Union prayer meeting of all Christian denominations held at the Presbyterian Church.
Augusta County
New officers of the Friends of Temperance installed.
Augusta County
Valley Spirit reported F. C. Waldlich of Mercersburg awarded the contract to build the new Presbyterian Church in McConnellsburg.
Franklin County
Local Independence Day festivities.
Augusta County
A fight broke out between blacks & whites in front of Repository Hall.
Franklin County
Tom Harris, an African-American, imprisoned for raping 2 African-American girls. A. H. H. Stuart, Jr., aged 21, died of typhoid fever.
Augusta County
Funeral held at the Episcopal Church for A. H. H. Stuart, Jr.
Augusta County
Spectator reported A. McR. Blain secured a patent for an improved apple paring, boring, and slicing machine.
Augusta County
Valley Spirit reported the Republican Convention nominated Henry W. Williams for the PA Supreme Court.
Pennsylvania
The County Board of Registration met & announced the registration totals with District 3, Middlebrook, having 407 whites & 124 blacks; District 4, Greenville, having 428 whites & 123 blacks; District 5, Waynesboro, having 470 whites & 224 blacks; District 6, New Hope, having 376 whites & 102 blacks.
Augusta County
Spectator reported Dr. R. L. Madison will leave Staunton to resume his chair at Virginia Military Institute.
Augusta County
Valley Spirit alerted readers counterfeit $100 bills surfaced. It was also reported that J. Newton Shellito appointed General Whiskey Inspector for the district including Chambersburg and a baby boy abandoned in the privy attached to the ladies' room at the railroad depot.
Augusta County
The Printers defeated the Picked 37 to 20 in a baseball game in Chambersburg.
Franklin County
- National
3rd Reconstruction Act, which said the 15th Amendment must be ratified before Southern States could be readmitted, reported, vetoed, and passed over Johnson's veto.
Capt. F. S. Turkey, former local Superintendent of the Freedmen's Bureau, lectured in front of the Courthouse.
Augusta County
Commencement exercises of Franklin & Marshall College began.
Franklin County
Lightning struck Jacob Whitmore's house, injuring an African-American boy & killing a dog.
Augusta County
John Price's farmhouse, occupied by Jacob Shank, burned down.
Franklin County
Radical meeting at the Staunton courthouse adopted resolutions & selected delegates to attend the Radical Convention in Richmond.
Augusta County
Martha Baker violently attacked & robbed on her way home from Shippensburg.
Franklin County
Radical Convention began in Richmond.
Virginia
Attempted robbery at John B. Evans' store. Episcopal Methodist Church-South Sunday School held a picnic in Taylor's Grove.
Augusta County
John Engleman's store robbed.
Augusta County
William A. Wallace addressed the Democratic State Committee.
Pennsylvania
- National
Secretary of War Stanton, refusing to resign, suspended by Johnson. Grant appointed Secretary of War pro tem.
Spectator reported a Council of the Friends of Temperance organized at Middisbrook.
Augusta County
Valley Spirit reported a new counterfeit $5 bill circulating. Cumberland Valley Good Templars Convention met in Mercersburg.
Franklin County
An arsonist set fire to Abraham Carbaugh's barn near Brown's Mill.
Augusta County
John Robinson's Combination Circus & Menagerie performed in Staunton. Gen. D. B. White addressed Staunton's African-American's in from of the courthouse.
Augusta County
The new cornerstone for the new Lutheran Church in Orrstown laid.
Franklin County
The "Radical" County Convention held at the Chambersburg courthouse.
Franklin County
Dan Castello's Circus & Menagerie performed in Staunton.
Augusta County
Republican County Convention held. Valley Spirit reported Chambersburg nominated James B. Orr of Orrstown as a candidate for the Assembly.
Franklin County
A camp meeting commenced under the supervision of the United Brethren in Christ with preachers from PA, MD, & VA.
Augusta County
Blacks in and around Greencastle held a benefit to raise money for local Radical politicians.
Franklin County
G. W. Peaco stopped a horse thief near the South River.
Augusta County
Maimonides College, the 1st rabbinical college in the U.S. opened in Philadelphia, PA.
Pennsylvania
Governor Francis Pierpont spoke at the Staunton courthouse.
Augusta County
A torrential thunderstorm swept through Chambersburg.
Franklin County
North Ward Democrats met to select delegates to the County Convention. South Ward Democrats met to select delegates to the County Convention.
Franklin County
Richmond Dispatch praised Staunton
Augusta County
- National
Lucy Stone, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and George Francis Train began a women's suffrage campaign in KS.
Meeting at the courthouse of Democratic Convention of Franklin County who selected candidates for the various county offices up for election in the fall.
Franklin County
Heavy rains caused flooding in Chambersburg.
Franklin County
The Printers of Chambersburg defeated the Snowballs of Shippensburg 21 to 16 in a baseball game.
Franklin County
- National
Johnson issued Proclamation of General Amnesty.
Democratic State Committee meeting.
Franklin County
Spectator reported a new counterfeit $5 bill appeared.
Augusta County
Franklin Female Seminary opened.
Franklin County
Hope Fire Co. hosted a picnic at Brown's Mill.
Franklin County
West PA Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church met in Chambersburg.
Franklin County
Ann Laura Lilly, 21 months, drowned near Churchville
Augusta County
Stuart McGuffin was accidentally shot and killed when he and James apple were playing with an old musket.
Augusta County
Thieves stole 2 barrels of whiskey from Mr. Hollingshead's premises.
Franklin County
Chambersburg Silver Cornet Band participated in the dedicatory ceremonies at Antietam.
Franklin County
- National
National Cemetery at Antietam dedicated.
John Light traveled over 9 miles during his balloon flight.
Franklin County
Black and white Republicans held an emancipation jubilee at Scarlett's Woods.
Franklin County
Valley Spirit reported street signs posted throughout the town, some of which changed street names.
Franklin County
A group of citizens living near Churchville registered a complaint about mail coming to Churchville from or through the Staunton Post Office.
Augusta County
Augusta Fire Co. paraded the streets.
Augusta County
A Republican meeting held on the steps of the courthouse.
Franklin County
Spectator reported that "another colored man" sued the Richmond, Fredericksburg, & Potomac Railroad for non-admittance to a 1st-class car, upon a 1st-class ticket purchased in NY.
Virginia
Valley Spirit reported Professor E. G. Halton delivered a lecture on Oxygenized Air Treatment at Repository Hall. It was also reported that the new college in Mercersburg opened. One of Col. McClure's barns burned.
Franklin County
Fire destroyed the Molding shop of the Agricultural Implement Manufactory in Waynesboro.
Franklin County
The society against horse thieves of Mt. Meridian & surrounding areas met.
Augusta County
The Washington Society at the University of Virginia released a resolution in commemoration of A. H. H. Stuart, Jr.
Augusta County
Valley Spirit reported a fire consumed the stable on A. L. Coyle's property. Also reported: parties canvassed Chambersburg to gain support for a proposed Atlas of Franklin County.
Franklin County
A co. of black troops celebrated in the streets of Chambersburg after attending a celebration in Harrisburg.
Franklin County
A public meeting at the courthouse nominated delegates to the constitutional convention.
Augusta County
William F. Gordon, Jr., the Radical convention candidate of Augusta, spoke at the courthouse.
Augusta County
- National
Ownership of Alaska transferred from Russia to America.
A free school for poor white women & children opened in Jennie McKeehan's school room.
Franklin County
Spectator reported that an unnamed African-American man was arrested for assaulting J. Wayne Spitler, a white man. Also reported: an African-American stole some goblets from A. H. H. Stuart and an overcoat stolen from J. A. Waddell's house.
Augusta County
Fire destroyed Samuel Zook's Sorghum Mill.
Franklin County
Fire destroyed the Broom Factory & the adjoining house of Mr. Eyler.
Franklin County
Joseph McClure of Franklin admitted to the Bar.
Franklin County
W. A. Burke awarded 5 premiums at the Lexington Fair for the best plows & for his hay fork.
Augusta County
Jacob Snyder's tailor shop burglarized.
Franklin County
Franklin County Teachers' Institute met in Chambersburg. Town Council meeting passed a resolution mandating the purchase of a steam fire engine for the community.
Franklin County
A burglar broke into Peter Brough's mansion & stole a wardrobe.
Franklin County
Dr. Charles J. Jewett of the lecture circuit, promoted the temperance cause at the courthouse.
Franklin County
Centenary celebration of the Presbyterian Church of Upper Path Valley held.
Franklin County
Valley Spirit reported the Cumberland Valley Railroad Co. was considering constructing a branch from Hagerstown to Williamsport. Chambersburg Building Association organized.
Franklin County
Meeting held at the courthouse to appoint delegates to the Conservative Convention.
Augusta County
Spectator reported $238 & a pair of pantaloons stolen from Franklin Koiner's home.
Augusta County
Valley Spirit reported Loudenachlager knocked down & robbed by 2 blacks men.
Franklin County
A meeting of Augusta citizens held in Richmond organized sub-committees to canvass the county to secure the subscription of $300,000 for the Chesapeake & OH Railroad.
Augusta County
Several black residents of Chambersburg stoned Michael Miller's house.
Franklin County
Editorial Convention held in Richmond, at the advice of the Staunton newspapers.
Augusta County
Chambersburg Building Association met.
Franklin County
Spectator suggested that the Staunton Lyceum begin charging a fee to attend the meetings & give the proceeds to the poor.
Augusta County
New constitutional convention opened in Richmond, under Judge John Underwood. Denial of electoral rights to former Confederates & provision of a test oath made part of a draft constitution.
Virginia
- National
Johnson's message received by Congress.
Valley Spirit reported a swindler was preying upon local farmers.
Franklin County
7-10 inches of snow fell.
Augusta County
Waynesboro Magisterial district appointed to superintend the organization.
Augusta County
Racial strife broke out in Mercersburg. The Peak family, a co. of Swiss bell ringers, performed in Repository Hall.
Franklin County
The Peak family held an encore performance.
Franklin County
- National
Resolution of impeachment of Johnson introduced into the House of Representatives.
County Commissioner elected officers.
Franklin County
Augusta County challenged Rockingham County to fulfill her duty to VA more zealously and efficiently. Spectator reported a large deposit of iron ore found near Waynesboro.
Augusta County
Conservative Convention held in Richmond.
Virginia
Meeting held to organize an association for the arrest of horse thieves.
Augusta County
Meeting held to form an association for protecting Churchville area citizens against horse thieves.
Augusta County
Meeting held at the courthouse in support of the movement to amend the Constitution to recognize God and Jesus Christ.
Franklin County
President of the VA Central Railroad, John D. Imboden, addressed Staunton on the subject of a subscription to the Chesapeake & OH Railroad.
Augusta County
The association for protecting the citizens against horse thieves in the Churchville area met. Gen. Kenton Harper, founder of the Spectator, died.
Augusta County
A group of men met at Hall's Schoolhouse & stated their opposition to "a Constitution which will bring the State under the control of the negro race."
Augusta County
The United Brethren in Christ's new church in Mowersville dedicated.
Franklin County