Today in Wheeling History: May 13--The First Wheeling Convention, which set the stage for the creation of West Virginia, began (1861).
During the Civil War, as Virginia voted to secede from the Union, delegates from western Virginia faced death threats and escaped Richmond. They held a meeting in Clarksburg to discuss creating a pro-Union government. The Clarksburg Convention authorized representatives from northwestern Virginia counties to gather in Wheeling. The First Wheeling Convention, though not fully representative of the future state, saw delegates initially opposed to a new state or pro-Union government. However, support grew from loyal Union residents in the Eastern Panhandle. The convention achieved little and adjourned, but the Second Wheeling Convention formed the pro-Union Reorganized Government of Virginia, laying the foundation for West Virginia. (https://rb.gy/4l4jb) (https://rb.gy/zjt1h)
During the Civil War, as Virginia voted to secede from the Union, delegates from western Virginia faced death threats and escaped Richmond. They held a meeting in Clarksburg to discuss creating a pro-Union government. The Clarksburg Convention authorized representatives from northwestern Virginia counties to gather in Wheeling. The First Wheeling Convention, though not fully representative of the future state, saw delegates initially opposed to a new state or pro-Union government. However, support grew from loyal Union residents in the Eastern Panhandle. The convention achieved little and adjourned, but the Second Wheeling Convention formed the pro-Union Reorganized Government of Virginia, laying the foundation for West Virginia. (https://rb.gy/4l4jb) (https://rb.gy/zjt1h)
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