Stating Inalienable Rights

City of Fredericksburg, Virginia

Photographed By Dawn Bowen, June 2, 2007

1. Stating Inalienable Rights Marker

Inscription. On October 7, 1776, three months after the Continental Congress had adopted the Declaration of Independence, the Virginia Assembly held its first session, in Williamsburg. The Assembly appointed Thomas Jefferson and four delegates to a Committee of Law Revisors, to adapt Virginia’s existing laws to the principles of its new government.

From January 13-17, 1777, the committee met in Fredericksburg to divide up this massive task. George Mason joined the initial discussions, but left the committee’s three attorneys – Jefferson, George Wythe, and Edmund Pendleton – to draft the new statutes. The fifth member, Thomas Ludwell Lee, soon took ill and died.

The Committee took just over two years to complete their work. In June 1779, they presented 126 statutes to the Assembly, for consideration and adoption. Jefferson considered the Bill for Religious Freedom (enacted in 1786) to be one of his finest achievements.

Erected by City of Fredericksburg.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Events • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1777.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.

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It was located near 38° 18.223′ N, 77° 27.577′ W. Marker was in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marker was at the intersection of William Street (U.S. 3) and Caroline Street on William Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A Moment in Time: Circa 1925 (a few steps from this marker); Inalienable Rights (a few steps from this marker); Civil Rights (a few steps from this marker); Constitutional Crisis (a few steps from this marker); Mercantile Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Randolph Ball (within shouting distance of this marker); Center of Eighteenth Century Urban Life (within shouting distance of this marker); Market Square (within shouting distance of this marker); The Second Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Emancipation Proclamation Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker.

Also see . . .
1. Revising Virginia’s Legal Code. Chapter 10 of the 1834 biography The Life of Thomas Jefferson by B. L. Rayner. (Submitted on June 2, 2007.)

2. Jefferson's Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom in State of Virginia

Stating Inalienable Rights Marker on William & Caroline Streets image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dawn Bowen, September 4, 2008

2. Stating Inalienable Rights Marker on William & Caroline Streets

. Eyler Robert Coates, Sr.’s Site (Submitted on June 2, 2007.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,546 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 2, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 4, 2008, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.