State of West Virginia Succession

Western Virginia Delegates against Succession from Union

Apr 17, 1861

49 delegates sent 17 voted for Virginia's succession
30 against and 2 abstained

First Wheeling Convention

May 13, 1861

Meeting of north-western Virginia delegates sent from each of the 25 counties. 425 delegates showed up

First Union Succession Election

May 23, 1861

Succession was approved by Virginia as a whole. In the area of what is now WV the votes were 34,677 against and 19,121 for.

Second Wheeling Convention

Jun 11, 1861

Called the April 17, 1861 convention illegal because it was not called by the people of Virginia

New Virginia government established

Jun 19, 1861

This was to replace current pro-sucession government in Virginia

Restored Government of Virginia

Jul 1, 1861

Offically completed and two senators are recognized by the United States government. Virginia has two government at this time.

Wheeling Convention votes on new state

Aug 20, 1861

Votes to allow creation of a state from the north-western parts of Virginia.

Vote on Statehood

Oct 24, 1861

Vote on statehood, with only 781 against. Those who were against statehood were pro-succession and did not see themselves as part of the Union recognized State of Virginia

State Constitutional Convention began

Nov 26, 1861

WV Constitution is Ratified

Apr 11, 1862

18162 for 514 against

Pro-Union Virginia gives final approval for WV statehood

May 13, 1862

West Virginia applies for Statehood to US Congress

Dec 31, 1862

President Lincoln admits WV as a state

Jun 20, 1863