{"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026view=compact","last":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026page=1\u0026view=compact"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":1,"next_page":null,"prev_page":null,"total_pages":1,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":0,"total_count":1,"first_page?":true,"last_page?":true}},"data":[{"id":"vi_vi00761","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863","creator":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi00761#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Circuit Court.","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi00761#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, consist of 379 \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1804-1830; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1805-1863; and the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1853-1854.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi00761#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vi_vi00761","ead_ssi":"vi_vi00761","_root_":"vi_vi00761","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi00761","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi00761.xml","title_ssm":["A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863"],"title_tesim":["A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"normalized_title_ssm":["A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863"],"text":["A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863",".225 cu. ft.; 3 volumes; 1 microfilm reel","Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, are digitized and available through  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital images.","The Chesterfield County \"Free Negro\" Registers are available on microfilm, Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel No. 351. \n","This collection is arranged","Series I: Registers of \"Free Negroes,\" 1804-1863, arranged chronologically by entry date. Series II: \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861, arranged chronologically.","Arranged chronologically by entry date\n      ","Arranged chronologically \n\t","Context for Record Type:","\"Free Negro\" Registers","In 1793, the Virginia General Assembly specified that \"free Negroes or mulattoes\" were required to be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the town clerk, which shall specify \"age, name, colour, and stature, by whom, and in what court the said negro or mulatto was emancipated; or that such negro or mulatto was born free.\" The process was extended to counties in 1803. Although some clerks were already recording such features, an 1834 Act of Assembly made it a uniform requirement to record identifying marks and scars and the instrument of emancipation, whether by deed or will. This bound register often coincided with a loose certificate containing largely the same identifying information. Both the registration system and the process of renewal was enforced differently in the various Virginia localities. Thus, the information found in these registers may differ from year to year and across localities.\n","The register books resulting from the administration of the 1793 and 1803 Act of Assembly are evidence of Virginia legislators' reaction to a quickly growing free Black and Multiracial population in Virginia in the post Revolutionary War period. Acts such as these allowed white officials to police the activities and movement of free Black community members throughout the state thereby restricting their autonomy. \n","\"Free Negro\" Registrations","In 1793, the Virginia General Assembly specified that \"free Negroes or mulattoes\" were required to \"be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the town clerk, which shall specify age, name, color, status and by whom, and in what court emancipated.\" These entries often coincided with the creation of a loose certificate containing largely the same identifying information.\n","Documents in this record group differ from the bound volumes referred to as \"registers.\" These registration records typically appear in the form of certificates or handwritten statements recording the free status of a Black or Multiracial person. They can include the free person's name, sometimes age, a brief physical description, and the circumstances of the person's freedom or emancipation, parents, former enslaver, place or date of emancipation. There are also affidavits that were given by individuals affirming a free person's status, as well as written descriptions of free people. In some cases, a person would not have a registration to submit to the court. Instead, they produced some other form of identification proving their free status, for example, a deed of emancipation, a will, an apprenticeship indenture, or an affidavit of someone testifying to their character and status.\n","Locality History:  Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n","\"Free Negro\" registrations, 1792-1861, were originally described as part of the Chesterfield County (Va.) Free and Enslaved Records, 1760-1862, but were removed to the present Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, record to enhance the context between record types in January 2026. \n","The \"Free Negro\" registers were originally described as Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Registers, 1804-1854, but was removed to the present Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, record to enhance the context between record types in January 2026.","\"Free Negro\" registrations were found among Chesterfield County (Va.) Dead Papers. They were processed, scanned, and indexed by S. Nerney, L. Neuroth, and LVA staff for the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative.","The \"Free Negro\" registers were processed by C. Childs circa 2003, and digital images of the \"Free Negro\" registers were produced by Backstage Library Works in 2021.","Encoded by C. Childs: July 2003; updated by C. Collins: January 2026.","See also:  Chesterfield County (Va.) Free and Enslaved Records, 1760-1862","Records related to free and enslaved people of Chesterfield County (Va.) and other localities are available through the  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website.","Additional Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  ”A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.”","Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, consist of 379 \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1804-1830; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1805-1863; and the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1853-1854.","Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1804-1830, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1804 to 1830. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.","Chesterfield County (Va.) Book of Estrays, 1804-1830, contains various records giving public notice of valuable, tame animals, either lost or found wandering and presumed escaped from their owners, allowing the owners to reclaim the animals. Entries generally indicate by whom the animal was taken up, before what justice the person went and when, and the description and appraisement (value) of the animal.","Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1830-1853, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1830 to 1853. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.","Chesterfield County (Va.) Book of Estrays, 1805-1863, contains various records giving public notice of valuable, tame animals, either lost or found wandering and presumed escaped from their owners, allowing the owners to reclaim the animals. Entries generally indicate by whom the animal was taken up, before what justice the person went and when, and the description and appraisement (value) of the animal.","Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1853-1854, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1853 to 1854. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.","The \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861, record the names of free Black and Multiracial people residing in Chesterfield County. A number of registrations correspond to entries in the \"Free Negro\" registers. There are multiple registrations for some individuals, as a 1793 law required registrations be renewed every three years. In general, renewal was enforced irregularly across different localities.","There are no restrictions.","Library of Virginia","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863"],"collection_ssim":["A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Circuit Court."],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Circuit Court."],"acqinfo_ssim":["These records were transferred to the Library of Virginia from Chesterfield County (Va.) as part of an undated accession. The free registers were microfilmed by\n            LVA's Imaging Services Branch at an unknown date."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":[".225 cu. ft.; 3 volumes; 1 microfilm reel"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, are digitized and available through \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/aan\"\u003eVirginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection\u003c/extref\u003e on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital images.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, are digitized and available through  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital images."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Chesterfield County \"Free Negro\" Registers are available on microfilm, Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel No. 351. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Alternative Form Available\n"],"altformavail_tesim":["The Chesterfield County \"Free Negro\" Registers are available on microfilm, Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel No. 351. \n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is arranged\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003clist type=\"simple\"\u003e\u003citem\u003eSeries I: Registers of \"Free Negroes,\" 1804-1863, arranged chronologically by entry date.\u003c/item\u003e\n\u003c/list\u003e\n\u003clist type=\"simple\"\u003e\u003citem\u003eSeries II: \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861, arranged chronologically.\u003c/item\u003e\n\u003c/list\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArranged chronologically by entry date\n      \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArranged chronologically \n\t\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection is arranged","Series I: Registers of \"Free Negroes,\" 1804-1863, arranged chronologically by entry date. Series II: \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861, arranged chronologically.","Arranged chronologically by entry date\n      ","Arranged chronologically \n\t"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eContext for Record Type:\u003c/emph\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"underline\"\u003e\"Free Negro\" Registers\u003c/emph\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1793, the Virginia General Assembly specified that \"free Negroes or mulattoes\" were required to be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the town clerk, which shall specify \"age, name, colour, and stature, by whom, and in what court the said negro or mulatto was emancipated; or that such negro or mulatto was born free.\" The process was extended to counties in 1803. Although some clerks were already recording such features, an 1834 Act of Assembly made it a uniform requirement to record identifying marks and scars and the instrument of emancipation, whether by deed or will. This bound register often coincided with a loose certificate containing largely the same identifying information. Both the registration system and the process of renewal was enforced differently in the various Virginia localities. Thus, the information found in these registers may differ from year to year and across localities.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe register books resulting from the administration of the 1793 and 1803 Act of Assembly are evidence of Virginia legislators' reaction to a quickly growing free Black and Multiracial population in Virginia in the post Revolutionary War period. Acts such as these allowed white officials to police the activities and movement of free Black community members throughout the state thereby restricting their autonomy. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"underline\"\u003e\"Free Negro\" Registrations\u003c/emph\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1793, the Virginia General Assembly specified that \"free Negroes or mulattoes\" were required to \"be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the town clerk, which shall specify age, name, color, status and by whom, and in what court emancipated.\" These entries often coincided with the creation of a loose certificate containing largely the same identifying information.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDocuments in this record group differ from the bound volumes referred to as \"registers.\" These registration records typically appear in the form of certificates or handwritten statements recording the free status of a Black or Multiracial person. They can include the free person's name, sometimes age, a brief physical description, and the circumstances of the person's freedom or emancipation, parents, former enslaver, place or date of emancipation. There are also affidavits that were given by individuals affirming a free person's status, as well as written descriptions of free people. In some cases, a person would not have a registration to submit to the court. Instead, they produced some other form of identification proving their free status, for example, a deed of emancipation, a will, an apprenticeship indenture, or an affidavit of someone testifying to their character and status.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eLocality History:\u003c/emph\u003e Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["Context for Record Type:","\"Free Negro\" Registers","In 1793, the Virginia General Assembly specified that \"free Negroes or mulattoes\" were required to be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the town clerk, which shall specify \"age, name, colour, and stature, by whom, and in what court the said negro or mulatto was emancipated; or that such negro or mulatto was born free.\" The process was extended to counties in 1803. Although some clerks were already recording such features, an 1834 Act of Assembly made it a uniform requirement to record identifying marks and scars and the instrument of emancipation, whether by deed or will. This bound register often coincided with a loose certificate containing largely the same identifying information. Both the registration system and the process of renewal was enforced differently in the various Virginia localities. Thus, the information found in these registers may differ from year to year and across localities.\n","The register books resulting from the administration of the 1793 and 1803 Act of Assembly are evidence of Virginia legislators' reaction to a quickly growing free Black and Multiracial population in Virginia in the post Revolutionary War period. Acts such as these allowed white officials to police the activities and movement of free Black community members throughout the state thereby restricting their autonomy. \n","\"Free Negro\" Registrations","In 1793, the Virginia General Assembly specified that \"free Negroes or mulattoes\" were required to \"be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the town clerk, which shall specify age, name, color, status and by whom, and in what court emancipated.\" These entries often coincided with the creation of a loose certificate containing largely the same identifying information.\n","Documents in this record group differ from the bound volumes referred to as \"registers.\" These registration records typically appear in the form of certificates or handwritten statements recording the free status of a Black or Multiracial person. They can include the free person's name, sometimes age, a brief physical description, and the circumstances of the person's freedom or emancipation, parents, former enslaver, place or date of emancipation. There are also affidavits that were given by individuals affirming a free person's status, as well as written descriptions of free people. In some cases, a person would not have a registration to submit to the court. Instead, they produced some other form of identification proving their free status, for example, a deed of emancipation, a will, an apprenticeship indenture, or an affidavit of someone testifying to their character and status.\n","Locality History:  Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\"Free Negro\" registrations, 1792-1861, were originally described as part of the Chesterfield County (Va.) Free and Enslaved Records, 1760-1862, but were removed to the present Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, record to enhance the context between record types in January 2026. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe \"Free Negro\" registers were originally described as Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Registers, 1804-1854, but was removed to the present Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, record to enhance the context between record types in January 2026.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\"Free Negro\" registrations were found among Chesterfield County (Va.) Dead Papers. They were processed, scanned, and indexed by S. Nerney, L. Neuroth, and LVA staff for the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe \"Free Negro\" registers were processed by C. Childs circa 2003, and digital images of the \"Free Negro\" registers were produced by Backstage Library Works in 2021.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by C. Childs: July 2003; updated by C. Collins: January 2026.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information\n"],"processinfo_tesim":["\"Free Negro\" registrations, 1792-1861, were originally described as part of the Chesterfield County (Va.) Free and Enslaved Records, 1760-1862, but were removed to the present Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, record to enhance the context between record types in January 2026. \n","The \"Free Negro\" registers were originally described as Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Registers, 1804-1854, but was removed to the present Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, record to enhance the context between record types in January 2026.","\"Free Negro\" registrations were found among Chesterfield County (Va.) Dead Papers. They were processed, scanned, and indexed by S. Nerney, L. Neuroth, and LVA staff for the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative.","The \"Free Negro\" registers were processed by C. Childs circa 2003, and digital images of the \"Free Negro\" registers were produced by Backstage Library Works in 2021.","Encoded by C. Childs: July 2003; updated by C. Collins: January 2026."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSee also: \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi04037.xml\"\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Free and Enslaved Records, 1760-1862\u003c/extref\u003e \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRecords related to free and enslaved people of Chesterfield County (Va.) and other localities are available through the \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/aan\"\u003eVirginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection\u003c/extref\u003e on the Library of Virginia website.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003e”A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.”\u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["See also:  Chesterfield County (Va.) Free and Enslaved Records, 1760-1862","Records related to free and enslaved people of Chesterfield County (Va.) and other localities are available through the  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website.","Additional Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  ”A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.”"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, consist of 379 \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1804-1830; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1805-1863; and the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1853-1854.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1804-1830, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1804 to 1830. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Book of Estrays, 1804-1830, contains various records giving public notice of valuable, tame animals, either lost or found wandering and presumed escaped from their owners, allowing the owners to reclaim the animals. Entries generally indicate by whom the animal was taken up, before what justice the person went and when, and the description and appraisement (value) of the animal.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1830-1853, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1830 to 1853. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Book of Estrays, 1805-1863, contains various records giving public notice of valuable, tame animals, either lost or found wandering and presumed escaped from their owners, allowing the owners to reclaim the animals. Entries generally indicate by whom the animal was taken up, before what justice the person went and when, and the description and appraisement (value) of the animal.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1853-1854, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1853 to 1854. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861, record the names of free Black and Multiracial people residing in Chesterfield County. A number of registrations correspond to entries in the \"Free Negro\" registers. There are multiple registrations for some individuals, as a 1793 law required registrations be renewed every three years. In general, renewal was enforced irregularly across different localities.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content Information"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, consist of 379 \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1804-1830; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1805-1863; and the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1853-1854.","Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1804-1830, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1804 to 1830. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.","Chesterfield County (Va.) Book of Estrays, 1804-1830, contains various records giving public notice of valuable, tame animals, either lost or found wandering and presumed escaped from their owners, allowing the owners to reclaim the animals. Entries generally indicate by whom the animal was taken up, before what justice the person went and when, and the description and appraisement (value) of the animal.","Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1830-1853, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1830 to 1853. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.","Chesterfield County (Va.) Book of Estrays, 1805-1863, contains various records giving public notice of valuable, tame animals, either lost or found wandering and presumed escaped from their owners, allowing the owners to reclaim the animals. Entries generally indicate by whom the animal was taken up, before what justice the person went and when, and the description and appraisement (value) of the animal.","Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1853-1854, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1853 to 1854. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.","The \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861, record the names of free Black and Multiracial people residing in Chesterfield County. A number of registrations correspond to entries in the \"Free Negro\" registers. There are multiple registrations for some individuals, as a 1793 law required registrations be renewed every three years. In general, renewal was enforced irregularly across different localities."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc label=\"Physical Location\"\u003eLibrary of Virginia\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Library of Virginia"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":6,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T09:07:31.961Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vi_vi00761","ead_ssi":"vi_vi00761","_root_":"vi_vi00761","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi00761","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi00761.xml","title_ssm":["A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863"],"title_tesim":["A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"normalized_title_ssm":["A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863"],"text":["A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863",".225 cu. ft.; 3 volumes; 1 microfilm reel","Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, are digitized and available through  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital images.","The Chesterfield County \"Free Negro\" Registers are available on microfilm, Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel No. 351. \n","This collection is arranged","Series I: Registers of \"Free Negroes,\" 1804-1863, arranged chronologically by entry date. Series II: \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861, arranged chronologically.","Arranged chronologically by entry date\n      ","Arranged chronologically \n\t","Context for Record Type:","\"Free Negro\" Registers","In 1793, the Virginia General Assembly specified that \"free Negroes or mulattoes\" were required to be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the town clerk, which shall specify \"age, name, colour, and stature, by whom, and in what court the said negro or mulatto was emancipated; or that such negro or mulatto was born free.\" The process was extended to counties in 1803. Although some clerks were already recording such features, an 1834 Act of Assembly made it a uniform requirement to record identifying marks and scars and the instrument of emancipation, whether by deed or will. This bound register often coincided with a loose certificate containing largely the same identifying information. Both the registration system and the process of renewal was enforced differently in the various Virginia localities. Thus, the information found in these registers may differ from year to year and across localities.\n","The register books resulting from the administration of the 1793 and 1803 Act of Assembly are evidence of Virginia legislators' reaction to a quickly growing free Black and Multiracial population in Virginia in the post Revolutionary War period. Acts such as these allowed white officials to police the activities and movement of free Black community members throughout the state thereby restricting their autonomy. \n","\"Free Negro\" Registrations","In 1793, the Virginia General Assembly specified that \"free Negroes or mulattoes\" were required to \"be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the town clerk, which shall specify age, name, color, status and by whom, and in what court emancipated.\" These entries often coincided with the creation of a loose certificate containing largely the same identifying information.\n","Documents in this record group differ from the bound volumes referred to as \"registers.\" These registration records typically appear in the form of certificates or handwritten statements recording the free status of a Black or Multiracial person. They can include the free person's name, sometimes age, a brief physical description, and the circumstances of the person's freedom or emancipation, parents, former enslaver, place or date of emancipation. There are also affidavits that were given by individuals affirming a free person's status, as well as written descriptions of free people. In some cases, a person would not have a registration to submit to the court. Instead, they produced some other form of identification proving their free status, for example, a deed of emancipation, a will, an apprenticeship indenture, or an affidavit of someone testifying to their character and status.\n","Locality History:  Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n","\"Free Negro\" registrations, 1792-1861, were originally described as part of the Chesterfield County (Va.) Free and Enslaved Records, 1760-1862, but were removed to the present Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, record to enhance the context between record types in January 2026. \n","The \"Free Negro\" registers were originally described as Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Registers, 1804-1854, but was removed to the present Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, record to enhance the context between record types in January 2026.","\"Free Negro\" registrations were found among Chesterfield County (Va.) Dead Papers. They were processed, scanned, and indexed by S. Nerney, L. Neuroth, and LVA staff for the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative.","The \"Free Negro\" registers were processed by C. Childs circa 2003, and digital images of the \"Free Negro\" registers were produced by Backstage Library Works in 2021.","Encoded by C. Childs: July 2003; updated by C. Collins: January 2026.","See also:  Chesterfield County (Va.) Free and Enslaved Records, 1760-1862","Records related to free and enslaved people of Chesterfield County (Va.) and other localities are available through the  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website.","Additional Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  ”A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.”","Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, consist of 379 \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1804-1830; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1805-1863; and the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1853-1854.","Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1804-1830, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1804 to 1830. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.","Chesterfield County (Va.) Book of Estrays, 1804-1830, contains various records giving public notice of valuable, tame animals, either lost or found wandering and presumed escaped from their owners, allowing the owners to reclaim the animals. Entries generally indicate by whom the animal was taken up, before what justice the person went and when, and the description and appraisement (value) of the animal.","Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1830-1853, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1830 to 1853. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.","Chesterfield County (Va.) Book of Estrays, 1805-1863, contains various records giving public notice of valuable, tame animals, either lost or found wandering and presumed escaped from their owners, allowing the owners to reclaim the animals. Entries generally indicate by whom the animal was taken up, before what justice the person went and when, and the description and appraisement (value) of the animal.","Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1853-1854, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1853 to 1854. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.","The \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861, record the names of free Black and Multiracial people residing in Chesterfield County. A number of registrations correspond to entries in the \"Free Negro\" registers. There are multiple registrations for some individuals, as a 1793 law required registrations be renewed every three years. In general, renewal was enforced irregularly across different localities.","There are no restrictions.","Library of Virginia","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863"],"collection_ssim":["A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Circuit Court."],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Circuit Court."],"acqinfo_ssim":["These records were transferred to the Library of Virginia from Chesterfield County (Va.) as part of an undated accession. The free registers were microfilmed by\n            LVA's Imaging Services Branch at an unknown date."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":[".225 cu. ft.; 3 volumes; 1 microfilm reel"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, are digitized and available through \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/aan\"\u003eVirginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection\u003c/extref\u003e on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital images.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, are digitized and available through  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital images."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Chesterfield County \"Free Negro\" Registers are available on microfilm, Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel No. 351. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Alternative Form Available\n"],"altformavail_tesim":["The Chesterfield County \"Free Negro\" Registers are available on microfilm, Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel No. 351. \n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is arranged\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003clist type=\"simple\"\u003e\u003citem\u003eSeries I: Registers of \"Free Negroes,\" 1804-1863, arranged chronologically by entry date.\u003c/item\u003e\n\u003c/list\u003e\n\u003clist type=\"simple\"\u003e\u003citem\u003eSeries II: \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861, arranged chronologically.\u003c/item\u003e\n\u003c/list\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArranged chronologically by entry date\n      \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArranged chronologically \n\t\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection is arranged","Series I: Registers of \"Free Negroes,\" 1804-1863, arranged chronologically by entry date. Series II: \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861, arranged chronologically.","Arranged chronologically by entry date\n      ","Arranged chronologically \n\t"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eContext for Record Type:\u003c/emph\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"underline\"\u003e\"Free Negro\" Registers\u003c/emph\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1793, the Virginia General Assembly specified that \"free Negroes or mulattoes\" were required to be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the town clerk, which shall specify \"age, name, colour, and stature, by whom, and in what court the said negro or mulatto was emancipated; or that such negro or mulatto was born free.\" The process was extended to counties in 1803. Although some clerks were already recording such features, an 1834 Act of Assembly made it a uniform requirement to record identifying marks and scars and the instrument of emancipation, whether by deed or will. This bound register often coincided with a loose certificate containing largely the same identifying information. Both the registration system and the process of renewal was enforced differently in the various Virginia localities. Thus, the information found in these registers may differ from year to year and across localities.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe register books resulting from the administration of the 1793 and 1803 Act of Assembly are evidence of Virginia legislators' reaction to a quickly growing free Black and Multiracial population in Virginia in the post Revolutionary War period. Acts such as these allowed white officials to police the activities and movement of free Black community members throughout the state thereby restricting their autonomy. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"underline\"\u003e\"Free Negro\" Registrations\u003c/emph\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1793, the Virginia General Assembly specified that \"free Negroes or mulattoes\" were required to \"be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the town clerk, which shall specify age, name, color, status and by whom, and in what court emancipated.\" These entries often coincided with the creation of a loose certificate containing largely the same identifying information.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDocuments in this record group differ from the bound volumes referred to as \"registers.\" These registration records typically appear in the form of certificates or handwritten statements recording the free status of a Black or Multiracial person. They can include the free person's name, sometimes age, a brief physical description, and the circumstances of the person's freedom or emancipation, parents, former enslaver, place or date of emancipation. There are also affidavits that were given by individuals affirming a free person's status, as well as written descriptions of free people. In some cases, a person would not have a registration to submit to the court. Instead, they produced some other form of identification proving their free status, for example, a deed of emancipation, a will, an apprenticeship indenture, or an affidavit of someone testifying to their character and status.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eLocality History:\u003c/emph\u003e Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["Context for Record Type:","\"Free Negro\" Registers","In 1793, the Virginia General Assembly specified that \"free Negroes or mulattoes\" were required to be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the town clerk, which shall specify \"age, name, colour, and stature, by whom, and in what court the said negro or mulatto was emancipated; or that such negro or mulatto was born free.\" The process was extended to counties in 1803. Although some clerks were already recording such features, an 1834 Act of Assembly made it a uniform requirement to record identifying marks and scars and the instrument of emancipation, whether by deed or will. This bound register often coincided with a loose certificate containing largely the same identifying information. Both the registration system and the process of renewal was enforced differently in the various Virginia localities. Thus, the information found in these registers may differ from year to year and across localities.\n","The register books resulting from the administration of the 1793 and 1803 Act of Assembly are evidence of Virginia legislators' reaction to a quickly growing free Black and Multiracial population in Virginia in the post Revolutionary War period. Acts such as these allowed white officials to police the activities and movement of free Black community members throughout the state thereby restricting their autonomy. \n","\"Free Negro\" Registrations","In 1793, the Virginia General Assembly specified that \"free Negroes or mulattoes\" were required to \"be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the town clerk, which shall specify age, name, color, status and by whom, and in what court emancipated.\" These entries often coincided with the creation of a loose certificate containing largely the same identifying information.\n","Documents in this record group differ from the bound volumes referred to as \"registers.\" These registration records typically appear in the form of certificates or handwritten statements recording the free status of a Black or Multiracial person. They can include the free person's name, sometimes age, a brief physical description, and the circumstances of the person's freedom or emancipation, parents, former enslaver, place or date of emancipation. There are also affidavits that were given by individuals affirming a free person's status, as well as written descriptions of free people. In some cases, a person would not have a registration to submit to the court. Instead, they produced some other form of identification proving their free status, for example, a deed of emancipation, a will, an apprenticeship indenture, or an affidavit of someone testifying to their character and status.\n","Locality History:  Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\"Free Negro\" registrations, 1792-1861, were originally described as part of the Chesterfield County (Va.) Free and Enslaved Records, 1760-1862, but were removed to the present Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, record to enhance the context between record types in January 2026. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe \"Free Negro\" registers were originally described as Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Registers, 1804-1854, but was removed to the present Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, record to enhance the context between record types in January 2026.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\"Free Negro\" registrations were found among Chesterfield County (Va.) Dead Papers. They were processed, scanned, and indexed by S. Nerney, L. Neuroth, and LVA staff for the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe \"Free Negro\" registers were processed by C. Childs circa 2003, and digital images of the \"Free Negro\" registers were produced by Backstage Library Works in 2021.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by C. Childs: July 2003; updated by C. Collins: January 2026.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information\n"],"processinfo_tesim":["\"Free Negro\" registrations, 1792-1861, were originally described as part of the Chesterfield County (Va.) Free and Enslaved Records, 1760-1862, but were removed to the present Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, record to enhance the context between record types in January 2026. \n","The \"Free Negro\" registers were originally described as Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Registers, 1804-1854, but was removed to the present Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, record to enhance the context between record types in January 2026.","\"Free Negro\" registrations were found among Chesterfield County (Va.) Dead Papers. They were processed, scanned, and indexed by S. Nerney, L. Neuroth, and LVA staff for the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative.","The \"Free Negro\" registers were processed by C. Childs circa 2003, and digital images of the \"Free Negro\" registers were produced by Backstage Library Works in 2021.","Encoded by C. Childs: July 2003; updated by C. Collins: January 2026."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSee also: \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi04037.xml\"\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Free and Enslaved Records, 1760-1862\u003c/extref\u003e \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRecords related to free and enslaved people of Chesterfield County (Va.) and other localities are available through the \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/aan\"\u003eVirginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection\u003c/extref\u003e on the Library of Virginia website.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003e”A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.”\u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["See also:  Chesterfield County (Va.) Free and Enslaved Records, 1760-1862","Records related to free and enslaved people of Chesterfield County (Va.) and other localities are available through the  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website.","Additional Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  ”A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.”"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, consist of 379 \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1804-1830; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1805-1863; and the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1853-1854.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1804-1830, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1804 to 1830. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Book of Estrays, 1804-1830, contains various records giving public notice of valuable, tame animals, either lost or found wandering and presumed escaped from their owners, allowing the owners to reclaim the animals. Entries generally indicate by whom the animal was taken up, before what justice the person went and when, and the description and appraisement (value) of the animal.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1830-1853, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1830 to 1853. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Book of Estrays, 1805-1863, contains various records giving public notice of valuable, tame animals, either lost or found wandering and presumed escaped from their owners, allowing the owners to reclaim the animals. Entries generally indicate by whom the animal was taken up, before what justice the person went and when, and the description and appraisement (value) of the animal.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1853-1854, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1853 to 1854. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861, record the names of free Black and Multiracial people residing in Chesterfield County. A number of registrations correspond to entries in the \"Free Negro\" registers. There are multiple registrations for some individuals, as a 1793 law required registrations be renewed every three years. In general, renewal was enforced irregularly across different localities.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content Information"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, 1792-1863, consist of 379 \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1804-1830; the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register and Book of Estrays, 1805-1863; and the Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1853-1854.","Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1804-1830, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1804 to 1830. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.","Chesterfield County (Va.) Book of Estrays, 1804-1830, contains various records giving public notice of valuable, tame animals, either lost or found wandering and presumed escaped from their owners, allowing the owners to reclaim the animals. Entries generally indicate by whom the animal was taken up, before what justice the person went and when, and the description and appraisement (value) of the animal.","Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1830-1853, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1830 to 1853. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.","Chesterfield County (Va.) Book of Estrays, 1805-1863, contains various records giving public notice of valuable, tame animals, either lost or found wandering and presumed escaped from their owners, allowing the owners to reclaim the animals. Entries generally indicate by whom the animal was taken up, before what justice the person went and when, and the description and appraisement (value) of the animal.","Chesterfield County (Va.) \"Free Negro\" Register, 1853-1854, records the registration of free Black and Multiracial people of Black descent in Chesterfield County and covers the years 1853 to 1854. The clerk recorded name, age, height, complexion, marks and scars, and in what court the person was emancipated or if the person was born free. There is no index. It includes page numbers. In some instances, the clerk recorded information not required by law such as the name of the former enslaver, previous place of registration, or place of birth.","The \"Free Negro\" registrations, affidavits, and certificates, 1792-1861, record the names of free Black and Multiracial people residing in Chesterfield County. A number of registrations correspond to entries in the \"Free Negro\" registers. There are multiple registrations for some individuals, as a 1793 law required registrations be renewed every three years. In general, renewal was enforced irregularly across different localities."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc label=\"Physical Location\"\u003eLibrary of Virginia\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Library of Virginia"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":6,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T09:07:31.961Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi00761"}}],"included":[{"type":"facet","id":"repository_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Repository","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Library of Virginia","value":"Library of Virginia","hits":1},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Library+of+Virginia\u0026view=compact"}}]},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/facet/repository_ssim.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"facet","id":"collection_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Collection","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863","value":"A Guide to the Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Records related to the Registration of Free Persons, \n         \n         1792-1863","hits":1},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=A+Guide+to+the+Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Records+related+to+the+Registration+of+Free+Persons%2C+%0A+++++++++%0A+++++++++1792-1863\u0026f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026view=compact"}}]},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/facet/collection_ssim.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"facet","id":"creator_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Creator","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Circuit Court.","value":"Chesterfield County\n         (Va.) Circuit Court.","hits":1},"links":{"remove":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026view=compact"}}]},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/facet/creator_ssim.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"facet","id":"level_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Level","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Collection","value":"Collection","hits":1},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Collection\u0026view=compact"}}]},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/facet/level_ssim.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"all_fields","attributes":{"label":"All Fields"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026search_field=all_fields\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"keyword","attributes":{"label":"Keyword"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026search_field=keyword\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"name","attributes":{"label":"Name"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026search_field=name\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"place","attributes":{"label":"Place"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026search_field=place\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"subject","attributes":{"label":"Subject"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026search_field=subject\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"title","attributes":{"label":"Title"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026search_field=title\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"container","attributes":{"label":"Container"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026search_field=container\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"search_field","id":"identifier","attributes":{"label":"Identifier"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026search_field=identifier\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"sort","id":"score desc, title_sort asc","attributes":{"label":"relevance"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026sort=score+desc%2C+title_sort+asc\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"sort","id":"date_sort asc","attributes":{"label":"date (ascending)"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026sort=date_sort+asc\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"sort","id":"date_sort desc","attributes":{"label":"date (descending)"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026sort=date_sort+desc\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"sort","id":"creator_sort asc","attributes":{"label":"creator (A-Z)"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026sort=creator_sort+asc\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"sort","id":"creator_sort desc","attributes":{"label":"creator (Z-A)"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026sort=creator_sort+desc\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"sort","id":"title_sort asc","attributes":{"label":"title (A-Z)"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026sort=title_sort+asc\u0026view=compact"}},{"type":"sort","id":"title_sort desc","attributes":{"label":"title (Z-A)"},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County%0A+++++++++%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court.\u0026sort=title_sort+desc\u0026view=compact"}}]}