A Guide to the Lancaster County (Va.) Free Negro and Slave Records, Register of Free Negroes, 1803-1860

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

microfilm, Lancaster County, Reel 337.

Preferred citation:

Lancaster County Register of Free Negroes, 1803-1860. Lancaster County Reel 337. Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Creator:
Lancaster County (Va.)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Lancaster County Register of Free Negroes, 1803-1860. Lancaster County Reel 337. Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The volume covers the years 1803-1860.

Biographical / historical:

Lancaster County was formed in 1651 from Northumberland and York Counties.

An act passed by the Virginia legislature in 1803 required every free negro or mulatto to be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the county clerk. The register listed the age, name, color, stature, marks or scars, in what court the person was emancipated or whether the person was born free. Some clerks recorded additional information not required by the law.

Acquisition information:
Original volume transferred from Lancaster County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Volume microfilmed by LVA-ISB.
Arrangement:

Chronological.

Physical location:
Library of Virginia, Local Government Records Collection, Lancaster County.
Physical description:
1 volume. 72 pages.