Giles County (Va.) Free Negro and Slave Records, 1817-1864

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

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Free Negro and Slave Records, 1817-1864, of Giles County (Va.) include certificates of free negroes (1850), lists of free negroes (1817-1863), a list of free negroes and mulattoes (1844), the order for the requisition of slaves for the public defense (1863), a requisition for free negroes for the public defense (1864), petition of re-enslavementand !860),and a register of free negroes (1861).

Certificates of free negroes contain the name of the free person, sometimes their age and a brief physical description, and a statement based either on another person's knowledge or on other official documentary evidence seen by the certifier that this person was either born free or was emancipated. If born free, reference is sometimes made to parents. If emancipated, emancipating owner, place and date of emancipation, and prior registration as a free negro are usually mentioned.

Lists of free negroes (and mulattoes) contain names, gender, residence, and trade of each free negro.

1863 order, at the request of the President of the Confederate States, "An Act to Further Provide for the Public Defence," was passed by the Virginia General Assembly directing that certain counties submit a specified number of slaves for labor on fortifications and other aspects of the public defence.

Requisition for free negroes to supply the places of soldiers detailed in the ranks as mechanics and laborers, signed by the authorizing Confederate officers.

Petition of re-enslavement of Martha Brown, 1860. She petitions the court to be enslaved to William W. McComas.

The register of free negroes contains the name and birthdate of the persons listed.

Biographical / historical:

Giles County was formed in 1806 from Montgomery, Monroe (West Virginia), and Tazewell Counties. Part of Wythe County added in 1808, parts of Tazewell County added in 1826 and 1836, part of Monroe (West Virginia) County added in 1829, part of Mercer (West Virginia) was added in 1841, and part of Craig County added in 1858.

Acquisition information:
This item came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Giles County.
Arrangement:

Chronological by record type.

Physical description:
.125 cubic feet ca.