Powhatan County (Va.) Slave Patrol Appointments, 1794-1866

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:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Powhatan County (Va.) Slave Patrol Appointments, 1794-1866, Local government records collection, Powhatan County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Summary

Creator:
Powhatan County (Va.) Circuit Court.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Powhatan County (Va.) Slave Patrol Appointments, 1794-1866, Local government records collection, Powhatan County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

Powhatan County (Va.) Slave Patrol Appointments, 1794-1866. Slave Patrol Appointments contain appointments, orders and returns for payment of men appointed to patrol for runaways and criminal activity among the enslaved population. The patrol returns list the names of patrollers, dates and/or hours served on the slave patrol, and occasionally the amount of money to be paid. The captain of the patrol is usually indicated. The patrol orders and appointments are directives by the justice of the peace for specifically named men to patrol the county for a specific amount of time.

Biographical / historical:

Powhatan County was named for the Indian chieftain who ruled the Native American inhabitants of tidewater Virginia in the early seventeenth century. It was formed from Cumberland County in 1777, and part of Chesterfield County was added later.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Powhatan County.
Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
.70 cu. ft. (2 boxes)