Record Book Listing of Enslaved People of the Massie Family

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Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Materials in this collection, which were created in 1823-1863, are in the public domain. Permission to publish or reproduce is not required.

Preferred citation:

MSS 12705, Record Book Listing of Enslaved People of the Massie Family, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Summary

Extent:
2 Volumes
Creator:
Massie, William, 1795-1862 and Massie, Thomas, Major, 1747-1834
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

MSS 12705, Record Book Listing of Enslaved People of the Massie Family, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains two bound volumes of record books from the Massie family of Virginia.

The cover of the first volume bears the handwritten label "Stock Book, Va. Negroes Ages [?] from 1739." This volume contains information on enslaved people claimed in ownership by the family, giving name, parentage, date of birth and occasionally status (deceased, sold). The oldest enslaved person recorded was born in 1739. In a few instances, fathers are listed as well as mothers. The volume also lists stock, and farm tools, owned in the years 1783, 1785, 1786, 1789, 1790, and 1793. Most of the information in the volume appears to be compiled from sources not now present.

The cover of the second volume bears the handwritten label "Negro Book," a list of years from 1851 to 1858, and includes an outline drawing of two individuals with short, curly hair. The illustration was likely created to represent the people documented within, though the drawing may reflect the racial attitudes of that time. The second volume dates 1850-1863, contains accounts of individual enslaved persons, and identifies the person who claimed ownership of them. Enslaved people received credit for extra work or work done for people outside the Massie family. Purchases made by enslaved people against their earnings include food, clothing and whiskey. Of interest are accounts for skilled workers including William, a cooper, Brock, Edmund and Julius, blacksmiths, and Squire and Dan, carpenters.

The Massie family plantations were named Level Green, Pharsalia, Tyro and Montebello.

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Biographical / historical:

Thomas Massie (1747-1834) was a Revolutionary War officer, plantation owner, and enslaver, who established his family in Nelson County, Virginia.

William Massie (1795-1862), the son of Thomas Massie, was a plantation owner, miller, and enslaver in Nelson County, Virginia. He also served a term in the Virginia legislature.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard