Collections

York County (Va.) Wills, 1719-1885, record the deceased's plan for how his or her estate was to be divided among his or her heirs following his or her death. Information commonly recorded in wills include the name of the deceased, also referred as the testator; names of heirs; a listing of real and personal property (including slaves) and how it was to be divided among the heirs; names of individuals who were to be the will's executors; the date will was written; and the date will was recorded at the court house.

York County (Va) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1776-1868, are investigations into the deaths of individuals who died by a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious manner, or died without medical attendance. Causes of death found in coroners' inquisitions include murder, infanticide, suicide, domestic violence, exposure to elements, drownings, train accidents, automobile accidents, and natural causes, or as commonly referred to in the 19th century, visitation by God. Documents commonly found in coroners' inquests include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Criminal papers such as recognizance bonds can be found in coroner inquisitions. Information found in the inquisition include the name of the coroner, the names of the jurors, the name and age of the deceased if known, gender and race of the deceased, and when, how, and by what means the deceased came to his or her death. If the deceased was African American, the inquest would identify the deceased as a slave or free person if known. If the deceased was a slave, the inquest would include, if known, the name of the slaveowner and the slaveowner's residence. Information found in the depositions include the name of the deponent and his or her account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased. Slaves were deponents in coroner investigations.

York County (Va.) Free Negro and Slave Records, 1806-1861. The collection contains a petition to allow John Wallace DeRozaro, a free person of color, to keep firearms, 1806; an affidavit certifying the emancipation of Joe from Sarah Cary, 1811; William Newman's application to remain in the state as a free man, 1817; two depositions relative to the desertion of slave Prince to the British, 1822; a bill of sale for the sale of Billy, formerly belonging to the Hubbard family, from the estate of William Gilliam, 1826; the application of William Newman to remain in York County as a free man, 1817; the free Negro registration of John Roberts, 1833; an order advising the Overseers of the Poor to bind out an orphan child, 1837; a warrant to commit Otway Sparrow as a runaway, 1845; an affidavit certifying the free birth in York County of Harriet Banks, 1859; a list of free negroes returned for nonpayment of the capitation tax, 1861; and an undated free negro registration for William and Thomas James.