Collections : [Library of Virginia]

Materials in the Library of Virginia's collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Amherst County (Va.) Board of Overseer of the Poor Minutes is one volume dated 1844-1870. The minutes give the names of people receiving financial support, food, and clothing, as well as those removing to other states and the burial of the deceased. The minutes also include the details of the collection of the levy for the poor and how the money was spent. In addition, a report of the business of the poorhouse is contained in the minutes.

Amherst County (Va.) Certificates of Importation, 1792-1853, sometimes entitled certificates of nonimportation, contain information whereby an enslaver swears that they have not imported the enslaved person from Africa and that the enslaver has not brought the enslaved person into Virginia with the purpose of selling the enslaved person. The enslaved person is sometimes named, but not always, and occasionally information is given as to age, birthdate, and the state the individuals are moving from.

Amherst County Court Records, (Va.), 1837-1849. The collection contains three letters removed from Amherst County court records. The letters contain the surnames Goodloe, Coleman, Tinsley, Ware, Mosby, Rose, and Carter.

Amherst County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1820-1845, primarily record the declarations of individuals seeking to obtain Revolutionary War pensions provided by various acts of Congress. The applicants present detailed testimony of their time of service during the Revolutionary War. Information found in the declarations include date and location applicants entered into service, names of military companies they served in, names of military commanders they served under, names of fellow soldiers they served with, length of service, their age, and their place of birth. The predominant portion of the declarations are narratives of their tours of duty during the Revolutionary War with emphasis on battles they fought. The declarations also include affidavits from witnesses who could verify information provided by applicants.

Amherst County (Va.) Deeds, 1771-1894 (bulk 1797-1871) consist of deeds recorded and unrecorded of bargain and sale, deeds of gift, mortgages, bills of sale, and deeds of trust. On presentation to the court, deeds were proved and recorded. If the deed was not witnessed, the grantor acknowledged the deed in open court. A few of the deeds include plats. Except for a few years early in the eighteenth century, enslaved people in Virginia were considered personal property and were often transferred in deeds of gift or were the property listed in mortgages and deeds of trust.

Amherst County (Va.) Deeds and processioners' accounts, 1797-1866 consist of unprocessed processioners' accounts and deeds of bargain and sale, deeds of gift, mortgages, deeds of trust, and deeds of emancipation. On presentation to the court, deeds were proved and recorded. If the deed was not witnessed, the grantor acknowledged the deed in open court. A few of the deeds include plats. Except for a few years early in the eighteenth century, slaves in Virginia were considered personal property and consequently were not usually sold by deed. However, they were often transferred in deeds of gift or were the property listed in mortgages and deeds of trust.

The Amherst County (Va.) Free and Enslaved Records, 1816-1826, consist of Patrol Records, 1826; a declaration, undated; an order of execution, 1820; and an order and report of sale, 1816-1817.

Amherst County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), 1814-1819, consist of suits initiated by slaves seeking to gain their freedom on the law side of the court. Cases are identified by style of suit consisting of plaintiff and defendant names. Surnames of others involved in a suit, including secondary plaintiffs and defendants, witnesses, deponents and affiants, and family members with surnames different from the plaintiff or defendant are indexed. Also identified are names of slaves and slaveowners found in suit as well as whether slave(s) won their freedom. Predominant documents found in freedom suits include petitions, records of suits, depositions, affidavits, wills, among other items. Information found in documents include slave's argument for freedom, acquisition of slaves by slaveowners, slave ancestry, and relationship between slaves and slaveowners.

Amherst County (Va.) Minute Books,1825-1846, record all matters brought before the court on a daily basis when it was in session including but not limited to: civil and criminal suits, appointments of county officers, appointments of guardians and administrators, deed recordings, free negro registrations, naturalization registrations, and court fees. Clerks would transfer information from minute books to appropriate order book, deed book, fiduciary book, free negro register, etc. Collection inculdes minute books from the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery.