Southampton County (Va.) Free Negro and Slave Records, 1754-1861, consist of Deeds, 1822 and 1845; Fiduciary records, 1848,; "Free Negro" Tax records, 1791-1861; Patrol Records, 1754-1861; "Runaway" records, 1798 and 1852; and additional records of various record types, 1798-1852.

Deeds, 1822 and 1845, consist of two bills of sale the first, 1822, between William Owens and Leaonard Cobb, for the transfer of Tom, Davy, Ben, and Simon, four Black men enslaved by William Owens; and the last, 1845, between Eglantine Joyner, a free Black woman, and William Babb, transferring Henry Joyner to Babbs, until Henry arrives at the age of 21.

Fiduciary records, 1848, contain dower records, 1848, of Mary W. Kellos, which consist of a list of names and birth dates of 17 individuals enslaved by Kellos with addition documents providing information as to the birth and death dates of some of the enslaved individuals.

"Free Negro" Tax records, 1791-1861, consists of "Free Negro Tax Lists",1801-1831, and "Free Nego Delinquent Tax Lists,"1791-1861

"Free Negro Tax Lists," 1791-1860, are lists Black and multiracial individuals compiled by a revenue commissioner for tax purposes. Lists may contain name only; they may also include gender, age, place of residence, and occupation. Lists of individuals who haven't paid taxes sometimes contain amount of tax levied, and remarks about why the tax was not paid. Theses records contain lists from Nottoway Parish, 1801 and 1817, 1821, 1822 and 1826 [oversize]; St. Luke's Parish, 1801, 1803, 1812 [oversize], and 1819; the District of Samuel Calvert, 1804-1805; the District of Ephraim Lee, 1807; a list dated 1821 Sep 6, and a list dated 1831 Dec.

Also included "Free Negro Delinquent Tax Lists," 1791-1861, which consist of list of "Insolvent Free Negroes," 1791-1792; lists of "Insolvents and Non-Inhabitants," in the St. Luke's Parish, 1800 and 1858-1860; Upper District, St. Luke's Parish, 1852-1857; Lower District, St. Luke's Parish, 1857 and undated; Nottoway Parish, 1800-1801 and 1859-1860; lists of "Individuals Returned Delinquent," 1814-1815; 1821, and undated; and lists of Individuals "Ordered for sale for Non-Payment of Taxes," 1826-1828.

Patrol Records, 1754-1861, undated, consist of one box of patrol reports, appointments, orders, and warrants. These patrols generally acted as the policing force that monitored the movement of free and enslaved Black and multiracial individuals. These record the names of the individuals on patrol; who authorized their patrol; dates of patrol; the number of hours on patrol; general geographic area patrolled; and compensation awarded. Some returns specifically note the objective to "apprehend all slaves and other disorderly persons," or "to visit all negro quarters, and other places suspected of entertaining unlawful assemblies of servants, slaves, or of disorderly persons."

"Runaway" records, 1798 and 1852, consists of a commit order, 1798, committing Robert, a Black man enslaved by Joel Judkins of North Carolina, to jail for suspicion of self-emancipating; and a jailor's report, 1852, concerning Dennis Sycamore, a Black man, stating his legal status is free but has been charged with self-emancipating.

Additional records of various record types, 1798-1852, consist of a bond, 1814, for James Jones under condition of allowing Joice, Esther, Harry, Jenny, Annah, and Mary currently enslaved by Jones to petition for their freedom at the next court.

Also includes, a certificate, 1824, of good character made on behalf of Stepney, a formerly enslaved Black man [possibly made in effort to petition to remain in the commonwealth, petition noted as rejected].

Also, includes an order, 1804, to recover Cato and Henry, two Black men enslaved by William Blake, suspected of being transported illegally to South Carolina (illegally sold to Blake by John Derring).

Also, includes, a petition, 1830, of Moses Pretton, "a free man of colour," made in an effort to secure license to carry a firearm.

Lastly, includes records concerning James Brooks, 1759-1760, consist of a will, bills of sale, and affidavits, related to James Brooks, a formerly enslaved Black man, being purchased by James Brooks, Jr., his son, from John Buckner.