These records are part of the Revolutionary War / Government record group (R.G. 2)
Arranged chronologically.
Use microfilm when available.
Records of the Virginia Board of Trade, 1779-1780. Accession 54446, State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
Acquired prior to 1905.
The Board of Trade was established by the General Assembly by an act passed at its May 1779 session. The board not only assumed the duties of the state agent for obtaining military supplies, but also procured,imported, and stockpiled raw materials and products for public consumption. The board worked closely with the Governor, Council and Board of War, as well as sellers and agents, to acquire, manufacture and distribute essential provisions required for the war effort. The board was abolished by an act of the General Assembly passed at its May 1780 session and was replaced by the commercial agent. The Board of Trade included Jacquelin Ambler, Duncan Rose and Thomas Whiting.
Virginia Board of Trade records include a minute book and papers.
For additional records see the Governor's Executive Papers for this time period.
This minute book documents the actions of the Board of Trade, which met almost daily. Entries relate to supplies for the government and troops, enslaved labor, land and ships. Also includes copies of correspondence, orders, resolutions and warrants.to order the purchase of supplies, including salt, sugar, soap, leather, enslaved individuals for the Public Foundry, and clothing for troops in Georgia.
Supplies for the state include arms, food and spirits (beef, bread, corn, flour, peas, pork, rice, rum, salt, sugar), clothing (hats, shirts, shoes, stockings), and other miscellaneous items (blankets, candles, leather, soap, tar, tools, window glass).
Several specific items of mention include: use of enslaved labor for the public ropewalk (1779 Dec 3); Lewis, owned by Mr. Langley (1779 Dec 4); clothing, provisions and other necessaries for enslaved laborers and tradesmen employed by the public foundry, and clothing for Col. Parker's regiment in Georgia (1779 Dec 17); Public shipyard and Mssr. Penet (1779 Dec 18); supplies from Bermuda (1779 Dec 23); purchase of enslaved individuals for the use of the Commonwealth, which includes names from the Bristow estate in Gloucester Co. (1780 Jan 26); purchase of land for the public foundry (1780 Jan 26); bills of exchange drawn on Mssr. Penet and Co. in favor of Col. George Rogers Clarke to pay Col. Legas and Col. Lintot (1780 Jan 27); Bristow escheated estate purchase (1780 Feb 5); purchase of enslaved individuals from an escheated estate in Hanover Co. (1780 Mar 13); articles supplied to troops (1780 Mar 13); purchase and sale of ships (1780 Mar 25); and purchase and sale of enslaved individuals, including names and amounts from the Bristow estate, Harmon estate and King estate (1780 Apr 5).
Also available on Miscellaneous Reel 638.
Papers, 1779-1780, consist mainly of accounts, correspondence, proceedings, receipts, resolutions, and returns. These papers are related to the procurement and furnishing goods and military supplies, and also refer to enslaved labor. Goods and supplies include food items and spirits (rum, salt), clothing and personal items (cloth, paper) and guns.
Correspondence relates to purchase of supplies, contracting for goods, furnishing sundries to troops (Southern troops, 1st Regiment Artillery and Dragoons); purchase of land, enslaved individuals and stock late the property of Mr. Baine; and purchase of enslaved individuals from the Bristow, Harman and King estates with lists of names.
Accounts and receipts include those related to clothes for Negro Dick on the Schooner Eastern Shore Betsy (Capt. Burch), sundries for the Brig Betsy, rum for the Schooner Mayflower, and tobacco at Falmouth Warehouse and Royston's Warehouse.
Journal entry relates to orders to purchase tobacco and cloth, warrants for payment, and the appointment of William Russell as clerk.
Proceedings and correspondence regarding the salt works include a resolution of the General Assembly, 1779 June 25, directing the Board of Trade to examine the state of the public salt works in Gloucester Co., Isle of Wight Co., and Northumberland Co. to determine the state of disrepair and to recommend sale, rent or continuation of operation.
Returns include: Return of shirts, stockings, and shoes for non-commissioned officers, privates and drummers of Col. Buford's Battalion now at Petersburg under the command of Gen. Scott, 1779 Nov 3; Return of clothing for the Continental officers of Col. Buford's Battalion now at Petersburg, 1779 Nov.; and a Return of rum, sugar, coffee and tea for officers of Col. Burford's battalion under Gen. Scott, 1779 Nov and Dec (includes officer names and amounts).
Available on Miscellaneous Reel 568.