A Collection in the Library of Virginia
Microfilm reel number Northampton County (Va.) Reel Number 81
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia 800 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000 USA Phone: (804) 692-3888 (Archives Reference) Fax: (804) 692-3556 (Archives Reference) Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives) URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/
Northampton County is an original Shire. Previously named Accomac County from 1634 to 1643.
An act passed by the Virginia legislature in 1803 required every free negro or mulatto to be registered and numbered in a
book to be kept by the city clerk.
The Northampton County (Va.) Register of Free Negroes, ca. 1840-1847, lists the age, name, color, stature, marks or scars,
in what court the person was emancipated or whether the person was born free. Some clerks recorded additional information
not required by the law.
Additional Northampton County Free Negro and Slave Records can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult
"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm" found on the Library of Virginia web site.