Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Powhatan County (Va.) Slave Patrol Appointments, 1794-1866, Local government records collection, Powhatan County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Powhatan County.

Historical Information

Powhatan County was named for the Indian chieftain who ruled the Native American inhabitants of tidewater Virginia in the early seventeenth century. It was formed from Cumberland County in 1777, and part of Chesterfield County was added later.

Scope and Content

Powhatan County (Va.) Slave Patrol Appointments, 1794-1866. Slave Patrol Appointments contain appointments, orders and returns for payment of men appointed to patrol for runaways and criminal activity among the enslaved population. The patrol returns list the names of patrollers, dates and/or hours served on the slave patrol, and occasionally the amount of money to be paid. The captain of the patrol is usually indicated. The patrol orders and appointments are directives by the justice of the peace for specifically named men to patrol the county for a specific amount of time.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Powhatan County (Va.) Circuit Court

Subjects:

• Slavery--Law and legislation--Virginia--Powhatan County.

Geographical Names:

• Powhatan County (Va.)--History.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Local government records--Virginia--Powhatan County.