Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Henry County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), 1773-1831. Local government records collection, Henry County (Va.) 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 Henry County.

Historical Information

Henry County was named for Patrick Henry, who was the first governor of the commonwealth of Virginia. It was formed from Pittsylvania County in 1776. The county court first met on 20 January 1777. Part of Patrick County was added later in 1858. The county seat was previously in Martinsville but has been moved near Collinsville.

Slaves could sue for emancipation if they were descendant(s) of a free female ancestor, typically a Native American (Hening Statutes, volume 2, p.170.)

Scope and Content

Henry County (Va.) County Judgments (Freedom Suits), 1773-1831, consist of two freedom suits: Hannah~ alias Hannah Fender or Fendley vs. John Marr and a writ of habeas corpus petition filed by Robert Bird.

Related Material

Additional Henry County court records can be found at the Library of Virginia.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Henry County (Va.) Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• African Americans -- History -- Virginia -- Henry County.
• Slaveholders -- Virginia -- Henry County.
• Slavery -- Virginia -- Henry County.

Geographical Names:

• Henry County (Va.) -- History.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Civil actions -- Virginia -- Henry County.
• Freedom suits -- Virginia -- Henry County.
• Judicial records -- Virginia -- Henry County.
• Local government records -- Virginia -- Henry County.

Adjunct Descriptive Data