The Certificates, 1780-1783, are housed in 36 boxes, and are arranged alphabetically by locality name (with cities located at the rear of the collection), then alphabetically by surname of the claimant. This series consists of the certificates issued by commissioners of the provision law to persons whose property was impressed for public use during the Revolutionary War. The front of each certificate includes the date, a description of the item impressed (including weight or quantity), its value, and the name of the person from whom it was taken. The reverse of the certificate may contain an assignment of the right to reimbursement signed by the original owner. Includes claims for impressed property such as brandy, whiskey, beef, bacon, hay, flour, corn, wheat, horses, wagons, rifles and blankets, and for such services as driving cattle, riding express and shoeing horses.

The names of persons to whom certificates were issued have been cataloged and indexed.

Twenty-seven negative photostat volumes are also available. Note that these only show the front of the certificate.

Arranged alphabetically by locality, and by surname thereunder.

Claims Reaudited, 1779-1786, are arranged alphabetically by surname of claimant and include orders for payment, certificates and vouchers, as well as a few warrants. Records include the date, a description of the item impressed (including weight or quantity), its value, and the name of the person from whom it was taken or to whom money was owed. Contains claims for impressed property such as brandy, whiskey, beef, bacon, hay, corn and wheat, and for horses and wagons. Also includes other claims for: pension for injuries sustained during the war (Edward Childs, John Kenney); pension for expedition against the indians (Thomas Baker); moving British prisoners (Thomas Taylor); State Foundry expenses (Thomas Reynolds); and for removing public records and papers from Williamsburg (Jane Worsham).

During its session begun on May 6, 1782 the General Assembly passed an act authorizing the Auditor of Public Accounts to settle public claims submitted by local courts. During its session begun on October 7, 1782 the General Assembly amended this act to require the auditor to reaudit warrants issued for paper money used for property impressed for public use, and to grant other warrants in specie. The General Assembly amended the act again during its session begun on May 7, 1783 and appointed two commissioners to settle public claims.

The names of persons recorded in these claims have been cataloged and indexed.

Arranged alphabetically by surname.

Commissioner's Books, 1783, are arranged chronologically by the date payments were authorized and contain the names of claimants, descriptions and valuations of property, and dates payments were authorized. In 1783 two commissioners were appointed by the governor to settle claims for reimbursement for property impressed during the war. Using the certificates and copies of local court records sent to them, the commissioners authorized payments and recorded the transaction information for the auditor of public accounts, who then issued warrants to the claimants. The warrants were then taken to the state treasurer's office for payment.

The names of persons recorded in the Commissioner's Books have been cataloged and indexed.

Computations and Memoranda on Property Valuations, 1776-1791, are housed in one box (five folders) and document rough notes and calculations concerning valuations of property impressed for public use, and also include some documentation related to military service. This series includes certificates, receipts, correspondence, returns, accounts, statements and lists.

The bulk of the certificates and receipts document personal property impressed for public use, such as corn, beef, sheep, and wagons, or services provided, such as driving cattle or carpentry work. Also includes other specific certificates for boarding Ann Nevil, widow of Reuben Nevil who died while serving in the Contintental Army (Adam Brown); for riding express for Col. George Mason (John Burns); and for repairing public buildings at Saratoga (Russell Clark).

This series also includes miscellaneous certificates and receipts in Folder 2 such as a Receipt to John Badget, a soldier in the Virginia State Regiment who was discharged at Portsmouth, 1782; Certificate by William McNeely for persons to gather cattle for the use of Col. Hugh Crockett on expeditions against the Cherokee, 1780; Certificate of David Ross, Shipyard at the Mouth of Four Mile Creek, n.d.

Correspondence in Folder 3 includes letters from John Brockenbrough to Leighton Woods, 1791; Jesse Davis to Gov. Henry Lee, detailing his military service during the war, n.d.; Charles Lee to Mr. Shephard, Solicitor's Office, 1790; George Nicolson to Frederick Anspaugh, regarding the delivery of arms and powder from Pennsylvania to Fredericksburg to Richard Young, Quartermaster, 1781; and Philip Pendleton to James Wood regarding fraud in obtaining certificates for the depreciation of pay to soldiers in the regiment of Hugh Stephenson, 1786.

Folder 4 includes Return for arms and accoutrements wanting for new recruits who joined Capt. Charles Magill's company and a receipt for William Armistead, 1780; Return for Henry Howard for beef to fatten, 1781; Return of necessary articles impressed for the use of Col. Nicholas' regiment of militia by Jacob Ege, Quartermaster, 1781; Return of clothing due to Robert Brown, 1779; and a Return of the public slaves in the possession of or known to Samuel Arnold, 1781.

Miscellaneous items in Folder 5 include the Account of Francis Cowherd, 1783; Certification for time of service during the war settled, n.d.; Account of Commissioners for the defense of the Chesapeake Bay, 1787; Prices fixed on the goods delivered and of the Continental Store at Fort Lewis, 1778; Payments for serving in the 2nd Virginia State Regiment assigned to Samuel Holt, 1783; List of Officers and rank that have settled for money put into their hands by William Russell, Paymaster, for the purpose of recruiting soldiers for Col. Gibson's regiment, 1780 (incomplete); Statement of Capt. Samuel Eddens claim for salvage after the departure of Dunmore from Gwynn's Island, n.d.; Statement regarding Adm. of James Ball v. Adm. of John Pride (Chesterfield), 1781; and an Unidentified list of soldiers and items provided to them, n.d.

The names of persons recorded in Computations and Memoranda have been cataloged and indexed.

Court Booklets, Indexes and Lists, 1779-1788 (bulk 1780-1783), summarize the information provided on the Certificates (Series I) and are arranged alphabetically by locality, and thereunder (generally) chronologically. During the special sessions held between 1781 and 1783 local courts examined and authenticated certificates for impressed property. Excerpts from the court minutes were prepared in several formats - booklets, indexes and lists - and sent with the certificates to the commissioners at the Auditor of Public Accounts for payment. Court booklets and Lists generally include name, date, type of property impressed, and value of property impressed, though format and information provided may vary by county. The Court Booklets are generally arranged by the date of the court session in which the claims were returned and they verify that claims were presented, examined, adjusted and allowed agreeable to an "An act for adjusting claims for property impressed for public service" and they often distinguish between state and continental service. The booklets may also include an accompanying index. Lists are returns of certificates presented to the Commissioners for review and are generally in chronological order by the date the provisions were impressed. Includes claims for impressed property such as brandy, whiskey, beef, bacon, hay, flour, corn, wheat, horses, wagons, rifles and blankets, and for such services as driving cattle, riding express and shoeing horses.

The names of persons recorded in the Court Booklets have been cataloged and indexed.

General Claims Approved, 1777, 1779-1784, 1789-1790, 1794, consist of certificates for claims that were not submitted through county courts, including claims by commissioners of the provisions law for payment of duties performed. Certificates include name, date, item or service provided, and amount. Includes claims for such items as beef, flour, corn, forage for cattle, blankets and rifles, and such services as driving cattle, use of horses and boats, and housing and quartering soldiers. Also includes letters related to overpayment and forged or insufficient vouchers.

The names of persons on the certificates have been cataloged and indexed.

Arranged alphabetically by locality.

Rejected claims, 1784, conists of reports of claims that were not adjusted by the Commissioners. These county reports are one to two pages in length and list public claims that were rejected. Entries include name of claimant, nature of the claim, and reason for the rejection. Claims were generally rejected because no voucher was presented, but claims were also denied when a voucher was not presented in the required amount of time or because the claim was contrary to the law. Contains information on claims for impressed property such as brandy, whiskey, rum, paper, beef, bacon, pasturage, forage, hay, corn and wheat, and for horses, wagons, and rifles, and also for services such as driving cattle, riding express, shoeing horses and performing duties as a surgeon or gaoler. Also includes claims for damages to property.

Reports available for the following counties: Accomack, Albemarle, Amherst, Augusta, Bedford, Berkeley, Botetourt, Brunswick, Campbell, Charles City, Chesterfield, Culpeper, Elizabeth City, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Greenbrier, Greensville and Henrico.

The names of persons recorded in these rejected claims have been cataloged and indexed.

Warrant Register, 1783 July 10-August 24, contains the names of claimants, dates warrants were issued, and amounts. Volume is arranged in chronological order.

The warrant register has not been cataloged and indexed.