Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Alexandria (Va.) Free Negro and Slave Records, 1800-1853, Local Government Records Collection, Alexandria (City) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Acquisition Information

These items came to the Library of Virginia in transfers of court records from the city of Alexandria.

Historical Information

The city of Alexandria was established in 1748 in Fairfax County. It was incorporated as a town in 1779 and as a city in 1852.

In 1806, the General Assembly moved to remove the free negro population from Virginia with a law that stated that any emancipated slaves, freed after May 1, 1806, who remained in the Commonwealth more than a year, would forfeit the right to freedom and be sold by the Overseers of the Poor for the benefit of the parish. Families wishing to stay were to petition the legislature through the local county court. Beginning in 1837, freed slaves could petition the local courts for permission to remain.

Scope and Content

Free Negro and Slave Records, 1800-1853, of Alexandria (Va.) consist of four items.

The first is an indenture of servitude for Negro boy Charles, the property of Robert Townshend Hooe, to John Hughes to learn the trade of a ship carpenter, 1800. The indenture states the responsibilities of Hughes to his indentured servant, the salary, the length of the apprenticeship, and the fact that Charles is to be emancipated at the termination of his apprenticeship and allowed to go into business for himself.

The last three items are petitions to remain in the state and related paperwork. The first is dated 1834 and is a notice that Martha Honesty, a free woman of color, has made application to remain in the city. The second and third items are dated 1853. One is a notice that Harriet Brooks is going to apply to remain in the city and the other is a petition signed by citizens that George Brooks be allowed to remain.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Alexandria (Va.). Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• African American apprentices -- Virginia -- Alexandria.
• Apprentices -- Virginia -- Alexandria.
• Carpenters -- Virginia -- Alexandria.
• Free African Americans -- Virginia -- Alexandria.
• Indentured servants -- Virginia -- Alexandria.
• Shipwrights -- Virginia -- Alexandria.
• Slaves -- Emancipation -- Virginia -- Alexandria.

Geographical Names:

• Alexandria -- History -- 19th century.
• Fairfax County -- History -- 19th century.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Articles of apprenticeship -- Virginia -- Alexandria.
• Free negro and slave records -- Virginia -- Alexandria.
• Indentures -- Virginia -- Alexandria.
• Legal notices -- Virginia -- Alexandria.
• Local government records -- Virginia -- Alexandria.
• Petitions -- Virginia -- Alexandria.

Added Entry - Corporate Name:

• Virginia. County Court (Alexandria)
• Virginia. Hustings Court (Alexandria)