A Guide to the Southampton County (Va.) "Free Negro Registers", 1794-1864
A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Barcode Numbers 1119726, 1156310
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Library of Virginia
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© 2003 By the Library of Virginia.
Processed by: Carl Childs
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Use Restrictions
Use Microfilm, Southampton County, Reel 90 (1794-1832) and Reel 86 (1833-1864)
Preferred Citation
Southampton County "Free Negro Registers", 1794-1864. Southampton County Reel 86, 90, Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
Acquisition Information
Original volumes transferred from Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Volume microfilmed by LVA ISB.
Historical Information
Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County. Part of Nansemond County was added in 1785.
An act passed by the Virginia legislature in 1803 required every "free Black" and "free persons of color" to be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the county clerk.
Scope and Content Information
Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.
Southampton County "Free Negro Registers", 1794-1864, records the age, name, color, stature, marks or scars of registered "free Black" and "free persons of color" and in what court the person was emancipated or whether the person was born free. Some clerks recorded additional information not required by the law.
Arrangement
Chronological.