Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Patrons are to use digital images of Rockbridge County Chancery Causes found on the Chancery Records Index available electronically at the website of the Library of Virginia.

Preferred Citation

Rockbridge County (Va.) Executor of Hugh Adams vs. Legatees of Hugh Adams, 1860. Rockbridge County (Va.) Chancery Cause 1860-065. Local government records collection, Rockbridge County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Acquisition Information

This item came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Rockbridge County. Digital images were generated by Crowley Micrographics through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program. The Chancery Records Index and images for Rockbridge County Chancery Causes are available electronically at the web site of the Library of Virginia.

Historical Information

Rockbridge County was named for Natural Bridge, an exceptional rock formation located in the county. The county was formed from Augusta and Botetourt counties in 1778, and another part of Botetourt was added later.

Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are "administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law." A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case.

Scope and Content

Rockbridge County (Va.) Executor of Hugh Adams vs. Legatees of Hugh Adams, 1860. The cause concerns the settlement of the estate of Hugh Adams and his wish that his slaves be emancipated, his estate sold, and the proceeds used to transport the emancipated slaves to Liberia. Other smaller bequests in his will were for various family members. The majority of the suit is composed of estate accounts as the executor tried to settle the estate and encountered various difficulties in his attempt to carry out the intent of Adams's will.

Slaves named in the bill as defendants or beneficiaries of the will include Narcissa Magdalene, Rosa, Henry, Mary, Isabella, Susan, Edmonia, Sarah, Alla Jane, John, Jenny Linn, Howard, Eliza, Andrew, Joshua, George, Joe, and Sylla.

Included in the suit is a letter from Rosannah Brown who wrote to her former master Adams from the town of Clay-Ashland in Liberia. In the letter dated 1857 Aug. 17, Rosannah stated that Narcissa Magdalene is dead, that Lissey is going to school and learns quickly, and that they have been able to grow sweet potates, rice, corn, "casada" (possibly casaba melon?), coffee, sugar cane, and a great many other things.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Rockbridge County (Va.). Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• Decedents' estates -- Virginia -- Rockbridge County.
• Free African Americans. -- Virginia -- Rockbridge County.
• Slaveholders -- Virginia -- Rockbridge County.
• Slaves -- Emancipation -- Virginia -- Rockbridge County.

Geographical Names:

• Liberia -- History -- 1847-1944.
• Rockbridge County (Va.) -- History -- 19th century.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Accounts -- Virginia -- Rockbridge County.
• Chancery causes -- Virginia -- Rockbridge County.
• Judicial records -- Virginia -- Rockbridge County.
• Letters (correspondence) -- Virginia -- Rockbridge County.