A Guide to the Amelia County (Va.) Free Negro Registers, 1804-1865
A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Barcode numbers 1138338, 1138339, 1138340
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia800 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000
USA
Phone: (804) 692-3888 (Archives Reference)
Fax: (804) 692-3556 (Archives Reference)
Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives)
URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/
© 2013 By The Library of Virginia. All Rights Reserved.
Processed by: Sarah Nerney
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Use Restrictions
Use microfilm copy, Amelia County (Va.) Reel 84.
Preferred Citation
Amelia County (Va.) Free Negro Registers, 1804-1865. Local Government Records Collection, County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
Acquisition Information
These materials came to the Library of Virginia in transfers of court papers from Amelia County.
These items were microfilmed by the Library of Virginia's Imaging Services Division.
Conserved by Etherington Conservation Services, 2013.
Historical Information
Amelia County was formed in 1734 from Prince George and Brunswick Counties.
An act passed by the Virginia legislature in 1803 required every free negro or mulatto to be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the county clerk.
In common law an (e)stray is a wandering animal whose owner is unknown. Records of strays are notices of discovery of lost livestock, with reports of commissioners appointed to determine proper reimbursement of the finder for caring for the animals.
Until 1869 the county court controlled construction, alteration of, and maintenance of roads. Surveyors and viewers were appointed to carry out those duties, although after 1835 the courts had the option of appointing commissioners. The constitution of 1869 created overseers of the roads, whose duties passed in the twentieth century to superintendents of roads.
Scope and Content
The three volumes record the registration of free negroes in Amelia County and cover the years 1804-1835, 1835-1855, and 1855-1865. The registers list the age, name, color, stature, marks or scars, in what court the person was emancipated or whether the person was born free. Some clerks recorded additional information not required by law such as a parent's name. There is no index in any of the volumes.
Free Negro Register, 1804-1835 also contains a register of Estrays, 1791-1819.
Free Negro Register, 1835-1855, also contains a Surveyor of Roads or Road Book, 1836-1855. This is a list, recorded alphabetically, of names of road surveyors and the area of the county for which each surveyor is reponsible for keeping in good maintenance. Following this list is a list of bridges, the undertaker responsible for the maintenance of each, and the expiration date of each term of service.
Free Negro Register, 1855-1865, also contains a Freedmen's Marriage License Book, 1865-1869, that records the date, name of bride and groom, whether the bride is of lawful age, and the name of who gives consent to marry if the bride is not of lawful age. Sometimes the family relationship of the person giving the consent is noted. The first entry is from August 1865 and the last from November 1869. There is no index.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Index Terms
- Amelia County (Va.). Circuit Court
- African Americans -- Employment -- Virginia -- Amelia County.
- African Americans -- Virginia -- Amelia County.
- African Americans -- Virginia.
- Estray records -- Virginia -- Amelia County.
- Free African Americans -- Virginia -- Amelia County.
- Livestock -- Virginia -- Amelia County.
- Marriage -- Virginia -- Amelia County.
- Amelia County (Va.) -- History.
- Free negro and slave records -- Virginia -- Amelia County.
- Local government records -- Virginia -- Amelia County.
- Marriage licenses -- Virginia -- Amelia County.
- Registers (lists) -- Virginia -- Amelia County.
- Road and bridge records -- Virginia -- Amelia County.
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Contents List
Also contains Estrays, 1791-1819.
Also contains Surveyors of Roads or Road Book, 1836-1855.
Also contains Freedmen's Marriage License Book, 1865-1869.