Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Use microfilm copy, Essex County (Va.) Reels 119, 120, 123, 132.

Preferred Citation

Essex County (Va.) Reels 119, 120, 123, 132, Local government records collection, Essex County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

The microfilm copy of these records was generated by The Library of Virginia's Imaging Services Branch.

Historical Information

Essex County was formed in 1692 from Rappahannock County, a now extinct Virginia county.

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.

Scope and Content

Registers of Free Negroes, 1810-1861, of Essex County list the registration number, 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. The 1810-1843 register has an index both at the beginning and at the end of the volume. The index at the beginning is a more complete index although both should be checked. The 1843-1861 volume has an index at the end of the volume. The indexes list in alphabetical order by surname the names of registered free persons and the page number where their registration information can be found.

Arrangement

Chronological by registration date.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Essex County (Va.). Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• African Americans--Virginia--Essex County.
• African Americans--Virginia.
• Free African Americans--Virginia--Essex County.

Geographical Names:

• Essex County--History--19th century.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Free Negro and Slave Records--Virginia--Essex County.
• Local government records--Virginia--Essex County.
• Registers (lists)--Virginia--Essex County.