Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Many of the business volumes are fragile and should not be handled. please check alternative form available heading for volumes that have been microfilmed. Please use microfilm if available .

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Roanoke County (Va.) Business Records, 1809-1814. [include volume title]. Local government records collection, Roanoke County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

These records came to the Library of Virginia in transfers of court papers from Roanoke County in 2010.

Processing Information

Prior to 2024, the various business records in this collection were originally described as individual records, but they have been consolidated into one large business record for the locality.

The records in this collection were processed at different times in 2010 by Gregory Crawford. Efforts have been taken to identify chancery causes related to these business records as some of these records were used as evidence in court proceedings.

Encoded by Sherri Bagley, October 2024

Historical Information

Context for Record Type: Business Records, both volumes and loose records are in some cases transferred to the Library of Virginia as components of court record transfers. These business records in some cases were simply stored in the local court building for safekeeping by business owners. In other cases, business records (particularly ledgers, account books, etc.) may have been filed in a court case as an exhibit. These business records exhibit appeared both in chancery causes and in judgments. These records serving as exhibits for business dissolution cases, debt suits, and contract disputes.

Locality History: Roanoke County was named for the Roanoke River, which in turn was derived from the English colonists' misunderstanding of the Indian word for the shell beads worn as personal adornment or used for trade. The county was formed from Botetourt County in 1838, and part of Montgomery County was added in 1849. Its area is 248.28 square miles, and the county seat is Salem.

Scope and Content

Roanoke County (Va.) Business Records, 1809-1814, is comprised of various records created by individuals and companies is pursuit of documenting business activities in and around Roanoke County (Va.). Represented records largely consists of memorandum books, records the financial transactions of Nathaniel Burwell including the hiring out of slaves. Transactions record the names of individuals who purchased items or hired slaves and the amount paid. Transactions include the names of slaves.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged

Related Material

See also: Roanoke County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1809-1814

Additional Roanoke County (Va.) court records can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult "A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."

Adjunct Descriptive Data