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Southampton County (Va.) List of Registered Voters, 1902-1953. Local government records collection, Southampton County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.
This item came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Southampton County.
Southampton County was named, in the opinion of many authorities, for Henry Wriothesley, third earl of Southampton and treasurer of the London Company from 1620 to 1624. It is more likely, however, that the county was named for the borough of Southampton in England. Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County, and part of Nansemond County was added later.
The 1902 voter registration books were created following the passage of the 1902 Virginia state constitution. The purpose of the 1902 state constitution was to maintain white suffrage while eliminating African-American voters by means of literacy tests as well as property and poll tax requirements.
Southampton County (Va.) List of Registered Voters, 1902-1953, records the roll of registered voters in Southampton County. The volume is divided by precincts: Adam's Grove, Capron, and Pope; and within each precinct on the basis of color. Information found in the volumes includes date of registration; number of registered voter; name of registered voter; date of birth; age; occupation; residence; length of residence in state, county, and precinct; whether exempt from poll tax; if naturalized, and if so, date of papers and by what court issued; if transferred from another precinct, and if so, when and to what precinct.
Additional Southampton County Election Records can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult "A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."