William Massie Slave Account Book, 1836-1866

Location of collection:

Library of Virginia

The Library of Virginia

800 East Broad Street

Richmond, VA 23219

Contact for questions and access:

POC: Archives Reference Services

Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov

Phone: (804) 692-3888

Web: www.lva.virginia.gov

Summary

Language:

English

Background

Scope and content:

Slave record book, 1836-1866, listing the births and deaths of slaves owned by William Massie (1795-1862) of Nelson County, Virginia. The list of births begins in 1762 and the last death was recorded in 1913 by Bland Massie. William Massie also recorded information on whether he purchased or sold a slave. There is also a list of people who had mumps and measles. Also contains information on William Massie's taxable property from 1837 to 1849. The volume lists the slaves belonging to his wife Maria Catharine Effinger Massie (1814-1889), and his three youngest children Hope W. Massie (1843-1892), Florence Massie (1847-1912), and Bland Massie (1854-1924) in the year 1863.

Biographical / historical:

William Massie was born 3 March 1795 in Nelson County, Virginia, to Thomas Massie (1747-1834) and Sarah "Sallie" Cocke Massie (1760-1838). Massie owned two plantations in Nelson County, Virginia, "Pharsalia" and "Level Green." "Pharsalia" was a gift from his father. Massie represented Nelson County in the House of Delegates during the 1839-1840 session. William Massie married first Sarah "Sallie" Steptoe (d. 1828) of Bedford County, Virginia, 20 October 1814 and they had at least one child. He married second Martha Virginia Wiatt (1812-1832) 7 May 1829 and they had at least one child. He married third Sarah U. Clark (d. ca. 1833) 21 May 1833. Massie married fourth Maria Catharine Effinger (1814-1889) of Rockingham County, Virginia, 17 December 1834, and they had six children. Massie died in Nelson County 29 July 1862.

Acquisition information:

Lent for copying by Thelma Massie Morton, Lynchburg, Virginia, 5 July 1933.

Physical location:

Personal Papers Collection, Acc. 20610

Physical description:

80 leaves, photostats (negative)