Bedford County (Va.) County Court Minute Book and Free Negro Register, 1861-1873

Access and use

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
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Creator:
Bedford County (Va.) Circuit Court.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Bedford County (Va.) Minute Book, 1871-1873, was created by the County Court, and along with closely related court records such as order books, records all matters brought before the court when it was in session and may contain important information not found anywhere else. Generally minute books contain brief entries. A locality's loose papers are the raw materials from which this type of book was created. Like order books, a wide variety of information is found in its pages including: appointments of county officers, appointments of guardians and administrators, records of legal disputes heard before the court, and matters related to the fiscal management of the court.

The first five pages of the minute book contains the Register of Free Negroes for the years 1861-1864. 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 the law.

Biographical / historical:

Bedford County was probably named for John Russell, fourth duke of Bedford, who, as secretary for state for the southern department from 1748 to 1751, had general supervision of colonial affairs. It was formed from Lunenburg County in 1753. Parts of Albemarle County were added in 1754, and an additional part of Lunenburg County was added later.

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.

Acquisition information:
This item came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Bedford County.
Arrangement:

Organized chronologically.

Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
1 v.