Henrico County (Va.) Deeds of Emancipation, 1782-1863

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
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Henrico County (Va.) Deeds of Emancipation, 1782-1863. Local Government Records Collection, city of Henrico County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Henrico County, Virginia.

Summary

Creator:
Henrico County (Va.) Circuit Court.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Henrico County (Va.) Deeds of Emancipation, 1782-1863. Local Government Records Collection, city of Henrico County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Henrico County, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Henrico County (Va.) Deeds of Emancipation, 1782-1863, include deeds of emancipation and manumission record the name of enslaver, the name of the enslaved person to be freed, the date the enslaved person shall achieve freedom, the date the manumission was proved or certified, and sometimes a reason why the enslaver decided to emancipate the enslaved person. The two methods of relinquishing ownership of an individual differ only in that enslavers directly freed their enslaved property by manumission. Deeds of emancipation could be generated after the enslaver’s death by those executing a last will and testament.

Biographical / historical:

Henrico County was named for Henry, Prince of Wales, the oldest son of James I. It was one of the eight original shires established in 1634.

A law passed in 1782 by the state legislature made it lawful to emancipate enlsaved people.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from city of Henrico County circuit court.
Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
.90 cu.ft. (2 boxes)