Amherst County (Va.) Certificates of Importation, 1814-1819

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

Extent:
3 items
Creator:
Amherst County (Va.) Circuit Court
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Amherst County (Va.) Certificates of Importation, 1792-1853, sometimes entitled certificates of nonimportation, contain information whereby an enslaver swears that they have not imported the enslaved person from Africa and that the enslaver has not brought the enslaved person into Virginia with the purpose of selling the enslaved person. The enslaved person is sometimes named, but not always, and occasionally information is given as to age, birthdate, and the state the individuals are moving from.

This record set includes 3 certificates: a certificate, 1814 November, concerning the importation of Lucy, a multiracial woman, by William Roach; a certificate, 1819 February 15, concerning the importation of George, Syvia (or Silvy), Philis (or Phillis), Bob, Hester, Peter, Matildy, Randolph, and Patients (or Patience) by Solomon Day; and a certificate, 1819 February 15, concerning the importation of Westley by Jeremiah Franklin.

Biographical / historical:

Context for Record Type: In 1778, Governor Patrick Henry enacted legislation preventing importation of enslaved people into the commonwealth. Those that did bring their enslaved people were required to register them with the county court and sign a certificate of importation agreeing that they were not bringing enslaved people into the commonwealth with the intent to sell. The enslaved person is sometimes named, but not always, and occasionally information is given as to age, birthdate, and the state from which the individuals were moving. According to Section 3 of the act "every slave imported into this commonwealth contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act, shall upon such importation become free." By this clause, those enslaved people who were brought into Virginia illegally could pursue their freedom in the local courts

Locality History: Amherst County was named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770.

Acquisition information:
These records came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Amherst County (Va.) in 2022 under accession number 53740.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged

  • Series I: Certificates of Importation, 1814-1819, arranged chronologically.

Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
.