Wythe County (Va.) Certificates of importation, 1818-1819

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:
2 items
Creator:
Wythe County (Va.) Circuit Court
Abstract:
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Wythe County (Va.) Certificates of Importation, 1818-1819, 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 include 2 certificates. A certificate, 1818 August, concerning the importation of Zachariah, Peggy, and Harrison, by Henry Simmerman; and one of, 1819 February 15, concerning the importation of Dick, Reuben, Lucindy, Joshua, and George, by John Bryson.

Biographical / historical:

Context of 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 Note: Wythe County was named for George Wythe, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and chancellor of Virginia in 1789 when Wythe County was formed from Montgomery County. Part of Grayson County was added in 1825.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Wythe County in 2022 under the accession number 53665.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged chronologically.

Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
.