Naval Officer Records of the Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts,

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:
Library of Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Naval Officer records include the following: Returns of goods imported and exported, 1778-1789; Office of the Searcher permits and returns, 1787-1789; Ship registrations, 1785-1989; State Boats Liberty and Patriot, 1782-1789; and Miscellaneous, 1782-1789.

The duties of the naval officers required them to examine goods and clear them for import or export. In addition to the returns and other records kept by the naval officers and searchers, this series contains records concerning the state boats "Liberty" and "Patriot," which were used by the naval officers in the exercise of their duties. During its session begun in October 1788, the General Assembly directed that the boats be sold.

Entering vessels often included imports of apples, ballast, cheese, chocolate, cloth, coffee, cordage, flour, glass and glassware, hemp, iron, molasses, nails, oil, oranges, sails and rigging, salt, snuff, spirits (ale, beer, brandy, cider, gin, port, rum, whiskey, wine), sugar, tea, and woolens. Occasionally may include specific items such as coaches and phaetons.

Exports often included bacon, corn, flaxseed, flour, ginseng, grain, lard, lumber, oats, peas, pork and tobacco.

Entering and exiting vessels include shipments to and from ports in other states, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean.

Biographical / historical:

During the colonial period the governor appointed customs officials (naval officers) directly, but this practice ended following independence. During its session begun in October 1776, the General Assembly passed an act creating eight customs districts, providing for the election of naval officers to serve in each district, and for fixing duties and ascertaining fees.. The governor issued commissions to the naval officers following their election by the General Assembly. Each officer was assisted by one or more assistants, called searchers, who registered vessels as they arrived in port, examined and described their cargoes, and noted to whom the goods were consigned. Searchers also registered goods being imported overland; most goods, whether imported by land or sea, came from other states. The naval officers and their assistants also were responsible for registering goods to be exported. The collection of customs by individual states ended in 1790, when the government of the United States assumed that function.

Naval Officer districts were created for the Accomac, Elizabeth River, Lower James River, Northampton, Rappahannock River, South Potomac River, Upper James River and the York River.

Naval Officers included the following: Accomac District (Eastern Shore) - William Gibb; Lower James River District (Hampton) - Jacob Wray; Northampton District (Eastern Shore) - George Savage; Rappahannock District - Hudson Muse; South Potomac District- Charles Lee; South Quay District - Thomas Bowne; Upper James River District - Beverly Dickson; York River District - Abraham Archer.

Acquisition information:
Acquired prior to 1905.
Physical description:
23.85 cubic feet (27 boxes).