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The James City County Oral History Collection holds two copies of transcripts and one corresponding cassette tapes of the Oral History Project directed by Robinette Fitzsimmon of the James City County Historical Commission. The collections includes interviews of residents of James City County, the City of Williamsburg, and York County, Virginia. Topics range from education to farming to Eastern State Hospital. Time periods covered begin with family memories from the Revolutionary War to the 1980's. Many interviewees were born in late 1800's to early 1900's.

Power of attorney by James Hopkins of London, appointing William Hopkins of Williamsburg, Virginia his attorney to sell one dwelling and four acres of land in Williamsburg. Signed by John Hopkins,witnessed by Dudley Digges, Mathew Hubbard, John Chiswell, John Anderson, Thomas Nash, George Holden, Henry Whitborn, William Dawson, and Samuel Cobb. London. September 16, 1732. On vellum. Includes red wax seal. Ink has faded.

Letter written in French from Williamsburg, Virginia, by J. Michel, Captain of the French vessel, Le Lion, which was loading tobacco in the James River to transport to Europe, dated June 26, 1778. Michel returned from a voyage from L'Orient in the company of Le Vicomte de Vaux commanded by Pierre Donat. Le Lion was threatened by English vessels in the Chesapeake Bay, including the St. Alban and the Solbay. Michel had sailed to New London, Connecticut and back to Williamsburg where he stayed at the tavern owned by Mrs. Jane Vobe (Kings Arms Tavern). Mentions M[onsieur] DuBuat and Mr. Bell. 3 pages; 10 cm. x 10 cm.

Account ledger as part of the estate of David Ker in relationship to a lawsuit with James Gregorie, with a summary on page [14]. Suit located in Williamsburg District, James City County, Virginia. Includes debts due stores in Urbanna, Gloucester and King and Queen Counties. Over 30 names are listed. 32 pages.

Typescripts of material concerning Richard Bland, (1710-1776), of Williamsburg, Virginia composed mainly of biographical and genealogical information on Bland and his family and information about the Bland House in Williamsburg, Virginia. Also included, biographical material on Henry Wetherburn in connection with running his tavern in Williamsburg. This material concerns the dates of 1671-1776 although the typescripts are not from that era. The typescripts of the articles and notes on the subject of the Richard Bland House were authored by J. Luther Kibler.

Indenture between William Stith and the College of William & Mary, covering two lots, numbers 314 and 315, in the City of Williamsburg. Dated May 4, 1738.

This collection is largely comprised of the correspondence of Leven Powell, who served in American Revolutionary War as well as the Virginia House of Delegates, and the U. S. House of Representatives.

Photographs (and negatives) of papers concerning the marriage of Count Antonio Barziza, Venice, Italy to Lucy Paradise, daughter of John and Lucy Ludwell Paradise, Williamsburg, Va. Includes a typed copy of a letter, 24 February 1805, from Lucy Ludwell Paradise to Littleton Waller Tazewell; and a photograph of a letter, 28 January 1831, written by Margaret Nelson Bellett. Description: Photographs Williamsburg, Va. Williamsburg Restoration, 1930. 18 cm.

Legal documents concerning the estate of Philip Johnson of Williamsburg and James City County, Virginia. Investiture of Bruton Parish, James City County land to Philip Johnson to eventually become part of the City of Williamsburg at the Court of St. James, dated November 1763. Chancery lawsuit, 1791, written to the Honorable George Wythe Judge of the High Court of Chancery, concerning a trust agreement made in 1769 with Peyton Randolph, Lewis Burwell, Robert Carter Nicholson, and Philip Whitehead Claiborne as trustees for land and goods of Philip Johnson. Names of slaves and their purchasers are mentioned in one document.

Papers, 1772-1872, of the Blow family. Chiefly business papers, 1772-1820, of Richard Blow of Portsmouth and "Tower Hill," Sussex County, Va. and his son George Blow, Sr. and George Blow, Jr. of 'Tower Hill' and Williamsburg, Va. Richard Blow was a partner in stores in Virginia and North Carolina (trading as Richard Blow and Co., Briggs & Blow, Baker & Blow [South Quay, Nansemond County, Va.], Blow & Barksdale [Petersburg, Va.], and Blow and Scammel). He was also a plantation owner that operated in part by labor of enslaved persons. He shipped the goods produced by the plantation by sea, often to European markets. His correspondence and papers during this period provide a model source on plantation management, sea trade, trade during the American Revolution, and trade during the War of 1812. Includes correspondence, plantation accounts, ship accounts, and legal papers.