The county Birth Registers altogether range from 1853 to 1885, and record the birth of every individual in the greater Roanoke area during this time frame, whether white, enslaved African American, or free African American. Typically, less information for enslaved people was recorded. Only first names were recorded and place of birth was recorded with much less specificity. Moreover, the birth registers had a category for “Father’s Name or Owner if Enslaved,” meaning in the case of most enslaved people, the enslaver’s information would be given instead of the child’s father. Nonetheless these records are an important source for connecting enslaved children to their mothers, and providing information about their births that is otherwise not found in other records.
In Common Law Book F, Tom is listed as having been an apprentice to William B. Preston. He was set to learn farming, reading, writing, and common arithmetic in the process. He was to be provided with clothing as well as given a suit at the end of his apprenticeship.
Tom could also be Sam, who was seen in the death registry as a son of Rachael. He was enslaved by John Williamson, as well. According to the record, Sam would have been born in August of 1853, making Sam and Tom the same person.
Elizabeth Walton's settlement specified "...to be due to the children of Paul Jones, in whose favor, Thomas S. Walton and wife executed a Deed in 1852 giving these certain slaves therein mentioned—Thomas S. Walton in his lifetime sold on or more of these slaves, and the foregoing sum in the proceeds of that sale.”
Thomas Lunsford bequeathed Eileen, Suck, Easther, Angoline, Jim, Perry, Dick, Daniel, Sandy, Everett, Yeenser, Louisa, Martha, Mary Jr., Fanny, Mary Ann, Rachel, and Michael to his wife, whose name is not given.
It is mentioned in the record that Samuel G. Woods had a "bond for hire" of a "negro man" associated with Thomas C. Read. The value put on this bond was $140.00.
It is mentioned in the record that T.J. Bush had a "bond for hire" of a "negro man George" associated with Thomas C. Read. The value put on this bond was $160.00.