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.
Based on the Commissioner Report of Slaves and Division of Property of David Gish, John Brugh had taken 7 enslaved people from David Gish as the guardian of George Gish. Each enslaved person had a value placed on them. Patsey and her child was an enslaved mother and boy who was valued at $900.00. John was an enslaved man valued at $600.00. Mary and her child, a young boy had a combined value of $975.00. Edward, an enslaved man had a value of $350.00. And lastly, Melvin, an enslaved man had a value of $300.00.
J. B. J. Logan was an informant for Elizabeth Johnston. Charlotte, a mother who was enslaved by Johnston, was doing work for him in June 1861, and gave birth to Mary.