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.
F. Johnston is listed as the administrator for Fleming James in the IAS Book 4. In the appraisement of Fleming James' property, two entries are listed mentioned enslaved people. One of these entries states, "To recd. of Mrs. A. James, balance of many in her hands at the time of F. James death, after deducting burial expenses + clothing for servants" with a value of $166.45. Another entry states, "Deduct this sum for Mrs. C. P. Jones, Richmond for interest of her children in land + negroes per decree of court" with a final value of $3,585.76. The original amount listed was $3,923.09 but was subtracted from to get the final amount listed.
Ewell Meadow was listed as the father of Jacob Henry, who was listed as "White/Slave" and the son of Matilda Meadow. There was likely some transcription error in this case.