The Common Law Orders vary significantly in the records they hold, but they largely include records of court cases including trials of enslaved people and indictments, records of payments for those involved in these court proceedings, the petitions of free people of color proving to the court their free status, as well as other eclectic information such as correspondences between Roanoke County officials and officials of other jurisdictions. Wills and settlements of estates were occasionally also included in the Common Law books. Free people of color had to petition to the Roanoke County court to be able to live in the jurisdiction, have proof of their free status, and had to be examined before the court and their physical appearance recorded into record, including height, skin color, age, and any noticeable scars or disabilities. Court cases ranged from criminal indictments to tax exemptions. In some cases, an enslaver would not be taxed for an enslaved person who was ill, elderly, or disabled, and the record for this exemption would be included. Some court indictments include the charging of white people for selling enslaved people liquor or gathering in groups with enslaved people, which was illegal. In other rare but notable cases, enslaved people were charged with crimes including theft, arson, and assault. Witnesses may have been called, including other enslaved people. In such court cases, the bulk of the court, including both prosecutors and those assigned as defense counsel for the enslaved people, were enslavers themselves. In some cases, the convicted enslaved people would be punished with whippings or death by lynching, while in a few others cases, in place of punishment the enslaved person would be “transported outside the limits of the United States,” presumably to Liberia.
Sukey registered twice at 50 and 61 years old. She was listed as having dark complexion and thick set, as well as being 4 feet 9 inches tall. In Common Law Book A, and at 50 years old, she proved to the court through a witness that she was a free born woman.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Rose and her child are listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Mrs. Holcombe. A value of $1,200.00 was placed on Rose and her child.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Phillis is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Edward Watts's daughter, Mrs. Holcombe. A value of $500.00 was placed on Phillis.
A motion was made by Edward Watts to be exempt from paying taxes and other fees on the people he enslaved: Rose, Patty, Lydia, Phillis, Jim, and Bock. Please note that there are many individuals who were enslaved by Watts and named Jim. View Edward Watts's profile for more information.
In IAS Book 4, the partition of the lands and other property of Edward Watts, Lydia is listed among the enslaved individuals that were bequeathed to Mrs. Carr. A value of $800.00 was placed on Lydia.
Lewis Zirkle was listed in an indenture agreement: “...bind unto the said Lewis Zirkle a boy of colour named George Campbell until he arrives to the free age of twenty one which will be on the 25th day of June 1854.”
John Daniel is listed in the register as being 5 feet 10.5 inches tall, having a yellow complexion, and having a small scar on his left wrist. In Common Law Book A, his appearance is listed in the same manner.
A motion was made by Edward Watts to be exempt from paying taxes and other fees on the people he enslaved: Rose, Patty, Lydia, Phillis, Jim, and Bock. Please note that there are many individuals who were enslaved by Watts and named Jim. View Edward Watts's profile for more information.
Henry registered twice at 23 and 34 years old. His height was listed as 5 feet 6 inches tall. Common Law Book A records Henry at 23 years old. He was regarded as "born of free parents and...registered according to law as a free man entitled to all of the privileges to which free negroes and mulattos are by law entitled."
George Campbell was listed in an indenture agreement: “...bind unto the said Lewis Zirkle a boy of colour named George Campbell until he arrives to the free age of twenty one which will be on the 25th day of June 1854.”
Ellen was listed in the register as being 5 feet 5.5 inches tall, having a brown complexion, and having a scar on her left wrist. In Common Law Book A, her appearance is described in the same manner, with the exception of her height being 5 feet 0.5 inches tall.
Husband of Elizabeth Breckinridge Watts. Father of William Watts, Ann W. Holcombe, Letitia W. Rives, Alice Watts Morris, Henrietta Carter Watts, James Breckinridge Watts, Mary Scott Watts, Edward Watts Jr., and Emma Gilmer Watts.
There is a possible connection to Louisa Dillard and the "negro woman Mary" mentioned in Louisa Dillard's will. These individuals could be the same person or two separate people but the record does not state a connection between the two.
In November 1838, Nelly was summoned to provide a reason for her son, Charles, not to be bound out. Upon her appearance, Charles was bound out by "the Overseers of the Poor" to Charles Dillard.
A motion was made by Edward Watts to be exempt from paying taxes and other fees on the people he enslaved: Rose, Patty, Lydia, Phillis, Jim, and Bock. Please note that there are many individuals who were enslaved by Watts and named Jim. View Edward Watts's profile for more information.