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.
William was listed in the register as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, having a yellow complexion, and having a "small scar near the roof of his nose." In Common Law Book B, he "proved by a witness in court that he is free," and his appearance was described in the same manner.
It was ordered that the Overseer of the Poor bind out Rhoda's daughter, Kitty, until she turned 18 years old. Rhoda relinquished her claim to any payment she might have received. Rhoda also appeared before the court to prove why her son, Edward, should not have been bound out.
Common Law Book B states that Randolph previously registered as a free man in the County Court of Wythe. He was about 5 feet 11 inches tall with a dark complexion and scar on his left wrist.
Noah was listed in the register as being "bright mulatto." He registered twice at 13 and 21 years old. In Common Law Book B, and at 13 years old, Noah proved via witness that he was freeborn. In Common Law Book D, and at 21 years old, Noah renewed his registration. His appearance was described in the same manner across the documents.
Mary was listed in the register as being "bright mulatto" and 5 feet 3 inches tall. In Common Law Book B, her appearance is described in the same manner.
Magdeline Saunders was listed in an indenture agreement: “unto the said Benjamin Hawley a girl of colour by the name of Magdeline Saunders until she arrives to the age of 21 years…the 22nd day of June 1858…”
It was ordered that the Overseer of the Poor bind out Kitty until she turned 18 years old. Her mother relinquished her claim to any payment she might have received.
Joshua was listed in the register as being "bright mulatto," 6 feet 1.25 inches tall, and as having a scar on his left thumb. In Common Law Book B, he proved via witness that he was freeborn. His appearance was described in the same manner with the exception of his height being listed as 6 feet 0.25 inches tall.
John Saunders was listed in the register as "bright mulatto" and 5 feet 6.5 inches tall. In Common Law Book B, he proved via witness that he was freeborn. In Common Law Book D, John was said to have a mole on his breast. Otherwise, his appearance was described in the same manner across documents. In Common Law Book E, John was tried for stealing "one cloth cap and two vests, the property of George Keen," and "one coat, one roundabout, one vest, and one pair pants" belonging to James Snead. He was found guilty and was sentenced to three years in the public jail.
James was listed in the register as being 5 feet 8 inches tall, having a brown complexion, and having a scar on his forehead above his right eye. In Common Law Books B and E, his appearance was described in the same manner, and he was "proven by the oath of William M. Durned to be freeborn." He appeared in Common Law Book E at 40 years old.
Elizabeth was listed in Michael Shepard's property appraisement as having purchased enslaved people after Michael's death. In the record, Elizabeth purchase" the enslaved people Joe, Nancy, and an unrecorded named child for $675.00.
Elijah was listed in the register as being 5 feet 10.25 inches tall and having a yellow complexion. In Common Law Book B, his appearance was listed in the same manner, and he was "known by the court to be free born."
David was listed in the register as being 6 feet 0.25 inches tall, having a yellow complexion, and having "a scar above the left knee; spare made." In Common Law Book B, his appearance was described in the same manner, and he "was known by the court to be free."
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.
Caty registered three times, and her age was recorded twice in 1843 and 1857: at 38 years old and at 52 years old. She was listed as being "mulatto" and 5 feet 2 inches with a "thick set." In Common Law Book B, Caty proved via witness that she freeborn at 38 years old, and her appearance was described in the same manner.
Alfred is described in Common Law Book B as 5 feet 7 inches tall with a dark complexion and a scar on his neck. In Common Law Book D, his appearance is described in the same manner, with the exception of his age being listed as 36 years old.
Alexander registered two times. He was listed as being 5 feet 10 inches tall, having a yellow complexion, and as having a stiff knee. In Common Law Book B, at 47 years old, his appearance was described in the same manner, and he "was known by the court to be freeborn." In Common Law Book E, Alex was exempted from County and Parish Levy on account of age and infirmity.
Aggy was listed in the register as being "bright mulatto," 5 feet 4.25 inches tall, and as having a scar over her left eye. In Common Law Book B, her appearance was described in the same manner. In Common Law Book E, she renewed her registration at 50 years old.