Common Law Orders - D - July 1848 - May 1856 - pgs. 1-400
Document Name
Common Law Orders - D - July 1848 - May 1856 - pgs. 1-400
Provenience
The Roanoke County Archives
Abstract
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.
Son of Edward Watts and Elizabeth Breckinridge Watts. Brother of Ann Watts Holcombe, Alice Watts Morris, Henrietta Carter Watts, Letitia Gamble Watts, James Breckinridge Watts, Mary Scott Watts, Edward Watts Jr., and Emma Gilmer Watts.
William was listed in the register as having a black complexion, scars on his left arm and left wrist, and as being 5 feet 9 inches tall. In Common Law Books D and E, his appearance was described in the same manner. In Common Law Book E, William was said to have a burn on his right wrist and renewed his registration after losing his papers. He was listed as 33 years old in that book. Further, he was ordered to be hired out by the sheriff of the county after not paying his taxes.
William was listed in the register as having a "dark complexion" and scars on the back of his right hand and on his left jaw. He was 5 feet 9 inches tall. In Common Law Book D, William's appearance was described in the same manner.
William was listed as being 5 feet 5 inches tall and "dark mulatto." He previously registered in Botetourt County on October 8, 1849. This same information was recorded in Common Law Book D.
William was listed in the register as having a black complexion and two scars on his forehead over his right eye. He was 5 feet 8.5 inches tall. In Common Law Book D, William's appearance was described in the same manner.
In Common Law Book D was the petition of William Peyton to place Albert in the county jail for safekeeping. Albert was described as being "of unsound mind."
In Common Law Book D, William was reported as having been on trial for "committing a rape," against Sarah Collins, "a white woman." He was found not guilty.
In Common Law Book D, Wiley P. Wood is listed alongside Samuel Hannah and John Wright as being an heir to the estate of William Lewis. They were ordered to "assess Andrew, Edmund, Mary, and William."
In Common Law Book D was a Court of Oyer against Aaron and Billy Brown, two enslaved men charged with larceny. Collin, Betsey, Charles, and Tom were all asked to appear in court.
Thomas was listed in the register as being "bright mulatto" and 5 feet 6.75 inches tall. He also had a burn mark on the right side of his mouth and a scar on the inside of his left hand near his thumb. He registered twice, and his age was recorded in 1851 at 24 years old. This same information is listed in Common Law Book D. In the Requisition Records, Thomas was listed alongside numerous free Black men who were requisitioned for labor by Major General Breckinridge.
Stephen was listed in the register as having a "black complexion" and scars on his right hand and forehead. He was 5 feet 10.5 inches tall. In Common Law Book D, Stephen's appearance was listed in the same manner.
In Common Law Book D, Simon is listed as having been "assessed" by Bernard Pitzer, William C. Williams, P.H. Huff, and George Shanks. He was listed alongside Peggy Jane, Mary, Paulina, Edmund, Ellen, Nancy, and Robert.
In Common Law Book D, Samuel Hannah is listed alongside Wiley P. Wood and John Wright as being an heir to the estate of William Lewis. They were ordered to "assess Andrew, Edmund, Mary, and William."
Samuel registered three times at 20 years old, 27 years old, and 31 years old. He was listed as having a black complexion, scars on his right knee and right temple, and he was 5 feet 8.5 inches tall. In Common Law Book D, his appearance was described in the same manner at 20 years old. The same occurred for Common Law Book E when he was 26 years old.
Sally was listed in the register as "bright mulatto" and 5 feet 3.5 inches tall. In Common Law Book D, her appearance was described in the same manner. Later in Common Law Book D, Sally's case against Joseph R. King was documented with regard to debt.