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.
An overseer for the estate of William Ferguson, Sally's enslaver, reported that a sale bill for "a negro woman named Sally," to Polly Hartman should be brought out in court. This is to say that Sally was "bought" by Polly Hartman.
William R. Johnson enslaved a man named Charles, who was charged with the assault of John Richardson. Charles was said to have beaten Richardson with the intent to kill, and he was remanded to jail.
In Common Law Book D, and in a motion by Frederick Johnston, Robert 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, Simon, and Nancy.
Prudence was listed in the register as being 5 feet and 1 inch tall with a "dark complexion." In Common Law Book D, her appearance was described in the same manner, with the exception of her age being listed at 36 years old.
In Common Law Book D, Powell Huff along with Bernard Pitzer, William C. Williams, and George W. Shanks, was reported as having "assessed" Peggy Jane, Mary, Paulina, Edmund, Ellen, Simon, and Robert as part of William Lewis's estate.
In Common Law Book D, Peggy Jane is listed as having been "assessed" by Bernard Pitzer, William C. Williams, P.H. Huff, and George Shanks. She was listed alongside her child Mary, Nancy, Paulina, Edmund, Ellen, Simon, and Robert.
In Common Law Book D, Paulina is listed as having been "assessed" by Bernard Pitzer, William C. Williams, P.H. Huff, and George Shanks. She was listed alongside Peggy Jane, Mary, Edmund, Ellen, Simon, and Robert.
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.
In Common Law Book D, Nancy is listed as having been "assessed" by Bernard Pitzer, William C. Williams, P.H. Huff, and George Shanks. She was listed alongside Peggy Jane, Mary, Paulina, Edmund, Ellen, Simon, and Robert.
Moses was listed in the register as having a "black complexion" and "two scars on his right thumb." He was 5 feet 11.25 inches tall. In Common Law Book D, his appearance was listed in the same manner.
Moses Shoveley, whose alias was Moses Ross, was listed in the register as having a "black complexion" and being 5 feet 11 inches tall. In Common Law Book E, he was described in the same manner.
Mary Shoveley, whose alias was Mary Ross, was listed in the register as having a "black complexion" and being 5 feet 10.25 inches tall. In Common Law Book E, she was described in the same manner.
Mary was listed in the register as having a "very black complexion" and being 5 feet 3 inches tall, with a scar on her right wrist. In Common Law Book D, Mary's appearance was listed in the same manner.
In Common Law Book D, Mary is listed as having been "assessed" by Bernard Pitzer, William C. Williams, P.H. Huff, and George Shanks. She was listed alongside her mother, Peggy Jane, Nancy, Paulina, Edmund, Ellen, Simon, and Robert.
Martha was listed in the register as being "bright mulatto" and 5 feet 7.25 inches tall. She had a scar on her left hand between her two first fingers and a scar on the left side of her neck. In Common Law Book D, her appearance was described in the same manner.
Martha was listed in the register as being "dark mulatto" and 5 feet and 1 inch tall. She registered twice at 15 and 22 years old. In Common Law Book D, when she was 15 years old, her appearance was described in the same manner.
Maria was listed in the register as having a "black complexion" and a flesh mark on her left arm above her wrist. She was 5 feet 8.75 inches tall. In Common Law Book D, her appearance was described in the same manner.
Malinda was listed in the register as having a "light brown complexion" and "a white pimple on the right side of her neck." She was also 4 feet 11.75 inches tall. Malinda registered twice at ages 25 years old and 32 years old. In Common Law Book D, her appearance was listed in the same manner at 25 years old.
Mahala was 5 feet 2.75 inches tall with a "dark brown complexion" and a scar on her forehead. She registered twice at ages 22 years old and 29 years old. Mahala was recorded in Common Law Book D at 22 years old, and her appearance was described in the same manner.