Common Law Orders - E - June 1856 - November 1864 - pgs. 354-749
Document Name
Common Law Orders - E - June 1856 - November 1864 - pgs. 354-749
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.
Elizabeth was listed in the register as 5 feet 0.75 inches tall with a "black complexion." Her appearance was described in Common Law Book E in the same manner.
Elijah was listed in the register as being 5 feet 6.5 inches tall with a "black complexion." In Common Law Book E, his appearance was listed in the same manner. Elijah was also listed in the Requisition Records as one of several free Black men who were requisitioned for labor by Major General Breckinridge.
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.
David was listed in the Free Black Register as having a "dark complexion," scars on his left forefinger and right little finger, and a stiff finger on his right hand. David registered twice at 21 and 22 years old, and his height was recorded twice as 5 feet 7.5 inches and 5 feet 8.5 inches. He appeared in Common Law Book E at 21 and 22 years old.
Charles Shovelly, whose alias was Charles Ross, was listed in the register as having a "dark brown complexion." He registered twice at 13 and 17 years old, and he was 5 feet 3 inches tall and 6 feet 0.5 inches tall at those ages. He appeared in Common Law Book E at 13 years old.
Calhoun was listed in the register as having a "light brown" complexion and small scars on his forehead above his left eye and right ear. In Common Law Book E, his appearance was described in the same manner.
Caleb registered twice in Roanoke County, and his age was recorded once in 1845 at 41 years old. He previously registered in Montgomery County, VA. His physical appearance was listed as having a black complexion and scars on his right arm, over his right eye, and on his right wrist. He was lame in his left leg which was produced by white swelling in his foot, and he was "somewhat bald." In Common Law Book C, Caleb's appearance was described in the same manner. He appeared in Common Law Book E at 60 years old.
Bluford was listed in the register as having a "light copper" complexion and a small scar on his forehead above his right eye. He was 5 feet 10.75 inches tall, and he previously registered in Wythe County. In Common Law Book E, he was listed at 33 years old.
Bartlett was listed in the register as having a "black complexion" and a scar on his left forefinger. He was 5 feet 9 inches tall. In Common Law Book E, his appearance was described in the same manner.
Ailsey was listed in the register as having a "black complexion" and small pits or marks on each side of her face. In Common Law Book E, her appearance was listed in the same manner.
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.
Aaron Shovelly, whose alias was Aaron Ross, was listed in the register as having a "black complexion" and a stiff right forefinger. He registered twice at 15 and 20 years old, and he was 5 feet 4.5 inches tall and 5 feet 10.25 inches tall at those ages. In Common Law Book E, he was described in the same manner.