Essex County, Virginia Slave Records
Courthouse probate inventories, deed book bills of sale, and 1850/1860 Federal Census Slave Schedules for Essex County, Virginia.
Essex County Research Guide (PDF)
Get instant access to the Essex County primary record guide detailing slaveholder estate wills, land deed volumes, and microfilm roll citations.
Essex County Historical Records
Philip Lewis
Deed Book Bill of Sale (1868)Conveyed in land & chattel deed of sale from Barbour to Clark for consideration of $916.
Gideon Roberts
Freedman's Bank Log (1868)Opened savings account No. 7775 at Essex branch. Recorded birthplace as Essex County, former master listed as Hamilton.
Cesar Cox
Manumission Deed (1866)Deed of emancipation granted by Hughes. Stated freedom to take effect on January 1, 1866.
Matilda Cabell
Freedman's Bank Log (1865)Opened savings account No. 9427 at Essex branch. Recorded birthplace as Essex County, former master listed as Randolph.
Elijah Byrd
1860 Slave Schedule Metadata (1860)Enumerated under slaveholder Hill in Essex County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 69.
Cesar Rives
1860 Slave Schedule Metadata (1860)Enumerated under slaveholder Moore in Essex County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 57.
Mahala Roberts
1860 Slave Schedule Metadata (1860)Enumerated under slaveholder Preston in Essex County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 9.
Philip Butler
1850 Slave Schedule Metadata (1850)Enumerated under slaveholder Simmons in Essex County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 30.
Harrison Cabell
1850 Slave Schedule Metadata (1850)Enumerated under slaveholder Coleman in Essex County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 58.
Thomas Banks
Probate Inventory (1831)Appraised in estate inventory of Nelson plantation, evaluated at $1245. Listed alongside family members in probate court ledger.
Winney Blackwell
Freedmen's Bureau Record (1825)Labor contract registered with Assistant Commissioner for Essex District. Monthly wage stipulated at $9 with rations and lodging provided.
Amos Rives
Deed Book Bill of Sale (1823)Conveyed in land & chattel deed of sale from Cooper to Garland for consideration of $1379.
Isabella Morgan
Probate Inventory (1823)Appraised in estate inventory of Fleming plantation, evaluated at $1313. Listed alongside family members in probate court ledger.
Edward Jackson
Manumission Deed (1822)Deed of emancipation granted by Lee. Stated freedom to take effect on January 1, 1822.
Joseph Ellis
Estate Division Account (1821)Recorded in estate division between legal heirs of Bell. Allotted to lot #6 in final decree.
Milley Hughes
Freedmen's Bureau Record (1821)Labor contract registered with Assistant Commissioner for Essex District. Monthly wage stipulated at $10 with rations and lodging provided.