4 manuscript inventory documents. [King & Queen County, Virginia], [1834].

7 pages (fragments), Largest approx. 5 5/8 x 4 ½ in.; smallest 5 5/8 x 2 7/8 in. Each appears to be clipped from a larger sheet.

A entensive collection of four sheet fragments, all with entries on both recto and verso except for one sheet which carries a folk art sketch to the verso. Each page bears 1-2 entries with the name of man, his age, and the number of slaves he owned, organized by age, followed by other noteworthy assets. All of the enslavers were residents of King and Queen County of Virginia, with later census data indicating that most were agricultural plantation owners.

Notably, the entry for William Walden names the 9 enslaved individuals over the age of 16: "Tom, Harry, Boston, Ezekel, Caty, Mary, Jimmy, Fenton, [and] Mohala," as well as the four enslaved between the ages of 12 and 16: "Frogen, Jno. Allen, [and] Mary". Walden (1812-1883) would increase his holdings, enslaving 30 individuals by 1850, and 31 in 1860. The rest of the inventories do not name the slaves, only listing the number by age bracket. On the verso of the Walden fragment is listed Thomas Wyatt (b. ca 1812) who enslaved 1 person over 16. He is listed in the Slave Schedules as enslaving 3 people in 1850 and 4 in 1860.

Another interesting entry is that of Joseph Broach (circa 1812-1860) who lists no slaves, but one "Free Male". Listed on the same page above is Frances Blaine who enslaved 2 individuals over 16. The verso is dated 1834 with a man named Jon W. Beazley with no humans, enslaved or otherwise other than himself. Below is an entry dated 4 March 1834 for William Brown with 1 slave over 45, 5 over 16, and 3 between 12 and 16. On a smaller fragment Joseph Ryland (1813-1872), who enslaved 9 individuals over 16, and 2 people between the ages of 12 and 16. By the 1850 Slave Schedule Ryland enslaved 23 individuals, and 34 by 1860. The verso lists M.B. Rouse who owned 2 people over 16, and 1 between 12 and 16. This is possibly Mordecai Booth Rouse (1796-1862), or his son of the same name.

The last fragment lists Junius B. Roane with 11 enslaved individuals over 16 and two more between 16 and 12. On the verso is a folk art pencil sketch of two figures wearing hats.

Condition: Excellent condition, minor chipping at corners/edges, likely early when excised from original book/documents.

[African Americana, African American History, Slavery, Abolition, Civil War, Enslavement, Slaves, Virginia, Manuscripts, Ephemera, Letters, Documents]