Slavery – Page 2 – The UncommonWealth

“Gone in the First Boat”: Part 2

This month’s blog is a continuation of the story I posted last month of an enslaved man, Richard, who helped his nephew Tazewell seize his…

Lydia NeurothNovember 24, 2021

Archives

The Last Vestiges of Hope

Several of my colleagues have shared the personal stories of enslaved individuals over the past nine years as we work our way through processing and…

Callie FreedOctober 4, 2021

Archives Digital Projects The Stacks

New Additions to Virginia Untold from Clarke County

Last month, I took my first road trip as project manager for Virginia Untold. I traveled to Clarke County courthouse, along with local records archivists…

Lydia NeurothSeptember 29, 2021

Archives

“In the way that all slaves were married”: The Legal Legacy of Unjust Laws

To what lengths would you go to prove your identity if you had no documentation? One formerly enslaved woman was able to do so 150…

Tracy HarterAugust 11, 2021

Archives

Commonwealth v. Fanny

CONTENT WARNING: Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and…

Lydia NeurothJuly 28, 2021

Archives

The Veney Family of the Northern Neck: Rachel’s Story

In 1791, Rachel Veney’s mother Sarah won a case in the district court of Northumberland County for her freedom and the freedom of her descendants.…

Greg CrawfordJune 9, 2021

Archives Highlights

The Veney family of the Northern Neck: Sarah’s Story

Around 1712, two women were transported by ship to Virginia’s Northern Neck. The elder was named Mary and the younger Bess, who was about 13…

Greg CrawfordJune 2, 2021

Archives

Kidnapped into Slavery: The Freedom Suit of Francis Jackson

The 2013 film 12 Years a Slave adapted the historical memoirs of Solomon Northup, a free African American from New York who was kidnapped and…

McKenzie LongApril 7, 2021

Archives Digital Projects

Virginia Untold: Joe of Nottoway County

The “Runaway Slaves” Records, 1791-1863, available at Virginia Untold: the African American Narrative, include reports, accounts, correspondence, court records, and receipts concerning expenses incurred by…

Greg CrawfordJanuary 27, 2021

Archives Digital Projects

Early Albemarle County Judgments to be Transcribed and Placed on Virginia Untold

For those who enjoy the art and intricacy of transcribing historical documents, the Library of Virginia is pleased to announce that a selection of Albemarle…

Tracy HarterJune 24, 2020

Archives

Slavery, Madness, and the 1840 Census

Today we bring you a story in recognition of Census Day, April 1. Learn more about the 2020 United States Census (and submit your response!),…

Kevin ShupeApril 1, 2020

Archives Manuscripts & Special Collections

Statue Stories: George Washington’s Statue of the Deathless Name

This post is Part 2 in a sometimes series about the statues of Virginia's Capitol Square. See Part 1 here. "In his quiet Roman workshop…

Meghan TownesDecember 13, 2019

Archives

Virginia Untold: Lancaster County Fiduciary Records 1657-1872

CONTENT WARNING: Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and…

Greg CrawfordAugust 29, 2019

Archives

The Man Who Killed Richard Whichello: A Henrico County Legend

At the end of the 1962 John Ford classic The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, a reporter remarks, “When the legend becomes fact, print the…

Vince BrooksMay 22, 2019

Archives

“We Were Residents of Loudoun County”

Editors’ Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2019 Loudoun County Office of the Circuit Court Clerk Historic Records Newsletter, “Little Gems.” We are…

Guest ContributorMarch 20, 2019