Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Nathaniel Burwell Memorandum Books, 1809-1814. Local government records collection, Roanoke County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

These items came to the Library of Virginia in a shipment of court papers from Roanoke County.

Historical Information

Roanoke County was named for the Roanoke River, which in turn was derived from the English colonists' misunderstanding of the Indian word for the shell beads worn as personal adornment or used for trade. The county was formed from Botetourt County in 1838, and part of Montgomery County was added in 1849.

The memorandum books were used as exhibits in the chancery suit Fanny R. Johnston and others versus Executor of Nathaniel Burwell and others heard in the Roanoke County Circuit Court.

Nathaniel Burwell was the husband of Lucy Carter who was the daughter of Charles Carter of Shirley Plantation. They were married in 1809 in Charles City County, Virginia.

Scope and Content

Nathaniel Burwell Memorandum Books, 1809-1814, records the financial transactions of Nathaniel Burwell including the hiring out of slaves. Transactions record the names of individuals who purchased items or hired slaves and the amount paid. Transactions include the names of slaves.

Index Terms

Persons:

• Burwell, Nathaniel d. 1866 July 21.

Corporate Names:

• Roanoke County (Va.) Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• African Americans -- History.
• Personal property -- Virginia -- Roanoke County.
• Slaveholders. -- Virginia -- Roanoke County.
• Slavery -- Virginia -- Roanoke County.

Geographical Names:

• Roanoke County (Va.) -- History -- 19th century.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Account books -- Virginia -- Roanoke County.
• Local government records -- Virginia -- Roanoke County.