Sample Entries from
the Augusta Register of Free Blacks

In this instance, a woman and her children were assigned one registration number.

Cooper, Polly

No 261 Polly Cooper about 30 years of age five feet six inches high of Black complexion and her children,
Martha Frances born 9 Octo 1839
Susan Mary born 17th December 1841
James K. Polk born 21st June 1845 and Charlotte Temple
born 31st July 1847.
Copy delvd.

Frequently, one can guess at family relationships, as in this case where four men with the same last name registered on the same day. They were most likely brothers. Notice, too, the detailed physical descriptions included.

Jackson, John

No 236 Registered in the Clerks office of Augusta County Court in pursuance of an order of the Court of said County entered on the 27th day of July 1846. John Jackson a mulatto man aged thirty one years five feet 10 1/2 inches high with a scar upon the right side of the forehead and a small dark spot on the right cheek and was born free. Given under my hand this 28th July 1846
Jefferson Kinney, Clk.
Copy delvd.

Jackson, Archy

No 237 Registered in the Clerks office of Augusta County Court in pursuance of an order of the Court of said County entered on the 27th day of July 1846. Archy Jackson a mulatto twenty three years of age Six feet half an inch high no scars or marks perceivable and was born free. Given under my hand this 28th July 1846.
Jefferson Kinney, Clk.
(Copy delvd)

Jackson, Harvey

No 238 Registered in the Clerks office of Augusta County Court in pursuance of an order of the County Court entered on the 27th day of July 1846. Harvey Jackson a mulatto aged twenty four years five feet ten and an half inches high with a scar on the left side of the forehead, a piece of the fore finger of the left hand cut off and was born free. Given under my hand this 28th July 1846.
Jefferson Kinney, Clk.

Jackson, Richard

No 239 Registered in the Clerks office of Augusta County Court in pursuance of an order of the County Court entered on the 27th day of July 1846. Richard Jackson a mulatto aged twenty six years, six feet high a scar over the left eye and a small dark spot on the lip below the nose on the left side and was born free. Given under my hand this 28th day of July 1846.
Jefferson Kinney, Clk.
Copy delvd.

This record not only includes information about a free black's former owner, but also shows multiple renewals.

Thompson, Hiram

No 325 Hiram Thompson manumitted by the will of John Thompson in 1842 of mulatto complexion, aged fifty six years five feet ten inches high and marked by a scar in the left eyebrow
Renewed March 27th 1857 & old copy returned & destroyed - new copy delvd. March 30th 1857. 1862 Mar. 24 renewed old copy returned & destroyed - new copy delvd. April 2nd 1862.
Teste W. A. Burnett DC

These examples show a freed slave who received permission from the courts to remain in the county, and one who did not.

Bridget, Sally

No 343 Sally Bridget of bright complexion aged sixty two years five feet one inch high with a small scar on her right wrist and was emancipated by the will of Ann Blackburn late of this County dec'd and has leave from said Court to remain the commonwealth. Given under my hand this 1st July 1851.
Jefferson Kinney, Clk.
Copied July 1st 1851 fee paid

Johnston, Milly

No 462 Registered in this office in pursuance of an order of the County Court of Augusta. Entered on the 25th day of August 1858.
Milly Johnson(the wife of Nicholas Johnson a free man of color) of dark brown complexion five feet, 1 1/2 inches high - aged about fifty eight years - defective eye sight - no scars or marks perceivable, and was emancipated by the last will and testament of Kitty S Wilson dec'd of record in the Clerks office of this Court. But this registry is without leave for said Milly Johnson to remain in this Commonwealth. Given under my hand this 28th day of August 1858.
John D. Imboden, Clk
Copy delvd at date