A Virtual Tour

new

"This is a virtual tour of a duplex, or double cabin slave dwelling, at the Iden plantation in New Kent County."from Encyclopedia Virginia.

A Tale of Two Advertisements

 A wealth of history can lie in the most mundane of sources . . .

        CASH SALE OF SLAVES.

ON WEDNESDAY, the 27th day of the present month, I will sell, at New Kent Court House, publicly, to the highest bidder, for cash, between twenty and thirty very likely slaves. The sale will be made under a decree of the Superior Court of Chancery for the Richmond Circuit, pronounced on the 31st day of March, 1846, in the case of "Semple, &c., vs. Christian and others." Said sale will be made by me, as Commissioner for that purpose, appointed, in said decree.         JOHN B. CHRISTIAN.

May 7-ctds

-Richmond Enquirer, 15 May 1846

         50 Dollars Reward !

RAN  AWAY from the subscriber, at New Kent Court house. on the 27th day of May, 1846, a Negro Woman named JUDY. The said slave is about 23 years of age, five feet one or two inches high, and very black. She was purchased by the subscriber, at New Kent Court-house, on the 27th day May, 1846, and sold by John B. Christian, Esq., as Commissioner, under a decree of the Chancery Court of Richmond, in the case of Semple vs. Christian and others. I will give $50 for the apprehension and delivery of said girl to me, in Richmond.

Having to reason to believe that she is harbored between New Kent C.H. and Williamsburg, by a white man, I will give, in addition to the above reward, $50 for such information as will convict the offender.

Nov. 9 -cwtf             JOHN J. TOLER.

-Richmond Enquirer, 18 January 1848


You will notice that Judy escaped from the auction itself and that John Toler was still running ads a year and a half after Judy made her run for freedom.

Left Our Saw Mill

Two hundred dollars reward.

--Left our saw mill, near Summit Station, on the Richmond and York River Railroad, on Monday morning last, our man Joe, calls himself Booker; was purchased of Mr. Tapscott, in Richmond, who worked him on his farm in Buckingham county; is of dark brown complexion, short, thin whiskers, long, thin face, chin projecting; about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, of slender stature, looks to be about 30 years old, rather grim countenance; dress not recollected, except a Yankee cap. We will pay the above reward if lodged in jail in any secure place so that we can get him.

C. B. Turner & Bro, Richmond. 

printrunoc 7--eod10t

-The Daily Dispatch: October 7, 1863.


Summit Station was eventually renamed Quinton Station.

Hard Times- 1854

SALE OF CROPS, STOCK &c.

HAVING sold my farm in the County of New Kent, I will offer for sale, at public auction, on TUESDAY, the 28th day of the present month, (November,) commencing at 10 o'clock, (if fair, if not, the next fair day.) all the Crops, Stock and Farming Implements of every kind on the place, consisting of between 500 and 600 barrels of Corn, Blade and Top Fodder. Shucks. Hay, Sheaf and Seed Oats, Wheat and Oat Straw: Horses and Mules the most of them young and large; Cows Oxen, Hogs, &c; Farming Implements of every kind; together with one first rate Threshing Machine; two Wheat Fans nearly new; one Corn Sheller; one Cutting Box; one Grind Stone; two Penitentiary made Wagons(???); two Ox Carts: Horse Cart; Whip and Cross Cut Saws; Carpenters' Tools, &c.

TERMS OF SALE.—All sums under $20, cash: that amount and over, six months credit, the purchaser giving bond with approved security.

       no2o—td*         JOHN GEORGE.

SALE OF VALUABLE FARM IN NEW KENT, ON CHICKAHOMINY SWAMP. FIFTEEN MILES BELOW THE CITY  OF RICHMOND—Immediately preceding the sale
of the personal Estate, advertised by John George, Esq., (say 10 o'clock,) will be sold, the valuable Farm recently owned by him, containing 1096 acres, according to recent survey. It lies on the main road leading from Richmond to New Kent Court House, 15 miles distant from the former. The place is so well known, and its productiveness as a farm so well established, that a further description is deemed unnecessary. The present owners having changed their determination with respect to settling, prefer to sell it.

The terms accommodating, and made known at the hour of sale.

    GODDIN & APPERSON, Auctioneers.

     TWENTY-FOUR NEGROES.

P.S. Immediately after the sale of the Land, and before the sale of the perishable Estate, will be sold 24 valuable Slaves,belonging to John George, Esq —Among them are some valuable men, boys and girls,and all of them, with two exceptions, are young and likely.

Terms- Six months credit, for approved, endorsed negotiable note, with interest added.

 no 21                        GODDIN & APPERSON, Aucts.

____________

Mr. GEORGE having concluded not to sell the Negroes, they will not be offered, as advertised                               GODDIN & APPERSON. Aucts.

no 23       

 -The Daily Dispatch(Richmond), November 22, 1854




 . . . BUT . . .

NEGROES FOR HIRE —For hire for the remainder of the and for the next year, 6 men, good farm hands, drivers and managers of horses; 4 boys, from 10 to 14 years of age, and 2 girls, one about 14 and the other about 11 years old; the last will be put out to a good home for food and clothing. Also one old man, who would be very useful about a stable in cutting and preparing feed for horses. Apply to the subscriber on Marshall, near 3d Street.                            de3—3t*                JOHN GEORGE.

-The Daily Dispatch(Richmond), December 11, 1854





According to the 1850 Census, John George owned some 27 slaves in New Kent.
I assume that this is the John George resident in the city of Richmond at the time living on the corner of 3rd and Marshall, son of Major Byrd George and Mary Garthright. John George would die in November of the following year.

The Reassessment- Conclusion

I have never done this before, so consider this a bit of a test. I have embedded a PDF of the pages 192 and 193 of the New Kent County Court Order Book, 1860-1867 with the Order relating to the Property Tax reassessment of 1864.

The Reassessment- III

A few more notes, this time dealing with the people on the list . . .



2) George Timberlake. Why is he on the first list, but not the second?

2) Susan Toler. Married to Henry Toler she held Cumberland plantation in her own name as an inheritance from her first husband. In the 1860 census schedule she is listed as holding 60 slaves of all ages. The 1860 Property Tax book lists 29 slaves over 12 years of age( but some more were very close to that age according to the census) so 34 would represent virtually all of the adult Toler slaves. The Toler slaves will prominently figure in some upcoming posts.

3) There are several large owners of human property in New Kent who are totally unrepresented: George Brumley(24 slaves in Property Tax books), Henry M. Sherman(36), Isaac Vaiden(27), Richmond T. Lacy(33), Braxton Garlick(41), and of course W. H. F. Lee(78).

The Reassessment- II

A few explanatory comments on yesterday's post.


First some background on the tax itself . . .

In 1782 the General Assembly of Virginia enacted a major revision of the commonwealth’s tax laws. The act provided for statewide enumeration on the county level of certain personal property and land. It also created a permanent source of revenue for the operation of government in Virginia.

 . . .

Various revenue acts passed by the General Assembly established the tax rates and procedures for the collection of personal property taxes. At first, justices of the local court were designated to collect the taxes. By 1786, the county courts were directed to divide each locality into precincts and to appoint commissioners to collect the taxes. Taxes were assessed between March and April of each year and were payable by the end of December.

The commissioners prepared four “fair and correct” copies of the personal property tax books. Copies were prepared for the commissioner, county clerk, sheriff, and auditor of public accounts.

-Using Personal Property Tax Records in the Archives at the Library of Virginia
by Minor T. Weisiger
Library of Virginia 2010



So with that in mind . . .

1- It appears then that the losses of slaves occurred between Spring 1863 and December of that year.

2- The total number of escaped slaves mentioned is 213. Valued at some $134,472 Confederate dollars.

3- Only slaves over twelve years of age were usually counted on the Property Tax books so I assume only slaves over twelve were counted here.

4- The 1860 Property Tax book,the closest to 1864 of which I have full scans, counts some 1808 slaves. The slaves referenced here would then make some 12% of that total.

The Reassessment- I

Even in the Nineteenth Century people complained about their tax assessment, but this request for adjustment is a bit different . . .
(sorry about the crooked columns- it's properly aligned in my editor)

New Kent County                                              New Kent County

At a Court of Quarterly session begun and held for said county on Thursday the 10th day of March 1864 at the Courthouse of said County.

                                                Present

                                Elijah Ball                      Presiding Justice

                                John C. Apperson

                                Wm W. Taliaferro

                                Benj. Timberlake

                                Robert F. Carter

On the application of the following named citizens of the County that they are erroneously assessed by Edmund W. Allen the Commissioner of Revenue with taxes for the year 1863 on slaves, who, since their lists were rendered to the said Commissioner have escaped to the enemy, namely

Thomas W. Atkinson                   1 slave valued at                                     $ 866.00

Wm F. Atkinson                           1                                                              633.00

Ira L. Bowles                               4                                                             1500.00

John Ball                                      6                                                             3315.00

Sarah T. Crump                            4                                                             3600.00

Bat. D. Christian                           6                                                             3858.00

D. P. Chandler                              1                                                               600.00

James I. Drake                             1                                                             1000.00

Ann M.V.Farinholt                        7                                                             4200.00

A. C. Farinholt                             7                                                              4830.00

Geo. L. Timberlake                       2                                                             1466.00

Ro. A. Farinholt                            4                                                             2544.00

James M. Goddin                        17                                                           12750.00

Mary H. Howle                             2                                                             1600.00

John A. Hockaday                        1                                                               675.00

Roland Jones                                4                                                              2400.00

Martha A. Jones                           1                                                                700.00

Burwell B. Jones                           6                                                              3300.00

Vernon P. Jones                            3                                                              1725.00

Thomas S. Morris                         6                                                              3000.00

Thomas S. Martin                         1                                                                700.00

Wm B. Merry                               1                                                                462.00

John Parrish                                 14                                                              8400.00

M.C. Poindexter                           6                                                              2940.00

J.L. Poindexter                              9                                                              5000.00

John A. Richardson                       5                                                              3000.00

Wm P. Richardson                         1                                                              1200.00

Wm T. Ratcliffe                             1                                                                600.00

Richard G. Smith                           4                                                              2908.00

P.F. Taylor                                     1                                                                800.00

Frs H. Timberlake                          1                                                                550.00

Susan Toler                                  34                                                             21080.00

Ro. L. Timberlake                          4                                                               2844.00

Wm F. Timberlake                         1                                                                 600.00

John M. Timberlake                       6                                                               5000.00

Thos W. Timberlake                    14                                                             10560.00

Nathl J. Turner                              8                                                               4640.00

R.B.  Weisiger                               3                                                               2040.00

Wyatt S. Woodward                     7                                                               3010.00

Jno R. Williams                             2                                                                 776.00

Mary C. Williams                          6                                                               2800.00

And that they desire to be relieved from the payments of the taxes so imposed; and John P. Pierce esq, the attorney prosecuting on behalf of the Commonwealth in this Court being  present and defending said applications, and the Court being satisfied that the said applicants are erroneously charged upon the Books of the said Commissioner of the Revenue for  the year 1863 for the slaves so escaped,

Doth order that the said applicants

Thomas W. Atkinson from the payment of $                       8.66                      

Wm F. Atkinson                                                               6.33

Ira L. Bowles                                                                  15.00

John Ball                                                                         33.15

Sarah T. Crump                                                               36.00

Bat. D. Christian                                                              38.58

D. P. Chandler                                                                   6.00

James I. Drake                                                                 10.00

Ann M.V. Farinholt                                                           42.00

Avery C. Farinholt                                                            48.30

Geo. L. Farinholt                                                             14.66                                    

Ro. A. Farinholt                                                               25.44

James M. Goddin                                                           127.50

Mary H. Howle                                                               16.00

John A. Hockaday                                                             6.75

Roland Jones                                                                   24.00

Burwell B. Jones                                                              33.00

Vernon P. Jones                                                               17.25

Tho S. Morris                                                                  30.00

Tho S. Martin                                                                   7.00

Wm B. Merry                                                                   4.60

John Parrish                                                                    84.00

M.C. Poindexter est                                                        29.40

J.L. Poindexter est                                                           50.00

John A. Richardson                                                          30.00

Wm P. Richardson                                                           12.00

Wm T. Ratcliffe                                                                  6.00

Richard G. Smith                                                              29.08

P.F. Taylor                                                                          8.00

Frs H. Timberlake                                                               5.50

Susan Toler                                                                     210.80

Ro. L. Timberlake                                                             28.44

Wm F. Tmberlake                                                               6.00

John M. Timberlake                                                          50.00

Thos W. Timberlake                                                        105.60

Nathl J. Turner                                                                  46.40    

R.B.  Weisiger                                                                   20.40

Wyatt S. Woodward                                                          30.10

Jno R. Williams                                                                    7.76

Mary C. Williams                                                               28.00

each, be and they are hereby exonerated of the said sums have not been already paid and if  paid that the sums so paid be refunded to them respectively ordered that the following named persons, Thomas W. Athenson,Wm F. Atkenson, Ira L.  Bowles, John Ball, Sarah F. Crump, Bat. D. Christian, D.P. Chandler, James I. Drake, Ann  M.V.Farinholt, Ro. A. Farinholt, Avery C. Farinholt, James M. Goddin, Mary H. Howle, John A.  Hockaday, Roland Jones, Burwell B. Jones, Vernon P. Jones, Tho S. Morris, Tho S.  Martin,Wm B. Merry, John Parrish, the estates of Martha C. Poindexter and J.L. Poindexter  John A. Richardson, Wm P. Richardson, Wm T. Ratcliffe, Richard G. Smith, P.F. Taylor, Frs H.  Timberlake, Susan Toler,  Ro. L. Timberlake, Wm F. Timberlake, John M. Timberlake, Thos W.  Timberlake, Nathl J. Turner, R.B.  Weisiger, Wyatt S. Woodward, Jno R. Williams, and  Mary  C. Williams, be and they are hereby released from the assessment of thirty per cent upon so  much of the Revenue tax assessed against them and from the payment of which they have been exonerated by an order of this Court entered on this day, on account of slaves escaped to  the enemy.

And the sheriff is hereby ordered to credit the said person by the thirty per cent assessed against them for County purposes, on the sums of money from the payment of which they have been released.

-New Kent County Court Order Book, 1860-1867

#2719104 10/8/2013

Sold at Auction 1835

                               Brought to Jail

  In LAGRANGE, Troup county, GA. on the 3d October inst. two negro men of the following description viz: EDMUND,  about 25 years of age about 5 feet 7 inches high, stout built, black complexion, has lost two of his upper front teeth, of African descent. Says that he belongs to Mr. Vinson Carr, cotton planter, who resides 50 miles above Bayou Sayra on the Mississippi river in Louisiana, and that he was raised in Charleston, S.C. and carried to Louisiana two or three years since by a Mr. Harry Boynan, and sold to a Mr. Nettles, who sold him again to the aforesaid Vinson Carr, the he run away some time about the 1st of May last. The other boy, WILLIAM, is about thirty years of age, 5 feet, 4 inches high, stout built, rather light complexion and somewhat bow-legged. says that he belongs to Alexander Humphries, who is a sugar Planter, residing in Louisiana, but does not know what county, his master lives on the River, that he was raised in New Kent county Virginia, and was sold at auction in Richmond, in March 1835, to his present master and shipped to New Orleans. The owners of said negroes are requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges and take them away.
Oct. 13.                      AARON WILKS, Jailor

-from the Columbus, Georgia Enquirer, October 20, 1836-March 2, 1837.

LaGrange lies in the middle of Troup county along the Alabama line

The Grant Tragedy V

Triple Execution In New Kent County. The Last Act In the Grant Tragedy—An Interesting Narrative.

[correspondence or the Richmond Daily Dispatch]

New Kent C.H., Va., March 13. 1858.

At an early hour this morning, a vast multitude assembled to witness the execution of Major Morris, Henry and Dick Bradley, the murderers of James C Grant. A few minutes past 10 o'clock A. M., the sheriff, John S. Lacy, Esq. with his deputy, Chas. A Hewlett, Esq., proceeded to the jail, for the purpose of removing the chains from the prisoners and to shroud them in robes of black cambric; when they were led out of their cell. Capt. Braxton Garlick, with the Troop, escorted them to the gallows. 

On their arrival, the Rev. George B Simcoe, one of their spiritual advisers, delivered a very solemn and impressive sermon. At the conclusion of this be prayed very fervently. They were then asked if they had anything to say. Henry and Dick said they wore prepared to meet their God. Major Morris said he had fallen a victim to the gallows through the persuasion and advice of his friends; who admonished those around him never to repose too much confidence in friends. 

The halters having been properly adjusted to the beam and their necks when they first ascended to the scaffold, the fly was drawn from the drop and at 12 o'clock PM they were launched into eternity The night preceding their execution was devoted to prayer and supplication. At intervals they sang the very melancholy hymn, commencing "Hark from the tomb!" As I gazed through the iron gates of the prison window into their cell, I could but feel sad at so woeful a spectacle. Thus last act of this bloody drama has been performed, and the curtain, I trust, has fallen never to rise on a similar tragedy in New Kent or elsewhere. This is the fourth execution which has occurred in New Kent since the great calamity that befell the county in 1787.

A few notes. The troop mentioned as commanded by Braxton Garlick is probably New Kent's troop of militia, the New Kent Light Dragoons. Three years later during the Civil War, the Dragoons, then known simply as the New Kent Cavalry, were commanded by Telemachus Taylor, the defense counsel.

You will notice the constant use of the word "tragedy" in describing these events. I believe this was done purposefully to evoke the 1825 Beauchamp–Sharp murder, better known as the Kentucky Tragedy, which was possibly the most well known murder in the several decades leading up to the Civil War.

The Grant Tragedy IV

The Grant Tragedy in New Kent-
Trial and Conviction of the Murderers.

correspondence of the Richmond Daily Dispatch

New Kent C.H. Va., Feb 16, 1858

A court of Oyer and Terminor for the trial of three slaves, implicated in the murder of James C. Grant, has been sitting four day. Owing to a very large number of witnesses sworn and examined in this case, the Court has been unable to try more than two up to the time of my writing, namely major Morris and Henry Bradley, who have convicted and sentenced to be executed of Friday, the 19th day of March next. I deem it only requisite your readers the most material facts which lead to the conviction of the unhappy culprits. 

I appears from all the evidence that I have been able to glean, that a most infernal conspiracy had been concocted by this hellish trio to destroy the life of Grant. Henry, not wishing to be the assassin of the young master, for fear of being detected, agreed to give Major Morris who lived in Henrico, twenty five dollars to perpetrate this atrocious deed. On the night of the murder, Major Morris met Dick Bradley on some obscene and remote part of Grant's farm and after arranging all the preliminaries, proceeded in the direction of G.'s house they halted and Dick Bradley assisted Major Morris in pulling off his boots and left them in the house where he discovered G. sitting at the supper table near a window. Major took unerring and deliberate aim at the back of G.'s ear, which was toward the window: the whole load of trooper's pistol took effect in his head and neck, which terminated the existence of Grant before he could say one word to his mother and sister, who were in the same room at the time of the commission of this bloody deed. Major then returned to the spot where he had left Dick Bradley, and informed him of the triumph of his mission. Here they separated, each going to his respective wife's house. Henry Bradley, at the time this tragedy was committed was removed two miles off at a neighbor's  where his wife lived. When the intelligence of the death of his master reached him, he took the precaution to call the attention of his friends to the fact that he (Henry Bradley) was then at this neighbors house, his object being, no doubt, to prove an alibi. The chief evidence adduced in the trial of each of those unfortunate men, was from negroes, and of the strongest and most corroborative character, and established the guilt of the parties convicted beyond the shadow of a doubt. 

Dick Bradley, after he had been arrested and incarcerated in the county jail, in order to escape the legal punishment he justly merited, endeavored to erase from the minds of the jailor and others, everything that was calculated to arouse the least degree of suspicion against him. He told them that Major Morris was the perpetrator of the crime, and was to receive twenty-five dollars from Henry Bradley after the commission of the murder. Dick Bradley sore to this in the trial of Major Morris and a portion of his evidence was substantiated by other witnesses several of whom deposed that they saw Major Morris in the neighborhood of the murder a few hours prior to its being committed. Dick Bradley also swore that Henry(his brother) had threatened to kill his master more than once. 

After hearing all the evidence, Mr. Telemachus Taylor appeared as counsel for the prisoners and Mr. Richmond T. Lacy for the commonwealth- Mr. Lacy commenced his remarks by reviewing the many flagrant violations of the law which had occurred within the limits of the county in the last twelve months, and particularly the one that had resulted in the death of Grant which he portrayed in the most vivid colors arguing that nothing would go so far in restoring order and tranquility as bringing the offenders of the law before a tribunal, and there inflicting the severest penalty of the law upon them. 

Mr. Taylor, in behalf of the prisoners, spoke at some length upon the testimony introduced, and closed his remarks by making a very pathetic appeal to the Court. 

The Court after hearing all the evidence and argument pronounced them guilty, and valued them. They were then conducted to jail to await their execution. 

Convicts having escaped from our jail heretofore the Court deemed it insecure appointed a guard consisting of four men to watch it until the 9th day of next March. 

Yours,

DYKE


New Kent C.H. Va, Feb. 17 1858
Since writing to you yesterday, Dick Bradley has also been condemned and will be executed on the 19th day of March next.

DYKE

The attorney for the Commonwealth is the Richmond T. Lacy who owned Eltham plantation and who is mentioned as such here.

And this is a milestone of sorts. This is my 200th post since this site was founded in March 2011.