Misc. Lawmaking

Westmoreland County, VA 1687.
The gathering together of large numbers of slaves after dark prompted Westmoreland lawmakers to ban nighttime burials, because 'local authorities were convinced that they provided ideal cover for the planning and execution of rebellions.'

Westmoreland County, VA January 29, 1700
James Loggin, an Indian Mulatto, bound to Henry Wharton until the age of 21 by the Court. (use of the term Mulatto here to describe an Indian half-blood)

Hannah lived at the majestic Stratford Plantation until her marriage in 1748 to her cousin Gawin Corbin. She was left a widow at age 32 and used the title "Widow Corbin" for the rest of her life. Her husband's will left his estate divided between Hannah and her only child, a daughter, Martha; however, if Hannah remarried or left Westmoreland County she would lose her bequest.

Frederick County, Virginia, Deed Book 28 pg. 17.

I Benjamin Dawson of Frederick County Trustee for Robert Carter by deed dated the twenty-ninth day of November in the year of our Lord Seventeen Hundred and ninety seven and duly recorded in Westmoreland county court do hereby emancipate and forever set free from slavery the following persons viz Jacob Gaskins, Berkley Harrison, John Newman, Anthony Gaskins, Solomon Johnson, Primus Jones, Jesse Spence, Nutty Dickson, Anna Gaskins, Leanna Newman and Tone Johnson. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of January eighteen hundred and three.

Benj Dawson
Trustee for Robert Carter
Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly
Volume XXIX / Number 4

To be Sold for Ready Money
A Tract of valuable Land lying on Potowmack River, in Westmoreland County, joining to the Land of Col. Gawin Corbin, containing about Five Hundred Acres, with an Overseer's House, Quarters, and three Large Tobacco-Houses, a good Orchard, well wooded, watered, &c. Also several Slaves, to be sold with the Land, or separate, with several Sorts of household Goods, Stock, &c. Whoever has a Mind to purchase the said Land, Negros, &c. may repair to the Subscriber, at his house in Northumberland County.
Robert Eskridge.

From: Virginia Gazette Extracts, 1738

June 20, 1751.

   To be sold, at Westmoreland Court-House, the last Tuesday of June, Instant, by Order of Vestry, Thirty Thousand Pounds of Tobacco, for ready Money, by
                                  Jas. Steptoe,
                                  Tho. Chilton, Churchwardens.

From: Virginia Gazette Extracts, 1750-51

To be Sold, A Valuable Tract of Land, in Dorchester County, on Nanticoke River, between 1300 and 1500 Acres, a very convenient Place for Trade, Ships can come up to the Landings on the Land; remarkably fertile in all Kinds of Grain, well adapted for raising large Quantities of Stock, for getting Lumber an Myrtle Wax; very level, rich Land, and little used or cleared.

Whoever is inclinable to purchase it, may know the Terms, and have an indisputable Title, from Philip Ludwell Lee, at Stratford, in Westmoreland County, near Potowmack River, in Virginia.

From: THE MARYLAND GAZETTE, January 7, 1755

Ran away from the Subscriber in Westmoreland County, a Negro wench named Patience, about 30 Years of Age, had in when she went away, a Virginia Cloth Waistcoat and petticoat, and carried with her a chequer'd Wasste-coat turned up with stripp'd Perfian. Whoever brings her to me shall have the Reward, besides what the Law allows.
William Booth.

From: Virginia Gazette Extracts, 1755

On WEDNESDAY the 21st of November next, will be SOLD at public auction, in LOTS, or the whole together, as may best suit the purchaser, A Valuable tract of land in Westmoreland county, containing 878 acres, by a late survey, lying on Machodick river, where the greatest quantity of the finest fish and oysters may be got with convenience ; and for a gentleman engaged in the West India trade, no place on Potowmack can answer his purpose better. the navigation is sufficient for a vessel of any burthen to go up into one of the best harbors in Potowmack river, the landings deep, and the neighborhood produces considerable quantities of Indian corn and wheat ; there are both apple and peach orchards on the land, with good springs, and convenient to church, court-house, and several good mills ' for the planter or farmer it is equally valuable, the land being sufficiently timbered, with several good plantation houses, and through the whole, well adapted for tobacco, corn and wheat, and at all times a ready and advantageous sale for each commodity.
Any person that inclines to buy before the day of sale, may know the terms by applying to me in Frederick county, or to Mr. John Augustine Washington in Westmoreland county, living near the land.
Samuel Washington.

From: Virginia Gazette Extracts, 1770

Just arrived from AFRICA, Two Hundred choice SLAVES, In the brig Aston, John Clifton, commander : the sale of which will begin at Bermuda Hundred, on Thursday with 20th of September, and continue until all are sold. Merchants notes will be received in payment.
John Lawrence, William Call, & Co.

From: Virginia Gazette Extracts, 1770

The subscribers will attend at Westmoreland court house on Saturday the 22nd of September, to fix the value of such tobacco as was damaged in I warehouse by the storm in September last. All persons concerned in this business, are desired to give their attendance.
Richard Henry Lee.
Richard Lee.
William Booth.
Thomas Chilton.

From: Virginia Gazette Extracts, 1770

Taken up in Westmoreland, a white horse, about 9 years old, 13 hands high, and branded in the near buttock with something resembling Q. []ossted, and appraised to 61.
John Price.

From: Virginia Gazette Extracts, 1772

Carters Double Mill, Westmoreland, Nov. 15. Wanted here a baker well skilled in the art of making both white and brown biscuit. Any person, thus qualified, may know the wages that will be given, either by applying to the printer of this paper or to ______ HENRY FRANCKS.

From: Virginia Gazette Extracts, 1772

* for easier reading, I have replaced the archaic "f" used as a double 's' to the contemporary spelling using 'ss'

For Sale

A VALUBLE House Servant, about 21 years of age - he is very likely and intelligent, and would either suit a tavern, private family or a single gentleman. I wish to dispose of the servant to some person in Alexandria or its vicinity, as my only object in selling him is to gratify him being near his wife-She can be bought to accommodate parties, by applying to William Robinson, Esq.

The Servants will be shewn, and the terms of sale made known.

McK. BEVERLEY
Westmoreland county, Va., June 24,1813.

Alex Daily Gazette, July 7, 1813.

Westmoreland county, Va.

Rev. Wm. W. Walker and J. E. R. Crabb were arrested in Westmoreland County, Va., last week, and bound over not to fight a duel, which had been arranged to come off with rifles. The difficulty originated in politics.

The Daily Dispatch February 18th, 1861; Richmond Va.