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Official Records - County Records - Augusta County

Augusta County, west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, was formed in 1738 from Orange County. Little tobacco was grown there, and the county had fewer slaves than Virginia’s more eastern counties: a 14 percent slave population by the 1790 census. But as the records make very clear, Augusta had a very large servant population, many of whom appear in the order books.

Examination of Matthew Thorpe
Examination of runaway servant Matthew Thorpe for stealing a horse, May 21, 1771. Thorpe ran away from owner Gilbert Campbell, ad 1, ad 2, ad 3.

Criticism of Justices
Criticism of justices because of a servant's complaint, August 24, 1771.

Examination for Stealing from Master
Examination of a servant for stealing from his master, Oct. 3, 1771. Kincholas was advertised as Peter Kinchler, captive in Augusta jail, Virginia Gazette (Rind), October 31, 1771.

Jane Dove on Suspicion of Murder
Examination of Jane Dove on suspicion of murdering her child, November 20, 1771. She was acquitted by reason of insanity.