Slaves in Tazewell County, Virginia
By S. Paul Peery
Orlando, Florida
December 16, 1996
"When the Civil War broke out the people of Tazewell County were practically
all on the side of the South. At the election which was held to uphold the
ratification of the Ordinance of Secession, the vote was almost unanimous for
it's ratification.
As many think, it was not a desire to extend or perpetuate slavery. The
Tazewell County Census of 1860 showed only 9,920 people in Tazewell County of
which 8,625 were white, 1,202 were Negro slaves and there were 93 free
[sic] slaves ["free African"--"free Black"--"free colored"]. There were
not more than 200-300 slave owners in Tazewell at that time.
As was Thomas Jefferson, the people of Tazewell County were steadfastly
devoted to his political creed of States-Rights and Local
Self-Government.
The North undertook to violate these constitutional rights of the Southern
States.
The people of Tazewell County stood by Virginia in it's support of the
Southern Cause. Two thousand (2000) men went from Tazewell County to serve
in the "Lost Cause."
They went to defend their homes and loved ones the same as they did when
fighting the Revolutionary War against Great Britain's red-coated army.
Most of the men and boys had their own guns when volunteer companies were
formed in 1861 following withdrawal of Virginia from the Union. They knew
how to use their guns as well as their ancestors. Twenty companies were
formed, ten of infantry and ten of cavalry, for the Confederacy.
I do not have all the facts regarding slavery in Tazewell County but during
my research of the Peerys, I have been able to determine what I believe, are
the names of the Peerys who did own slaves.
In the Recapitulation of Personal Property Tax Lists of 1800-1820 the
following number of slaves were present in Tazewell County:
1801 - 116 slaves; 1808 - slaves; 1815 - 260 slaves;
1802 - 123 slaves; 1809 - 167 slaves; 1816 - 237 slaves;
1803 - 132 slaves; 1810 - 175 slaves; 1817 - 260 slaves;
1804 - 145 slaves; 1811 - 183 slaves; 1818 - 265 slaves;
1805 - 148 slaves; 1812 - 196 slaves; 1819 - 266 slaves;
1806 - 155 slaves; 1813 - 205 slaves; 1820 - 286 slaves.
1807 - 156 slaves; 1814 - 210 slaves:
In the 1840 Census of Tazewell County the following Peerys were owners of
slaves:
James Peery........................ 3 slaves
Thomas Peery (Burke's Garden)...... 1 slave
Thomas Peery....................... 8 slaves
Jonathan Peery..................... 8 slaves
David Peery........................ 5 slaves
Joseph Peery....................... 1 slaves
Martha Peery....................... 3 slaves
William Peery...................... 3 slaves
Harvey G. Peery.................... 4 slaves plus 1 free slave
In the Abstracts of Tazewell County in Will Book No. 1 - 1800 to 1832 the
following information was obtained:
THOMAS PEERY Page 132 Dated: 06-Aug-1817 and Proven on 27-Jul-1820
To daughter Rebecca Peery - Negro girl (the next to the oldest to the
girl that I have Nancy Helms). To the other two daughters;
Nelly and Purmilley - Negroes (the next oldest to Rebecca and Nelly
and the youngest to Purmilley)
Note: On the 03-Jul-1820, Andrew Peery in Washington County, Missouri
appeared before a notary public and swore that he had witnessed
the will.
THOMAS PEERY, SR. Page 139
Appraisement: Negroes: Crew and child; Jackson, Elijah, Vine, Nan,
accounts of Jacob Helms, Harvey G. Peery, James Peery.
By:
Purchasers: Jonathan Peery (Negro woman and child) Jacob Helm (Negro
Nan); Samuel Peery (Negro Vine); Thomas Peery (Negro boy
Lige); Jos. Peery (Negro Jack).
JAMES PEERY, JR. Page 151 Made: 18-Oct-1821 and proven 27-Nov-1821.
Will: To daughter Nell Whiteman, Negro girl Sally. To daughter Hannah,
Negro girl Haney and to his other 3 daughters, Negro woman called
Nancy.
THOMAS PEERY of Abbs Valley Page 153
Appraisement: Negroes: Judy, Esther, Hetty, Ruth, Linn, Rebecka, and
Lige.
Purchasers: Polly Peery, William Witten, Thomas Peery, George Peery, Jr.
and Joseph D. Peery.
SAMUEL PEERY Page 208
Appraisement: Negroes: Isaac, Jim, Nelly, Prudence, Eliza, Doria, Emily,
Charles, Andrew. Total $2,687.25.
WILLIAM PEERY Page 308
Appraisement: Negroes: Stepney, Liddy, Maria, Simon, Pompy, Sal, Catt,
Farmer, Charles.
=================================================================
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX LISTS
=================================================================
Blacks Above Blacks Above
Name age 12 age 16
_________________ ____________ ____________
Personal Property Tax List - 1801
---------------------------------
Thomas Peery 1 1
James Peery, Sr. 1
John Peery (Blacksmith) 2
William Peery, Sr. 2
George Peery 2
Personal Property Tax List - 1802
---------------------------------
Thomas Peery 1 1
George Peery 2
William Peery 5
James Peery, Sr. 1
John Peery (Blacksmith) 2
Personal Property Tax List - 1803
---------------------------------
John Peery 2
James Peery, Sr. 1
William Peery 5
George Peery, Esq. 2
Thomas Peery 1 1
Personal Property Tax List - 1806
---------------------------------
Thomas Peery, Captain. 2
James Peery, Sr. 1 1
John Peery (Blacksmith) 1 2
William Peery (Abbs Valley) 2 4
George Peery, Esq. 1 2
Personal Property Tax List - 1820
---------------------------------
George Peery, Jr. 1
Thomas Peery, Jr. (Abbs V.) 2
Archibald Peery 1
David Peery 1
James Peery, Sr. 1 1
Thomas Peery, Sr. 2 2
James Peery, Captain. 1
Joseph D. Peery 1
George Peery (Abbs Valley) 4
Thomas Peery (Merchant) 1
Margaret Peery 4
In the book: Tazewell County Heritage, Vol 1, 1799-1995 there is an article
on Tazewell County's Dickerson Dynasty of Preachers. In it, I would like to
quote it's author Nancy Bane Peery where she mentions Sarah Harris
Dickerson who was a slave in Tazewell County. but was born a slave in Putnam
County, Virginia. Her owner was a Baptist who read the Bible to all his
slaves. I would like to think that the Peerys who were owners of slaves did
the same thing and hopefully some did.
During my research, I noticed that some slave owners who upon their death,
gave the slaves their right to choose their new masters. But, as you can see
slaves were mentioned in wills and passed to other relatives. I like to
think that Peery owners of slaves treated them fairly and humanly in every
way but as history shows us this was not always the case.
Editor's Note: Sonia L. Walker, an African American researcher, has
informed me "free slaves" is an oxymoron. The correct usages for slaves
who became freed are "free African," "free Black," or "free colored." See
her message under Peery Participation in Enslavement.
Editor - Peery Family
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