Galt, James K. (1836–1913), diary, 1889–1892. 2 v. Mss5:1G1393:1-2.
Galt, an itinerant Baptist minister from Reba, Bedford County, kept his diary in two volumes and recounted his travels through the Lynchburg region of Virginia. Along with comments on his daily life, ministry, and Virginia social life in general, he mentions preaching to African American congregations. He eventually had a falling out with the Baptists and turned to the practice of law. In 1892 he mentions the trial of an African American man named William Richeson for an unspecified crime.

Galt, William (1801–1851), diary, 1827–1838. [42] leaves. Mss5:1G1397:1. Photocopy.
Covers Galts farming activities and business accounts at Point of Fork, Fluvanna County, and includes John Hartwell Cockes directions for governing overseers and slaves.

Gamble, John Grattan (1779–1852), accounts, 1824–1833. 6 items. Mss2C1111b.
Concern the executorship of the estate of Abraham Joseph Cabell (of Jefferson County, Fla.). Includes an affidavit, 1832, of Gamble concerning the sale of slaves belonging to the estate.

Gannaway, Theodorick Carter (d. 1863), papers, 1831–1863. 6 items. Mss2G15558b.
Include Gannaway's 1836 bond to Benjamin Talley of Tennessee for the slave Buck.

Garnett family papers, 1814–1940. 680 items. Mss1G1875c.
This collection features the correspondence, financial accounts, and legal papers of members of the Garnett and related Garth families of Madison and Albemarle counties. The correspondence, 1833–1851, of Willis Dabney Garth (1790–1851), planter and lawyer of Charlottesville, includes letters from Edwin R. Clarke, a nephew in Mississippi and Tennessee, in part concerning the hiring out of slaves while settling the estates of family members; Winston Garth, a brother in Alabama, concerning the purchase of slaves; and J. W. Morehead, a Greensboro, N.C., attorney, concerning the settlement of a suit against Hezekiah Arnold for the value of slaves owned by his deceased wife, Susannah Garth (Dalton) Arnold (section 2). Garth's financial accounts, 1814–1851, include Albemarle County tax levies for land, horses, and slaves, as well as bills for services related to the lawsuit against Hezekiah Arnold (section 3). Garth served as executor of the estate of Thomas K. Clarke and trustee for his widow, Elizabeth (Garth) Clarke. Estate papers, 1835–1847, include accounts paid for the hire of slaves and also include lists and prices of slaves as part of the settlement of the estate of Susannah Dalton (section 4). In the settlement of Garth's own estate, papers include a will, inventory of agricultural equipment, livestock, and slaves, lists of slaves and their values, and an account for medical care provided to slaves by Doctor James A. Leitch (section 5). Legal papers of Garth's widow, Martha (Graves) Garth (d. 1874), include an agreement, 1868, with Edward Twyman, a freedman, allowing him and his family to live in a house on her lot at Madison Court House and to undertake general maintenance there in return for free rent and a share of any crops he raises (section 8). Other Garth family materials include an account of James Woods Garth with George Martin in 1854 for medical care of the slave Celia, and a letter and receipt, 1856–1857, of John C. Patterson of Charlottesville to Virginia E. (Garth) Bledsoe concerning the hire of her slave Tom (section 9). Papers relating to the estate of Robert Garnett (1770–1854), administered by his grandson Robert C. Garnett (1820–1873), include an 1856 receipt for the medical care of slaves (section 12), while the younger Garnett's legal papers in Madison County include a bill of sale in the same year for two African American slaves, Susan and Martha, and Martha's baby sold by Garnett to Martin Bideler (section 16).

Garnett family papers, 1834–1979. 104 items. Mss1G1875b.
Concern the Garnett and related families of Albemarle and Madison counties. Section 2 contains a notice, 1852, of Martha (Graves) Garth (1828–1909) of Madison County to sell land and other property, including slaves.

Garrett, Benjamin F. (b. 1820), letter, 1866. 1 p. Mss2G1925a1.
Letter, 14 June 1866, Clover Station in Halifax County, to Dabney Cosby referring to the upcoming trial of some African Americans and the circumstantial evidence against Allen.

Gault, John, letter, 1853. 1 p. Mss2G2365a1.
Letter, 31 December 1853, written in Richmond to Samuel Gault of Boston, Mass., providing a northern perspective on the number of African Americans in the city to be hired out for the coming year and noting that the slaves come from all over Virginia.

Geddy, William (d. 1816), will, 1816. 3 pp. Imperfect. Mss2G2672a1. Copy.
Will probated in New Kent County providing for division of slaves among three heirs and providing for the use of slaves by Geddy's wife during her lifetime. Several slaves are named and identified by physical description and family relationships; the blacksmith Charles is to be freed, but Charles's wife and children are to be sold and the proceeds divided among the heirs.

George, Alice B. Payne (b. 1794?), papers, 1855–1875. 32 items. Mss2G2936b.
Include letters and accounts, 1856–1857, of William H. Brown of Richmond, concerning the sale of tobacco and purchase of mercantile items for Mrs. George, a widow of Goochland County, including notes concerning labor performed by Roger, presumably a slave.

George family papers, 1718–1936. 163 items. Mss1G2937a.
This collection concerns four generations of the George family primarily of Fairford, Thornberry, and White Chimneys, Caroline County. Correspondence of Lewis George (1779–1847) with Elliott M. Burruss discusses the hiring of slaves (folder 1). Papers of John Dudley George (1758–1781) include a copy of his will dated 17 March 1780 giving directions for the division of his slaves among beneficiaries (folder 5). A will of Reuben George written 16 May 1799 provides for the bequest of named slaves (folder 6). Papers of Henry Hortensius George (1824–1902) include an undated list of slaves divided into lots and with monetary evaluations provided (folder 8).

George family papers, 1798–1864. 17 items. Mss2G2938b.
Most of this collection concerns the administration of Reuben George's estate. Of particular note are several bonds (section 1) of John Oliver, Sr., and John Oliver, Jr., of Caroline County for the hire of several slaves (Tom in 1798 and Sawney in 1815). An 1800 bond indicates that Rene Brown will maintain Sarah until her death "so that she shall never become chargeable to the estate." A Henrico County certificate of Peter Anderson's age in 1826 states that he was born free (section 3).

Gerst, Emanuel (b. 1816?), papers, 1861–1862. 6 items. Mss2G3271b.
Contain letters written to Gerst while serving in Company G of the 6th Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Confederate States Army, by Mary Wilson (Cunningham) Gerst of Glenmary, Halifax County. The letters concern family news and her management of agricultural operations at Glenmary, including tobacco harvesting and the manufacture of clothing and shoes for slaves.

Giles, William Branch (1762–1830), papers, 1783–1828. 14 items. Mss2G3947c.
These papers are primarily correspondence of Virginia governor William Branch Giles. In this collection is a 1783 note from Robert Stockton of Princeton, N.J., concerning the return of a slave hired from Giles. The slave is not named.

Gilliam, Richard Holland (1809–1892), papers, 1792–1900. 1,054 items. Mss1G4143a.
This collection contains correspondence and other materials of Richard Holland Gilliam, a planter, merchant, and sheriff of Buckingham County. Section 1 contains correspondence of Gilliam with William Holeman of Cumberland County concerning the sale and care of a slave girl named Lucy. Section 4 contains medical accounts, 1835–1863, of Gilliam concerning the care and treatment of family members and slaves. Section 6 consists of materials pertaining to Gilliam in his capacity as sheriff of Buckingham County, in part, concerning the sale and hiring out of slaves. Includes letters, bonds, agreements, and receipts. Section 11 contains papers, 1823–1875, of Edward J. Gilliam of Buckingham County, including an 1849 agreement between Gilliam (1798–1875) and Spotswood Jones concerning the sale of the slave Esther and the care of elderly slaves Nelson and Anna.

Gilliatt, Paul, compiler, "Genealogical Notes Concerning the Gilliatt Family," 1986. 2 items. Mss6:1G4144:1.
Concerns John Gilliatt, Thomas Gilliatt, and William Gilliatt; also concerns free African Americans bearing the name Gilliatt.

Gilliatt, Thomas, deposition, 1804. 1 p. Mss2G4144a1.
Deposition, dated 10 December 1804, Richmond, made before Henry Smith Shore (1768–1832) concerning a slave, Claiborne, believed to be in the custody of David Snow.

Gist family papers, 1925–1989. 250 items. Mss1G4475a.
Spanning three generations of a Richmond-based African American family, these papers include photographs, newspaper clippings, certificates, report cards, and identification cards. The materials focus on Lewis Gist, Sr. (1897–1989), and his wife, Leonia (Hill) Gist (1898–1991); their children Ophelia Addie Mae (Gist) Hawkes (1919–1993), Lewis Alexander Gist, Jr. (1921–1997), John C. Gist (b. 1926), and William Bernard Gist (1928–1960); and their grandchildren Marilyn Elaine Gist (b. 1949) and Ronald Christopher Gist (b. 1957?). A large portion of this collection traces the careers of Lewis, Jr. (section 4), a university science professor, and Ophelia (Gist) Hawkes (section 3), a primary school teacher. Although most of the items are records of achievement, section 3 also contains original poetry composed by Ophelia Hawkes.

Gloucester County, Court, order, 1767. 1 p. Mss4G5184a1.
Order, 1767, to the sheriff of Gloucester County to apprehend an escaped slave.

Gooch family papers, 1812–1961. 367 items. Mss1G5906a. Microfilm reels C332–334.
Primarily the papers of Claiborne Watts Gooch (1791–1844), planter of Henrico County and newspaper editor in Richmond, and Dr. Philip Claiborne Gooch (1825–1855) of Richmond.

An account book, 1832–1836, kept by Claiborne W. Gooch includes diary entries concerning agricultural operations at Airfield and Little Egypt plantations, including Gooch's comments on African American laborers. The record book of the Richmond Board of Health (section 16), kept by Dr. Gooch as secretary during the cholera epidemic in 1849, contains lists of sick and deceased African Americans, comments on the effects of the disease on the African American community in Richmond, and reports of health services provided by and for African Americans.

Correspondence of Maria Rebecca Roane (Barnes) Gooch (section 7) contains a request, 1865, to be exempted from taxes, citing devastation of her land and eight male slaves carried off by Yankees. Her slave lists, 1839–1852 (section 8), pertain to Airfield in Henrico County and provide names, ages, values, some family relationships, and a few notes as to which should be sold and which hired out.

Goodman, Joseph Noton (1811–1862), commonplace book, 1834–1879. 40 pp. Mss5:5G6225:1.
This volume, kept in Cumberland and Roanoke counties, contains notes on the Goodman family, lists of horses, and lists of births and deaths of slaves. Approximately forty births, 1809–1856, and five deaths, 1839–1849, are noted, with names, dates, and mothers' names only.

Goodwin, Frederick Deane (1804–1881), papers, 1824–1868. 29 items. Mss1G6325a.
Diaries and sermons make up the greater part of this Episcopal minister's collection of papers. Goodwin grew up in Massachusetts and came to Virginia as a young man. He was first a teacher and then a minister. In 1837 he married Mary Frances Archer, daughter of Dr. Robert Archer, U.S. Army at Fort Monroe.

Most of Goodwin's diaries record daily activities of teaching, visiting, and preaching; his thoughts on religion take up a substantial amount of space. An entry for 1 January 1849 records his thoughts on slavery and that the institution will be a trial and "vexation" to him as long as he lives in a land of slaves. He then comments on his own slaves and the one hired for the current year. While a minister in Amherst and Nelson counties, he also provided services for the slaves of Mayo Cabell at Union Hill (see entries for the 1840s, in particular the fifth Sundays) and at Grace Church. In section 19 are several reports, 1839–1841, of a Sunday school for African Americans at Trinity Episcopal Church in Staunton.

Gordon, Nettie M., collector, papers, 1850–1916. 44 items. Mss1G6575a.
A wide variety of documents collected by Nettie Gordon and her father, primarily focusing on Central Virginia history and historical figures. Among the materials are an insurance policy, 1858, issued by the American Life Insurance Trust Company of Philadelphia, Pa., on the life of William, an African American slave belonging to M. F. Vaiden of Charles City County, and receipts, 1857–1858, issued by the same company to Vaiden for payment of premiums on the life insurance policy for Rosanna, another slave (section 6). Also, includes a newspaper clipping concerning the execution of two African American slaves (Champion and Valentine) for murder in Goochland County in 1733 (section 9).

Graham family papers, 1798–1925. 353 items. Mss1G7605a. Microfilm reel C17.
Primarily the personal and professional papers of George Graham (1770–1830) of Fairfax County, chief clerk of the U.S. War Department and commissioner of the U.S. Land Office, and of George Mason Graham (1807–1891), planter and educator, a Fairfax County native who eventually moved to Louisiana. Section 6 of this collection contains as affidavit concerning a slave named John who was hired to work for George Graham at the Lexington plantation in Fairfax County. In section 14, several undated lists of slaves, presumably kept in Fairfax County by George Mason Graham, include values.

Grand United Order of Galilean Fishermen, Gideon Tabernacle, No. 14, Berryville, minute book, 19211934. 1 vol. Mss4G7629b.
Minute book, 19211934, of the Gideon Tabernacle, No. 14, Grand United Order of Galilean Fishermen of Berryville, an African American fraternal organization that originated in Baltimore, Md., in 1856. The order is unique in that it was not based on a previously existing white fraternal society, but rather created within the African American community. The members paid dues regularly and the organization provided them with financial support during times of illness or death. The minutes helped to track member dues, organizations and schools that rented the meeting hall for special events, the disbursement of sick dues, frequent election of officers, preparations for the annual sermon, visits by the supreme ruler, pageants and banquets, and miscellaneous expenses. The volume was kept by several secretaries over the years, including Cora B. Jones (1867?1925), Fannie Jenkins (b. 1890?), Mary C. Jackson, Ethel Clarke, and Edna Paige.

Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, Millwood Lodge, No. 8501, records 19101960. 118 items. Mss3G7629a.
Miscellaneous records of the Millwood Lodge, No. 8501, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in Millwood, Clarke County. Materials generated by this African American fraternal organization consist chiefly of general laws, by-laws, ritual books, minute book, correspondence, account books, receipts, and membership information. Most of the letters in the collection are addressed to Mancefield Paige (19011985), a laborer from Berryville, who served as the Lodges secretary and past secretary. The account books and membership book give detailed information about each member, including name, age, occupation, residence, marital status, and children.

Gravatt family papers, 1864–1933. 262 items. Mss1G7803a.
This collection is composed of papers of the Gravatt family of Port Royal, Caroline County, chiefly of Doctor Charles Urquhart Gravatt (1851–1922) of the U.S. Navy and while serving in the Virginia Senate. Section 4 contains correspondence, 1913–1920, of Dr. Gravatt, including a communication with Thomas J. Edwards concerning the Negro Reformatory of Virginia, located in Hanover County.

Gray, Harrison (1701–1794), papers, 1750–1774. 5 items. Mss2G7927d.
Include a deed, 1758, of Joseph Turrell and William Story, both of Boston, Mass., to Gray, a merchant of Boston, for the woman Silway, age thirty-five, and her daughter June, age three.

Gray, Jean Maynard, "Mulberry Island Cemeteries," 1970. 7 pp. Mss7:2M8968:3.
Concerns cemeteries on Mulberry Island, Warwick County, of the Crafford, Curtis, Fitchett, Jones, and Nettles families, and for slaves.

Gray, John (1769–1848), papers, 1803–1832. 3 items. Mss2G7933b.
Include a letter written to Gray (as a merchant of Port Royal) by Benjamin Weaver, an overseer at Wakefield, Westmoreland County, concerning the burning of a barn, possibly by a slave named Sam.

Gray, Kathryn Viola, papers, 1937. 2 items. Mss2G7935b.
Papers include a diploma issued to Kathryn Gray for completion of the Elective Course, along with a photograph of the 1937 senior class of Armstrong High School, the first public school in Richmond for African American students, originally known as the Richmond Colored Normal School.

Gray, William (1793–1873), papers, 1819–1875. ca. 4,000 items. Mss1G7952aFA2. Microfilm reels C560–575.
As a tobacco shipper and manufacturer, Gray was prominent in Manchester and Richmond business circles. He also served as a director of the Bank of Virginia, a trustee of the Manchester Methodist Episcopal Church, and a justice of the peace for Manchester.

The finding aid provides an index to many of Gray's slave hiring transactions and several purchases. Items of interest include Tom Ford's 1848 note that he and his wife want to hire the boy they raised from infancy; Thomas Nance's praise of the care and housing accommodations provided by Maurice Langhorne (Lynchburg, 1846), and an extensive correspondence with the Rev. James Riddick concerning hiring out one of Riddick's slaves to the coal mines to make him more controllable and containing Riddick's opinion of the end of slavery and what it has done to Virginia's labor force and economy.

Fugitive slaves are discussed with a Mr. Campbell, a Baltimore jailer. In 1856 Campbell had custody of Tom Sweeney, a mulatto slave who had run away two years earlier. In 1841, Benjamin Grave asks Gray to intercede for his son, who, fearing an unjust whipping ran away from Mr. Vaughn. In 1842 Lewis Stiff expresses concern about Emanuel, whose expired pass had been renewed, but Emanuel still had not returned.

Gray maintained correspondence with several individuals concerning Rivan Mayo, a freeborn African American who had been sold into slavery in Kentucky. Correspondence in 1855–1856 with R. J. Brown, R. W. Flournoy, W. T. Martin and Walter Robinson discusses this matter. (The Robinson letter is in Gray's business correspondence.)

Richard Graves, 1855, writes inquiring after Preston's age, because he was to become free at age thirty according to Mrs. Pleasants's will. Peter Camel, 1860, writes from a Richmond jail asking for bail; he has a job in Lynchburg and will be able to repay Gray. In 1834 J. Woodson sends instructions with John, who will visit his wife (a slave of Gray); later in the year Woodson offers to sell John to Gray for less than his appraised value so that the husband and wife would not be separated.

In Gray's business correspondence, February 1858, is a letter from the president of the Northern Bank of Tennessee giving particulars of the murder of Gray's partner in Tennessee by one of Gray's slaves, who was then hanged. Gray's business correspondence, 1859, with Sawyer, Wallace & Co. provides a New Yorker's perspective on John Brown. The writer moves in business circles; he does not involve himself in politics. He has heard nothing prejudicial about the South, but most accept that Brown was guilty and deserving of hanging. He notes the differentiation between the practice and the theory of slavery; in practice New Yorkers do not like anything to disrupt business and making money.

In addition to Riddick's comments on the abolition of slavery (see above), Robert Hubard in 1866 and 1867 makes disparaging comments about freedmen who work at their leisure.

Green, Charles Jones (1839–1909), papers, 1861–1895. 35 items. Mss1G8207a. Microfilm reel C597.
This collection contains materials primarily concerning the military service of two members of the 47th Virginia Infantry Regiment, Confederate States Army, namely Charles Jones Green and his brother, William James Green (1825–1862). Section 6 contains a letter dated 19 July 1895 of Henry Heth to Charles Green concerning Heth's recent visit to the Office of the Rebellion Records in Washington, D.C., to find a letter recommending Green as a former Confederate in raising an African American regiment for the U.S. Army.

Green, William (1806–1880), papers, 1726–1880. 323 items. Mss1G8274a.
Business and personal papers of a lawyer and legal scholar of Culpeper Court House and Richmond. Section 5 includes an antebellum essay by Green on "contingent or conditional emancipation," while section 16 contains a draft of Green's argument in the "case of the Timberlake Negroes," concerning emancipation by the will of a testator. Section 18 contains a deed of trust covering six slaves in Culpeper County, "with the future increase of the females"; in section 19, an 1839 affidavit recorded in Pittsylvania County concerns the death of a slave named Lucy on her way from Madison County to the home of her new master in South Carolina, while an 1840 affidavit concerns James King, a free African American apprentice in Rappahannock County.

Gregory, George Craghead (1878–1956), compiler, "Parents, Uncles and Aunts," 1939. [233] pp. Mss6:1G8623:2.
Includes genealogical charts and notes of the Gregory and allied families. Also includes an account, 1793, of Francis Taylor (guardian of Benjamin Pearson Thorp) with Peter Bennett concerning the hire of slaves (p. 162).

Gregory family papers, 1683–1909. 330 items. Mss1G8626c.
Primarily the personal and business records of planters and merchants of Elsing Green, King William County. Estate materials for Roger Gregory (section 17), compiled by his executrix, include undated lists of slaves, some of whom are designated as a part of the dower of Maria Gregory. Additional lists of slaves compiled for Roger Gregory, Jr., as guardian of Nannie S. Gregory appear to indicate the prices for which individuals were sold and list men and women by name and by plantation; accounts kept by the guardian cover medical expenses for the care of slaves during the Civil War.

Griffin, James Lewis Corbin (1814–1878), papers, 1839–1875. 24 items. Mss1G8754a.
The collection includes diaries and a commonplace book of Griffin kept as a Universalist minister in Williamsburg. They also include a letter dated 24 April 1860 written by his father, Samuel Stuart Griffin of Williamsburg, in part concerning the trial of a black youth for arson.

Grigsby, Hugh Blair (1806–1881), papers, 17451944. 6,563 items. Mss1G8782b. Parts of this collection are available on Microfilm reel C84.
Papers of a planter, writer, and historian mostly kept at Edgehill in Charlotte County.

Grigsby's correspondence in section 31 contains several letters of particular interest. A letter to George Dodd Armstrong compliments Armstrong on his theological defense of slavery in The Christian Doctrine of Slavery. Mark Alexander's correspondence contains much political commentary, including observations on the Missouri Compromise. Allen Caperton's letters contain a lengthy treatise on slavery in America and through history (with many analogies to Greek and Roman practice), question the wisdom of having a class of free African Americans, consider slavery in Jamaica, remark on the potential differences between antebellum free African Americans and postbellum freedmen, and argue the primary concern of the treatise—that conscripted slaves in the Confederate army should retain slave status and should not be freed.

Also in section 31 are some detailed letters, 1862–1863, from Anne Bradford, writing from Hillsville, N.C., and Norfolk, Va. She records incidents of slaves that report to Federal troops for free papers, a freed woman who filed a complaint against a doctor, discontinuing the Sunday school in favor of learning French and music, and freed slaves raising cotton for the federal government. She also sends reports on the activities of slaves on the Eastern Shore.

Grigsby had slaves with the Confederate army, and several of their letters home also appear in his correspondence. Thomas Black, writing for the slave Oliver in December 1864, states that Oliver is driving a supply wagon near Richmond. In 1863 Grigsby sent three carpenter-mechanics to Danville with the agreement that they would be vaccinated, be provided with medical care, food, and lodging, and not be required to work in inclement weather (section 74). In March 1863, James writes to his master's wife telling her that they are well but that the rations are insufficient for the work they do; he explains the ration allotment and asks her to send food (section 82).

The collection also contains a variety of deeds for slaves. In section 155 is an 1829 deed to Asa Dupuy for the slave Frank, in section 163 is a 1797 deed to Thomas Walton for the slave Tom, and in section 197 is an 1845 deed of trust to William Morton for Sally and her sons Jim and Dick. Section 189 contains an 1817 hiring agreement in which John Miller promised delivery of oak rails as needed in exchange for hire of the slave Jordan. Slave lists, 1824, from Thomas Walton's estate appear in section 167.

Grigsby family papers, 1745–1940. 372 items. Mss1G8785a.
George Hugh Blair Grigsby (1823–1855) was a prominent Virginian who was active in business and politics. While trading in cotton farther south (Texas and Louisiana, 1850), he owned Rial, who was hired out regularly (see diary in section 14, back pages, for hiring out notes) and then sold to Bede Johnson (see entry dated 1 January 1851). An entry dated 23 December 1850 concerns a slave on a pass to visit his son in Houston. The slave is not back yet, and there is news that cholera has broken out in Houston. In section 18, Rial writes in 1877 to Mary McCormick in Baltimore, saying he has just discovered her whereabouts and asking if she knows anything about his folks; he has heard nothing since the war. Section 40 contains an undated list of thirty-five slaves with values calculated for an unidentified estate division.

Grinnan, Daniel (1861–1940), papers, 1882–1908. 91 items. Mss1G8853a.
Correspondence, 1902, with James Christian Lamb concerns retaining John Shepherd, an African American, as janitor in the office of Richmond's chancery court upon Grinnan's appointment as judge (section 1).

Grinnan family papers, 1645–1935. 342 items. Mss1G8855d.
About 1910 St. George Tucker Coalter Bryan (1843–1916) wrote a short anecdotal biographical sketch about Daddy Frank and other household staff at Eagle Point in Gloucester County (section 28). It describes family life, homes, religion, Mammy Sarah's free relatives, Bryan's view of relations between masters and slaves, Civil War incidents, and life before, during, and after the war. An 1845–1865 slave list (section 15) summarizes family relationships and usual tasks for the slaves at Eagle Point.

Grinnan family papers, 1673–1865. 125 items. Mss1G8855b.
An extensive letter, 1811, of Chapman Johnson of Staunton to John Coalter of Richmond provides details of a fight between one of Coalter's slaves and the son of a Captain Perry. Several points of law are discussed, including the legality of a slave's evidence, slaves' self-defense, masters using slaves to protect property, and related points (section 9).

Section 19 contains a 1797 deed (printed form) to John Dare of Fredericksburg for Hannah and her daughter Matilda. In the same section, a 1 January 1781 bond for hire of Hannah and her child requires the mother to be returned clothed as she was received and without charge.

Grinnan family papers, 1750–1901. 807 items. Mss1G8855c.
Joseph Jackson Halsey's 1854 letter to Dr. Andrew Glassell Grinnan (section 21) gives Halsey's reasons for not hiring William and Mitchell for the coming year; too much time was lost in visiting their wives, business was interrupted, and the asking price for William was too high. Halsey would hire Frederick for the next year. A pass, 31 July 1862 (section 23), allows a woman, a boy, and two children to travel from Charlottesville to Lynchburg.

In section 35, Margaret I. Lee's affidavit concerns her purchase of Betsey from John Thornton. She will leave Betsey to his family after her death and in the meantime hire Betsey out to the Thornton family.

Grinnan family papers, 1765–1932. 336 items. Mss1G8855a.
Correspondence and financial records of Daniel Grinnan (1771–1830), Fredericksburg merchant; Dr. Andrew Glassell Grinnan, Madison County physician; St. George Tucker Coalter Bryan of Richmond; and Daniel Grinnan (1861–1940), Richmond attorney.

In section 17, an 1850 letter of Archibald Alexander Little of Fredericksburg to Dr. Grinnan concerns the insuring of slaves and requests Grinnan to act as examining physician in his region. Section 38 contains copies of wills of John Taliaferro (d. 1744) and John Taliaferro (d. 1805), probated in Spotsylvania County, that list by name slaves who were bequeathed to various family members.

Grinnan family papers, 1781–1830. 213 items. Mss1G8855e.
Contains correspondence, accounts, and related materials of members of the Bryan, Coalter, and Grinnan families of Virginia. Section 2 contains a letter from Daniel Grinnan (1771–1830), a merchant of Fredericksburg, to Mrs. Mary Lee of Westmoreland County concerning the protection of the slave Owen from threats made by a runaway slave. Section 5 contains the will, 1810, of Frances Davenport (of Augusta County), which includes personal references to slaves. Section 12 contains a deed (photocopy), 1797, of Reuben Bullard to John Dare of Fredericksburg for the slaves Matilda and Maria. Section 13 contains photographs, including one of the slave Julien and Abram Carter, a former slave. This section also contains a photograph of the slave burying ground at Carysbrook, Fluvanna County.

Grymes, Benjamin (d. 1805), will, 1805. 7 pp. Mss2G9292a1. Photocopy.
Will, dated 7 July 1805, probated in the Virginia District Court at Fredericksburg. Included with the will is an inventory and appraisal of the estate, including slaves, in Madison and Orange counties.

Grymes family papers, 1815–1919. 103 items. Mss1G9297a.
Primarily papers of Peyton Grymes (1791–1878), Orange County physician. Include a deed, 1816, to Walter Healy for five slaves listed by name with some family relationships indicated (section 3).

Guerrant, William Gibson (1829–1892), papers, 1844–1886. 16 items. Mss1G9376a. Microfilm reel C597.
Diaries, correspondence, and miscellany of a Montgomery County resident, primarily concerning his service in the Confederate States Artillery. Volume 1 of his diary, 1858–1861, includes references to the monetary appraisal of slaves, while volume 2, 1864–1865, includes records of the hiring out of slaves (section 1).

Gunst, Virginia Kaufman (1905–2001), papers, 1941–1963. 734 items. Mss1G9578a.
This collection primarily focuses on the service of Virginia (Kaufman) Gunst of Richmond as commander of the Volunteer Service Motor Corps of the Richmond Office of Civilian Defense. The women volunteers under her command were recognized for countless hours of service during World War II, mainly transporting soldiers and nurses, driving ambulances, and participating in war bond drives, but the papers include instructions regarding the segregation of African American volunteers at specific recognition ceremonies (section 1).

Guy, Samuel Atwell, papers, 1845–1852. 4 items. Mss2G9896a.
Kept in Louisa County, including receipts issued to Guy for the purchase of the blacksmith Robin, a receipt from Richard Wyatt for purchase of the slave Henry, and a bond of Leander Woodson to Guy for the hiring of the slave Margarete.

Gwathmey family papers, 1790–1982. ca. 10,000 items. MssG9957cFA2. Microfilm reels C259–261.
The Gwathmey family of Burlington plantation played a prominent role in the history of King William County. Joseph Gwathmey (1758–1824) was the first to own Burlington. His oldest son, John Hill Gwathmey, lived there until his death in 1839, at which time John's brother, William Gwathmey, a physician, moved his family from Wakefield to Burlington. William's son, Joseph Hardin Gwathmey (1846–1918), was an agent for Virginia Fire and Marine Insurance Company and superintendant of schools for King William County. His daughter, Mary Burnley Gwathmey (1883–1974), pursued higher education and obtained degrees in education and design.

In box 1 of the collection are papers pertaining to Joseph Gwathmey's estate. The estate book for 1824–1831 contains his will (slaves referred to generally, not by name) and several references to hirings and purchases. The 1824–1837 book contains a list of about thirty slaves and their values; on page 79 is a summary of the estate division, with children being kept with their mothers. In box 2 are diaries, 1833–1874, kept by Dr. William Gwathmey. Valuable subject notes on these diaries may be found in the cataloging notes in box 1; William made references to significant events but rarely elaborated on them, so details are scarce. Some of these events are hiring day, the hanging of John Brown, the baptism of slaves, Reconstruction, and the mistreatment of slaves.

Box 3 contains William's general correspondence. Letters, 1847–1854, from his brother-in-law Edwin Burnley reflect the ownership status of slaves during divorce proceedings. In a letter of January 1854, Edwin recounts a construction accident that crippled one of his slaves. Papers of Joseph Hardin Gwathmey appear in box 9. His accounts with farm laborers are sporadic. In his capacity as superintendent of schools, he kept reports and statistics on the King William school system. Only one report is included in the collection, 1905–1906, but the form records in two-column style ("white" and "colored") such information as class size, teacher qualifications, size of school, and a variety of other educational facets.

The story of Sylvia Hill is the focus of a folder in box 52, which contains the papers of Mary Burnley Gwathmey. In the early 1940s Mary Burnley decided to write the story of Sylvia Hill, a former slave who continued to work for the family and maintained close family ties until her death in 1906. The folder contains a typescript of the work, approximately twenty pages. The collection also has other notations of Sylvia in various places: her will is in box 11; in box 7 is a deed of gift for a house and lot for the length of her employment with the Gwathmeys; and in Dr. William Gwathmey's 1857 diary he indicates that she married Dennis Hill on 3 January.

Researchers may also find additional descriptive information from an examination of the guide to this collection. The above entry indicates only major points of interest.

Gwin, William McKendrie (1805–1885), memoir, 1863. 1 p. Mss5:1G9954:1.
This one-page typescript is an abstract of a memoir by Gwin, former governor of California, in which he recounts discussions at an October 1863 dinner party in Paris, France. Several European ministers discussed the necessity of having the Confederate government announce its intention to emancipate all slaves upon achieving its independence in order to be recognized by England and France, because of antislavery elements in Europe. The response of Confederate representatives present was negative.

Updated June 4, 2009