Seth Woodroof Account Book

Item sets: The Seth Woodruff (1805-1875) Account Book; READ: What Does It Mean to Read Free in Central Virginia 2025 exhibit; Enslavement Records

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Identifier: JML.MS1047
Source Identifier: 347
Title: Seth Woodroof Account Book
Description: Seth Woodroof Account Book showing sales of enslaved persons from 1834-1840.

A dataset of enslaved persons mentioned in this document was published in 2023 with Enslaved.org and the Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation.

Note: A transcription is included with each of the images at the bottom of the page; click on an image to read the transcription.

Manuscript 1047 ("Seth Woodroof Account Book") is a handwritten notebook which lists enslaved persons, buyers, and sellers in the slave trade in Lynchburg, Virginia between 1834 and 1840. The book lists individuals by name and is believed to have belonged to Seth Woodroof.

Seth Woodroof was an enslaver and slave trader operating in Lynchburg in the 1800s. He is known to have had business dealings with other slave traders in the city, including John Harris and Rowan Harris.

Manuscript 1047 is a tan colored, leather notebook. Imprinted on the cover in cursive writing is "Seth Woodroof Lynchburg March 1st 1834" and in print "S.W. No. 2". In white lettering at the bottom left are call (classification) numbers "658 W".

The book contains 74 unnumbered interior pages. Page numbering has been assigned to the digitized images by the library. Pages 16 to 61 and page 74 are blank with no linguistic content attributable to Seth Woodroof. Pages 1-16 and 62-73 contain handwritten entries believed to have been made by Seth Woodroof. In the original item, there appear to be missing pages between 10 and 11. Entries on pages 8 and 9 are labeled as "October 16, 1835. " Entries on pages 10 and 11 are labeled as "July 1840."

Woodroof's entries are in black ink and list the names of enslaved persons being sold along with the names of buyers and sellers. Most persons in the book, including enslaved persons, are listed with first and last names. The activity documented in the book is for the period 1834 to 1840.

Most of the entries that document the sales of enslaved persons is entered across the width of adjacent pages in the book. For this reason, the book has been scanned so that images include both the left and right hand pages. Most interior pages in the book are empty with handwritten entries only appearing at the front and back of the book; images of blank pages have been included to provide a complete digital record of the physical manuscript.

It appears that Woodroof recorded the date, place of sales, and seller(s) name across the top of the pages. Woodroof then recorded the first name, last name, age, and original purchase price of each enslaved person on the left hand side of the ledger. In cases where a sale was made on a date differing from that at the top of the page, Woodroof noted the date on the left hand side above or next to the enslaved person's name. On the right hand page, he repeated the first and last names of the enslaved individual, followed by the sales price and buyer's name.

Woodroof appears to have used the notation "do" as shorthand for "ditto", indicating that information on the line above is repeated (i.e., multiple transactions by one buyer). At the bottom or side of each page, Woodroof frequently entered a total numerical amount which represented the dollar sum of purchases and sales.

Pages 02-15 contain handwritten data on sales of enslaved persons, including names and amounts for dates between 01 March 1834 to 08 August 1840. Data entered on page 4 appears to have been continued on pages 72-73.

Pages 16 through 61 are blank with no data.

Pages 62-71 contain information for years 1834-1835. The ten pages at the back of the book include handwritten entries that were entered inverted (upside down and back- to-front). Inverted images have been saved as right-side up images for the digital copy.

An oval stamp marked "Jones Memorial Library" appears on the inside front cover, pages 3, 63, 72, 73, and the inside back cover. The binding string is found between pages 32 and 33.

Additional images of the front and back cover were taken with a ruler to illustrate dimensions of the original item.

A transcription of each image is included and can be accessed by clicking on the image.

To aid the reader, extra markings (such as periods, dashes, and hyphens) that do not significantly add to interpretation of the data have not been included in the transcription. In instances when data is not complete, or there is clarifying data that can assist with interpretation, entries are [bracketed]. In some instances, the order in which words appear has been altered slightly in the transcription so as to enable better interpretation for the reader (i.e., when parts of a date were entered on two lines, they are entered as if on one line, to avoid confusion with the names of persons that follow).

An article and dataset which record the names of individuals in this manuscript has been submitted to Enslaved.org

Researchers and readers who would like to submit a correction or transcription enhancement are invited to contact Jones Memorial Library via the online collection form, with an email to [email protected], or by telephone at 1-434-846-0501.
Date Range: 1834 – 1840
Creator: Woodroof, Seth (1805-1875)
Subject: Slave trade; Enslaved persons
topic: 1834; 1835; 1836; 1837; 1838; 1839; 1840; A Haggie; Aaron Eubank; Abrom Lively; accounting; accounts; Addam White; African Americans; African Americans in Lynchburg; African slave trade; African slave traders; Aggy Mordey; Agnes Cabell; Albrah Hap; Allen Gray; Amey Manthine; Amiy Austin; Amy Yancy; ancestors; Anderson Beck; Anderson Jordain; Andrew L Bailey; Andrews Dawson; Ann Wilson; Ansrews Hawkins; Archey Thermon; Archy Pettigrew; Armistead Reynoldes; B Waid; Barton Bradford; Betsy Holmes; Betsy King; Betsy Shackford; Bill Callaway; Billy Davis; biographical lists; blacks; blacks in Lynchburg; Bob Day; Bob Lewis; Bob Martin; Bob Read; Burguise; Burrell Reynolds; Cabell; Caroline Glenn; Charles Hap; Charles Manthews; Charles Ridgway; Daissiey Donald; Daniell Elliott; Danil Sale; data sets; Dolley Wattes; Dr John L Dorsys; Eliza Burford; Elizabeth Thompson; enslaved persons; Evilin Shanks; Fanny Hap; Ford Radford; Frank Paneton; Franky Burrell; Frederic Hatcher; G Davis; genealogy; Ginny Macky; Grace Elliott; Harriet Reynolds; Harrison Goodwin; Harvey Terry; Henry Echols; Hetty Fletcher; Isaac Doyal; Isham Shanks; J H Cancot; J Holldy; Jack Austine; Jack Lynch; Jackson Slone; Jacob Labourn; James A McPheeters; James Payne; Jane Coleman; Jane Pery; Jane Torman; Jesee Coleman; Jim Buford; Jim Leftwich; John Crow; John Euell; John M Willusy; John Montgomery; Judy Adell; Judy Smith; Julia Baig; L J; Larry Hicks; Laves Eucis; Lewis Jackson; lists; Lucinda Ridgway; Lucy Jourdain; Lynchburg. slavery records; Mariah Wilkerson; Mary Cannon; Mary Carrow; Mary Drew; Mary Manthews; Mary Moris; Mary Williams; Matilda Willard; Mayor Manthine; Mississippi; Molly Oh; Moses Hunter; Mr Dicson; Mr Ford; Mr H Claibourn; Mr Mathal; MS 1047; MS1047; Natchez; Netty Whiston; New Orleans; Nicey Radford; Peggy Mosly; Permelia Baugh; Peter Poindexter; Rachael Crow; registers; Rhesibin Stephens; Rowan Harris R; Rowan S. Harris; S W Green; Sally Hunter; Sally Kyle; Sally Nelson; Sally Steel; Sammy Montgomery; Scotland Hap; Sealy Ambler; Second Middle Passage; Selby Brown; Selena Walk; Seth Woodroof; Seth Woodrough; Seth Woodruff; Shedia Bridges; slave lists; slave owners; slave trade; slave traders; slavery; Sophey Monday; Sophey Reynolds; Spencer Drew; Squire Mosley; Stephen Iswell; Stephen Roberson; Susan Isbell; Susan Teosy; Thomas Bachleor; Thomas Green; Toks R Chetom; Tumbles Shanks; Vinson Eucis; Virginia; Visy Reynolds; Walter Huffman; Wartter Huffman; Washington Burch; Wiatt Eubank; William Crow; William Rose; William Tate; Williams Jones; Winney; Woodes
Location: Lynchburg, Virginia; New Orleans, Louisiana; Natchez, Mississippi
Digital Format: image/jpeg
Language: English
Repository: George M. Jones Library Association
Transcription: "Seth Woodroof
Lynchburg
March 1st 1834
S.W. No. 2.
658W"; "STAMPED Jones Memorial Library Lynchburg VA.

Gift: Manson"; "A List Sales Made by Seth Woodroof for & on His
on cp- March 1st 1834

Draft Payable March 1835
W. M. Marders
Cash

No .1. Jim Burford [draft] [payable] $597 [W Marders] $750
2. Jesee [Burford] [draft] [payable] 575 [W Marders] 750
3. Abrom Lively [draft] [payable] 625 [W Marders] 750
4. Bob Day [draft] [payable] 537.50 [W Marders] 700
5. Aggey Monday [draft] [payable] 375 [W Marders] 550
6. Eliza Burford [draft] [payable] 386 [W Marders] 550
7. Sealy Ambler [draft] [payable] 340 [W Marders] 550
8. Loissa [Ambler] [draft [payable] 340 [W Marders] 425

March 9
9. Charles Manthews Sold for Cash 525 to Mr. Woodes [ditto] 700

[March] 18
10. Harvey Terry [draft payable] 370 [ditto] to [Toks R. Chetom] [ditto] 512.50

April 9th
11. Mariah Wilkerson[draft payable] 200 [ditto] Mrs. Burguise [ditto] 500
12. Rachael Crow [draft payable] 400 [ditto] James A. McPheeters [ditto] 525
13. Charles Hap [draft payable] 599 [ditto] [James A. McPheeters] [ditto] 650
14. Minney [Hap] [draft payable] 400 [ditto] [James A. McPheeters] [ditto] 500
15. Mary Manthews [draft payable] 000[ditto] [James A. McPheeters] [ditto] 400
16. Addam White [draft payable] 550 [ditto] [James A. McPheeters] [ditto] 675

[April] 11
17. Archey Thermon [draft payable] 500 [ditto] Robert Tate [ditto] 650
18. Sophey Monday [draft payable] 375 [ditto] [Robert Tate] [ditto] 500
19. Albert Hap [draft payable] 530 [ditto] [Robert Tate] [ditto] 600
20. Amelia [Hap] [draft payable] 350 Sold to Mr. Isaac Doyal [ditto] 500

Forwarded $11,737.50"; "April 17th 1834 A list of sales forwarded

No .21. Billey Davis [ditto] 100
22. Molley [Davis] & Child [100]
23. Jack Lynch [dittto] [100]
24. Bob Lewis [ditto] [100]
25. Betsy Shackford [ditto] 100

[April] 19
26. Dolley Wattes [ditto] [100]
27. Daissiey Donald [ditto] [100]

April 24
28. Harrison Goodwin Sold on a Credit
29. Mary Morris Sold to Mr. C.T.J.
30. Matilda Witters Sold to Mrs. A. Hagged, Jr.
31. Mary Cannon [ditto] Dr. Kern

Known all men by these present that I Seth Woodroof of Virginia have for an[d] in consideration of the sum of nine hundred dollars given granted barga[i]ned sold and delivered unto Mr. Martens the following two slaves to wit Jim a man aged about twenty five years and Eliza a girl aged about sixteen years. Both said slaves are sound & well at this time so fain as I knowing and I will for myself my heirs &c forever Warrant and defend unto him the said Mr. Martens his [heirs] [&c] a good and lawfull right and Title to said slaves in absolute fee simple given under [my hand] & seal 2nd day March 1834 Seth Woodroof"; "Lynchburg Oct 16th. 1835
A list of the cost a Lot of Negros
Sold to Rowan J. Harris
Lynchburg ages
No 1�� Daniel Sale 30 $700
2�� Allen Gray 19 825
3�� Anderson Beck 21 700
4�� Henry Echols 23 775
5"" Andrew Hawkins 20 800
6�� Armstead Reynoldes 30 750
7�� Stephen Iswell 34 775
8�� Charles Ridgway 19 780
9�� Archey Pettigrew 14 675
10�� Jim Leftwich 18 750
11�� Rheibin [Rhewbin/Reuben] Stephens 20 780
12�� Tumblez Shanks 35 700
13�� Burton Bradford 16 830
14�� Jessee Coleman 23 850
15�� Isham Shanks 14 700
16�� Squire Mosely 22 900
17�� Ford Radford 27 800
18�� John Crow 38 470
$13520

MS1047 Page 7
Lynchburg Oct 16th. 1835
Prices sold for
No.
1. Daniel Sale 850
2. Allen [Allin] Gray 850
3. Anderson Beck 850
4. Henry Echols 850
5. Andrew Hawkins 850
6. Armstead Reynoldes 850
7. Stephen Iswell 850
8. Charles Ridgway 850
9. Archey Pettigrew 850
10. Jim Leftwich 850
11. Rheiben [Rhewbin/Reuben] Stephens 850
12. Tumblez Shanks 850
13. Burton Bradford [Bradficte] 850
14. Jessee Coleman 850
15. Isham Shanks 850
16. Squire Mosely 850
17. Ford Radford 850
18. John Crow 850
15800"; "Lynchburg Oct 16th 1835
No.
A list of the cost of a
A lot of negroes sold to
Rowan S Harris

Ages
1 Susan Terry 15 $550
2 Betsy Holmes 14 500
3 Hetty Fletcher 35 300
4 Betsey King 18 625
5 Lucinda Ridgway 19 555
6 Julia Boid 15 600
7 Sally Nelson 18 600
8 Evilin Shanks 44 495
9 Nicey Radford 17 650
10 Mary Williams 17 575
11 Jane Coleman 16 650
12 Peggy Moseley 15 650
13 Patience Day 17 700
14 Sally Shanks 16 650
15 Easter [Ester] Mosley & Child 480
$8580
Oct 1st. 1835 age
16 [W--tten] Huffman 18 600

MS1047 Page 9
Lynchburg October 16th 1835
Prices Sold for
No.
Age
Susan Terry 15 $650
Betsy Holmes 14 650
Hetty Fletcher 35 Cook 650
Betsey King 18 650
Lucinda Ridgway 19 650
Julia Boid 16 650
Sally Nelson 18 650
Evilin Shanks 14 650
Nicey Radford 18 650
Mary Williams 17 650
Jane Coleman 16 650
Peggy Moseley 15 650
Patience Day 17 650
Sally Shanks 16 650
Easter [Ester] Moseley &Child 650
16 $9750
Sold to John A Howard
16 [W--tten] Huffman 18 $630"; "1840 [July 8]
Cost
Agnes Cabell $400
Sally Steel 400
August 13 Frank Pacton 600
Belinda [Pacton] 350
Sept. 3rd
Jane Wilson 500
August 31st
Salley Kyle 425
Selbey [Sibbey] Browne 500
1840 [Nov 7]
Jane Formon 500
Emmy [Ginny] Macky [Mackky] 500
Ann Wilson 480
Jackson [Jack] Slone 550
Stephen Roberson 450
2480

MS1047 Page 11
1840 [July 8]
Agnes sold to Mrs Cabell $470
Sally Steel sold to John M Williams 430
August 14
Frank Pacton sold to J Hollis 692
Belinda [Pacton] sold to SW Green 395
Sept 9
Jane Wilson sold to G Davis 525
Salley Kyles sold to [G Davis] 525
Selbey [Sibbey] Browne sold to [G Davis] 525
Nov 12th 1840
1 Jane Forman
2 Emmy [Ginny] Macky [Mackky]
3 Ann Wilson
4 Jackson [Jack] Slone
5 Stephen Roberson
The [w]Hole lot sold for
$2654.13"; "August 8th 1840
[Received] of William Jones this
Day in Cash $400

[Page 13 has no linguistic content]"; "MS 1047 Page 14

Jacob Sabourn
Lucy Jordain
Moses Hunter
Sally Hunter
Cost of the Lot
$2250

MS1047 Page 15

Lot Sold
Jacob Sabourn
Lucy Jordain
Moses Hunter
Sally Hunter
Sold for
$2355.50"; "1835 A list of Negroes sold by John L Harris for [account of Rowan Harris & Woodroof]

March 20
Age
Scotland Hap 38 $500
Fanny Hap 35 400
Lucas [Enell] 19 950
Susan Isbell 15 750
Grace Elliot 35 450
Vinson [Enell] 24 950
Daniel Elliott 28 800
William Crow 12 600

Page 63
For a/c of Rowan Harris & Woodroof
Thomas Green a man of color
Cash
Judy Adell
John Montgomory
Mr. Ford"; "1835 A list of negroes sold by John L Harris
ages
Feb 7th
Major Mantthews [Matthews] 16 $925
Caroline Glenn 16 700
Amey Mantthews [Matthews] 15 700
Permelia Baugh 17 750
Aaron Eubank 23 925
Wiatt Eubank 17 925
Anderson Jordain 16 900
Sophey Reynolds & Child 28 750
Spencer Drew 24 1000
Bob Martin 22 1000
Jane Perry 20 675
Elizabeth Thompson 14 675
William Rose 21 1000
John Enell [Ewald] 25 950
Andrew Dawson 20 950
Bob Read 19 950
William Tate 18 1050
March 1st
Mary Carrow 23 1000
[Hedric] Bridges 28 950

MS1047 Page 19
For Acct. of Rowan Harris & Woodroof & Mip
Thomas Bachilor [Bachelor] Cash
Mr Dicson
Mr Mathal
Washington Burch Cash
Judg Smith
Mr H Claibourn"; "A List of Negros Sold by [John L Harris for acct of Rowan Harris]
in the State of [Mississippi]
ages

1834 Nov. 28
Burrell Reynolds 12 $650
Harriett Reynolds 8 400
Lonny Hicks 23 900
Peter Poindexter 24 900
Mary Drew 15 600

1835 [January] 12
Salena Walk 17 700
Amiy Hinshin 16 700
Jack Austine 17 900
Franky Burrell 15 650
Netty Johnston 18 850
Visy Reynolds & child 40
Charles [Charlie] [Reynolds] [combined total] 800
Fredric Hatcher 18 900
Bill Callaway 25 900
Amy [Amey] Yansy [Yancy] 24 700
Sammy [Stemmy] Montgomery 16 720

MS1047 Page 21
John L Harris for acct of Rowan H&W
Andrew L Badge Draft on Bullit ship [ ] New Orleans
Thomas M Green Draft at Mr. [James] on Bullittt sh[ ] [ ] 11 [ ] for [ ]
Rev LH Vancot Cash
Lewis Jackson Cash
B Waid Cash
James Payne Draft on B
[Manto] [fe]
Dr John L Dorsys note payable twelve months after date with interest then on from the date"; "Page 68

Mr. William Mc [MO.] Cargo and my self have this day Bought In copartnership [a ] [sorrel ] [Fillye ] Betsy Red of [Mr] John M Williams for which we agree to pay him $500 for in twelve months

Sept. 16 Cash pd John Mc Williams for the rigging of betsy red --- $16.20

Page 69
1835 August 15th, Cash paid Seth Woodroof at [Sundry Ting] by who allow me
the amount Rowan was justly owing the said Woodroof ..$6695.81
"; "Page 70
A List Sales Made by Seth
Draft payable 1st March 1835
No. 1. Bob Lewis [ditto]
2. Betsey Shackleford [ditto]
3. Jack Lynch [ditto]

May 22nd 1835
My note discounted Mr Farmers Bank [this month John Skowan Mr. Jordan on it]for [ $] months for $10-000 discount The Same . . . . 106.67

Page 71
1834 Feb 17th
Expense acct. to cash paid Harris Fergerson sho[p] for provisions----$67

Expenses on 33 negroes from Lynchburg Virginia to Natchez Missippippi from 17th of January to 18th of Feb was $340.75"; "MS 1047 Page 72

Forward 11,737.50
482 Sold Mr Boid [ditto] $675
350 [ditto] 425
525 [ditto] 700
400 [ditto] to Mrs [Martens] 600
330 [ditto] 600
375 [ditto] 500
375 [ditto] 490
505 Until the First of Fr. Next 725
540 [ Harsh] Negotiable note S Collers 500
375 Cash 450
415 [ditto] 625
$ 18,027 50

Page 73
[STAMPED] Jones Memorial Library Lynchburg VA"; "Page 74
[No linguistic content]

Back Inside Cover
658 Woodroof
[STAMPED] Jones Memorial Library Lynchburg, Va.
Handwritten: n/a
[STICKER] For Reference Virginia Collection Not to be taken from this room"
Rights: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Rights Holder: George M. Jones Library Association
Provenance: Manuscript 1047: the Seth Woodroof Account Book is held at Jones Memorial Library in Lynchburg, Virginia. The book is among the library’s original local history holdings. The front cover includes the notation “658 W” in white lettering on the bottom right, suggesting that the book was cataloged using the Dewey Decimal system prior to 1993, when the library switched to Library of Congress classification. A sticker on the inside back cover includes this directive: “For Reference/Virginia Collection/Not to be taken from this room.” During the period when the Jones operated as a public library, the Virginia Collection was held in a local history room located in the library’s original building at 434 Rivermont Avenue in Lynchburg. The library moved from the Rivermont Avenue building to its current location in 1987. The Dewey Decimal classification number on the front cover in combination with the Virginia Room stamp on the inside back cover together suggest that the account book came into the library’s collection prior to 1987.

Part of Seth Woodroof Account Book