I suspect we are speaking of the same resources; I found the "Robinson abstracts", in part of the 17th Century, in the VA Library many years ago.  Try there.  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: ljcrain 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 9:35 PM
  Subject: WHERE CAN I FIND ROBINSON'S NOTES?


  The original of the below record was burned during the Civil War.
  Conway Robinson transcribed this record before the courthouse burned.
  "Robinson's Notes" are quoted in two places: McIlwaine's "Minutes of the
  Council" and in the "Virginia Magazine of History and Biography."
  Both Mcllwaine and VMHB used Robinsons notes, one copied the name John
  Graweere and the other John Geaween.

  WHERE CAN I FIND ROBINSON'S NOTES?


  "March 31, 1641. "Whereas it appeareth to this court that John Graweere
  being a negro servant unto William Evans was permitted by his said master to
  keep hogs and make the best benefit thereof to himself provided that the
  said Evans might have half the increase, which was accordingly returned unto
  him by the said negro and the other half reserved for his own benefit: And
  whereas the said negro having a young child of a negro woman belonging to
  Lieut. robert Sheppard which he desired should be made a christian and be
  brought up in the fear of God and in the knowledge of religion taught and
  exercised in the church of England, by reason whereof he the said negro did
  for his said child purhcase its freedom of Lieut. Robert Sheppard with the
  good liking and consent of Tho: Gooman's overseer, as by the deposition of
  the said Sheppard and Evans appeareth, the court hath therefore ordered that
  the child shall be free from the said Evans or his assigns and to be and
  remain at the dis!
  posing and education of the said Geaween and the child's god father, who
  undertaketh to see it brought up in the christian religion as aforesaid."


  Thank you so much

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