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 To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html