Henry Roberts (bef. 1837)

Born before 1837 in Virginia, United States [uncertain]

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Biography

Henry Roberts is a part of US Black heritage.

Henry was likely born before 1837, based on the fact that he appears to be the youngest of three children living in April 1839 (and yet given more value than an infant in the same appraisal). Henry was a slave held by Zachariah Roberts at the time of his death in 1838, and is mentioned in the documents settling his estate in April 1839. Henry is listed with his mother, Jenny, along with his (apparently both older) brothers, Spencer and Wilson.

Looking at the value placed on Henry may help estimate his age. Apparently the oldest brother of the three, Spencer was valued at 350, so while not yet an adult, was probably a good strong child, perhaps as old as 10 or more (for comparison, men in their prime in this appraisal were valued at 600, and Spencer's mother, Jenny, was valued at 400, and several other women in their prime were valued at 500. A very young child, Squire, was valued at 75.). Wilson was valued at 250, and presumably youngest brother Henry was valued at 225.

As the slaves were portioned out, those making the allotments were looking for equal value for Zachariah's children, but in many cases, they also attempted to keep some family groups of slaves together. Henry was kept with his mother, Jenny, and his next older brother, Henry. Oldest brother, Spencer, was separated from his mother and brothers, but he did go to the same location with "Old Jenny," who was quite likely his grandmother. There were two more slaves, Old Ned and Young Ned, sometimes called Little Ned, who may also have been part of this family group, and all of these slaves were divided between Zachariah's widow and one daughter.

Slave Owners

1. Zachariah Roberts
2. Sarah Netherland Harris

Research Notes

Possible family group: Zachariah owned Old Jenny and Old Ned, who were kept together in the allotment. He also owned a younger Jenny (mother to Spencer, Wilson, and Henry), who may have been a daughter of Old Jenny, and a Young Ned, also called Little Ned, who is quite likely a son of Old Ned. These (potential) family members were divided between mother and daughter as follows:

To Ann Caroline Roberts Wallace, Zachariah's daughter:

Old Jenny (possible mother of Jenny)

Old Ned (possible father of Ned)

Spencer (child of younger Jenny, appears to be oldest child of Jenny's three, based on value placed on each child)

To Sarah Netherland Harris Roberts, Zachariah's widow and the mother of Ann Caroline Roberts Wallace:

Jenny (the younger)

Wilson (child of younger Jenny)

Henry (child of younger Jenny)

Young Ned/Little Ned (possible brother of younger Jenny)

Sources

• https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/full_case_detail.asp?CFN=125-1847-038#img (Images 214 and 204)