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Volume 3, Number 3 - March 2000, page 2 James Atkins, Editor Dennis found the complete file, with many hundreds of the original letters, passes, manumission papers and other documents from the late 1700's through 1861. This will add significantly more information on the free blacks, who made up over a third of the black population of Surry County by 1860. Many are numbered, matching numbers given in the Surry County Register of Free Negroes which Dennis previously transcribed. The Historical Society received permission to copy this file. The next step, to index and file them so they can be easily searched, is underway. To our knowledge, no other complete file of these records has been found in Virginia. The citizens of Surry County owe a deep debt of gratitude to the Clerks of Surry County who kept nearly every scrap of paper concerning our history. Below is an example of a letter giving valuable new information. Jesse Kelly is registered as #38 on page 6 of the Surry County Virginia Register of Free Negroes on the 11th day of April 1799. No mention of his military service or where he lived was given in the register.
Progress Report on the Rogers' Store Project: There has been much activity in preparing for the restoration of the store since the December meeting. At their December 1, 1999 meeting, The Virginia Department of Historic Resources approved Rogers' Store as eligible for inclusion in the National Register and the Virginia Landmarks Register. Of seven new applications, Rogers' Store had the highest rating by a substantial margin. This approval made the property eligible for matching restoration funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Time was of the essence, however, as applications for consideration of the General Assembly had to be approved as eligible and filed before the General Assembly met on January 3, 2000. This was accomplished, and Delegate J. Paul Council Jr., in whose district the store is located, agreed to sponsor the budget amendment, item 571#33H, now noted as 571#616h. Delegate William K. Barlow and Senator Fred Quayle, both of whom represent Surry County, also support the amendment.
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