The information below is abstracted from the Virginia Acts of Assembly for the session beginning in December 1813 (bound volumes will probably be labeled "1814" which was the year of publication). The actual books are available in many libraries, as well as on microfilm from the Library of Congress (Records of the States series; about 1949). Most of this information is from what are called "private acts" -- acts that do not apply to everyone but allow a particular person or group to do something not ordinarily allowed under state law.
The county is the county of residence, if given; "probably" means someone else mentioned in the Act lived there, and is only used (as a clue for the researcher) if no county of residence is given for that individual. Most of the terminogy is just as it appeared in the act, with one exception. "Slave owner" has been added in the listing for each person meeting that description.
BUTLER, George
free man of colour; brought from MD about 30 years ago; sued
his then master Connerly Finley for his freedom and won in
Oct. 1813; Now an old man with family who are slaves in VA;
allowed to remain free in VA.
Washington, county of 1813 Dec Virginia Acts of Assembly; page 155
FINLEY, Connerly
slave owner; successfully sued by his slave GEORGE BUTLER
for his freedom.
Washington, county of 1813Dec Virginia Acts of Assembly; page 155
Contributed by: Rosanna Bencoach, rosieb@sprynet.com, Richmond VA