Thomas Balch Library Adds Database of President James Monroe’s Slaves

At 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, February 12, 2012, Kimball and Saffer will present their findings in a lecture at the Thomas Balch Library (208 West Market Street, Leesburg). The lecture is free and open to the public. Due to limited seating, the library recommends registering in advance by calling 703-737-7195, or registering online at www.leesburgva.gov/ThomasBalchLibrary.

President James Monroe owned both land and slaves in several Virginia locales, including Loudoun County. In 1830, he was the owner of 1,823 acres in Loudoun and 66 slaves, making him the largest slave owner in the county. Kimball and Saffer spent several years locating and analyzing documents related to Monroe’s slaves, primarily the enslaved community in Loudoun County. Compiled from primary sources such as letters, deeds, estate records, chancery suits, and inventories, the new database contains over 300 references to named slaves. The focus of the research was on Loudoun County, but it was necessary to include references to slaves at Monroe’s other properties, primarily Highland in Albemarle County.

Kimball and Saffer have not been able to locate descendants of the Loudoun slaves, or to determine what happened to Monroe’s slaves after he died and his daughters inherited them. They have made their research available to historians and genealogists with the hope that it will help others identify their ancestors.

Lori Hinterleirer Kimball has lived in Northern Virginia for 25 years and has done research on various local topics, including the Paxton family of Carlheim/Paxton in Leesburg; the historic Selma mansion and property; and freedom seekers Peyton Lucas and Frank Wanzer. She is president of the Loudoun Preservation Society; a member of the Black History Committee of Friends of Thomas Balch Library; and a member of the County’s Heritage Commission.

Wynne Saffer is a life-long Loudoun resident. He has completed numerous research projects, mapped the county by land ownership in 1860; and written several books about Loudoun’s history, including Loudoun Votes 1867-1966, A Civil War Legacy and Mount Zion Cemetery, Aldie, Virginia. He is a former member of the Black History Committee and a founding member of the Friends of the Arcola Slave Quarters. Saffer currently serves on the Boards of the Friends of the Thomas Balch Library; the Loudoun Historical Society; the Patriot Project; and the Sesquicentennial Committee of the American Civil War.

Both Kimball and Saffer are past recipients of Thomas Balch Library’s annual Loudoun History Award.