TYPE	YEAR	LAWS/CODES	DESCRIPTION
Freedom of movement	1741	Statute	It was unlawful for enslaved blacks to leave the plantation of their master without written permission.
Weapons	1741	Statute	It was unlawful for enslaved blacks to carry a gun, sword, club, or other weapon unless they had written permission. It was lawful for any person to seize and take for his own use a weapon belonging to a black, and to deliver such black to a constable, who was warranted to give such black 20 lashes. A master had the right to employ one black to hunt on his lands with a gun.
Conspiracy	1741	Statute	Blacks found guilty of conspiring to rebel or plot the murder of any person were deemed felons and were to suffer death.
Hunting with dogs	1741	Statute	It was unlawful for an enslaved black to hunt in the woods with a dog except with a written certificate. It was lawful for any person to kill the dogs of blacks who violated the statute, and the offender was to be whipped up to 30 lashes.
Runaways	1741	Statute	Any person found guilty for tempting an enslaved black to leave his owner's service, or harbored or concealed such black was to pay a fine of $62.50.
Runaways	1741	Statute	Runaway slaves were considered outlaws and could be killed if they did not return home.
Runaways	1741	Statute	The reward for capturing a runaway less than ten miles from his home was $0.93. For every mile above ten, about four cents were added to the sum.
Runaways	1741	Statute	Sheriffs were to advertise runaways with a full description. Sheriffs who failed to notify the public of a runaway in their possession were to pay a fine of $12.50. Jailors who hired out runaways were to place an iron collar on the neck of their charges with the letters PG stamped on the collar.
Runaways	1741	Statute	After a runaway was brought before a justice of the peace, he was to be whipped up to 39 lashes.
Runaways	1741	Statute	Sheriffs or other officers who kept or hired out runaways longer than directed were to pay a fine of $12.50. Sheriffs or jailors who, by neglect, allowed a runaway to escape were liable for damages.
Unlawfully killed slave	1741	Statute	The owner of an enslaved black unlawfully killed was entitled to sue for damages.
Runaways	1741	Statute	In cases where a runaway's owner was believed to be a resident of another state, the jailor was to send a description of such black and details of his arrest to be advertised in the Virginia or South Carolina Gazette. The owner of such a runaway was responsible for expenses.
Free blacks	1741	Statute	Free persons of color who were imported into the State and sold as slaves were to recover from the seller double the price.
Punishment	1741	Statute	If the master of any enslaved black who had been convicted of a crime refused to pay the fine, the black was to be whipped up to 39 lashes.
Perjury	1741	Statute	Enslaved blacks who gave false testimony were to receive 39 lashes.
Defense of slave	1741	Statute	The master of an enslaved black on trial could appear at the trial and defend him or her.
Livestock	1741	Statute	Indians or enslaved blacks who killed horses, cattle, or hogs belonging to another without the consent of the owner, or who stole and misbranded an animal were to be whipped.
Theft	1753	Statute	In cases where an enslaved black who was properly fed and clothed and was found guilty of stealing any corn, cattle, hogs, or other goods from another slave owner, the black's master would be responsible for paying for the stolen goods and damages.
Hunting	1753	Statute	No certificates permitting enslaved blacks to hunt would be issued unless a master posted a security bond first. The masters of blacks found to have a gun illegally would be fined $2.50. Blacks were also required to have a certificate if they hunted with dogs. Enslaved blacks found to be keeping dogs illegally would be whipped up to 39 lashes and their dogs killed.
Hiring out	1777	Statute	Enslaved blacks allowed to hire themselves out were to be taken by the county and kept at hard labor for up to 20 days.
Emancipation	1777	Statute	Enslaved blacks unlawfully emancipated were to be jailed and sold.
Livestock	1779	Statute	Any horses, cattle, hogs, or sheep belonging to an enslaved black were to be seized and sold by the county wardens, with half of the proceeds going to the informer.
Murder	1779	Statute	Any person found guilty of willfully and maliciously murdering a free black was to receive the death penalty without benefit of clergy. Those convicted of murdering an enslaved black were responsible for paying the owner the value of such person. Exceptions were made in cases where blacks died while resisting arrest or under "moderate correction."
Patrol duty	1779	Statute	Patrollers were exempt from muster, jury, and road duty. Patrollers were to search once a month for weapons being held by enslaved blacks and for blacks who were found off the master's plantation. Patrollers who refused to serve were to pay a fine of $250.
Slave Trade	1784	Statute	The sale of blacks was to be in writing, attested by at least two witnesses.
Ships	1787	Statute	It was unlawful for the master of a ship to entertain enslaved blacks on his vessel on the Sabbath or in the night without a pass. Offenders were fined $12.50 for the first violation, double for a second.
Free blacks	1787	Statute	Any free black found entertaining any enslaved black in his house on the Sabbath or during the night was subject to a $2.50 fine and five dollars for a second offense.
Trade	1788	Statute	Enslaved blacks who offered to sell goods without a permit were to be whipped up to 39 lashes. Free persons who engaged in such trade were to be fined $25 plus damages. Insolvent offenders were to be jailed up to three months.
Emancipation	1788	Statute	Any free man who knew of a black liberated contrary to the law could give that information to a justice.
Harboring a slave	1799	Statute	Any person who enticed an enslaved black to run away or harbored a black was to be fined $50.
Forged pass	1799	Statute	Enslaved blacks producing a forged pass or certificate were to be whipped up to 39 lashes.
Trade	1799	Statute	Persons found guilty of trading with an enslaved black without a pass were to be fined ten dollars.
Killing a slave	1799	Statute	If any free person was found guilty of premeditated murder against an enslaved black, he or she would be sentenced to death without benefit of clergy. The offender was to pay the value of the black to the owner. Statute did not apply to persons who killed a black in the act of resistance, or who died under "moderate correction."
Emancipation	1801	Statute	Citizens could petition the court to emancipate an enslaved black if the court believed such an action was consistent with the interest and policy of the State. Nine justices were required to hear a petition and two thirds had to concur. Slave holders were required to post a bond before a black could be freed.
Sedition	1803	Statute	Any person who either publicly or privately spoke words that could "inflame the mind of any slave" was to be fined ten dollars.
Riots	1806	Statute	Riots, routs, unlawful assemblies, trespassing, and seditious speeches by enslaved blacks were unlawful and were to be punished by stripes.
Free blacks	1806	Statute	All free blacks were to be registered by the county of their residency in a book to be kept by the county clerk. The book was to note the person's age, name, color, distinguishing marks, and by what authority the person was emancipated.
Entertaining slaves	1806	Statute	Any white or free black who kept company with enslaved blacks was to be fined between $10-$20.
Free blacks	1807	Statute	Free blacks found loitering without any lawful business or without a copy of their certificate of freedom would be required to post a security bond. Blacks who failed to post a security bond would be imprisoned for ten days.
Trade	1808	Statute	It was unlawful to trade with any enslaved black. Offenders were to pay a fine between $10-$50.
Slave trade	1812	Statute	Statute prohibited the importation of slaves into the State.
Alcohol	1813	Statute	It was unlawful to sell alcohol to an enslaved black without a permit. Penalty: five-ten dollar fine.
Beating a slave	1813	Statute	Wantonly beating another man's enslaved black was an indictable offense.
Freedom suits	1817	Statute	Defendants suing for their freedom were required to post a security bond.
Trade	1818	Statute	It was unlawful for an enslaved black to sell any goods without written permission. Offenders were to be whipped between 5-30 lashes.
Capital crimes	1819	Statute	When committed by an enslaved black, murder, arson, burglary, rape, and robbery were deemed capital offenses and were to be punished by death.
Trials	1819	Statute	In the trial of enslaved blacks where a jury is required by law, it was the duty of the sheriff to summon three justices to preside and 12 slave owners to serve as the jury. The owners of blacks on trial could challenge prospective jurors. Slave owners were responsible to pay the cost of appeals except in cases where the prosecution was determined to be frivolous.
Miscegenation	1822	Statute	Prohibited intermarriage between whites and blacks.
Hiring out	1823	Statute	Any person who hired out an enslaved black was to forfeit between $1 and $2 per day.
Runaways	1825	Statute	Runaways who were not claimed after 12 months were to be sold with proceeds going to the county treasury. Owners who claimed a runaway within two years after his sale were entitled to the proceeds minus expenses.
Slave trade	1826	Statute	Enslaved blacks could not be imported into the State for the purpose of selling except for use by the buyer or procured by descent or marriage. It was unlawful to bring any enslaved black into the State who had been convicted of any crime.
Free blacks	1826	Statute	The penalty for selling a free person of color into slavery was $500.
Slave sales	1827	Statute	Enslaved blacks were not to be sold by administrator or executor unless directed by the testator to do so.
Alcohol	1829	Statute	It was illegal for enslaved or free blacks to sell alcohol without permission. Offenders were to be whipped between five-ten lashes.
Emancipation	1829	Statute	In cases where a person, by his last will and testament, directed that an enslaved black be freed, it was the duty of the executor or administrator of the will to petition the county court accordingly.
Free blacks	1831	Statute	Any person found guilty of stealing a free black or trying to sell such person into slavery was to be sentenced between 5-15 years in the penitentiary.
Theft	1831	Statute	Any person found guilty of stealing a slave was to serve between 5-15 years in the penitentiary.
Trade	1831	Statute	It was unlawful to buy, sell, or borrow with enslaved blacks, servants, or apprentices. Penalty: triple the value of the goods and $15.
Perjury	1831	Statute	Indians, blacks, or mulattos found guilty of perjury were to have one ear nailed to the pillory, and, after one hour, the ear would be cut off. The process was then repeated to the other ear followed by a whipping of 39 lashes.
Testimony	1831	Statute	It was lawful for enslaved blacks to testify against any free black who was born into slavery.
Freedom of movement	1831	Statute	It was unlawful for any person to knowingly permit any enslaved black to assemble at his house without a written pass from the owner. Offenders were to pay a fine of ten dollars.
Free blacks/Marriage	1831	Statute	Free blacks found guilty of marrying or cohabiting with an enslaved black without written permission from the slave master were to pay a $25 fine. Failing to pay the fine, the offender would be liable to serve the slave master for a term of one year.
Emancipation	1831	Statute	Enslaved blacks were not to be emancipated unless they immediately left the State. Owners were to post a bond in a sum equal to the black's value before he or she would be freed.
Rape	1833	Statute	Any enslaved or free black who assaulted a white woman with the intent to commit a rape was to suffer death by hanging.
Capital crimes	1835	Statute	Capital crimes of enslaved blacks were assigned to circuit courts. If a slave owner did not appoint legal counsel, the court would assign representation and owners would be charged a fee. Any enslaved black who committed an assault against any white person or a rape on a free white woman was guilty of a capital crime, and would be sentenced to death.
Alcohol	1835	Statute	It was unlawful to permit an enslaved black to sell liquor. Fine: $50.
Acting as free persons	1839	Statute	It was unlawful for an enslaved black to act as a free person of color. Enslaved persons could not own livestock or property, trade liquor or livestock or other goods, or hire themselves out. Persons indicted were liable to pay five dollars for each offense.
Penitentiary	1844	Statute	The owner of any enslaved black confined in the penitentiary could petition the county circuit court to order his release. Owners were required to first pay for all charges related to the keeping of the black.
Runaways	1844	Statute	Act authorized the mayor and aldermen of any town to employ runaways committed to the jail to work for the public improvement of the town.
Emancipation	1854	Statute	Blacks emancipated from slavery were to be sent to the west coast of Africa.
Slave Trade	1855	Statute	Statute repealed laws prohibiting slave trade.
Re-enslavement	1857	Statute	Law facilitated the re-enslavement of free blacks.