William P. Jarman's Affidavit, October 27, 1854

When two slaves were killed on the Blue Ridge Tunnel project, the Board of Public Works attorneys sought sworn affidavits from white men who knew the enslaved men to determine their value for compensation to the slaveholders. The legal process regularized and the practice of industrial slavery on the railroads.

Albemarle County to wit

Wm P Jarman personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid and being sworn to answer the following questions truly, answered them as follows.

1^st Question. Did you know a slave owned by James Garland of Albemarle named Jerry who was killed on the 6th day of April 1854 on the Blue Ridge Rail road, if so how long have you known him

2^nd Question What was the character age and appearance of said negro and what as the state of his health.

3^rd Question What was he worth at the time of his death.

Answer to first question, I have known Jerry for the last eight years.

Answer to second Question, I believe Jerry's character to be very good, his age was about twenty one, his personal appearance was very good, being tall strait and well formed — his health was very good never having known him to be sick.

Answer to third question, I think he was worth at least eleven hundred Dollars at the time of his death —

Given under my hand this 27th day of October 1854

Thos. F Lewis J.P.