Thomas W. Wood'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.
Thos. W. Wood personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid and being sworn to answer the following question truly. Answered them as follows.
1st Question. Did you know a slave owned by Andrew M Woods of Albemarle named Thomas who was killed on the 6th of April 1854 on the Blue Ridge Rail road if so how long had you known him
2nd Question. What was the character age and appearance of said negro, and what was the state of his health
3d Question. What was he worth at the time of his death.
Answer to first Question, I have known Thomas the slave of Andrew M Woods for several years.
Answer to second Question, his charater [sic] is very good his age about twenty, his personal appearance was very fine, being tall strait and well formed, he was very healthy.
Answer to third Question. Not being acquainted with the price of negroes, I can only state that he would in my opinion command as much money as any negro who is not a mecanic [sic]
Given under my hand this 27th day of October 1854
Thos. F Lewis J.P.