Record: the document says itPattern: documents line upLens: our readingOpen: not yet proven
Year: 1943 · Places: Virginia
SUMMARYThe surname "hit list" (Virginia, ca. 1943) [Connections: Virginia & Eastern Shore, Nov 5, 2026]
RECORDPlecker's list is headed "SURNAMES, BY COUNTIES AND CITIES, OF MIXED NEGROID VIRGINIA FAMILIES STRIVING TO PASS AS 'INDIAN' OR WHITE." Some entries: "Charles City: Collins, Dennis, Bradby, Howell, Langston, Stewart, Wynn, Adkins." "New Kent: Collins, Bradby, Stewart, Wynn, Adkins, Langston." "Essex and King and Queen: Nelson, Fortune, Byrd, Cooper, Tate, Hammond, Brooks, Boughton, Prince, Mitchell, Robinson." "Caroline: Byrd, Fortune, Nelson." King William lists about 17 names, including Custalow. Amherst and Rockbridge are also listed. Encyclopedia Virginia says the list went to public health personnel and places it in the "Paper Genocide." Accomack, Northampton and Southampton do not appear
PATTERNThe names on this list are the names of present-day tribal leaders: Adkins (Chickahominy), Custalow (Mattaponi), Bradby, Langston (Pamunkey; compare the 1843 signers below). Plecker named them so they would be recorded as "colored."
LENS (WW9)The state wrote down the nations' family names so it could record them as "colored."
OPENThe list has no Eastern Shore entry. That does not prove Eastern Shore families were left alone. Check Plecker's correspondence for Accomack and Northampton
SOURCEEncyclopedia Virginia, Plecker surname list. Primary: transcription from the Library of Virginia.