{"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Amherst+County+%28Va.%29+Chancery+Causes%2C+1779-1956+%28bulk+1850-1912%29\u0026page=3","prev":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Amherst+County+%28Va.%29+Chancery+Causes%2C+1779-1956+%28bulk+1850-1912%29\u0026page=2","next":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Amherst+County+%28Va.%29+Chancery+Causes%2C+1779-1956+%28bulk+1850-1912%29\u0026page=4","last":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Amherst+County+%28Va.%29+Chancery+Causes%2C+1779-1956+%28bulk+1850-1912%29\u0026page=7"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":3,"next_page":4,"prev_page":2,"total_pages":7,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":20,"total_count":62,"first_page?":false,"last_page?":false}},"data":[{"id":"vi_vi02415_c01_c21","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"1859-007: Charity Bourne vs. Elijah Fletcher","abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02415_c01_c21#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eElijah Fletcher is the owner of Sweetbriar Plantation (later Sweetbriar College). Plaintiffs accuse him of misleading and tricking them into transferring their valuable property, including numerous enslaved persons, to him. Suit contains a good deal of relationship information on enslaved persons. \u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02415_c01_c21#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vi_vi02415_c01_c21","ref_ssm":["vi_vi02415_c01_c21"],"id":"vi_vi02415_c01_c21","ead_ssi":"vi_vi02415","_root_":"vi_vi02415","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi02415_c01","parent_ssi":"vi_vi02415_c01","parent_ssim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956 (bulk 1850-1912)","Amherst County (Va.) 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Arranged chronologically.","of documents within each folder are as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed and remain in their original bundles.","Amherst County was named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770.","Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories.","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes 1779-1919 were processed in two separate groups the first, Chancery Causes 1779-1869, and later the second group, Chancery Causes 1870-1912.  At this time, there are currently no plans to process and index the 1913-1956 records.","Digital images were generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.","Encoded by V. Brooks: 2008; updated by M. Mason: February 2023.","Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.","Chancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.","Chancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. 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Contact Archives Research Services for availability. \u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Chancery Causes 1779-1912 use digital images found electronically on the Chancery Records Index available on the website of the Library of Virginia.","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed. Contact Archives Research Services for availability."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1779-1912 are organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. 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According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1856. 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Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003eA Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\u003c/extref\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n      ","\u003cp\u003eChancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. 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Contact Archives Research Services for availability.","Chancery Causes 1779-1912 are organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically.","of documents within each folder are as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed and remain in their original bundles.","Amherst County was named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770.","Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories.","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes 1779-1919 were processed in two separate groups the first, Chancery Causes 1779-1869, and later the second group, Chancery Causes 1870-1912.  At this time, there are currently no plans to process and index the 1913-1956 records.","Digital images were generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.","Encoded by V. Brooks: 2008; updated by M. Mason: February 2023.","Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.","Chancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.","Chancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. 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Arranged chronologically. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eof documents within each folder are as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed and remain in their original bundles. \u003c/p\u003e\n    "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["Chancery Causes 1779-1912 are organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. 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According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1856. (Cite style of suit [and chancery index no. if available]). Local government records collection, Amherst County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"prefercite_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1856. (Cite style of suit [and chancery index no. if available]). Local government records collection, Amherst County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes 1779-1919 were processed in two separate groups the first, Chancery Causes 1779-1869, and later the second group, Chancery Causes 1870-1912.  At this time, there are currently no plans to process and index the 1913-1956 records. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDigital images were generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by V. 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Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003eA Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\u003c/extref\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n      ","\u003cp\u003eChancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. Lastly, this section of material contains cases related to mental health and the legal processes involving individuals labeled as “insane” or “lunatic.” \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1913-1956 are at this time unprocessed so have no descriptive information. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThese records also contain 2 boxes of “Orphan Chancery” which is processed but not indexed. These records contain parts, often single items, of chancery causes that could not be further identified as belonging to a certain case.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n    "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. 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While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.","Chancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. 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Arranged chronologically.","of documents within each folder are as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed and remain in their original bundles.","Amherst County was named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770.","Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories.","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes 1779-1919 were processed in two separate groups the first, Chancery Causes 1779-1869, and later the second group, Chancery Causes 1870-1912.  At this time, there are currently no plans to process and index the 1913-1956 records.","Digital images were generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.","Encoded by V. Brooks: 2008; updated by M. Mason: February 2023.","Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.","Chancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.","Chancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. 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According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1856. 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Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003eA Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\u003c/extref\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n      ","\u003cp\u003eChancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. Lastly, this section of material contains cases related to mental health and the legal processes involving individuals labeled as “insane” or “lunatic.” \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1913-1956 are at this time unprocessed so have no descriptive information. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThese records also contain 2 boxes of “Orphan Chancery” which is processed but not indexed. These records contain parts, often single items, of chancery causes that could not be further identified as belonging to a certain case.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n    "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.","Chancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.","Chancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. Lastly, this section of material contains cases related to mental health and the legal processes involving individuals labeled as “insane” or “lunatic.”","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are at this time unprocessed so have no descriptive information.","These records also contain 2 boxes of “Orphan Chancery” which is processed but not indexed. These records contain parts, often single items, of chancery causes that could not be further identified as belonging to a certain case."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eNo restrictions on use.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["No restrictions on use."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc label=\"Location\"\u003eLibrary of Virginia\n\u003c/physloc\u003e\n      "],"physloc_tesim":["Library of Virginia"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":61,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:25:16.129Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02415_c01_c23"}},{"id":"vi_vi02415_c01_c24","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"1871-022: Petition of the Exrs of Arthur B. 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Mason: February 2023.","Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.","Chancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. 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Chancery Causes, 1779-1956 (bulk 1850-1912)","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes of Interest \n 1800-1912","The terms of a will freed a group of enslaved individuals on the condition that they be sent to Liberia, but this freedom was delayed due to a Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals decision that limited this method of emancipation. Includes records of their lives post-Civil War."],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956 (bulk 1850-1912)","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes of Interest \n 1800-1912"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956 (bulk 1850-1912)","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes of Interest \n 1800-1912"],"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"component_level_isim":[2],"sort_isi":26,"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"collection_ssim":["Amherst County (Va.) 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Arranged chronologically.","of documents within each folder are as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed and remain in their original bundles.","Amherst County was named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770.","Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. 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Mason: February 2023.","Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.","Chancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.","Chancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. 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(Cite style of suit [and chancery index no. if available]). Local government records collection, Amherst County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"prefercite_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1856. (Cite style of suit [and chancery index no. if available]). Local government records collection, Amherst County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes 1779-1919 were processed in two separate groups the first, Chancery Causes 1779-1869, and later the second group, Chancery Causes 1870-1912.  At this time, there are currently no plans to process and index the 1913-1956 records. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDigital images were generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by V. 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Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003eA Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\u003c/extref\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n      ","\u003cp\u003eChancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. Lastly, this section of material contains cases related to mental health and the legal processes involving individuals labeled as “insane” or “lunatic.” \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1913-1956 are at this time unprocessed so have no descriptive information. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThese records also contain 2 boxes of “Orphan Chancery” which is processed but not indexed. These records contain parts, often single items, of chancery causes that could not be further identified as belonging to a certain case.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n    "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. 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While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.","Chancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. 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Contact Archives Research Services for availability.","Chancery Causes 1779-1912 are organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically.","of documents within each folder are as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed and remain in their original bundles.","Amherst County was named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770.","Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories.","Amherst County (Va.) 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Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.","Chancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.","Chancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. 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Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003eA Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\u003c/extref\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n      ","\u003cp\u003eChancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. 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Mason: February 2023.","Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. 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According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1856. 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Contact Archives Research Services for availability."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["No restrictions on use."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e Concerns bonds issued by the government for the purpose of purchasing food for the families of Confederate soldiers and weapons for the \"Amherst Raiders\", \"Southern Rights Guard\", and \"Amherst Rifle Greys\". Includes VA Court of Appeals records.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n        "],"scopecontent_tesim":["Concerns bonds issued by the government for the purpose of purchasing food for the families of Confederate soldiers and weapons for the \"Amherst Raiders\", \"Southern Rights Guard\", and \"Amherst Rifle Greys\". Includes VA Court of Appeals records."],"_nest_path_":"/components#0/components#28","timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:25:16.129Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vi_vi02415","ead_ssi":"vi_vi02415","_root_":"vi_vi02415","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi02415","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi02415.xml","title_ssm":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"title_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"text":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956 (bulk 1850-1912)","Digital images; 112.37 cubic feet (248 boxes)","Chancery Causes 1779-1912 use digital images found electronically on the Chancery Records Index available on the website of the Library of Virginia.","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed. Contact Archives Research Services for availability.","Chancery Causes 1779-1912 are organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically.","of documents within each folder are as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed and remain in their original bundles.","Amherst County was named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770.","Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories.","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes 1779-1919 were processed in two separate groups the first, Chancery Causes 1779-1869, and later the second group, Chancery Causes 1870-1912.  At this time, there are currently no plans to process and index the 1913-1956 records.","Digital images were generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.","Encoded by V. Brooks: 2008; updated by M. Mason: February 2023.","Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.","Chancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.","Chancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. 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Contact Archives Research Services for availability. \u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Chancery Causes 1779-1912 use digital images found electronically on the Chancery Records Index available on the website of the Library of Virginia.","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed. Contact Archives Research Services for availability."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1779-1912 are organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eof documents within each folder are as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed and remain in their original bundles. \u003c/p\u003e\n    "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["Chancery Causes 1779-1912 are organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically.","of documents within each folder are as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed and remain in their original bundles."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County was named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories. \u003c/p\u003e\n    "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["Amherst County was named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770.","Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1856. (Cite style of suit [and chancery index no. if available]). Local government records collection, Amherst County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"prefercite_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1856. (Cite style of suit [and chancery index no. if available]). Local government records collection, Amherst County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes 1779-1919 were processed in two separate groups the first, Chancery Causes 1779-1869, and later the second group, Chancery Causes 1870-1912.  At this time, there are currently no plans to process and index the 1913-1956 records. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDigital images were generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by V. Brooks: 2008; updated by M. Mason: February 2023.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes 1779-1919 were processed in two separate groups the first, Chancery Causes 1779-1869, and later the second group, Chancery Causes 1870-1912.  At this time, there are currently no plans to process and index the 1913-1956 records.","Digital images were generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.","Encoded by V. Brooks: 2008; updated by M. Mason: February 2023."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAdditional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003eA Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\u003c/extref\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n      ","\u003cp\u003eChancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. Lastly, this section of material contains cases related to mental health and the legal processes involving individuals labeled as “insane” or “lunatic.” \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1913-1956 are at this time unprocessed so have no descriptive information. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThese records also contain 2 boxes of “Orphan Chancery” which is processed but not indexed. These records contain parts, often single items, of chancery causes that could not be further identified as belonging to a certain case.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n    "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.","Chancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.","Chancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. Lastly, this section of material contains cases related to mental health and the legal processes involving individuals labeled as “insane” or “lunatic.”","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are at this time unprocessed so have no descriptive information.","These records also contain 2 boxes of “Orphan Chancery” which is processed but not indexed. These records contain parts, often single items, of chancery causes that could not be further identified as belonging to a certain case."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eNo restrictions on use.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["No restrictions on use."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc label=\"Location\"\u003eLibrary of Virginia\n\u003c/physloc\u003e\n      "],"physloc_tesim":["Library of Virginia"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":61,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:25:16.129Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02415_c01_c29"}},{"id":"vi_vi02415_c01_c30","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"1878-020: Petition of Jane C. Woodroff etc.","abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02415_c01_c30#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003e Concerns a woman petitioning to have her surname changed to her maiden name following a divorce. \u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02415_c01_c30#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vi_vi02415_c01_c30","ref_ssm":["vi_vi02415_c01_c30"],"id":"vi_vi02415_c01_c30","ead_ssi":"vi_vi02415","_root_":"vi_vi02415","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi02415_c01","parent_ssi":"vi_vi02415_c01","parent_ssim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956 (bulk 1850-1912)","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes of Interest \n 1800-1912"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vi_vi02415","vi_vi02415_c01"],"title_filing_ssi":"1878-020: Petition of Jane C. Woodroff etc.","title_ssm":["1878-020: Petition of Jane C. 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Chancery Causes, 1779-1956 (bulk 1850-1912)","Digital images; 112.37 cubic feet (248 boxes)","Chancery Causes 1779-1912 use digital images found electronically on the Chancery Records Index available on the website of the Library of Virginia.","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed. Contact Archives Research Services for availability.","Chancery Causes 1779-1912 are organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically.","of documents within each folder are as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed and remain in their original bundles.","Amherst County was named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770.","Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories.","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes 1779-1919 were processed in two separate groups the first, Chancery Causes 1779-1869, and later the second group, Chancery Causes 1870-1912.  At this time, there are currently no plans to process and index the 1913-1956 records.","Digital images were generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.","Encoded by V. Brooks: 2008; updated by M. Mason: February 2023.","Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.","Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.","Chancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.","Chancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. Lastly, this section of material contains cases related to mental health and the legal processes involving individuals labeled as “insane” or “lunatic.”","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are at this time unprocessed so have no descriptive information.","These records also contain 2 boxes of “Orphan Chancery” which is processed but not indexed. These records contain parts, often single items, of chancery causes that could not be further identified as belonging to a certain case.","No restrictions on use.","Library of Virginia","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"collection_ssim":["Amherst County (Va.) 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Circuit Court."],"access_terms_ssm":["No restrictions on use."],"acqinfo_ssim":["These records came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Amherst County Circuit Court in 2017 under the accession number 52092, and an undated accession."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":["Digital images; 112.37 cubic feet (248 boxes)"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1779-1912 use digital images found electronically on the \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/chancery/\"\u003eChancery Records Index\u003c/extref\u003e available on the website of the Library of Virginia.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed. Contact Archives Research Services for availability. \u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Chancery Causes 1779-1912 use digital images found electronically on the Chancery Records Index available on the website of the Library of Virginia.","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed. Contact Archives Research Services for availability."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1779-1912 are organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eof documents within each folder are as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed and remain in their original bundles. \u003c/p\u003e\n    "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["Chancery Causes 1779-1912 are organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically.","of documents within each folder are as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are unprocessed and remain in their original bundles."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County was named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories. \u003c/p\u003e\n    "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["Amherst County was named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770.","Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the descison on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1856. (Cite style of suit [and chancery index no. if available]). Local government records collection, Amherst County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"prefercite_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1856. (Cite style of suit [and chancery index no. if available]). Local government records collection, Amherst County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes 1779-1919 were processed in two separate groups the first, Chancery Causes 1779-1869, and later the second group, Chancery Causes 1870-1912.  At this time, there are currently no plans to process and index the 1913-1956 records. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDigital images were generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by V. Brooks: 2008; updated by M. Mason: February 2023.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes 1779-1919 were processed in two separate groups the first, Chancery Causes 1779-1869, and later the second group, Chancery Causes 1870-1912.  At this time, there are currently no plans to process and index the 1913-1956 records.","Digital images were generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.","Encoded by V. Brooks: 2008; updated by M. Mason: February 2023."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAdditional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003eA Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\u003c/extref\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional Amherst County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAmherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics. \n\u003c/p\u003e\n      ","\u003cp\u003eChancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. Lastly, this section of material contains cases related to mental health and the legal processes involving individuals labeled as “insane” or “lunatic.” \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChancery Causes 1913-1956 are at this time unprocessed so have no descriptive information. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThese records also contain 2 boxes of “Orphan Chancery” which is processed but not indexed. These records contain parts, often single items, of chancery causes that could not be further identified as belonging to a certain case.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n    "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Amherst County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1779-1956, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.","Chancery causes 1779-1869, contain a large amount of cases concerning debts and estates. This date range of cases also contains a fairly substantial amount of information concerning enslaved Black men, women, and children. While there are several suits concerning the freedom of enslaved individuals, these cases largely represent the perspective of white enslavers and their disputes involving the sale, hiring, financial responsibilities, and legality of ownership of Black individuals.","Chancery Causes 1870-1912, also contain a large amount of debt and estate cases but in these decades following the Civil War and moving towards the turn of the century, there are a significantly higher number of cases related to contracts and divorces. The divorce cases in this date range for Amherst County disproportionately involve Black couples. Additionally, although post-Civil War material, cases involving Black individuals may reference prior enslavement, and estate cases may at times still list names of Black individuals enslaved by white estates. In the first decade after the Civil War, there are a number of cases that refer to the effects of the war on marriages, family economics, and property ownership. Lastly, this section of material contains cases related to mental health and the legal processes involving individuals labeled as “insane” or “lunatic.”","Chancery Causes 1913-1956 are at this time unprocessed so have no descriptive information.","These records also contain 2 boxes of “Orphan Chancery” which is processed but not indexed. These records contain parts, often single items, of chancery causes that could not be further identified as belonging to a certain case."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eNo restrictions on use.\n\u003c/p\u003e\n      "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["No restrictions on use."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc label=\"Location\"\u003eLibrary of Virginia\n\u003c/physloc\u003e\n      "],"physloc_tesim":["Library of Virginia"],"language_ssim":["English"],"total_component_count_is":61,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-08-14T22:25:16.129Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02415_c01_c30"}}],"included":[{"type":"facet","id":"repository_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Repository","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Library of Virginia","value":"Library of Virginia","hits":62},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Amherst+County+%28Va.%29+Chancery+Causes%2C+1779-1956+%28bulk+1850-1912%29\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Library+of+Virginia"}}]},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/facet/repository_ssim.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Amherst+County+%28Va.%29+Chancery+Causes%2C+1779-1956+%28bulk+1850-1912%29"}},{"type":"facet","id":"collection_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Collection","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Amherst County (Va.) 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