Essex County (Va.) Superior Court of Law Records, 1809-1831

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Essex County (Va.) Superior Court of Law Records, 1809-1831. Local government records collection, Essex County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Summary

Creator:
Essex County (Va.) Circuit Court.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Essex County (Va.) Superior Court of Law Records, 1809-1831. Local government records collection, Essex County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

Essex County (Va.) Superior Court of Law Records consist of two volumes: Rule Book, 1809-1831 and Order Book, 1825-1831.

A rule book records the orders or directions made by a court regulating court practices or the actions of parties. An order book is the formal, corrected transcript of the clerk's notes of the proceedings of court.

Biographical / historical:

Essex County was formed from old Rappahannock County in 1692. The county was probably named for the English county or perhaps for Algernon Capell, second earl of Essex.

The Superior Court of Law was created in 1808, and met biannually in each county. A General Court judge rode a circuit throughout his district, and court records were filed with those of the county courts where the court met. This court was abolished in 1831 along with the Superior Court of Chancery and replaced with the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery.

Acquisition information:
These volumes came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court records from Essex County.
Physical location:
State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia
Physical description:
2 v.