Middlesex County (Va.) Will Books, 1698-1798 (bulk 1740-1793)

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:

Middlesex County (Va.) Will Books, 1698-1798 (bulk 1740-1793). Local government records collection, Middlesex County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

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

Middlesex County (Va.) Will Books, 1698-1798 (bulk 1740-1793). Local government records collection, Middlesex County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Middlesex County (Va.) Will Books, 1698-1798 (bulk 1740-1793) includes the name of testator, list of heirs and year the wills were proven in court and probate records such as inventories and appraisements.

There are eight Will Books in this collection. The Will Books cover the years 1698-1734, 1740-1793, and 1795-1798.

In common law an (e)stray is a wandering animal whose owner is unknown. Records of strays are notices of discovery of lost livestock, with reports of commissioners appointed to determine proper reimbursement of the finder for caring for the animals.

Also known as Will Book A. Pages 1-16 have wills, inventories, and other estate records for the years 1711-1713. Pages 17-254 have wills, inventories and other estate records for the years 1698-1711.

Also known as Will Book B.

Also known as Will Book, C.

Also known as Will Book D.

Also known as Will Book E.

Also known as Will Book F.

Also known as Will Book G.

This book had pages 1-137 and is followed by pages 338-394, which is an error in the numbering. The last page in the book is unnumbered. On this page there are two estray records. One is dated 20 November 1799 and the other is dated 20 February 1806.

Biographical / historical:

Middlesex County probably was named for the English county. It was formed from Lancaster County about 1669.

Numerous loose records from the nineteenth century including chancery, Will Books, and commonwealth causes are missing. Most volumes including deed books, will books, and order books exist because court clerk Philemon T. Woodward removed them from the courthouse for safekeeping during the Civil War.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Middlesex County.
Arrangement:

Chronological

Physical location:
State Records Center-Archives Annex, Library of Virginia
Physical description:
8 v.