Rockingham County (Va.) Public Buildings and Grounds, 1785-1913

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

Summary

Creator:
Rockingham County (Va.) Circuit Court.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Rockingham County (Va.) Public Buildings and Grounds, 1785-1913. The materials consist of reports, orders and sundry documents related to the courthouse and jail. Included are orders to inspect the courthouse; jail inspectors' reports, 1820-1889, 1905-1913; and documents related to the construction of a new courthouse, 1895-1899.

Of note is a small floor plan of the second Rockingham County courthouse, circa 1791, with some notes on finishing materials. The plan shows 32 by 26 foot, two-story building with a curved justices' bench.

Biographical / historical:

Rockingham County was named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, a second marquis of Rockingham, who supported the colonists in their disputes with Great Britain. It was formed from Augusta County in 1778.

Created in 1778. A courthouse fire in 1787 destroyed wills and estate records, primarily. In June 1864 during the Civil War, court records (mostly volumes) were removed from the courthouse and loaded on a wagon to be taken to place of safety on or beyond the Blue Ridge. The wagon was overtaken by Union troops near Port Republic and set on fire, which was put out by local citizens. Many order books, deed books, will books, and fiduciary books, however, were lost or severely damaged by the fire. The loose records that remained at the courthouse were undamaged. Pre-1865 records including deeds and wills were rerecorded following an act of assembly passed in November 1884.

Acquisition information:
This item came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Rockingham County.
Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
.5 cubic feet