Lee County (Va.) Justice of the Peace Records, 1848-1932

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:

Lee County (Va.) Justice of the Peace Records, 1848-1932, Local government records collection, Lee County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Summary

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

Lee County (Va.) Justice of the Peace Records, 1848-1932, Local government records collection, Lee County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

Lee County (Va.) Justice of the Peace Records, 1848-1932, consists of Cases Disposed of by Justices, Criminal Cases Disposed of by Justices, Execution and Judgment Dockets, Justices' Judgments, Justices' Report of Criminal Cases, Justices' Summons, Justices' Warrants, and Reports and Warrants.

Biographical / historical:

Lee County was named Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, governor of Virginia from 1791 to 1794. It was formed from Russell County in 1792. Part of Scott County was added in 1823. Its area is 438 square miles, and the county seat is Jonesville.

First known as commissions, the office of Justice of the Peace originated with the county quarterly court in 1623. Commanders of Plantations (1607-1629) were predecessors of the commissioners, who since 1662 have been called justices of the peace. They have traditionally had both civil and criminal jurisdiction, and have served other functions, including performing coroners' and lunacy inquisitions. Until 1869 justices served both as judges of the county court and as individual justices, since then they have had only the latter function.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a shipment of court papers from Lee County.
Physical location:
State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia
Physical description:
10 boxes and/or volumes.