Westmoreland 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:

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

Summary

Extent:
9 v.
Creator:
Westmoreland County (Va.) Circuit Court
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

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

Background

Scope and content:

Westmoreland County (Va.) Superior Court of Law Records, 1809-1831, consist of 1 Rule Docket, 2 Execution Books, 1 Record Book of the Superior Court and Quarterly Sessions, 1 book of Office Judgments, 2 Order Books, 1 Orders at Law Book and 1 Minute Book.

Biographical / historical:

Westmoreland County was named for the English county. It was formed from Northumberland County in 1653. The county seat is Montross.

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.

Many loose papers were burned during the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Volumes that record deeds, court orders (except an order book for the period 1764-1776) and wills exist.

Acquisition information:
hese volumes came to the Library of Virginia in a shipment of court records from Westmoreland County.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged chronologically.

Physical location:
State Records Center--Archives Annex, Library of Virginia