There are no restrictions.
There are no restrictions.
Westmoreland County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1802-1939. Local government records collection, Westmoreland Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA 23219.
These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court records from Westmoreland County.
Westmoreland County was named for the English county. It was formed from Northumberland County in 1653, and part of King George County was added in 1777.
The separate office of coroner appeared in Virginia about 1660. The judicial duty of the office is to hold inquisitions in cases when persons meet sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious death, or death without medical attendance. The coroner would summon a jury to assist him in determining cause of death. Prior to November 1877, the jurors numbered twelve. Between November 1877 and March 1926, the jurors numbered six. The jury viewed the body of the deceased and heard the testimony of witnesses. The coroner was required to write down witness testimony. After seeing and hearing the evidence, the jury delivered in writing to the coroner their conclusion concerning cause of death referred to as the inquisition. After March 1926, only the coroner determined cause of death. He could require physicians to assist him with determing cause of death. If a criminal act was determined to be the cause of death, the coroner was to deliver the guilty person to the sheriff and the coroners' inquests would be used as evidence in the criminal trial.
Westmoreland County (Va) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1802-1939, are investigations into the deaths of individuals who died by a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious manner, or died without medical attendance. Causes of death found in coroners' inquisitions include murder, infanticide, suicide, domestic violence, exposure to elements, drownings, train accidents, automobile accidents, and natural causes, or as commonly referred to in the 19th century, visitation by God. Documents commonly found in coroners' inquests include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Criminal papers such as recognizance bonds can be found in coroner inquisitions. Information found in the inquisition include the name of the coroner, the names of the jurors, the name and age of the deceased if known, gender and race of the deceased, and when, how, and by what means the deceased came to his or her death. If the deceased was African American, the inquest would identify the deceased as a slave or free person if known. If the deceased was a slave, the inquest would include, if known, the name of the slaveowner and the slaveowner's residence. Information found in the depositions include the name of the deponent and his or her account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased. Slaves were deponents in coroner investigations.
Chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the court.
Smoot "died from a gun shot wound to his right breast from a gun held in his right hand, which discharged casually and by misfortune and against his will."
Sauders died from an unknown cause, but his wife was suspected of poisoning him.
Died by accidentally falling out of the bed and dislocating her neck.
Jones died by accident when he attempted to act as a mediator in an altercation between two men.
Davis Jr., age thirteen, died as a result of a gunshot wound inflicted by a twelve year old boy with a .22 caliber rifle at a shooting range.
Coates, who was placed in jail for drunk and disorderly conduct, was killed by a fire "of unknown origin" which burned the town jail in which he was confined.