{"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Bedford+County+%28Va.%29+Chancery+Causes%2C+%0A1755-1912+%28bulk+1850-1912%29\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Collection\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Library+of+Virginia","last":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Bedford+County+%28Va.%29+Chancery+Causes%2C+%0A1755-1912+%28bulk+1850-1912%29\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Collection\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Library+of+Virginia\u0026page=1"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":1,"next_page":null,"prev_page":null,"total_pages":1,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":0,"total_count":1,"first_page?":true,"last_page?":true}},"data":[{"id":"vi_vi04064","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, \n1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912)","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi04064#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Bedford County (Va.) Circuit Court\n","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi04064#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eBedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics. \u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi04064#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vi_vi04064","ead_ssi":"vi_vi04064","_root_":"vi_vi04064","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi04064","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi04064.xml","title_ssm":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, \n1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"title_tesim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, \n1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, \n1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"text":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, \n1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912)","Digital images","Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, use digital images found on the  Chancery Records Index  available electronically at the website of the Library of Virginia.\n","Organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically.\n","Arrangement of documents within each folder are generally as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)\n","Context for Record Type:  Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the decision on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories. \n","Locality History:  Bedford County was named probably for John Russell, fourth duke of Bedford, who served as secretary of state for the southern department from 1748 to 1751 and had general supervision of colonial affairs. It was formed from Lunenburg County in 1753, and parts of Albemarle and Lunenburg Counties were added in 1755. The county court first met on 5 May 1754. The county seat is the town of Bedford. \n","Original Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, are retained in the locality. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court for access. \n","Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, never came to the Library of Virginia. They were processed in the field by K. Rowlett between 1999 and 2007 and were sent for digitization from the locality. \n","Digital images were generated by Crowley Micrographics through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program in 2008.","In some instances, additional documents (e.g., plats) have been added but not scanned.\n","Encoded by G. Crawford: 2009; updated by C. Collins: May 2023.","Additional Bedford County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.","Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.\n","Commonly found surnames among the plaintiffs and defendants include Adams, Anderson, Anthony, Arrington, Arthur, Austin, Ayers, Bell, Board, Bowles, Brown, Buford, Burks, Burroughs, Burton, Callaway, Calloway, Campbell, Carter, Clark, Claytor, Cofer, Creasy (also spelled Creasey), Cundiff, Davis, Dearing, Dickinson, Donald, Dooley, Early, Franklin, Fuqua, Goggin, Graves, Gray, Hancock, Hardy, Harris, Hatcher, Hawkins, Haynes, Holt, Hopkins, Hudnall, Hurt, James, Jeter, Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kasey, Layne, Lee, Leftwich, Lowry, Martin, McDaniel, McGehee, Mead, Meador, Miller, Minor, Michell, Morgan, Musgrove, Nance, Nichols, Noell, Otey, Overstreet, Parker, Pate, Patterson, Payne, Poindexter, Preas (also spelled Prease), Preston, Price, Quarles, Reynolds, Roberts, Robertson, Robinson, Rucker, Sale, Saunders, Scott, Smith, St. Clair, Steptoe, Stevens, Stewart, Stiff, Tate, Thomas, Thompson, Thurman, Tinsley, Turner, Turpin, Wade, Walker, Watson, Watts, White, Wilkerson, Wilkes, Williams, Williamson, Wills, Wilson, Wingfield, Witt, Wood, and Wright. \n","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","English\n"],"collection_title_tesim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, \n1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"collection_ssim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, \n1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Bedford County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Bedford County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":["Digital images"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eBedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, use digital images found on the \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/chancery/\"\u003eChancery Records Index\u003c/extref\u003e available electronically at the website of the Library of Virginia.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, use digital images found on the  Chancery Records Index  available electronically at the website of the Library of Virginia.\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eOrganized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArrangement of documents within each folder are generally as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["Organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically.\n","Arrangement of documents within each folder are generally as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eContext for Record Type:\u003c/emph\u003e Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the decision on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eLocality History:\u003c/emph\u003e Bedford County was named probably for John Russell, fourth duke of Bedford, who served as secretary of state for the southern department from 1748 to 1751 and had general supervision of colonial affairs. It was formed from Lunenburg County in 1753, and parts of Albemarle and Lunenburg Counties were added in 1755. The county court first met on 5 May 1754. The county seat is the town of Bedford. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Context for Record Type:  Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the decision on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories. \n","Locality History:  Bedford County was named probably for John Russell, fourth duke of Bedford, who served as secretary of state for the southern department from 1748 to 1751 and had general supervision of colonial affairs. It was formed from Lunenburg County in 1753, and parts of Albemarle and Lunenburg Counties were added in 1755. The county court first met on 5 May 1754. The county seat is the town of Bedford. \n"],"originalsloc_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eOriginal Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, are retained in the locality. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court for access. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"originalsloc_heading_ssm":["Location of Originals\n"],"originalsloc_tesim":["Original Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, are retained in the locality. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court for access. \n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eBedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912). (Cite style of suit and chancery index no.). Local government records collection, Bedford County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912). (Cite style of suit and chancery index no.). Local government records collection, Bedford County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.\n"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eBedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, never came to the Library of Virginia. They were processed in the field by K. Rowlett between 1999 and 2007 and were sent for digitization from the locality. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital images were generated by Crowley Micrographics through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program in 2008.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn some instances, additional documents (e.g., plats) have been added but not scanned.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by G. Crawford: 2009; updated by C. Collins: May 2023.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information\n"],"processinfo_tesim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, never came to the Library of Virginia. They were processed in the field by K. Rowlett between 1999 and 2007 and were sent for digitization from the locality. \n","Digital images were generated by Crowley Micrographics through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program in 2008.","In some instances, additional documents (e.g., plats) have been added but not scanned.\n","Encoded by G. Crawford: 2009; updated by C. Collins: May 2023."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAdditional Bedford County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003eA Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\u003c/extref\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional Bedford County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eBedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCommonly found surnames among the plaintiffs and defendants include Adams, Anderson, Anthony, Arrington, Arthur, Austin, Ayers, Bell, Board, Bowles, Brown, Buford, Burks, Burroughs, Burton, Callaway, Calloway, Campbell, Carter, Clark, Claytor, Cofer, Creasy (also spelled Creasey), Cundiff, Davis, Dearing, Dickinson, Donald, Dooley, Early, Franklin, Fuqua, Goggin, Graves, Gray, Hancock, Hardy, Harris, Hatcher, Hawkins, Haynes, Holt, Hopkins, Hudnall, Hurt, James, Jeter, Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kasey, Layne, Lee, Leftwich, Lowry, Martin, McDaniel, McGehee, Mead, Meador, Miller, Minor, Michell, Morgan, Musgrove, Nance, Nichols, Noell, Otey, Overstreet, Parker, Pate, Patterson, Payne, Poindexter, Preas (also spelled Prease), Preston, Price, Quarles, Reynolds, Roberts, Robertson, Robinson, Rucker, Sale, Saunders, Scott, Smith, St. Clair, Steptoe, Stevens, Stewart, Stiff, Tate, Thomas, Thompson, Thurman, Tinsley, Turner, Turpin, Wade, Walker, Watson, Watts, White, Wilkerson, Wilkes, Williams, Williamson, Wills, Wilson, Wingfield, Witt, Wood, and Wright. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.\n","Commonly found surnames among the plaintiffs and defendants include Adams, Anderson, Anthony, Arrington, Arthur, Austin, Ayers, Bell, Board, Bowles, Brown, Buford, Burks, Burroughs, Burton, Callaway, Calloway, Campbell, Carter, Clark, Claytor, Cofer, Creasy (also spelled Creasey), Cundiff, Davis, Dearing, Dickinson, Donald, Dooley, Early, Franklin, Fuqua, Goggin, Graves, Gray, Hancock, Hardy, Harris, Hatcher, Hawkins, Haynes, Holt, Hopkins, Hudnall, Hurt, James, Jeter, Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kasey, Layne, Lee, Leftwich, Lowry, Martin, McDaniel, McGehee, Mead, Meador, Miller, Minor, Michell, Morgan, Musgrove, Nance, Nichols, Noell, Otey, Overstreet, Parker, Pate, Patterson, Payne, Poindexter, Preas (also spelled Prease), Preston, Price, Quarles, Reynolds, Roberts, Robertson, Robinson, Rucker, Sale, Saunders, Scott, Smith, St. Clair, Steptoe, Stevens, Stewart, Stiff, Tate, Thomas, Thompson, Thurman, Tinsley, Turner, Turpin, Wade, Walker, Watson, Watts, White, Wilkerson, Wilkes, Williams, Williamson, Wills, Wilson, Wingfield, Witt, Wood, and Wright. \n"],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions\n"],"userestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc label=\"Location\"\u003eLibrary of Virginia\n\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Library of Virginia\n"],"language_ssim":["English\n"],"total_component_count_is":0,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T09:08:19.334Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vi_vi04064","ead_ssi":"vi_vi04064","_root_":"vi_vi04064","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi04064","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi04064.xml","title_ssm":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, \n1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"title_tesim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, \n1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, \n1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"text":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, \n1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912)","Digital images","Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, use digital images found on the  Chancery Records Index  available electronically at the website of the Library of Virginia.\n","Organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically.\n","Arrangement of documents within each folder are generally as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)\n","Context for Record Type:  Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the decision on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories. \n","Locality History:  Bedford County was named probably for John Russell, fourth duke of Bedford, who served as secretary of state for the southern department from 1748 to 1751 and had general supervision of colonial affairs. It was formed from Lunenburg County in 1753, and parts of Albemarle and Lunenburg Counties were added in 1755. The county court first met on 5 May 1754. The county seat is the town of Bedford. \n","Original Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, are retained in the locality. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court for access. \n","Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, never came to the Library of Virginia. They were processed in the field by K. Rowlett between 1999 and 2007 and were sent for digitization from the locality. \n","Digital images were generated by Crowley Micrographics through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program in 2008.","In some instances, additional documents (e.g., plats) have been added but not scanned.\n","Encoded by G. Crawford: 2009; updated by C. Collins: May 2023.","Additional Bedford County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.","Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.\n","Commonly found surnames among the plaintiffs and defendants include Adams, Anderson, Anthony, Arrington, Arthur, Austin, Ayers, Bell, Board, Bowles, Brown, Buford, Burks, Burroughs, Burton, Callaway, Calloway, Campbell, Carter, Clark, Claytor, Cofer, Creasy (also spelled Creasey), Cundiff, Davis, Dearing, Dickinson, Donald, Dooley, Early, Franklin, Fuqua, Goggin, Graves, Gray, Hancock, Hardy, Harris, Hatcher, Hawkins, Haynes, Holt, Hopkins, Hudnall, Hurt, James, Jeter, Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kasey, Layne, Lee, Leftwich, Lowry, Martin, McDaniel, McGehee, Mead, Meador, Miller, Minor, Michell, Morgan, Musgrove, Nance, Nichols, Noell, Otey, Overstreet, Parker, Pate, Patterson, Payne, Poindexter, Preas (also spelled Prease), Preston, Price, Quarles, Reynolds, Roberts, Robertson, Robinson, Rucker, Sale, Saunders, Scott, Smith, St. Clair, Steptoe, Stevens, Stewart, Stiff, Tate, Thomas, Thompson, Thurman, Tinsley, Turner, Turpin, Wade, Walker, Watson, Watts, White, Wilkerson, Wilkes, Williams, Williamson, Wills, Wilson, Wingfield, Witt, Wood, and Wright. \n","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","English\n"],"collection_title_tesim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, \n1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"collection_ssim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, \n1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912)"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Bedford County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Bedford County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":["Digital images"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eBedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, use digital images found on the \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/chancery/\"\u003eChancery Records Index\u003c/extref\u003e available electronically at the website of the Library of Virginia.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, use digital images found on the  Chancery Records Index  available electronically at the website of the Library of Virginia.\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eOrganized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArrangement of documents within each folder are generally as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["Organized by case, of which each is assigned a unique index number comprised of the latest year found in case and a sequentially increasing 3-digit number assigned by the processor as cases for that year are found. Arranged chronologically.\n","Arrangement of documents within each folder are generally as follows: Bill, Answer, and Final Decree (if found.)\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eContext for Record Type:\u003c/emph\u003e Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the decision on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eLocality History:\u003c/emph\u003e Bedford County was named probably for John Russell, fourth duke of Bedford, who served as secretary of state for the southern department from 1748 to 1751 and had general supervision of colonial affairs. It was formed from Lunenburg County in 1753, and parts of Albemarle and Lunenburg Counties were added in 1755. The county court first met on 5 May 1754. The county seat is the town of Bedford. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Context for Record Type:  Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are \"administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law.\" A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case; however, the judge is basing the decision on findings compiled and documented by Commissioners. Chancery causes are useful when researching local history, genealogical information, and land or estate divisions. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history. Chancery causes document the lived experiences of free and enslaved individuals; women; children; people living with physical disabilities or mental health struggles; people living in poverty; defunct institutions and corporate entities; or those that may not have otherwise left traditional written histories. \n","Locality History:  Bedford County was named probably for John Russell, fourth duke of Bedford, who served as secretary of state for the southern department from 1748 to 1751 and had general supervision of colonial affairs. It was formed from Lunenburg County in 1753, and parts of Albemarle and Lunenburg Counties were added in 1755. The county court first met on 5 May 1754. The county seat is the town of Bedford. \n"],"originalsloc_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eOriginal Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, are retained in the locality. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court for access. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"originalsloc_heading_ssm":["Location of Originals\n"],"originalsloc_tesim":["Original Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, are retained in the locality. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court for access. \n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eBedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912). (Cite style of suit and chancery index no.). Local government records collection, Bedford County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912 (bulk 1850-1912). (Cite style of suit and chancery index no.). Local government records collection, Bedford County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.\n"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eBedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, never came to the Library of Virginia. They were processed in the field by K. Rowlett between 1999 and 2007 and were sent for digitization from the locality. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital images were generated by Crowley Micrographics through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program in 2008.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn some instances, additional documents (e.g., plats) have been added but not scanned.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by G. Crawford: 2009; updated by C. Collins: May 2023.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information\n"],"processinfo_tesim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, never came to the Library of Virginia. They were processed in the field by K. Rowlett between 1999 and 2007 and were sent for digitization from the locality. \n","Digital images were generated by Crowley Micrographics through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Preservation Program in 2008.","In some instances, additional documents (e.g., plats) have been added but not scanned.\n","Encoded by G. Crawford: 2009; updated by C. Collins: May 2023."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAdditional Bedford County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003eA Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\u003c/extref\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional Bedford County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eBedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCommonly found surnames among the plaintiffs and defendants include Adams, Anderson, Anthony, Arrington, Arthur, Austin, Ayers, Bell, Board, Bowles, Brown, Buford, Burks, Burroughs, Burton, Callaway, Calloway, Campbell, Carter, Clark, Claytor, Cofer, Creasy (also spelled Creasey), Cundiff, Davis, Dearing, Dickinson, Donald, Dooley, Early, Franklin, Fuqua, Goggin, Graves, Gray, Hancock, Hardy, Harris, Hatcher, Hawkins, Haynes, Holt, Hopkins, Hudnall, Hurt, James, Jeter, Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kasey, Layne, Lee, Leftwich, Lowry, Martin, McDaniel, McGehee, Mead, Meador, Miller, Minor, Michell, Morgan, Musgrove, Nance, Nichols, Noell, Otey, Overstreet, Parker, Pate, Patterson, Payne, Poindexter, Preas (also spelled Prease), Preston, Price, Quarles, Reynolds, Roberts, Robertson, Robinson, Rucker, Sale, Saunders, Scott, Smith, St. Clair, Steptoe, Stevens, Stewart, Stiff, Tate, Thomas, Thompson, Thurman, Tinsley, Turner, Turpin, Wade, Walker, Watson, Watts, White, Wilkerson, Wilkes, Williams, Williamson, Wills, Wilson, Wingfield, Witt, Wood, and Wright. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Bedford County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1755-1912, consists of cases concerning issues of equity brought largely by residents of the county and filed in the circuit court. These cases often involve the following actions: divisions of estates or land, disputes over wills, disputes regarding contracts, debt, divorce, and business disputes. Other less prevalent issues include freedom suits, permissions to sell property, and disputes concerning trespass. Predominant documents found in these chancery causes include bills (documents the plaintiff's complaint), answers (defendant's response to the plaintiff's complaint), decrees (court's decision), depositions, affidavits, correspondence, lists of heirs, deeds, plats, wills, records involving enslaved individuals, business records or vital statistics.\n","Commonly found surnames among the plaintiffs and defendants include Adams, Anderson, Anthony, Arrington, Arthur, Austin, Ayers, Bell, Board, Bowles, Brown, Buford, Burks, Burroughs, Burton, Callaway, Calloway, Campbell, Carter, Clark, Claytor, Cofer, Creasy (also spelled Creasey), Cundiff, Davis, Dearing, Dickinson, Donald, Dooley, Early, Franklin, Fuqua, Goggin, Graves, Gray, Hancock, Hardy, Harris, Hatcher, Hawkins, Haynes, Holt, Hopkins, Hudnall, Hurt, James, Jeter, Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kasey, Layne, Lee, Leftwich, Lowry, Martin, McDaniel, McGehee, Mead, Meador, Miller, Minor, Michell, Morgan, Musgrove, Nance, Nichols, Noell, Otey, Overstreet, Parker, Pate, Patterson, Payne, Poindexter, Preas (also spelled Prease), Preston, Price, Quarles, Reynolds, Roberts, Robertson, Robinson, Rucker, Sale, Saunders, Scott, Smith, St. Clair, Steptoe, Stevens, Stewart, Stiff, Tate, Thomas, Thompson, Thurman, Tinsley, Turner, Turpin, Wade, Walker, Watson, Watts, White, Wilkerson, Wilkes, Williams, Williamson, Wills, Wilson, Wingfield, Witt, Wood, and Wright. \n"],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions\n"],"userestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc label=\"Location\"\u003eLibrary of Virginia\n\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Library of Virginia\n"],"language_ssim":["English\n"],"total_component_count_is":0,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T09:08:19.334Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi04064"}}],"included":[{"type":"facet","id":"repository_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Repository","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Library of Virginia","value":"Library of Virginia","hits":1},"links":{"remove":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Bedford+County+%28Va.%29+Chancery+Causes%2C+%0A1755-1912+%28bulk+1850-1912%29\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Collection\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Library+of+Virginia"}}]},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/facet/repository_ssim.json?f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=Bedford+County+%28Va.%29+Chancery+Causes%2C+%0A1755-1912+%28bulk+1850-1912%29\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Collection\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=Library+of+Virginia"}},{"type":"facet","id":"collection_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Collection","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Bedford County (Va.) 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