{"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026view=list","next":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026page=2\u0026view=list","last":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Chesterfield+County+%28Va.%29+Circuit+Court%0A\u0026page=3\u0026view=list"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":1,"next_page":2,"prev_page":null,"total_pages":3,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":0,"total_count":21,"first_page?":true,"last_page?":false}},"data":[{"id":"vi_vi05123","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Chesterfield County Health and Medical Records, \n1780-1904","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi05123#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi05123#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003e Chesterfield County (Va.) Health and Medical Records, 1780-1904, consist of .225cf of Mental Health Records and Smallpox Epidemic Records. \u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi05123#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vi_vi05123","ead_ssi":"vi_vi05123","_root_":"vi_vi05123","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi05123","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi05123.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County Health and Medical Records, \n1780-1904"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County Health and Medical Records, \n1780-1904"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["0007770387\n"],"text":["0007770387\n","Chesterfield County Health and Medical Records, \n1780-1904","African Americans--Mental Health--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","County courts--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Insanity--Jurisprudence--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Jails--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Medical laws and legislation--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Mental illness--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Physicians--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Psychiatric hospitals--Virginia.","Public health--Virginia.","Public health administration--Virginia.","Public records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Slaves--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Smallpox--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Smallpox prevention.","Health and Medical--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","There are no restrictions.\n","Chronological by year, then alphabetically by last name of individual.\n","Mental Health Records may consist of a variety of documents that historically were referred to as lunacy papers in the courthouses of Virginia localities and municipalities.\n","A fiduciary is an individual who enters into a confidential and legal relationship which binds them to act on behalf of another. Guardians are legally invested to take care of another person, and of the property and rights of that person. Thus, some records referred to as insanity papers are housed with fiduciary records and not with mental health records.\n","By 1792, Virginia's General Assembly enacted very strict laws governing the practice of inoculation. The new act required a license from the county court to administer vaccinations. It also included a penalty of $1,500 or six months of imprisonment for anyone willfully spreading smallpox in a manner other than that specified by the act.\n","During its session begun in November 1769, the House of Burgesses passed an act establishing a hospital in Williamsburg for the mentally ill. The Eastern Lunatic Asylum (now Eastern State Hospital) was the first institution in America constructed as a mental hospital. The first patients were admitted in October 1773.\n","In January 1825 the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation providing for the construction of an asylum in the western part of the state. The institution, which became known as Western Lunatic Asylum, was constructed close to the town of Staunton, west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and was the second mental health facility built in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The buildings and surrounding gardens were designed to embrace the idea of \"moral therapy\" for mentally ill patients by providing an aesthetically pleasing and tranquil atmosphere in which patients lived comfortably, exercised and worked outdoors.\n","Western Lunatic Asylum opened in 1828, accepting both male and female patients suffering from a variety of mental disorders. It should be noted that the hospital underwent a short-lived name change between 1861 and 1865, when it was known as Central Lunatic Asylum. (It should not be confused with an asylum of the same name later built in Petersburg, Virginia to house African American patients). From 1865 to 1894 the name was again Western Lunatic Asylum. However, in 1894 the General Assembly passed legislation changing the name to Western State Hospital.\n","In March 1882 a 300 acre tract of land was purchased by the City of Petersburg and given to the state for the purpose of constructing a permanent mental health facility for African Americans. Construction of the new facility near Petersburg was completed in early spring 1885. This later included a special building to house the criminally insane apart from the rest of the hospital population. An early institutional history notes that treatment at Central Lunatic Asylum during the 1890s was humane and emphasized the value of work and the benefits of recreation. However, practices at the facility also included seclusion, mechanical restraints, and the administering of hypnotics.\n"," In 1894, Central Lunatic Asylum was officially renamed Central State Hospital. This piece of legislation also altered the names of the other mental health facilities in Virginia in and attempt to inspire a more positive image of the institutions, and of mental health treatment in general. It is important to note that another state institution located in Staunton, Virginia went by the name Central Lunatic Asylum between the years of 1861 and 1865. Its name later was changed to Western Lunatic Asylum, and is a separate facility with no connection to the Richmond/Petersburg hospital for African Americans.\n","In March 1884 the Virginia General Assembly appointed a board of commissioners to select a site for a new lunatic asylum for white citizens to be built west of New River near Marion, Virginia. Dr. Harvey Black became the first superintendent of Southwestern Lunatic Asylum when it opened in May 1887. Dr. Robert J. Preston and Dr. John S. Apperson served as assistant physicians, and Mr. C.W. White was appointed as steward to oversee the day-to-day business operations of the hospital. The patient population grew steadily and over time several buildings were added to the hospital's campus including a tuberculosis treatment building, a building for the criminally insane, the Davis Clinic, and the Harmon Building. For much of its early history, the hospital was mostly self-sufficient through the utilization of its own farm for meat, milk, and vegetables. Other early hospital superintendents include Dr. Robert J. Preston (1888-1906), Dr. Daniel Trigg (1906-1908), Dr. J.C. King (1908-1915), Dr. E.H. Henderson (1915-1927), and Dr. George A. Wright (1927-1937). The hospital has gone through two name changes in its history. In 1894 the General Assembly passed legislation changing the name from Southwestern Lunatic Asylum to Southwestern State Hospital. In 1988, the name was changed to Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute.\n","Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n","Additional Chesterfield County court records can be found on microfilm and in the Chancery Records Index at the Library of Virginia. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\"  and   The Chancery Records Index .\n"," Chesterfield County (Va.) Health and Medical Records, 1780-1904, consist of .225cf of Mental Health Records and Smallpox Epidemic Records.\n","Mental Health Records, 1780-1904, n.d. consists of 4 folders, and may include warrants, orders, petitions, depositions, reports, etc. for or by justices of the peace and others regarding the mental condition of individuals who were released to the recognizance of a family member or who were committed to a mental hospital.  Includes references to several mental hospitals. Fiduciary records such as estate inventories of a person judged insane may also be present. \n","Smallpox Epidemic Records, 1829, 1836-1837, consist of three folders relating to smallpox hospitals and expenses associated with them regarding treatment of smallpox outbreaks in Chesterfield County. Minutes of a meeting of justices of the peace in 1829 provide details of establishing a makeshift hospital at the home of Mr. Frances Watkins, appointing a physician and manager and outlining their duties, fees to be assessed to patients, and proposals for universal vaccination. A hospital near the town of Manchester was established to house patients during an outbreak between Nov. 1836 and April 1837. In addition to several bills and receipts related to hospital supplies and patient treatment are two reports and a letter from the physician to the justices near the close of the outbreak. One detailed hospital statement lists names of patients admitted, the majority of whom were enslaved or free African Americans, and includes the number of days hospitalized and whether a patient survived. Another report lists payments to be made to various personnel, as well as bills to be paid by owners for enslaved people treated, including the number of days treated and burial expenses if applicable. One physician's report also included payments to five free African American nurses, including Katy Cheatham, whose petition to remain in the Commonwealth was granted in 1840 largely due to her commendable service during the 1837 outbreak. \n","Estate inventory includes valuations of five enslaved people:  George, Davy, Bill, Johnson, and Robert.\n","The board of Eastern Lunatic Asylum determined that he was not ill and rejected him.\n","Justices ordered that she be sent to the Lunatic Asylum at Richmond.\n","She was declared a lunatic in November 1883 and taken into custody by the sheriff.  She petitioned the court for her own release.  In January 1884 the executive committee at Eastern State Lunatic Asylum in Williamsburg declared her to be of sound mind, and did not accept her.\n","Includes a letter to Virginia Governor Fitzhugh Lee from R.J. Preston, Superintendent of Southwestern Lunatic Asylum (Marion, Va.), regarding this patient, but in which he writes primarily of the crowded conditions of the hospital and the types of rooms and patients they can accommodate. \n","Includes a postcard to the sheriff from Randolph Barksdale, Superintendent and Physician of Central Lunatic Asylum (in Petersburg, for African Americans).\n","This file only includes a postcard from Randolph Barksdale, and documents the name change of Central Lunatic Asylum to Central State Hospital, also noting that the hospital is crowded. \n","Includes letter from superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum informing the Sheriff that they have no room, and suggests they apply for Mrs. Baker at Staunton.\n","Includes letter and postcard from Superintendent William F. Drewry of Central State Hospital explaining that these two people (most likely African Americans) cannot be admitted due to overcrowding.  Unlike postcards from just a few years prior, the postcard is pre-printed with text regarding reasons for being unable to admit patients, and has blanks on which to enter information.\n","Includes a handwritten statement signed by forty neighbors asserting that Garthright has recovered and that they fear no harm from him.\n","There are no restrictions.\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court.","Central Lunatic Asylum for Colored Insane, Virginia.","Central State Hospital (Petersburg, Va.).","Eastern State Hospital (Va.).","Southwestern Lunatic Asylum (Marion, Va.).","Southwestern State Hospital (Marion, Va.).","Western State Hospital (Va.).","English\n"],"unitid_tesim":["0007770387\n"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County Health and Medical Records, \n1780-1904"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County Health and Medical Records, \n1780-1904"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County Health and Medical Records, \n1780-1904"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["This collection came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Chesterfield County Circuit Court.\n"],"access_subjects_ssim":["African Americans--Mental Health--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","County courts--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Insanity--Jurisprudence--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Jails--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Medical laws and legislation--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Mental illness--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Physicians--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Psychiatric hospitals--Virginia.","Public health--Virginia.","Public health administration--Virginia.","Public records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Slaves--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Smallpox--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Smallpox prevention.","Health and Medical--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County."],"access_subjects_ssm":["African Americans--Mental Health--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","County courts--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Insanity--Jurisprudence--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Jails--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Medical laws and legislation--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Mental illness--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Physicians--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Psychiatric hospitals--Virginia.","Public health--Virginia.","Public health administration--Virginia.","Public records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Slaves--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Smallpox--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Smallpox prevention.","Health and Medical--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":[".225 cf (1/2 hollinger)"],"extent_tesim":[".225 cf (1/2 hollinger)"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChronological by year, then alphabetically by last name of individual.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["Chronological by year, then alphabetically by last name of individual.\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMental Health Records may consist of a variety of documents that historically were referred to as lunacy papers in the courthouses of Virginia localities and municipalities.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA fiduciary is an individual who enters into a confidential and legal relationship which binds them to act on behalf of another. Guardians are legally invested to take care of another person, and of the property and rights of that person. Thus, some records referred to as insanity papers are housed with fiduciary records and not with mental health records.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBy 1792, Virginia's General Assembly enacted very strict laws governing the practice of inoculation. The new act required a license from the county court to administer vaccinations. It also included a penalty of $1,500 or six months of imprisonment for anyone willfully spreading smallpox in a manner other than that specified by the act.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDuring its session begun in November 1769, the House of Burgesses passed an act establishing a hospital in Williamsburg for the mentally ill. The Eastern Lunatic Asylum (now Eastern State Hospital) was the first institution in America constructed as a mental hospital. The first patients were admitted in October 1773.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn January 1825 the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation providing for the construction of an asylum in the western part of the state. The institution, which became known as Western Lunatic Asylum, was constructed close to the town of Staunton, west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and was the second mental health facility built in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The buildings and surrounding gardens were designed to embrace the idea of \"moral therapy\" for mentally ill patients by providing an aesthetically pleasing and tranquil atmosphere in which patients lived comfortably, exercised and worked outdoors.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWestern Lunatic Asylum opened in 1828, accepting both male and female patients suffering from a variety of mental disorders. It should be noted that the hospital underwent a short-lived name change between 1861 and 1865, when it was known as Central Lunatic Asylum. (It should not be confused with an asylum of the same name later built in Petersburg, Virginia to house African American patients). From 1865 to 1894 the name was again Western Lunatic Asylum. However, in 1894 the General Assembly passed legislation changing the name to Western State Hospital.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn March 1882 a 300 acre tract of land was purchased by the City of Petersburg and given to the state for the purpose of constructing a permanent mental health facility for African Americans. Construction of the new facility near Petersburg was completed in early spring 1885. This later included a special building to house the criminally insane apart from the rest of the hospital population. An early institutional history notes that treatment at Central Lunatic Asylum during the 1890s was humane and emphasized the value of work and the benefits of recreation. However, practices at the facility also included seclusion, mechanical restraints, and the administering of hypnotics.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e In 1894, Central Lunatic Asylum was officially renamed Central State Hospital. This piece of legislation also altered the names of the other mental health facilities in Virginia in and attempt to inspire a more positive image of the institutions, and of mental health treatment in general. It is important to note that another state institution located in Staunton, Virginia went by the name Central Lunatic Asylum between the years of 1861 and 1865. Its name later was changed to Western Lunatic Asylum, and is a separate facility with no connection to the Richmond/Petersburg hospital for African Americans.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn March 1884 the Virginia General Assembly appointed a board of commissioners to select a site for a new lunatic asylum for white citizens to be built west of New River near Marion, Virginia. Dr. Harvey Black became the first superintendent of Southwestern Lunatic Asylum when it opened in May 1887. Dr. Robert J. Preston and Dr. John S. Apperson served as assistant physicians, and Mr. C.W. White was appointed as steward to oversee the day-to-day business operations of the hospital. The patient population grew steadily and over time several buildings were added to the hospital's campus including a tuberculosis treatment building, a building for the criminally insane, the Davis Clinic, and the Harmon Building. For much of its early history, the hospital was mostly self-sufficient through the utilization of its own farm for meat, milk, and vegetables. Other early hospital superintendents include Dr. Robert J. Preston (1888-1906), Dr. Daniel Trigg (1906-1908), Dr. J.C. King (1908-1915), Dr. E.H. Henderson (1915-1927), and Dr. George A. Wright (1927-1937). The hospital has gone through two name changes in its history. In 1894 the General Assembly passed legislation changing the name from Southwestern Lunatic Asylum to Southwestern State Hospital. In 1988, the name was changed to Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Mental Health Records may consist of a variety of documents that historically were referred to as lunacy papers in the courthouses of Virginia localities and municipalities.\n","A fiduciary is an individual who enters into a confidential and legal relationship which binds them to act on behalf of another. Guardians are legally invested to take care of another person, and of the property and rights of that person. Thus, some records referred to as insanity papers are housed with fiduciary records and not with mental health records.\n","By 1792, Virginia's General Assembly enacted very strict laws governing the practice of inoculation. The new act required a license from the county court to administer vaccinations. It also included a penalty of $1,500 or six months of imprisonment for anyone willfully spreading smallpox in a manner other than that specified by the act.\n","During its session begun in November 1769, the House of Burgesses passed an act establishing a hospital in Williamsburg for the mentally ill. The Eastern Lunatic Asylum (now Eastern State Hospital) was the first institution in America constructed as a mental hospital. The first patients were admitted in October 1773.\n","In January 1825 the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation providing for the construction of an asylum in the western part of the state. The institution, which became known as Western Lunatic Asylum, was constructed close to the town of Staunton, west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and was the second mental health facility built in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The buildings and surrounding gardens were designed to embrace the idea of \"moral therapy\" for mentally ill patients by providing an aesthetically pleasing and tranquil atmosphere in which patients lived comfortably, exercised and worked outdoors.\n","Western Lunatic Asylum opened in 1828, accepting both male and female patients suffering from a variety of mental disorders. It should be noted that the hospital underwent a short-lived name change between 1861 and 1865, when it was known as Central Lunatic Asylum. (It should not be confused with an asylum of the same name later built in Petersburg, Virginia to house African American patients). From 1865 to 1894 the name was again Western Lunatic Asylum. However, in 1894 the General Assembly passed legislation changing the name to Western State Hospital.\n","In March 1882 a 300 acre tract of land was purchased by the City of Petersburg and given to the state for the purpose of constructing a permanent mental health facility for African Americans. Construction of the new facility near Petersburg was completed in early spring 1885. This later included a special building to house the criminally insane apart from the rest of the hospital population. An early institutional history notes that treatment at Central Lunatic Asylum during the 1890s was humane and emphasized the value of work and the benefits of recreation. However, practices at the facility also included seclusion, mechanical restraints, and the administering of hypnotics.\n"," In 1894, Central Lunatic Asylum was officially renamed Central State Hospital. This piece of legislation also altered the names of the other mental health facilities in Virginia in and attempt to inspire a more positive image of the institutions, and of mental health treatment in general. It is important to note that another state institution located in Staunton, Virginia went by the name Central Lunatic Asylum between the years of 1861 and 1865. Its name later was changed to Western Lunatic Asylum, and is a separate facility with no connection to the Richmond/Petersburg hospital for African Americans.\n","In March 1884 the Virginia General Assembly appointed a board of commissioners to select a site for a new lunatic asylum for white citizens to be built west of New River near Marion, Virginia. Dr. Harvey Black became the first superintendent of Southwestern Lunatic Asylum when it opened in May 1887. Dr. Robert J. Preston and Dr. John S. Apperson served as assistant physicians, and Mr. C.W. White was appointed as steward to oversee the day-to-day business operations of the hospital. The patient population grew steadily and over time several buildings were added to the hospital's campus including a tuberculosis treatment building, a building for the criminally insane, the Davis Clinic, and the Harmon Building. For much of its early history, the hospital was mostly self-sufficient through the utilization of its own farm for meat, milk, and vegetables. Other early hospital superintendents include Dr. Robert J. Preston (1888-1906), Dr. Daniel Trigg (1906-1908), Dr. J.C. King (1908-1915), Dr. E.H. Henderson (1915-1927), and Dr. George A. Wright (1927-1937). The hospital has gone through two name changes in its history. In 1894 the General Assembly passed legislation changing the name from Southwestern Lunatic Asylum to Southwestern State Hospital. In 1988, the name was changed to Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute.\n","Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Health and Medical Records, 1780-1904. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Health and Medical Records, 1780-1904. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.\n"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County court records can be found on microfilm and in the Chancery Records Index at the Library of Virginia. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003e\"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\"\u003c/extref\u003e and \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/chancery/\"\u003e The Chancery Records Index\u003c/extref\u003e.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional Chesterfield County court records can be found on microfilm and in the Chancery Records Index at the Library of Virginia. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\"  and   The Chancery Records Index .\n"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e Chesterfield County (Va.) Health and Medical Records, 1780-1904, consist of .225cf of Mental Health Records and Smallpox Epidemic Records.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMental Health Records, 1780-1904, n.d. consists of 4 folders, and may include warrants, orders, petitions, depositions, reports, etc. for or by justices of the peace and others regarding the mental condition of individuals who were released to the recognizance of a family member or who were committed to a mental hospital.  Includes references to several mental hospitals. Fiduciary records such as estate inventories of a person judged insane may also be present. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmallpox Epidemic Records, 1829, 1836-1837, consist of three folders relating to smallpox hospitals and expenses associated with them regarding treatment of smallpox outbreaks in Chesterfield County. Minutes of a meeting of justices of the peace in 1829 provide details of establishing a makeshift hospital at the home of Mr. Frances Watkins, appointing a physician and manager and outlining their duties, fees to be assessed to patients, and proposals for universal vaccination. A hospital near the town of Manchester was established to house patients during an outbreak between Nov. 1836 and April 1837. In addition to several bills and receipts related to hospital supplies and patient treatment are two reports and a letter from the physician to the justices near the close of the outbreak. One detailed hospital statement lists names of patients admitted, the majority of whom were enslaved or free African Americans, and includes the number of days hospitalized and whether a patient survived. Another report lists payments to be made to various personnel, as well as bills to be paid by owners for enslaved people treated, including the number of days treated and burial expenses if applicable. One physician's report also included payments to five free African American nurses, including Katy Cheatham, whose petition to remain in the Commonwealth was granted in 1840 largely due to her commendable service during the 1837 outbreak. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEstate inventory includes valuations of five enslaved people:  George, Davy, Bill, Johnson, and Robert.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe board of Eastern Lunatic Asylum determined that he was not ill and rejected him.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eJustices ordered that she be sent to the Lunatic Asylum at Richmond.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eShe was declared a lunatic in November 1883 and taken into custody by the sheriff.  She petitioned the court for her own release.  In January 1884 the executive committee at Eastern State Lunatic Asylum in Williamsburg declared her to be of sound mind, and did not accept her.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes a letter to Virginia Governor Fitzhugh Lee from R.J. Preston, Superintendent of Southwestern Lunatic Asylum (Marion, Va.), regarding this patient, but in which he writes primarily of the crowded conditions of the hospital and the types of rooms and patients they can accommodate. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes a postcard to the sheriff from Randolph Barksdale, Superintendent and Physician of Central Lunatic Asylum (in Petersburg, for African Americans).\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis file only includes a postcard from Randolph Barksdale, and documents the name change of Central Lunatic Asylum to Central State Hospital, also noting that the hospital is crowded. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes letter from superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum informing the Sheriff that they have no room, and suggests they apply for Mrs. Baker at Staunton.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes letter and postcard from Superintendent William F. Drewry of Central State Hospital explaining that these two people (most likely African Americans) cannot be admitted due to overcrowding.  Unlike postcards from just a few years prior, the postcard is pre-printed with text regarding reasons for being unable to admit patients, and has blanks on which to enter information.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes a handwritten statement signed by forty neighbors asserting that Garthright has recovered and that they fear no harm from him.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":[" Chesterfield County (Va.) Health and Medical Records, 1780-1904, consist of .225cf of Mental Health Records and Smallpox Epidemic Records.\n","Mental Health Records, 1780-1904, n.d. consists of 4 folders, and may include warrants, orders, petitions, depositions, reports, etc. for or by justices of the peace and others regarding the mental condition of individuals who were released to the recognizance of a family member or who were committed to a mental hospital.  Includes references to several mental hospitals. Fiduciary records such as estate inventories of a person judged insane may also be present. \n","Smallpox Epidemic Records, 1829, 1836-1837, consist of three folders relating to smallpox hospitals and expenses associated with them regarding treatment of smallpox outbreaks in Chesterfield County. Minutes of a meeting of justices of the peace in 1829 provide details of establishing a makeshift hospital at the home of Mr. Frances Watkins, appointing a physician and manager and outlining their duties, fees to be assessed to patients, and proposals for universal vaccination. A hospital near the town of Manchester was established to house patients during an outbreak between Nov. 1836 and April 1837. In addition to several bills and receipts related to hospital supplies and patient treatment are two reports and a letter from the physician to the justices near the close of the outbreak. One detailed hospital statement lists names of patients admitted, the majority of whom were enslaved or free African Americans, and includes the number of days hospitalized and whether a patient survived. Another report lists payments to be made to various personnel, as well as bills to be paid by owners for enslaved people treated, including the number of days treated and burial expenses if applicable. One physician's report also included payments to five free African American nurses, including Katy Cheatham, whose petition to remain in the Commonwealth was granted in 1840 largely due to her commendable service during the 1837 outbreak. \n","Estate inventory includes valuations of five enslaved people:  George, Davy, Bill, Johnson, and Robert.\n","The board of Eastern Lunatic Asylum determined that he was not ill and rejected him.\n","Justices ordered that she be sent to the Lunatic Asylum at Richmond.\n","She was declared a lunatic in November 1883 and taken into custody by the sheriff.  She petitioned the court for her own release.  In January 1884 the executive committee at Eastern State Lunatic Asylum in Williamsburg declared her to be of sound mind, and did not accept her.\n","Includes a letter to Virginia Governor Fitzhugh Lee from R.J. Preston, Superintendent of Southwestern Lunatic Asylum (Marion, Va.), regarding this patient, but in which he writes primarily of the crowded conditions of the hospital and the types of rooms and patients they can accommodate. \n","Includes a postcard to the sheriff from Randolph Barksdale, Superintendent and Physician of Central Lunatic Asylum (in Petersburg, for African Americans).\n","This file only includes a postcard from Randolph Barksdale, and documents the name change of Central Lunatic Asylum to Central State Hospital, also noting that the hospital is crowded. \n","Includes letter from superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum informing the Sheriff that they have no room, and suggests they apply for Mrs. Baker at Staunton.\n","Includes letter and postcard from Superintendent William F. Drewry of Central State Hospital explaining that these two people (most likely African Americans) cannot be admitted due to overcrowding.  Unlike postcards from just a few years prior, the postcard is pre-printed with text regarding reasons for being unable to admit patients, and has blanks on which to enter information.\n","Includes a handwritten statement signed by forty neighbors asserting that Garthright has recovered and that they fear no harm from him.\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"],"names_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court.","Central Lunatic Asylum for Colored Insane, Virginia.","Central State Hospital (Petersburg, Va.).","Eastern State Hospital (Va.).","Southwestern Lunatic Asylum (Marion, Va.).","Southwestern State Hospital (Marion, Va.).","Western State Hospital (Va.)."],"corpname_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court.","Central Lunatic Asylum for Colored Insane, Virginia.","Central State Hospital (Petersburg, Va.).","Eastern State Hospital (Va.).","Southwestern Lunatic Asylum (Marion, Va.).","Southwestern State Hospital (Marion, Va.).","Western State Hospital (Va.)."],"language_ssim":["English\n"],"total_component_count_is":10,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T10:08:45.570Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vi_vi05123","ead_ssi":"vi_vi05123","_root_":"vi_vi05123","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi05123","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi05123.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County Health and Medical Records, \n1780-1904"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County Health and Medical Records, \n1780-1904"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["0007770387\n"],"text":["0007770387\n","Chesterfield County Health and Medical Records, \n1780-1904","African Americans--Mental Health--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","County courts--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Insanity--Jurisprudence--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Jails--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Medical laws and legislation--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Mental illness--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Physicians--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Psychiatric hospitals--Virginia.","Public health--Virginia.","Public health administration--Virginia.","Public records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Slaves--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Smallpox--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Smallpox prevention.","Health and Medical--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","There are no restrictions.\n","Chronological by year, then alphabetically by last name of individual.\n","Mental Health Records may consist of a variety of documents that historically were referred to as lunacy papers in the courthouses of Virginia localities and municipalities.\n","A fiduciary is an individual who enters into a confidential and legal relationship which binds them to act on behalf of another. Guardians are legally invested to take care of another person, and of the property and rights of that person. Thus, some records referred to as insanity papers are housed with fiduciary records and not with mental health records.\n","By 1792, Virginia's General Assembly enacted very strict laws governing the practice of inoculation. The new act required a license from the county court to administer vaccinations. It also included a penalty of $1,500 or six months of imprisonment for anyone willfully spreading smallpox in a manner other than that specified by the act.\n","During its session begun in November 1769, the House of Burgesses passed an act establishing a hospital in Williamsburg for the mentally ill. The Eastern Lunatic Asylum (now Eastern State Hospital) was the first institution in America constructed as a mental hospital. The first patients were admitted in October 1773.\n","In January 1825 the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation providing for the construction of an asylum in the western part of the state. The institution, which became known as Western Lunatic Asylum, was constructed close to the town of Staunton, west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and was the second mental health facility built in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The buildings and surrounding gardens were designed to embrace the idea of \"moral therapy\" for mentally ill patients by providing an aesthetically pleasing and tranquil atmosphere in which patients lived comfortably, exercised and worked outdoors.\n","Western Lunatic Asylum opened in 1828, accepting both male and female patients suffering from a variety of mental disorders. It should be noted that the hospital underwent a short-lived name change between 1861 and 1865, when it was known as Central Lunatic Asylum. (It should not be confused with an asylum of the same name later built in Petersburg, Virginia to house African American patients). From 1865 to 1894 the name was again Western Lunatic Asylum. However, in 1894 the General Assembly passed legislation changing the name to Western State Hospital.\n","In March 1882 a 300 acre tract of land was purchased by the City of Petersburg and given to the state for the purpose of constructing a permanent mental health facility for African Americans. Construction of the new facility near Petersburg was completed in early spring 1885. This later included a special building to house the criminally insane apart from the rest of the hospital population. An early institutional history notes that treatment at Central Lunatic Asylum during the 1890s was humane and emphasized the value of work and the benefits of recreation. However, practices at the facility also included seclusion, mechanical restraints, and the administering of hypnotics.\n"," In 1894, Central Lunatic Asylum was officially renamed Central State Hospital. This piece of legislation also altered the names of the other mental health facilities in Virginia in and attempt to inspire a more positive image of the institutions, and of mental health treatment in general. It is important to note that another state institution located in Staunton, Virginia went by the name Central Lunatic Asylum between the years of 1861 and 1865. Its name later was changed to Western Lunatic Asylum, and is a separate facility with no connection to the Richmond/Petersburg hospital for African Americans.\n","In March 1884 the Virginia General Assembly appointed a board of commissioners to select a site for a new lunatic asylum for white citizens to be built west of New River near Marion, Virginia. Dr. Harvey Black became the first superintendent of Southwestern Lunatic Asylum when it opened in May 1887. Dr. Robert J. Preston and Dr. John S. Apperson served as assistant physicians, and Mr. C.W. White was appointed as steward to oversee the day-to-day business operations of the hospital. The patient population grew steadily and over time several buildings were added to the hospital's campus including a tuberculosis treatment building, a building for the criminally insane, the Davis Clinic, and the Harmon Building. For much of its early history, the hospital was mostly self-sufficient through the utilization of its own farm for meat, milk, and vegetables. Other early hospital superintendents include Dr. Robert J. Preston (1888-1906), Dr. Daniel Trigg (1906-1908), Dr. J.C. King (1908-1915), Dr. E.H. Henderson (1915-1927), and Dr. George A. Wright (1927-1937). The hospital has gone through two name changes in its history. In 1894 the General Assembly passed legislation changing the name from Southwestern Lunatic Asylum to Southwestern State Hospital. In 1988, the name was changed to Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute.\n","Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n","Additional Chesterfield County court records can be found on microfilm and in the Chancery Records Index at the Library of Virginia. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\"  and   The Chancery Records Index .\n"," Chesterfield County (Va.) Health and Medical Records, 1780-1904, consist of .225cf of Mental Health Records and Smallpox Epidemic Records.\n","Mental Health Records, 1780-1904, n.d. consists of 4 folders, and may include warrants, orders, petitions, depositions, reports, etc. for or by justices of the peace and others regarding the mental condition of individuals who were released to the recognizance of a family member or who were committed to a mental hospital.  Includes references to several mental hospitals. Fiduciary records such as estate inventories of a person judged insane may also be present. \n","Smallpox Epidemic Records, 1829, 1836-1837, consist of three folders relating to smallpox hospitals and expenses associated with them regarding treatment of smallpox outbreaks in Chesterfield County. Minutes of a meeting of justices of the peace in 1829 provide details of establishing a makeshift hospital at the home of Mr. Frances Watkins, appointing a physician and manager and outlining their duties, fees to be assessed to patients, and proposals for universal vaccination. A hospital near the town of Manchester was established to house patients during an outbreak between Nov. 1836 and April 1837. In addition to several bills and receipts related to hospital supplies and patient treatment are two reports and a letter from the physician to the justices near the close of the outbreak. One detailed hospital statement lists names of patients admitted, the majority of whom were enslaved or free African Americans, and includes the number of days hospitalized and whether a patient survived. Another report lists payments to be made to various personnel, as well as bills to be paid by owners for enslaved people treated, including the number of days treated and burial expenses if applicable. One physician's report also included payments to five free African American nurses, including Katy Cheatham, whose petition to remain in the Commonwealth was granted in 1840 largely due to her commendable service during the 1837 outbreak. \n","Estate inventory includes valuations of five enslaved people:  George, Davy, Bill, Johnson, and Robert.\n","The board of Eastern Lunatic Asylum determined that he was not ill and rejected him.\n","Justices ordered that she be sent to the Lunatic Asylum at Richmond.\n","She was declared a lunatic in November 1883 and taken into custody by the sheriff.  She petitioned the court for her own release.  In January 1884 the executive committee at Eastern State Lunatic Asylum in Williamsburg declared her to be of sound mind, and did not accept her.\n","Includes a letter to Virginia Governor Fitzhugh Lee from R.J. Preston, Superintendent of Southwestern Lunatic Asylum (Marion, Va.), regarding this patient, but in which he writes primarily of the crowded conditions of the hospital and the types of rooms and patients they can accommodate. \n","Includes a postcard to the sheriff from Randolph Barksdale, Superintendent and Physician of Central Lunatic Asylum (in Petersburg, for African Americans).\n","This file only includes a postcard from Randolph Barksdale, and documents the name change of Central Lunatic Asylum to Central State Hospital, also noting that the hospital is crowded. \n","Includes letter from superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum informing the Sheriff that they have no room, and suggests they apply for Mrs. Baker at Staunton.\n","Includes letter and postcard from Superintendent William F. Drewry of Central State Hospital explaining that these two people (most likely African Americans) cannot be admitted due to overcrowding.  Unlike postcards from just a few years prior, the postcard is pre-printed with text regarding reasons for being unable to admit patients, and has blanks on which to enter information.\n","Includes a handwritten statement signed by forty neighbors asserting that Garthright has recovered and that they fear no harm from him.\n","There are no restrictions.\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court.","Central Lunatic Asylum for Colored Insane, Virginia.","Central State Hospital (Petersburg, Va.).","Eastern State Hospital (Va.).","Southwestern Lunatic Asylum (Marion, Va.).","Southwestern State Hospital (Marion, Va.).","Western State Hospital (Va.).","English\n"],"unitid_tesim":["0007770387\n"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County Health and Medical Records, \n1780-1904"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County Health and Medical Records, \n1780-1904"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County Health and Medical Records, \n1780-1904"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["This collection came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Chesterfield County Circuit Court.\n"],"access_subjects_ssim":["African Americans--Mental Health--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","County courts--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Insanity--Jurisprudence--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Jails--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Medical laws and legislation--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Mental illness--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Physicians--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Psychiatric hospitals--Virginia.","Public health--Virginia.","Public health administration--Virginia.","Public records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Slaves--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Smallpox--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Smallpox prevention.","Health and Medical--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County."],"access_subjects_ssm":["African Americans--Mental Health--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","County courts--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Insanity--Jurisprudence--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Jails--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Medical laws and legislation--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Mental illness--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Physicians--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Psychiatric hospitals--Virginia.","Public health--Virginia.","Public health administration--Virginia.","Public records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Slaves--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Smallpox--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Smallpox prevention.","Health and Medical--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":[".225 cf (1/2 hollinger)"],"extent_tesim":[".225 cf (1/2 hollinger)"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChronological by year, then alphabetically by last name of individual.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["Chronological by year, then alphabetically by last name of individual.\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMental Health Records may consist of a variety of documents that historically were referred to as lunacy papers in the courthouses of Virginia localities and municipalities.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA fiduciary is an individual who enters into a confidential and legal relationship which binds them to act on behalf of another. Guardians are legally invested to take care of another person, and of the property and rights of that person. Thus, some records referred to as insanity papers are housed with fiduciary records and not with mental health records.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBy 1792, Virginia's General Assembly enacted very strict laws governing the practice of inoculation. The new act required a license from the county court to administer vaccinations. It also included a penalty of $1,500 or six months of imprisonment for anyone willfully spreading smallpox in a manner other than that specified by the act.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDuring its session begun in November 1769, the House of Burgesses passed an act establishing a hospital in Williamsburg for the mentally ill. The Eastern Lunatic Asylum (now Eastern State Hospital) was the first institution in America constructed as a mental hospital. The first patients were admitted in October 1773.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn January 1825 the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation providing for the construction of an asylum in the western part of the state. The institution, which became known as Western Lunatic Asylum, was constructed close to the town of Staunton, west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and was the second mental health facility built in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The buildings and surrounding gardens were designed to embrace the idea of \"moral therapy\" for mentally ill patients by providing an aesthetically pleasing and tranquil atmosphere in which patients lived comfortably, exercised and worked outdoors.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWestern Lunatic Asylum opened in 1828, accepting both male and female patients suffering from a variety of mental disorders. It should be noted that the hospital underwent a short-lived name change between 1861 and 1865, when it was known as Central Lunatic Asylum. (It should not be confused with an asylum of the same name later built in Petersburg, Virginia to house African American patients). From 1865 to 1894 the name was again Western Lunatic Asylum. However, in 1894 the General Assembly passed legislation changing the name to Western State Hospital.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn March 1882 a 300 acre tract of land was purchased by the City of Petersburg and given to the state for the purpose of constructing a permanent mental health facility for African Americans. Construction of the new facility near Petersburg was completed in early spring 1885. This later included a special building to house the criminally insane apart from the rest of the hospital population. An early institutional history notes that treatment at Central Lunatic Asylum during the 1890s was humane and emphasized the value of work and the benefits of recreation. However, practices at the facility also included seclusion, mechanical restraints, and the administering of hypnotics.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e In 1894, Central Lunatic Asylum was officially renamed Central State Hospital. This piece of legislation also altered the names of the other mental health facilities in Virginia in and attempt to inspire a more positive image of the institutions, and of mental health treatment in general. It is important to note that another state institution located in Staunton, Virginia went by the name Central Lunatic Asylum between the years of 1861 and 1865. Its name later was changed to Western Lunatic Asylum, and is a separate facility with no connection to the Richmond/Petersburg hospital for African Americans.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn March 1884 the Virginia General Assembly appointed a board of commissioners to select a site for a new lunatic asylum for white citizens to be built west of New River near Marion, Virginia. Dr. Harvey Black became the first superintendent of Southwestern Lunatic Asylum when it opened in May 1887. Dr. Robert J. Preston and Dr. John S. Apperson served as assistant physicians, and Mr. C.W. White was appointed as steward to oversee the day-to-day business operations of the hospital. The patient population grew steadily and over time several buildings were added to the hospital's campus including a tuberculosis treatment building, a building for the criminally insane, the Davis Clinic, and the Harmon Building. For much of its early history, the hospital was mostly self-sufficient through the utilization of its own farm for meat, milk, and vegetables. Other early hospital superintendents include Dr. Robert J. Preston (1888-1906), Dr. Daniel Trigg (1906-1908), Dr. J.C. King (1908-1915), Dr. E.H. Henderson (1915-1927), and Dr. George A. Wright (1927-1937). The hospital has gone through two name changes in its history. In 1894 the General Assembly passed legislation changing the name from Southwestern Lunatic Asylum to Southwestern State Hospital. In 1988, the name was changed to Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Mental Health Records may consist of a variety of documents that historically were referred to as lunacy papers in the courthouses of Virginia localities and municipalities.\n","A fiduciary is an individual who enters into a confidential and legal relationship which binds them to act on behalf of another. Guardians are legally invested to take care of another person, and of the property and rights of that person. Thus, some records referred to as insanity papers are housed with fiduciary records and not with mental health records.\n","By 1792, Virginia's General Assembly enacted very strict laws governing the practice of inoculation. The new act required a license from the county court to administer vaccinations. It also included a penalty of $1,500 or six months of imprisonment for anyone willfully spreading smallpox in a manner other than that specified by the act.\n","During its session begun in November 1769, the House of Burgesses passed an act establishing a hospital in Williamsburg for the mentally ill. The Eastern Lunatic Asylum (now Eastern State Hospital) was the first institution in America constructed as a mental hospital. The first patients were admitted in October 1773.\n","In January 1825 the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation providing for the construction of an asylum in the western part of the state. The institution, which became known as Western Lunatic Asylum, was constructed close to the town of Staunton, west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and was the second mental health facility built in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The buildings and surrounding gardens were designed to embrace the idea of \"moral therapy\" for mentally ill patients by providing an aesthetically pleasing and tranquil atmosphere in which patients lived comfortably, exercised and worked outdoors.\n","Western Lunatic Asylum opened in 1828, accepting both male and female patients suffering from a variety of mental disorders. It should be noted that the hospital underwent a short-lived name change between 1861 and 1865, when it was known as Central Lunatic Asylum. (It should not be confused with an asylum of the same name later built in Petersburg, Virginia to house African American patients). From 1865 to 1894 the name was again Western Lunatic Asylum. However, in 1894 the General Assembly passed legislation changing the name to Western State Hospital.\n","In March 1882 a 300 acre tract of land was purchased by the City of Petersburg and given to the state for the purpose of constructing a permanent mental health facility for African Americans. Construction of the new facility near Petersburg was completed in early spring 1885. This later included a special building to house the criminally insane apart from the rest of the hospital population. An early institutional history notes that treatment at Central Lunatic Asylum during the 1890s was humane and emphasized the value of work and the benefits of recreation. However, practices at the facility also included seclusion, mechanical restraints, and the administering of hypnotics.\n"," In 1894, Central Lunatic Asylum was officially renamed Central State Hospital. This piece of legislation also altered the names of the other mental health facilities in Virginia in and attempt to inspire a more positive image of the institutions, and of mental health treatment in general. It is important to note that another state institution located in Staunton, Virginia went by the name Central Lunatic Asylum between the years of 1861 and 1865. Its name later was changed to Western Lunatic Asylum, and is a separate facility with no connection to the Richmond/Petersburg hospital for African Americans.\n","In March 1884 the Virginia General Assembly appointed a board of commissioners to select a site for a new lunatic asylum for white citizens to be built west of New River near Marion, Virginia. Dr. Harvey Black became the first superintendent of Southwestern Lunatic Asylum when it opened in May 1887. Dr. Robert J. Preston and Dr. John S. Apperson served as assistant physicians, and Mr. C.W. White was appointed as steward to oversee the day-to-day business operations of the hospital. The patient population grew steadily and over time several buildings were added to the hospital's campus including a tuberculosis treatment building, a building for the criminally insane, the Davis Clinic, and the Harmon Building. For much of its early history, the hospital was mostly self-sufficient through the utilization of its own farm for meat, milk, and vegetables. Other early hospital superintendents include Dr. Robert J. Preston (1888-1906), Dr. Daniel Trigg (1906-1908), Dr. J.C. King (1908-1915), Dr. E.H. Henderson (1915-1927), and Dr. George A. Wright (1927-1937). The hospital has gone through two name changes in its history. In 1894 the General Assembly passed legislation changing the name from Southwestern Lunatic Asylum to Southwestern State Hospital. In 1988, the name was changed to Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute.\n","Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Health and Medical Records, 1780-1904. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Health and Medical Records, 1780-1904. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.\n"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County court records can be found on microfilm and in the Chancery Records Index at the Library of Virginia. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/\"\u003e\"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\"\u003c/extref\u003e and \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/chancery/\"\u003e The Chancery Records Index\u003c/extref\u003e.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional Chesterfield County court records can be found on microfilm and in the Chancery Records Index at the Library of Virginia. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\"  and   The Chancery Records Index .\n"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e Chesterfield County (Va.) Health and Medical Records, 1780-1904, consist of .225cf of Mental Health Records and Smallpox Epidemic Records.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMental Health Records, 1780-1904, n.d. consists of 4 folders, and may include warrants, orders, petitions, depositions, reports, etc. for or by justices of the peace and others regarding the mental condition of individuals who were released to the recognizance of a family member or who were committed to a mental hospital.  Includes references to several mental hospitals. Fiduciary records such as estate inventories of a person judged insane may also be present. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmallpox Epidemic Records, 1829, 1836-1837, consist of three folders relating to smallpox hospitals and expenses associated with them regarding treatment of smallpox outbreaks in Chesterfield County. Minutes of a meeting of justices of the peace in 1829 provide details of establishing a makeshift hospital at the home of Mr. Frances Watkins, appointing a physician and manager and outlining their duties, fees to be assessed to patients, and proposals for universal vaccination. A hospital near the town of Manchester was established to house patients during an outbreak between Nov. 1836 and April 1837. In addition to several bills and receipts related to hospital supplies and patient treatment are two reports and a letter from the physician to the justices near the close of the outbreak. One detailed hospital statement lists names of patients admitted, the majority of whom were enslaved or free African Americans, and includes the number of days hospitalized and whether a patient survived. Another report lists payments to be made to various personnel, as well as bills to be paid by owners for enslaved people treated, including the number of days treated and burial expenses if applicable. One physician's report also included payments to five free African American nurses, including Katy Cheatham, whose petition to remain in the Commonwealth was granted in 1840 largely due to her commendable service during the 1837 outbreak. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEstate inventory includes valuations of five enslaved people:  George, Davy, Bill, Johnson, and Robert.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe board of Eastern Lunatic Asylum determined that he was not ill and rejected him.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eJustices ordered that she be sent to the Lunatic Asylum at Richmond.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eShe was declared a lunatic in November 1883 and taken into custody by the sheriff.  She petitioned the court for her own release.  In January 1884 the executive committee at Eastern State Lunatic Asylum in Williamsburg declared her to be of sound mind, and did not accept her.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes a letter to Virginia Governor Fitzhugh Lee from R.J. Preston, Superintendent of Southwestern Lunatic Asylum (Marion, Va.), regarding this patient, but in which he writes primarily of the crowded conditions of the hospital and the types of rooms and patients they can accommodate. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes a postcard to the sheriff from Randolph Barksdale, Superintendent and Physician of Central Lunatic Asylum (in Petersburg, for African Americans).\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis file only includes a postcard from Randolph Barksdale, and documents the name change of Central Lunatic Asylum to Central State Hospital, also noting that the hospital is crowded. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes letter from superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum informing the Sheriff that they have no room, and suggests they apply for Mrs. Baker at Staunton.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes letter and postcard from Superintendent William F. Drewry of Central State Hospital explaining that these two people (most likely African Americans) cannot be admitted due to overcrowding.  Unlike postcards from just a few years prior, the postcard is pre-printed with text regarding reasons for being unable to admit patients, and has blanks on which to enter information.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes a handwritten statement signed by forty neighbors asserting that Garthright has recovered and that they fear no harm from him.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":[" Chesterfield County (Va.) Health and Medical Records, 1780-1904, consist of .225cf of Mental Health Records and Smallpox Epidemic Records.\n","Mental Health Records, 1780-1904, n.d. consists of 4 folders, and may include warrants, orders, petitions, depositions, reports, etc. for or by justices of the peace and others regarding the mental condition of individuals who were released to the recognizance of a family member or who were committed to a mental hospital.  Includes references to several mental hospitals. Fiduciary records such as estate inventories of a person judged insane may also be present. \n","Smallpox Epidemic Records, 1829, 1836-1837, consist of three folders relating to smallpox hospitals and expenses associated with them regarding treatment of smallpox outbreaks in Chesterfield County. Minutes of a meeting of justices of the peace in 1829 provide details of establishing a makeshift hospital at the home of Mr. Frances Watkins, appointing a physician and manager and outlining their duties, fees to be assessed to patients, and proposals for universal vaccination. A hospital near the town of Manchester was established to house patients during an outbreak between Nov. 1836 and April 1837. In addition to several bills and receipts related to hospital supplies and patient treatment are two reports and a letter from the physician to the justices near the close of the outbreak. One detailed hospital statement lists names of patients admitted, the majority of whom were enslaved or free African Americans, and includes the number of days hospitalized and whether a patient survived. Another report lists payments to be made to various personnel, as well as bills to be paid by owners for enslaved people treated, including the number of days treated and burial expenses if applicable. One physician's report also included payments to five free African American nurses, including Katy Cheatham, whose petition to remain in the Commonwealth was granted in 1840 largely due to her commendable service during the 1837 outbreak. \n","Estate inventory includes valuations of five enslaved people:  George, Davy, Bill, Johnson, and Robert.\n","The board of Eastern Lunatic Asylum determined that he was not ill and rejected him.\n","Justices ordered that she be sent to the Lunatic Asylum at Richmond.\n","She was declared a lunatic in November 1883 and taken into custody by the sheriff.  She petitioned the court for her own release.  In January 1884 the executive committee at Eastern State Lunatic Asylum in Williamsburg declared her to be of sound mind, and did not accept her.\n","Includes a letter to Virginia Governor Fitzhugh Lee from R.J. Preston, Superintendent of Southwestern Lunatic Asylum (Marion, Va.), regarding this patient, but in which he writes primarily of the crowded conditions of the hospital and the types of rooms and patients they can accommodate. \n","Includes a postcard to the sheriff from Randolph Barksdale, Superintendent and Physician of Central Lunatic Asylum (in Petersburg, for African Americans).\n","This file only includes a postcard from Randolph Barksdale, and documents the name change of Central Lunatic Asylum to Central State Hospital, also noting that the hospital is crowded. \n","Includes letter from superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum informing the Sheriff that they have no room, and suggests they apply for Mrs. Baker at Staunton.\n","Includes letter and postcard from Superintendent William F. Drewry of Central State Hospital explaining that these two people (most likely African Americans) cannot be admitted due to overcrowding.  Unlike postcards from just a few years prior, the postcard is pre-printed with text regarding reasons for being unable to admit patients, and has blanks on which to enter information.\n","Includes a handwritten statement signed by forty neighbors asserting that Garthright has recovered and that they fear no harm from him.\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"],"names_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court.","Central Lunatic Asylum for Colored Insane, Virginia.","Central State Hospital (Petersburg, Va.).","Eastern State Hospital (Va.).","Southwestern Lunatic Asylum (Marion, Va.).","Southwestern State Hospital (Marion, Va.).","Western State Hospital (Va.)."],"corpname_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court.","Central Lunatic Asylum for Colored Insane, Virginia.","Central State Hospital (Petersburg, Va.).","Eastern State Hospital (Va.).","Southwestern Lunatic Asylum (Marion, Va.).","Southwestern State Hospital (Marion, Va.).","Western State Hospital (Va.)."],"language_ssim":["English\n"],"total_component_count_is":10,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T10:08:45.570Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi05123"}},{"id":"vi_vi03612","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, \n1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904)","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi03612#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi03612#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMaterials in the Library of Virginia's collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity. \u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi03612#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vi_vi03612","ead_ssi":"vi_vi03612","_root_":"vi_vi03612","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi03612","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi03612.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, \n1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904)"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, \n1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904)"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, \n1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904)"],"text":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, \n1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904)","1.35 cu. ft. (3 boxes)","  [IN PROCESS] Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1783-1914, are digitized and available through the  Library of Virginia Digital Discovery   as the Coroners' Inquisitions Digital Collection\n","This collection is arranged in to Series I: Coroners Inquisitions, 1783-1914, chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the local court."," chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the local court.\n","Context for Record Type:  A carry over from the British system, the separate office of coroner appeared in Virginia about 1660. The judicial duty of the office was to hold inquisitions in cases when persons met a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious death, or death without medical attendance. The law did not encourage the Coroner to be a medical professional until the 20th century, and only stipulated that the local court be responsible for the appointment. Although not reliant on profession, this system of affluent white men making the decisions largely ensured that only other white men served in this position for much of its history. ","Prior to the Civil War, the coroner would summon a jury of twelve white men, usually prominent citizens of that locality, to assist him in determining cause of death. The jury viewed the body of the deceased and heard the testimony of witnesses which did include both white and Black perspectives. This witness testimony was recorded and after seeing and hearing the evidence, and unlike other judicial proceedings, enslaved people could provide depositions in coroner's inquisitions, but still, an all-white jury delivered in writing to the coroner their conclusion concerning cause of death referred to as the inquisition. These causes of death would be determined by a white perspective and Black individuals were only consulted; they were never in a position to make decisions. After the Civil War, the process remained the same but the racial distinctions stipulating jury eligibility no longer remained. However, as appointments still continued and juror eligibility reserved for those \"entitled to vote and hold office,\" the authority and influence in the hands of white citizens remained throughout the late 19th and early 20th century. ","In 1877, an act of the General Assembly changed the number of jurors to six, and by 1926, only the coroner determined cause of death but they could require physicians to assist them with determining cause of death. Then in 1946, the General Assembly abolished the Coroner's office/ office of Coroner's Physician altogether, appointed instead a Chief Medical Examiner, and by 1950 transitioned to a statewide Office of the Chief Medical Examiner which now lives within the Department of Health. ","If a criminal act was determined to be the cause of death, the coroner delivered the guilty person to the sheriff and the inquests would be used as evidence in the criminal trial. In this case, coroner's inquisitions were filed with the trial papers. If there was not a trial, coroner's inquisitions were filed separately and are more likely to appear in this collection as a standalone set of documents.","Locality History:  Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. Its area is 446 square miles, and the county seat is Chesterfield.\n ","Chesterfield County Coroners Inquisitions were processed around 2013 for the purpose of inclusion in Virginia Untold. Therefore, at the time of processing, pre-1865 records related to free and enslaved Black and Multiracial individuals were isolated and indexed or the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative.","In March 2025 the remaining pre-1865 inquests as well as the remaining post-1865 inquests were also indexed by M. Mason.","Encoded by J. Porter, 2013; Updated by M. Mason, March 2025 ","See also:   Richmond (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions ","See also:   Chesterfield Count (Va.) Criminal Causes ","See also:   Chesterfield Count (Va.) Health and Medical Records ","Additional Chesterfield County (Va.) 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.\"","Materials in the Library of Virginia's collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity. ","Coroners' Inquisitions contain graphic and in some cases violent or otherwise disturbing descriptions of death.","Chesterfield County (Va) Coroner's Inquisitions, 1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904), contains 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 these records include accidental, alcohol, drowning, homicide, injuries, infanticide, medical conditions, natural causes (\"visitation by God\"), and suicide.","Documents commonly found in coroners' inquisitions include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Some inquisitions contain other documents such as exhibits. 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 coroner knew the deceased person to be Black or Multiracial, the inquest should identify the person individual's legal status (free or enslaved). If the coroner knew the deceased person to be enslaved, the inquest often includes their name, their enslaver and the enslaver's residence. Information found in the depositions include the name of the deponent(s) and their account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased.","The bulk inquests range 1870-1914, a large portion of the inquests consist of deaths deemed to be accidental drownings around the James River. Additionally, there are many deaths related to accidental death related to railroads including the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, later the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.\nMany of the death referenced in these inquests occurred in what it now Richmond (Va.), notably several deaths around Forest Hill Park, the granite quarries along the southern bank of the James River, and other areas in present day south side Richmond. ","Inquests of note include:","Death of Lucy, an enslaved women, 1812 January 8 :","The inquest states Lucy, a Black woman, enslaved by Henry Winfrees, although severely whipped, they (the jurors) \"do not believe that to have been sufficient to have occasioned her death\". The same jurors filed a protest document to their original inquest revising their opinion of the cause of death of Lucy. The jurors state the following \"Upon Mature Deliberation of our inquiry we are of the opinion that we have made an improper return and are now induced to believe that the abuse which the said Lucy received was the means of her death and therefore pray the inference of the court on behalf of the Commonwealth that they may direct another inquest be taken on the body aforesaid in order that complete justice may be done in the case aforesaid and we hope that the court will receive this as our protest against our own acting and doing while under solemn oath.\"","Death of Robert Mendum, 1829 January 12:","Robert Mendum, a prisoner scheduled for execution on the 19 of January, was found lying dead in his apartment or rooms of the public jail of the county after dying from suicide. ","Death of William Willis, 1876 January 1:","William Willis died due to exposure while in a naked condition after being cruelly treated by Ellen Randal. William Willis was in the custody of Abraham and Ellen Randal for two years and William was driven from the house by Ellen Randal through fear. ","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","English\n"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, \n1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904)"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, \n1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904)"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These records came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of records of court records from Chesterfield County in an undated accession.\n"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":["1.35 cu. ft. (3 boxes)"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e  [IN PROCESS] Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1783-1914, are digitized and available through the \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/collectionDiscovery?vid=01LVA_INST:01LVA\"\u003eLibrary of Virginia Digital Discovery \u003c/extref\u003e as the Coroners' Inquisitions Digital Collection\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["  [IN PROCESS] Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1783-1914, are digitized and available through the  Library of Virginia Digital Discovery   as the Coroners' Inquisitions Digital Collection\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is arranged in to\u003clist type=\"simple\"\u003e\u003citem\u003eSeries I: Coroners Inquisitions, 1783-1914, chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the local court.\u003c/item\u003e\u003c/list\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the local court.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection is arranged in to Series I: Coroners Inquisitions, 1783-1914, chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the local court."," chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the local court.\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eContext for Record Type:\u003c/emph\u003e A carry over from the British system, the separate office of coroner appeared in Virginia about 1660. The judicial duty of the office was to hold inquisitions in cases when persons met a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious death, or death without medical attendance. The law did not encourage the Coroner to be a medical professional until the 20th century, and only stipulated that the local court be responsible for the appointment. Although not reliant on profession, this system of affluent white men making the decisions largely ensured that only other white men served in this position for much of its history. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePrior to the Civil War, the coroner would summon a jury of twelve white men, usually prominent citizens of that locality, to assist him in determining cause of death. The jury viewed the body of the deceased and heard the testimony of witnesses which did include both white and Black perspectives. This witness testimony was recorded and after seeing and hearing the evidence, and unlike other judicial proceedings, enslaved people could provide depositions in coroner's inquisitions, but still, an all-white jury delivered in writing to the coroner their conclusion concerning cause of death referred to as the inquisition. These causes of death would be determined by a white perspective and Black individuals were only consulted; they were never in a position to make decisions. After the Civil War, the process remained the same but the racial distinctions stipulating jury eligibility no longer remained. However, as appointments still continued and juror eligibility reserved for those \"entitled to vote and hold office,\" the authority and influence in the hands of white citizens remained throughout the late 19th and early 20th century. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1877, an act of the General Assembly changed the number of jurors to six, and by 1926, only the coroner determined cause of death but they could require physicians to assist them with determining cause of death. Then in 1946, the General Assembly abolished the Coroner's office/ office of Coroner's Physician altogether, appointed instead a Chief Medical Examiner, and by 1950 transitioned to a statewide Office of the Chief Medical Examiner which now lives within the Department of Health. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIf a criminal act was determined to be the cause of death, the coroner delivered the guilty person to the sheriff and the inquests would be used as evidence in the criminal trial. In this case, coroner's inquisitions were filed with the trial papers. If there was not a trial, coroner's inquisitions were filed separately and are more likely to appear in this collection as a standalone set of documents.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eLocality History: \u003c/emph\u003eChesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. Its area is 446 square miles, and the county seat is Chesterfield.\n \u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Context for Record Type:  A carry over from the British system, the separate office of coroner appeared in Virginia about 1660. The judicial duty of the office was to hold inquisitions in cases when persons met a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious death, or death without medical attendance. The law did not encourage the Coroner to be a medical professional until the 20th century, and only stipulated that the local court be responsible for the appointment. Although not reliant on profession, this system of affluent white men making the decisions largely ensured that only other white men served in this position for much of its history. ","Prior to the Civil War, the coroner would summon a jury of twelve white men, usually prominent citizens of that locality, to assist him in determining cause of death. The jury viewed the body of the deceased and heard the testimony of witnesses which did include both white and Black perspectives. This witness testimony was recorded and after seeing and hearing the evidence, and unlike other judicial proceedings, enslaved people could provide depositions in coroner's inquisitions, but still, an all-white jury delivered in writing to the coroner their conclusion concerning cause of death referred to as the inquisition. These causes of death would be determined by a white perspective and Black individuals were only consulted; they were never in a position to make decisions. After the Civil War, the process remained the same but the racial distinctions stipulating jury eligibility no longer remained. However, as appointments still continued and juror eligibility reserved for those \"entitled to vote and hold office,\" the authority and influence in the hands of white citizens remained throughout the late 19th and early 20th century. ","In 1877, an act of the General Assembly changed the number of jurors to six, and by 1926, only the coroner determined cause of death but they could require physicians to assist them with determining cause of death. Then in 1946, the General Assembly abolished the Coroner's office/ office of Coroner's Physician altogether, appointed instead a Chief Medical Examiner, and by 1950 transitioned to a statewide Office of the Chief Medical Examiner which now lives within the Department of Health. ","If a criminal act was determined to be the cause of death, the coroner delivered the guilty person to the sheriff and the inquests would be used as evidence in the criminal trial. In this case, coroner's inquisitions were filed with the trial papers. If there was not a trial, coroner's inquisitions were filed separately and are more likely to appear in this collection as a standalone set of documents.","Locality History:  Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. Its area is 446 square miles, and the county seat is Chesterfield.\n "],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904). Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records.  The Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904). Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records.  The Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA 23219.\n"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County Coroners Inquisitions were processed around 2013 for the purpose of inclusion in Virginia Untold. Therefore, at the time of processing, pre-1865 records related to free and enslaved Black and Multiracial individuals were isolated and indexed or the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn March 2025 the remaining pre-1865 inquests as well as the remaining post-1865 inquests were also indexed by M. Mason.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by J. Porter, 2013; Updated by M. Mason, March 2025 \u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information\n"],"processinfo_tesim":["Chesterfield County Coroners Inquisitions were processed around 2013 for the purpose of inclusion in Virginia Untold. Therefore, at the time of processing, pre-1865 records related to free and enslaved Black and Multiracial individuals were isolated and indexed or the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative.","In March 2025 the remaining pre-1865 inquests as well as the remaining post-1865 inquests were also indexed by M. Mason.","Encoded by J. Porter, 2013; Updated by M. Mason, March 2025 "],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSee also: \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi03940.xml\"\u003e Richmond (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions \u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSee also: \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi02627.xml\"\u003e Chesterfield Count (Va.) Criminal Causes \u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSee also: \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi05123.xml\"\u003e Chesterfield Count (Va.) Health and Medical Records \u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County (Va.) 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/\"\u003e \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"\u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["See also:   Richmond (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions ","See also:   Chesterfield Count (Va.) Criminal Causes ","See also:   Chesterfield Count (Va.) Health and Medical Records ","Additional Chesterfield County (Va.) 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\u003e\u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003eMaterials in the Library of Virginia's collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity. \u003c/title\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003eCoroners' Inquisitions contain graphic and in some cases violent or otherwise disturbing descriptions of death.\u003c/title\u003e \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va) Coroner's Inquisitions, 1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904), contains 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 these records include accidental, alcohol, drowning, homicide, injuries, infanticide, medical conditions, natural causes (\"visitation by God\"), and suicide.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDocuments commonly found in coroners' inquisitions include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Some inquisitions contain other documents such as exhibits. 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 coroner knew the deceased person to be Black or Multiracial, the inquest should identify the person individual's legal status (free or enslaved). If the coroner knew the deceased person to be enslaved, the inquest often includes their name, their enslaver and the enslaver's residence. Information found in the depositions include the name of the deponent(s) and their account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe bulk inquests range 1870-1914, a large portion of the inquests consist of deaths deemed to be accidental drownings around the James River. Additionally, there are many deaths related to accidental death related to railroads including the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, later the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.\nMany of the death referenced in these inquests occurred in what it now Richmond (Va.), notably several deaths around Forest Hill Park, the granite quarries along the southern bank of the James River, and other areas in present day south side Richmond. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"underline\"\u003eInquests of note include:\u003c/emph\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDeath of Lucy, an enslaved women, 1812 January 8 :\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe inquest states Lucy, a Black woman, enslaved by Henry Winfrees, although severely whipped, they (the jurors) \"do not believe that to have been sufficient to have occasioned her death\". The same jurors filed a protest document to their original inquest revising their opinion of the cause of death of Lucy. The jurors state the following \"Upon Mature Deliberation of our inquiry we are of the opinion that we have made an improper return and are now induced to believe that the abuse which the said Lucy received was the means of her death and therefore pray the inference of the court on behalf of the Commonwealth that they may direct another inquest be taken on the body aforesaid in order that complete justice may be done in the case aforesaid and we hope that the court will receive this as our protest against our own acting and doing while under solemn oath.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDeath of Robert Mendum, 1829 January 12:\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRobert Mendum, a prisoner scheduled for execution on the 19 of January, was found lying dead in his apartment or rooms of the public jail of the county after dying from suicide. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDeath of William Willis, 1876 January 1:\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWilliam Willis died due to exposure while in a naked condition after being cruelly treated by Ellen Randal. William Willis was in the custody of Abraham and Ellen Randal for two years and William was driven from the house by Ellen Randal through fear. \u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Materials in the Library of Virginia's collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity. ","Coroners' Inquisitions contain graphic and in some cases violent or otherwise disturbing descriptions of death.","Chesterfield County (Va) Coroner's Inquisitions, 1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904), contains 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 these records include accidental, alcohol, drowning, homicide, injuries, infanticide, medical conditions, natural causes (\"visitation by God\"), and suicide.","Documents commonly found in coroners' inquisitions include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Some inquisitions contain other documents such as exhibits. 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 coroner knew the deceased person to be Black or Multiracial, the inquest should identify the person individual's legal status (free or enslaved). If the coroner knew the deceased person to be enslaved, the inquest often includes their name, their enslaver and the enslaver's residence. Information found in the depositions include the name of the deponent(s) and their account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased.","The bulk inquests range 1870-1914, a large portion of the inquests consist of deaths deemed to be accidental drownings around the James River. Additionally, there are many deaths related to accidental death related to railroads including the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, later the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.\nMany of the death referenced in these inquests occurred in what it now Richmond (Va.), notably several deaths around Forest Hill Park, the granite quarries along the southern bank of the James River, and other areas in present day south side Richmond. ","Inquests of note include:","Death of Lucy, an enslaved women, 1812 January 8 :","The inquest states Lucy, a Black woman, enslaved by Henry Winfrees, although severely whipped, they (the jurors) \"do not believe that to have been sufficient to have occasioned her death\". The same jurors filed a protest document to their original inquest revising their opinion of the cause of death of Lucy. The jurors state the following \"Upon Mature Deliberation of our inquiry we are of the opinion that we have made an improper return and are now induced to believe that the abuse which the said Lucy received was the means of her death and therefore pray the inference of the court on behalf of the Commonwealth that they may direct another inquest be taken on the body aforesaid in order that complete justice may be done in the case aforesaid and we hope that the court will receive this as our protest against our own acting and doing while under solemn oath.\"","Death of Robert Mendum, 1829 January 12:","Robert Mendum, a prisoner scheduled for execution on the 19 of January, was found lying dead in his apartment or rooms of the public jail of the county after dying from suicide. ","Death of William Willis, 1876 January 1:","William Willis died due to exposure while in a naked condition after being cruelly treated by Ellen Randal. William Willis was in the custody of Abraham and Ellen Randal for two years and William was driven from the house by Ellen Randal through fear. "],"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":4,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T09:35:24.550Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vi_vi03612","ead_ssi":"vi_vi03612","_root_":"vi_vi03612","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi03612","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi03612.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, \n1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904)"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, \n1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904)"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, \n1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904)"],"text":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, \n1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904)","1.35 cu. ft. (3 boxes)","  [IN PROCESS] Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1783-1914, are digitized and available through the  Library of Virginia Digital Discovery   as the Coroners' Inquisitions Digital Collection\n","This collection is arranged in to Series I: Coroners Inquisitions, 1783-1914, chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the local court."," chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the local court.\n","Context for Record Type:  A carry over from the British system, the separate office of coroner appeared in Virginia about 1660. The judicial duty of the office was to hold inquisitions in cases when persons met a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious death, or death without medical attendance. The law did not encourage the Coroner to be a medical professional until the 20th century, and only stipulated that the local court be responsible for the appointment. Although not reliant on profession, this system of affluent white men making the decisions largely ensured that only other white men served in this position for much of its history. ","Prior to the Civil War, the coroner would summon a jury of twelve white men, usually prominent citizens of that locality, to assist him in determining cause of death. The jury viewed the body of the deceased and heard the testimony of witnesses which did include both white and Black perspectives. This witness testimony was recorded and after seeing and hearing the evidence, and unlike other judicial proceedings, enslaved people could provide depositions in coroner's inquisitions, but still, an all-white jury delivered in writing to the coroner their conclusion concerning cause of death referred to as the inquisition. These causes of death would be determined by a white perspective and Black individuals were only consulted; they were never in a position to make decisions. After the Civil War, the process remained the same but the racial distinctions stipulating jury eligibility no longer remained. However, as appointments still continued and juror eligibility reserved for those \"entitled to vote and hold office,\" the authority and influence in the hands of white citizens remained throughout the late 19th and early 20th century. ","In 1877, an act of the General Assembly changed the number of jurors to six, and by 1926, only the coroner determined cause of death but they could require physicians to assist them with determining cause of death. Then in 1946, the General Assembly abolished the Coroner's office/ office of Coroner's Physician altogether, appointed instead a Chief Medical Examiner, and by 1950 transitioned to a statewide Office of the Chief Medical Examiner which now lives within the Department of Health. ","If a criminal act was determined to be the cause of death, the coroner delivered the guilty person to the sheriff and the inquests would be used as evidence in the criminal trial. In this case, coroner's inquisitions were filed with the trial papers. If there was not a trial, coroner's inquisitions were filed separately and are more likely to appear in this collection as a standalone set of documents.","Locality History:  Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. Its area is 446 square miles, and the county seat is Chesterfield.\n ","Chesterfield County Coroners Inquisitions were processed around 2013 for the purpose of inclusion in Virginia Untold. Therefore, at the time of processing, pre-1865 records related to free and enslaved Black and Multiracial individuals were isolated and indexed or the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative.","In March 2025 the remaining pre-1865 inquests as well as the remaining post-1865 inquests were also indexed by M. Mason.","Encoded by J. Porter, 2013; Updated by M. Mason, March 2025 ","See also:   Richmond (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions ","See also:   Chesterfield Count (Va.) Criminal Causes ","See also:   Chesterfield Count (Va.) Health and Medical Records ","Additional Chesterfield County (Va.) 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.\"","Materials in the Library of Virginia's collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity. ","Coroners' Inquisitions contain graphic and in some cases violent or otherwise disturbing descriptions of death.","Chesterfield County (Va) Coroner's Inquisitions, 1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904), contains 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 these records include accidental, alcohol, drowning, homicide, injuries, infanticide, medical conditions, natural causes (\"visitation by God\"), and suicide.","Documents commonly found in coroners' inquisitions include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Some inquisitions contain other documents such as exhibits. 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 coroner knew the deceased person to be Black or Multiracial, the inquest should identify the person individual's legal status (free or enslaved). If the coroner knew the deceased person to be enslaved, the inquest often includes their name, their enslaver and the enslaver's residence. Information found in the depositions include the name of the deponent(s) and their account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased.","The bulk inquests range 1870-1914, a large portion of the inquests consist of deaths deemed to be accidental drownings around the James River. Additionally, there are many deaths related to accidental death related to railroads including the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, later the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.\nMany of the death referenced in these inquests occurred in what it now Richmond (Va.), notably several deaths around Forest Hill Park, the granite quarries along the southern bank of the James River, and other areas in present day south side Richmond. ","Inquests of note include:","Death of Lucy, an enslaved women, 1812 January 8 :","The inquest states Lucy, a Black woman, enslaved by Henry Winfrees, although severely whipped, they (the jurors) \"do not believe that to have been sufficient to have occasioned her death\". The same jurors filed a protest document to their original inquest revising their opinion of the cause of death of Lucy. The jurors state the following \"Upon Mature Deliberation of our inquiry we are of the opinion that we have made an improper return and are now induced to believe that the abuse which the said Lucy received was the means of her death and therefore pray the inference of the court on behalf of the Commonwealth that they may direct another inquest be taken on the body aforesaid in order that complete justice may be done in the case aforesaid and we hope that the court will receive this as our protest against our own acting and doing while under solemn oath.\"","Death of Robert Mendum, 1829 January 12:","Robert Mendum, a prisoner scheduled for execution on the 19 of January, was found lying dead in his apartment or rooms of the public jail of the county after dying from suicide. ","Death of William Willis, 1876 January 1:","William Willis died due to exposure while in a naked condition after being cruelly treated by Ellen Randal. William Willis was in the custody of Abraham and Ellen Randal for two years and William was driven from the house by Ellen Randal through fear. ","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","English\n"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, \n1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904)"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, \n1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904)"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These records came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of records of court records from Chesterfield County in an undated accession.\n"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":["1.35 cu. ft. (3 boxes)"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e  [IN PROCESS] Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1783-1914, are digitized and available through the \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/collectionDiscovery?vid=01LVA_INST:01LVA\"\u003eLibrary of Virginia Digital Discovery \u003c/extref\u003e as the Coroners' Inquisitions Digital Collection\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["  [IN PROCESS] Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1783-1914, are digitized and available through the  Library of Virginia Digital Discovery   as the Coroners' Inquisitions Digital Collection\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is arranged in to\u003clist type=\"simple\"\u003e\u003citem\u003eSeries I: Coroners Inquisitions, 1783-1914, chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the local court.\u003c/item\u003e\u003c/list\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the local court.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection is arranged in to Series I: Coroners Inquisitions, 1783-1914, chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the local court."," chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the local court.\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eContext for Record Type:\u003c/emph\u003e A carry over from the British system, the separate office of coroner appeared in Virginia about 1660. The judicial duty of the office was to hold inquisitions in cases when persons met a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious death, or death without medical attendance. The law did not encourage the Coroner to be a medical professional until the 20th century, and only stipulated that the local court be responsible for the appointment. Although not reliant on profession, this system of affluent white men making the decisions largely ensured that only other white men served in this position for much of its history. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePrior to the Civil War, the coroner would summon a jury of twelve white men, usually prominent citizens of that locality, to assist him in determining cause of death. The jury viewed the body of the deceased and heard the testimony of witnesses which did include both white and Black perspectives. This witness testimony was recorded and after seeing and hearing the evidence, and unlike other judicial proceedings, enslaved people could provide depositions in coroner's inquisitions, but still, an all-white jury delivered in writing to the coroner their conclusion concerning cause of death referred to as the inquisition. These causes of death would be determined by a white perspective and Black individuals were only consulted; they were never in a position to make decisions. After the Civil War, the process remained the same but the racial distinctions stipulating jury eligibility no longer remained. However, as appointments still continued and juror eligibility reserved for those \"entitled to vote and hold office,\" the authority and influence in the hands of white citizens remained throughout the late 19th and early 20th century. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1877, an act of the General Assembly changed the number of jurors to six, and by 1926, only the coroner determined cause of death but they could require physicians to assist them with determining cause of death. Then in 1946, the General Assembly abolished the Coroner's office/ office of Coroner's Physician altogether, appointed instead a Chief Medical Examiner, and by 1950 transitioned to a statewide Office of the Chief Medical Examiner which now lives within the Department of Health. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIf a criminal act was determined to be the cause of death, the coroner delivered the guilty person to the sheriff and the inquests would be used as evidence in the criminal trial. In this case, coroner's inquisitions were filed with the trial papers. If there was not a trial, coroner's inquisitions were filed separately and are more likely to appear in this collection as a standalone set of documents.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eLocality History: \u003c/emph\u003eChesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. Its area is 446 square miles, and the county seat is Chesterfield.\n \u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Context for Record Type:  A carry over from the British system, the separate office of coroner appeared in Virginia about 1660. The judicial duty of the office was to hold inquisitions in cases when persons met a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious death, or death without medical attendance. The law did not encourage the Coroner to be a medical professional until the 20th century, and only stipulated that the local court be responsible for the appointment. Although not reliant on profession, this system of affluent white men making the decisions largely ensured that only other white men served in this position for much of its history. ","Prior to the Civil War, the coroner would summon a jury of twelve white men, usually prominent citizens of that locality, to assist him in determining cause of death. The jury viewed the body of the deceased and heard the testimony of witnesses which did include both white and Black perspectives. This witness testimony was recorded and after seeing and hearing the evidence, and unlike other judicial proceedings, enslaved people could provide depositions in coroner's inquisitions, but still, an all-white jury delivered in writing to the coroner their conclusion concerning cause of death referred to as the inquisition. These causes of death would be determined by a white perspective and Black individuals were only consulted; they were never in a position to make decisions. After the Civil War, the process remained the same but the racial distinctions stipulating jury eligibility no longer remained. However, as appointments still continued and juror eligibility reserved for those \"entitled to vote and hold office,\" the authority and influence in the hands of white citizens remained throughout the late 19th and early 20th century. ","In 1877, an act of the General Assembly changed the number of jurors to six, and by 1926, only the coroner determined cause of death but they could require physicians to assist them with determining cause of death. Then in 1946, the General Assembly abolished the Coroner's office/ office of Coroner's Physician altogether, appointed instead a Chief Medical Examiner, and by 1950 transitioned to a statewide Office of the Chief Medical Examiner which now lives within the Department of Health. ","If a criminal act was determined to be the cause of death, the coroner delivered the guilty person to the sheriff and the inquests would be used as evidence in the criminal trial. In this case, coroner's inquisitions were filed with the trial papers. If there was not a trial, coroner's inquisitions were filed separately and are more likely to appear in this collection as a standalone set of documents.","Locality History:  Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. Its area is 446 square miles, and the county seat is Chesterfield.\n "],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904). Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records.  The Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904). Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records.  The Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA 23219.\n"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County Coroners Inquisitions were processed around 2013 for the purpose of inclusion in Virginia Untold. Therefore, at the time of processing, pre-1865 records related to free and enslaved Black and Multiracial individuals were isolated and indexed or the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn March 2025 the remaining pre-1865 inquests as well as the remaining post-1865 inquests were also indexed by M. Mason.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by J. Porter, 2013; Updated by M. Mason, March 2025 \u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information\n"],"processinfo_tesim":["Chesterfield County Coroners Inquisitions were processed around 2013 for the purpose of inclusion in Virginia Untold. Therefore, at the time of processing, pre-1865 records related to free and enslaved Black and Multiracial individuals were isolated and indexed or the purposes of digitizing them for the digital project Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative.","In March 2025 the remaining pre-1865 inquests as well as the remaining post-1865 inquests were also indexed by M. Mason.","Encoded by J. Porter, 2013; Updated by M. Mason, March 2025 "],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSee also: \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi03940.xml\"\u003e Richmond (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions \u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSee also: \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi02627.xml\"\u003e Chesterfield Count (Va.) Criminal Causes \u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSee also: \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi05123.xml\"\u003e Chesterfield Count (Va.) Health and Medical Records \u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County (Va.) 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/\"\u003e \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"\u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["See also:   Richmond (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions ","See also:   Chesterfield Count (Va.) Criminal Causes ","See also:   Chesterfield Count (Va.) Health and Medical Records ","Additional Chesterfield County (Va.) 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\u003e\u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003eMaterials in the Library of Virginia's collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity. \u003c/title\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003eCoroners' Inquisitions contain graphic and in some cases violent or otherwise disturbing descriptions of death.\u003c/title\u003e \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va) Coroner's Inquisitions, 1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904), contains 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 these records include accidental, alcohol, drowning, homicide, injuries, infanticide, medical conditions, natural causes (\"visitation by God\"), and suicide.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDocuments commonly found in coroners' inquisitions include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Some inquisitions contain other documents such as exhibits. 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 coroner knew the deceased person to be Black or Multiracial, the inquest should identify the person individual's legal status (free or enslaved). If the coroner knew the deceased person to be enslaved, the inquest often includes their name, their enslaver and the enslaver's residence. Information found in the depositions include the name of the deponent(s) and their account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe bulk inquests range 1870-1914, a large portion of the inquests consist of deaths deemed to be accidental drownings around the James River. Additionally, there are many deaths related to accidental death related to railroads including the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, later the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.\nMany of the death referenced in these inquests occurred in what it now Richmond (Va.), notably several deaths around Forest Hill Park, the granite quarries along the southern bank of the James River, and other areas in present day south side Richmond. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"underline\"\u003eInquests of note include:\u003c/emph\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDeath of Lucy, an enslaved women, 1812 January 8 :\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe inquest states Lucy, a Black woman, enslaved by Henry Winfrees, although severely whipped, they (the jurors) \"do not believe that to have been sufficient to have occasioned her death\". The same jurors filed a protest document to their original inquest revising their opinion of the cause of death of Lucy. The jurors state the following \"Upon Mature Deliberation of our inquiry we are of the opinion that we have made an improper return and are now induced to believe that the abuse which the said Lucy received was the means of her death and therefore pray the inference of the court on behalf of the Commonwealth that they may direct another inquest be taken on the body aforesaid in order that complete justice may be done in the case aforesaid and we hope that the court will receive this as our protest against our own acting and doing while under solemn oath.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDeath of Robert Mendum, 1829 January 12:\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRobert Mendum, a prisoner scheduled for execution on the 19 of January, was found lying dead in his apartment or rooms of the public jail of the county after dying from suicide. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDeath of William Willis, 1876 January 1:\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWilliam Willis died due to exposure while in a naked condition after being cruelly treated by Ellen Randal. William Willis was in the custody of Abraham and Ellen Randal for two years and William was driven from the house by Ellen Randal through fear. \u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Materials in the Library of Virginia's collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity. ","Coroners' Inquisitions contain graphic and in some cases violent or otherwise disturbing descriptions of death.","Chesterfield County (Va) Coroner's Inquisitions, 1783-1914 (bulk 1870-1904), contains 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 these records include accidental, alcohol, drowning, homicide, injuries, infanticide, medical conditions, natural causes (\"visitation by God\"), and suicide.","Documents commonly found in coroners' inquisitions include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Some inquisitions contain other documents such as exhibits. 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 coroner knew the deceased person to be Black or Multiracial, the inquest should identify the person individual's legal status (free or enslaved). If the coroner knew the deceased person to be enslaved, the inquest often includes their name, their enslaver and the enslaver's residence. Information found in the depositions include the name of the deponent(s) and their account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased.","The bulk inquests range 1870-1914, a large portion of the inquests consist of deaths deemed to be accidental drownings around the James River. Additionally, there are many deaths related to accidental death related to railroads including the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, later the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.\nMany of the death referenced in these inquests occurred in what it now Richmond (Va.), notably several deaths around Forest Hill Park, the granite quarries along the southern bank of the James River, and other areas in present day south side Richmond. ","Inquests of note include:","Death of Lucy, an enslaved women, 1812 January 8 :","The inquest states Lucy, a Black woman, enslaved by Henry Winfrees, although severely whipped, they (the jurors) \"do not believe that to have been sufficient to have occasioned her death\". The same jurors filed a protest document to their original inquest revising their opinion of the cause of death of Lucy. The jurors state the following \"Upon Mature Deliberation of our inquiry we are of the opinion that we have made an improper return and are now induced to believe that the abuse which the said Lucy received was the means of her death and therefore pray the inference of the court on behalf of the Commonwealth that they may direct another inquest be taken on the body aforesaid in order that complete justice may be done in the case aforesaid and we hope that the court will receive this as our protest against our own acting and doing while under solemn oath.\"","Death of Robert Mendum, 1829 January 12:","Robert Mendum, a prisoner scheduled for execution on the 19 of January, was found lying dead in his apartment or rooms of the public jail of the county after dying from suicide. ","Death of William Willis, 1876 January 1:","William Willis died due to exposure while in a naked condition after being cruelly treated by Ellen Randal. William Willis was in the custody of Abraham and Ellen Randal for two years and William was driven from the house by Ellen Randal through fear. "],"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":4,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T09:35:24.550Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi03612"}},{"id":"vi_vi02323","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records,  \n1814-1848","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02323#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02323#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Court Records, 1814-1848. The collection contains various documents removed from Chesterfield County court records, as follows: a letter from James Taylor, of Washington County, to Zachariah Brooks, of Manchester, Virginia, 1814; a letter, 1837, with the surnames Wilkinson, Flournoy, and Epps; an answer from the chancery cause Batte vs. Buchanan, 1838; comissioners reports from the chancery causes Binns vs. Gibbs and Gibbs vs. Binns, 1841 and 1844; a subpoena from the chancery cause Dunston vs. Anderson, 1843; the will of Alexander Snelling, 1848; a memo from the chancery cause Alvis vs. Goff, 1848; and several envelopes from unknown series.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02323#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vi_vi02323","ead_ssi":"vi_vi02323","_root_":"vi_vi02323","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi02323","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi02323.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records,  \n1814-1848"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records,  \n1814-1848"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["1177667\n"],"text":["1177667\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records,  \n1814-1848","Equity--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Replevin--Virginia.","Chancery causes--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Envelopes--Virginia--Chesterfield County. ","Judicial records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Letters (correspondence)--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","40 p. and 2 leaves","There are no restrictions.\n","Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749.","These records were replevined by the Library of Virginia following the trial entitled Commonwealth of Virginia vs. Larry I. Vass heard in Henrico County Circuit Court in November 1972.\n","For additional information concerning the replevin of these items see Larry I. Vass Case records, 1781-1973, found at the Library of Virginia.","Additional Chesterfield County court records can be found on microfilm and in the Chancery Records Index at the Library of Virginia. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\"  and  The Chancery Records Index . \n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records, 1814-1848. The collection contains various documents removed from Chesterfield County court records, as follows: a letter from James Taylor, of Washington County, to Zachariah Brooks, of Manchester, Virginia, 1814; a letter, 1837, with the surnames Wilkinson, Flournoy, and Epps; an answer from the chancery cause Batte vs. Buchanan, 1838; comissioners reports from the chancery causes Binns vs. Gibbs and Gibbs vs. Binns, 1841 and 1844; a subpoena from the chancery cause Dunston vs. Anderson, 1843; the will of Alexander Snelling, 1848; a memo from the chancery cause Alvis vs. Goff, 1848; and several envelopes from unknown series.","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court.","English\n"],"unitid_tesim":["1177667\n"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records,  \n1814-1848"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records,  \n1814-1848"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records,  \n1814-1848"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These items came to the Library of Virginia in 2004 in a transfer. \n"],"access_subjects_ssim":["Equity--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Replevin--Virginia.","Chancery causes--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Envelopes--Virginia--Chesterfield County. ","Judicial records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Letters (correspondence)--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County."],"access_subjects_ssm":["Equity--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Replevin--Virginia.","Chancery causes--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Envelopes--Virginia--Chesterfield County. ","Judicial records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Letters (correspondence)--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":["40 p. and 2 leaves"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese records were replevined by the Library of Virginia following the trial entitled Commonwealth of Virginia vs. Larry I. Vass heard in Henrico County Circuit Court in November 1972.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749.","These records were replevined by the Library of Virginia following the trial entitled Commonwealth of Virginia vs. Larry I. Vass heard in Henrico County Circuit Court in November 1972.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Court Records, 1814-1848. Local government records collection, Local Government Records Replevin Collection. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records, 1814-1848. Local government records collection, Local Government Records Replevin Collection. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFor additional information concerning the replevin of these items see Larry I. Vass Case records, 1781-1973, found at the Library of Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County court records can be found on microfilm and in the Chancery Records Index at the Library of Virginia. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/results_all.asp?CountyID=VA059\"\u003e\"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\"\u003c/extref\u003e and \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/local/chancery/index.htm\"\u003eThe Chancery Records Index\u003c/extref\u003e. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["For additional information concerning the replevin of these items see Larry I. Vass Case records, 1781-1973, found at the Library of Virginia.","Additional Chesterfield County court records can be found on microfilm and in the Chancery Records Index at the Library of Virginia. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\"  and  The Chancery Records Index . \n"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Court Records, 1814-1848. The collection contains various documents removed from Chesterfield County court records, as follows: a letter from James Taylor, of Washington County, to Zachariah Brooks, of Manchester, Virginia, 1814; a letter, 1837, with the surnames Wilkinson, Flournoy, and Epps; an answer from the chancery cause Batte vs. Buchanan, 1838; comissioners reports from the chancery causes Binns vs. Gibbs and Gibbs vs. Binns, 1841 and 1844; a subpoena from the chancery cause Dunston vs. Anderson, 1843; the will of Alexander Snelling, 1848; a memo from the chancery cause Alvis vs. Goff, 1848; and several envelopes from unknown series.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records, 1814-1848. The collection contains various documents removed from Chesterfield County court records, as follows: a letter from James Taylor, of Washington County, to Zachariah Brooks, of Manchester, Virginia, 1814; a letter, 1837, with the surnames Wilkinson, Flournoy, and Epps; an answer from the chancery cause Batte vs. Buchanan, 1838; comissioners reports from the chancery causes Binns vs. Gibbs and Gibbs vs. Binns, 1841 and 1844; a subpoena from the chancery cause Dunston vs. Anderson, 1843; the will of Alexander Snelling, 1848; a memo from the chancery cause Alvis vs. Goff, 1848; and several envelopes from unknown series."],"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"],"names_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court."],"corpname_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court."],"language_ssim":["English\n"],"total_component_count_is":0,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T08:55:40.695Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vi_vi02323","ead_ssi":"vi_vi02323","_root_":"vi_vi02323","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi02323","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi02323.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records,  \n1814-1848"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records,  \n1814-1848"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["1177667\n"],"text":["1177667\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records,  \n1814-1848","Equity--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Replevin--Virginia.","Chancery causes--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Envelopes--Virginia--Chesterfield County. ","Judicial records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Letters (correspondence)--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","40 p. and 2 leaves","There are no restrictions.\n","Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749.","These records were replevined by the Library of Virginia following the trial entitled Commonwealth of Virginia vs. Larry I. Vass heard in Henrico County Circuit Court in November 1972.\n","For additional information concerning the replevin of these items see Larry I. Vass Case records, 1781-1973, found at the Library of Virginia.","Additional Chesterfield County court records can be found on microfilm and in the Chancery Records Index at the Library of Virginia. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\"  and  The Chancery Records Index . \n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records, 1814-1848. The collection contains various documents removed from Chesterfield County court records, as follows: a letter from James Taylor, of Washington County, to Zachariah Brooks, of Manchester, Virginia, 1814; a letter, 1837, with the surnames Wilkinson, Flournoy, and Epps; an answer from the chancery cause Batte vs. Buchanan, 1838; comissioners reports from the chancery causes Binns vs. Gibbs and Gibbs vs. Binns, 1841 and 1844; a subpoena from the chancery cause Dunston vs. Anderson, 1843; the will of Alexander Snelling, 1848; a memo from the chancery cause Alvis vs. Goff, 1848; and several envelopes from unknown series.","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court.","English\n"],"unitid_tesim":["1177667\n"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records,  \n1814-1848"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records,  \n1814-1848"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records,  \n1814-1848"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These items came to the Library of Virginia in 2004 in a transfer. \n"],"access_subjects_ssim":["Equity--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Replevin--Virginia.","Chancery causes--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Envelopes--Virginia--Chesterfield County. ","Judicial records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Letters (correspondence)--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County."],"access_subjects_ssm":["Equity--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Replevin--Virginia.","Chancery causes--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Envelopes--Virginia--Chesterfield County. ","Judicial records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Letters (correspondence)--Virginia--Chesterfield County.","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":["40 p. and 2 leaves"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese records were replevined by the Library of Virginia following the trial entitled Commonwealth of Virginia vs. Larry I. Vass heard in Henrico County Circuit Court in November 1972.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749.","These records were replevined by the Library of Virginia following the trial entitled Commonwealth of Virginia vs. Larry I. Vass heard in Henrico County Circuit Court in November 1972.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Court Records, 1814-1848. Local government records collection, Local Government Records Replevin Collection. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records, 1814-1848. Local government records collection, Local Government Records Replevin Collection. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFor additional information concerning the replevin of these items see Larry I. Vass Case records, 1781-1973, found at the Library of Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County court records can be found on microfilm and in the Chancery Records Index at the Library of Virginia. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/results_all.asp?CountyID=VA059\"\u003e\"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\"\u003c/extref\u003e and \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/local/chancery/index.htm\"\u003eThe Chancery Records Index\u003c/extref\u003e. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["For additional information concerning the replevin of these items see Larry I. Vass Case records, 1781-1973, found at the Library of Virginia.","Additional Chesterfield County court records can be found on microfilm and in the Chancery Records Index at the Library of Virginia. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\"  and  The Chancery Records Index . \n"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Court Records, 1814-1848. The collection contains various documents removed from Chesterfield County court records, as follows: a letter from James Taylor, of Washington County, to Zachariah Brooks, of Manchester, Virginia, 1814; a letter, 1837, with the surnames Wilkinson, Flournoy, and Epps; an answer from the chancery cause Batte vs. Buchanan, 1838; comissioners reports from the chancery causes Binns vs. Gibbs and Gibbs vs. Binns, 1841 and 1844; a subpoena from the chancery cause Dunston vs. Anderson, 1843; the will of Alexander Snelling, 1848; a memo from the chancery cause Alvis vs. Goff, 1848; and several envelopes from unknown series.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Court Records, 1814-1848. The collection contains various documents removed from Chesterfield County court records, as follows: a letter from James Taylor, of Washington County, to Zachariah Brooks, of Manchester, Virginia, 1814; a letter, 1837, with the surnames Wilkinson, Flournoy, and Epps; an answer from the chancery cause Batte vs. Buchanan, 1838; comissioners reports from the chancery causes Binns vs. Gibbs and Gibbs vs. Binns, 1841 and 1844; a subpoena from the chancery cause Dunston vs. Anderson, 1843; the will of Alexander Snelling, 1848; a memo from the chancery cause Alvis vs. Goff, 1848; and several envelopes from unknown series."],"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"],"names_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court."],"corpname_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court."],"language_ssim":["English\n"],"total_component_count_is":0,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T08:55:40.695Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02323"}},{"id":"vi_vi02627","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, \n1751-1927","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02627#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02627#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, 1751-1927, consists of criminal causes, Commonwealth causes, and grand jury presentments containing warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts for criminal offenses. These cases were heard in the County Court, Superior Court of Law, Superior Court of Law and Chancery, and Circuit Court. \u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02627#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vi_vi02627","ead_ssi":"vi_vi02627","_root_":"vi_vi02627","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi02627","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi02627.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, \n1751-1927"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, \n1751-1927"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, \n1751-1927"],"text":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, \n1751-1927","20.35 cu. ft. (43 boxes)","There are no restrictions.\n","For descriptive purposes, the collection has been divided into three series:\n Series I: Processed Commonwealth Causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829 Series II: Processed Criminal Causes, 1751-1904 Series III: Unprocessed Criminal Causes, 1812-1927","Chronological.\n   ","Arranged by court and chronologically thereunder.\n   ","Unarranged.\n   ","Context for Records: Criminal records consist primarily of warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts handed down by grand juries and other legal authorities in order to prosecute individuals who violated the penal code. Commonwealth causes refers to a specific kind of criminal case filed by the state against individuals accused of violating the law. Criminal offenses ranged in severity from murder, rape, assault and battery, and larceny to tax evasion and slander.  Warrants were issued by grand juries, judges, and justices of the peace directing law enforcement officials to either arrest and imprison a person suspected of having committed a crime or to cause an individual to appear in court to answer accusations made against them. Peace warrants directing an offender to \"keep the peace of the Commonwealth\" or to restrain from any violent acts are commonly found in assault and battery cases. Summonses were used to call a suspected person to appear in court. A summons could also be issued to direct witnesses or victims to come before the court in order to provide evidence or information deemed pertinent to a case. An indictment is the official, written description of the crime that an accused individual is suspected of committing, which is approved by a grand jury and presented to a court in order to begin legal proceedings. Due to this process, indictments are often referred to as \"presentments.\" Verdicts are the formal pronouncements made by juries on issues submitted to them by a judge or other law enforcement official. In the case of a guilty verdict, a judge will sentence the offender. Sentences may include a fine, corporal punishment, imprisonment, or execution. Coroners records may also be included with criminal indictments if the coroner's jury determined a death was the result of homicide.   \n","Commonwealth causes involving free and enslaved individials might include crimes such as breaking and entering, stealing, assault, murder, arson, and aiding enslaved people to self-emancipate. Formerly enslaved men and women could also be tried for remaining in the commonwealth more than one year following emancipation. In 1806, the General Assembly passed a law stating that all formerly enslaved people freed after May 1, 1806, were required to leave the commonwealth. Those who remained in the commonwealth more than twelve months could be put on trial by the state, and if found guilty, would be re-enslaved and sold. The proceeds from the sale went to the state treasury, and often, records of those sales can be found in the Public Claims records from the Auditor of Public Accounts. In the eighteenth century, many enslaved people convicted of capital crimes were hanged. To curb the spectacle of so many public executions, an 1801 law allowed the governor to sell condemned enslaved people to those who agreed to transport them out of Virginia. The state hoped that by exiling these individuals, they would not commit a second offense in the commonwealth. \n","Types of Courts:  Chesterfield County (Va.) County Court first met on July 7, 1749, at Varina in Henrico County following the creation of Chesterfield County by the House of Burgesses on May 25, 1749. The County Court handled all criminal cases, civil law cases, probate of wills, fiduciary accounts, deed recordings, all licenses (business, marriage, etc.), citizenship applications, etc."," Chesterfield County (Va.)Superior Court of Law was created by an act of the General Assembly passed on February 1, 1808, the court was held twice yearly and its records filed with those of the county. A General Court judge rode in a circuit from county to county to preside over the Superior Courts of Law in his particular circuit. Therefore, these were also called \"Circuit Courts,\" \"Circuit Courts of Law,\" or \"Circuit Superior Courts.\" Originally, there were twelve circuits, but later the number was increased. In criminal and civil cases, the jurisdiction of the Superior Courts of Law were declared to the be the same over their respective counties as the old District Courts had previously exercised over their respective districts. The Superior Courts of Law were abolished in 1831 with the creation of the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery.","Chesterfield County (Va.) Superior Court of Law and Chancery were created by an act of the General Assembly passed on April 16, 1831. Their organization was very similar to that of the former Superior Courts of Law, i.e. a court was held twice yearly in each county and its records were filed with those of the county. With the creation of the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery in 1831, the Superior Courts of Law and the Superior Courts of Chancery were abolished, their combined functions being assumed by the new courts. Originally, the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery were grouped into twenty circuits. These circuits were grouped into pairs to compose ten districts. A judge of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery had to live in his own district, an the two judges in a particular district alternated in their attendance at the General Court. The number of circuit were eventually increased. The Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery were abolished January 12, 1852, the date of the state constitution of 1851 became effective."," Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court was authorized by the 1851 State Constitution and was established by acts of the General Assembly pass May 22, 1852. The Circuit Court was held twice yearly. Originally, there were twenty-one Circuit Court judges. Each judge rode in a circuit from county to county to preside over the Circuit Courts in his particular circuit. Circuit Courts were granted original jurisdiction concurrent with that of the county courts. In addition, they had appellate jurisdiction in all civil cases involving more then fifty dollars and in criminal cases not \"expressly cognizable in some other court,\" of which there apparently were very few. They were also granted jurisdiction in criminal cases involving \"loss of life,\" a jurisdiction which had always been denied the county courts. In 1873, the Circuit Court was given exclusive jurisdiction in chancery cases. The state Constitution of 1902 made no provision for county courts. Instead, their original jurisdiction in all matters except petty suits and misdemeanors was given to the Circuit Courts. Prior to 1904, probate authority was vested in the county court and shared by the Circuit Courts. Effective on February 1, 1904 probate authority was transferred entirely to the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court consequently inherited all original wills and records pertaining to probate and fiduciary affairs. Prior to 1904, the county court was responsible for recording deeds and other such instruments. On March 15, 1904, the Circuit Court was given this responsibility.","Locality History:  Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n","Criminal Records, 1751-1927, contains both processed and unprocessed records. Criminal causes and grand jury presentments for the County Court, Superior Court of Law, Superior Court of Law and Chancery, and Circuit Court, 1751-1904, (Series II) have been flat-filed and arranged chronologically under each court. Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829, (Series I) were flat-filed and indexed separately as part of an internship project. Additional post-1829 criminal or Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved persons may be found in the criminal causes and grand jury presentments by court. \n","Criminal causes and grand jury presentments, 1751-1904, were processed by Library of Virginia staff.","Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829, were processed by an intern in August 2024.\n","In March 2026, the 1838 letters in Accession 41946 were determined to be exhibits originally filed in the Chesterfield County Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery case of Commonwealth vs. Isaac P. Vaughn, 1839. The original letters were internally transferred from the Personal Papers collection to the Local Government Records section to be interfiled with the Commonwealth Cause. Reproduction copies of the letters remain in the Private Papers collection.","Encoded by S. Walters: April 2008; updated by V. Brooks, March 2026","Additional court records for Chesterfield County can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult  A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm .\n","Records related to free and enslaved people of Richmond (Va.) and other localities are available through the  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website.","Additional Chesterfield County criminal records may be found at the Chesterfield County Courthouse.\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, 1751-1927, consists of criminal causes, Commonwealth causes, and grand jury presentments containing warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts for criminal offenses. These cases were heard in the County Court, Superior Court of Law, Superior Court of Law and Chancery, and Circuit Court.\n","Of note in Series II: Processed Criminal Causes, 1751-1904, the 1839 murder trial of Isaac Pleasants Vaughan is notable. The case is Commonwealth v. Vaughan and pertains to the murder of Walter Henry Pleasants, Vaughan's cousin. Pleasants and Vaughan had challenged each other to a duel over a disagreement, which was averted, but Pleasants was later shot by Vaughan in Richmond. The murder trial began in Richmond, but was subsequently moved to Henrico County and then Chesterfield County. Vaughan was acquitted. \n","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia; State Records Center- Archives Annex\n","English\n"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, \n1751-1927"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, \n1751-1927"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Chesterfield County.\n","Five letters between Walter Henry Pleasants and Isaac Pleasants Vaughn where acquired by purchase in May 2005 for the Personal Papers collection under Accession 41946.\n"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":["20.35 cu. ft. (43 boxes)"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFor descriptive purposes, the collection has been divided into three series:\n\u003clist type=\"simple\"\u003e\u003citem\u003eSeries I: Processed Commonwealth Causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829\u003c/item\u003e\n\u003citem\u003eSeries II: Processed Criminal Causes, 1751-1904\u003c/item\u003e\n\u003citem\u003eSeries III: Unprocessed Criminal Causes, 1812-1927\u003c/item\u003e\n\u003c/list\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChronological.\n   \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArranged by court and chronologically thereunder.\n   \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eUnarranged.\n   \u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["For descriptive purposes, the collection has been divided into three series:\n Series I: Processed Commonwealth Causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829 Series II: Processed Criminal Causes, 1751-1904 Series III: Unprocessed Criminal Causes, 1812-1927","Chronological.\n   ","Arranged by court and chronologically thereunder.\n   ","Unarranged.\n   "],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eContext for Records:\u003c/emph\u003eCriminal records consist primarily of warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts handed down by grand juries and other legal authorities in order to prosecute individuals who violated the penal code. Commonwealth causes refers to a specific kind of criminal case filed by the state against individuals accused of violating the law. Criminal offenses ranged in severity from murder, rape, assault and battery, and larceny to tax evasion and slander.  Warrants were issued by grand juries, judges, and justices of the peace directing law enforcement officials to either arrest and imprison a person suspected of having committed a crime or to cause an individual to appear in court to answer accusations made against them. Peace warrants directing an offender to \"keep the peace of the Commonwealth\" or to restrain from any violent acts are commonly found in assault and battery cases. Summonses were used to call a suspected person to appear in court. A summons could also be issued to direct witnesses or victims to come before the court in order to provide evidence or information deemed pertinent to a case. An indictment is the official, written description of the crime that an accused individual is suspected of committing, which is approved by a grand jury and presented to a court in order to begin legal proceedings. Due to this process, indictments are often referred to as \"presentments.\" Verdicts are the formal pronouncements made by juries on issues submitted to them by a judge or other law enforcement official. In the case of a guilty verdict, a judge will sentence the offender. Sentences may include a fine, corporal punishment, imprisonment, or execution. Coroners records may also be included with criminal indictments if the coroner's jury determined a death was the result of homicide.   \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCommonwealth causes involving free and enslaved individials might include crimes such as breaking and entering, stealing, assault, murder, arson, and aiding enslaved people to self-emancipate. Formerly enslaved men and women could also be tried for remaining in the commonwealth more than one year following emancipation. In 1806, the General Assembly passed a law stating that all formerly enslaved people freed after May 1, 1806, were required to leave the commonwealth. Those who remained in the commonwealth more than twelve months could be put on trial by the state, and if found guilty, would be re-enslaved and sold. The proceeds from the sale went to the state treasury, and often, records of those sales can be found in the Public Claims records from the Auditor of Public Accounts. In the eighteenth century, many enslaved people convicted of capital crimes were hanged. To curb the spectacle of so many public executions, an 1801 law allowed the governor to sell condemned enslaved people to those who agreed to transport them out of Virginia. The state hoped that by exiling these individuals, they would not commit a second offense in the commonwealth. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eTypes of Courts:\u003c/emph\u003e Chesterfield County (Va.) County Court first met on July 7, 1749, at Varina in Henrico County following the creation of Chesterfield County by the House of Burgesses on May 25, 1749. The County Court handled all criminal cases, civil law cases, probate of wills, fiduciary accounts, deed recordings, all licenses (business, marriage, etc.), citizenship applications, etc.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Chesterfield County (Va.)Superior Court of Law was created by an act of the General Assembly passed on February 1, 1808, the court was held twice yearly and its records filed with those of the county. A General Court judge rode in a circuit from county to county to preside over the Superior Courts of Law in his particular circuit. Therefore, these were also called \"Circuit Courts,\" \"Circuit Courts of Law,\" or \"Circuit Superior Courts.\" Originally, there were twelve circuits, but later the number was increased. In criminal and civil cases, the jurisdiction of the Superior Courts of Law were declared to the be the same over their respective counties as the old District Courts had previously exercised over their respective districts. The Superior Courts of Law were abolished in 1831 with the creation of the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Superior Court of Law and Chancery were created by an act of the General Assembly passed on April 16, 1831. Their organization was very similar to that of the former Superior Courts of Law, i.e. a court was held twice yearly in each county and its records were filed with those of the county. With the creation of the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery in 1831, the Superior Courts of Law and the Superior Courts of Chancery were abolished, their combined functions being assumed by the new courts. Originally, the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery were grouped into twenty circuits. These circuits were grouped into pairs to compose ten districts. A judge of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery had to live in his own district, an the two judges in a particular district alternated in their attendance at the General Court. The number of circuit were eventually increased. The Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery were abolished January 12, 1852, the date of the state constitution of 1851 became effective.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court was authorized by the 1851 State Constitution and was established by acts of the General Assembly pass May 22, 1852. The Circuit Court was held twice yearly. Originally, there were twenty-one Circuit Court judges. Each judge rode in a circuit from county to county to preside over the Circuit Courts in his particular circuit. Circuit Courts were granted original jurisdiction concurrent with that of the county courts. In addition, they had appellate jurisdiction in all civil cases involving more then fifty dollars and in criminal cases not \"expressly cognizable in some other court,\" of which there apparently were very few. They were also granted jurisdiction in criminal cases involving \"loss of life,\" a jurisdiction which had always been denied the county courts. In 1873, the Circuit Court was given exclusive jurisdiction in chancery cases. The state Constitution of 1902 made no provision for county courts. Instead, their original jurisdiction in all matters except petty suits and misdemeanors was given to the Circuit Courts. Prior to 1904, probate authority was vested in the county court and shared by the Circuit Courts. Effective on February 1, 1904 probate authority was transferred entirely to the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court consequently inherited all original wills and records pertaining to probate and fiduciary affairs. Prior to 1904, the county court was responsible for recording deeds and other such instruments. On March 15, 1904, the Circuit Court was given this responsibility.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eLocality History:\u003c/emph\u003e Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Context for Records: Criminal records consist primarily of warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts handed down by grand juries and other legal authorities in order to prosecute individuals who violated the penal code. Commonwealth causes refers to a specific kind of criminal case filed by the state against individuals accused of violating the law. Criminal offenses ranged in severity from murder, rape, assault and battery, and larceny to tax evasion and slander.  Warrants were issued by grand juries, judges, and justices of the peace directing law enforcement officials to either arrest and imprison a person suspected of having committed a crime or to cause an individual to appear in court to answer accusations made against them. Peace warrants directing an offender to \"keep the peace of the Commonwealth\" or to restrain from any violent acts are commonly found in assault and battery cases. Summonses were used to call a suspected person to appear in court. A summons could also be issued to direct witnesses or victims to come before the court in order to provide evidence or information deemed pertinent to a case. An indictment is the official, written description of the crime that an accused individual is suspected of committing, which is approved by a grand jury and presented to a court in order to begin legal proceedings. Due to this process, indictments are often referred to as \"presentments.\" Verdicts are the formal pronouncements made by juries on issues submitted to them by a judge or other law enforcement official. In the case of a guilty verdict, a judge will sentence the offender. Sentences may include a fine, corporal punishment, imprisonment, or execution. Coroners records may also be included with criminal indictments if the coroner's jury determined a death was the result of homicide.   \n","Commonwealth causes involving free and enslaved individials might include crimes such as breaking and entering, stealing, assault, murder, arson, and aiding enslaved people to self-emancipate. Formerly enslaved men and women could also be tried for remaining in the commonwealth more than one year following emancipation. In 1806, the General Assembly passed a law stating that all formerly enslaved people freed after May 1, 1806, were required to leave the commonwealth. Those who remained in the commonwealth more than twelve months could be put on trial by the state, and if found guilty, would be re-enslaved and sold. The proceeds from the sale went to the state treasury, and often, records of those sales can be found in the Public Claims records from the Auditor of Public Accounts. In the eighteenth century, many enslaved people convicted of capital crimes were hanged. To curb the spectacle of so many public executions, an 1801 law allowed the governor to sell condemned enslaved people to those who agreed to transport them out of Virginia. The state hoped that by exiling these individuals, they would not commit a second offense in the commonwealth. \n","Types of Courts:  Chesterfield County (Va.) County Court first met on July 7, 1749, at Varina in Henrico County following the creation of Chesterfield County by the House of Burgesses on May 25, 1749. The County Court handled all criminal cases, civil law cases, probate of wills, fiduciary accounts, deed recordings, all licenses (business, marriage, etc.), citizenship applications, etc."," Chesterfield County (Va.)Superior Court of Law was created by an act of the General Assembly passed on February 1, 1808, the court was held twice yearly and its records filed with those of the county. A General Court judge rode in a circuit from county to county to preside over the Superior Courts of Law in his particular circuit. Therefore, these were also called \"Circuit Courts,\" \"Circuit Courts of Law,\" or \"Circuit Superior Courts.\" Originally, there were twelve circuits, but later the number was increased. In criminal and civil cases, the jurisdiction of the Superior Courts of Law were declared to the be the same over their respective counties as the old District Courts had previously exercised over their respective districts. The Superior Courts of Law were abolished in 1831 with the creation of the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery.","Chesterfield County (Va.) Superior Court of Law and Chancery were created by an act of the General Assembly passed on April 16, 1831. Their organization was very similar to that of the former Superior Courts of Law, i.e. a court was held twice yearly in each county and its records were filed with those of the county. With the creation of the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery in 1831, the Superior Courts of Law and the Superior Courts of Chancery were abolished, their combined functions being assumed by the new courts. Originally, the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery were grouped into twenty circuits. These circuits were grouped into pairs to compose ten districts. A judge of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery had to live in his own district, an the two judges in a particular district alternated in their attendance at the General Court. The number of circuit were eventually increased. The Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery were abolished January 12, 1852, the date of the state constitution of 1851 became effective."," Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court was authorized by the 1851 State Constitution and was established by acts of the General Assembly pass May 22, 1852. The Circuit Court was held twice yearly. Originally, there were twenty-one Circuit Court judges. Each judge rode in a circuit from county to county to preside over the Circuit Courts in his particular circuit. Circuit Courts were granted original jurisdiction concurrent with that of the county courts. In addition, they had appellate jurisdiction in all civil cases involving more then fifty dollars and in criminal cases not \"expressly cognizable in some other court,\" of which there apparently were very few. They were also granted jurisdiction in criminal cases involving \"loss of life,\" a jurisdiction which had always been denied the county courts. In 1873, the Circuit Court was given exclusive jurisdiction in chancery cases. The state Constitution of 1902 made no provision for county courts. Instead, their original jurisdiction in all matters except petty suits and misdemeanors was given to the Circuit Courts. Prior to 1904, probate authority was vested in the county court and shared by the Circuit Courts. Effective on February 1, 1904 probate authority was transferred entirely to the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court consequently inherited all original wills and records pertaining to probate and fiduciary affairs. Prior to 1904, the county court was responsible for recording deeds and other such instruments. On March 15, 1904, the Circuit Court was given this responsibility.","Locality History:  Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, 1751-1927. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, 1751-1927. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCriminal Records, 1751-1927, contains both processed and unprocessed records. Criminal causes and grand jury presentments for the County Court, Superior Court of Law, Superior Court of Law and Chancery, and Circuit Court, 1751-1904, (Series II) have been flat-filed and arranged chronologically under each court. Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829, (Series I) were flat-filed and indexed separately as part of an internship project. Additional post-1829 criminal or Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved persons may be found in the criminal causes and grand jury presentments by court. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCriminal causes and grand jury presentments, 1751-1904, were processed by Library of Virginia staff.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCommonwealth causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829, were processed by an intern in August 2024.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn March 2026, the 1838 letters in Accession 41946 were determined to be exhibits originally filed in the Chesterfield County Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery case of Commonwealth vs. Isaac P. Vaughn, 1839. The original letters were internally transferred from the Personal Papers collection to the Local Government Records section to be interfiled with the Commonwealth Cause. Reproduction copies of the letters remain in the Private Papers collection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by S. Walters: April 2008; updated by V. Brooks, March 2026\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information\n"],"processinfo_tesim":["Criminal Records, 1751-1927, contains both processed and unprocessed records. Criminal causes and grand jury presentments for the County Court, Superior Court of Law, Superior Court of Law and Chancery, and Circuit Court, 1751-1904, (Series II) have been flat-filed and arranged chronologically under each court. Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829, (Series I) were flat-filed and indexed separately as part of an internship project. Additional post-1829 criminal or Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved persons may be found in the criminal causes and grand jury presentments by court. \n","Criminal causes and grand jury presentments, 1751-1904, were processed by Library of Virginia staff.","Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829, were processed by an intern in August 2024.\n","In March 2026, the 1838 letters in Accession 41946 were determined to be exhibits originally filed in the Chesterfield County Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery case of Commonwealth vs. Isaac P. Vaughn, 1839. The original letters were internally transferred from the Personal Papers collection to the Local Government Records section to be interfiled with the Commonwealth Cause. Reproduction copies of the letters remain in the Private Papers collection.","Encoded by S. Walters: April 2008; updated by V. Brooks, March 2026"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAdditional court records for Chesterfield County can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/results_all.asp?CountyID=VA059\"\u003eA Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\u003c/extref\u003e.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRecords related to free and enslaved people of Richmond (Va.) and other localities are available through the \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?vid=01LVA_INST:VU\"\u003eVirginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection\u003c/extref\u003e on the Library of Virginia website.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County criminal records may be found at the Chesterfield County Courthouse.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional court records for Chesterfield County can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult  A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm .\n","Records related to free and enslaved people of Richmond (Va.) and other localities are available through the  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website.","Additional Chesterfield County criminal records may be found at the Chesterfield County Courthouse.\n"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, 1751-1927, consists of criminal causes, Commonwealth causes, and grand jury presentments containing warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts for criminal offenses. These cases were heard in the County Court, Superior Court of Law, Superior Court of Law and Chancery, and Circuit Court.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOf note in Series II: Processed Criminal Causes, 1751-1904, the 1839 murder trial of Isaac Pleasants Vaughan is notable. The case is Commonwealth v. Vaughan and pertains to the murder of Walter Henry Pleasants, Vaughan's cousin. Pleasants and Vaughan had challenged each other to a duel over a disagreement, which was averted, but Pleasants was later shot by Vaughan in Richmond. The murder trial began in Richmond, but was subsequently moved to Henrico County and then Chesterfield County. Vaughan was acquitted. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, 1751-1927, consists of criminal causes, Commonwealth causes, and grand jury presentments containing warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts for criminal offenses. These cases were heard in the County Court, Superior Court of Law, Superior Court of Law and Chancery, and Circuit Court.\n","Of note in Series II: Processed Criminal Causes, 1751-1904, the 1839 murder trial of Isaac Pleasants Vaughan is notable. The case is Commonwealth v. Vaughan and pertains to the murder of Walter Henry Pleasants, Vaughan's cousin. Pleasants and Vaughan had challenged each other to a duel over a disagreement, which was averted, but Pleasants was later shot by Vaughan in Richmond. The murder trial began in Richmond, but was subsequently moved to Henrico County and then Chesterfield County. Vaughan was acquitted. \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; State Records Center- Archives Annex\n\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Library of Virginia; State Records Center- Archives Annex\n"],"language_ssim":["English\n"],"total_component_count_is":46,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T11:38:02.298Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vi_vi02627","ead_ssi":"vi_vi02627","_root_":"vi_vi02627","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi02627","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi02627.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, \n1751-1927"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, \n1751-1927"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, \n1751-1927"],"text":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, \n1751-1927","20.35 cu. ft. (43 boxes)","There are no restrictions.\n","For descriptive purposes, the collection has been divided into three series:\n Series I: Processed Commonwealth Causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829 Series II: Processed Criminal Causes, 1751-1904 Series III: Unprocessed Criminal Causes, 1812-1927","Chronological.\n   ","Arranged by court and chronologically thereunder.\n   ","Unarranged.\n   ","Context for Records: Criminal records consist primarily of warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts handed down by grand juries and other legal authorities in order to prosecute individuals who violated the penal code. Commonwealth causes refers to a specific kind of criminal case filed by the state against individuals accused of violating the law. Criminal offenses ranged in severity from murder, rape, assault and battery, and larceny to tax evasion and slander.  Warrants were issued by grand juries, judges, and justices of the peace directing law enforcement officials to either arrest and imprison a person suspected of having committed a crime or to cause an individual to appear in court to answer accusations made against them. Peace warrants directing an offender to \"keep the peace of the Commonwealth\" or to restrain from any violent acts are commonly found in assault and battery cases. Summonses were used to call a suspected person to appear in court. A summons could also be issued to direct witnesses or victims to come before the court in order to provide evidence or information deemed pertinent to a case. An indictment is the official, written description of the crime that an accused individual is suspected of committing, which is approved by a grand jury and presented to a court in order to begin legal proceedings. Due to this process, indictments are often referred to as \"presentments.\" Verdicts are the formal pronouncements made by juries on issues submitted to them by a judge or other law enforcement official. In the case of a guilty verdict, a judge will sentence the offender. Sentences may include a fine, corporal punishment, imprisonment, or execution. Coroners records may also be included with criminal indictments if the coroner's jury determined a death was the result of homicide.   \n","Commonwealth causes involving free and enslaved individials might include crimes such as breaking and entering, stealing, assault, murder, arson, and aiding enslaved people to self-emancipate. Formerly enslaved men and women could also be tried for remaining in the commonwealth more than one year following emancipation. In 1806, the General Assembly passed a law stating that all formerly enslaved people freed after May 1, 1806, were required to leave the commonwealth. Those who remained in the commonwealth more than twelve months could be put on trial by the state, and if found guilty, would be re-enslaved and sold. The proceeds from the sale went to the state treasury, and often, records of those sales can be found in the Public Claims records from the Auditor of Public Accounts. In the eighteenth century, many enslaved people convicted of capital crimes were hanged. To curb the spectacle of so many public executions, an 1801 law allowed the governor to sell condemned enslaved people to those who agreed to transport them out of Virginia. The state hoped that by exiling these individuals, they would not commit a second offense in the commonwealth. \n","Types of Courts:  Chesterfield County (Va.) County Court first met on July 7, 1749, at Varina in Henrico County following the creation of Chesterfield County by the House of Burgesses on May 25, 1749. The County Court handled all criminal cases, civil law cases, probate of wills, fiduciary accounts, deed recordings, all licenses (business, marriage, etc.), citizenship applications, etc."," Chesterfield County (Va.)Superior Court of Law was created by an act of the General Assembly passed on February 1, 1808, the court was held twice yearly and its records filed with those of the county. A General Court judge rode in a circuit from county to county to preside over the Superior Courts of Law in his particular circuit. Therefore, these were also called \"Circuit Courts,\" \"Circuit Courts of Law,\" or \"Circuit Superior Courts.\" Originally, there were twelve circuits, but later the number was increased. In criminal and civil cases, the jurisdiction of the Superior Courts of Law were declared to the be the same over their respective counties as the old District Courts had previously exercised over their respective districts. The Superior Courts of Law were abolished in 1831 with the creation of the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery.","Chesterfield County (Va.) Superior Court of Law and Chancery were created by an act of the General Assembly passed on April 16, 1831. Their organization was very similar to that of the former Superior Courts of Law, i.e. a court was held twice yearly in each county and its records were filed with those of the county. With the creation of the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery in 1831, the Superior Courts of Law and the Superior Courts of Chancery were abolished, their combined functions being assumed by the new courts. Originally, the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery were grouped into twenty circuits. These circuits were grouped into pairs to compose ten districts. A judge of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery had to live in his own district, an the two judges in a particular district alternated in their attendance at the General Court. The number of circuit were eventually increased. The Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery were abolished January 12, 1852, the date of the state constitution of 1851 became effective."," Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court was authorized by the 1851 State Constitution and was established by acts of the General Assembly pass May 22, 1852. The Circuit Court was held twice yearly. Originally, there were twenty-one Circuit Court judges. Each judge rode in a circuit from county to county to preside over the Circuit Courts in his particular circuit. Circuit Courts were granted original jurisdiction concurrent with that of the county courts. In addition, they had appellate jurisdiction in all civil cases involving more then fifty dollars and in criminal cases not \"expressly cognizable in some other court,\" of which there apparently were very few. They were also granted jurisdiction in criminal cases involving \"loss of life,\" a jurisdiction which had always been denied the county courts. In 1873, the Circuit Court was given exclusive jurisdiction in chancery cases. The state Constitution of 1902 made no provision for county courts. Instead, their original jurisdiction in all matters except petty suits and misdemeanors was given to the Circuit Courts. Prior to 1904, probate authority was vested in the county court and shared by the Circuit Courts. Effective on February 1, 1904 probate authority was transferred entirely to the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court consequently inherited all original wills and records pertaining to probate and fiduciary affairs. Prior to 1904, the county court was responsible for recording deeds and other such instruments. On March 15, 1904, the Circuit Court was given this responsibility.","Locality History:  Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n","Criminal Records, 1751-1927, contains both processed and unprocessed records. Criminal causes and grand jury presentments for the County Court, Superior Court of Law, Superior Court of Law and Chancery, and Circuit Court, 1751-1904, (Series II) have been flat-filed and arranged chronologically under each court. Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829, (Series I) were flat-filed and indexed separately as part of an internship project. Additional post-1829 criminal or Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved persons may be found in the criminal causes and grand jury presentments by court. \n","Criminal causes and grand jury presentments, 1751-1904, were processed by Library of Virginia staff.","Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829, were processed by an intern in August 2024.\n","In March 2026, the 1838 letters in Accession 41946 were determined to be exhibits originally filed in the Chesterfield County Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery case of Commonwealth vs. Isaac P. Vaughn, 1839. The original letters were internally transferred from the Personal Papers collection to the Local Government Records section to be interfiled with the Commonwealth Cause. Reproduction copies of the letters remain in the Private Papers collection.","Encoded by S. Walters: April 2008; updated by V. Brooks, March 2026","Additional court records for Chesterfield County can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult  A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm .\n","Records related to free and enslaved people of Richmond (Va.) and other localities are available through the  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website.","Additional Chesterfield County criminal records may be found at the Chesterfield County Courthouse.\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, 1751-1927, consists of criminal causes, Commonwealth causes, and grand jury presentments containing warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts for criminal offenses. These cases were heard in the County Court, Superior Court of Law, Superior Court of Law and Chancery, and Circuit Court.\n","Of note in Series II: Processed Criminal Causes, 1751-1904, the 1839 murder trial of Isaac Pleasants Vaughan is notable. The case is Commonwealth v. Vaughan and pertains to the murder of Walter Henry Pleasants, Vaughan's cousin. Pleasants and Vaughan had challenged each other to a duel over a disagreement, which was averted, but Pleasants was later shot by Vaughan in Richmond. The murder trial began in Richmond, but was subsequently moved to Henrico County and then Chesterfield County. Vaughan was acquitted. \n","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia; State Records Center- Archives Annex\n","English\n"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, \n1751-1927"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, \n1751-1927"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Chesterfield County.\n","Five letters between Walter Henry Pleasants and Isaac Pleasants Vaughn where acquired by purchase in May 2005 for the Personal Papers collection under Accession 41946.\n"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":["20.35 cu. ft. (43 boxes)"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFor descriptive purposes, the collection has been divided into three series:\n\u003clist type=\"simple\"\u003e\u003citem\u003eSeries I: Processed Commonwealth Causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829\u003c/item\u003e\n\u003citem\u003eSeries II: Processed Criminal Causes, 1751-1904\u003c/item\u003e\n\u003citem\u003eSeries III: Unprocessed Criminal Causes, 1812-1927\u003c/item\u003e\n\u003c/list\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChronological.\n   \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArranged by court and chronologically thereunder.\n   \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eUnarranged.\n   \u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["For descriptive purposes, the collection has been divided into three series:\n Series I: Processed Commonwealth Causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829 Series II: Processed Criminal Causes, 1751-1904 Series III: Unprocessed Criminal Causes, 1812-1927","Chronological.\n   ","Arranged by court and chronologically thereunder.\n   ","Unarranged.\n   "],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eContext for Records:\u003c/emph\u003eCriminal records consist primarily of warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts handed down by grand juries and other legal authorities in order to prosecute individuals who violated the penal code. Commonwealth causes refers to a specific kind of criminal case filed by the state against individuals accused of violating the law. Criminal offenses ranged in severity from murder, rape, assault and battery, and larceny to tax evasion and slander.  Warrants were issued by grand juries, judges, and justices of the peace directing law enforcement officials to either arrest and imprison a person suspected of having committed a crime or to cause an individual to appear in court to answer accusations made against them. Peace warrants directing an offender to \"keep the peace of the Commonwealth\" or to restrain from any violent acts are commonly found in assault and battery cases. Summonses were used to call a suspected person to appear in court. A summons could also be issued to direct witnesses or victims to come before the court in order to provide evidence or information deemed pertinent to a case. An indictment is the official, written description of the crime that an accused individual is suspected of committing, which is approved by a grand jury and presented to a court in order to begin legal proceedings. Due to this process, indictments are often referred to as \"presentments.\" Verdicts are the formal pronouncements made by juries on issues submitted to them by a judge or other law enforcement official. In the case of a guilty verdict, a judge will sentence the offender. Sentences may include a fine, corporal punishment, imprisonment, or execution. Coroners records may also be included with criminal indictments if the coroner's jury determined a death was the result of homicide.   \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCommonwealth causes involving free and enslaved individials might include crimes such as breaking and entering, stealing, assault, murder, arson, and aiding enslaved people to self-emancipate. Formerly enslaved men and women could also be tried for remaining in the commonwealth more than one year following emancipation. In 1806, the General Assembly passed a law stating that all formerly enslaved people freed after May 1, 1806, were required to leave the commonwealth. Those who remained in the commonwealth more than twelve months could be put on trial by the state, and if found guilty, would be re-enslaved and sold. The proceeds from the sale went to the state treasury, and often, records of those sales can be found in the Public Claims records from the Auditor of Public Accounts. In the eighteenth century, many enslaved people convicted of capital crimes were hanged. To curb the spectacle of so many public executions, an 1801 law allowed the governor to sell condemned enslaved people to those who agreed to transport them out of Virginia. The state hoped that by exiling these individuals, they would not commit a second offense in the commonwealth. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eTypes of Courts:\u003c/emph\u003e Chesterfield County (Va.) County Court first met on July 7, 1749, at Varina in Henrico County following the creation of Chesterfield County by the House of Burgesses on May 25, 1749. The County Court handled all criminal cases, civil law cases, probate of wills, fiduciary accounts, deed recordings, all licenses (business, marriage, etc.), citizenship applications, etc.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Chesterfield County (Va.)Superior Court of Law was created by an act of the General Assembly passed on February 1, 1808, the court was held twice yearly and its records filed with those of the county. A General Court judge rode in a circuit from county to county to preside over the Superior Courts of Law in his particular circuit. Therefore, these were also called \"Circuit Courts,\" \"Circuit Courts of Law,\" or \"Circuit Superior Courts.\" Originally, there were twelve circuits, but later the number was increased. In criminal and civil cases, the jurisdiction of the Superior Courts of Law were declared to the be the same over their respective counties as the old District Courts had previously exercised over their respective districts. The Superior Courts of Law were abolished in 1831 with the creation of the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Superior Court of Law and Chancery were created by an act of the General Assembly passed on April 16, 1831. Their organization was very similar to that of the former Superior Courts of Law, i.e. a court was held twice yearly in each county and its records were filed with those of the county. With the creation of the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery in 1831, the Superior Courts of Law and the Superior Courts of Chancery were abolished, their combined functions being assumed by the new courts. Originally, the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery were grouped into twenty circuits. These circuits were grouped into pairs to compose ten districts. A judge of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery had to live in his own district, an the two judges in a particular district alternated in their attendance at the General Court. The number of circuit were eventually increased. The Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery were abolished January 12, 1852, the date of the state constitution of 1851 became effective.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court was authorized by the 1851 State Constitution and was established by acts of the General Assembly pass May 22, 1852. The Circuit Court was held twice yearly. Originally, there were twenty-one Circuit Court judges. Each judge rode in a circuit from county to county to preside over the Circuit Courts in his particular circuit. Circuit Courts were granted original jurisdiction concurrent with that of the county courts. In addition, they had appellate jurisdiction in all civil cases involving more then fifty dollars and in criminal cases not \"expressly cognizable in some other court,\" of which there apparently were very few. They were also granted jurisdiction in criminal cases involving \"loss of life,\" a jurisdiction which had always been denied the county courts. In 1873, the Circuit Court was given exclusive jurisdiction in chancery cases. The state Constitution of 1902 made no provision for county courts. Instead, their original jurisdiction in all matters except petty suits and misdemeanors was given to the Circuit Courts. Prior to 1904, probate authority was vested in the county court and shared by the Circuit Courts. Effective on February 1, 1904 probate authority was transferred entirely to the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court consequently inherited all original wills and records pertaining to probate and fiduciary affairs. Prior to 1904, the county court was responsible for recording deeds and other such instruments. On March 15, 1904, the Circuit Court was given this responsibility.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eLocality History:\u003c/emph\u003e Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Context for Records: Criminal records consist primarily of warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts handed down by grand juries and other legal authorities in order to prosecute individuals who violated the penal code. Commonwealth causes refers to a specific kind of criminal case filed by the state against individuals accused of violating the law. Criminal offenses ranged in severity from murder, rape, assault and battery, and larceny to tax evasion and slander.  Warrants were issued by grand juries, judges, and justices of the peace directing law enforcement officials to either arrest and imprison a person suspected of having committed a crime or to cause an individual to appear in court to answer accusations made against them. Peace warrants directing an offender to \"keep the peace of the Commonwealth\" or to restrain from any violent acts are commonly found in assault and battery cases. Summonses were used to call a suspected person to appear in court. A summons could also be issued to direct witnesses or victims to come before the court in order to provide evidence or information deemed pertinent to a case. An indictment is the official, written description of the crime that an accused individual is suspected of committing, which is approved by a grand jury and presented to a court in order to begin legal proceedings. Due to this process, indictments are often referred to as \"presentments.\" Verdicts are the formal pronouncements made by juries on issues submitted to them by a judge or other law enforcement official. In the case of a guilty verdict, a judge will sentence the offender. Sentences may include a fine, corporal punishment, imprisonment, or execution. Coroners records may also be included with criminal indictments if the coroner's jury determined a death was the result of homicide.   \n","Commonwealth causes involving free and enslaved individials might include crimes such as breaking and entering, stealing, assault, murder, arson, and aiding enslaved people to self-emancipate. Formerly enslaved men and women could also be tried for remaining in the commonwealth more than one year following emancipation. In 1806, the General Assembly passed a law stating that all formerly enslaved people freed after May 1, 1806, were required to leave the commonwealth. Those who remained in the commonwealth more than twelve months could be put on trial by the state, and if found guilty, would be re-enslaved and sold. The proceeds from the sale went to the state treasury, and often, records of those sales can be found in the Public Claims records from the Auditor of Public Accounts. In the eighteenth century, many enslaved people convicted of capital crimes were hanged. To curb the spectacle of so many public executions, an 1801 law allowed the governor to sell condemned enslaved people to those who agreed to transport them out of Virginia. The state hoped that by exiling these individuals, they would not commit a second offense in the commonwealth. \n","Types of Courts:  Chesterfield County (Va.) County Court first met on July 7, 1749, at Varina in Henrico County following the creation of Chesterfield County by the House of Burgesses on May 25, 1749. The County Court handled all criminal cases, civil law cases, probate of wills, fiduciary accounts, deed recordings, all licenses (business, marriage, etc.), citizenship applications, etc."," Chesterfield County (Va.)Superior Court of Law was created by an act of the General Assembly passed on February 1, 1808, the court was held twice yearly and its records filed with those of the county. A General Court judge rode in a circuit from county to county to preside over the Superior Courts of Law in his particular circuit. Therefore, these were also called \"Circuit Courts,\" \"Circuit Courts of Law,\" or \"Circuit Superior Courts.\" Originally, there were twelve circuits, but later the number was increased. In criminal and civil cases, the jurisdiction of the Superior Courts of Law were declared to the be the same over their respective counties as the old District Courts had previously exercised over their respective districts. The Superior Courts of Law were abolished in 1831 with the creation of the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery.","Chesterfield County (Va.) Superior Court of Law and Chancery were created by an act of the General Assembly passed on April 16, 1831. Their organization was very similar to that of the former Superior Courts of Law, i.e. a court was held twice yearly in each county and its records were filed with those of the county. With the creation of the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery in 1831, the Superior Courts of Law and the Superior Courts of Chancery were abolished, their combined functions being assumed by the new courts. Originally, the Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery were grouped into twenty circuits. These circuits were grouped into pairs to compose ten districts. A judge of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery had to live in his own district, an the two judges in a particular district alternated in their attendance at the General Court. The number of circuit were eventually increased. The Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery were abolished January 12, 1852, the date of the state constitution of 1851 became effective."," Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court was authorized by the 1851 State Constitution and was established by acts of the General Assembly pass May 22, 1852. The Circuit Court was held twice yearly. Originally, there were twenty-one Circuit Court judges. Each judge rode in a circuit from county to county to preside over the Circuit Courts in his particular circuit. Circuit Courts were granted original jurisdiction concurrent with that of the county courts. In addition, they had appellate jurisdiction in all civil cases involving more then fifty dollars and in criminal cases not \"expressly cognizable in some other court,\" of which there apparently were very few. They were also granted jurisdiction in criminal cases involving \"loss of life,\" a jurisdiction which had always been denied the county courts. In 1873, the Circuit Court was given exclusive jurisdiction in chancery cases. The state Constitution of 1902 made no provision for county courts. Instead, their original jurisdiction in all matters except petty suits and misdemeanors was given to the Circuit Courts. Prior to 1904, probate authority was vested in the county court and shared by the Circuit Courts. Effective on February 1, 1904 probate authority was transferred entirely to the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court consequently inherited all original wills and records pertaining to probate and fiduciary affairs. Prior to 1904, the county court was responsible for recording deeds and other such instruments. On March 15, 1904, the Circuit Court was given this responsibility.","Locality History:  Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, 1751-1927. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, 1751-1927. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCriminal Records, 1751-1927, contains both processed and unprocessed records. Criminal causes and grand jury presentments for the County Court, Superior Court of Law, Superior Court of Law and Chancery, and Circuit Court, 1751-1904, (Series II) have been flat-filed and arranged chronologically under each court. Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829, (Series I) were flat-filed and indexed separately as part of an internship project. Additional post-1829 criminal or Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved persons may be found in the criminal causes and grand jury presentments by court. \n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCriminal causes and grand jury presentments, 1751-1904, were processed by Library of Virginia staff.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCommonwealth causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829, were processed by an intern in August 2024.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn March 2026, the 1838 letters in Accession 41946 were determined to be exhibits originally filed in the Chesterfield County Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery case of Commonwealth vs. Isaac P. Vaughn, 1839. The original letters were internally transferred from the Personal Papers collection to the Local Government Records section to be interfiled with the Commonwealth Cause. Reproduction copies of the letters remain in the Private Papers collection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by S. Walters: April 2008; updated by V. Brooks, March 2026\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information\n"],"processinfo_tesim":["Criminal Records, 1751-1927, contains both processed and unprocessed records. Criminal causes and grand jury presentments for the County Court, Superior Court of Law, Superior Court of Law and Chancery, and Circuit Court, 1751-1904, (Series II) have been flat-filed and arranged chronologically under each court. Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829, (Series I) were flat-filed and indexed separately as part of an internship project. Additional post-1829 criminal or Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved persons may be found in the criminal causes and grand jury presentments by court. \n","Criminal causes and grand jury presentments, 1751-1904, were processed by Library of Virginia staff.","Commonwealth causes related to free and enslaved people, 1765-1829, were processed by an intern in August 2024.\n","In March 2026, the 1838 letters in Accession 41946 were determined to be exhibits originally filed in the Chesterfield County Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery case of Commonwealth vs. Isaac P. Vaughn, 1839. The original letters were internally transferred from the Personal Papers collection to the Local Government Records section to be interfiled with the Commonwealth Cause. Reproduction copies of the letters remain in the Private Papers collection.","Encoded by S. Walters: April 2008; updated by V. Brooks, March 2026"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAdditional court records for Chesterfield County can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/results_all.asp?CountyID=VA059\"\u003eA Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\u003c/extref\u003e.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRecords related to free and enslaved people of Richmond (Va.) and other localities are available through the \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?vid=01LVA_INST:VU\"\u003eVirginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection\u003c/extref\u003e on the Library of Virginia website.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County criminal records may be found at the Chesterfield County Courthouse.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional court records for Chesterfield County can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult  A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm .\n","Records related to free and enslaved people of Richmond (Va.) and other localities are available through the  Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative Digital Collection  on the Library of Virginia website.","Additional Chesterfield County criminal records may be found at the Chesterfield County Courthouse.\n"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, 1751-1927, consists of criminal causes, Commonwealth causes, and grand jury presentments containing warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts for criminal offenses. These cases were heard in the County Court, Superior Court of Law, Superior Court of Law and Chancery, and Circuit Court.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOf note in Series II: Processed Criminal Causes, 1751-1904, the 1839 murder trial of Isaac Pleasants Vaughan is notable. The case is Commonwealth v. Vaughan and pertains to the murder of Walter Henry Pleasants, Vaughan's cousin. Pleasants and Vaughan had challenged each other to a duel over a disagreement, which was averted, but Pleasants was later shot by Vaughan in Richmond. The murder trial began in Richmond, but was subsequently moved to Henrico County and then Chesterfield County. Vaughan was acquitted. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Criminal Records, 1751-1927, consists of criminal causes, Commonwealth causes, and grand jury presentments containing warrants, summons, indictments, and verdicts for criminal offenses. These cases were heard in the County Court, Superior Court of Law, Superior Court of Law and Chancery, and Circuit Court.\n","Of note in Series II: Processed Criminal Causes, 1751-1904, the 1839 murder trial of Isaac Pleasants Vaughan is notable. The case is Commonwealth v. Vaughan and pertains to the murder of Walter Henry Pleasants, Vaughan's cousin. Pleasants and Vaughan had challenged each other to a duel over a disagreement, which was averted, but Pleasants was later shot by Vaughan in Richmond. The murder trial began in Richmond, but was subsequently moved to Henrico County and then Chesterfield County. Vaughan was acquitted. \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; State Records Center- Archives Annex\n\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Library of Virginia; State Records Center- Archives Annex\n"],"language_ssim":["English\n"],"total_component_count_is":46,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T11:38:02.298Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02627"}},{"id":"vi_vi03478","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, \n1818-1843","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi03478#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi03478#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843 primarily record the declarations of individuals seeking to obtain Revolutionary War pensions provided by various acts of Congress. The applicants present detailed testimony of their time of service during the Revolutionary War. Information found in the declarations include date and location applicants entered into service, names of military companies they served in, names of military commanders they served under, names of fellow soldiers they served with, length of service, their age, and their place of birth. The predominant portion of the declarations are narratives of their tours of duty during the Revolutionary War with emphasis on battles they fought. The declarations also include affidavits from witnesses who could verify information provided by applicants. \u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi03478#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vi_vi03478","ead_ssi":"vi_vi03478","_root_":"vi_vi03478","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi03478","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi03478.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, \n1818-1843"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, \n1818-1843"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, \n1818-1843"],"text":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, \n1818-1843","There are no restrictions.\n","Arranged chronologically.","Arranged chronologically.\n","Context for Record Type:  In 1818, Congress passed the first of three major Revolutionary War pension acts. The act granted lifetime pensions to all men who had served as regular army soldiers in the Continental Line and who could demonstrate financial need. Prior to the passage of this act, pensions had been restricted to former soldiers who were no longer able to support themselves due to injuries sustained while in service. The second act, passed by Congress in 1820, required applicants to provide more concrete evidence of this financial need in the form of a certified inventory of his property and income. They also had to include an account of all members of the applicant's family, including their health and ability to contribute to household income. In 1832, the third act extended pension benefits to include soldiers who had served in the state troops or militia. Congress also passed a related act in 1836 granting pensions to the widows and orphans of Revolutionary War veterans.\n","Locality History:    Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, Brtitish statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. ","Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843 were removed from the Chesterfield County Court papers and processed by Library of Virginia staff. Declarations filed by former soldiers rather than their widows and heirs, ranging from 1818 to 1831, were reprocessed and indexed as a distinct unit by McKenzie Long.\n","Encoded by L. Travis: April 2012; updated by M. Long: December 2023.\n","Additional Chesterfield County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia. Consult   \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"","Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843 primarily record the declarations of individuals seeking to obtain Revolutionary War pensions provided by various acts of Congress. The applicants present detailed testimony of their time of service during the Revolutionary War. Information found in the declarations include date and location applicants entered into service, names of military companies they served in, names of military commanders they served under, names of fellow soldiers they served with, length of service, their age, and their place of birth. The predominant portion of the declarations are narratives of their tours of duty during the Revolutionary War with emphasis on battles they fought. The declarations also include affidavits from witnesses who could verify information provided by applicants.\n","Applicants in this series reported to have served in various Virginia military units, including the 1st Virginia Regiment; 2nd Virginia Regiment; 2nd Virginia Regiment, Artillery; 4th Virginia Regiment; 5th Virginia Regiment; Virginia Continental Line, Artillery; Virginia Continental Line, Infantry; Virginia Light Dragoons; and the Virginia militia and Virginia Continental Line generally.","Applicants also reported serving in many units outside of Virginia, including the 3rd Maryland Regiment, 1st Battalion; Maryland Continental Line, Infantry; and the Pennsylvania Continental Line generally.","Applicants also gave accounts of being present during several military engagements, including the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Camden, Battle of Cowpens, Battle of Eutaw Springs, Battle of Forlorn Hope, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Guilford Courthouse, Battle of Monmouth, Battle of Paulus Hook, Battle of Stony Point, Battle of White Marsh, Siege of Ninety-Six, and Siege of Yorktown.","Significant materials in this collection include the pension declaration of a free Black soldier, Thomas Lively.","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","English\n"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, \n1818-1843"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, \n1818-1843"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Chesterfield County.\n"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":[".15 cu. ft. (1 box)"],"extent_tesim":[".15 cu. ft. (1 box)"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eArranged chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArranged chronologically.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["Arranged chronologically.","Arranged chronologically.\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003ctitle render=\"bold\"\u003eContext for Record Type:\u003c/title\u003e In 1818, Congress passed the first of three major Revolutionary War pension acts. The act granted lifetime pensions to all men who had served as regular army soldiers in the Continental Line and who could demonstrate financial need. Prior to the passage of this act, pensions had been restricted to former soldiers who were no longer able to support themselves due to injuries sustained while in service. The second act, passed by Congress in 1820, required applicants to provide more concrete evidence of this financial need in the form of a certified inventory of his property and income. They also had to include an account of all members of the applicant's family, including their health and ability to contribute to household income. In 1832, the third act extended pension benefits to include soldiers who had served in the state troops or militia. Congress also passed a related act in 1836 granting pensions to the widows and orphans of Revolutionary War veterans.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ctitle render=\"bold\"\u003eLocality History:  \u003c/title\u003e Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, Brtitish statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. \u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Context for Record Type:  In 1818, Congress passed the first of three major Revolutionary War pension acts. The act granted lifetime pensions to all men who had served as regular army soldiers in the Continental Line and who could demonstrate financial need. Prior to the passage of this act, pensions had been restricted to former soldiers who were no longer able to support themselves due to injuries sustained while in service. The second act, passed by Congress in 1820, required applicants to provide more concrete evidence of this financial need in the form of a certified inventory of his property and income. They also had to include an account of all members of the applicant's family, including their health and ability to contribute to household income. In 1832, the third act extended pension benefits to include soldiers who had served in the state troops or militia. Congress also passed a related act in 1836 granting pensions to the widows and orphans of Revolutionary War veterans.\n","Locality History:    Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, Brtitish statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. "],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.\n"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDeclarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843 were removed from the Chesterfield County Court papers and processed by Library of Virginia staff. Declarations filed by former soldiers rather than their widows and heirs, ranging from 1818 to 1831, were reprocessed and indexed as a distinct unit by McKenzie Long.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by L. Travis: April 2012; updated by M. Long: December 2023.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information\n"],"processinfo_tesim":["Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843 were removed from the Chesterfield County Court papers and processed by Library of Virginia staff. Declarations filed by former soldiers rather than their widows and heirs, ranging from 1818 to 1831, were reprocessed and indexed as a distinct unit by McKenzie Long.\n","Encoded by L. Travis: April 2012; updated by M. Long: December 2023.\n"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia. Consult  \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/local/local_rec/index.htm\"\u003e\"A 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 Chesterfield County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia. Consult   \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\""],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843 primarily record the declarations of individuals seeking to obtain Revolutionary War pensions provided by various acts of Congress. The applicants present detailed testimony of their time of service during the Revolutionary War. Information found in the declarations include date and location applicants entered into service, names of military companies they served in, names of military commanders they served under, names of fellow soldiers they served with, length of service, their age, and their place of birth. The predominant portion of the declarations are narratives of their tours of duty during the Revolutionary War with emphasis on battles they fought. The declarations also include affidavits from witnesses who could verify information provided by applicants.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eApplicants in this series reported to have served in various Virginia military units, including the 1st Virginia Regiment; 2nd Virginia Regiment; 2nd Virginia Regiment, Artillery; 4th Virginia Regiment; 5th Virginia Regiment; Virginia Continental Line, Artillery; Virginia Continental Line, Infantry; Virginia Light Dragoons; and the Virginia militia and Virginia Continental Line generally.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eApplicants also reported serving in many units outside of Virginia, including the 3rd Maryland Regiment, 1st Battalion; Maryland Continental Line, Infantry; and the Pennsylvania Continental Line generally.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eApplicants also gave accounts of being present during several military engagements, including the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Camden, Battle of Cowpens, Battle of Eutaw Springs, Battle of Forlorn Hope, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Guilford Courthouse, Battle of Monmouth, Battle of Paulus Hook, Battle of Stony Point, Battle of White Marsh, Siege of Ninety-Six, and Siege of Yorktown.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSignificant materials in this collection include the pension declaration of a free Black soldier, Thomas Lively.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843 primarily record the declarations of individuals seeking to obtain Revolutionary War pensions provided by various acts of Congress. The applicants present detailed testimony of their time of service during the Revolutionary War. Information found in the declarations include date and location applicants entered into service, names of military companies they served in, names of military commanders they served under, names of fellow soldiers they served with, length of service, their age, and their place of birth. The predominant portion of the declarations are narratives of their tours of duty during the Revolutionary War with emphasis on battles they fought. The declarations also include affidavits from witnesses who could verify information provided by applicants.\n","Applicants in this series reported to have served in various Virginia military units, including the 1st Virginia Regiment; 2nd Virginia Regiment; 2nd Virginia Regiment, Artillery; 4th Virginia Regiment; 5th Virginia Regiment; Virginia Continental Line, Artillery; Virginia Continental Line, Infantry; Virginia Light Dragoons; and the Virginia militia and Virginia Continental Line generally.","Applicants also reported serving in many units outside of Virginia, including the 3rd Maryland Regiment, 1st Battalion; Maryland Continental Line, Infantry; and the Pennsylvania Continental Line generally.","Applicants also gave accounts of being present during several military engagements, including the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Camden, Battle of Cowpens, Battle of Eutaw Springs, Battle of Forlorn Hope, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Guilford Courthouse, Battle of Monmouth, Battle of Paulus Hook, Battle of Stony Point, Battle of White Marsh, Siege of Ninety-Six, and Siege of Yorktown.","Significant materials in this collection include the pension declaration of a free Black soldier, Thomas Lively."],"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":2,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T08:56:54.130Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vi_vi03478","ead_ssi":"vi_vi03478","_root_":"vi_vi03478","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi03478","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi03478.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, \n1818-1843"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, \n1818-1843"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, \n1818-1843"],"text":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, \n1818-1843","There are no restrictions.\n","Arranged chronologically.","Arranged chronologically.\n","Context for Record Type:  In 1818, Congress passed the first of three major Revolutionary War pension acts. The act granted lifetime pensions to all men who had served as regular army soldiers in the Continental Line and who could demonstrate financial need. Prior to the passage of this act, pensions had been restricted to former soldiers who were no longer able to support themselves due to injuries sustained while in service. The second act, passed by Congress in 1820, required applicants to provide more concrete evidence of this financial need in the form of a certified inventory of his property and income. They also had to include an account of all members of the applicant's family, including their health and ability to contribute to household income. In 1832, the third act extended pension benefits to include soldiers who had served in the state troops or militia. Congress also passed a related act in 1836 granting pensions to the widows and orphans of Revolutionary War veterans.\n","Locality History:    Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, Brtitish statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. ","Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843 were removed from the Chesterfield County Court papers and processed by Library of Virginia staff. Declarations filed by former soldiers rather than their widows and heirs, ranging from 1818 to 1831, were reprocessed and indexed as a distinct unit by McKenzie Long.\n","Encoded by L. Travis: April 2012; updated by M. Long: December 2023.\n","Additional Chesterfield County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia. Consult   \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"","Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843 primarily record the declarations of individuals seeking to obtain Revolutionary War pensions provided by various acts of Congress. The applicants present detailed testimony of their time of service during the Revolutionary War. Information found in the declarations include date and location applicants entered into service, names of military companies they served in, names of military commanders they served under, names of fellow soldiers they served with, length of service, their age, and their place of birth. The predominant portion of the declarations are narratives of their tours of duty during the Revolutionary War with emphasis on battles they fought. The declarations also include affidavits from witnesses who could verify information provided by applicants.\n","Applicants in this series reported to have served in various Virginia military units, including the 1st Virginia Regiment; 2nd Virginia Regiment; 2nd Virginia Regiment, Artillery; 4th Virginia Regiment; 5th Virginia Regiment; Virginia Continental Line, Artillery; Virginia Continental Line, Infantry; Virginia Light Dragoons; and the Virginia militia and Virginia Continental Line generally.","Applicants also reported serving in many units outside of Virginia, including the 3rd Maryland Regiment, 1st Battalion; Maryland Continental Line, Infantry; and the Pennsylvania Continental Line generally.","Applicants also gave accounts of being present during several military engagements, including the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Camden, Battle of Cowpens, Battle of Eutaw Springs, Battle of Forlorn Hope, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Guilford Courthouse, Battle of Monmouth, Battle of Paulus Hook, Battle of Stony Point, Battle of White Marsh, Siege of Ninety-Six, and Siege of Yorktown.","Significant materials in this collection include the pension declaration of a free Black soldier, Thomas Lively.","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","English\n"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, \n1818-1843"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, \n1818-1843"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Chesterfield County.\n"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":[".15 cu. ft. (1 box)"],"extent_tesim":[".15 cu. ft. (1 box)"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eArranged chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArranged chronologically.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["Arranged chronologically.","Arranged chronologically.\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003ctitle render=\"bold\"\u003eContext for Record Type:\u003c/title\u003e In 1818, Congress passed the first of three major Revolutionary War pension acts. The act granted lifetime pensions to all men who had served as regular army soldiers in the Continental Line and who could demonstrate financial need. Prior to the passage of this act, pensions had been restricted to former soldiers who were no longer able to support themselves due to injuries sustained while in service. The second act, passed by Congress in 1820, required applicants to provide more concrete evidence of this financial need in the form of a certified inventory of his property and income. They also had to include an account of all members of the applicant's family, including their health and ability to contribute to household income. In 1832, the third act extended pension benefits to include soldiers who had served in the state troops or militia. Congress also passed a related act in 1836 granting pensions to the widows and orphans of Revolutionary War veterans.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\u003ctitle render=\"bold\"\u003eLocality History:  \u003c/title\u003e Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, Brtitish statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. \u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Context for Record Type:  In 1818, Congress passed the first of three major Revolutionary War pension acts. The act granted lifetime pensions to all men who had served as regular army soldiers in the Continental Line and who could demonstrate financial need. Prior to the passage of this act, pensions had been restricted to former soldiers who were no longer able to support themselves due to injuries sustained while in service. The second act, passed by Congress in 1820, required applicants to provide more concrete evidence of this financial need in the form of a certified inventory of his property and income. They also had to include an account of all members of the applicant's family, including their health and ability to contribute to household income. In 1832, the third act extended pension benefits to include soldiers who had served in the state troops or militia. Congress also passed a related act in 1836 granting pensions to the widows and orphans of Revolutionary War veterans.\n","Locality History:    Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, Brtitish statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. "],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.\n"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDeclarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843 were removed from the Chesterfield County Court papers and processed by Library of Virginia staff. Declarations filed by former soldiers rather than their widows and heirs, ranging from 1818 to 1831, were reprocessed and indexed as a distinct unit by McKenzie Long.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEncoded by L. Travis: April 2012; updated by M. Long: December 2023.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information\n"],"processinfo_tesim":["Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843 were removed from the Chesterfield County Court papers and processed by Library of Virginia staff. Declarations filed by former soldiers rather than their widows and heirs, ranging from 1818 to 1831, were reprocessed and indexed as a distinct unit by McKenzie Long.\n","Encoded by L. Travis: April 2012; updated by M. Long: December 2023.\n"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia. Consult  \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/local/local_rec/index.htm\"\u003e\"A 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 Chesterfield County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia. Consult   \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\""],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843 primarily record the declarations of individuals seeking to obtain Revolutionary War pensions provided by various acts of Congress. The applicants present detailed testimony of their time of service during the Revolutionary War. Information found in the declarations include date and location applicants entered into service, names of military companies they served in, names of military commanders they served under, names of fellow soldiers they served with, length of service, their age, and their place of birth. The predominant portion of the declarations are narratives of their tours of duty during the Revolutionary War with emphasis on battles they fought. The declarations also include affidavits from witnesses who could verify information provided by applicants.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eApplicants in this series reported to have served in various Virginia military units, including the 1st Virginia Regiment; 2nd Virginia Regiment; 2nd Virginia Regiment, Artillery; 4th Virginia Regiment; 5th Virginia Regiment; Virginia Continental Line, Artillery; Virginia Continental Line, Infantry; Virginia Light Dragoons; and the Virginia militia and Virginia Continental Line generally.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eApplicants also reported serving in many units outside of Virginia, including the 3rd Maryland Regiment, 1st Battalion; Maryland Continental Line, Infantry; and the Pennsylvania Continental Line generally.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eApplicants also gave accounts of being present during several military engagements, including the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Camden, Battle of Cowpens, Battle of Eutaw Springs, Battle of Forlorn Hope, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Guilford Courthouse, Battle of Monmouth, Battle of Paulus Hook, Battle of Stony Point, Battle of White Marsh, Siege of Ninety-Six, and Siege of Yorktown.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSignificant materials in this collection include the pension declaration of a free Black soldier, Thomas Lively.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1818-1843 primarily record the declarations of individuals seeking to obtain Revolutionary War pensions provided by various acts of Congress. The applicants present detailed testimony of their time of service during the Revolutionary War. Information found in the declarations include date and location applicants entered into service, names of military companies they served in, names of military commanders they served under, names of fellow soldiers they served with, length of service, their age, and their place of birth. The predominant portion of the declarations are narratives of their tours of duty during the Revolutionary War with emphasis on battles they fought. The declarations also include affidavits from witnesses who could verify information provided by applicants.\n","Applicants in this series reported to have served in various Virginia military units, including the 1st Virginia Regiment; 2nd Virginia Regiment; 2nd Virginia Regiment, Artillery; 4th Virginia Regiment; 5th Virginia Regiment; Virginia Continental Line, Artillery; Virginia Continental Line, Infantry; Virginia Light Dragoons; and the Virginia militia and Virginia Continental Line generally.","Applicants also reported serving in many units outside of Virginia, including the 3rd Maryland Regiment, 1st Battalion; Maryland Continental Line, Infantry; and the Pennsylvania Continental Line generally.","Applicants also gave accounts of being present during several military engagements, including the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Camden, Battle of Cowpens, Battle of Eutaw Springs, Battle of Forlorn Hope, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Guilford Courthouse, Battle of Monmouth, Battle of Paulus Hook, Battle of Stony Point, Battle of White Marsh, Siege of Ninety-Six, and Siege of Yorktown.","Significant materials in this collection include the pension declaration of a free Black soldier, Thomas Lively."],"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":2,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T08:56:54.130Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi03478"}},{"id":"vi_vi05566","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, \n1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953)","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi05566#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi05566#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, 1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953) consist of deeds recorded and unrecorded of bargain and sale, deeds of gift, mortgages, bills of sale, and deeds of trust. On presentation to the court, deeds were proved and recorded. If the deed was not witnessed, the grantor acknowledged the deed in open court. A few of the deeds include plats. Except for a few years early in the eighteenth century, enslaved people in Virginia were considered personal property and were often transferred in deeds of gift or were the property listed in mortgages and deeds of trust. \u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi05566#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vi_vi05566","ead_ssi":"vi_vi05566","_root_":"vi_vi05566","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi05566","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi05566.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, \n1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953)"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, \n1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953)"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["1045951, 1046077-1046144, 1140851-1140918, 0007831444-0007831451\n"],"text":["1045951, 1046077-1046144, 1140851-1140918, 0007831444-0007831451\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, \n1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953)","143 boxes","There are no restrictions.\n","Arranged chronological by year and then alphabetical by surname from. Deeds and bills of sale involving enslaved people are found in barcode numbers 0007831444-0007831451.\n","Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n","Deed Books and Indices to Deeds for Chesterfield County can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"","Additional Chesterfield County Land Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"","Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, 1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953) consist of deeds recorded and unrecorded of bargain  and sale, deeds of gift, mortgages, bills of sale, and deeds of trust. On presentation to the court, deeds were proved and recorded. If the deed was not witnessed, the grantor acknowledged the deed in open court. A few of the deeds include plats. Except for a few years early in the eighteenth century, enslaved people in Virginia were considered personal property and were often transferred in deeds of gift or were the property listed in mortgages and deeds of trust.\n","Deeds of bargain and sale are the most commonly recorded deed in which one individual sells property, usually land, but occasionally personal property, to another individual. Such deeds show the names of the grantor and grantee, the residence of both parties, a description of what is being sold, the consideration (or price), the location of the tract of land, the tract's boundaries, and any limitations on the property being sold. The deed was signed by the grantor, and possibly his wife or anyone else having a claim to the property, and by at least two witnesses. Appended to the deed may be a memorandum of livery of seisin, stating that the property has changed hands and that peaceful possession has taken place.","Deeds of gift are often found transferring property, either real or personal including enslaved people, from one individual to another \"for love and affection.\" The degree of kinship, if any, between the grantor and grantee is sometimes stated. Information recorded included name(s) of the grantor(s), grantee(s), and enslaved people. Deeds of gift were proved and recorded in the local court.","Mortgages and deeds of trust were deeds where one party is indebted to another and transfers or mortgages property to a third party to secure the debt.","Bills of sale are written agreements which convey title of property, such as an enslaved person, from seller to buyer. Bills of sale record the name of the seller, the names of enslaved persons being sold and their price, and the name of the buyer. Given that they involved a property transaction, bills of sale were commonly recorded and filed with deeds in the local court","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","English\n"],"unitid_tesim":["1045951, 1046077-1046144, 1140851-1140918, 0007831444-0007831451\n"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, \n1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953)"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, \n1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953)"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, \n1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953)"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Chesterfield County.\n"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":["143 boxes"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eArranged chronological by year and then alphabetical by surname from. Deeds and bills of sale involving enslaved people are found in barcode numbers 0007831444-0007831451.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["Arranged chronological by year and then alphabetical by surname from. Deeds and bills of sale involving enslaved people are found in barcode numbers 0007831444-0007831451.\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, 1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953). Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, 1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953). Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDeed Books and Indices to Deeds for Chesterfield County can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/results_all.asp?CountyID=VA125\"\u003e\"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"\u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County Land 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/results_all.asp?CountyID=VA125\"\u003e\"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"\u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Deed Books and Indices to Deeds for Chesterfield County can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"","Additional Chesterfield County Land 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\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, 1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953) consist of deeds recorded and unrecorded of bargain  and sale, deeds of gift, mortgages, bills of sale, and deeds of trust. On presentation to the court, deeds were proved and recorded. If the deed was not witnessed, the grantor acknowledged the deed in open court. A few of the deeds include plats. Except for a few years early in the eighteenth century, enslaved people in Virginia were considered personal property and were often transferred in deeds of gift or were the property listed in mortgages and deeds of trust.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDeeds of bargain and sale are the most commonly recorded deed in which one individual sells property, usually land, but occasionally personal property, to another individual. Such deeds show the names of the grantor and grantee, the residence of both parties, a description of what is being sold, the consideration (or price), the location of the tract of land, the tract's boundaries, and any limitations on the property being sold. The deed was signed by the grantor, and possibly his wife or anyone else having a claim to the property, and by at least two witnesses. Appended to the deed may be a memorandum of livery of seisin, stating that the property has changed hands and that peaceful possession has taken place.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDeeds of gift are often found transferring property, either real or personal including enslaved people, from one individual to another \"for love and affection.\" The degree of kinship, if any, between the grantor and grantee is sometimes stated. Information recorded included name(s) of the grantor(s), grantee(s), and enslaved people. Deeds of gift were proved and recorded in the local court.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMortgages and deeds of trust were deeds where one party is indebted to another and transfers or mortgages property to a third party to secure the debt.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBills of sale are written agreements which convey title of property, such as an enslaved person, from seller to buyer. Bills of sale record the name of the seller, the names of enslaved persons being sold and their price, and the name of the buyer. Given that they involved a property transaction, bills of sale were commonly recorded and filed with deeds in the local court\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, 1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953) consist of deeds recorded and unrecorded of bargain  and sale, deeds of gift, mortgages, bills of sale, and deeds of trust. On presentation to the court, deeds were proved and recorded. If the deed was not witnessed, the grantor acknowledged the deed in open court. A few of the deeds include plats. Except for a few years early in the eighteenth century, enslaved people in Virginia were considered personal property and were often transferred in deeds of gift or were the property listed in mortgages and deeds of trust.\n","Deeds of bargain and sale are the most commonly recorded deed in which one individual sells property, usually land, but occasionally personal property, to another individual. Such deeds show the names of the grantor and grantee, the residence of both parties, a description of what is being sold, the consideration (or price), the location of the tract of land, the tract's boundaries, and any limitations on the property being sold. The deed was signed by the grantor, and possibly his wife or anyone else having a claim to the property, and by at least two witnesses. Appended to the deed may be a memorandum of livery of seisin, stating that the property has changed hands and that peaceful possession has taken place.","Deeds of gift are often found transferring property, either real or personal including enslaved people, from one individual to another \"for love and affection.\" The degree of kinship, if any, between the grantor and grantee is sometimes stated. Information recorded included name(s) of the grantor(s), grantee(s), and enslaved people. Deeds of gift were proved and recorded in the local court.","Mortgages and deeds of trust were deeds where one party is indebted to another and transfers or mortgages property to a third party to secure the debt.","Bills of sale are written agreements which convey title of property, such as an enslaved person, from seller to buyer. Bills of sale record the name of the seller, the names of enslaved persons being sold and their price, and the name of the buyer. Given that they involved a property transaction, bills of sale were commonly recorded and filed with deeds in the local court"],"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":"2026-05-21T08:58:50.825Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vi_vi05566","ead_ssi":"vi_vi05566","_root_":"vi_vi05566","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi05566","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi05566.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, \n1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953)"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, \n1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953)"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["1045951, 1046077-1046144, 1140851-1140918, 0007831444-0007831451\n"],"text":["1045951, 1046077-1046144, 1140851-1140918, 0007831444-0007831451\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, \n1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953)","143 boxes","There are no restrictions.\n","Arranged chronological by year and then alphabetical by surname from. Deeds and bills of sale involving enslaved people are found in barcode numbers 0007831444-0007831451.\n","Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n","Deed Books and Indices to Deeds for Chesterfield County can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"","Additional Chesterfield County Land Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia web site. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"","Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, 1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953) consist of deeds recorded and unrecorded of bargain  and sale, deeds of gift, mortgages, bills of sale, and deeds of trust. On presentation to the court, deeds were proved and recorded. If the deed was not witnessed, the grantor acknowledged the deed in open court. A few of the deeds include plats. Except for a few years early in the eighteenth century, enslaved people in Virginia were considered personal property and were often transferred in deeds of gift or were the property listed in mortgages and deeds of trust.\n","Deeds of bargain and sale are the most commonly recorded deed in which one individual sells property, usually land, but occasionally personal property, to another individual. Such deeds show the names of the grantor and grantee, the residence of both parties, a description of what is being sold, the consideration (or price), the location of the tract of land, the tract's boundaries, and any limitations on the property being sold. The deed was signed by the grantor, and possibly his wife or anyone else having a claim to the property, and by at least two witnesses. Appended to the deed may be a memorandum of livery of seisin, stating that the property has changed hands and that peaceful possession has taken place.","Deeds of gift are often found transferring property, either real or personal including enslaved people, from one individual to another \"for love and affection.\" The degree of kinship, if any, between the grantor and grantee is sometimes stated. Information recorded included name(s) of the grantor(s), grantee(s), and enslaved people. Deeds of gift were proved and recorded in the local court.","Mortgages and deeds of trust were deeds where one party is indebted to another and transfers or mortgages property to a third party to secure the debt.","Bills of sale are written agreements which convey title of property, such as an enslaved person, from seller to buyer. Bills of sale record the name of the seller, the names of enslaved persons being sold and their price, and the name of the buyer. Given that they involved a property transaction, bills of sale were commonly recorded and filed with deeds in the local court","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","English\n"],"unitid_tesim":["1045951, 1046077-1046144, 1140851-1140918, 0007831444-0007831451\n"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, \n1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953)"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, \n1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953)"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, \n1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953)"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Chesterfield County.\n"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":["143 boxes"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eArranged chronological by year and then alphabetical by surname from. Deeds and bills of sale involving enslaved people are found in barcode numbers 0007831444-0007831451.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["Arranged chronological by year and then alphabetical by surname from. Deeds and bills of sale involving enslaved people are found in barcode numbers 0007831444-0007831451.\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749. The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, 1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953). Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, 1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953). Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDeed Books and Indices to Deeds for Chesterfield County can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/results_all.asp?CountyID=VA125\"\u003e\"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"\u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County Land 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/results_all.asp?CountyID=VA125\"\u003e\"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"\u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Deed Books and Indices to Deeds for Chesterfield County can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult  \"A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm.\"","Additional Chesterfield County Land 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\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, 1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953) consist of deeds recorded and unrecorded of bargain  and sale, deeds of gift, mortgages, bills of sale, and deeds of trust. On presentation to the court, deeds were proved and recorded. If the deed was not witnessed, the grantor acknowledged the deed in open court. A few of the deeds include plats. Except for a few years early in the eighteenth century, enslaved people in Virginia were considered personal property and were often transferred in deeds of gift or were the property listed in mortgages and deeds of trust.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDeeds of bargain and sale are the most commonly recorded deed in which one individual sells property, usually land, but occasionally personal property, to another individual. Such deeds show the names of the grantor and grantee, the residence of both parties, a description of what is being sold, the consideration (or price), the location of the tract of land, the tract's boundaries, and any limitations on the property being sold. The deed was signed by the grantor, and possibly his wife or anyone else having a claim to the property, and by at least two witnesses. Appended to the deed may be a memorandum of livery of seisin, stating that the property has changed hands and that peaceful possession has taken place.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDeeds of gift are often found transferring property, either real or personal including enslaved people, from one individual to another \"for love and affection.\" The degree of kinship, if any, between the grantor and grantee is sometimes stated. Information recorded included name(s) of the grantor(s), grantee(s), and enslaved people. Deeds of gift were proved and recorded in the local court.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMortgages and deeds of trust were deeds where one party is indebted to another and transfers or mortgages property to a third party to secure the debt.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBills of sale are written agreements which convey title of property, such as an enslaved person, from seller to buyer. Bills of sale record the name of the seller, the names of enslaved persons being sold and their price, and the name of the buyer. Given that they involved a property transaction, bills of sale were commonly recorded and filed with deeds in the local court\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Deeds, 1749-1981 (bulk 1780-1953) consist of deeds recorded and unrecorded of bargain  and sale, deeds of gift, mortgages, bills of sale, and deeds of trust. On presentation to the court, deeds were proved and recorded. If the deed was not witnessed, the grantor acknowledged the deed in open court. A few of the deeds include plats. Except for a few years early in the eighteenth century, enslaved people in Virginia were considered personal property and were often transferred in deeds of gift or were the property listed in mortgages and deeds of trust.\n","Deeds of bargain and sale are the most commonly recorded deed in which one individual sells property, usually land, but occasionally personal property, to another individual. Such deeds show the names of the grantor and grantee, the residence of both parties, a description of what is being sold, the consideration (or price), the location of the tract of land, the tract's boundaries, and any limitations on the property being sold. The deed was signed by the grantor, and possibly his wife or anyone else having a claim to the property, and by at least two witnesses. Appended to the deed may be a memorandum of livery of seisin, stating that the property has changed hands and that peaceful possession has taken place.","Deeds of gift are often found transferring property, either real or personal including enslaved people, from one individual to another \"for love and affection.\" The degree of kinship, if any, between the grantor and grantee is sometimes stated. Information recorded included name(s) of the grantor(s), grantee(s), and enslaved people. Deeds of gift were proved and recorded in the local court.","Mortgages and deeds of trust were deeds where one party is indebted to another and transfers or mortgages property to a third party to secure the debt.","Bills of sale are written agreements which convey title of property, such as an enslaved person, from seller to buyer. Bills of sale record the name of the seller, the names of enslaved persons being sold and their price, and the name of the buyer. Given that they involved a property transaction, bills of sale were commonly recorded and filed with deeds in the local court"],"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":"2026-05-21T08:58:50.825Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi05566"}},{"id":"vi_vi02434","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Index for Registered Voters, \n1902-1913","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02434#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02434#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County Index for Registered Voters, records the roll of registered voters in Chesterfield County. The volume is divided by precincts: Swansboro, Oak Grove, Bon Air, Midlothian, Horner's Store, Clover Hill, Court House, Beach, Chester, Eyler's Store, Pulliam's Store, Stroud's Store, Skinquarter, Winterpock, Dale, and Bermuda; and within each precinct on the basis of color. Information found in the volumes includes date of registration; number of registered voter; name of registered voter; date of birth; age; occupation; residence; length of residence in state, county, and precinct; whether exempt from poll tax; if naturalized, and if so, date of papers and by what court issued; if transferred from another precinct, and if so, when and to what precinct. \u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02434#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vi_vi02434","ead_ssi":"vi_vi02434","_root_":"vi_vi02434","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi02434","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi02434.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Index for Registered Voters, \n1902-1913"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Index for Registered Voters, \n1902-1913"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["1124787\n"],"text":["1124787\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Index for Registered Voters, \n1902-1913","African Americans--History--1877-1964","African Americans--Suffrage","African Americans--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Suffrage--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Election records--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Voters' lists--Virginia--Chesterfield County","1 v.","There are no restrictions.\n","Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749.\n","The 1902 voter registration books were created following the passage of the 1902 Virginia state constitution. The purpose of the 1902 state constitution was to maintain white suffrage while eliminating African-American voters by means of literacy tests as well as property and poll tax requirements.","Chesterfield County Index for Registered Voters, records the roll of registered voters in Chesterfield County. The volume is divided by precincts: Swansboro, Oak Grove, Bon Air, Midlothian, Horner's Store, Clover Hill, Court House, Beach, Chester, Eyler's Store, Pulliam's Store, Stroud's Store, Skinquarter, Winterpock, Dale, and Bermuda; and within each precinct on the basis of color. Information found in the volumes includes date of registration; number of registered voter; name of registered voter; date of birth; age; occupation; residence; length of residence in state, county, and precinct; whether exempt from poll tax; if naturalized, and if so, date of papers and by what court issued; if transferred from another precinct, and if so, when and to what precinct.\n","There are no restrictions.\n","State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court","English\n"],"unitid_tesim":["1124787\n"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Index for Registered Voters, \n1902-1913"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) 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The purpose of the 1902 state constitution was to maintain white suffrage while eliminating African-American voters by means of literacy tests as well as property and poll tax requirements.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749.\n","The 1902 voter registration books were created following the passage of the 1902 Virginia state constitution. The purpose of the 1902 state constitution was to maintain white suffrage while eliminating African-American voters by means of literacy tests as well as property and poll tax requirements."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Index for Registered Voters, 1902-1913. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Index for Registered Voters, 1902-1913. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County Index for Registered Voters, records the roll of registered voters in Chesterfield County. The volume is divided by precincts: Swansboro, Oak Grove, Bon Air, Midlothian, Horner's Store, Clover Hill, Court House, Beach, Chester, Eyler's Store, Pulliam's Store, Stroud's Store, Skinquarter, Winterpock, Dale, and Bermuda; and within each precinct on the basis of color. Information found in the volumes includes date of registration; number of registered voter; name of registered voter; date of birth; age; occupation; residence; length of residence in state, county, and precinct; whether exempt from poll tax; if naturalized, and if so, date of papers and by what court issued; if transferred from another precinct, and if so, when and to what precinct.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County Index for Registered Voters, records the roll of registered voters in Chesterfield County. The volume is divided by precincts: Swansboro, Oak Grove, Bon Air, Midlothian, Horner's Store, Clover Hill, Court House, Beach, Chester, Eyler's Store, Pulliam's Store, Stroud's Store, Skinquarter, Winterpock, Dale, and Bermuda; and within each precinct on the basis of color. Information found in the volumes includes date of registration; number of registered voter; name of registered voter; date of birth; age; occupation; residence; length of residence in state, county, and precinct; whether exempt from poll tax; if naturalized, and if so, date of papers and by what court issued; if transferred from another precinct, and if so, when and to what precinct.\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\"\u003eState Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia\n\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia\n"],"names_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court"],"corpname_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) 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The volume is divided by precincts: Swansboro, Oak Grove, Bon Air, Midlothian, Horner's Store, Clover Hill, Court House, Beach, Chester, Eyler's Store, Pulliam's Store, Stroud's Store, Skinquarter, Winterpock, Dale, and Bermuda; and within each precinct on the basis of color. Information found in the volumes includes date of registration; number of registered voter; name of registered voter; date of birth; age; occupation; residence; length of residence in state, county, and precinct; whether exempt from poll tax; if naturalized, and if so, date of papers and by what court issued; if transferred from another precinct, and if so, when and to what precinct.\n","There are no restrictions.\n","State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court","English\n"],"unitid_tesim":["1124787\n"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Index for Registered Voters, \n1902-1913"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) 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The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Index for Registered Voters, 1902-1913. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County Index for Registered Voters, records the roll of registered voters in Chesterfield County. The volume is divided by precincts: Swansboro, Oak Grove, Bon Air, Midlothian, Horner's Store, Clover Hill, Court House, Beach, Chester, Eyler's Store, Pulliam's Store, Stroud's Store, Skinquarter, Winterpock, Dale, and Bermuda; and within each precinct on the basis of color. Information found in the volumes includes date of registration; number of registered voter; name of registered voter; date of birth; age; occupation; residence; length of residence in state, county, and precinct; whether exempt from poll tax; if naturalized, and if so, date of papers and by what court issued; if transferred from another precinct, and if so, when and to what precinct.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County Index for Registered Voters, records the roll of registered voters in Chesterfield County. The volume is divided by precincts: Swansboro, Oak Grove, Bon Air, Midlothian, Horner's Store, Clover Hill, Court House, Beach, Chester, Eyler's Store, Pulliam's Store, Stroud's Store, Skinquarter, Winterpock, Dale, and Bermuda; and within each precinct on the basis of color. Information found in the volumes includes date of registration; number of registered voter; name of registered voter; date of birth; age; occupation; residence; length of residence in state, county, and precinct; whether exempt from poll tax; if naturalized, and if so, date of papers and by what court issued; if transferred from another precinct, and if so, when and to what precinct.\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\"\u003eState Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia\n\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia\n"],"names_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court"],"corpname_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) 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He wasa native of Sussex County who had lost his free papers\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi04798#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vi_vi04798","ead_ssi":"vi_vi04798","_root_":"vi_vi04798","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi04798","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi04798.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), \n1847"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), \n1847"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["0007594032\n"],"text":["0007594032\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) 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The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n","Additional Chesterfield County Court Records are found at the Library of Virginia.\n","Additional Chesterfield County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia.  See  A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm","Additional freedom suits may be found in the Chesterfield County Chancery Causes. Search the  the Chancery Records Index  found on the Library of Virginia web site. Enter the tilde symbol in the plaintiff surname field.\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), 1847, consist of one suit for freedom initiated by Baker Parham. He filed a writ of habeas corpus claiming to be a free person of color unlawfully detained in the county jail. He wasa native of Sussex County who had lost his free papers","Judgments (Freedom Suits) are useful when researching local history and genealogical information, particularly for African Americans. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history.\n","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court.","English\n"],"unitid_tesim":["0007594032\n"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), \n1847"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), \n1847"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), \n1847"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) 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Search the \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/local/chancery/index.htm\"\u003ethe Chancery Records Index\u003c/extref\u003e found on the Library of Virginia web site. Enter the tilde symbol in the plaintiff surname field.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional Chesterfield County Court Records are found at the Library of Virginia.\n","Additional Chesterfield County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia.  See  A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm","Additional freedom suits may be found in the Chesterfield County Chancery Causes. Search the  the Chancery Records Index  found on the Library of Virginia web site. Enter the tilde symbol in the plaintiff surname field.\n"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), 1847, consist of one suit for freedom initiated by Baker Parham. 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The county seat is Chesterfield Court House. Part of Henrico County was added to Chesterfield in 1922.\n","Additional Chesterfield County Court Records are found at the Library of Virginia.\n","Additional Chesterfield County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia.  See  A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm","Additional freedom suits may be found in the Chesterfield County Chancery Causes. Search the  the Chancery Records Index  found on the Library of Virginia web site. Enter the tilde symbol in the plaintiff surname field.\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), 1847, consist of one suit for freedom initiated by Baker Parham. He filed a writ of habeas corpus claiming to be a free person of color unlawfully detained in the county jail. 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Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), 1847. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.\n"],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County Court Records are found at the Library of Virginia.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional Chesterfield County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia.  See \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/local/results_all.asp?CountyID=VA059\"\u003eA Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm\u003c/extref\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional freedom suits may be found in the Chesterfield County Chancery Causes. Search the \u003cextref type=\"simple\" href=\"http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/local/chancery/index.htm\"\u003ethe Chancery Records Index\u003c/extref\u003e found on the Library of Virginia web site. Enter the tilde symbol in the plaintiff surname field.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material\n"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Additional Chesterfield County Court Records are found at the Library of Virginia.\n","Additional Chesterfield County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia.  See  A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm","Additional freedom suits may be found in the Chesterfield County Chancery Causes. Search the  the Chancery Records Index  found on the Library of Virginia web site. Enter the tilde symbol in the plaintiff surname field.\n"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), 1847, consist of one suit for freedom initiated by Baker Parham. He filed a writ of habeas corpus claiming to be a free person of color unlawfully detained in the county jail. He wasa native of Sussex County who had lost his free papers\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eJudgments (Freedom Suits) are useful when researching local history and genealogical information, particularly for African Americans. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Judgments (Freedom Suits), 1847, consist of one suit for freedom initiated by Baker Parham. He filed a writ of habeas corpus claiming to be a free person of color unlawfully detained in the county jail. He wasa native of Sussex County who had lost his free papers","Judgments (Freedom Suits) are useful when researching local history and genealogical information, particularly for African Americans. They are a valuable source of local, state, social, and legal history and serve as a primary source for understanding a locality's history.\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"],"names_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court."],"corpname_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court."],"language_ssim":["English\n"],"total_component_count_is":0,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T09:33:14.086Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi04798"}},{"id":"vi_vi02087","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Chesterfield County (Va.), List of Tithables, \n1747-1821.","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02087#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02087#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Tithables, 1747-1821. Consists of manuscript and photostat images of the list of tithable heads of household in the county for the years 1747-1821. The 1821 list is for insolvents. \u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02087#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vi_vi02087","ead_ssi":"vi_vi02087","_root_":"vi_vi02087","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi02087","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi02087.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.), List of Tithables, \n1747-1821."],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.), List of Tithables, \n1747-1821."],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["1181711-1181712, 0007759267\n"],"text":["1181711-1181712, 0007759267\n","Chesterfield County (Va.), List of Tithables, \n1747-1821.","Slaves -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Taxation -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Local government records -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Tax and fiscal records -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Tithable lists -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","2 boxes (1 cu. ft.)","There are no restrictions.\n","Chesterfield County was formed in 1749 from Henrico County.\n","In seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Virginia, the term \"tithable\" referred to a person who paid (or for whom someone else paid) one of the taxes imposed by the General Assembly for the support of civil government in the colony. In colonial Virginia, a poll tax or capitation tax was assessed on free white males, African American slaves, and Native American servants (both male and female), all age sixteen or older. Owners and masters paid the taxes levied on their slaves and servants. For a more detailed history of tithables, consult \"Colonial tithables\" found on the Library of Virginia's web site.\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Tithables, 1747-1821. Consists of manuscript and photostat images of the list of tithable heads of household in the county for the years 1747-1821. The 1821 list is for insolvents.\n","Conservation of the 1747 tithable list and 1752 June tithable list were partially funded by the Chesterfield Courthouse Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution through the Library of Virginia Foundation's Adopt Virginia History Program.","Use microfilm copy, Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel 330.\n","Library of Virginia\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court.","English\n"],"unitid_tesim":["1181711-1181712, 0007759267\n"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.), List of Tithables, \n1747-1821."],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.), List of Tithables, \n1747-1821."],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.), List of Tithables, \n1747-1821."],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These records came to the Library of Virginia through a transfer from the Chesterfield County Circuit Court. \n"],"access_subjects_ssim":["Slaves -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Taxation -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Local government records -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Tax and fiscal records -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Tithable lists -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County."],"access_subjects_ssm":["Slaves -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Taxation -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Local government records -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Tax and fiscal records -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Tithable lists -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":["2 boxes (1 cu. ft.)"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County was formed in 1749 from Henrico County.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Virginia, the term \"tithable\" referred to a person who paid (or for whom someone else paid) one of the taxes imposed by the General Assembly for the support of civil government in the colony. In colonial Virginia, a poll tax or capitation tax was assessed on free white males, African American slaves, and Native American servants (both male and female), all age sixteen or older. Owners and masters paid the taxes levied on their slaves and servants. For a more detailed history of tithables, consult \"Colonial tithables\" found on the Library of Virginia's web site.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Chesterfield County was formed in 1749 from Henrico County.\n","In seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Virginia, the term \"tithable\" referred to a person who paid (or for whom someone else paid) one of the taxes imposed by the General Assembly for the support of civil government in the colony. In colonial Virginia, a poll tax or capitation tax was assessed on free white males, African American slaves, and Native American servants (both male and female), all age sixteen or older. Owners and masters paid the taxes levied on their slaves and servants. For a more detailed history of tithables, consult \"Colonial tithables\" found on the Library of Virginia's web site.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Tithables, 1747-1821. Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel 330, Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Tithables, 1747-1821. Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel 330, Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Tithables, 1747-1821. Consists of manuscript and photostat images of the list of tithable heads of household in the county for the years 1747-1821. The 1821 list is for insolvents.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eConservation of the 1747 tithable list and 1752 June tithable list were partially funded by the Chesterfield Courthouse Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution through the Library of Virginia Foundation's Adopt Virginia History Program.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Tithables, 1747-1821. Consists of manuscript and photostat images of the list of tithable heads of household in the county for the years 1747-1821. The 1821 list is for insolvents.\n","Conservation of the 1747 tithable list and 1752 June tithable list were partially funded by the Chesterfield Courthouse Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution through the Library of Virginia Foundation's Adopt Virginia History Program."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eUse microfilm copy, Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel 330.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions\n"],"userestrict_tesim":["Use microfilm copy, Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel 330.\n"],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc label=\"Location\"\u003eLibrary of Virginia\n\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Library of Virginia\n"],"names_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court."],"corpname_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court."],"language_ssim":["English\n"],"total_component_count_is":0,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T11:40:11.033Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vi_vi02087","ead_ssi":"vi_vi02087","_root_":"vi_vi02087","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi02087","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi02087.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.), List of Tithables, \n1747-1821."],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.), List of Tithables, \n1747-1821."],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["1181711-1181712, 0007759267\n"],"text":["1181711-1181712, 0007759267\n","Chesterfield County (Va.), List of Tithables, \n1747-1821.","Slaves -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Taxation -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Local government records -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Tax and fiscal records -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Tithable lists -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","2 boxes (1 cu. ft.)","There are no restrictions.\n","Chesterfield County was formed in 1749 from Henrico County.\n","In seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Virginia, the term \"tithable\" referred to a person who paid (or for whom someone else paid) one of the taxes imposed by the General Assembly for the support of civil government in the colony. In colonial Virginia, a poll tax or capitation tax was assessed on free white males, African American slaves, and Native American servants (both male and female), all age sixteen or older. Owners and masters paid the taxes levied on their slaves and servants. For a more detailed history of tithables, consult \"Colonial tithables\" found on the Library of Virginia's web site.\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Tithables, 1747-1821. Consists of manuscript and photostat images of the list of tithable heads of household in the county for the years 1747-1821. The 1821 list is for insolvents.\n","Conservation of the 1747 tithable list and 1752 June tithable list were partially funded by the Chesterfield Courthouse Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution through the Library of Virginia Foundation's Adopt Virginia History Program.","Use microfilm copy, Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel 330.\n","Library of Virginia\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court.","English\n"],"unitid_tesim":["1181711-1181712, 0007759267\n"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.), List of Tithables, \n1747-1821."],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.), List of Tithables, \n1747-1821."],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.), List of Tithables, \n1747-1821."],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["These records came to the Library of Virginia through a transfer from the Chesterfield County Circuit Court. \n"],"access_subjects_ssim":["Slaves -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Taxation -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Local government records -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Tax and fiscal records -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Tithable lists -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County."],"access_subjects_ssm":["Slaves -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Taxation -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Local government records -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Tax and fiscal records -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County.","Tithable lists -- Virginia -- Chesterfield County."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":["2 boxes (1 cu. ft.)"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County was formed in 1749 from Henrico County.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Virginia, the term \"tithable\" referred to a person who paid (or for whom someone else paid) one of the taxes imposed by the General Assembly for the support of civil government in the colony. In colonial Virginia, a poll tax or capitation tax was assessed on free white males, African American slaves, and Native American servants (both male and female), all age sixteen or older. Owners and masters paid the taxes levied on their slaves and servants. For a more detailed history of tithables, consult \"Colonial tithables\" found on the Library of Virginia's web site.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Chesterfield County was formed in 1749 from Henrico County.\n","In seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Virginia, the term \"tithable\" referred to a person who paid (or for whom someone else paid) one of the taxes imposed by the General Assembly for the support of civil government in the colony. In colonial Virginia, a poll tax or capitation tax was assessed on free white males, African American slaves, and Native American servants (both male and female), all age sixteen or older. Owners and masters paid the taxes levied on their slaves and servants. For a more detailed history of tithables, consult \"Colonial tithables\" found on the Library of Virginia's web site.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Tithables, 1747-1821. Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel 330, Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Tithables, 1747-1821. Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel 330, Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.\n"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Tithables, 1747-1821. Consists of manuscript and photostat images of the list of tithable heads of household in the county for the years 1747-1821. The 1821 list is for insolvents.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eConservation of the 1747 tithable list and 1752 June tithable list were partially funded by the Chesterfield Courthouse Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution through the Library of Virginia Foundation's Adopt Virginia History Program.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content\n"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Tithables, 1747-1821. Consists of manuscript and photostat images of the list of tithable heads of household in the county for the years 1747-1821. The 1821 list is for insolvents.\n","Conservation of the 1747 tithable list and 1752 June tithable list were partially funded by the Chesterfield Courthouse Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution through the Library of Virginia Foundation's Adopt Virginia History Program."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eUse microfilm copy, Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel 330.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions\n"],"userestrict_tesim":["Use microfilm copy, Chesterfield County (Va.) Reel 330.\n"],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc label=\"Location\"\u003eLibrary of Virginia\n\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Library of Virginia\n"],"names_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court."],"corpname_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court."],"language_ssim":["English\n"],"total_component_count_is":0,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T11:40:11.033Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02087"}},{"id":"vi_vi02836","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Provisions for Confederate Soldiers' Families,\n1863-1864","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02836#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02836#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eThe Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Provisions for Confederate Soldiers' Families, 1863-1864 is primarily made up of lists of individuals related to Confederate soldiers. These reports can include the names of soldiers, the name of their wives, mothers or other family members, the number of dependant individuals in each family, the condition of the soldier and his family, the amount of money or supplies provided to each family, and the use for which the money was intended. Also included are certifications for soldiers' families detailing their need for assistance. Information included in the accounts include number of children, economic state and health of family and details about the soldiers. The lists record that funds were to be used for specific foods such as bacon and flour. \u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vi_vi02836#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vi_vi02836","ead_ssi":"vi_vi02836","_root_":"vi_vi02836","_nest_parent_":"vi_vi02836","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/lva/vi02836.xml","title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Provisions for Confederate Soldiers' Families,\n1863-1864"],"title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Provisions for Confederate Soldiers' Families,\n1863-1864"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["1045961\n"],"text":["1045961\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Provisions for Confederate Soldiers' Families,\n1863-1864","Families of military personnel--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Poor--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Public welfare--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Accounts--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Lists--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County",".1 cu. ft. (1 folder)","There are no restrictions.\n","Chronological.\n","Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, forth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749.\n","Throughout the Civil War, the principal responsibility for Virginia's indigent soldiers' families lay with the locality. The Virginia State Convention in 1861 gave the responsibility entirely to counties and incorporated towns and authorized whatever actions had already been taken. Acts of Assembly in 1862 and 1863 expanded the localities' powers to provide for their needy, and in 1863 some minimal state assistance was added in. At first relief was provided as money, but as the monetary system collapsed, relief was distributed in kind. Agents of the court maintained lists of eligible families, gathered goods for distribution and paid for them, and impressed supplies if necessary. Virginia was unique amongst the southern states in that it assigned the provisioning of needy families almost solely to the locality.\n","The Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Provisions for Confederate Soldiers' Families, 1863-1864 is primarily made up of lists of individuals related to Confederate soldiers. These reports can include the names of soldiers, the name of their wives, mothers or other family members, the number of dependant individuals in each family, the condition of the soldier and his family, the amount of money or supplies provided to each family, and the use for which the money was intended. Also included are certifications for soldiers' families detailing their need for assistance. Information included in the accounts include number of children, economic state and health of family and details about the soldiers. The lists record that funds were to be used for specific foods such as bacon and flour. \n","There are no restrictions.\n","Library of Virginia\n","Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court.","English\n"],"unitid_tesim":["1045961\n"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Provisions for Confederate Soldiers' Families,\n1863-1864"],"collection_title_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Provisions for Confederate Soldiers' Families,\n1863-1864"],"collection_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Provisions for Confederate Soldiers' Families,\n1863-1864"],"repository_ssm":["Library of Virginia"],"repository_ssim":["Library of Virginia"],"creator_ssm":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"creator_ssim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Circuit Court\n"],"acqinfo_ssim":["This item came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Chesterfield County (Va.).\n"],"access_subjects_ssim":["Families of military personnel--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Poor--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Public welfare--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Accounts--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Lists--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Families of military personnel--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Poor--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Public welfare--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Accounts--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Lists--Virginia--Chesterfield County","Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"physdesc_tesim":[".1 cu. ft. (1 folder)"],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions\n"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions.\n"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChronological.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement\n"],"arrangement_tesim":["Chronological.\n"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, forth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749.\n\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThroughout the Civil War, the principal responsibility for Virginia's indigent soldiers' families lay with the locality. The Virginia State Convention in 1861 gave the responsibility entirely to counties and incorporated towns and authorized whatever actions had already been taken. Acts of Assembly in 1862 and 1863 expanded the localities' powers to provide for their needy, and in 1863 some minimal state assistance was added in. At first relief was provided as money, but as the monetary system collapsed, relief was distributed in kind. Agents of the court maintained lists of eligible families, gathered goods for distribution and paid for them, and impressed supplies if necessary. Virginia was unique amongst the southern states in that it assigned the provisioning of needy families almost solely to the locality.\n\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information\n"],"bioghist_tesim":["Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, forth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico County in 1749.\n","Throughout the Civil War, the principal responsibility for Virginia's indigent soldiers' families lay with the locality. The Virginia State Convention in 1861 gave the responsibility entirely to counties and incorporated towns and authorized whatever actions had already been taken. Acts of Assembly in 1862 and 1863 expanded the localities' powers to provide for their needy, and in 1863 some minimal state assistance was added in. At first relief was provided as money, but as the monetary system collapsed, relief was distributed in kind. Agents of the court maintained lists of eligible families, gathered goods for distribution and paid for them, and impressed supplies if necessary. Virginia was unique amongst the southern states in that it assigned the provisioning of needy families almost solely to the locality.\n"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eChesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Provisions for Confederate Soldiers' Families, 1863-1864. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court (Va.) Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219. \n\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Provisions for Confederate Soldiers' Families, 1863-1864. Local government records collection, Chesterfield County Court (Va.) Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219. \n"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Chesterfield County (Va.) Lists of Provisions for Confederate Soldiers' Families, 1863-1864 is primarily made up of lists of individuals related to Confederate soldiers. These reports can include the names of soldiers, the name of their wives, mothers or other family members, the number of dependant individuals in each family, the condition of the soldier and his family, the amount of money or supplies provided to each family, and the use for which the money was intended. Also included are certifications for soldiers' families detailing their need for assistance. 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