Montgomery County (Va.) County Administrative and Board of Supervisors Records, 1778-1938

Access and use

Location of collection:
Montgomery County Circuit Court
Montgomery County Circuit Court
55 East Main Street, Suite 1
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 382-5760

Summary

Creator:
Montgomery County (Va.) Circuit Court
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Montgomery County (Va.) County Administrative and Board of Supervisors Records, 1778-1938 (non-inclusive) consist of claims involving county funds and projects for the years predating the creation of the Board of Supervisors. The collection also contains the actual records of the Board of Supervisors. County Courts were responsible for the creation and maintenance of the road and bridges in their county. The Court accepted or rejected petitions to create new roads, alter existing roads, or to discontinue roads. They accepted or rejected petitions to build new bridges, replace old bridges, or make repair to existing bridges. The County Government paid for the creation, the alterations, the repairs or replacement of the roads and bridges.

County Administrative Records include County school warrants, Dog fund papers, Estrays (also called Strays), Poor claims, Poor farm reports, Road papers, Road claims and Road petitions, Scalp claims, School claims, State highway maps, Virginia Public Assistance Fund vouchers, Water Grist Mill papers and Writs of Possession. Boards of Supervisors Records include Board of Supervisor claims allowed and Road and Bridge Records. These records are partially indexed.

Biographical / historical:

Montgomery County was formed from Fincastle County in 1776, and the county court first met on 7 January 1777. Part of Botetourt County was added in 1790. Part of Pulaski County was added in 1842. The county was named for Richard Montgomery, who was killed in the American assault on Quebec late in 1775.

Fincastle County was created from Botetourt County in 1772, and the county court first met on 5 January 1773. Fincastle County became extinct on 31 December 1776 when it was divided to form Montgomery, Washington and Kentucky Counties. The county was named probably for George, Viscount Fincastle, Lord Dunmore's son; for John Murray, fourth earl of Dunmore, Viscount Fincastle; or for the town of Fincastle, Virginia, which was established in 1772 and named for George, Viscount Fincastle.

The Board of Supervisors has been the chief administrative body of the county since its establishment in 1869. Board members were originally elected by township voters; since abolition of the township system they have been elected from districts. The board's duties are fixed by statute and are primarily concerned with maintenance and construction of county buildings and fiscal matters.

Acquisition information:
These records were filed at the Montgomery County (Va.) Circuit Court during the course of court business.
Arrangement:

Chronological.

Physical location:
Montgomery County (Va.) Circuit Court
Physical description:
18.00 cu. ft.