Accomack County (Va.) Public buildings and grounds, 1754-1887

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

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

Background

Scope and content:

Accomack County (Va.) Public Buildings and Grounds, 1754-1887. The materials consist of architectural drawings and specifications for the courthouse (1754-1755), a proposed courthouse plan (1884), and the clerk's office (1887).

The 1754-1755 courthouse plan and specifications consists of a floorplan showing an elevated curved judge's bench, central entry way, and first floor jury room. The rectangular brick structure's elevation is show on another sheet, though this document is heavily damaged and missing a portion. The roof truss design is shown on the verso of the elevation drawing.

The 1884 proposed courthouse drawings consist of an elevation, floor plan, and annotated specification for a Second Empire style courthouse building designed by Charles Taylor Holtzclaw. Also included are two newspaper clippings regarding the call for proposals by the courthouse construction committee. The colored drawings on heavy paper show front and side elevations and basement and ground floor plans for the proposed structure.

The 1884 proposed courthouse specifications consist of three copies of an 8-page document detailing the construction materials and finishes for an unbuilt structure by Frederick G. Atkinson.

The drawings of the clerk's office, 1887, include elevations, floor plans, and detail drawings on linen and blueprint. The linen drawings by architect W. F Weber show front and end elevations, a floor plan, and details for the brick structure. Also included are specifications and a submittal letter. The undated blueprints consist of detail drawings for the placement of brackets. The blueprints are stamped J. G. Wilson.

Biographical / historical:

Accomack County was named for the Accomac Indians, who lived on the eastern Shore at the time of the first English settlement in Virginia. One of the original eight shires established in 1634, Accomac County (spelled without a k) became Northampton County in 1643. The present country was formed from Northampton about 1663. In 1940 the General Assembly adopted the county's present spelling.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Accomack County.
Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
29 pages; 10 leaves; 9 sheets.