Portsmouth (Va.) Deeds, 1858-1965 (bulk 1889-1965)

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
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Portsmouth (Va.) Deeds, 1858-1965 (bulk 1889-1965). Local government records collection, Portsmouth (City) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Summary

Creator:
Portsmouth (Va.) Circuit Court
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Portsmouth (Va.) Deeds, 1858-1965 (bulk 1889-1965). Local government records collection, Portsmouth (City) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

Portsmouth (Va.) Deeds, 1858-1965 (bulk 1889-1965) consist of deeds of bargain and sale, deeds of gift, mortgages, 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.

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, from one individual to another "for love and affection." The degree of kinship, if any, between the grantor and grantee is sometimes stated.

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.

The collection may include additional record types that were recorded in deed books such as officials' bonds, fiduciary records, marriage records, road and bridge records, and bills of sale.

Biographical / historical:

Portsmouth was located in Norfolk County, which is now extinct. It was named by its founder, William Crawford, for the English seaport and was established in 1752. Portsmouth was incorporated as a town in 1836 and as a city in 1858.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments from the city of Portsmouth.
Arrangement:

Chronological

Physical location:
State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia
Physical description:
61.5 cu. ft. (122 boxes)