King George County (Va.) Wills, 1832-1960

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 restrctions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

King George County (Va.) Wills, 1832-1960. Local Government Records Collection, King George County (Va.) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Summary

Creator:
King George County (Va.) Circuit Court
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

King George County (Va.) Wills, 1832-1960. Local Government Records Collection, King George County (Va.) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

King George County (Va.) Wills, 1832-1960, record the deceased's plan for how his or her estate was to be divided among his or her heirs following his or her death. Information commonly recorded in wills include the name of the deceased, also referred as the testator; names of heirs; a listing of real and personal property (including slaves) and how it was to be divided among the heirs; names of individuals who were to be the will's executors; the date will was written; and the date will was recorded at the court house. Additional record types may be found in this collection such as fiduciary records (inventories and accounts.)

Biographical / historical:

King George County was named in honor of George I of England and was formed from Richmond County in 1720. Part of Westmoreland County was added in 1777.

Individuals dying with a written will died testate. After the death of an individual, his or her will was brought into court, where two of the subscribing witnesses swore that the document was genuine. After the will was proved, the executor was bonded to carry out his or her duties to settle the estate. The court then ordered the will to be recorded

Most loose records prior to 1830 are missing. Volumes that record deeds, court orders, and wills exist.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from King George County (Va.)
Arrangement:

Chronological

Physical location:
State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia
Physical description:
3.6 cu. ft. (8 boxes)