Accomack County (Va.) Oyer and Terminer Commissions and Test Oath, 1740-1777

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:

Accomack County (Va.) Oyer and Terminer Commissions and Test Oath, 1740-1777, Local government records collection, Accomack County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Summary

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

Accomack County (Va.) Oyer and Terminer Commissions and Test Oath, 1740-1777, Local government records collection, Accomack County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

Accomack County (Va.) Oyer and Terminer Commissions and Test Oath, 1740-1777, records the appointment of individuals to a court of oyer and terminer whose purpose was to try slaves accused of committing capital offenses. Information found in the commissions include the names of individuals appointed to the court, names of slaves to be tried, names of slaveowners, crimes committed by slaves, and trial dates. The collection also includes a test oath the justices were required to take before they could serve on the court of oyer and terminer.

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.

In 1723 and 1748, the General Assembly passed acts directing the trial of slaves accused of committing capital crimes and for the more effectual punishing of conspiracies and insurrections.

Various test oaths and oaths of allegiance and supremacy were required over the years in an attempt to keep Roman Catholics out of office both in England and in her colonies. These particular oaths of allegiance stem from the act of George I titled "An Act for the further Security of his Majesty's Person and Government, and the Succession of the Crown in the Heirs of the late Princess Sophia, being Protestants, and for extinguishing the Hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales, and his open and secret Abettors." The oaths swear allegiance to the ruler of England as the principal authority, disavow the pope and his doctrines, and disavow transubstantiation.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a shipment of court records from Accomack County.
Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
11 leaves