Stafford County (Va.) Court Records, 1664-1793 (bulk 1686-1693)

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:
Stafford County (Va.) Circuit Court.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Stafford County (Va.) Court Records, 1664-1793 (bulk 1686-1693) include an Order Book, a Clerk's Order Book and a Scheme Book L-D. An order book is the formal, corrected transcription of the clerk's notes of the proceedings of court. From the records-keeping point of view, the county clerk has always been the most important local official.

Biographical / historical:

Stafford County was named for the English county. It was formed from Westmoreland County in 1664. Part of King George County was added in 1777. The county seat is Stafford.

Many pre-Civil War court records were lost to vandalism by Union troops during the Civil War. A few volumes that record deeds, court orders, and wills exist.

The original volumes were created by the County Court.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a shipment of court papers from Stafford County. Order Book, 1664-1668; 1689-1693, was created under Accession number 21938.
Physical location:
Library of Virginia (Clerk Record Book, 1051103 and Scheme Book L-D, 1112971 are found at the State Records Center. Contact Archives Research Services for access information, directions and hours.)
Physical description:
3 v.(2 photostats)