Nelson County (Va.) Sheriffs' Records, 1833-1834, 1904-1952

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

Background

Scope and content:

Nelson County (Va.) Sheriffs' Records, 1833-1834, 1904-1952, contain a levy book and a return of a list of voters posted.

Biographical / historical:

Nelson County was formed in 1807 from Amherst County. The county was named for Thomas Nelson, Jr., governor of Virginia from June to November 1781.

The sheriff was "the most powerful and the best paid of any county official in colonial times." Among his many duties, he collected the taxes, which were paid in tobacco, took custody of it and paid the county expenses as directed by the court. By doing so, he acted as a combination of both the commissioner of revenue and the county treasurer. The sheriff was also responsible for services rendered in the prosecution of court cases (law enforcement) and for the conduct of elections. He was appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted by the county court. His term of office was for one year until 1731, after which it was two years. His two deputies, also known as sub (under) sheriffs, did most of the work.

Acquisition information:
These volumes came to the Library of Virginia in a shipment of court records from Nelson County.
Physical location:
State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia
Physical description:
1 v.; 1 item.