Essex County (Va.) Fiduciary Records, 1678-1913 (bulk 1730-1913)

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

Background

Scope and content:

Essex County (Va.) Fiduciary Records, 1678-1913 (bulk 1730-1913) are comprised of the following: 2 boxes of Estate Inventories, 12 boxes of various types of records related to the category (including Appraisements and Bonds), a Guardians' Book and a Record of Guardians' Bonds.

Fiduciary refers to a confidential and legal relationship which binds one person to act on behalf of another.

A guardian is a person legally invested to take care of another person, and of the property and rights of that person. Since ca. 1600 guardians have been required to file a yearly account with the clerk of the court. These accounts are sometimes called orphans' or guardians' accounts.

Biographical / historical:

Essex County was formed from old Rappahannock County in 1692. The county was probably named for the English county or perhaps for Algernon Capell, second earl of Essex.

These records were originally created, in part, by the County Court.

Acquisition information:
The boxes and volumes came to the Library of Virginia in a shipment of court records from Essex County.
Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
14 boxes and 2 v. (1101653-1101654 are found at the State Records Center.)