Shenandoah County (Va.) Justice of the Peace Records, 1845-1920

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

Background

Scope and content:

Shenandoah County (Va.) Justice of the Peace Records, 1845-1920, consist of Cases Disposed, Execution Dockets, Judgment and Execution Books, and Receipts for Papers.

Biographical / historical:

Shenandoah County was named for the Shenandoah River, which passed through the county. Shenandoah is an Indian word meaning beautiful daughter of the stars. The county was named Dunmore when it was formed from Frederick County in 1772. The present name was adopted in 1778. Its area is 507 square miles, and the county seat is Woodstock.

First known as commissions, the Justice of the Peace office originated with the county quarterly court in 1623. Commanders of Plantations (1607-1629) were predecessors of the commissioners, who since 1662 have been called justices of the peace. They have traditionally had both civil and criminal jurisdiction, and have served other functions, including performing coroners' and lunacy inquisitions. Until 1869 justices served both as judges of the county court and as individual justices; since then they have had only the latter function.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a shipment of court papers from Shenandoah County.
Physical location:
State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia
Physical description:
7 boxes and/or volumes