Scott County (Va.) Justice of the Peace Records, 1821-1871

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:

Scott County (Va.) Justice of the Peace Records, 1821-1871. Local government records collection, Scott County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Summary

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

Scott County (Va.) Justice of the Peace Records, 1821-1871. Local government records collection, Scott County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

Scott County (Va.) Justice of the Peace Records, 1821-1871, are comprised of loose executions granted by magistrates. These records are found in Box 38.

Biographical / historical:

Scott County was formed from Lee, Russell and Washington counties by a statute adopted on 24 November 1814. The county court first met on 14 February 1815. Scott County was named for General Winfied Scott, a native of Virginia, in recognition of his victories during the War of 1812. General Scott was later commanding general of the American army during the war with Mexico.

First known as commissioners, the office originated with the county quarterly court in 1623. Since 1662, the commissioners have been called justices of the peace. They have traditionally had both civil and criminal jurisdiction. 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 records came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court records from Scott County.
Physical location:
State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia
Physical description:
1.05 cu. ft. (Box 38)