York County (Va.) Tax and Fiscal Records, 1742-1877

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

Background

Scope and content:

York County (Va.) Tax and Fiscal Records, 1782-1877, consist of a List of Tithables (1784), Personal Property and Land Tax Lists (1786-1842) and a variety of records including County Claims and Vouchers (1786-1877); Lists of Insolvents and Removals pertaining to the County Levy (1799-1820); additional Lists of Titables (1782-1852); Various Tax Reports (1814-1836) and Vouchers and Accounts related to the County Levy (1818-1824.)

Biographical / historical:

York County originally was named Charles River County, for King Charles I, and was one of the eight shires, or counties, first enumerated in 1634. A record of 7 January 1634 employs the name York County, and a statute of 1643 officially changed the name to York County, probably in honor of James, duke of York, the second son of King Chares I, and later King James II.

Recognized in 1634 as an original shire. Most pre-Revolutionary War-era loose records are missing. Volumes that record deeds, court orders, and wills exist.

In seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Virginia, the term "tithable" referred to a person who paid (or for whom someone else paid) one of the taxes imposed by the General Assembly for the support of civil government in the colony. In colonial Virginia, a poll tax or capitation tax was assessed on free white males, African American slaves, and Native American servants (both male and female), all age sixteen or older. Owners and masters paid the taxes levied on their slaves and servants.

Early 18th century records were created by the County Court

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court records from York County.
Physical location:
Library of Virginia. Item 1046330 is found at the State Records Center. Contact Archives Reference Services for access information, directions and hours.
Physical description:
3 boxes