Amherst County (Va.) Superior Court of Law Records, 1807-1831

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:

Amherst County (Va.) Superior Court of Law Records, 1807-1831. Local government records collection, Amherst County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Summary

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

Amherst County (Va.) Superior Court of Law Records, 1807-1831. Local government records collection, Amherst County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

Amherst County (Va.) Superior Court of Law Records, 1807-1831, are comprised of 1 Docket Book, 2 Fee Books, 2 Issue Dockets, 1 Memorandum Book, 1 Minute Book and 1 volume of Office Judgments.

After the end of any court rule, if required notice had been given and the defendant failed to appear, judgments by default and nonsuits were signed by the clerk in his office, as of the preceding court. Office judgments were final in actions of debt, and the defendant was obligated to pay the amount of the debt, interest on the amount of the debt, and court costs. The term is sometimes used in reference to the clerk's recovery of court costs.

Biographical / historical:

Amherst County was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770. The county is named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the later part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759-1768.

The Superior Courts of Law were officially created in 1808. These courts replaced the old district courts. The Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery, established in 1831, replaced these courts.

Acquisition information:
These volumes came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court records from Amherst County.
Physical location:
State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia
Physical description:
8 v.