Westmoreland County (Va.) Circuit Court Records, 1854-1916

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

Extent:
1 box; 6 v.
Creator:
Westmoreland County (Va.) Circuit Court
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Westmoreland County (Va.) Circuit Court Records, 1854-1916, consist of 1 box of Executions Returned, 2 Execution Books, 2 Orders at Law Books, 1 Orders of Court and Miscellaneous Court Notes Book and 1 Memorandum Book.

Biographical / historical:

Westmoreland County was named for the English county. It was formed from Northumberland County in 1653. The county seat is Montross.

The circuit courts in Virginia were authorized by the constitution of 1851, and were established by acts passed by the General Assembly in May 1852. Theese courts were granted original jurisdiction concurrent with that of the county courts. Since 1873 they have had exclusive jurisdiction in chancery causes. The Virginia constitution of 1902 made no provision for continuing the county courts, and their original jurisdiction was given to the circuit courts effective 1 February 1904. The circuit courts still exist today, and are now the only court of record in Virginia localities.

Many loose papers were burned during the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Volumes that record deeds, court orders (except an order book for the period 1764-1776) and wills exist.

Acquisition information:
These records came to the Library of Virginia in a shipment of court records from Westmoreland County.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged chronologically.

Physical location:
State Records Center--Archives Annex, Library of Virginia