Caroline County (Va.) Minute Books, 1777-1875

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:

Caroline County (Va.) Minute Books, 1777-1875. Local government records collection, Caroline County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Summary

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

Caroline County (Va.) Minute Books, 1777-1875. Local government records collection, Caroline County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

Caroline County (Va.) Minute Books, 1777-1875, record all matters brought before the court on a daily basis when it was in session including but not limited to: civil and criminal suits, appointments of county officers, appointments of guardians and administrators, deed recordings, free negro registrations, naturalization registrations, and court fees. Clerks would transfer information from minute books to appropriate order book, deed book, fiduciary book, free negro register, etc.

Biographical / historical:

Caroline County was named for Caroline of Anspach, consort of George II. It was formed from Essex, King and Queen, and King William Counties in 1728, and additional parts of King and Queen were added later. Its area is 549 square miles, and the county seat is Bowling Green.

Most loose records and deed books prior to 1836 and will books prior to 1853 were stolen, mutilated, and/or destroyed by Union troops who ransacked the courthouse in May 1864. A near-complete run of order books exists.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Caroline County.
Arrangement:

Chronological by entry date.

Physical location:
The Library of Virginia
Physical description:
11 v.