Norfolk (Va.) Borough Registers, 1783-1810

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:
2 v. (372p.)
Creator:
Norfolk (Va.) Circuit Court
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Norfolk (Va.), Borough Registers, 1783-1810, consist of two volumes of records documenting damages to cargo or ships experienced during a voyage by ships arriving at the port of Norfolk. One volume covers 1783-1790 and the other spans 1791-1810.

These records document ship arriving from both foreign and domestic ports. The volumes are not registers of all ships entering or clearing the port. The borough registers contain affidavits and other instruments recorded with the mayor of Norfolk to whom, as port authority, ship's officers reported any incident, occurring during a voyage, which resulted in damage to the vessel or cargo. The instrument most frequently noted is the "Protest Against the Winds and Seas," recounting details as to when and where storms were encountered, and noting that cargo damage was suffered. Other instruments pertain to the inspection and sale of damaged cargo and the costs of ships' repairs. Cargo documented includes some enslaved individuals.

Biographical / historical:

Context for Record Type: In maritime law, a master of a vessel could file a written statement, attested by a proper judicial official or notary, to the effect that damage suffered by the ship on her voyage was caused by storms or other perils of the sea, without any negligence or misconduct on his own part. The purpose is to protect the ship's charterer or owner from liability for damage to cargo, the ship or to other ships in a collision, where this was caused by the perils of the sea.

Locality History: Norfolk was located in Norfolk County, which is now extinct. The city took its name from the county of Norfolk, which had been named by King Charles I in 1636. Norfolk was established in 1680 by an act of assembly. It was incorporated as a borough in 1736 and a city in 1845. Norfolk was enlarged in 1906 by the annexation of the town of Berkley.

Acquisition information:
These records came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from the City of Norfolk in 2025 under the accession number 54637.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged

  • Series I: Borough Registers, 1783-1810

Physical location:
Library of Virginia