Henrico County (Va.) Estray Records, 1781-1916, undated

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:

Henrico County (Va.) Estray Records, 1781-1916, undated. Local government records collection, Henrico County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Summary

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

Henrico County (Va.) Estray Records, 1781-1916, undated. Local government records collection, Henrico County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

Henrico County (Va.) Estray Records, 1781-1916, undated, contain various loose and bound records giving public notice of valuable, tame animals, either lost or found wandering and presumed escaped from their owners, allowing the owners to reclaim the animals. Enteries generally indicate by whom the animal was taken up, before what justice the person went and when, and the description and appraisement (value) of the animal.

Recognized in 1634 as an original shire. All county court records prior to 1655 and almost all prior to 1677 are missing. Many records were destroyed by British troops during the Revolutionary War. Post–Revolutionary War county court records exist. Almost all circuit superior court of law and chancery and circuit court records were destroyed by fire during the evacuation of Richmond on April 3, 1865, during the Civil War. The county’s circuit court held its sessions at the state courthouse in Richmond.

This box contains only a small amount of Estray material, and is housed with records concerning Public buildings and grounds, 1809-1899, Mechanics liens, 1874, 1883, Salt Agent reports, 1862-1869, Letters of character, 1894, Powers of Attorney, 1810-1900, Prisoner records, 1788-1895, and Prison bounds, 1783-1821.

In addition to Estrays, this box contains tax and fiscal records concerning deliquent real estate.

Biographical / historical:

Henrico County was named for Henry, Prince of Wales, eldest son of King James I. It was one of the eight original shires, or counties, first enumerated in 1634.

Estrays were stray livestock found wandering. An inquest was held to determine the value of the livestock in order to reimburse the person who had found and cared for the animal. The report generally includes a physical description of the animal as well as an assessed monetary value.

Acquisition information:
These records came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court records from Henrico County as part of accessions 24777 and 21718.
Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
2.35 cu. ft. ; 2 v.