Winchester (Va.) Minute Books, 1802-1811, 1843-1860

Access and use

Location of collection:
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Winchester (Va.) Circuit Court
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Winchester (Va.) Minute Books, 1802-1811, 1843-1860, 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. Collection includes a minute book from the City of Winchester circuit court.

Biographical / historical:

City of Winchester, in Frederick County was first known as Opequon, then as Frederick's Town (or Fredericktown), and, finally, upon establishment as a town in 1752, as Winchester. According to tradition, one of the town's founders, James Wood, named the town in honor of his birthplace in England. Winchester was incorporated as a town in 1779 and as a city in 1874. It was enlarged by annexation from Frederick County in 1970.

Acquisition information:
This item came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Winchester.
Arrangement:

Chronological by entry date.

Physical location:
State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia
Physical description:
2 v.