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Powhatan County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1777-1904. Local government records collection, Powhatan County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA 23219.
These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court records from Powhatan County.
Powhatan County was named for the paramount chief of the Powhatan Indians in the tidewater region of Virginia in the late sixteenth and early years of the seventeenth century. It was formed from Cumberland County in 1777, and part of Chesterfield County was added in 1850. The county seat is Powhatan.
The separate office of coroner appeared in Virginia about 1660. The judicial duty of the office is to hold inquisitions in cases when persons meet sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious death, or death without medical attendance. The coroner would summon a jury to assist him in determining cause of death. Prior to November 1877, the jurors numbered twelve. Between November 1877 and March 1926, the jurors numbered six. The jury viewed the body of the deceased and heard the testimony of witnesses. The coroner was required to write down witness testimony. After seeing and hearing the evidence, the jury delivered in writing to the coroner their conclusion concerning cause of death referred to as the inquisition. After March 1926, only the coroner determined cause of death. He could require physicians to assist him with determing cause of death. If a criminal act was determined to be the cause of death, the coroner was to deliver the guilty person to the sheriff and the coroners' inquests would be used as evidence in the criminal trial.
Powhatan County (Va) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1777-1904, are investigations into the deaths of individuals who died by a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious manner, or died without medical attendance. Causes of death found in coroners' inquisitions include murder, infanticide, suicide, domestic violence, exposure to elements, drownings, train accidents, automobile accidents, and natural causes, or as commonly referred to in the 19th century, visitation by God. Documents commonly found in coroners' inquests include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Criminal papers such as recognizance bonds can be found in coroner inquisitions. Information found in the inquisition include the name of the coroner, the names of the jurors, the name and age of the deceased if known, gender and race of the deceased, and when, how, and by what means the deceased came to his or her death. If the deceased was African American, the inquest would identify the deceased as a slave or free person if known. If the deceased was a slave, the inquest would include, if known, the name of the slaveowner and the slaveowner's residence. Information found in the depositions include the name of the deponent and his or her account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased. Slaves were deponents in coroner investigations.
Chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the court. Some coroners' inquisitions were found in unprocessed Powhatan court records and interfiled in April 2023.
Died when he fell from a horse and was dragged half of a mile due to the rope halter being tied around his left arm.
Suicide. Died after cutting his own throat with a pen knife.
Whipped to death by Robert Self.
Died from cruel treatment by her owner's wife, Sarah Tucker. Tucker had Rose beaten and administered medicine to her improperly and maliciously with the intention of killing Rose.
Died from exposure to the cold after falling from his horse in a very muddy part of the road. Archer was unable to get up due to the fact that he was intoxicated at the time of his fall.
Burned to death after his clothing caught fire while he was making a fire near the side of the road "by which to lye."
Death was facilitated and hastened in consequence of being beaten with a cow hide by James Satterwhite, his owner.
Died from assault, mortal wounds, and bruises to the head and body inflicted by her owner, Anderson Blanton and his wife, Elizabeth Blanton.
Died between December 13 and 14 1893 as teh result of blows received on her head from Branch Scott. Depositions detail husband's abuse. Includes order to apprehend him, which may have resulted in a Commonwealth cause.