Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Essex County (Va.) Land Records, 1809-1843. Local government records collection, Essex County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

The box and volume came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court records from Essex County.

Historical Information

Essex County was formed from old Rappahannock County in 1692. The county was probably named for the English county or perhaps for Algernon Capell, second earl of Essex.

Scope and Content

Essex County (Va.) Land Records, 1809-1843, consist of a box of Processioners' Reports and a Deed Book

Two freeholders were appointed on order of the county court to procession (review) the bounds of farms or tracts of land in each precinct, in order to renew or replace old landmarks. This was originally a function of the church vestry, but was continued by the court after disestablishment. Persons who walked the boundaries were called processioners and as part of their duty to the county court were required to file reports.

A deed is an instrument, signed and usually sealed by the grantor, containing some legal transfer, bargain, or contract from one person to another.

Related Material

Additional Essex County Records can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult "A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm" found on the Library of Virginia's web site.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Essex County (Va.) Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• Public records--Virginia--Essex County.

Geographical Names:

• Essex County (Va.)--History--19th century.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Local government records--Virginia--Essex County.

Adjunct Descriptive Data