Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Winchester (Va.) Minute Books, 1802-1811, 1843-1860. Local government records collection, Winchester Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Acquisition Information

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

Historical Information

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.

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.

Arrangement

Chronological by entry date.

Related Material

Additional Winchester Court Records can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult "A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Winchester (Va.) Circuit Court

Subjects:

• Public records--Virginia--Winchester

Geographical Names:

• Winchester (Va.)--History--19th century

Genre and Form Terms:

• Judicial records--Virginia--Winchester
• Local government records--Virginia--Winchester
• Minute books--Virginia--Winchester

Added Entry - Corporate Name:

• Winchester (Va.) Circuit Court

Adjunct Descriptive Data