Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Use microfilm copy, Washington County, Reels 15 and 16.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Washington County (Va.) Will Books, Vols. 1, 2 and 6, 1777-1806. Washington County Reels 15 and 16, Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

These negative photostatic copies were compiled and created by the Virginia State Library`s (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division, under the accession numbers 21018 and 24182, from the original court records found in the Washington County Circuit Court Clerk`s Office. The microfilm copies of these volumes were generated by The Genealogical Society of Utah while filming in the Washington County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

Historical Information

Washington County was formed in 1776 from Fincastle County. Part of Montgomery County was added in 1777. It is the first locality in the United States known to have been named for George Washington.

Individuals dying with a written will died testate. After the death of an individual, his or her will was brought into court, where two of the subscribing witnesses swore that the document was genuine. After the will was proved, the executor was bonded to carry out his or her duties to settle the estate. The court then ordered the will to be recorded.

Scope and Content

Washington County (Va.) Will Book Vol. 1, 1777-1792, Will Book Vol. 2, 1792-1806 and Will Book Vol. 6, 1827-1834 record wills (including the name of testator, list of heirs and year will was proven in court) and probate records (such as inventories and appraisements, lists of sales of estates, settlements of estates and settlements of administration and guardianship accounts) for Washington County. These volumes also include other record categories such as apprentice indentures, articles of agreement, powers of attorney and bills of sale of land and property. Both volumes contain internal unnumbered, alphabetical indices.

Arrangement

Chronological.

Access Terms

• African Americans--Virginia--Washington County.
• Estates (Law)--Virginia--Washington County.
• Land subdivision--Virginia--Washington County.
• Local government records--Virginia--Washington County.
• Personal property--Virginia--Washington County.
• Public records--Virginia--Washington County.
• Real property--Virginia--Washington County.
• Slaveholders--Virginia--Washington County.
• Slaves--Virginia--Washington County.
• Washington County (Va.)--History.
• Washington County (Va.). Circuit Court.
• Will books--Virginia--Washington County.
• Wills--Virginia--Washington County.