Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Use microfilm copy, Powhatan County (Va.) Reel 35.

Preferred Citation

Powhatan County (Va.) Marriage Register and Index, 1777-1853. Powhatan County (Va.) Reel 35, Local Government Records Collection, Powhatan County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

The original volumes were compiled by the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the original court records found in the Powhatan County (Va.) Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The microfilm copy of these records was generated by The Genealogical Society of Utah--while filming on-site at the Library of Virginia.

The negative photostatic copies were created by the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the original compilations.

Historical Information

Powhatan County was formed in 1777 from Cumberland County. The county was named for the Indian chieftain who ruled the Native American inhabitants of tidewater Virginia in the early seventeenth century.

Prior to 1853, when the Commonwealth began recording vital statistics, Virginia marriages were recorded at the county or city level. Beginning in 1661, in order to be married by license, the groom was required to go before the county clerk and give bond with security that there was no lawful reason to prevent the marriage. The license, issued then by the clerk, was given to the minister who performed the service. Written consent from a parent or guardian was needed for individuals younger than twenty-one years.

Scope and Content

Marriage Register, 1777-1853, is essentially divided into two sections. The first section covering pages 1-163, 1777-1853, records the date of the marriage bond, the names of both parties, the names of the parents or guardians present and the names of the security or witnesses in attendance. Spanning the period 1802-1853 (pages 48-162), there are twenty-free entries for marriages between "free persons of color."

The second section covering pages 164-197, 1799-1853, records the date of the marriage, the names of both parties, the minister's name and the religious denomination of the minister. Entries on pages 196-197, 1853, also include such additional information as the age of the parties, the names of their parents, the status of the parties, the occupation of the husband and where the marriage ceremony took place. In addition, this section includes entries from 1850-1853 (pages 199-205) which record the date of the marriage bond, the names of both parties and the names of the parents or witnesses in attendance. Undated marriage bonds which record the names of both parties and the names of the security or witnesses in attendance are noted on page 206. Entries from pages 207-208, 1836-1839, record the date of marriage, the names of both parties, the minister's name and the religious denomination of the minister. Ministers' ordination bonds are found on page 209. From 1844-1853 (pages 192-205), there are 6 entries for marriages between "free persons of color."

An Index to Marriage Records, 1777-1853, is a separate index. This typescript index is arranged alphabetically from A-Y by the last and first names of both parties. Alternate spellings of last names are included with a "see also" reference following the standard spelling.

Arrangement

Chronological by day, month and year of marriage bond or date of marriage with exceptions noted.

Related Material

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

Separated Material

The original compilations are found at the Library of Virginia's State Records Center.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Powhatan County (Va.). Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• Christian sects--Virginia--Powhatan County.
• Clergy--Virginia--Powhatan County.
• Free African Americans--Marriage--Virginia--Powhatan County.
• Free African Americans--Virginia--Powhatan County.
• Marriage--Virginia--Powhatan County.

Geographical Names:

• Powhatan County (Va.)--History.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Indexes (reference sources)--Virginia--Powhatan County.
• Local government records--Virginia--Powhatan County.
• Marriage records--Virginia--Powhatan County.
• Marriage registers--Virginia--Powhatan County.

Adjunct Descriptive Data