Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Use microfilm copy, Williamsburg (Va.) Reel 4.

Preferred Citation

Williamsburg (Va.) Records of City Council, 1879-1919. Local government records collection, Williamsburg (City) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from the city of Williamsburg.

Microfilm reels were generated by Backstage Library Works through the Library of Virginia's Circuit Court Records Program.

Historical Information

The City of Williamsburg, in James City and York Counties, was established by the General Assembly as Middle Plantation in 1633. After the capitol building at Jamestown burned in 1698, the assembly decided to move the capital of the colony to Middle Plantation, which was renamed Williamsburg in 1699 in honor of William III. Williamsburg was established in 1699 and declared a "city Incorporate" in 1722, although its actual status was that of a borough. It served as the capital of Virginia from 1699 until 1780. Williamsburg was incorporated as a city in 1884.

James City County was named for James I. It was one of the eight shires established in 1634. Parts of New Kent and York Counties were added later. The county seat is Williamsburg.

James City County was recognized in 1634 as an original shire. Williamsburg was founded in 1699 and declared a “city Incorporate” by a royal charter in 1722, although its actual status was that of a borough. Beginning in 1770, the courts of James City County and Williamsburg shared a common courthouse. During the Civil War, the records of both localities were transferred to Richmond for safekeeping, but were destroyed by fire there on April 3, 1865. The records of the superior court of chancery for the Williamsburg district were destroyed by a courthouse fire in April 1911.

Scope and Content

Williamsburg (Va.) Records of City Council, 1879-1919, consist of meeting minutes and financial transactions of the city council of Williamsburg. They record reports made to the council by the mayor, police chief, health commissioner, treasurer, street commission, and other town committees; adoption of ordinances and resolutions; petitions to the city council; and funds collected and disbursed.

Arrangement

Chronological by entry date.

Related Material

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

See the Lost Records Localities Digital Collection available at Virginia Memory.

For more information and a listing of lost records localities see Lost Records research note .

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Williamsburg (Va.) Circuit Court

Subjects:

• Health boards -- Virginia -- Williamsburg
• Public records--Virginia--Williamsburg
• Streets -- Virginia -- Williamsburg

Geographical Names:

• Williamsburg (Va.)--History

Genre and Form Terms:

• City councils--Virginia--Williamsburg
• Local government records--Virginia--Williamsburg
• Minute books--Virginia--Williamsburg
• Minutes--Virginia--Williamsburg

Added Entry - Corporate Name:

• James City County (Va.) Circuit Court

Adjunct Descriptive Data