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Essex County (Va.) Fiduciary Records, 1678-1913 (bulk 1730-1913.) Local government records collection, Essex County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.
The boxes and volumes came to the Library of Virginia in a shipment of court records from Essex County.
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.
These records were originally created, in part, by the County Court.
Essex County (Va.) Fiduciary Records, 1678-1913 (bulk 1730-1913) are comprised of the following: 2 boxes of Estate Inventories, 12 boxes of various types of records related to the category (including Appraisements and Bonds), a Guardians' Book and a Record of Guardians' Bonds.
Fiduciary refers to a confidential and legal relationship which binds one person to act on behalf of another.
A guardian is a person legally invested to take care of another person, and of the property and rights of that person. Since ca. 1600 guardians have been required to file a yearly account with the clerk of the court. These accounts are sometimes called orphans' or guardians' accounts.
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.