Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

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.

Acquisition Information

The boxes and volumes came to the Library of Virginia in a shipment of court records from Essex County.

Historical Information

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.

Scope and Content

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.

Related Material

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.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Essex County (Va.) Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• Public records--Virginia--Essex County.

Geographical Names:

• Essex County (Va.)--History.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Local government records--Virginia--Essex County.

Added Entry - Corporate Name:

• Essex County (Va.) County Court.

Adjunct Descriptive Data