Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Scott County (Va.) Circuit Court Records, 1859-1943 (bulk 1887-1920.) Local government records collection, Scott County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Acquisition Information

These records and volumes came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court records from Scott County.

Historical Information

Scott County was formed from Lee, Russell and Washington counties by a statute adopted on 24 November 1814. The county court first met on 14 February 1815. Scott County was named for General Winfied Scott, a native of Virginia, in recognition of his victories during the War of 1812. General Scott was later commanding general of the American army during the war with Mexico.

The circuit courts were authorized by the Virginia Constitution of 1851, and were established by acts passed by the General Assembly in 1852. Since 1873 they have had exclusive jurisdiction in chancery cases. In 1904, the county court was discontinued. Probate authority was transferred entirely to the circuit courts. In this same year, the circuit courts were also given responsibility for recordation of deeds. Today, the circuit courts are the only courts of record in Virginia localities.

Scope and Content

Scott County (Va.) Circuit Court Records, 1859-1943 (bulk 1887-1920), are comprised of loose executions, suit papers and judgments, 2 order books, a memorandum book, a fee book, a chancery fee book and a process book.

Related Material

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

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Scott County (Va.) Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• Public records--Virginia--Scott County.

Geographical Names:

• Scott County (Va.)--History.

Genre and Form Terms:

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

Adjunct Descriptive Data