Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

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Preferred Citation

Amherst County (Va.) Superior Court of Law Records, 1807-1831. Local government records collection, Amherst County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

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

Historical Information

Amherst County was formed from Albemarle County in 1761. Islands in the Fluvanna (now the James) River were added in 1770. The county is named for Major General Jeffery Amherst, British commander in North America during the later part of the French and Indian War and governor of Virginia from 1759-1768.

The Superior Courts of Law were officially created in 1808. These courts replaced the old district courts. The Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery, established in 1831, replaced these courts.

Scope and Content

Amherst County (Va.) Superior Court of Law Records, 1807-1831, are comprised of 1 Docket Book, 2 Fee Books, 2 Issue Dockets, 1 Memorandum Book, 1 Minute Book and 1 volume of Office Judgments.

After the end of any court rule, if required notice had been given and the defendant failed to appear, judgments by default and nonsuits were signed by the clerk in his office, as of the preceding court. Office judgments were final in actions of debt, and the defendant was obligated to pay the amount of the debt, interest on the amount of the debt, and court costs. The term is sometimes used in reference to the clerk's recovery of court costs.

Related Material

Additional Amherst 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:

• Amherst County (Va.) Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• Public records--Virginia--Amherst County.

Geographical Names:

• Amherst County (Va.)--History--19th century.

Genre and Form Terms:

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

Added Entry - Corporate Name:

• Amherst County (Va.) Superior Court of Law.

Adjunct Descriptive Data