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Library of Virginia
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For Charlemont Township Board Minutes, 1871-1874; Chamblissburg Township Journal, 1871-1875; and Forest Township Record Book, 1871-1875, use Bedford County (Va.) Reel 77.
Bedford County (Va.) Township Records, 1871-1875. Local government records collection, Bedford County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
These items came to the Library of Virginia in transfers of court papers from Bedford County.
Bedford County was probably named for John Russell, fourth duke of Bedford, who, as secretary for state for the southern department from 1748 to 1751, had general supervision of colonial affairs. It was formed from Lunenburg County in 1753. Parts of Albemarle County were added in 1754, and an additional part of Lunenburg County was added later.
The 1870 Virginia Constitution required that each county in the state be divided into no less than three townships (see Article VII, section 2). Based on the New England administrative organization of a county, each township would elect the administration officials for the offices of supervisor, clerk, assessor, collector, commissioner of the roads, overseer of the poor, justice of the peace, and constable. The supervisors of each township would comprise the board of supervisors for the county, and would be responsible for auditing the county accounts, examining the assessors' books, regulating property valuation, and fixing the county levies. The Acts of Assembly provided that each township be divided into school and electoral districts (see Acts of Assembly 1869-1870, Chapter 39). A constitutional amendment in 1874 changed the townships into magisterial districts and each district elected one supervisor, three justices of the peace, one constable, and one overseer of the poor. The supervisors of the districts made up the county board of supervisors whose duties were identical as those set out in 1870. The published Acts of Assembly appended a list of township names by county following the acts for every year that townships existed in Virginia.
Bedford County (Va.) Township Records, 1871-1875, are 5 volumes of minutes and accounts relating to the administrative functions of township boards of the county.
Chamblissburg Township Financial Record, 1871-1875, consists of accounts of monies paid into and out of the township. Included are officials' payments for services, road accounts, tax and levy information, and goods and services provided for the township's poor.
Chamblissburg Township Journal, 1871-1875, consists of minutes and accounts. Information recorded includes division of the township into road districts; appointment of road overseers; election orders' appointment of election judges; accounts claimed against the township board including officials' payments, goods and services furnished the township's poor, and road accounts; setting of prices allowed for labor; tax rates including capitation tax and school tax; reports of settlement of county treasurer and township collector accounts; and reports about delinquent taxes.
Charlemont Township Board Minutes, 1871-1874, consist of minutes and accounts. Information recorded includes board member names, tax rates, road overseer appointments, bridge and road construction issues, road accounts and taxes, and claims against the township board for road work, officials' payments, and other financial matters including collectors' receipts.
Forest Township Record Book, 1871-1875, consists of minutes and accounts. Information recorded includes board members' names; division of the township into road districts; revision of or addition of road districts; rates allowed for road work; election of road overseers; accounts claimed against the township board including road accounts, officials' payments for services, payments per order of the overseer of the poor, and supplies for the clerk; reference to a legal suit concerning a road alteration; establishment of tax rates; officials' bonds for road overseers; road reports; bridge construction and cost sharing with other townships; and orders for the township clerk and collector and the county treasurer to appear and make reports about taxes, fines, fees and receipts.
Staunton Township Account Book, 1871-1875, consists of accounts of various persons with the township board including the county treasurer and township collector. Pasted into the back cover of the volume is a newspaper clipping showing all of the Bedford county, municipal and township officers (officials) for an unknown year.
Use Bedford County (Va.) Reel 77.
Use Bedford County (Va.) Reel 77.
Use Bedford County (Va.) Reel 77.