Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Use microfilm copy, Chesterfield County, Reel 56.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Chesterfield County (Va.) Marriage Register and Index, 1771-1853. Chesterfield County Reel 56, Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

The original volumes were compiled and created by the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the original court records found in the Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The microfilm copy of these volumes was generated by The Genealogical Society of Utah--while filming on-site at the Library of Virginia.

The negative photostatic copy was created by the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the original compilations.

Historical Information

Chesterfield County was formed in from Henrico County in 1749. It was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat.

Prior to 1853, when the Commonwealth began recording vital statistics, Virginia marriages were recorded at the county or city level. Beginning in 1661, in order to be married by license, the groom was required to go before the county clerk and give bond with security that there was no lawful reason to prevent the marriage. The license, issued then by the clerk, was given to the minister who performed the service. Written consent from a parent or guardian was needed for individuals younger than twenty-one years.

Scope and Content

Marriage Register, 1771-1853, is essentially divided into two sections. The first section covering pages 1-335, 1771-1847, records the date of the marriage bond, the names of both parties, the names of the parents or guardians present and the names of the security or witnesses in attendance. Added features of this section, found on pages 336-361, 1848-1851, are the minister's name and the date of the marriage. The second section covering pages 363-491, 1851-1853, records the date of the marriage, the names of both parties, the minister's name and the religious denomination of the minister. In addition, this section includes ordination bonds (pp. 493-494) which record the minister's name, the security or witnesses present and the religious denomination of the minister. These bonds cover the years 1785, 1788-1790, 1792, 1799, 1802-1803. A minster's license to preach is also found on page 494. Undated marrige bonds, which record the same information found in the volume's first section, are found on pages 495-497. A significant number of marriages between free persons of color, from 1807-1850, are found between pages 87-356.

The Index to Marriage Register, 1771-1853, is a separate volume. This typescript index is arranged alphabetically from A-Z by the last and first names of both parties. Alternate spellings of last names follow the original spelling with a "see also." Occasionally, this volume also lists alternate names of individuals (aliases) in parentheses.

Arrangement

Chronological.

Related Material

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

Separated Material

The original volumes and the negative photostatic copy of the index are found at the Library of Virginia's State Records Center.

Access Terms

• Chesterfield County (Va.)--History.
• Chesterfield County (Va.). Circuit Court.
• Christian sects--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Clergy--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Free African Americans--Marriage--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Free African Americans--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Indexes (reference sources)--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Local government records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Marriage records--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Marriage registers--Virginia--Chesterfield County.
• Marriage--Virginia--Chesterfield County.

Adjunct Descriptive Data