Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Patick County (Va.) Marriage Register and Index, 1791-1854. Local Government Records Collection, Patrick County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

The original volumes were compiled by the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the original court records found in the Patrick County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

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

Historical Information

Patrick County was formed in 1790 from Henry County. Like Henry County, it was named for Patrick Henry.

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, 1791-1854, is essentially divided into two sections. The first section covering pages 1-194, 1791-1854, 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. Of special note on page 20, there is an entry for a slave marriage.

The second section covering pages 195-291, 1791-1853, records the date of the marriage, the names of both parties, the minister's name and the religious denomination of the minister (scantily recorded.) In addition, this section includes a list of entries omitted from page 253. These entries, dating from 1834-1835, record the date of the marriage, the names of both parties and the minister performing the service. There is a list of undated entries found on page 293. These entries contain the names of both parties married and the name of the minister performing the service.

An Index to Marriage Records, 1791-1854, is a separate volume. This index is arranged alphabetically from A-Z by the last and first names of both parties. Alternate spellings of last names are included with a "see also" reference following the standard spelling.

Arrangement

Chronological by day, month and year of marriage bond or date of marriage.

Related Material

Additional Patrick 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 compilations are found at the Library of Virginia's State Records Center.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Patrick County (Va.). Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• Christian sects--Virginia--Patrick County.
• Clergy--Virginia--Patrick County.
• Marriage--Virginia--Patrick County.
• Slaves--Marriage--Virginia--Patrick County.
• Slaves--Virginia--Patrick County.

Geographical Names:

• Patrick County (Va.)--History.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Indexes (reference sources)--Virginia--Patrick County.
• Local government records--Virginia--Patrick County.
• Marriage records--Virginia--Patrick County.
• Marriage registers--Virginia--Patrick County.

Adjunct Descriptive Data