Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

King George County (Va.) Oyster Inspector Reports, 1884-1889. Local government records collection, King George County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

These volumes came to the Library of Virginia under accession number 42662.

Historical Information

King George County was formed from Richmond County by a statute of 23 December 1720. The county court first met on 19 May 1721. Part of Westmoreland County was added later. The county was named in honor of King George I.

Most loose records prior to 1830 are missing. Volumes that record deeds, court orders and wills exist.

A system of State-employed district oyster inspectors was established in 1920. Prior to that time, a network of county oyster inspectors and county surveyors administered oyster bed leasing in the localities. The inspectors were compensated by retaining a portion of fines and other fees collected. Their oyster inspection work was generally a sideline to other jobs held in the communities. When the State Fisheries Commission assumed full control of oyster administration in 1920, nineteen oyster districts were established. One full-time inspector was employed for each district at $60.00 per month. Today, shellfish bed leasing is centrally administered by an automated department at Marine Resources Commission Headquarters. The inspectors have much broader law enforcement responsibilities as Virginia Marine Patrol Officers.

Scope and Content

King George (Va.) Oyster Inspector Reports is a volume containing records, related to the leasing of oyster beds, from the late 19th century.

Related Material

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

King George County is one of Virginia's Lost Records Localities. Additional King George County Records may be found in the Virginia Lost Records Localities Digital Collection at the Library of Virginia. Search the Lost Records Localities Digital Collection available at Virginia Memory.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• King George County (Va.) Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• Public records--Virginia--King George County.

Geographical Names:

• King George County (Va.)--History--19th century.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Local government records--Virginia--King George County.

Adjunct Descriptive Data