A Guide to the Norfolk County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1766-1909
A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Barcode numbers: 1157334, 1171279-1171281, 1171283, 1171284
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Preferred Citation
Norfolk County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1766-1909. Local government records collection, Chesapeake (City)/Norfolk County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA 23219.
Acquisition Information
These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court records from the city of Chesapeake.
Historical Information
Chesapeake, which was named for the Chesapeake Bay, comprises the former Norfolk County and the former city of South Norfolk. It was formed by court order in 1963 by a merger of these two entities, both of which thereby became extinct.
Norfolk County (extinct) probably was named by Adam Thoroughgood, a local resident, from his native county in England. It was formed from Lower Norfolk County in 1691. Norfolk County became extinct in 1963, when it was consolidated with the city of South Norfolk to form the city of Chesapeake.
The separate office of coroner appeared in Virginia about 1660. The judicial duty of the office is to hold inquisitions in cases when persons meet sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious death, or death without medical attendance. The coroner would summon a jury to assist him in determining cause of death. Prior to November 1877, the jurors numbered twelve. Between November 1877 and March 1926, the jurors numbered six. The jury viewed the body of the deceased and heard the testimony of witnesses. The coroner was required to write down witness testimony. After seeing and hearing the evidence, the jury delivered in writing to the coroner their conclusion concerning cause of death referred to as the inquisition. After March 1926, only the coroner determined cause of death. He could require physicians to assist him with determing cause of death. If a criminal act was determined to be the cause of death, the coroner was to deliver the guilty person to the sheriff and the coroners' inquests would be used as evidence in the criminal trial.
Scope and Content
Norfolk County (Va) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1766-1909, are investigations into the deaths of individuals who died by a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious manner, or died without medical attendance. Causes of death found in coroners' inquisitions include murder, infanticide, suicide, domestic violence, exposure to elements, drownings, train accidents, automobile accidents, and natural causes, or as commonly referred to in the 19th century, visitation by God. Documents commonly found in coroners' inquests include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Criminal papers such as recognizance bonds can be found in coroner inquisitions. Information found in the inquisition include the name of the coroner, the names of the jurors, the name and age of the deceased if known, gender and race of the deceased, and when, how, and by what means the deceased came to his or her death. If the deceased was African American, the inquest would identify the deceased as a slave or free person if known. If the deceased was a slave, the inquest would include, if known, the name of the slaveowner and the slaveowner's residence. Information found in the depositions include the name of the deponent and his or her account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased. Slaves were deponents in coroner investigations.
Arrangement
Chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the court.
Related Material
Norfolk County County Court Minute and Order Books, Superior Court of Law Order Books and Common Law Order Books have references to the Coroners' Inquests and Commonwealth Causes where persons accused of murder were tried. Copies of these books can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult "A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."
Index Terms
- Chesapeake (Va.) Circuit Court
- African Americans--History
- Death--Causes--Virginia--Norfolk County
- Free African Americans--Virginia--Norfolk County
- Infanticide--Virginia--Norfolk County
- Murder victims--Virginia--Norfolk County
- Murder--Investigation--Virginia--Norfolk County
- Slaveholders--Virginia--Norfolk County
- Slaves--Virginia--Norfolk County
- Suicide--Virginia--Norfolk County
- Women--Virginia--Norfolk County
- Norfolk County (Va.)--History
- Death records--Virginia--Norfolk County
- Local government records--Virginia--Norfolk County
- Reports--Virginia--Norfolk County
- Norfolk County (Va.) Circuit Court
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Selected Coroners' Inquisitions of Interest
Down drowned after making a misstep and falling overboard transferring from the ship Alert to the ship Constellation .
Cattle came to his death in the performance of his duty as a second mate onboard the ship Concord as the hands were weighing anchor and instantly expired.
The deceased was property of Frances Bashaw. Venaus was not killed by violence, but the severe treatment she received from Frances Bashaw hastened her death.
Nelly was the property of George Halson. She died in consequence of the severity of the whipping inflicted on her by George Halson and others acting in pursuance of the master's orders.
Norton, being in handcuffs onboard the U.S. ship, John Adams , jumped overboard and drowned.
Ash was murdered by being cruelly and inhumanely beaten or stabbed by persons unknown.
Dade accidently drowned after falling overboard from the U.S. ship, North Carolina .
Andevere fell from the hammock netting and struck the rail of the accommodation ladder while onboard the frigate Congress and engaged in duty as a Seaman in the U.S. service.
An unknown person was found deprived of the legs and arms and the top of the head (taken off and enclosed in a sack) and had been thrown into the river. The jury thinks it most likely ... performed by some persons for anatomical information. Race, sex, age unknown.
Harry was the property of John Owens' heirs. He was accidentally downed while engaged at a capstern (capstan) and was struck by a bar flying around and was knocked overboard.
Phoebe was a runaway slave who belonged to the estate of Henry Price of Sussex Co. in the state of New Jersey. While confined in the jail, where she had been admitted as a runaway slave, Phoebe suspended herself by the neck to a bar of the window with a handkerchief "until her life was extinct."
Griffiths accidentally drowned as a seaman onboard the British ship, Experiment .
Wooddrop was a U.S. Marine who died from the effects of long indulgence in the extravagant use of ardent spirits.
Syne fell from the U.S. vessel, Pennsylvania , and accidentally drowned.
Edward came to his death by falling from the U.S. Steamer, Poinsett , and accidentally drowning.
Mansfield had been buried, but afterwards taken up and removed to the outhouse for postmortem examination. Came to his death under suspicious circumstances by causes unknown.
Johnson, a seaman, came to his death by falling from the U.S. vessel, Oregon , and accidentally drowning.
Murray came to his death by accidentally falling off the stage alongside the U.S. vessel, St. Lawrence , that was being built in the Navy yard.
Randall belonged to Yates Free School of Nansemond County. He came to his death by accidental drowning.
Mary belonged to Joseph Old. She came to her death by the violence of rats upon her body while she was asleep.
Welch came to his death by accident through the train of cars on the Seaboard and Roanoke railroad unavoidably running over his body.
Blanchard came to his death from lockjaw, induced by a wound on the right buttock, inflicted by a knife in hands of Belvin R. Scears.
Creekmore came to his death by intemperance, exposure, and by falling into Jacob Myers' cellar which was not securely fastened.
Sparrow came to his death by ill-treatment and blows inflicted by his daughter, Peggy Fuller.
The unknown male came to his death by causes unknown and subsequently was a subject of dissection.
Morphied, a sailor, came to his death by attempting to swim ashore from the U.S. vessel, Warren .
Hines came to his death by being struck by the engine of the evening express train, then running upon the track of the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad toward the City of Portsmouth. He being ... standing or passing so near the track of said railroad as to prevent said train from braking without collision.
Orange came to his death by poisoning by his wife, Mary Orange. This inquisition has the detailed testimony of six sworn individuals. Margaret Ash testified that Mr. Orange said to his wife "Mary, don't put that over my victuals. I don't like any such dog-on foolishness." Ash then asked him if he knew what he was talking about, and he said yes, he had been seeing it all the time.
The unknown person came to his death by drowning from a wrecked vessel, name of which is unknown. Found drowned in Chesapeake Bay by the Steamer, Resolute . File contains receipt for coffin and grave being dug and other burial expenses. Cost: 12 dollars.
Councill came to his death from a pistol shot wound in the hands of R.R. Ferguson. Includes extensive testimony of witnesses. This was the second inquest, as jury could not decide the intent. Mr. Councill and Mr. Ferguson got into an argument and Mr. Ferguson shot him, but claimed it was by accident, as he didn't know the pistol was cocked, and he was just trying to intimidate Mr. Councill. Witnesses heard Mr. Ferguson threaten Mr. Councill using some rather explicit language.
The unknown man may have been James Andrews who drowned from being knocked overboard from schooner, John H. Bunting .
Hale came to his death from accidental drowning. The vessel he was supposed to be cast from was the Mary E. Frances .
Johnson fell overboard from the sloop, Daybook , drowned .
Unknown man came to his death by accidental drowning of the steamer, Helen Smith .
Green came to his death while onboard the sloop, Maggie May , by having his throat cut from left to right with a sharp weapon or instrument, supposed to be in the hands of John Willis Ballard and John Wright