Rappahannock County (Va.) Circuit Court

Rappahannock County was named for the Rappahannock River, which in turn received its name from an Indian tribe that lived along its banks. There have been two Virginia counties named Rappahannock. The first was created from Lancaster in 1656 and became extinct in 1662 when it was divided into Essex and Richmond counties. The present county was formed from Culpeper County in 1833. Its area is 267 square miles, and the county seat is Washington.

The 1902 voter registration books were created following the passage of the 1902 Virginia state constitution. The purpose of the 1902 state constitution was to maintain white suffrage while eliminating African-American voters by means of literacy tests as well as property and poll tax requirements.

From the guide to the Rappahannock County (Va.) General Registration, 1902-1903, (The Library of Virginia)

There have been two Virginia counties named Rappahannock. The first was created from Lancaster in 1656 and became extinct in 1662 when it was divided into Essex and Richmond counties. The present county was formed from Culpeper County in 1833.

The deed books of Rappahannock County in this collection were created by the County Court.

From the guide to the Rappahannock County (Va.) Deed Books, 1663-1682, (The Library of Virginia)

There have been two Virginia counties named Rappahannock. The first was created from Lancaster in 1656 and became extinct in 1662 when it was divided into Essex and Richmond counties. The present county was formed from Culpeper County in 1833.

An act passed by the Virginia legislature in 1803 required every free negro or mulatto to be registered and numbered in a book to be kept by the city clerk.

From the guide to the Rappahannock County (Va.) Register of Free Negroes, 1834-1863, (The Library of Virginia)

Rappahannock County was formed in 1833 from Culpeper County.

The Virginia legislature passed an act on 27 February 1866 to legalize the marriages of former slaves who had been cohabiting as of that date. See Virginia Acts of Assembly, 1866-1867, Chapter 18, An act to amend and re-enact the 14th section of chapter 108 of the Code of Virginia for 1860, in regard to registers of marriage; and to legalize the marriages of colored persons now cohabiting as husband and wife.

The federal Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands directed the Assistant Superintendents of the states to order the county clerks to make a registry of such cohabiting couples. See Circular No. 11, dated 19 March 1866, in Orders, Circulars, Circular Letters, and Letters of Instruction, vol. 2 (1866). Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, Records of the Assistant Commissioner for the State of Virginia, 1865-1869. Miscellaneous reel 3880, Library of Virginia. National Archives microfilm M1048 (reel 41), Record Group 105.

From the guide to the Rappahannock County (Va.) Registry of the Colored Persons in Accordance with Circular No. 11, 1866, (The Library of Virginia)

Rappahannock was formed in 1656 from Lancaster County. Now, extinct, divided into Essex and Richmond Counties.

The deed and will books of Rappahannock County in this collection were created by the County Court.

From the guide to the Rappahannock County (Va.) Deed and Will Books, 1665-1692, (The Library of Virginia)