Southampton County (Va.) Circuit Court

Southampton County was named, in the opinion of many authorities, for Henry Wriothesley, third earl of Southampton and treasurer of the London Company from 1620 to 1624. It is more likely, however, that the county was named for the borough of Southampton in England. Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County, and part of Nansemond County was added later.

In seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Virginia, the term "tithable" referred to a person who paid (or for whom someone else paid) one of the taxes imposed by the General Assembly for the support of civil government in the colony. In colonial Virginia, a poll tax or capitation tax was assessed on free white males, African American slaves, and Native American servants (both male and female), all age sixteen or older. Owners and masters paid the taxes levied on their slaves and servants. For a more detailed history of tithables, consult the Library of Virginia's website for Colonial Tithables

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Lists of Tithables, 1752, 1778., (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was named, in the opinion of many authorities, for Henry Wriothesley, third earl of Southampton and treasurer of the London Company from 1620 to 1624. It is more likely, however, that the county was named for the borough of Southampton in England. Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County, and part of Nansemond County was added later.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Unrecorded Deeds, 1759-1839, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County. Part of Nansemond County was added in 1785.

The will books of Southampton in this collection were created by the County Court.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Will Books, 1749-1782, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County, and part of Nansemond County was added in 1786. The county was named most likely for the borough of Southampton in England.

Until 1780, marriages could be performed only by ministers of the Established Church, who were required by law to record marriages in the parish register. In 1780, dissenting ministers (only four per county from each sect) were permitted to perform marriage ceremonies. In order to have a record of all marriages, ministers were required to sign a certificated to be filed with the county clerk. Initially, ministers sent marriage certificates to the clerk every three months. Some ministers adopted a custom of making collected returns--a list of marriages performed within a period of time such as a year or several years. Beginning in 1784, marriage certificates were returned annually. The law was rarely enforced, and ministers' returns were sometimes late, incorrect, incomplete and in many instances, not made at all. County clerks compiled a register of marriages based, in part, on ministers' returns.

The ministers' returns, found in this volume, were created by the County Court.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Ministers' Returns, 1850-1853, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was formed from Isle of Wight County in 1749. Part of Nansemond County was added in 1789.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Deed, 1768, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was named, in the opinion of many authorities, for Henry Wriothesley, third earl of Southampton and treasurer of the London Company from 1620 to 1624. It is more likely, however, that the county was named for the borough of Southampton in England. Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County, and part of Nansemond County was added later.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Guardian Accounts, 1751-1911, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County. Part of Nansemond County was added in 1785.

The deed book of Southampton County in this collection was created by the County Court.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Deed Book, 1753-1760, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was named, in the opinion of many authorities, for Henry Wriothesley, third earl of Southampton and treasurer of the London Company from 1620 to 1624. It is more likely, however, that the county was named for the borough of Southampton in England. Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County, and part of Nansemond County was added later.

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 county clerk. The register listed the age, name, color, stature, marks or scars, in what court the person was emancipated or whether the person was born free. Some clerks recorded additional information not required by the law.

In 1806, the General Assembly moved to remove the free Negro population from Virginia with a law that stated that all emancipated slaves, freed after May 1, 1806, who remained in the Commonwealth more than a year, would forfeit their right to freedom and be sold by the Overseers of the Poor for the benefit of the parish. Families wishing to stay were to petition the legislature through the local county court. Beginning in 1837, freed slaves could petition the local courts for permission to remain.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Free Negro and Slave Records, 1754-1860, (The Library of Virginia)

The first Southampton County courthouse was erected in 1749 and was destroyed by fire in 1767. In 1804, a second courthouse was constructed for the locality. The present courthouse was completed in 1834. In 1924, the columned portico was added, and the entire building was remodled in 1960.

Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County. Part of Nansemond County was added in 1785.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Public Buildings and Grounds, 1833-1834., (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County. Part of Nansemond County was added in 1785.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Poll Taken for the House of Delegates, 1863, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was named, in the opinion of many authorities, for Henry Wriothesley, third early of Southampton and treasurer of the London Company from 1620 to 1624. It is more likely, however, that the county was named for the borough of Southampton in England. Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County, and part of Nansemond County was added later.

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.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1797-1880, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was named, in the opinion of many authorities, for Henry Wriothesley, third early of Southampton and treasurer of the London Company from 1620 to 1624. It is more likely, however, that the county was named for the borough of Southampton in England. Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County, and part of Nansemond County was added later.

Nat Turner led a rebellion of more than fifty enslaved and free African Americans in an insurrection in Southampton County August 21-23, 1831, killing more than sixty people. The rebellion was suppressed within 48 hours, but Turner was not apprehended until October 30. He was tried and convicted 1831 Nov. 5 and executed by hanging in the town of Jerusalem, in Southampton County 1831 Nov. 11. The Commonwealth of Virginia executed Turner and 55 other African Americans suspected of being involved in the insurrection.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Judgments - Commonwealth Causes Ended, Nat Turner Insurrection, 1831 Aug. 31-1831 Nov. 21, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was named, in the opinion of many authorities, for Henry Wriothesley, third early of Southampton and treasurer of the London Company from 1620 to 1624. It is more likely, however, that the county was named for the borough of Southampton in England. Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County, and part of Nansemond County was added later.

Nat Turner led a rebellion of more than fifty enslaved and free African Americans in an insurrection in Southampton County August 21-23, 1831, killing more than sixty people. The rebellion was suppressed within 48 hours, but Turner was not apprehended until October 30. He was tried and convicted 1831 Nov. 5 and executed by hanging in the town of Jerusalem, in Southampton County 1831 Nov. 11. The Commonwealth of Virginia executed Turner and 55 other African Americans suspected of being involved in the insurrection.

From the guide to the Benjamin Turner will, inventory, and appraisement, 1810-1812, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was formed from Isle of Wight County in 1749. Part of Nansemond County was added in 1789.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Deed of Sale, 1795, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was named, in the opinion of many authorities, for Henry Wriothesley, third earl of Southampton and treasurer of the London Company from 1620 to 1624. It is more likely, however, that the county was named for the borough of Southampton in England. Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County, and part of Nansemond County was added later.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Administrator and Guardian Bonds, 1749-1869, 1895-1898, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was named, in the opinion of many authorities, for Henry Wriothesley, third earl of Southampton and treasurer of the London Company from 1620 to 1624. It is more likely, however, that the county was named for the borough of Southampton in England. Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County, and part of Nansemond County was added later.

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 Southampton County (Va.) List of Registered Voters, 1902-1953, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County. Part of Nansemond County was added in 1785. Southampton County was named for the borough of Southampton in England.

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.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Marriage Registers and Index, 1750-1853, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County, and part of Nansemond County was added in 1786. The county was named most likely for the borough of Southampton in England.

Until 1780, marriages could be performed only by ministers of the Established Church, who were required by law to record marriages in the parish register. In 1780, dissenting ministers (only four per county from each sect) were permitted to perform marriage ceremonies. In order to have a record of all marriages, ministers were required to sign a certificated to be filed with the county clerk. Initially, ministers sent marriage certificates to the clerk every three months. Some ministers adopted a custom of making collected returns--a list of marriages performed within a period of time such as a year or several years. Beginning in 1784, marriage certificates were returned annually. The law was rarely enforced, and ministers' returns were sometimes late, incorrect, incomplete and in many instances, not made at all. County clerks compiled a register of marriages based, in part, on ministers' returns.

The ministers' returns, found in this volume, were created by the County Court.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Ministers' Returns, 1817-1846, (The Library of Virginia)

Chancery Causes are cases of equity. According to Black's Law Dictionary they are "administered according to fairness as contrasted with the strictly formulated rules of common law." A judge, not a jury, determines the outcome of the case.

Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County. Part of Nansemond County was added in 1785.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1749-1912, (The Library of Virginia)

Southampton County was named, in the opinion of many authorities, for Henry Wriothesley, third earl of Southampton and treasurer of the London Company from 1620 to 1624. It is more likely, however, that the county was named for the borough of Southampton in England. Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight County, and part of Nansemond County was added later.

From the guide to the Southampton County (Va.) Records, 1752-1767; 1837, (The Library of Virginia)