Warwick County (Va.) Circuit Court

Warwick County was an original shire, formed in 1634. It was called Warwick River County form 1634 to 1643. Now extinct, it was incorporated into the city of Warwick in 1952, and then into the city of Newport News in 1958.

County court records were destroyed at several times with most destruction occurring during the Civil War. The clerk's office was burned on 15 December 1864. County court minute books and loose records from 1787 to 1819 were destroyed by the fire. Additional records were burned in Richmond on 3 April 1865, where they had been moved for safekeeping during the Civil War.

From the guide to the Warwick County (Va.) Judgment (Fieri Facias), May 19, 1789, (The Library of Virginia)

Warwick County (extinct) was named either for Robert Rich, earl of Warwick, a prominent member of the London Company, or for the county of Warwick in England. The county was originally called Warwick River and was one of the original shires, or counties, first enumerated in 1634. The shorter name was adopted in 1643. Warwick County became extinct in 1952, when it became the city of Warwick. The new city was consolidated with the city of Newport News in 1958 and took the latter's name. Denbigh was the county seat.

County court records were destroyed at several times with most destruction occurring during the Civil War. The clerk's office was burned on 15 December 1864. County court minute books and loose records from 1787 to 1819 were destroyed by the fire. Additional records were burned in Richmond on 3 April 1865, where they had been moved for safekeeping during the Civil War.

From the guide to the Warwick County (Va.) Supboena, 1843, (The Library of Virginia)