A wide variety of transactions, for the public good and between individuals, are preserved on these pages. For the public welfare, roads were ordered to be cleared, surveyors were assigned, and bridges were built. Prices for liquor and meals were established, and ordinaries were licensed. Many entries involved trespass and debt. In the colonial era, trespass often referred to the use of someone else's land and boundary disputes. Other suits addressed by the court included criminal acts such as assault, beatings, drunkenness, kidnapping, stealing, swearing, and murder. Sentences included fines, whipping, and execution. The court extended its protection to women, orphans and servants; and occasionally ordered the release of a servant.
This transcription is based on microfilm of the original books provided by the Library of Virginia. The text has been modernized as little as possible. The method of recording dates during the time period covered differs from modern notation; however, modern dates have been noted in brackets. Two facsimile reprints of original court order book pages, a map of Goochland County, appendices, a bibliography, and a full name index add to the value of this work.
Ann K. Blomquist
2010, 5.5" x 8.5", paper, index, 702 pp.
ISBN: 9780788451829
101-B5182
