Accomack

Accomack County, Virginia Genealogy, Wills, Estates

Accomac Shire was established in 1634 as one of the original eight shires of Virginia. The name comes from the Native American work Accawmack, meaning on the other side. In 1642 the name was changed to Northampton. Northampton was then divided into two counties in 1663. The northern section assumed the original Accomack name, the southern, Northampton. In 1670, the Virginia Colony’s Royal Governor William Berkeley abolished Accomack county, but the Virginia General Assembly re-created it in 1671. The justices of Accomac held their terms of court for many years at Pungoteague in the tavern belonging to John Cole, who did not charge for this use. In 1677 it was decided to erect a court-house which the majority of the freeholders chose. Cole, reminding the judges of his liberality, asserted that, having recently purchased the Freeman plantation, he was sure that it would offer a very convenient site for the projected county seat. He also offered to furnish thirty thousand bricks for the construction and also all of the timber. These bricks were to be burned on the spot by James Ewell, who was indebted to Cole. Three years passed and the projected structure had not been completed. In 1680, there was an order of the court directing Major Charles Scarborough to engage workmen at once to proceed with the construction. Source: Letter of John Cole dated Dec. 20, 1677, Accomac County Records, vol. 1676-8, p. 97.

Images of Wills (Testator names not provided for lack of space

1671 to 1674
1673 to 1676
1676 to 1690
1678 to 1682
1682 to 1697
1692 to 1715
1715 to 1729

Images of County Wills, Inventories, Appraisements, Divisions 1729 to 1737

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Marriages

Marriages to 1699
Marriage Bonds 1784-1785
Marriage licenses and Bonds 1787-1788; 1790-1791; 1792-1798

Indexes to Probate Records

Deeds, Estates, Wills 1678 to 1682; 1682 to 1697; 1692 to 1715; 1715 to 1729; 1729 tp 1737

Miscellaneous

Curtis, William, LWT (transcript)
Scarburgh, Mary, Mrs., LWT (1691) (transcript)
1896 Minute Book
1704 Quit Rents Roll

Traced genealogies and family histories of Accomack County are available to Members !

Henry

Littleton

Starling

How Henry Carsley Survived an Indian Massacre

Henry Carsley came to Virginia in 1621 at the age of 23 years. Two years later, when the Muster was taken he was a resident of Newport News and was listed as one of the workers of Daniel Goodkin. Goodkin was engaged in the business of shipping cattle into the colony for breeding purposes, however, it did not succeed. Carsley settled on the eastern shore and survived the 1622/1623 Indian massacre. Later, in 1633 he petitioned the court held at Accomack for a lease of 50 acres of land located upon Old Plantation Creek on the south side of Fishing Creek.

Our Ancestors also had Dreams

We take out our pedigree chart and review the names. Who were these people? Until we really get into it, we do not know. Many people trace their ancestry to patriots of the American Revolution and to the first Colonists to America and this is wonderful. But there is one thing certain: somewhere, someone immigrated to this country and began writing the story of their life. The story begins in county records, where the first land grant was acquired or deed filed of record when taxes were paid and deeds filed. Sons and daughters were given in marriage and these certificates were filed. Later on, people died, leaving estates to be dealt with. Wills, inventories, sales, receipts, and annual returns surrounded this process, all filed in the county courthouse. This is the point where the genealogist unravels the details of a story somewhat inconsistent with family legends and tales. Public Records are the words of the path, a special sort of truth that reveals the activities of our ancestors. List of Traced Virginia Families on this website

News of the Day

” The storehouse and stock of goods valued at $12,000, belonging to D. H. Johnson located at Lemont. Accomack County, Virginia has been destroyed by fire; insurance, is $3,000.” Sources: The Reformed World, Winder, Georgia. Sept. 30, 1891.