Bedford

Names of Families in Bedford County Genealogy Records, Wills, Estates, Marriages

Bedford County was created from Lunenberg County in December 13, 1753; parts of Albemarle County were added in 1754, and an additional part of Lunenberg County was added even later. In 1782, Campbell County was formed for parts of Bedford County; in 1786, Franklin County was formed from Bedford County.

Fox Hunting and Gambling

Since the Virginians were excellent horsemen, it was but natural that they should enjoy hunting. No sport was more dear than chasing the fox. Washington was known to ride the hounds until his sixty-third year when a slight injury to his back made such exercise uncomfortable. Washington was a true Virginian in his love for his dogs, to whom he gave such pretty names as Mopsey, Truelove, Jupiter, Juno, Rover, Music, Sweetlips, Countess, Lady, and Singer. Other sports enjoyed by Virginians were cock-fighting, and gambling with cards. The passion for gambling was so intense among Virginians that laws were enacted against recovering gambling debts and innkeepers who permitted any game of cards or dice, except backgammon, were subject to a heavy fine as well as forfeiting their licenses.

Tax Digests

Bedford County Tax Digests of 1782, 1784 to 1816

Digital Images of Wills 1763 to 1787

Digital Images of Wills 1788 to 1803

Digital Images of Wills 1803 to 1811

Wills

Wills (abstracts) 1763 to 1775

Cemeteries

Cemeteries

Marriages

Bedford County Marriage Bonds

Miscellaneous

Gilbert, Samuel, LWT (1776) (digital image)

Traced genealogies and family histories of Bedford County available to Members !

Anderson	Arnold	Arthur	Callaway
Clay	Early	Irvin	Irving
Leftwich	Lynch	Otey

Colonists Manufactured the Necessities

From the earliest time period, the colonists in Virginia made their own manufactures, such as cider. The Blue Ridge mountains are ideal for apple orchards, and, historically, during the apple season, large quantities of cider were the specialties of local taverns. An orchard 12 to 15 years old in Bedford County, on Porter’s Clay, at 1500 ft. elevation with southeast exposure produces fruit of excellent quality. Also, the sandy loam is also ideal for other fruits, vegetables, and pumpkins.

Poplar Forest Plantation

Thomas Jefferson designed and built Poplar Forest (above) plantation in Bedford County near Lynchburg to be used as a private retreat from about 1806 until his death some 20 years later.

The Love of Horse-Racing

In their fondness for horses, the Virginians were true children of England. In the stables of wealthy planters were to be found specimens of the finest breeds and everyone enjoyed a good horse race. Common folk, however, were not allowed to take part in the sport, except as lookers-on. One of the earliest references to horse racing is an order of the county court of York in 1674: ” James Bullock, a Taylor, having made a race for his mare to run with a horse belonging to Mr. Mathew Slader for two thousand pounds of tobacco and cask, it being contrary to Law for a Labourer to make a race, being a sport only for Gentlemen, is fined for the same one hundred pounds of tobacco and cask.” Yet, by 1740, almost every ordinary person kept a horse and would ride their horses two or three miles to church, the courthouse, or to a horse race. And by 1770, there were races at Williamsburg twice a year. Adjoining the town was a course for either two, three, or four-mile heats and the purse was generally raised by subscription and is gained by the horse that wins two four-mile heats out of three. The purse on the first day amounted to as much as one hundred pounds.