Essex County, Virginia Will Abstracts, 1751-1842 and Estate Records Index, 1751-1799

This work presents abstracts of Last Wills and Testament found in Essex County, Virginia court records, beginning with Will Book 9 in 1751, and continuing into Will Book 24 that ends within 1842. The reason for beginning with will abstracts in 1751 is that all estate-related records before that date had been previously abstracted and published by several compilers. A list of those publications is included. The result is that we now have published abstracts of all Essex County wills from 1692 to 1842, but only index entries to estate-related records after 1751.

Because this work fills the gap after 1750 for abstracts of Last Wills and Testament only, it leaves uncovered complete text of non-will items for the period 1751–1799. Therefore, an index to the non-will items for that period has been created and is included herein. This work now leaves users with a complete index of all estate-related items (accounts, allotments, bonds, divisions, dower, inventories, sales, etc.) found in Essex County, Virginia will books from the time of county formation in 1692 up through 1865, with abstracts of wills from county formation into 1842.

Names of witnesses and the date of probate are included, while all marginal notes as to transactions after the date of probate, like letters of administration granted, or certificates issued, are not always included. Spelling varies between scribes and the spelling of some surnames evolved over time. The author has standardized some spellings, like surname Sthreshley. Several facsimile reprints of original wills and an index to full-names, places and subjects add to the value of this work.