Joann Riley McKey

Accomack County, Virginia Court Order Abstracts, Volume 6 Joann Riley McKey

Sixth in a series, these court records reveal a wealth of names and information concerning social life, indentured servants, Indian and Negro relations, highway construction, local public servants, etc. Also tax lists, wills and deeds. Beginning in August, 1678, and ending in January 1682/3, this sixth book contains 4´ years of court orders, and consists mainly of financial disagreements, with some exceptions, such as drownings, fatal hunting accidents, concealed pregnancies and births, attempted rapes, assaults, settlement of matters pertaining to Bacon's Rebellion (which had been over for more than a year), construction and building supplies, contempt of court, outspoken women, taxes, defamation, domestic problems, fornication and bastard-bearing (about ten cases a year), hog-killing, and horse deaths. Much can be learned in these records about details of the daily life of the period, including pay rates and costs, clothing worn, diet and education, household items, illnesses, Indians, servants and slaves, ships, and personal letters. "In wills and deeds the genealogist can learn about his ancestors' relatives and possessions; in court orders he can learn about his ancestors."