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Powhatan County, Virginia Genealogy

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Guide to Powhatan County, Virginia ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

County Facts
County seat: Powhatan
Organized: 01 Jul 1777[1]
Parent County(s): Chesterfield
Neighboring Counties
Amelia • Chesterfield • Cumberland • Goochland • Henrico
See County Maps
Courthouse
VirginiaPowhatanCourthouse.jpg
Location Map
Location of Powhatan County, Virginia.png

County Information

Description

Powhatan County is located in the central portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 20 miles west of the state capital, Richmond. It was named in honor of the Indian Chief Powhatan, father of Pocahontas.[2]

County Courthouse

Powhatan County Courthouse
3880 Old Buckingham Road
Powhatan, VA 23139-0037
Phone: 804-598-5660
Powhatan County Website

Clerk Circuit Court has marriage, divorce, probate, court and land records from 1777[3]

Powhatan County, Virginia Record Dates

Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records[4]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1853 1777 1853 1777 1777 1777 1810
* Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1912.
General compliance year is unknown.

Record Loss

There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

  • Lost censuses: 1790, 1800, 1890

For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:

Boundary Changes

Populated Places

For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[7]

Unincorporated communities
Census-designated places


History Timeline

Chief Powhatan (c1545-c1618)


The county is named after Chief Powhatan (c1545-c1618).

Many descendants of early Virginia French Huguenot families lived in this area.

Resources

Bible Records

For databases and indexes, see Virginia Bible Records.

Biographies

Business, Commerce, and Occupations

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Powhatan County, Virginia online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online
Tombstone Transcriptions in Print (Often more complete)
List of Cemeteries in the County
See Virginia Cemeteries for more information.

 

Census Records

For databases, indexes, and information online, see Virginia Census.

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1790 6,822 —
1800 7,769 13.9%
1810 8,073 3.9%
1820 8,292 2.7%
1830 8,517 2.7%
1840 7,924 −7.0%
1850 8,178 3.2%
1860 8,392 2.6%
1870 7,667 −8.6%
1880 7,817 2.0%
1890 6,791 −13.1%
1900 6,824 0.5%
1910 6,099 −10.6%
1920 6,552 7.4%
1930 6,143 −6.2%
1940 5,671 −7.7%
1950 5,556 −2.0%
1960 6,747 21.4%
1970 7,696 14.1%
1980 13,062 69.7%
1990 15,328 17.3%
2000 22,377 46.0%
2010 28,046 25.3%
Source: "Wikipedia.org"

1783 Enumeration

1850
Census takers uncharacteristically recorded the birth town or county of residents this census year.[8]

1890 Union Veterans

Church Records

List of Churches and Church Parishes

Baptist
Early Baptist churches (with years constituted):

  1. Muddy Creek (1774)[9]
  2. Powhatan (1771)[9]

Powhatan County fell within the bounds of the Middle District Association.

Church of England

Court Records

Online Court Indexes and Records

Chancery Court

  • Indexes (1782-1938) and images (1782-1913) to Powhatan County, Virginia Chancery Records are available online through Virginia Memory: Chancery Records Index. These records, often concerned with inheritance disputes, contain a wealth of genealogical information.

Directories

Emigration and Immigration

For databases and immigrant groups, see Virginia Emigration and Immigration

  • Coldham, Peter Wilson. "Intercepted Letters Relating to America, 1777-1811" The Genealogist, Vol. 14, No. 2 (Fall 2000):184-200. [Overseas contacts of a resident of Powhattan Co. with the following surname: Mayo.]

During the War of 1812, American officials reported finding a total of 5 British aliens, some of whom had families, living in Powhatan County.[10]

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups

African American

Funeral Homes

Genealogies

Compiled Genealogies by Surname
See Powhatan County, Virginia Compiled Genealogies or jump to a surname using the alphabet bar for a list of 100+ published surname genealogy books and articles.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Compiled Genealogies for multiple families

Guardianship

Land and Property Records

For land indexes, records, and databases, see Virginia Land and Property, including Colonial and State Land Grants.

Online Land Indexes and Records


Grants and Patents
Land patents (pre-1779), land grants (after 1779) and surveys are available online at the Library of Virginia website. For step-by-step instructions on retrieving these records, read the Virginia Land and Property article.


Local Histories

Maps and Gazetteers

County and state maps, historical and more current, are valuable research tools. For map collections, online and in libraries, see Virginia Maps.

Richmond (Independent City)Henrico CountyChesterfield CountyAmelia CountyCumberland CountyGoochland CountyVA POWHATTAN.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources

Migration

  • Clay, Robert Y. "Some Delinquent Taxpayers 1787-1790," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 20, No. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1976):269-274. Available at FS Library; digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). These records identify migrants who left the county and often their intended destinations. Powhatan County's 1787 Delinquent List appears on p. 271.

Military Records

French and Indian War

  • Bockstruck, Lloyd DeWitt. Virginia's Colonial Soldiers. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988. Available at FS Library. Online at: Ancestry ($). Identifies some Powhatan County veterans; see place name index.


Revolutionary War

  • A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshals of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. 1841. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). 1967 reprint: FS Catalog Collection 973 X2pc 1840. See Virginia, Eastern District, Powhatan County on page 132.
  • Rejected or Suspended Applications for Revolutionary War Pensions. Washington, D.C., 1852. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1969, and 1991. Reprints include "an Added Index to States." FS Library Book 973 M24ur; digital version at Ancestry ($). Includes veterans. Virginia section begins on page 238.

Regiments. Powhatan County residents' participation in the Revolutionary War.[11]

War of 1812

  • Douthat, James L. Roster of War of 1812, Southside, Virginia. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 2007. FS Catalog Collection 975.5 M2djL. Includes Powhatan County.
  • List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883; Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for Why Pensioned, the Post-Office Address, the Rate of Pension Per Month, and the Date of Original Allowance... Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1883. FS Catalog Collection 973 M2Lp v. 5. Online at: Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). See Vol. 5, Virginia, Powhatan County, pp. 98-99. Identifies War of 1812 veterans living in this county in 1883.

Regiments. Powhatan County men served in the 102nd Regiment.[12]

Civil War

Regiments. Civil War service men in Powhatan County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed here:
*Information about the Companies that served from Powhatan County can be found at:
(1) FS Catalog book 975.5612 H2c titled Powhatan: A Bicentennial History, pages 240-268 and 504-507
(2) FS Catalog book 975.5 M2vr v. 29 titled A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations 1861-1865

- 1st Regiment, Virginia Reserves (Confederate) (Company I)
- 4th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company E.
- 20th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company D (Powhatan Rifles).[13]
- 59th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate)
- Powhatan Artillery (Confederate)


World War II

Naturalization and Citizenship

Online Naturalization Indexes and Records

Newspapers

For online newspaper resources, see the Virginia Newspapers page.

Obituaries

Other Records

Private Papers

Periodicals

Probate Records

For statewide probate records, indexes, and databases, see Virginia Probate Records.

Online Probate Indexes and Records

School Records

Social Security Records

Tax Records

For additional online collections and the value and use of Virginia's tax lists in your research, see Virginia Taxation.

Online Tax Indexes and Records

  • 1782-1817 Heinegg, Paul. "Powhatan County Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1817," Free African Americans.com. Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.
  • 1782-1850 Powhatan County, Virigina Personal property tax lists, 1782-1850. Original records, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va.; microfilmed reproduction available at FS films 1905686-1905688 - images.
  • 1783 Powhatan County, VA - Census - 1782 Taxlist; index online at USGenWeb Archives.
  • 1787 Schreiner-Yantis, Netti and Florene Speakman Love. The 1787 Census of Virginia: An Accounting of the Name of Every White Male Tithable Over 21 Years, the Number of White Males Between 16 & 21 Years, the Number of Slaves over 16 & Those Under 16 Years, Together with a Listing of Their Horses, Cattle & Carriages, and Also the Names of All Persons to Whom Ordinary Licenses and Physician's Licenses Were Issued. 3 vols. Springfield, Va.: Genealogical Books in Print, 1987. Available at FS Library. The source of this publication is the 1787 personal property tax list. Powhatan County is included in Vol. 2.
  • 1787 Clay, Robert Y. "Some Delinquent Taxpayers 1787-1790," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 20, No. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1976):269-274. Available at FS Library; digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). These records identify migrants who left the county and often their intended destinations. Powhatan County's 1787 Delinquent List appears on p. 271.
  • 1787-1789 Powhatan County Tax List 1787-1789.
  • 1800 County Tax List, 1800, The Virginia Genealogist. Falmouth VA: Apr 2005. Vol. 49 Iss. 2. Online at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($).
  • 1815 Ward, Roger D. 1815 Directory of Virginia Landowners (and Gazetteer). 6 vols. Athens, Georgia: Iberian Pub. Co., 1997-2000. Available at FS Library. The source for this publication is the 1815 land tax. Powhatan County is included in Vol. 1.
  • 1816, 1818 Insolvents and Removals, 1816, 1818, Southside Virginian. Richmond VA: Jul 1983. Vol. 1 Iss. 4; online at Internet Archive.

Vital Records

For additional indexes, databases, and details, see Virginia Vital Records.

Birth

Marriage

Death

Divorce

Research Facilities

Archives

Listed below are archives in Powhatan County. For state-wide facilities, see Virginia Archives and Libraries.

FamilySearch Centers

FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries

  • FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
  • FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.

Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries

Libraries

Listed below are libraries in Powhatan County. For state-wide library facilities, see Virginia Archives and Libraries.

Museums

Societies

Listed below are societies in Powhatan County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Virginia Societies.

Websites

  • FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.

Research Guides

  • "A Guide to the Counties of Virginia: Powhatan County," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 20, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1976):210-212-214. Available at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($).

References

  1. ↑ Newberry
  2. ↑ http://www.powhatanva.gov/317/About-Powhatan
  3. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Iowa.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  4. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Iowa.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  5. ↑ Newberry
  6. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Iowa.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  7. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Powhatan_ County,_Virginia," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powhatan_County,_Virginia#Communities accessed 19 February 2020.
  8. ↑ Alycon Trubey Pierce, "In Praise of Errors Made by Census Enumerators," National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 81, No. 1 (March 1993):51-55. FS Library Book 973 B2ng
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Robert Baylor Semple and George William Beale, A History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia (Pitt and Dickinson, 1894), 254. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive.
  10. ↑ Kenneth Scott, British Aliens in the United States During the War of 1812 (Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979), 320-333. FS Library Book 973 W4s; digital version at Ancestry ($).
  11. ↑ J.T. McAllister, Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War: McAllister's Data (Hot Springs, Va.: McAllister Pub. Co., 1913), 39-40. Digitized by Internet Archive.
  12. ↑ Stuart Lee Butler, A Guide to Virginia Militia Units in the War of 1812 (Athens, Ga.: Iberian Pub. Co., 1988), 172. FS Library Book 975.5 M2bs.
  13. ↑ G.L. Sherwood and Jeffrey C. Weaver, 20th and 39th Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, c1994). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 105.



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