Virginia County Records, Vol. 1: Spotsylvania County 1721-1800

Excerpt from the Preface: The seat of justice of Spotsylvania County was, first, Germanna, the residence of the Governor, but by Act of Assembly, passed in 1732, it was removed to Fredericksburg. After one of two other removals, the court was finally settled at its present site - Spotsylvania Court House. The record of books of the county have suffered materially from lack of care by early custodians, constant handling, removals of the court house, and vandalism during the Civil War. During this latter period they were only preserved by being boxed and buried. The earliest Will Book, covering the priod 1722 to 1749, is in an especially bad state of preservation, and the absence of Will Book C will be noted. This book, taking in the years from 1759 to 1761, was destroyed by the Federal soldiers. It will be found, however, that the wills, administrators' and guardians' bonds covering the period fo the lost book are recorded at the end of Will Book B, 1749 to 1759, the last entry in Book B being recorded 7 December, 1761, and the first entry in Book D being also dated 7 December, 1761. The loss of Will Book C, therefore, is not irreparable. The greatest care has been taken in the preparation of this volume.