Prince Edward County, Virginia Genealogy

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

Description
Prince Edward County is located in the central portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia and was named after Prince Edward Augustus, fourth son and fifth child of King George III who reigned throughout the Revolutionary War.

County Courthouse
Prince Edward County Courthouse North Main Street P.O. Box 304 Farmville, VA 23901-0304 Phone: 434-392-5145 Prince Edward County Website Clerk Circuit Court has birth records 1853-1896, death records 1853-1969, marriage, divorce, probate, court and land records from 1754

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:

History Timeline


This county is named after Prince Edward, Duke of York (1739-1767), younger brother of King George III of the United Kingdom.

Bible Records

 * 1607-2007 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Cemeteries

 * 1800-1986 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Census Records
1783 Enumeration
 * Prince Edward County Heads of Families - 1783 at U.S. Census Bureau - free. County begins on page 59.

1785 Enumeration 1820 Manufactures Schedule - Exists, but the National Archives microfilm copy of Prince Edward County, Virginia omits page 163a. The missing names have been published in The Virginia Genealogist:
 * Prince Edward County Heads of Families - 1785 at U.S. Census Bureau - free. County begins on page 100.
 * Petty, Gerald M. "Virginia 1820 Federal Census: Names Not on the Microfilm Copy," The Virginia Genealogist 18, no 2 (April-June 1974):136-139.
 * The list is also available online at the Shenandoah County GenWeb Project.

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

1890 Union Veterans
 * Virginia's Union Veterans: Eleventh Census of the United States 1890.   Online at: Ancestry ($). Includes residents of this county.

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Baptist Early Baptist churches (with years constituted): Prince Edward County fell within the bounds of the Appomattox Association.
 * 1) Appomattox (1773)
 * 2) Mountain Cross (1788)
 * 3) Rocks (1772)
 * 4) Sailor Creek (1781)

Church of England See also Nottoway Parish See also St. Patrick's Parish French's Church served Prince Edward County's parishioners. Meade's 1861 history of parishes in Prince Edward County is available online.

Presbyterian Old Buffalo Church was established about 1740 by Rev. John Thompson. A history was prepared in 1935:. Records begin in 1804:.

Court Records
Online Court Indexes and Records

Chancery Court
 * Indexed images of Prince Edward County, Virginia Chancery Records 1856-1913 are available online through Virginia Memory: Chancery Records Index. These records, which were often concerned with inheritance disputes, contain a wealth of genealogical information.

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
African American
 * 1935-2009 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * See Virginia Cohabitation Records for links to online records.
 * Heinegg, Paul. "Prince Edward County Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1821," Free African Americans.com. [Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.]
 * Search the Library of Virginia's Virginia Untold collection for digitized records related to African Americans of Prince Edward County.

Funeral Homes

 * 1935-2009 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Genealogies
Compiled Genealogies by Surname 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
 * See Prince Edward County, Virginia Compiled Genealogies for a list of published books and articles, or jump to the surname using the alphabet bar.

Compiled Genealogies for Multiple Families
 * Pritchett, John W. Southside Virginia Genealogies. CD-ROM. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2007. Free online index, courtesy: Virginians - The Family History of John W. Pritchett. [Includes a great deal of information about residents of Amelia County, see discussion of cited sources.].

Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records

Grants and Patents


 * Sullivan. 429 patents dated 1728-1847 in what is now Prince Edward County, Virginia placed on a map. DeedMapper. Names of those who received land patents, dates, land descriptions, and references may be viewed free of charge (click "Index" next to the county listing); however, in order to view the maps, it is necessary to purchase Direct Line Software's DeedMapper product.


 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

Local Histories
Historic Residences
 * Burrell, Charles Edward. A History of Prince Edward County, Virginia: From Its Formation in 1753, to the Present. Richmond, Va.: Williams Print. Co., 1922. Available at ; digital versions at Ancestry($), FamilySearch Digital Library.
 * Smith, Ethel Marion. "Clover Hill. Early History of an Old Appomattox Landmark," The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 57, No. 3 (Jul., 1949), pp. 269-273. Digital version at JSTOR ($). Includes information about the Patteson family.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * FamilySearch Places: Cities and Towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Migration

 * Clay, Robert Y. "Some Delinquent Taxpayers 1787-1790," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 20, No. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1976):269-274. Available at ; digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). These records identify migrants who left the county and often their intended destinations. Prince Edward County's 1788 Delinquent List appears on pp. 271-272.
 * Elliott, Katherine B. Emigration to Other States from Southside Virginia. 2 vols. South Hill, Virginia: K.B. Elliott, 1966. Vol. 1 of original edition available at ; 1983 reprints (both volumes) available at ; 1990-1992 reprints (both volumes) also available at . Includes individuals who migrated out of Prince Edward County to other parts of the country.

Military Records
French and Indian War Revolutionary War
 * Bockstruck, Lloyd DeWitt. Virginia's Colonial Soldiers. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988. Available at . Online at: Ancestry ($). Identifies some Prince Edward County militia officers and veterans; see place name index.
 * Boogher, William F. Gleanings of Virginia History: An Historical and Genealogical Collection, Largely from Original Sources. Washington: n.p., 1903. Available at ; digital version at Internet Archive. Includes a chapter titled "Legislative Enactments connecting the preceding historic sketch (French and Indian War, Lord Dunmore's War) with the adjudication of the resulting accounts that follow; with the list of officers, soldiers and civilians entitled to compensation for military and other services rendered." For Prince Edward County, see pp. 96-97.
 * Crozier, William Armstrong. Virginia Colonial Militia 1651-1776. Baltimore: Southern Book Co., 1954. Available at ; digital book at Ancestry ($). Identifies some Prince Edward County militia officers; see place name index.
 * 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. Digital versions at FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). 1967 reprint: 973 X2pc 1840. See Virginia, Eastern District, Prince Edward County on page 132.
 * Rejected or Suspended Applications for Revolutionary War Pensions. Washington, D.C., 1852. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1969, and 1991. Reprints include "an Added Index to States." ; digital version at Ancestry ($). Includes veterans. Virginia section begins on page 238.
 * Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War. By J.T. McAllister. 1913. Hot Springs, Va.: McAllister Pub. Co. Online at: Internet Archive

Regiments. Service men in Prince Edward County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Prince Edward County supplied soldiers for the:
 * - 4th Virginia Regiment
 * - 12th Virginia Regiment (9th Company) (perhaps)

War of 1812
 * Douthat, James L. Roster of War of 1812, Southside, Virginia. Signal Mountain, Tennessee: Mountain Press, 2007. . Includes Prince Edward 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. 973 M2Lp v. 5; digital versions at Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). See Vol. 5, Virginia, Prince Edward County, p. 99. Identifies War of 1812 veterans living in this county in 1883.

Regiments. Prince Edward County men served in the 63rd Regiment. Civil War Online Civil War Indexes and Records
 * 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
 * 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)

Regiments. Civil War service men in Prince Edward 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:
 * - 3rd Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company K (Prince Edward Dragoons).
 * - 18th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company D (Prospect Rifle Grays) and Company F (Farmville Guard).
 * - 20th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company G (Hampden-Sydney Boys).
 * - 21st Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company K (Meherrin Grays).
 * - 23rd Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company I (Prince Edward Central Guards).
 * - 44th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company G (Randolph Guard).
 * - 53rd Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company D (Old Dominion Riflemen).

Civil War Battles The following Civil War battles were fought in Prince Edward County. World War II
 * April 6, 1865 - Rice's Station, also known as Rice's Depot.
 * April 6, 1865 - Sailor's Creek, also known as Hillsman Farm or Lockett Farm.
 * April 6-7, 1865 - High Bridge.
 * Battles of the American Civil War maps - filter by state or by battle name.
 * 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
 * 1906-1929 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Newspapers
Indexed images of the Virginia Gazette (1736-1780) are available online through the Colonial Williamsburg website. In addition, Professor Tom Costa and The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia have created a database of all runaway advertisements for slaves, indentured servants, transported convicts, and ship deserters listed in this source and other Virginia newspapers (1736-1803), see: The Geography of Slavery in Virginia. These newspapers are valuable resources for all regions of Virginia.

Petitions

 * Drake, Mrs. William P. Petitioners and Tithables in Prince Edward County, Virginia, 1775-1776. West Palm Beach, Florida: Genealogical Records Committee, Seminole Chapter, NSDAR, 1979. Available at.

Voting Records
 * Miscellaneous Papers, Prince Edward County, Virginia. 1939. Available at . [Contains poll lists, tithables, and inhabitants covering 1754-1789.]

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1639-1850 Virginia Land, Marriage and Probate Records 1639-1850 at Ancestry — index, incomplete ($)
 * 1652-1900 Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
 * 1754-1785 Images of Wills and Estates Virginia Pioneers ($)
 * 1785-1795 Images of Wills and Estates Virginia Pioneers ($)
 * 1797-1807 Images of Wills and Estates Virginia Pioneers ($)
 * Images of Guardian Accounts - 1764-1797; 1798-1829; 1829-1855; 1855-1869 Virginia Pioneers.net ($)


 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

Social Security Records

 * 1935-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
 * 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
 * 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Tax Records
Online Tax Indexes and Records
 * 1747 Amelia Tithables, 1747, Magazine of Virginia Genealogy. Richmond VA: Nov 2004. Vol. 42 Iss. 4. Useful for Prince Edward County families.
 * 1754-1789 Miscellaneous Papers, Prince Edward County, Virginia. 1939. Available at . Contains poll lists, tithables, and inhabitants covering 1754-1789.
 * 1755 Morton, W.S. "A List of Tithables Between Bush and Buffalo Rivers Taken by Thomas Scott, June 1755," Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 18 (1936):50-54. Available at ; reprinted in Virginia Tax Records. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1983, which is also available at.
 * 1767 Tax List, 1767, Magazine of Virginia Genealogy. Richmond VA: Summer 1995. Vol. 33 Iss. 3.
 * 1773 Tithables, 1773, Magazine of Virginia Genealogy. Richmond VA: Winter 1996. Vol. 34 Iss. 1.
 * 1775-1776 Drake, Mrs. William P. Petitioners and Tithables in Prince Edward County, Virginia, 1775-1776. West Palm Beach, Florida: Genealogical Records Committee, Seminole Chapter, NSDAR, 1979. Available at.
 * 1782-1821 Heinegg, Paul. "Prince Edward County Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1821," Free African Americans.com. Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.
 * 1782-1850  Personal property tax lists, 1782-1850.  - images.
 * 1783 - Personal Property (or Land) Tax List, 1783; index online at Revolutionary War Service website - free.
 * 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 . The source of this publication is the 1787 personal property tax list. Prince Edward County is included in Vol. 2.
 * 1788 Clay, Robert Y. "Some Delinquent Taxpayers 1787-1790," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 20, No. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1976):269-274. Available at ; searchable database at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). These records identify migrants who left the county and often their intended destinations. Prince Edward County's 1788 Delinquent List appears on pp. 271-272.
 * 1800 County Tax List, 1800, The Virginia Genealogist. Falmouth VA: Jul 2005. Vol. 49 Iss. 3; Oct. 2005. Vol. 49 Iss. 4. Searchable database at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($).
 * 1815 Ward, Roger D. 1815 Directory of Virginia Landowners (and Gazetteer). 6 vols. Athens, Georgia: Iberian Pub. Co., 1997-2000. Available at . The source for this publication is the 1815 land tax. Prince Edward County is included in Vol. 2.

Birth

 * 1584-1917 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1715-1901 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1853-1866 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1862-1896 Fridley, Beth. Prince Edward County, Virginia Births, 1862-96 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 1999. Available at Ancestry ($).
 * 1912-1913 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Marriage

 * 1660-1800 Virginia Marriages 1660-1800 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * 1660-1959 Virginia, United States Marriages at at Findmypast — index($) — index $
 * 1715-1901 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1740-1850 Virginia Marriages 1740-1850 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * 1755-1850 Bonds Virginia Pioneers ($)
 * 1785-1940 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index; Also at: MyHeritage ($)
 * 1785-1940 Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * 1853-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; Also at: Ancestry ($)
 * 1936-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Death
Beth Fridley's abstracts of these records are also available on Ancestry ($):
 * Deaths are online in the Library of Virginia's Death Index of Virginia, 1853-1896, sponsored by The Virginia Genealogical Society.
 * 1715-1901 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1853-1911 Virginia, U.S., Death Registers, 1853-1911 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
 * 1853-1912 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection;  index & images
 * 1912-1987 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1862-1879 Prince Edward County, Virginia Deaths, 1862-79
 * 1880-1896 Prince Edward County, Virginia Deaths, 1880-96

Divorce

 * 1918-1988 at FamilySearch — index & images

FamilySearch Centers

 * Buckingham Virginia FamilySearch Center
 * Lynchburg Virginia FamilySearch Center
 * Richmond Virginia FamilySearch Center
 * Richmond Virginia Midlothian FamilySearch Center


 * Greenwood Library - Longwood University - an affiliate library

Websites

 * Prince Edward Co., VAGenWeb. Part of the USGenWeb Project. Maps, name indexes, history.


 * – 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: Prince Edward County," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 20, No. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1976):291-294. Digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($).