Series 2: Original Materials, 1736-1949

Series 2 consists of 150 boxes, one wrapped package of county court papers, primarily case papers and public records; as well as various public and private record books (one box, and two unboxed ledgers). The case papers in boxes 1-17 have been indexed alphabetically, chronologically, and by subject. This card index can be found on microfilm reels HAM 30-34, or upon request. Case papers include civil and criminal cases at the County, Circuit, and State level. The case papers are still in their original wrappers, which include basic information on the case, including names, dates, and charges, but not much more. There is generally more information for county level cases than other levels. Public records are primarily financial records including taxes, settlements, and sales, but there are also some birth, marriage, and death records, estates, deeds, and election records. There are also several boxes of records of the Hampshire County Department of the West Virginia Relief Administration, which include work injury compensation reports (boxes 75-77); public assistance checks (boxes 80-81); and administrative financial records (box 150). The work injury compensation reports include basic information on the circumstances of the injury, the type of work, pay, and general demographic information (name, age, race, marital status, etc.). These materials are restricted for general use in compliance with HIPAA standards, but researchers may request access to use the records for broad, summary analysis.

Some highlights for this series include bills for the board (1833, env. 48); a 1736 bond from Jonathan Seaman to John Woodson for the amount of forty pounds in either silver or gold Pennsylvania money (env. 2); an order for militia to appear on parade (18--, env. 53); and accounts of the jailor, including for keeping enslaved persons in jail (1830, env. 46 and 1849, env. 62).