Description
Coroners Inquisitions are investigations into the deaths of individuals who died by a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious manner, or died without medical attendance. Documents commonly found in coroners inquests include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Information found in the inquisition includes the name of the coroner, the names of the jurors, the name and age of the deceased if known, gender and race of the deceased, and when, how, and by what means the deceased came to his or her death. If the deceased was African American, the inquest would identify the deceased as an enslaved African American or free African American if known. If the deceased was an enslaved African American, the inquest would include, if known, the name of the slave-owner and the slave-owners residence. Information found in the depositions will include the name of the deponent and his or her account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased. Unlike many other legal proceedings in Antebellum Virginia, enslaved African Americans were permitted to provide depositions for Coroners Inquisitions. Accomack County Coroners Inquisitions, 1806-1873
