Phillip Slaughter

(Fairfax County, Va.) the History of Truro Parish in Virginia. Phillip Slaughter

Truro Parish lies in the heart of what is call The Northern Neck of Virginia and precisly in Fairfax County. The title says history but it should say Vestry Book, the author has transcribed the vestry book which was thought to be lost until the author found it. These records cover the time frame 1732-1785.
When the parishes were formed by the General Assembly of Virginia, the Vestries were assigned some of the civil administrative functions and all such civil functions were official in nature and the records of actions taken were recorded in the vestry books. Such records contained in the Vestry book among other things are things like: upkeep of bastard children; payment for the upkeep of the ferry; prosecution of fornicators; appointment of road work crews; apprentice young people to others in the parish for training in crafts or other livelihoods; providing clothing, food and shelter for the poor and elderly; burial of the dead and many, many other similar duties.