Accomack County's ninth book of court orders begins with the court session held December 1697 and concludes with May 1703. The introduction spotlights the more interesting or unusual incidents that occurred during those years. These pages comprise a fascinating collection of accounts of boundary disputes, crime and punishment, contempt of court, fornication and bastard-bearing, assault, church and religion, economy, domestic violence, food and farming, highways and weather, livestock, Indians, servants and slaves, occupations, taverns, tithables and more. Much can be learned in these records about details of the daily life of the period, including pay rates and costs, household items, illnesses, and clothing worn. "In wills and deeds the genealogist can learn about his ancestors' relatives and possessions; in court orders he can learn about his ancestors."