Chap. 255.—An ACT to regulate the probate of wills, the appointment of apprais-
ers of the estates of deeedents, and the appointment and qualification of personal
representatives, guardians, curators, committees hy the clerks of circuit courts.

Approved May 15, 1903.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the clerk of
any circuit court of any county may appoint appraisers of estates of de-
cedents, admit wills to probate, appoint and qualify executors, adminis-
trators, guardians, curators, and committees, and require and take from
them the necessary bonds in the same manner and with like effect as the
said circuit court could do if in session. Such powers and duties may be
exercised and discharged as well during the sessions of the circuil court
as at other times.

2. Such clerk shall keep an order book in which shall be entered aH

orders made by him respecting the subjects aforesaid. Any person inter-
ested may, within one year after the entering of such an order, ay»peal
therefrom. as a matter of right upon giving bond as provided vy law to
the circuit court of the county. Upon application being made for such
appeal, the said clerk shall enter forthwith in his order book an order al-
lowing such appeal, and docket the same as a preferred cause for trial at
the next term of the circuit court. The circuit court, at any term, shall
hear and determine the matter as though it had been presented to the
said circuit court in the first instance, and shall cause a copy of the cr-
der on the order book of the court embracing its final action to be copied
by the clerk into his order book. At any time after such appeal is al-
lowed the said circuit court, or the judge thereof in vacation, may make
any such order for the protection of the parties interested, or for the pro-
tection or preservation of any property involved, as might have becn made
had the matter been originally presented to the court, or as may svem
needful,

8. This act shall be in force on and after the first day of February,
nineteen hundred and four. ,