CHAP. 235.—An ACT to prescribe the effect as evidence to be given to
deeds recorded prior to the year 1865.

Approved March 138, 1912.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
in every action at law or suit in equity, in which it shall ap-
pear that a deed or other writing, which constitutes a part of
the chain of title to any lands has been made by an officer or
other person, purporting to act under the provisions of any
statute or decree, authorizing or providing for a sale or convey-
ance of real estate, and that said deed was duly recorded in the
proper clerk’s office prior to the year eighteen hundred and
sixty-five, and that the record or evidence, or some parts thereof
of the proceedings under or pursuant to which such sale, deed
or other writing was made, has been lost or destroyed, or can-
not be produced, the said deed or other writing, or a certified
copy thereof, taken from said record, shall’ be prima facie evi-
dence of the fact that all provisions and requirements of such
statute or decree were duly complied with in the making of such
sale, deed or other writing as well as the power or authority of
such officer or other person to make and execute the same, and
of the due execution thereof by him.