Martha W. (Martha Woodroof) Hiden

author

Martha W. (Martha Woodroof) Hiden

1883–1959

A Virginia historian and preservation advocate, she helped safeguard early court records and turned local legal history into a book that still interests genealogists and researchers. Her work reflects a deep commitment to the state's counties, courts, and public memory.

1 Audiobook

How Justice Grew: Virginia Counties, An Abstract of Their Formation

How Justice Grew: Virginia Counties, An Abstract of Their Formation

by Martha W. (Martha Woodroof) Hiden

About the author

Born in 1883 and remembered as Martha Woodroof Hiden, she is best known for How Justice Grew: Virginia Counties, An Abstract of Their Formation. The book traces how Virginia's counties were created and changed over time, making it a useful reference for readers interested in history, genealogy, and the development of local government.

She was also involved in preserving Virginia's historical records. The Library of Virginia has highlighted her as one of the "court records preservation pioneers," showing that her contribution went beyond writing and into the practical work of protecting documents that historians still rely on.

Hiden died in 1959, but her name continued to matter in Virginia historical circles. The Martha Woodroof Hiden Memorial Collection at the Newport News Public Library is one sign of the lasting respect for her work and her role in preserving the state's past.