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Litchfield County judicial records (2)

2003-80-0

 Collection
Identifier: 2003-80-0

Scope and Contents

Litchfield County judicial records (2, designated to distinguish them from the collection Litchfield County judicial records (2005-08-0)) (1799-1910) consist of case files and other documents relating to matters involving the Litchfield County Court, the Litchfield Superior Court, and the clerk of the court. These records appear to complement other Litchfield County judicial records found in the Litchfield Historical Society's collections and the Litchfield County Court records held by the Connecticut State Archives. In the absence of original order, they have been arranged in two series, Case files and Subject files, using two State Archives finding aids as models: "RG 003, Litchfield County, County Court Files, Inventory of Records" and "RG 003, Litchfield County, County Court Papers by Subject Inventory of Records," both of which were prepared by Debra Pond. The records are arranged in three series: Series 1, Case files; Series 2, Subject files; and Series 3, Other records. The description of the series and records which follow include excerpts from these State Archives finding aids. Series 1. Case files, 1799-1866 Case files contain original materials and relate to civil lawsuits primarily relating to the collection of debts. While the records vary by case, the documents typically include a writ and a promissory note. A case not related to debt collection is an 1865 suit brought by the estate of James Memmott, who was killed in a railroad accident near Bridgeport, Conn., against the Housatonic Railroad Co. Series 2. Subject files, 1794-1866 Subject files include a range of records and generally follow the subject categories found in the Litchfield County Court records at the Connecticut State Archives. The categories are organized alphabetically, and then arranged chronologically within each category. Subject file categories: Admissions to the bar (1864-1865) contains chronologically arranged certificates from the county bar's committee of examiners reporting results of its examination of candidates seeking to be admitted to practice before the Litchfield County bar. Appointments of commissioners (1865) contains chronologically arranged documents relating to confirmations of individuals sworn as commissioners of the court. Costs (1813-1866) are accountings of court costs from individual files for items such as service of writs, summoning of witnesses, juror expenses, sheriff's travel expenses and the like. Some cost records do not include the name of the case to which they belong. The records are filed chronologically by year. Inquests (1812-1816, 1865-1866) are investigations into the causes of suspicious deaths. They are arranged chronologically by year. Jurors (1813-1816, 1863-1866) contains orders to town constables to summon jurors for jury duty, as the court needed them to try cases. In addition, the clerk's notes of the individuals who served on the jury for certain trials may be found here. These records are arranged first by general records, which include documents relating to county-wide matters, and second alphabetically by town name, then chronologically. Miscellaneous (1794-1816) contains a variety of material and generally consists of individual items. See detailed listing for more information. Naturalization (1866) is made up of petitions for and other documents relating to naturalization. They are arranged chronologically and then by the name of the individual. Protection orders (1813-1816) protected debtors with a large number of debts from arrest while at court suing their own creditors. They are arranged chronologically. Taverns (1864-1866) is composed of chronologically arranged certifications to the court of the tavern keepers appointed by the county's towns. Tavern licenses were appointed, or renewed, annually by the court. Series 3. Other records, circa 1880-circa 1910 These records range from circa 1880 to circa 1910 and have not been processed. They include records relating to the estate of Ethan Kilbourn, estate of E. C. Carter, and justices of the peace and clerks of the court Dwight Kilbourn and Wheaton Dowd.

Dates

  • created: 1794-1910
  • Other: Date acquired: 12/06/2004

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Extent

1.67 Linear Feet

1 document box and 1 records storage box other_unmapped

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Litchfield County judicial records (2, designated to distinguish them from the collection Litchfield County judicial records (2005-08-0)) (1799-1910) consist of case files and other documents relating to matters involving the Litchfield County Court, the Litchfield Superior Court, and the clerk of the court. These records appear to complement other Litchfield County judicial records found in the Litchfield Historical Society's collections and the Litchfield County Court records held by the Connecticut State Archives.

Arrangement Note

The records are arranged in three series: Series 1. Case files, 1799-1866 Series 2. Subject files, 1794-1866 Series 3. Other records, circa 1880-circa 1910

Source of Acquisition

Thomas F. Wall Jr.

Method of Acquisition

Gift

Related Materials

Litchfield County judicial records, 1790-1930 Connecticut State Archives, RG 003 Judicial Department: Litchfield County, County Court Files, 1751-1855 Litchfield County, County Court Papers by Subject, 1750-1855 Litchfield County Court Minorities Collection, 1753-1854

Other Descriptive Information

This collection was processed with support from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Title
Litchfield County judicial records (2)
Status
Completed
Author
Leith Johnson
Date
03/09/2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Litchfield Historical Society Repository

Contact:
7 South Street
P.O. Box 385
Litchfield CT 06759
860-567-4501
860-567-3565 (Fax)