Justice of the Peace Courts
Article VI, section 17, of the Constitution of 1846 authorized the election of Justices of the Peace to serve in the towns and villages … More Justice of the Peace Courts »
Era Category: Antebellum - Civil War & Reconstruction New York
County Courts
The Constitution of 1846 provided for the establishment of a County Court in each county outside New York City. It is authorized to handle … More County Courts »
The New York Court of Appeals, 1847-1869
The 1846 Constitution drew a distinction between the trial of impeachments and the review of cases on appeal, and established two separate courts a … More The New York Court of Appeals, 1847-1869 »
John W. Willard
1792-1862 John W. Willard served in 1853. Born in Guilford, Conn., May 20, 1792. Judge and vice chancellor, Fourth Circuit, 1836-1848. New York State … More John W. Willard »
Amasa Junius Parker
1807-1890 Amasa Junius Parker served in 1854. Born in Sharon, Conn., Jun. 2, 1807. Principal of Hudson (New York) Academy at age 16 (1823-1827). … More Amasa Junius Parker »
John Worth Edmonds
1799-1874 John Worth Edmonds served in 1852. Renowned prison reformer. Born in Hudson, Columbia County, N.Y., Mar. 13, 1799. Graduated from Union College, 1816. … More John Worth Edmonds »
A New Judicial System
The Formation of the Court of Appeals By the 1840s, it had become apparent that the court system set up under the 1777 constitution … More A New Judicial System »
People v. Van Rensselaer; People v. Clarke, 1853
People v. Van Rensselaer 9 N.Y. 291 (1853) The long simmering issue of manorial titles came to the fore again in the mid-19th century … More People v. Van Rensselaer; People v. Clarke, 1853 »
Thomas v. Winchester, 1852
Professor Stewart Sterk highlighted this case in There Shall Be a Court of Appeals, writing that “In New York, and elsewhere, liability for harm … More Thomas v. Winchester, 1852 »
In the Matter of Robert Martin, 1865
31 How. Pr. 228, 45 Barb 142 (1865) Suspension of Habeas Corpus “When the necessity arises, the military power is paramount, and the laws … More In the Matter of Robert Martin, 1865 »