The Court of Assizes
The Court of Assizes was composed of the Governor, the Council and the Justices of the Peace in attendance. The Court of Assizes convened … More The Court of Assizes »
Era Category: Important Cases - British Rule
Court of Sessions, 1665-1684
Court of Sessions sat twice a year in each of the three Ridings of Yorkshire and had criminal and civil jurisdiction. The bench was … More Court of Sessions, 1665-1684 »
Mayor’s Court
Mayor's Court composed of the Mayor and four Aldermen had the same civil jurisdiction as the Court of Sessions within the City of New … More Mayor’s Court »
The Jacob Leisler Treason Trial, 1691
Leisler-Milborne Treason Trial Background In 1688, James II ordered that the Province of New York be annexed to the Dominion of New England that … More The Jacob Leisler Treason Trial, 1691 »
The Colonel Nicholas Bayard Treason Trial, 1702
Background In 1691, Nicholas Bayard, who had been a force behind the trial and execution of Jacob Leisler for treason, sponsored a law which … More The Colonel Nicholas Bayard Treason Trial, 1702 »
Cosby v. Van Dam, 1733
In 1732, King George II of Great Britain appointed William Cosby Governor of the Provinces of New York. In the thirteen months that elapsed … More Cosby v. Van Dam, 1733 »
Crown v. John Peter Zenger, 1735
The New York Gazette was founded in 1725 and for many years was the Province’s only newspaper. It was published by the public printer, … More Crown v. John Peter Zenger, 1735 »
Trials Relating to the New York Slave Insurrection, 1741
In 1741, New York had a population of around 10,000 people, some 2,000 of whom were slaves. In a winter of harsh weather, food … More Trials Relating to the New York Slave Insurrection, 1741 »