The Court of Chancery, 1684-1688
The Court of Chancery consisted of the Governor or his appointed Chancellor and the Council. The Court had original jurisdiction in all equity matters … More The Court of Chancery, 1684-1688 »
Era Category: New York Under British Rule
The Surrogate Court, 1684-1688
This Court consisted of the Governor sitting alone.
The Court of Exchequer
The Court of Exchequer (also called the Court of Judicature) consisted of the Governor and Council.
Court of Oyer and Terminer, 1788-1895
In 1788, the justices were required to convene criminal courts (Oyer and Terminer) during the terms of the Circuit Court. The Court of Oyer … More Court of Oyer and Terminer, 1788-1895 »
Court of Sessions, 1684-1688
The Court of Sessions consisted of three local Justices of the Peace who held session twice a year in each county and more frequently … More Court of Sessions, 1684-1688 »
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 »