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 »
Era Category: New York Under British Rule
The Petty Courts
The Petty Courts were set up in each town and three officials appointed by the Governor held session on the first Wednesday of every … More The Petty Courts »
The Court of Chancery, 1691-1776
The Court of Chancery consisted of the Governor or his appointed and the Council. The court had the powers of the English Chancery and … More The Court of Chancery, 1691-1776 »
The Supreme Court of Judicature, 1691-1776
The Supreme Court of Judicature consisted of a Chief Justice, a Second Justice and three Associate Justices commissioned under royal warrant. It had the … More The Supreme Court of Judicature, 1691-1776 »
The Prerogative Court
The Prerogative Court consisted of the Governor with the Secretary as Registrar, and had the power to grant probate or administration of estates. The … More The Prerogative Court »
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 »
Forsey v. Cunningham, 1764
On July 29, 1763, an altercation broke out between two respectable business men, one armed with a sword and the other with a horsewhip. … More Forsey v. Cunningham, 1764 »
Crown v. William Prendergast, 1766
Background The manorial system of land tenure, first introduced to New York by the Dutch, was continued under English rule. Patents to huge tracts … More Crown v. William Prendergast, 1766 »
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 »
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 »