Judicial Court Case Files

Sub-series Description:

From its’ formation in February 1778 until into the 1950s, County Court had both an administrative and a judicial function. This sub-series contains loose records for court cases handled by the justices of the peace either collectively gathered in session as the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (County Court) or individually as magistrates. Records of both civil and criminal cases are filed in the sub-series. Civil cases that were then appealed, as well as more serious criminal cases, went to the Superior Court of Law and Equity, so researchers should also check for cases there. Among the many types of cases handled were debt, bastardies, survey and land disputes, probate issues, theft, assaults, trespass, slander, broken covenants, etc. Among the types of documents found in the files are bonds, depositions, judgements, summonses, warrants, etc. Case files are arranged chronologically by year and then alphabetically by the title of the case, using the plaintiff’s surname first. In 1958, most judicial functions of the County Court were transferred to the newly-created General Sessions Court for Washington County.
**Note: This guide updated on 17 January 2024.

Judical Court 1778 – 1789

Judicial Court 1790 – 1799

Judicial Court 1800 – 1809

Judicial Court 1810 – 1819

Judicial Court 1820 – 1829

Judicial Court 1830 – 1839

Judicial Court 1840 – 1849

Judicial Court 1850 – 1859

Judicial Court 1860 – 1869

Judicial Court 1870 – 1879

Judicial Court 1880 – 1889

Judicial Court 1890 – 1899