Quarter Sessions Indictments, 1681-1900

1681-1870 Indexes

(See tab above for 1871-1890 index.)

Defendants and Witnesses

A - B - C - D-E - F-G - H-I - J-L - M - N-P - Q-R - S - T-V - W-Z
 

Victims

A-C - D-G - H-L - M-O -P-R - S-V - W-Z

This index is to the Quarter Sessions dockets and indictment papers. The Court of Quarter Sessions heard criminal cases and also served several administrative functions. The most common cases that appear before the court are: fornication & bastardy; assault & battery; theft; horse theft; counterfeiting; rioting. During this time period capital crimes (murder, treason, rape, etc) were under the jurisdiction of the provincial court until 1707 and in 1715 they were placed under the supreme court until 1790 when the county court of oyer & terminer was formed.

The court also heard complaints regarding: servant/master disputes (see also Indentured Servant Records); individuals operating taverns without license; township overseers of the poor attempting to establish residency of a pauper;appointments to vacant township offices; desertion cases involving the Directors of the Poor.