Merionethshire Quarter Sessions Enrolments, Registration, Deposits and Returns

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Scope and Content

Records of the Merionethshire Court of Quarter Sessions, 1738-1949, including annuities, 1785-1842; records relating to the appointment of Deputy Lieutenants, 1832-1840; Constables' records, 1802-1838; Corn Tax certificates, 1821-1827; election records, 1835-1870; enclosure awards and related records, 1809-1869; records relating to friendly societies, 1836-1949; records relating to highways, 1880-1882; jury lists, 1804-1840; Land Tax assessment records, 1861-1949; oath rolls and declarations, 1738-1885; and Turnpike trust records, 1818-1835.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Court of Quarter Sessions in Merionethshire sat four times a year, attended by the Justices of the Peace of the county. Quarter sessions courts began in Wales after the Acts of Union, 1536-1543. The Quarter Sessions played a major role in the local administration of Merionethshire until the late nineteenth century, when many of its administrative functions were transferred to the County Council. However, the judicial role of the Courts continued until their abolition in 1971. There were numerous administrative matters overseen by the courts, including licensing alehouses, determining wage-levels and controlling registration of charities and nonconformist meeting houses. In addition, the Court had responsibility for overseeing the upkeep of bridges, gaols and houses of correction. Records of these bodies were depsoited with the Court.

Arrangement

Arranged into the following: Annuities; Appointment of officers - Deputy Lieutenant; Building societies; Constables; Corn tax; Elections; Enclosures; Fisheries; Quarter Sessions Friendly Society papers; Highways; Income Tax; Jury lists; Land Tax assessments; Oath rolls and declarations; and Turnpike Trust.

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Note

Compiled by Richard Burman for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Archifdy Meirionnydd Archives, Sesiynau Chwarter, Papurau Cofrestru, Adneuthau a Ffurlenni/ Quarter Sessions Enrolments, Registration, Deposits and Returns, catalogue; Jones, Gareth Elwyn, Modern Wales: A Concise History c.1485-1979 (Cambridge, 1984).