During the early migratory fishery Trinity was governed by Fishing Admirals, who were empowered to settle disputes among fishermen according to local customs and traditions. In 1729, by royal proclamation, the commander of the naval convoy in Newfoundland, became the governor of the colony. As the crown’s representative in Newfoundland, Governors appointed winter magistrates, Justices of the Peace, to maintain law and order outside the fishing season. The first magistrates at Trinity were Jacob Taverner and Francis Squibb, appointed in 1729. Initially the magistrates’ authority was challenged by the migratory fishermen, but as prominent merchants received appointments as Justices, the system gradually became respected, even though it had very little basis in law. By 1753 the magistrates presided over General Quarter Sessions to deal with civil disputes and from 1766 onwards, more serious complaints were heard annually in Surrogate Court, presided over by Naval Officers who were sent by the Naval Governors. By 1775 a local gaol was built at Trinity.
In 1791, a Court of Civil Jurisdiction was established in Newfoundland by an act of British Parliament, and John Clinch was appointed as a stipendiary magistrate at Trinity. By 1809 this Court had become permanent and was legally described as the Supreme Court of Newfoundland. The Court at Trinity was part of the Northern District Circuit. The stipendiary magistrates had both ministerial and judicial authority. They were able to receive information and complaints for indictable offences which could only be tried in Supreme Court; and as well they presided at the Court of Quarter Sessions, which tried offenders in summary criminal and civil cases. The Supreme Court held regular sessions to handle cases which came under its jurisdiction. There was a resident magistrate at Trinity until the late 1930s, after which time the magistrate at Bonavista held Court at Trinity as necessary. Nehemiah Short was the last magistrate with an office in Trinity.
In the 1970s, Provincial Court Judges replaced the former magistrates, and the Court for this area was centralized at Clarenville. Judge Coulton continued to preside over the Provincial Court at Trinity until the late 1980s. The last regular sitting of the Supreme Court at Trinity was held on September 5, 1947.
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Supplied title based on content
The records in this fonds originated in the offices of the court of the Northern District Court at Trinity. The material represents almost 200 years of the administration of justice in the district. Included with the original material is a series of early court proceedings, 1753-1774, copied from the original records held at the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL). The fonds includes records of the Trinity Magistrates' Office from 1830-1909; commissions and appointments of Justices of the Peace, 1849-1930; wills and land transfers, 1798-1924; appointment calendars for the magistrates office at Trinity, 1907-1931; Acts of Parliament and Orders in Council, 1833-1904; and voters' lists for 1836, 1865 and 1962. The records have been arranged in series following form and function.
The original records were transferred to the Trinity Historical Society Archives from the home of Mr. Rupert Morris in 1996. The photocopied material was collected and donated to the archives by Walter G.C. White, before 1976.
The files that make up this fonds were located in the Court House at Trinity (built 1903). They were transferred to the home of Mr. Rupert Morris, former president of the Trinity Historical Society. Mr. Morris may have arranged the material in its present order.
Some of these records are sensitive in nature and may be restricted.
Material in this fonds may be protected by copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance, when appropriate.
No finding aid available.
published
The series contains original copies of the Acts of the British Parliament, 1833- 1892, Colonial Acts and Newfoundland Acts, for the use of the Court of Quarter Sessions at Trinity. A number of the acts are annotated by the magistrate. The series includes Orders in Council, 1899 and 1904, which contain the rules and regulations for carrying out specific Acts.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.
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This series contains the ministerial and judicial records of the office of the Stipendiary Magistrate at Trinity, from 1830-1909. The records include summons', warrants, complaints, bonds, petitions, sentences, and licence bonds respecting the sale of liquor. The material has been maintained in the order in which it was filed by the Trinity Historical Society.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.
published
Wills and land transfers of residents of the district of Trinity.
No restrictions
Listing of individual wills and land transfers is available.
From 1753 onward, General Quarter Sessions were held at the court to settle civil disputes. The sessions were presided over by the Justices, who during this period, included Thomas Warden, John Garrett Blake, Samuel Harris, and Benjamin Lester. From 1766 a surrogate court was held annually to handle more serious complaints. It was presided over by Naval Officers acting as deputies of the Naval Governor and included Richard Edwards, Richard Locke and John Cartwright.
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The series consists of photocopies of records of the Court of the District of Trinity, 1753-1774, consisting of the judicial proceedings of the Justices of the Peace of the district of Trinity and of the deputy governors; also included are instructions for constables; warrants; complaints and adjudications. There is also a list of residents (1753), vessel entrances and other information.
Photocopies acquired by Walter C. G. White.
The original material is held at the The Rooms Provincial Archives Division.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.
published
The series consists of commissions and appointments of Justices of the Peace at Trinity, 1849-1930; John B. Garland Bill of Sale of a public landing to Benjamin Sweetland, JP, 1851; Correspondence with Justices Benjamin Sweetland, 1862 and Frederick Somerton, 1926- 30; and regulations relating to Customs, 1882. The files are arranged in chronological order.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.
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The series contains three volumes for the magistrate office at Trinity, 1907-1931. The calendars list the cases to be tried or heard by the magistrate giving the name, age, occupation and address of the defendant, the name of the plaintiff, cause of action, judgement and fines levied.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.
published
The series consists of three voters lists for the years 1836, 1865 and 1962. The early lists are for the Newfoundland District of Trinity. The 1836 list includes the communities of English Harbour, Salmon Cove, Ship Cove, Trinity Green Island Cove, Jigging Hole, Cuckold's Cove, Trouty, Spaniard's Cove, Old Bonaventure, New Bonaventure, Rider Harbour, British Harbour, Kerley's Harbour, Heart's Ease, Fox Harbour, Ireland's Eye. The 1865 list includes residents from Ship's Cove to Spaniard's Cove, Trinity Bay. The 1962 list is for the electoral district of Trinity North and includes polling divisions of Champney's East, Champney's West, Port Rexton, English Harbour and Horse Chops, Trinity, Goose Cove and Lockston, Dunfield and Trouty.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.