New York State Circuit Court (1st Circuit) Rough Minute Books

The rough minute books contain minutes of civil trials and other proceedings in regular terms of the Circuit Court and in additional "sittings" in the city and county of New York. A Supreme Court justice presided. All actions were commenced in the Supreme Court of Judicature and an issue roll was sent to the Circuit Court if a trial was required. The minute books were created by the court clerk in the courtroom, and the handwriting is hasty with many abbreviations and strikeouts. Trial minutes include the names of plaintiff and defendant, attorneys, jurors, and witnesses, and may list documents introduced as evidence. The minutes state the amount of money judgment awarded by jury verdict after trial, or by jury inquisition if the defendant defaulted. The minute books also contain occasional entries of motions and orders, and fines against non-appearing jurors. The rough minutes for 1842 are fragmentary.

These records were transferred by the New York State Unified Court System, Office of Court Administration in 2017.

Use and reproduction of fragile documents may be restricted.