New York State Department of State Record of Commissions by the Governor and the Senate

Chronological.

The secretary of state's office was responsible for records in these commissions which appointed the secretary as the clerk to the Council of Appointment. The council was abolished in 1822 with the ratification of the 1821 constitution and its powers transferred to the governor whose appointees were confirmed by the senate.

This series consists of 53 bound volumes of copies of commissions of office, the original of which was sent to the appointee. The volumes record commissions pertaining to a variety of offices. They usually (but not always) provide the name of the appointee, county of residence, office of appointment, date and names of the governor, secretary of state or deputy secretary of state (in clerk's handwriting). The volumes are arranged in chronological order with many of them containing an index that is accessible by both person and county name.

A1850Series A1850, Index to commissions for public offices, contains related records

A1848Series A1848, Registers of state, county, and city appointed and elected officials, contains related records.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.