New York Colony Court of Chancery Orders and Minutes in Chancery

Chronological by date of issuance or proceeding.

This series consists mainly of copies of orders and decrees issued by the Royal Governor or Lieutenant Governor acting in his capacity as chancellor. It also includes minutes of proceedings, copies of Master's reports, and other material relevant to the business of the court. The first three volumes (1701-1702, 1705-1708, and 1720-1735) contain mostly orders and decrees, with some entries that record other proceedings in Chancery. The fourth volume (1748-1770) contains orders, decrees, Masters' reports, and testimony.

The heading for each decree, order, or other entry contains the names of the parties in the case, the chancellor (royal governor or lieutenant governor), the Colonial Council members in attendance, and the reigning British monarch, as well as the date (often in regnal years) and location of the court session. The names of the parties, the name of the monarch, and the date are rendered in Latin in the volumes covering the years 1701-1708.

The information in the main body of each entry varies. Decrees usually contain some detailed information about the case and the determination of the court. Orders vary in the amount of case information. Additional information about cases is contained in Master's reports and minutes of proceedings where they appear.

The last volume in this series, covering the years 1748-1770, generally contains the minutes of all court proceedings. These minutes give considerable detailed information about cases including the arguments of solicitors, reports of masters and testimony.

Microform is available for use at the New York State Archives or through interlibrary loan.

Microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah in 1953 at the Court of Appeals and in 1967 at Queens College. The GSU microfilm has been digitized, and the images can be viewed online at FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries (including the New York State Archives and New York State Library). The FamilySearch microfilm and digital images are cataloged under the author "New York Chancery Court," microfilm reel number 17439, and "Queens County (New York) Chancery Court Clerk," microfilm film reel numbers 481384, 481385, and 481386 (part). The State Archives holds a copy of reel 17439; it is not available for duplication or interlibrary loan.

JN319Series JN319, Court of Chancery Register's and Assistant Register's Minute Books

J0065Series J0065, Chancery Decrees and Papers Before 1800

Alphabetical index by last name of complainant or petitioner in each volume, except the volume covering 1705-1708.

Volume list is available at the repository.

After the Court of Chancery was abolished, effective July 1, 1847, these minute books were maintained by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals placed these records on deposit at the Historical Documents Collection, Queens College, from about 1966 to 1982.

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