Correspondence and papers originating in the offices of the clerk of assize, his...

Correspondence and papers originating in the offices of the clerk of assize, his associate and his clerk of indictments; including scattered correspondence on costs, accounts of fees and expenses to witnesses, jurors' excuses for non-attendance at assizes, correspondence on estreated recognizances, gaol calendars, certificates of conviction or conditional pardons.

Also contains a copy of the order in council of 1889 which extended the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court to parts of Surrey . There are also returns compiled for central government for statistical purposes and a wide range of documents used as trial exhibits. These include pawn tickets, forged cheques, insurance policies, letting agreements and original correspondence.

Includes copies of correspondence with the Inland Revenue in 1878 on the difficulties of buying judicature fee stamps during lengthy assize sittings, a circular appealing for funds for the National Skating Association in 1887, and a printed statement of 1833 from the chaplain of the house of correction at Cold Bath Fields in Middlesex together with a list of persons rescued from 'continual imprisonment'.

The eighteenth century material in ASSI 39/7 includes an application for a 'Tyburn Ticket' and a circular concerning a meeting of clerks of assize to consider the effects of the suspension of transportation. It also contains correspondence relating to the personal and professional life of Fleetwood Bury, who was not only associate of the Norfolk Circuit but also in practice as a London attorney. Some of the letters concern the proceedings of the manorial courts of Great and Little Stanmore

There are also occasional copies of newspaper reports of trials on the circuit, including a special edition of the Eastern Daily Press of 13 November 1880. This is entirely devoted to the trial of R v Browne, Pritchard, Solly and Davies for attempting to murder a terminally-ill patient. The accused pleaded not guilty on the facts, but their defence showed that this was essentially a case of attempted euthanasia. The defendants were acquitted to much applause.

Includes some non-assize material which appears to have originated with Sir James Eyre, 1734 to 1799, recorder of London 1763 to 1772, baron and then chief baron of Exchequer 1772 to 1793, and chief justice of Common Pleas 1793 to 1799. His correspondence, personal, financial and professional, is in ASSI 39/7 and 25-26. Eyre's correspondents include the banker Thomas Coutts and his brother Thomas Eyre. Mixed with the correspondence are a number of bills, many of which relate to Eyre's activities as trustee of Frederick Nassau, illegitimate son of the Earl of Rochford.

Described at item level

Please note: Item references do not appear on original document

Topics

Manors

Litigation

Taxation

Trade and commerce

Legal

Crime

Banking

Prisons