Quarter Sessions
Reference: Q/S Catalogue Title: Quarter Sessions Area: Catalogue Category: Public Records Description:
Covering Dates: 1746 - 1971
Access: Access restricted under Data Protection legislation. Apply to county archivist for access.
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- Quarter Sessions
- Quarter Sessions (Ref: Q/S)
- Appeal Order books (Ref: Q/S/A/1-15)
- Appeal Entry Books (Ref: Q/S/A/16-27)
- Sentence papers (Ref: Q/S/DS/1-10)
- Estreat rolls (Ref: Q/S/E/1-6)
- Returns of estreats and writs (Ref: Q/S/E/7-9)
- Pettitions and miscellaneous papers (Ref: Q/S/P/1-48)
- Indexes of summary convictions (Ref: Q/S/SJ/1/1-7)
- Returns of Summary Convictions, 1893 - 1915 (Ref: Q/S/SJ/2/1-7)
- Depositions at Petty Sessions and Returns of Convictions, 1915 - 1918 (Ref: Q/S/SJ/3/1-4)
- Probation Orders and Recognizances, 1900 - 1966 (Ref: Q/S/SJ/4/1-8)
- War Zone Court (Ref: Q/S/WZ/1-2)
- Miscellaneous Sessions Court Records (Ref: Q/S/X/1-3)
- Juvenile Offenders (Ref: Q/S/Y/1-2)
Catalogue Contents
Quarter Sessions (Ref: Q/S)Appeal Order books (Ref: Q/S/A/1-15)
Cases of appeal against verdicts made at Petty Sessions or against poor law removal orders, rate assessments etc.
Orders 1880 - 1971
Orders of court in appeal cases, reciting the original case and stating the verdict on appeal and the order for alteration of judgement, date of Sessions, Justice's present, also notice of appeal.
Appeal Order book, with index, March 1880 - July 1885
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Ref: Q/S/A/2Appeal Order book, with index, September 1885 - October 1890
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Ref: Q/S/A/3Appeal Order book, with index, October 1890 - December 1894
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Ref: Q/S/A/4Appeal Order book, with index, December 1894 - October 1899
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Ref: Q/S/A/5Appeal Order book, with index, October 1899 - October 1903
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Ref: Q/S/A/6Appeal Order book, with index, November 1903 - March 1907
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Ref: Q/S/A/7Appeal Order book, 9 January 1956 - 5 July 1962
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/A/8Appeal Order book, 12 March 1962 - 22 December 1964
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/A/9Appeal Order book, 21 January 1965 - 22 April 1966
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/A/10Appeal Order book, 24 May 1966 - February 1967
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/A/11Appeal Order book, 13 March 1967 - 9 April 1968
(1 bundle)
Ref: Q/S/A/12Appeal Order book, 7 February 1968 - 21 April 1969
(1 bundle)
Ref: Q/S/A/13Appeal Order book, 9 January 1969 - 16 January 1970
(1 bundle)
Ref: Q/S/A/14Appeal Order book, 23 January 1970 - 15 January 1971
(1 bundle)
Ref: Q/S/A/15Number not used
Appeal Entry Books (Ref: Q/S/A/16-27)Appeal Entry Books, 1852 - 1969
Records name of appellant, respondent and attorneys in columns under date of session. Includes case number from 1964.
Appeal Entry book, April 1852 - April 1876
(1 volume, calf bound)
Ref: Q/S/A/17Appeal Entry book, June 1876 - December 1900
(1 volume, calf bound)
Ref: Q/S/A/18Appeal Entry book, April 1901 - July 1922
(1 volume, calf bound)
Ref: Q/S/A/19Appeal Entry book, July 1922 - January 1925
(1 volume, calf bound)
Ref: Q/S/A/20Appeal Entry book, January 1925 - January 1948
(1 volume, calf bound)
Ref: Q/S/A/21Appeal Entry book, April 1948 - June 1964
(1 volume, calf bound)
Ref: Q/S/A/22Appeal Entry book, June 1964 - December 1969
(1 volume, calf bound)
Ref: Q/S/A/23Register of appeals (records name, age, committal and charge, counsel, sentences, indexes), 5 September 1958 - 22 January 1965
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/A/24Register of appeals, 11 March 1965 - 27 June 1968
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/A/25Register of appeals, 13 July 1968 - 15 June 1970
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/1Appeals, July 1954 - January 1957
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/2Appeals, March 1957 - March 1958
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/3Appeals, July 1958 - January 1960
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/4Appeals, February - December 1960
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/5Appeals, January - December 1961
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/6Appeals, January - May 1962
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/7Appeals, June - November 1962
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/8Appeals, 1-16, 1962
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/9Appeals, 1-50, 1963
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/10Appeals, 51-117, 1963
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/11Appeals, 1-35, 1964
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/12Appeals, 36-100,1964
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/13Appeals, 101-107, 1964
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/14Appeals, 1-70, 1965
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/15Appeals, 71-120, 1965
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/16Appeals, 1-60, 1966
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/17Appeals, 61-106, 1966
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/18Appeals, 107-133, 1966
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/19Appeals, 1-50, 1967
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/20Appeals, 51-105, 1967
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/21Appeals, 106-160, 1967
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/22Appeals, 161-221, 1967
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/23Appeals, 1-50, 1968
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/24Appeals, 51-110, 1968
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/25Appeals 111-181, 1968
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/26Appeals, 182-215, 1968
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/27Appeals, 216-238, 1968
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/28Appeals, 1-51, 1969
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/29Appeals, 52-97, 1969
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/30Appeals, 98-143, 1969
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/31Appeals, 144-177, 1969
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/32Appeals, 178-203, 1969
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/33Appeals, 204-218, 1969
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/34Appeals, 1-17, 1970
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/35Appeals, 18-40, 1970
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/36Appeals, 41-68, 1970
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/37Appeals, 69-94, 1970
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/38Appeals, 95-129, 1970
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/39Appeals, 130-160, 1970
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/40Appeals, 161-202, 1970
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/41Appeals, 1-17, 1971
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/42Appeals, 18-57, 1971
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/43Appeals, 58-82, 1971
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/44Appeals, 83-112, 1971
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/45Appeals, 113-150, 1971
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/26/46Appeals, 151-199, 1971
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/A/27Court of Criminal Appeal, correspondence and notification of judgement of appeal, 1967 - 1971, and notices of application 'form 2', 1971
(2 files)
Sentence papers (Ref: Q/S/DS/1-10)SENTENCE PAPERS 1970 - 1971
Similar to case papers but concerning offenders given suspended sentences or bound over on probation, later convicted of a further offence in another court and referred back to Durham quarter sessions for sentence.
Sentence papers, November 1970, (S1-38)
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/DS/2Sentence papers, November 1970, (S39-68)
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/DS/3Sentence papers, January 1971, (S1-61)
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/DS/4Sentence papers, February 1971, (S1-46)
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/DS/5Sentence papers, March 1971, (S1-45)
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/DS/6Sentence papers, May 1971, (S1-53)
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/DS/7Sentence papers, June 1971, (S1-32)
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/DS/8Sentence papers, July 1971, (S1-44)
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/DS/9Sentence papers, September 1971, (S1-33)
(1 box)
Ref: Q/S/DS/10Sentence papers, September 1971, (S34-68)
(1 box)
Estreat rolls (Ref: Q/S/E/1-6)ESTREATS OF FINES
Fines imposed in court and sums of money forfeit by non-compliance with condition of a recognizance were returned to the Exchequer each Michaelmas by the Sheriff. A record was returned in the form of an extract or 'estreat' of the records of the court with a list of sums due, the names of people owing them and the reason.
For Register of Estreats see Q/S/OP 2-3
Estreat Rolls, 1865 - 1880
These record the fines and forfeitures due from each Sessions certified by the Clerk of the Peace
Estreat roll, March 1865
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/2Estreat roll, July 1865
(parchment, 2 membranes)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/3Estreat roll, June 1866
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/4Estreat roll, July 1866
(parchment, 2 membranes)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/5Estreat roll, August 1866
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/6Estreat roll, November 1866
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/7Estreat roll, February 1867
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/8Estreat roll, June 1867
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/9Estreat roll, August 1867
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/10Estreat roll, December 1867
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/11Estreat roll, February 1868
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/12Estreat roll, April 1868
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/13Estreat roll, August 1868
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/14Estreat roll, November 1868
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/15Estreat roll, January 1869
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/16Estreat roll, May 1869
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/17Estreat roll, August 1869
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/18Estreat roll, November 1869
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/19Estreat roll, February 1870
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/20Estreat roll, April 1870
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/21Estreat roll, July 1870
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/22Estreat roll, November 1870
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/23Estreat roll, April 1871
(parchment, 2 membranes)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/24Estreat roll, August 1871
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/25Estreat roll, November 1871
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/26Estreat roll, January 1872
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/27Estreat roll, May 1872
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/28Estreat roll, July 1872
(parchment, 2 membranes)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/29Estreat roll, November 1872
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/30Estreat roll, January 1873
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/31Estreat roll, April 1873
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/32Estreat roll, July 1873
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/33Estreat roll, January 1874
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/34Estreat roll, April 1874
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/35Estreat roll, July 1874
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/36Estreat roll, November 1874
(parchment, 2 membranes)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/37Estreat roll, January 1875
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/38Estreat roll, April 1875
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/39Estreat roll, July 1875
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/40Estreat roll, November 1875
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/41Estreat roll, January 1876
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/42Estreat roll, April 1876
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/43Estreat roll, July 1876
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/44Estreat roll, November 1876
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/45Estreat roll, January 1877
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/46Estreat roll, April 1877
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/47Estreat roll, July 1877
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/48Estreat roll, November 1877
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/49Estreat roll, January 1878
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/50Estreat roll, April 1878
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/51Estreat roll, July 1878
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/52Estreat roll, November 1878
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/53Estreat roll, January 1879
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/54Estreat roll, June 1879
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/55Estreat roll, July 1879
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/56Estreat roll, November 1879
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/1/57Estreat roll, February 1880
(parchment, 1 membrane)
Ref: Q/S/E/2Estreat roll, 1956 - 1962
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/E/3Estreat roll, 1962 - 1964
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/E/4Estreat roll, 1963 - 1966
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/E/5Estreat roll, 1955 - 1968
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/E/6Estreat roll, 1968 - 1971
(1 file)
Returns of estreats and writs (Ref: Q/S/E/7-9)Ref: Q/S/E/7Writs to Sheriffs 1955 - 1965
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/E/8Miscellaneous papers: correspondence and draft returns, 1949 - 1991
(2 box files)
Ref: Q/S/E/9Returns to Home Office, 1968 - 1971
(1 file)
Pettitions and miscellaneous papers (Ref: Q/S/P/1-48)PETITIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS, 1746 - 1905
Ref: Q/S/P/1/1-2Petition from owners of land in Norhamshire and Islandshire complaining that they are put to great expense in conveying vagrants, 16 July 1746
(2 papers)
Ref: Q/S/P/2Copy return of men (one entry only) impressed (under act of 1756), 15 February 1757
(1 paper)
Ref: Q/S/P/3Names of those failing to make highway repairs at Houghton-le-Spring, December 1764
(1 paper)
Ref: Q/S/P/4Papers in case of Ralph Hazard of South Shields indicted for assault of Isabella Finn, South Shields, September 1808 - January 1809
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/P/5/1-2Case for appeal against rate assessment of William Jolliffe of Harraton township, October 1783
(2 files)
Ref: Q/S/P/6Draft assignment of bond from commissioners for paving Durham City to John Lofthouse of Market Place, Durham, 1792
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/P/7Examination of Mary Fairlamb of St. Nicholas Durham concerning her bastard child, 25 June 1796
(1 paper)
Ref: Q/S/P/8-37Informations for non-payment of hair-powder duty mainly in Wearmouth, Herrington and Southwick, 21 May - 25 June 1796
(31 papers and parchment, 2 membranes)
Ref: Q/S/P/38/1-2Two draft letters of Clerk of Peace to Secretary of State for the Home Department informing him that population returns and copy of Quarter Sessions order concerning poor relief have been dispatched, May 1801
(2 papers)
Ref: Q/S/P/39Extracts from will of Jane Flintoff, widow, of Crossgate, Durham City, c.1800
(1 paper)
Ref: Q/S/P/40Arbitration award in disputes between Elizabeth Andrews and others and Samuel Castle, August 1805 - July 1806
(1 paper)
Ref: Q/S/P/41Copies of papers in case of George Bell accused of practising trade of butcher without having served an apprenticeship, 1812
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/P/42Copy of papers in case of John Wharton of Cornforth indicted of assaulting Thomas Eggleston, 1814
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/P/43-44Indexes to Order Books, 19th century
(2 booklets)
Ref: Q/S/P/45Copy notice sent to church wardens concerning alteration of highway districts, 1880
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/P/46Copy statement of finances of Industrial Schools Sub-Committee, May 1880
(1 paper)
Ref: Q/S/P/47Copy order by Petty Sessions under Inebriate Acts to Eastern Counties Inebriate Reformatory, East Harling, Norfolk, 1905
(1 paper)
Ref: Q/S/P/48/1-2Two parchment strips cut from indictments including:
1. name of Thomas Weddle of St Oswald parish, labourer, conviction unknown, 3 September 1796
2. name of John Aire convicted for theft, n.d. [c. 1796]
(parchment, 2 membranes)
Indexes of summary convictions (Ref: Q/S/SJ/1/1-7)Under the Summary Justice Act, 1879 (42 & 43 Victoria c.49) and the Criminal Justice Act, 1855 (18 & 19 Victoria c.126) certain offences could he convicted by two Justices in a summary court instead of waiting for a jury at Quarter Sessions, if the accused so chose. Returns of such convictions had to he made to Quarter Sessions.
Indexes
Record summary convictions of indictable offences noting name, offence, name of petty sessions and date of conviction.
Index of Summary Convictions, 1879 - 1885
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/1/2Index of Summary Convictions, 1886 - 1890
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/1/3Index of Summary Convictions, 1891 - 1895
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/1/4Index of Summary Convictions, 1896 - 1900
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/1/5Index of Summary Convictions, 1901 - 1905
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/1/6Index of Summary Convictions, 1906 - 1910
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/1/7Index of Summary Convictions, 1911 - 1915
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Returns of Summary Convictions, 1893 - 1915 (Ref: Q/S/SJ/2/1-7)Ref: Q/S/SJ/2/1Returns of Summary Convictions, December 1893
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/2/2Returns of Summary Convictions, 1898 - 1902
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/2/3Returns of Summary Convictions, 1903 and 1911
(6 papers)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/2/4Returns of Summary Convictions, April 1908
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/2/5Returns of Summary Convictions, 1909
(2 papers, 1 file)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/2/6Returns of Summary Convictions, November 1913
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/2/7Returns of Summary Convictions, 1914 - 1915
(1 bundle)
Depositions at Petty Sessions and Returns of Convictions, 1915 - 1918 (Ref: Q/S/SJ/3/1-4)Ref: Q/S/SJ/3/1Depositions at Petty Sessions and Returns of Convictions, August - November 1915
(1 paper, 17 files)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/3/2Depositions at Petty Sessions and Returns of Convictions, January - December 1916
(54 files)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/3/3Depositions at Petty Sessions and Returns of Convictions, January - December 1917
(1 paper, 49 files)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/3/4Depositions at Petty Sessions and Returns of Convictions, January 1918
(3 files)
Probation Orders and Recognizances, 1900 - 1966 (Ref: Q/S/SJ/4/1-8)Ref: Q/S/SJ/4/1Probation orders, April 1916 - February 1927
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/4/2Probation orders, April 1927 - October 1937
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/4/3Probation orders, January 1938 - November 1944
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/4/4Probation orders, January 1956 - April 1960
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/4/5Probation orders, May 1960 - February 1963
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/4/6Probation orders, March 1963 - June 1966
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/4/7Index to probation orders, March 1963 - May 1966
(1 volume)
Ref: Q/S/SJ/4/8File of recognizances, 1900, 1913 - 1940
(1 file)
War Zone Court (Ref: Q/S/WZ/1-2)War Zone Court, 1940 - 1945
This was established under the War Emergency Acts, but apparently never functioned
Correspondence and orders, 1940
(1 file)
Ref: Q/S/WZ/2War Zone Court register [blank], n.d.
(1 volume)
Miscellaneous Sessions Court Records (Ref: Q/S/X/1-3)Access restricted under Data Protection legislation. Apply to county archivist for access.
Ref: Q/S/X/1Number not used
Ref: Q/S/X/2List of Defence Certificates granted by Quarter Sessions and Legal Aid Certificates granted by Petty Sessions under Poor Prisoners' Defence Act, (1930), 1931 - 1951
(1 volume, card bound)
Ref: Q/S/X/3Register of poor prisoners, 20 July 1927 - 20 December 1958
Includes names of prisoners, charges (all serious crimes), dates, names and addresses of solicitors "willing to undertake the defence of poor prisoners"
Index available in Record Office Search Room for staff use only
(1 volume)
Juvenile Offenders (Ref: Q/S/Y/1-2)Ref: Q/S/Y/1Orders for commitment, to Earls House Industrial School [Earl's House], 1885 - 1897
(1 volume, leather half bound)
Ref: Q/S/Y/2Returns of convictions, 1903, 1911
(5 papers, 1 file)
