Published
This sous-fonds consists of the legal and administrative records of the County Court of Queen's County spanning the years 1873 to 1942. This sous-fonds is divided into four series: minutes, judgments, Insolvent court, and judges' records.
The legislation of 1873 divided the County Court of Queen's County into six circuits with sessions being held in Clifton, Bonshaw, New Glasgow, Ten Mile House, Eldon, and Charlottetown in February, April, June, August, October, and December each year. In 1878, the June sitting of the Court was abolished. In 1940, the number of circuits was reduced to two. Charlottetown became the seat of the 1st circuit. In 1963, the County Court of Queen's County was reduced to one circuit before being abolished in 1975. (See legislation for more specifics of changes in location and sitting of each circuit court.)
The Judge of the County Court of Queen's County appointed a chief clerk for the Court as well as an assistant clerk for each circuit. The chief clerk's office was located in Charlottetown while the assistant clerks had offices in their respective districts. The duties of the chief clerk and assistant clerks included keeping minutes of court sittings and minutes of judgments; issuing, signing, sealing and filing all writs and papers; recording all causes, rules, and orders; administering oaths; keeping books registering Causes, Rules, and Orders made and other proceedings; taking charge of and keeping account of all Court fees and fines payable or paid into Court and making a return to the Provincial Treasurer every three months; and swearing an affidavit of validity of records. At the end of each court session, the assistant clerks forwarded all original documents to the Chief Clerk while keeping copies for himself. The Chief Clerk was then responsible for auditing the original documents. In 1889, the Office of Chief Clerks of the County Courts were abolished and the Assistant Clerk of Charlottetown assumed duties of Chief Clerk of Queen's County as well as retaining his own duties. The audit of accounts of the assistant clerks was then undertaken by the clerk of the 6th circuit, Charlottetown. The Judge of the County Court audited the records of the clerks of the 6th circuit.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE
This series consists of 1 file of loose pages, numbered 28-445, recording the rough minutes of County Court of Queen's County and County Criminal Cases. The minutes cover the time period of 22 December 1931 to 17 April 1942. Information documented includes date, plaintiffs and defendants names, case number, whether the judgment was made or the case held over, the amounts involved, some notes on the cases, and the names of individuals sworn in. County Court Judges Criminal Court of Queens County minutes beginning on page 322.
Documents are in very poor condition
Volume 5, First circuit, and volumes 1-2, Second circuit, are oversize
This series consists of judgment books which contain information on the cases heard in the County Court of Queen's County. Information documented in these books includes plaintiff, defendant, minutes of judgment, cause of action, amount sued for, adjustments of amount, balance sued for, witnesses examined for plaintiff and defendant, breakdown of costs incurred for court fees, and total owed. Each case covers two pages. The judgment books are arranged chronologically and by circuit.
"VOLUME LISTING AVAILABLE":http://www.archives.pe.ca/finding_aids/rg6-3sf2s2.pdf
This series consists of two volumes of minutes of the Insolvent Court, County Court of Queen's County. Information includes the names and residence of plaintiffs and defendants, details of the cases, and the resolution of the cases.
Persons imprisoned for debt were entitled to relief under Insolvent Debtors' Act. A judge of the County Court was authorized to order the immediate discharge of the prisoner in lieu of the weekly allowance allowed by law.
"VOLUME LISTING AVAILABLE":http://www.archives.pe.ca/finding_aids/rg6-3sf2s3.pdf
The series consists of records kept by judges of the County Court of Queen's County. These documents contain rough notes or minutes on the cases that came before the judges as well as some correspondence. The series is divided into the following 2 subseries: minute books and correspondence.
SUBSERIES DESCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE
This series consists of Minute Book No. 16. kept by Judge George S. Inman between 15 September 1936 and 8 July 1937 of the proceedings of the County Court of Queen's County, 6th circuit. Information recorded includes parties' names, specifics of cases, amounts in question, judgment made or handling of the case, and details of the case. Page 384 to end of book contains a docket list for the various sittings of the court.
This series consists of 15 files of correspondence addressed to Judge C. Gavin Duffy, judge of the County Court of Queen's County. The correspondence refers to various cases before the court. Files are arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's surname.