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Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1852-1965 (Creation)
Physical description area
Physical description
4 m of textual records
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Administrative history
The first courts for the County of Elgin began in St. Thomas upon the County's incorporation in 1852. Beginning in 1854, cases were tried at the Elgin County Courthouse in St. Thomas. Over the years, various divisional courts were operated by the County. Early cases formed part of the Third Division Court of Ontario. The County of Elgin was responsible for the administration of the court, maintenance of the building and payment of accounts. Most records in the fonds were maintained by the Elgin County Clerk and Elgin County Treasurer, although the court operated with a measure of autonomy with respect to the offices of Senior County Judge, Junior County Judge, County Sheriff and court clerks.
Custodial history
Scope and content
Fonds consists of court proceedings and statement of accounts under the following series: 1. Third Division Court (St. Thomas) Statement of Claims, 1852-1857 - Consists of decisions rendered by the court on small claims matters and settlement of accounts. Date range pertains to the period when cases were tried, although in some instances the settling of accounts took place at a later date. 2. Third Division Court (St. Thomas) Constable's Accounts, 1911-1959 - Consists of payment of accounts to police constables as a result of judicial responsibilities. Accounts outline their involvement in criminal proceedings on case by case basis. Records are predominantly pre-1940. 3. Third Division Court (St. Thomas) Coroner's Accounts and Inquests, 1911-1965 - Consists of payment of accounts for witnesses, police constables and medical officials as a result of their involvement in coroner's inquests. Verdict of the coroner's jury is often indicated. Records are on a case by case basis. 4. Third Division Court (St. Thomas) Prisoner's Accounts, 1920-1964 - Consists of Justice of the Peace accounts, quarterly return of prisoners (made to the provincial government) and Sheriff's accounts for prisoner discharges. Names of prisoners, convictions and sentences are listed. 5. Fourth Division Court (Dutton) Cash Book, 1909-1933 - Consists of ledger entries documenting the settlement of claims as a result of court decisions.
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Restrictions on access
Access subject to provisions of the Ontario Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.