Miscellaneous writs and bail pieces
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Overview of the Records
New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
0.5 cubic feet
Scope and Content Note
This series consists mostly of writs of capias ad respondendum ordering a sheriff to arrest a defendant for appearance in court.
There are also a few writs of capias ad satisfaciendum, ordering a sheriff to arrest and detain a judgment debtor; writs of venire, ordering him to empanel a jury; fieri facias, ordering him to levy a judgment award; one writ of inquiry, ordering him to empanel a jury to determine the amount of a judgment award; one writ of habere facias possessionem, ordering him to restore real property to a plaintiff; and one example each of a writ of error and writ of certiorari, directing a lower court to transmit the record of a case to the Supreme Court for review or trial. Other documents include common bail pieces, one recognizance roll, and one indictment (dated 1763). Also found are two parts of a fine, the record of conveyance of real property made in court; and one original writ, giving an award of writ of capias in an action involving a debt owed by London merchants (1798). Almost all the writs, bail pieces, and other documents are on parchment. Most bear filing dates.
Custodial History
Donated to State Library by New England Historical and Genealogical Society ca. 1966; appear to be estrays from New York County Clerk's Office.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.