Research

Scope and Content Note

This series contains a brief daily record of actions taken in cases heard by the Chancellor. The date of the hearing, the names of the parties and their attorneys, and a statement of actions taken are recorded for each case. If a case is an appeal, this fact and the circuit from which it originated are noted. The statement of actions taken varies in content and detail depending on the status of the case and its subject. Sometimes only the action of the Court (i.e. "divorce granted," "decree to sell") is recorded. For other cases a detailed list of papers filed, actions taken by the attorneys and the Court, evidence submitted, and testimony taken are recorded. In the volumes covering the years 1828 to 1838 a written opinion of the Chancellor will occasionally appear in lieu of a brief statement of actions taken in a case. These opinions are often in the Chancellor's hand and initialed by him.