Convict Guide - published 2006 - Manual / Resource - Page 119
Guide to New South Wales State archives relating to convicts and convict administration
Quarter sessions
Quarter Sessions were first held in New South Wales in 1824 under the
provisions of Section xix of the Act 4 Geo. IV C.96 (1823) and the Act of
Council, 6 Geo. IV no.7. The Courts were given power to take
cognisance of all crimes and misdemeanours not punishable with death.
In addition they were given a summary jurisdiction over offences
committed by convicts not free by pardon, or whose sentence had not
expired.
Under the New South Wales Act of 1823 'magistrates assembled in
Quarter Sessions gained the new power to extend convicts' colonial
punishment beyond the expiry date of their original sentences'. (Golder,
High and Responsible Office, pp.5-36). This was used only sparingly. In
1832 the local bench, consisting of one or two magistrates, lost the
authority to hear the 'more serious non-capital crime to Quarter
Sessions which alone could award transportation to a penal settlement'.
(Hirst, Convict Society, p.172).
Number of
magistrates in the
colony
11.2
116
The growth of population and the spread of settlement necessitated an
increase in the number of magistrates from 21 in 1822 to 83 in January
1827. Paid stipendiary magistrates were first appointed in 1825 and
were used increasingly. In the more remote areas the Commissioners of
Crown Lands were made specialist magistrates.
Indexes to the records
Index to Bench of Magistrates, 1788–1820 available on State
Records' website
Index to Court of Criminal Jurisdiction, 1788–1824 available in
State Records' reading rooms
Index to Supreme Court: Criminal Jurisdiction Papers, 1824–36
available in State Records' reading rooms
Index to the Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788–1825 *ARK and is
available on State Records' website
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to convicts and others,
1826–77 and ongoing. Compiled by Joan Reese
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to letters sent re
convicts, 1826–May 1855. Compiled by Joan Reese
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to letters sent to the
Sheriff, 1828-50. Compiled by Convict Connections
Contemporary Colonial Secretary's Indexes and Registers, 1826–
1900, NRS 922 available in State Records' reading rooms
Sydney and Darlinghurst Gaols: Index to inmates, Dec 1819–1849.
Compiled by Ann Smith
Index to Clerk of the Peace – Quarter Sessions Records, 1824–36.
Compiled by Joan Reese. Available in State Records' reading rooms
at COD 520 and on State Records' website
Female Factory Parramatta, 1826–1848 – Index to inmates.
Compiled by Norma M Tuck and Joan Reese
Convicts Absconding in NSW Vol 1, 1830-32. Compiled by Nola M
Mackey
Convicts Apprehended in NSW Vol 1, 1830-32. Compiled by Nola M
Mackey
Index to Colonial Convict Movements, 1827-53. Compiled by the
Descendants of Convicts Group Inc.
State Records Authority of New South Wales