Records of Merionethshire Court of Quarter Sessions, 1817-1973, including records relating to licensing, 1817-1973, consisting mainly of recognizances, 1817-1826; minute books of the licensing committee, 1906-1973; compensation case papers, 1907-1922; financial records, 1907-1968; correspondence, 1905-1921; and records relating to diseases of animals, 1866-1871.
Administration by Quarter Sessions Records
This material is held atGwynedd Archives Service - Meirionnydd Record Office / Gwasanaeth Archifau Gwynedd, Archifdy Meirionnydd
- Reference
- GB 220 Z/QA
- Dates of Creation
- 1817-1973
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English
- Physical Description
- Information to be supplied
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
The Court of Quarter Sessions in Merionethshire sat four times a year, attended by the Justices of the Peace of the county. Quarter sessions courts began in Wales after the Acts of Union, 1536-1543. The Quarter Sessions played a major role in the local administration of Merionethshire until the late nineteenth century, when many of its administrative functions were transferred to the County Council. However, the judicial role of the Courts continued until their abolition in 1971. There were numerous administrative matters overseen by the courts, including licensing alehouses, determining wage-levels and controlling registration of charities and nonconformist meeting houses. In addition, the Court had responsibility for overseeing the upkeep of bridges, gaols and houses of correction and the control and prevention of diseases affecting livestock.
Arrangement
Arranged into the following: Licensing; Diseases of animals; and Lunacy.
Access Information
No restrictions
Acquisition Information
Source not recorded
Note
Compiled by Richard Burman for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Archifdy Meirionnydd Archives, Gweinyddiad Drwy Llys y Chwarter/ Administration by Quarter Sessions, catalogue; Jones, Gareth Elwyn, Modern Wales: A Concise History c.1485-1979 (Cambridge, 1984).
Other Finding Aids
Hard copies of the catalogue are available in Meirionnydd Archives and the National Library of Wales.
Conditions Governing Use
Usual copyright regulations apply.
Appraisal Information
All records deposited at Meirionnydd Archives have been retained.
Custodial History
Records relating to the County Gaol were seperated to form a seperate fonds, Z/QA/G.
Accruals
Accruals are not expected