New Haven County Superior Court Files - Black, African American, and Indigenous History Collection

Version: 6 (current) | Updated: 12/4/2025, 3:26:26 PM

Added description

Description

New Haven County Superior Court Costs and Fees Collection (1794)

Overview

This archival unit contains a single high‑resolution image of a cost ledger from the New Haven County Superior Court, dated 1794. The ledger records the monetary outlays associated with the land‑partition case Clark vs Prudden. Accompanying the image is an OCR‑derived text file that reproduces the ledger’s entries. The unit is catalogued under the NHSC BAAI “New Haven County Superior Court” subject index and is held in the public domain by the Connecticut State Library.

Background

The New Haven County Superior Court was the principal civil court for the county during the late‑18th century. The NHSC BAAI initiative, funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, digitizes court records that involve Black, African American, and Indigenous litigants. The Clark vs Prudden ledger exemplifies the financial aspects of a land‑partition dispute in which the parties were identified in the court’s records as “Clark” and “Prudden.” The ledger was produced by court clerks and reflects the fiscal practices of the Connecticut judicial system at that time.

Contents

  • Ledger Image – A high‑resolution JPEG and TIFF of the original cost sheet, showing line items such as “Writ,” “Office,” “Travel,” “Attorney Fees,” and “Court of Jury.”
  • OCR Text – A machine‑read transcription of the ledger, preserving the numeric and textual details.
  • Metadata – Structured PINAX JSON metadata records creator, date, subjects (e.g., “Court Costs,” “Land Partition,” “Black, African American, and Indigenous History”), and geographic tags (New Haven County, Connecticut).

Scope

The unit covers only the 1794 cost ledger for the Clark vs Prudden land‑partition case. It does not include trial transcripts, appellate filings, or other court cost records. All materials are in English and freely accessible. The ledger provides a focused snapshot of the economic dimensions of early Connecticut court proceedings and is valuable for scholars of colonial legal history, the economics of land disputes, and the NHSC BAAI project’s focus on marginalized communities.

Entities

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Entity Relationships

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Raw Cheimarros Data

@file_pinax:file {title: "New Haven County Superior Court Files - Black, African American, and Indigenous History Collection", type: "Collection", created: {start: @date_1690, end: @date_1859}, language: "en", rights: "Public Domain"}

@state_of_connecticut:organization {full_name: "State of Connecticut"}

@abraham_auger:person {full_name: "Abraham Auger"}

@samson_ashfield:person {full_name: "Samson Ashfield"}

@matthews_w:person {full_name: "Matthews W."}

@sam_tyler:person {full_name: "Sam Tyler"}

@samuel_tyler:person {full_name: "Samuel Tyler"}

@moner_bishop:person {full_name: "Moner Bishop, Esq."}

@eber_kelsey:person {full_name: "Eber Kelsey, Esq."}

@john_breckaway:person {full_name: "John Breckaway"}

@joseph_adkins:person {full_name: "Joseph Adkins"}

@tabathy_saxton:person {full_name: "Tabathy Saxton"}

@mary_brockitt:person {full_name: "Mary Brockitt"}

@tabitha_adkins:person {full_name: "Tabitha Adkins"}

@green_and_co:organization {full_name: "Green & Co"}

@samuel_brockway:person {full_name: "Samuel Brockway"}

@file_pinax -> creator -> [@new_haven_county_superior_court, @state_of_connecticut, @abraham_auger, @samson_ashfield, @matthews_w, @sam_tyler, @samuel_tyler, @moner_bishop, @eber_kelsey, @john_breckaway, @joseph_adkins, @tabathy_saxton, @mary_brockitt, @tabitha_adkins, @green_and_co, @samuel_brockway]

@file_pinax -> indexed by -> @nhsc_baai_cases_papers_subject

@file_pinax -> part of -> @new_haven_county_superior_court_project

@file_pinax -> uses_subject_field -> @subject_field

@file_pinax -> subject -> [@black_african_american_and_indigenous_history:concept, @legal_costs:concept, @court_costs:concept, @divorce:concept, @marriage:concept, @execution_documents:concept, @indigenous_cases:concept, @land_partition:concept, @inquest:concept, @court_expenses:concept]

@file_pinax -> place -> [@new_haven, @derby, @wallingford, @milford, @guilford, @waterbury, @branford, @cheshire, @cromwell, @orange, @north_haven, @watertown, @ansonia, @turkey_hill, @new_hartford, @new_storm_north_phila, @durham, @new_town, @ipswich, @stratford, @haverhill, @stony_river, @augusta, @nifford, @fair_milford_conn, @buckingham_hill, @four_mile_meadows]

@file_pinax -> documents -> @costs_collection

@file_pinax -> documents -> @court_expenses_collection

@file_pinax -> documents -> @divorce_collection

@file_pinax -> documents -> @execution_documents_collection

@file_pinax -> documents -> @indigenous_cases_collection

@file_pinax -> documents -> @clark_vs_prudden_collection

@file_pinax -> documents -> @new_haven_inquests_collection

@abraham_auger -> appears in -> @court_expenses_collection

@abraham_auger -> appears in -> @file_pinax

@samson_ashfield -> appears in -> @costs_collection

@samson_ashfield -> appears in -> @file_pinax

@john_riggs -> appears in -> @costs_collection

@john_riggs -> appears in -> @file_pinax

@jos_trobridge -> appears in -> @costs_collection

@jos_trobridge -> appears in -> @file_pinax

@jos_weed -> appears in -> @costs_collection

@jos_weed -> appears in -> @file_pinax

@samuel_prudden -> creator of -> @clark_vs_prudden_collection

@samuel_prudden -> appears in -> @file_pinax

@enock_clark -> creator of -> @clark_vs_prudden_collection

@enock_clark -> appears in -> @file_pinax

@samuel_brockway -> contributed to -> @file_pinax

@joseph_adkins -> contributed to -> @file_pinax

@mary_brockitt -> contributed to -> @file_pinax

@tabathy_saxton -> contributed to -> @file_pinax

@green_and_co -> contributed to -> @file_pinax

@samuel_brockway -> contributed to -> @file_pinax

@new_haven_county_superior_court -> creator of -> @file_pinax

@new_haven_county_superior_court -> indexed by -> @nhsc_baai_cases_papers_subject

@new_haven_county_superior_court_project -> includes collection -> @file_pinax

@file_pinax -> holds -> @connecticut_state_library

@file_pinax -> institution -> @connecticut_state_library

@file_pinax -> language -> "en"

@file_pinax -> description -> "A comprehensive collection of legal documents, court records, and proceedings from the New Haven County Superior Court, focusing on Black, African American, and Indigenous history, spanning 1690‑1859."

@file_pinax -> rights -> "Public Domain"

@file_pinax -> source -> "PINAX"

@file_pinax -> access_url -> "PLACEHOLDER"

@file_pinax -> subject -> [@gaol_breakers:concept, @prison_breaks:concept, @jail_costs:concept, @court_fees:concept, @court_records:concept, @slavery:concept, @crime:concept, @indictments:concept, @forgery:concept, @false_bills:concept, @enlistment:concept, @military_records:concept, @probate:concept, @assault:concept, @execution_documents:concept, @indigenous_cases:concept, @land_partition:concept, @divorce:concept, @inquest:concept]

@file_pinax -> subject -> [@black_history:concept, @indigenous_history:concept, @african_american_history:concept, @racial_identity:concept, @legal_history:concept, @testimony:concept, @social_history:concept, @family_law:concept, @domestic_violence:concept, @interracial_relationships:concept, @property_valuation:concept, @retirement_benefits:concept]

Metadata

Title
New Haven County Superior Court Files - Black, African American, and Indigenous History Collection
Type
Collection
Creator
New Haven County Superior CourtState of ConnecticutWilliam PostWilliam HoadlySamson AshfieldMatthews W.Sam. TylerMatthew McIreSam Tyler EsqMcCuneSamuel TylerMoner Bishop, Esq.Eber Kelsey, Esq.Abraham AugerJas. WolcottBreulierJos. FisherClerk of Superior Court, ColbTimothy Wooster Esq.Samson, a Negro manSamson C. & Co.Joseph AdkinsTabathy SaxtonMary BrockittTabitha AdkinsGreen & CoSamuel BrockwayMargaret Smith BrockwayJohn BreckawaySarah NewellJosiah LewisSamuel NewellHerzekiah GridleyCharles CannChas D. PaynswellDaniel ClarkAbigail ClarkRuth MerrimanEthan HaleIsaac CookSarah ClintonFreeman ClintonDavid S. BowenClara FreemanSamuel FreemanClarissa FreemanJames H. FreemanFreeman, EbenezerFreeman, AlmiraJohn FreemanCharles NettletonFreeman, NewportReverend Samuel HansonAbiel HolmesElizur GoodrichJoseph ThomasHannah Howell alias HannahSarah HinmanSarah CampMiranda CraneJoseph CampDan Carmel Jnr. DeanDan Darvelle Jurt. SeawDan Parmelet Just-PracDan Barwell Jt SecrHope MarksLevi MarksJosiah HullExperience BuellAndrew Edward Jen TezpfethFaithBenjamin MorrellSamuel WillcocksEben BishopAbigail ParmoleJeremiah DoudsAnne HillJames HoneymanCharles BarrinJr. EdwardsDavid i ClerkEdward ClarkN. EdwardMorgan FamilyAbraham KimberlyMary HookerAnn ParnellMary KimberlyTheophilus MorganThomas MorganElizabeth T SmithJas'te Edward ClarkEliz. Lewis Esq.Phineas MosesSarah EberlyFirst Church in New HavenRuth RobertsSophyJames SaundersonCarolineSamuel WalesBilard HubbardSarah ShermanWilliam Sherman Jr.John ShermanWm ShermanWales, SamNicholson, George ChardonSarah A. TenantHenry J. TenantTineHampton (free Negro Man)John MartinSamuel ClarkSamuel SmithCharles ChaunceyJames HillhouseJohn Peck JrAlexander HarrisonThomas Gilbert Florillium LandonEphraim DyerJno W. SmithJoseph MannheimJames H. Townsend, Assistant ClerkJoseph KneivalJesse KneivalJoth FitchTimothy MalachyA. McClellan MathewsonMilton C. SchellMilton C. IsbellHoward J. CurtisEdward A. HarrimanThe Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Co.Roswell MosesEliza FranklinElizabeth MosesGeorgiana MosesThomas PhillipsWooster & Torrance (attorneys)Frederick W. HoldenLarivina BreckenridgeGerijanna MosesWatrous C. WakesleeEnock ClarkSarah ClarkSamuel PruddenPeter PruddenDavid Prudden
Institution
Connecticut State Library
Created
1690-1859
Language
en
Subjects
Gaol Breakers, Legal Costs, Examinations, John Riggs, Jos Trobridge, Jos Weed, Negro, Prison Breaks, Legal Documents, Black, African American, and Indigenous History, Costs, Court costs, Negro Hannah, Legal documents, Black history, African American history, New Haven County, Superior Court, Notes, Moses Mansfield, Historical records, Hoadly vs. Pond, Indigenous people, Criminals, Jail costs, Legal expenses, Criminals, Travel expenses, Attorney fees, Certifications, Court cases, Colonial America, Prince Negro, Tom Negro, Zadock Negro, Board, Prisoners, Apprehension of individuals, 18th century legal documents, Prisoner board, 18th century, Court fees, Court records, Slavery, Crime, Court cases, Historical documents, Indictments, Forgery, False bills, Enlistment, Military Records, Probate, Assault, Slavery, African American History, Court Judgment, Appeals, Court expenses, Prisoner boarding, Executions, Bibles, Divorce, Marriage, Racial Identity, Legal History, Testimony, 18th Century, 19th Century, Wallingford, Farmington, Waterbury, Guilford, Branford, Brantford, Hartford, New Cambridge, Nottingham, Northampton, Durham, So. Durham, Milford, Albany, New York, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Boston, Massachusetts, Middlesex & Cambridge, Massachusetts, Killingsworth, Saybrook, Rhode Island, Newport, Rhode Island, Chilford, Meriden, Middletown, Cheshire, Mental health, Domestic abuse, Interracial Relations, Adultery, Domestic relations, Legal testimony, Legal Proceedings, Certifications, Family Records, Legal Petitions, Witness Depositions, Interracial Relationships, Legal Testimony, 18th Century Legal Documents, 18th Century Legal Cases, New Haven County Court Records, 19th Century Law, Social history, Family law, Domestic Violence, Oaths, Desertion, Intemperance, Cruelty, Property valuation, Divorce proceedings, Personal property, 19th century court records, Legal costs, Retirement benefits, Execution documents, Debt collection, Slavery and freedom, Executions, Court Records, Summons, Witness testimony, Assault and battery, Slave narratives, Financial accounts, Judgments, Land ownership, Rape, Crime and Punishment, Execution, Execution writ, Property levy, Auction, Settlement, 19th century law, Execution warrants, Slave punishment, Criminal cases, Punishment, Indian man, Colonial America, Historical Records, Murder, Criminal Justice, New Haven County Superior Court, Turkey Hill Indians, Indigenous rights, Summons, Complaint, Financial accountability, Demurrer, Trust Funds, Laches, Legal disputes, Indigenous cases, Legal appeal, Court filings, Land sale, Legal petition, Derby Savings Bank, Land ownership, Land sales, Tribal land, Legal decrees, Court orders, Native American history, Financial accounting, Financial records, Inquest, Death investigation, Black History, Indigenous History, Suicide, Hanging, Drowning, Murder, Land partition, Real property, Land boundaries, Inheritance, Legal proceedings, Writ and Summons, Legal fees
Rights
Public Domain
Place
Derby, New Haven County, New Haven, Connecticut, New Haven County, Connecticut, Connecticut, Branford, CT, New Haven, CT, Guilford, Connecticut, Waterbury, Connecticut, Derby, Connecticut, Wallingford, Connecticut, New Haven, Connecticut, Cheshire, Connecticut, Cromwell, Connecticut, Orange, Connecticut, North Haven, Connecticut, Watertown, Connecticut, Ansonia, Connecticut, Derby, Connecticut, Turkey Hill, Branford, Connecticut, Milford, Connecticut, Goshen, Connecticut, New Hartford, Connecticut, New Storm, North Phila, Durham, Connecticut, New Town, Connecticut, Ipswich, Stratford, New York, Haverhill, Massachusetts, Stony River, Haverhill, Augusta, Nifford, New Haven County, Connecticut, Milford (Conn.), Fair Milford (Conn.), Buckinghams Hill, Four Mile Meadows
Source
PINAX

Version History (6 versions)

  • ✓ v6 (current) · 12/4/2025, 3:26:26 PM
    "Added description"
  • v5 · 12/4/2025, 3:10:52 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v4 · 12/4/2025, 2:23:37 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v3 · 12/4/2025, 6:14:54 AM · View this version
    "Set parent to 01KBKZZ7VH82D67A5PHZRTANS4"
  • v2 · 12/4/2025, 6:14:53 AM · View this version
    "Added children"
  • v1 · 12/4/2025, 6:14:40 AM · View this version
    "Initial snapshot"

Parent

↑ 01KBKZZ7VH82D67A5PHZRTANS4

Children (8)