This accession consists of New York County District Attorney documented indictments from the years 1790 through 1887. The documents were tri-folded but have been flattened. Each document lists the reason or reasons the indictment was filed against the defendant. The documents also contain the names of the defendant, the foreman, the assistant attorney general or district attorney, witnesses, if bail was posted, the defendant's plea, and the decision of the jury. These documents provide insight to the early legal system in New York County, as well as the development of the legal system. Files are arranged chronologically. The majority of the indictments date from 1790 to 1879. Due to the large quantity of assault and battery cases, indictment forms with that charge began to be printed in 1801, as well as the blank forms. By 1825, all indictment forms had the charges printed on them. Accession 2015-011 contains indictments from 1790 to 1887, the bulk being from 1790 to 1879. Accession 2015-012 contains indictments from 1883 to 1951 with the bulk from the years 1896 to 1951. The provenance for accession 2015-011 is highly likely, but could not be confirmed with certainty.
