Title: Wisconsin. Justice of the Peace (Watertown): Justice Dockets
Inclusive Dates: 1852-1935

Creator:

• Wisconsin. Justice of the Peace (Watertown)

Call Number: Jefferson Series 8

Quantity: 9.2 c.f. (70 volumes)

Repository:

Housed at the University Archives & Area Research Center, Harold Andersen Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

UW-Whitewater Library / Whitewater Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

Dockets of civil and criminal cases tried in justice courts of Watertown, showing names of plaintiff and defendant, dates, type of civil suit or criminal charge, and amount of award, fine, sentence, or fees.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-jeff0008

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The city charter of 1853 provided one justice of the peace for each ward, although jurisdiction was city wide. Each justice was to be elected each year for a two-year term; so that their terms ended at various times. Sub-series 1 generally represents the records of justices elected in wards, 1, 2, and 7; and sub-series 2 generally represents the records of those elected in wards 3 and 4 until 1876. From 1876 until 1911, annual elections were required in each ward. After 1910 there were only two justices for the entire city of 14 wards, and they were elected in alternate years. The law required that each justice hand over to his successor the records of his term in office which is the reason for the several sub-series.

By sub-series and thereunder chronological.

Volume   1-5	Sub-series 1, 1852-1861
Volume   6-45	Sub-series 2, 1858-1935
Volume   46-68	Sub-series 3, 1869-1930
Volume   69-70	Sub-series 4, 1876-1879