Inventory of the Justice of the Peace Courts 1834-1896

Abstract: The records, dating from 1834 to 1896, document the activities of the Justice Courts in Troup County, Georgia. The records contain minor civil and criminal cases as well as affidavits, inquest proceedings, testimony, and affidavits.

Administrative History

The Justice Courts represent the grassroots level of the judicial system in Troup County. Between 1872 and 1876, they served as a substitute for the moribund County Court. This experiment met with resounding disfavor among members of the county bar.

The courts were held by appointed or elected Justices of the Peace in their respective county militia districts. The courts tried both civil and criminal cases. Since many of the justices lacked a formal background in law, bias and illegalities often found their way into the hearings. Consequently, many Justice Court proceedings can be found among the appeal cases of the Superior Court.

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Scope and Content

Beyond holding court and hearing minor civil and criminal cases, the justices issued arrest warrants, notarized civil and criminal bonds, held criminal inquests, took testimony from witnesses, and filed civil and criminal affidavits for all Troup County courts. Criminal cases that were heard in justice courts and appealed are found in the Criminal sub-series of the Superior Court records under the folder heading of "Certiorari." Additional judicial trials and hearings were held by the Mayors and councilmen/aldermen of Hogansville, LaGrange, Mountville and West Point. The early LaGrange City Council minute books contain some of these hearings.

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Arrangement of the Collection

Arranged chronologically and then alphabetically according to type of document.

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Topics Covered

Georgia. Justice of the Peace Court (Troup County)

Civil procedure--Georgia--Troup County

County courts--Georgia--Troup County

Justice, Administration, of--Georgia--Troup County

Justices of the peace--Georgia--Troup County

Troup County (Ga.)--Economic conditions--19th century--Sources

Troup County (Ga.)--History--19th century--Sources

Judicial records

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Administrative Information

Restrictions on Access:

None

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Container Listing

Box

Folder

J1834:1

Interrogatories, 1834

J1835:1

Costs, 1835

J1841:1

Claim, S, 1841

J1841:2

Fifas, B, 1841

J1843:1

Possessory Warrant, B, 1843

J1845:1

Interrogatory, 1845

J1846:1

Claim, H, M, 1846

J1860:1

Debt, G, 1860

J1865:1

Criminal Case, S, 1865

J1865:2

Fifas, B, 1865

J1866:1

Claim, M, 1866

J1866:2

Criminal Cases, A, P, 1866

J1866:3

Fifas, B, 1866

J1867:1

Criminal Case, A, 1867

J1867:2

Summons, 1867

J1868:1

Criminal Case, R, 1868

J1870:1

Debt, B-M, 1870

J1870:2

Fifa, M, 1870

J1872:1

Criminal Case, B, 1872

J1872:2

Fifas, S, 1872

J1874:1

Distress Warrant, F, 1874

J1874:2

Interrogatory, 1874

J1875:1

Claim, C, 1875

J1875:2-3

Debt, C-M, S, 1875

J1875:4

Distress Warrant, M, 1875

J1876:1

Criminal Case, S, 1876

J1876:2

Fifas, S, 1876

J1877:1

Criminal Case, S, 1877

J1878:1

Fifa, A, 1878

J1878:2

Warrant, M, 1878

J1880:1

Interrogatory, 1880

J1882:1

Costs, 1882

J1883:1

Damages, C, 1883

J1883:2

Debt, G, 1883

J1883:3

Distress Warrant, S, 1883

J1883:4

Plea, W, 1883

J1884:1

Complaint, C, D, 1884

J1884:2

Interrogatories, 1884

J1885:1

Fifa, S, 1885

J1885:2

Writ, Dispossession, E, 1885

J1886:1

Interrogatory, 1886

J1886:2

Mortgage, D, 1886

J1888:1

Bond, D, H, 1888

J1888:1

Illegality, B, 1888

J1890:1

Fifa, T, 1890

J1891:1

Fifa, H, 1891

J1891:2

Garnishment, B, 1891

J1892:1

Distress Warrant, F, 1892

J1892:2

Fifas, B-W, 1892

J1892:3

Mortgage, H, 1892

J1893:1

Attachment, R, 1893

J1893:2

Debt, S, 1893

J1893:3

Fifas, B-T, 1893

J1894:1

Debt, P, S, 1894

J1894:2

Fifas, A-S, 1894

J1894:3

Plea, L, 1894

J1894:4

Testimony, E, 1894

J1894:5

Trover, W, 1894

J1895:1

Debt, B, 1895

J1895:2

Fifa, R, 1895

J1896:1

Complaint, H, 1896

J1896:2

Fifa, W, 1896

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Troup County Archives
136 Main Street
P.O. Box 1051
LaGrange, GA 30241