Essex County Court Records
Researchers and genealogists have online access to the Quarterly Court Records from Essex County from the years 1632-1692. The originals no longer exist but were transcribed over a century ago, and nothing of value was omitted. They are recorded in seventeen volumes and are indexed.
The first session of court in Essex County took place on June 22, 1636. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was divided into shires or counties in 1643. From 1641 to 1692, the court alternated between Salem and Ipswich, meeting four times a year.
Anyone can have access to these amazing records. I have included Mehitabel’s court records from the time she burned down a house. My historical novel, The Redemption of Mehitabel Braybrooke describes this event and much more!
You can access the records by clicking on this link:
Donna Gawell 