Connecticut State Library Spotlight

Shortly before his retirement, Connecticut State Librarian Kendall F. Wiggin wrote, “You cannot learn from the past if you see past.”1 As of December 2020, Archives has embarked on a major project to make more visible. Thanks $100,000 grant National Historical Publications & Records Commission (NHPRC), funding arm Archives, we have begun uncover hidden resources in New Haven County Court records.The ultimate purpose “Uncovering Haven” is enhance public access judicial records that date primarily 1700 1855.2 This includes processing, arranging, and describing two categories Superior County—files papers by subject. Due increased research interest African American, Black, Indigenous history, plan continue our efforts identify digitize relating these groups create an online database people can view search. Based upon rate cases found London during prior NHPRC grant, it anticipated will discover 1,500–2,000 lawsuits document lives Americans peoples area.3In terms tangible output, this result finding aids for records; involving persons; subject guide; blog—all which be made available through Library website. The physical rehoused according best archival practices, selection them digitized viewable at Digital Archive (CTDA).Judicial proceedings previous eras reflect laws, ethics, morals, customs societies created records. In addition, court may only official record someone's existence, especially person was living poverty, enslaved, or otherwise marginalized. makes materials invaluable resource historians, genealogists, researchers, others seeking knowledge who are where came from. Given range 1666 1855—from colonial pre–Civil War America—they span several nation's history.4New founded as its own colony 1638 merged with Colony 1664. Per Perry Miller, “New essence Puritanism, distilled undefiled; Bible Commonwealth nothing else.”5 contrast modern legal principle innocent until proven guilty, Puritans their presumption guilt goal extracting confession defendant they meted out punishment.6Another important aspect note Puritan society strictly hierarchal, expectation servants enslaved were submit masters, children parents, women husbands, men church elders God. While adult represented themselves (or attorney), overarching women's status coverture, philosophy stemming English common law under “wing, protection, cover” husbands.7 Single over 18 widows allowed conduct behalf, but given around 95 percent married least once lifetimes, majority fell coverture.8 such, tended appear alongside husbands cases, appeared behalf.These also existence both slavery indentured servitude Connecticut, how disputes concerning matters handled courts. Although many familiar American South, existed England, practiced shortly Civil War.9 However, whereas colonists forcibly brought captive Africans England labor, unable enslave region large scale.10 Even so, individuals trapped prolonged even perpetual servitude—particularly children.11 Because tribal economies disturbed upended less communal, commodifying farming hunting Natives forced circumstance bound order pay debts avoid impoverishment.12Given environment differed so markedly system, pre-national-era could prove particularly fascinating audiences. Judge Jon C. Blue noted book analyzing selected Colony, “We another world. . trials remarkable not because matter way conducted recorded.”13 addition recognizable subjects assault battery, breach peace, covenant broken, debt, estate property disputes, murder, slander defamation, theft, trespass (a broadly applied term refer encroachment bodily assault), there prosecutions fornication, adultery, lascivious carriage, swearing, drunkenness, profaning Sabbath.Still, some aspects human condition remain same across centuries. Debt, whether owed book, bond, promissory note, far most type lawsuit seen level.14 certainly bear out, all rungs appearing plaintiffs defendants such (see Fig. 1).In “sins” deemed worthy being classified crimes, fornication.15 Not couples immune charges, authorities kept careful soon full-term babies after weddings. If birth happened than nine months later, couple summoned 2).The surnames English-descended, smattering French, Scottish, Dutch, Spanish Italian (e.g., Guitteau, McNeil, Kersted, Gomez). Prior 1790s, few African-descended adopted assigned surnames, ethnicity usually identified general manner did often indicate specific area ancestral origin “a Negro” “an Indian”). To date, we've Native ancestry frequently involved enslavement, trespass.16It take estimated years complete processing We developed guide blog aid researchers investigators work collections. provides contextual background information about documents created. chronicles interesting, amusing, tragic, sometimes infuriating June 2021, profiled three cases—one custody dispute between enslavers man Devenshare Nero; one Cubitt Freeman, Indian Milford” sued debt owed; confusion enslavement multi-heritage girl named Nelle.17 profile witchcraft slander, violence against women, violations court-ordered quarantines, damages sought spreading smallpox infection, ailing “well sound” time purchase.18 invite materials, continually updated move next years, https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/archives/uncoveringnewhaven/main. You subscribe follow us Facebook @CTStateLibrary Twitter @LibraryofCT updates.As mentioned beginning essay, process digitizing records, free without subscription (CTDA). first batches http://hdl.handle.net/11134/30002:RG003. African-descended, persons, other regional national interests. These include famous events Amistad Affair), prominent Benedict Arnold), underrepresented Latino/a/x, Asian Pacific Islanders, Jewish, Irish), diseases, ecclesiastical affairs religious issues, servitude, maritime minors education, physically mentally disabled, sexual transients, transportation revolution, wars espionage French War, Revolutionary 1812), slander.19I would remiss I mention assistance provided Advisory Committee. group consists professional staff History Genealogy Unit; representatives Department Education Day program; historians; teachers professors; scholars utilized community members. goals Committee advise criteria digitization develop strategies including curriculum middle school, high college levels Connecticut. truly grateful guidance members provide areas, thank wonderful support project.It awesome humbling granted opportunity historic treasures—some few, brittle remnants left life bygone era. Tale Murasaki, fictionalized account Murasaki Shikibu's life, Lady Shikibu comes trunk letters near end her reminisces dear friend passed away.20 she reviews correspondence, observes, “It sobering think fragile piece paper, marked thoughts flowing hand, someone. Fragile is, paper seems thing end.”21 might true, comfort joy behind generations much teach us. tirelessly fought achieve, continues strive toward making visible glorious, quotidian entirety. assisting mission, my deepest hope history use build just equitable world, voices heard everyone's story—from elites—is documented fully accurately possible historical record.