Breconshire has surviving Quarter Sessions records from the late seventeenth century, by which time the Justices had begun to act in a more executive capacity. They were concerned with determining judicial cases (though not felonies which were dealt with at Assize); administration of local government; and the statutory enrolment and registration of documents not directly related to the court.
During the nineteenth century a change took place, as standing committees evolved to deal with specific functions, e.g. gaols and bridges. Administrative officers were appointed, the County Treasurer, Surveyor or Bridgemaster, Inspectors of Weights and Measures.
Many administrative functions were transferred to other bodies, e.g. Poor Law in 1834, and highway administration in 1835. The establishment of county councils under the Local Government Act of 1888 left the Quarter Sessions with purely judicial functions. Finally, under the Courts Act of 1971 quarter sessions and assizes were replaced by crown courts administered by central government.
These records can reveal much about the lives of people in the Usk valley.
Select from the list below to view the records