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As mentioned previously, the North Yorkshire County Records Office in Northallerton holds an extensive collection of records relating to the area dating back to medieval times. There is also a significant amount of information available online via their website which is searchable: https://archivesunlocked.northyorks.gov.uk/CalmView/default.aspx
There are a quite a few references to Brompton in relation to the "Quarterly Sessions". These were courts of law held four times a year and typically held at the county or borough town. They date back to the middle ages and were established in England by Richard II in 1388. These courts heard charges for lesser crimes (those not subject to long prison terms of capital punishment). Courts of Assizes heard the more serious crimes. The "Courts of Sessions" were typically presided over by a Justice of the Peace or a circuit judge, who would travel from place to place holding such courts. Local "upstanding men of good character" would be summoned to form juries (no woman was allowed to serve on a jury in England until 1921). Other officers of the court (clerks, constables, bailiffs etc.) were drawn from the local gentry. In most cases. there was an initial hearing and if there was deemed sufficient evidence, a trial would be set for the following quarter session.
Later in the 18th Century, it became apparent that once-a-quarter courts were just insufficient and "Petty Sessions" were introduced. These were more local and presided over by two magistrates and dealt with minor offenses - often punishable by a fine. Although it refers mainly to trials at the old Bailey - there is a good article here about trials in this period: Link.
It notes:
Eighteenth-century criminal trials were very different from modern ones. They were quick, and typically pitted the testimony of victims and witnesses directly against the response from the accused. Until late in the century, lawyers were rarely present. Despite the fact the odds were stacked against defendants, a remarkably large number of defendants were acquitted, or convicted on a reduced verdict, reflecting the considerable discretion exercised by jurors.
The table below covers references to Brompton-on-Swale held on the North Yorkshire County Archive and spans 1685 to 1811. While its not a complete record by a long way, about 3 dozen cases over 126 years doesn't seem too bad.
Date | Description | Reference | Comments |
1685 | Bill of indictment of the inhabitants of Brompton on Swale for not repairing part of the highway from Piercebridge to Catterick. From 1 August 1685 the highway has been in disrepair in the constabulary of Brompton on Swale. Endorsed with name of witness and "ignoramus" | “Ignoramus” means that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a trial or prosecution. | |
1690 | Presentment of Samuel Gowlin, Ann Watkin, and Phill. Watkin all of Brompton on Swale; all aged 16 years or older for not having attended their parish church within the last six months Offence committed on 24 August 1690 | ||
1708 | Bill of indictment of Elizabeth Melmerby late of Brompton on Swale spinster for stealing four aprons value 4s, one tablecloth value 2s 6d, one shift value 2s 6d, one streamer value 1s 6d, one yard of linen cloth value 1s, and two hammers value 10s, the property of Joseph Talerson Offence committed at Colburn on 1 November 1708 Endorsed with names of witnesses and "true bill" | “True bill” means that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial or prosecution. | |
1730 | Records relating to the administrative responsibilities of Quarter Sessions, and includes: Petitions of: - Edmund Masheder, schoolmaster, Coxwold - Roger Waters of Wass - the inhabitants of Byland - nine of the creditors of John Watkin of Brompton on Swale | ||
17 Jul 1735 | Bill of indictment of Richard Tod the younger late of Brompton on Swale yeoman for assaulting John Kilburne and Mary his wife. Offence committed at Brompton on Swale on 25 May 1735. Endorsed with names of witnesses and "we do not find this bill" | “We do not find this bill” means that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a trial | |
9 Feb 1754 | Recognizance made by Christopher Greathead junior and Christopher Greathead senior, both of Brompton on Swale, and Christopher Taylor of Appleton, for the appearance of Greathead junior at the next Quarter Sessions as father of the bastard child of Mary Jeffe single woman | It is interesting that it appears that Christopher Greathead junior is apparently recognised as the father of the child born by Mary Jeffe in February and in April he is buried. | |
21 Apr 1754 | Certificate issued by Anthony Postlethwaite vicar of Easby that Christopher son of Christopher Greathead of Brompton on Swale in the parish of Easby was buried on 27 March 1754 | ||
1777 | Copy indictment of Christopher Richardson labourer and Mary his wife, both late of Brompton on Swale, for assaulting Luke Lawson a deputed bailiff of the Chief Bailiff of the liberty of Richmond and Richmondshire in the execution of his office. Endorsed "Richmond Christmas Sessions January 16th 1777" | ||
19 Oct 1790 | Precept from the Sheriff to the chief bailiff of Richmond and Richmondshire to bring William Todd late of the township of Brompton on Swale innkeeper, John Fawcit late of the township of Dalton carrier, Adam Stainsby late of the township of Scawton carpenter, Benjamin Oldfield late of the township of Catterick stonemason, and Elizabeth wife of Daniel Ferguson late of the township of Catterick innkeeper, to the next Quarter Sessions to answer an indictment for assault | ||
1790 | Bill of indictment of William Todd late of the township of Brompton on Swale innkeeper, John Fawcit late of the township of Dalton carrier, Adam Stainsby late of the township of Scawton carpenter, and Benjamin Oldfield stonemason and Elizabeth wife of Daniel Ferguson innkeeper, both late of the township of Catterick innkeeper, for assaulting John Gibson. Offence committed at the township of Catterick on 28 August 1790 Endorsed with name of witness and "a true bill" | ||
3 April 1791 | Bill of indictment of Thomas Wood late of Brompton on Swale labourer for assaulting Matthew Carter. Offence committed at the township of Brompton on Swale on 3 April 1791 | Tom Wood clearly needs to behave himself and leave the millers of the village alone! | |
3 April 1791 | Bill of indictment of Thomas Wood late of Brompton on Swale labourer for assaulting George Clayton. Offence committed at the township of Brompton on Swale on 3 April 1791 | ||
11 Apr 1791 | Recognizance made by Thomas Wood of Brompton on Swale yeoman for his appearance at the next Quarter Sessions, and in the meantime for him to keep the peace especially towards James Espiner of Brompton on Swale miller | ||
11 Apr 1791 | Recognizance made by Thomas Wood of Brompton on Swale yeoman for his appearance at the next Quarter Sessions, and in the meantime for him to keep the peace especially towards Matthew Carter of Brompton on Swale miller | ||
11 Apr 1791 | Recognizance made by Thomas Wood of Brompton on Swale yeoman for his appearance at the next Quarter Sessions, and in the meantime for him to keep the peace especially towards George Clayton of Brompton on Swale miller | ||
3 May 1791 | Writ dated 13 January 1791 to summon jurors to hear the case against William Todd late of the township of Brompton on Swale innkeeper, John Fawcit late of the township of Dalton carrier, Adam Stainsby late of the township of Scawton carpenter, and Benjamin Oldfield late of the township of Catterick stonemason, for assault; with blank form for list of jurors. Elizabeth Ferguson is not named in the writ. With "Record" of the case against William Todd late of the township of Brompton on Swale innkeeper, John Fawcit late of the township of Dalton carrier, Adam Stainsby late of the township of Scawton carpenter, and Benjamin Oldfield stonemason and Elizabeth wife of Daniel Ferguson innkeeper, both late of the township of Catterick, for assaulting John Gibson; endorsed "Northallerton Sessions 3rd May 1791" | ||
4 May 1793 | Recognizance made by Thomas Roe yeoman and Richard Greathead tallow chandler, both of Brompton on Swale, for the appearance of Roe at the next Quarter Sessions to answer the charge brought against him by John Robson of Brompton on Swale | ||
24 Aug 1793 | Copy indictment for the Northallerton Sessions on 8 October 1793 of Thomas Raw late of the township of Brompton on Swale yeoman, John Raw late of the township of Wycliffe yeoman, and William Jaques late of the township of Brompton on Swale cartwright, for breaking into the common pound and rescuing six ewes valued £2 2s and four lambs value 20s | Does “rescuing” mean stealing in this case? | |
24 Aug 1793 | Bill of indictment of Thomas Raw late of the township of Brompton on Swale yeoman, John Raw late of the township of Wycliffe yeoman, and William Jaques late of the township of Brompton on Swale cartwright for breaking into the common pound and rescuing six ewes price £2 2s and four lambs value 20s, the property of the said Thomas Raw Offence committed at the township of Brompton on Swale on 24 August 1793 Endorsed with names of witnesses and "a true bill" | "a true bill" means that there was sufficient evidence for a trial | |
23 Mar 1794 | Recognizance made by Thomas Tate of Brompton on Swale and James Stott of the township of Easby farmer for the appearance of Tate at the next Quarter Sessions to answer the indictment against him | ||
Jan-Apr 1794 | Writ dated 17 January 1794 to the Sheriff to summon jurors to the next Quarter Sessions to hear the case against Thomas Raw late of the township of Brompton on Swale yeoman, John Raw late of the township of Wycliffe yeoman, and William Jaques late of the township of Brompton on Swale cartwright; with "Record" of the case, endorsed "Easter Sessions 29 April 1794" and "pound breach"; and list of jurors | ||
23 Oct 1792 | Recognizance made by Thomas Pounder of Brompton on Swale husbandman for his appearance at the next Quarter Sessions as father of the bastard child of Sarah Towison single-woman, which is likely to become chargeable to the township of Aldbrough. With an undated note that "Mr Pulleine requests that John Pounder's appearance for his son Thomas may be dispensed with" | The relevant parish may have had to contribute poor relief to unmarried mothers with children | |
6 Jun 1795 | Order for William Metcalff of Tofts House in county Durham yeoman to pay towards the maintenance of the bastard son of Mary Sigsworth single-woman, lately born in the township of Brompton on Swale, and chargeable to that township | ||
1796 | An account of cash paid for militiamen's families from Midsummer to Michaelmas 1796. Includes the amounts paid per week per wapentakes and lists the individuals. Amongst the dozens of payments is one mentioning Brompton-on-Swale“- the wife and child of Robert Brigling of Darlington, a substitute serving for Brompton on Swale from 30 April 1796 to 30 July 1796” | A “wapentake” is an administrative division of a northern county (corresponding to the “hundred” of other countries) and reflects the Viking heritage of the area deriving from the Old Norse word “vāpnatak” meaning “the grasping of weapons”. | |
18 Apr 1801 | Summary conviction of Thomas Robinson of the township of Brompton on Swale for selling ale and beer without a licence | ||
1803 | Bill of indictment of Thomas Wood late of Brompton on Swale yeoman for assaulting William Stockdale. Offence committed at Romanby on 4 May 1803 Endorsed with name of witness and "no bill found" | "no bill found" means that there was insufficient evidence for a trial | |
13 Aug 1803 | Recognizance made by Thomas Robinson and William Simpson both of Brompton on Swale for the appearance of Robinson at the next Quarter Sessions to answer matters objected against him by Leonard Winn of Brompton on Swale yeoman | ||
25 Feb 1804 | Summary conviction of Mary Etherington of North Cowton and Margaret Cooper of Brompton on Swale for false reeling yarn | ||
23 Jan 1806 | Recognizance made by Thomas Robinson shopkeeper and William Arrowsmith yeoman, both of Brompton on Swale, for the appearance of Robinson and Mary his wife at the next Quarter Sessions to answer matters objected against them by George Pratt and Matthew Pratt of Brompton on Swale | ||
7 May 1806 | Recognizance made by William Tennant and Ralph Scott both of Brompton on Swale for the appearance of Tennant at the next Quarter Sessions to answer matters objected against him by John Raw of Brompton on Swale | ||
7 May 1806 | Recognizance made by William Tennant and Ralph Scott both of Brompton on Swale for the appearance of Mary Tennant wife of the said William Tennant at the next Quarter Sessions to answer matters objected against her by John Raw of Brompton on Swale | ||
2 Jun 1809 | Recognizance made by James Britain the younger of Sinderby yeoman and James Britain of Brompton on Swale innkeeper for the appearance of Britain the younger at the next Quarter Sessions as father of the bastard child of Ann Raine of the township of Wath singlewoman, which when born is likely to be chargeable to the township of Wath | ||
2 Dec 1809 | Recognizance made by James Simpson innkeeper and William Simpson farmer, both of the township of Brompton on Swale, for James Simpson to keep good order in the alehouse for which Elizabeth Greathead formerly held the licence. With testimonial of C. Readshaw vicar, James Fletcher church[warden?], Adam Robinson and James Espiner, that Simpson is an honest, industrious man and a proper person to keep an alehouse. | ||
30 Oct 1811 | Bill of indictment of John Gedley late of the township of Brompton on Swale labourer for stealing one she-ass value 6d, the property of Robert Cooper Offence committed at Kneeton Hall in the parish of Middleton Tyas on 30 October 1811 Endorsed with names of witnesses and "a bill not found" | "a bill not found" meaning there was insufficient evidence to proceed to trial |
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