Today, the justice of the peace has three “official” roles in Connecticut: they can conduct marriages, take oaths, and take depositions. The institution has simplified over time. In the colonial period, the Justice of the Peace essentially functioned as a small court.
It had many of the roles it does today. Individuals could marry in front of a justice instead of in a church. Many Revolutionary War loyalty oaths were sworn in front of justices. Yet, the jurisdiction of the justice of the peace went further – and included what today would be called a small claims court. Commonly handled cases included debt, property disputes, and more.
The records of Connecticut’s justices of the peace were never centrally stored and have become quite scattered over the centuries. A good place to start looking for records is the Connecticut State Archives. If they don’t have the records of the JP who served your ancestor’s area, check with the local historical society.
Connecticut Roots by Charter Oak Genealogy 