The Nature, Extent and History of the Jurisdiction of the..

1863. New York: John A. Gray, 1863.. New York: John A. Gray, 1863. A Defense of New York's Surrogate's Court Daly, Charles P. [1816-1899]. The Nature, Extent and History of the Jurisdiction of the Surrogates' Courts of the State of New-York. Opinion of the Hon. Charles P. Daly, First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New-York, Acting as Surrogate in the Matter of the Estate of Joseph W. Brick, Deceased. Printed by Order of the Board of Supervisors. New York: John A. Gray, Printer, Stereotyper, and Binder, 1863. 54 pp. Octavo (9" x 5-3/4"). Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers. Moderate toning, light foxing and soiling to exterior, a few small tears to spine, spine ends partially abraded. $250. * Only edition. The Surrogate's Court of the State of New York handles all probate and estate administration proceedings in the state court system. The court's jurisdiction has been subject to scrutiny, with some arguing for a redistribution of its duties to other state courts. This pamphlet provides a history of the court and a defense of its existence. It was occasioned by a lawsuit over the estate of Joseph Brick in which the petitioners argued that the court did not have sufficient jurisdiction to intervene. Daly was an eminent New York jurist and politician who served on the New York Court of Common Pleas from 1844-1885 (and as its chief justice from 1871). (Inventory #: 81899)