Town Clerk

RCA/TC

1863-1974

sub-fonds

110 boxes

The office of town clerk was one of the oldest offices of Rochester City Council and played a pivotal role in the running of its business. Prior to the 1835 Municipal Corporations Act the appointment was for life and the duties are described in the 1630 Council minutes as "attending the Mayor and City's business and writing the Law Day-Books, Admiral court books, Muster books and the Constat of the City Records". After 1835, the appointment was compulsory and made by the City Council at its pleasure. The town clerk also held other roles, for instance, registrar of the Rochester Oyster Fishery, member of the Pavement Commissioners, governor of Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, etc.

The Town Clerk dealt with many administrative and legal matters and the records in this sub-collection therefore contain a wealth of information on the history of Rochester.