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The Ancient And Honorable Court Of Dover: Mock Trials, Fraternal Orders, And Solemn Foolery In Nineteenth-Century New York State, Angela Fernandez
The Ancient And Honorable Court Of Dover: Mock Trials, Fraternal Orders, And Solemn Foolery In Nineteenth-Century New York State, Angela Fernandez
Angela Fernandez
This article is about a fraternal order operating in the first half of the Nineteenth Century in New York called “The Ancient and Honorable Court of Dover.” This group organized a mock trial, probably in 1834, to prosecute one of its members. A prosecutor was appointed and the President of the group gave a long speech. At issue was whether or not non-members could participate in the trial. After a description of these records and an account of their discovery, this article explains who the individuals involved in the trial were, Jacksonian politicians and lawyers with connections to the Custom …