Catalogue description SHERIFFS, UNDER SHERIFFS AND DEPUTY SHERIFFS

Each bundle usually contains duplicates of the royal warrant of appointment of the sheriff and the appointment of the under sheriff, their oaths, (subsequently declarations) on taking up office, and where applicable the appointment of the deputy sheriff. Declarations by the deputy sheriff are to be found in 1888 and between 1890 and 1901. The bundles for 1837, 1841 and 1846 include the oath subscribed by the sheriff as parliamentary returning officer for the West Riding. The bundle for 1868 includes the appointment of a returning officer for the borough of Huddersfield.

An Act of 1833 (3 and 4 Wm IV c. 99) required duplicate warrants of the appointment of the sheriff by the Privy Council, the appointment of the under sheriff by the sheriff, and their oaths on taking up office to be deposited with the clerk of the peace. In 1804, 1805, 1809 and various years in the 1830s and 1840s, from 1877 to 1885, and 1887 to 1905 the sheriff of Yorkshire also deposited duplicates of appointment of deputy sheriff, who was presumably to act only within the West Riding. The appointment of deputy sheriff was held by the deputy clerk of the peace. The post of under sheriff was held by William Gray (1843, 1846, 1848 - 1850), Edwin Gray (1880 - 1928) and by Benjamin Dodsworth of the firm of Gray and Dodsworth from 1929.