Court Crier Box
Inside the 1749 Court House, this simple wooden enclosure caught my attention. It is a reconstruction of a court crier’s box, representing the place occupied by an official whose voice once helped keep the business of the courtroom moving.
The court crier had a surprisingly important role. He was responsible for maintaining order, announcing the opening and adjournment of court, calling witnesses and jurors, delivering proclamations and performing other duties for the judges. The familiar command “Oyez, Oyez, Oyez”, meaning essentially “Hear ye”, has its origins in this long courtroom tradition.
Court criers were once common in American courts, particularly before microphones, electronic communication, and modern administrative systems made many of their duties unnecessary. In a crowded 18th-century courtroom, however, a strong voice was an essential tool. The crier connected the judge, attorneys, witnesses, jurors, and spectators, making certain everyone knew when court was beginning and who was being summoned before it.
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The Burial Hill Cannons
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