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A clerk of the peace was a British office whose responsibility was the records of the Quarter Sessions and the framing of presentments and indictments. They had legal training, so that the could advise the justice of the peace. hearth tax returns were lodged with the clerk of the peace between 1662 and 1688. The role was established by 1380 and may have existed before that.

"Clerks of the peace" also exist in the State of Delaware, where they are primarily responsible for issuing marriage licenses, except in Kent County where he or she is also the Clerk of the Levy Court.