Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-02-04
COM NJ U NICATIONS.
FOR THE STANTON SPECTATOR.
SCRAPS FROM THE RECORDS.

SCRAPS FROM THE RECORDS.
Whatever serves to illustrate the character ant
customs of the people Of past generation is inter
est'ng' and especially so, to their descendants OF
successors. The early records of Augusta County
FURNISH many passages of this description some O
which we propose to publish. Some of them are
interesting as items of history, derived from a
source winch entities them To entire credit and moi
founded ON vague tradition and others are curious
as exhibiting the simplicity of the times-the
sternness with which laws, apparently the most
severe, were executed-and the great CHANGES
which have taken place in our County in the course
| OF century.
The first Court was held in this County on the
9TH day Of December, l745. The Magistrates
were John Lewis. Hugh Thompson, Robert Gun
bingham. James Kerr and Adam Dickinson.
John Pattn was the first Sheriff. John Madison,
father of the late Bishop Madison of the Epscon,l
Church, was appointed Clerk by commission under
the hand and seal of Thomas Nelson. Secretary of
vlrginia-Wiam Russell, James Porteus. Gabri
el Jones, John Quin and Thomas Chew, qualified
as Attorneys. On the second day of the Court.
commission, under the hand Of William Dawson.
President OF William and Mary College, was read.
appointing Thomas Lewis surveyor. fsJamcs Pat
ton. Sheriff, moved the Court to be Informed how
he was to secure his prisoners, as well debtors as
CRIMINALS, there being no prison Whereupon, the
Court ordered the Sheriff to summon a sufficient
levy; and also, that he provide shacklcs. bolts.
handouts, &C." A committee was appointed "to
agree win workmen to repair the court-h house
build prison, and erect stocks.' Thus all the
"means and appliances" being provided for the ad-
minlstration OF justice and the punishment of offend
ers, the Court set to work to do their duty and
they did 1t sometimes with, what would now be
called, vengeance.
FEB. lO, lI46-lt was sfordered that the Sher-
if take William Linwel into custody, and that he
be fined five shllings for being drunk" Feb lin
The Court being informed that James Nc
Clune hath spoke reasonable words it is ordered
lat the Sheriff bring him before the Court 10 an
swer the same.'
The following order throws some light upon the
habits of the lawyers of that day We presume it
has never been rescnded: Feb l2th.-.sOrdered
that any attorney interrupting another at the bar
or speaking when he IS not employed, forfeit five
shlllings." Ordered that William Smith paw
five shlngs for being dmnk."-That seems to
have been the regular charge for the privilege.
Feb. l9th.-1'he claims OF fourteen persons Cur
losses sustained by the Indians were proved in
Court, and ordered to be certified to the General
Assembly for allowance. These losses were. TO
doubt, sustained the previous year. when the Shaw
neeS made an inroad upon the settlers A battle
was fought between them and a company of men
under Capt Mcdowell, in which the whites were
worsted-the Captain and a number Of his men
being killed.
March l0th.--The following rate for ordinares
was adopted, viz: A no. diet well dressed. Cd. a
cold, ditto, Cd; lodging, with clean sheets. Sd
chow much with unclean is rot stated y stablinr
and fodder night, I'd rum, the gallon, 9s wills,
key, the gallon, Us; claret, the aslart, IS
April l5th-s'John Nicholas. gentleman denn,v
attorney OF this County, having refused to oiciate
the Court do recommend Gabriel Jones. gentleman
TO his Honor the Governor, as lit person to Trans
act his Majesty's affairs in this county.''
May, i746.-"John Preston came into Court
and prayed leave to prove his importation. which
was granted him: and thersupon he made oath that.
at his own charge, he he'd imported himself, Eliza
beth his wife. William his son, and Lettica and
Ann his daughters, Immediately from Ireland into
this colony, and that this is the first time of nrov
ing his said right, in order TO partake of his Males
tvs bounty for taking up land.'' At the same
Court 1t was ''ordcred that Edward Bowie for
damnlng the Court and swearing four oaths in their
presence. be put in the stocks for two hours and be
fined twenty shillings''
May 2lst, l747.-George Wythe the cc,ebrated
lawyer and sgnef OF the Declaration of Indenen-
dence, qualified to practise an attorney in this
Court. The Grand jury presented five persons as
swearers and two for Sabbath bresknr.
May 10Th, l74S.--'.On the motion Of Matthew
Lyle, ys ordered to be certified, that they have
built Presbyterian Meeting house at n Dlacc
known by the name Of Timber Ridge another at
New Providence and another at n place known he
the name of Falling Spring. Disseners were
permitted to worship only at certain authorized
places
May l7th, 1749-".Jacob Castle being accused
by the oath of Adam Harmon for threatening to oe
over to and be aiding and assisting to the French
against his Maiesty's forces "a appears by precept
under the hand of John Btchanon and George Ro-
bInson, gentlemen, its ordered that the Sheriff take
the said Castle into custody"
Gabriel Jones, whose name has occurred several
times, was the first, and for long time, the only
lawyer that lived in this region OF countfy.-Ue
was, therefore, emPhatlcaly tie ia,cyer lie lived
near Port Republic, and the road he travelled ,o
Court is still known as the Lawyers road An in
cldent. which is said to have occurred at a period
much later than any of the preceding dates. is re-
lated TO show the extent of his influence lie was
once engaged IN case and had Judge Holmes
then young man. as opposing counsel The
Judge was mlschievous and witty, and contriyed
to get the old gentleman in furious PASSION. when
he became very profane. After bearing with him
Tor some time, the Court consulted topetber TO dc
ternne what shotld be done. To think Of nm
ishing lawyer Jones was altogether out of the ducs
ton so the presiding Justice gravey rave in this
wise decision THAT if Mister Holmes did not
quit worrying Mister Jones and making him curse
and swear so, he should be sent to Jail"
y.
FoR THE SPECTATOR.