Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-21
RICHMOND RECORDS.
SOME CURIOUS SPECIMENS OF LITE
RATuRE IN THE "NECk."
Penalties for Common Swearing
Absence from Church, and Tor Set-
ling Drunk I'm ola Timcs-Inspec-
ton of Negroes-PubIic Roads.

WARSAW, VA, February 2.-(speciai'
In looking over the records OF hion-
mond county. which was formeu III i''-
or whereabouts, some curious literature 10
met with. Your fun-loving Idle Report
er" who cannot even be serious at
funeral. should come to the Northern
Neck OF Virginia, where his repertoire VI
subjects might be greatly increased l"
the pleasure OF his antiquarian reaue''
and ancestry-hunting friends. Again. He
could perfect himself in ancient ioini'
of law and quaint legal literature as 1t
is brulted among the young ladies OF the
neighborhood that he is trying 10 NC
a lawyer.
These old records show that our Tore
fathers. like the public OF to-day hau
their moral spasms and DR.. ParKhurs's.
There were long periods when there "ouiu
be no presentments for delnquencles OF
church duties, and people aosen'ed 'iiehi-
selves from church. made the ar oiue
with their "prophane" swearing anu 30.
drunk when they pleased. Then moral
wave would sweep over the Neck, as
this section OF the Commonwealth -
called. and the order-bo0ks OF the courts
would be as full Of fines for "drunKs'
swearing. and absenting oneself from
church as is Justice Johns docket Vi
charges for disorderly conduct
COMMON SwEARER.
A few specimens OF this quaint iitera-
ture Is given. They are from courts
| held for Richmond county during the year
mr.:
"Whereas George Alsup of Hanover
pish was summoned TO answer the IRE
| sentiment of the Grand Jury against him
| for being d comon Swearer, and FOR IT
| phanely swearing one oath and Tor being
| a comon drunkard and for being drunk,
| and for absenting himself from church
| for two months the said George Alsup TINS
| day appearing, but Offering nothing ma
| terial to Excuse himself. II Is ordered
| that he be fined as followeth WIZ for
| being a comon swearer and for prophaneiy
| swearing one oath five shillings or fifty
mounds of Tobacco; for being a comon
| Comon drunkard. and for being drunk
| five shillings or fifty pounds of Tobacco;
| and for absenting himself from church
| for two months tenn shilin2s or one
| hundred pounds OF tobacco and that he
! pay the several and respective fines unto
the chUrch-wardens of the said pish of
| Their ordered that he give good security
for his good behaviour for six months.
| Whereupon the said George Alsup to-
| gether with Thomas Norman and James
| Cushin acknowledged themselfs indebted
| into our Sovereign Lord the King his
| heirs & Successors IN the sum Of tenn
| pounds sterling to be Levyed on their
! lands and tenaments. goods & chattells
! with conditions that If the said George
| Eal no ~
| towards his sd Maiesties as all his Leige
! people. Then ;h's recoenzance to be
void. and OF none effect or else TO re-
| main in fun force.
| Again:
| NOT GOING TO CHURCH.
| Whereas, Luke Hanks, .Iotn Hanks.
| Thomas SpurlOch. Richard Elicit. John
| Miller, John Key. William Sanford. Rich
| ard Milton, John Taylor. and John ia
| cobus Ballet, all of narnham Dish was
| sumoned to answer the Presentment of
the Grand Jury. against them for not go
| ing 10 Church for one month. ard being
now called and not appearing. 1t is or
| dered that the Sheriff take them into
custody and them safely keep tin then
| enter into bond with good and sufIicien nj
d sufficient Security for their appearance
at the next Court, to Nnswer the said
| Presentment"
IN CONTEMPT.
| Another order reads: Whereas Ians-
downe Washington was bound over 10
appear at this Court by William Robin
son Gent. one Of his Majesties justices OF
the Peace of this county to answer .he
| Complain of William Deekins and the
said Washington being called but in con-
tempt Of the Court took his horse and
Rid away. 1t is therefore ordered that
the Sheriff raise the Power of the Coun.
| ~ & Pursue the said Washington, until
he apprehends him and after having soc
done TO commit him TO the goal OF this
| County there to remain without bail OF
mainprize until the next Court"
Among the pages devoted TO the Inspec,
ton OF negroes may be found such en-
tries as this: peter a negro boy belong.
ing to Gilbert Metcalfe was this day pre-.
scented TO the Court for inspection into
his age was adiudged nine years DID,
judith negro girle belonging to Fran
ces Slaughter was this day presented tC
the Court for inspection into her age was
adjTdged nine years DID,"
PUBLIC ROADS.
Attention. 10 the public roads Is certified
TO by many such orders as this: 'Mr
James lingo. surveyor of the highways
from the road by Thomas Thornton's that
goes to MAYORS hole, across the woods
to the road that goes TO MAYORS hole
by John Ffenno's This day Informed Tho
court that James Nelson neglected
comeing 10 clear the road--according e
his order. 1t is. therefore, ordered thai
. the said James Nelson be fined the sun
of five shillings or fifty pounds of To
/; bacco according to law and that he pay
the same unto the said James lingo will
costs ats ex."-
/, Ordered that the sheriff semon to tn.
next court Richard Smith OF ffarnharu
pish to answer the presentments Of tn
Grand Jury against him for being {
comOn swearer and for prophane swear
ing two oaths the last day of April las
east"
The public roads having TO be ATTENDED
to. such orders as the following were fire.
quently entered-viz.:
''John Tailor gent. having taken upoi
himself the office OF Surveyor OF the high
ways from his own house 10 Cold Car
tiers mill from the said Mil to Perk!
swamp, and from the said swamp to hi
own house. Informed this court that vii
liam Walker neglected comeing TO clea
the road according 10 his order. II
ordered that the said William Walker b
fined the sum OF FIVE shillings or NIT,
pounds OF Tobacco according 10 law. an'
that he pay the same unto the said Jn'
Tayloe with Costs ats ex.'
Another: Upon the Complaint Of JOSEPH
Wing against Jno Davis Jun'r for beatinl
and abusing him, 1t Is therefore ordere'
1.-THE said Jno Davis being person o
an III character) that he be Imprisoned
for the space OF ffor,y-eight hours ant
then not to be rilest until he give bono
with good and sufficient security for hi
good behaviour. and his appearance a
the next Court" The curiosities Of auain
literature contained In these old volumes
are numerous and suggestive. and mos
frequently written In manner not to b
eoualied In style and finish by the bes
modern instruments used In penmanship
| ,',NN~- T ID