Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-06-16
CLERKS OF ACCOMACK COUNTY
COURT.
From 1868 to 1887.

After Anglo-Saxon occupancy and
domination, I'VE Ancient Kingdom
OF Accowmacke retaining the name
of it's principal tribe Of Indians, be-
came Ye Plantacon OF Accowmacke".
and is thus mentioned In sundry
documents still extant, enactments OF
Ye Virginia Company, to be found IN
the British Museum and colonial
archives OF the Old Dominion.
In 1642 the peninsula WAS divided
into two counties by an Act OF the
House OF Burgesses convened at
jamestown. The lower county thus
formed was named Northampton In
compliment to Colonel Obedience
Robins, an influential colonist, ma
tive OF Berkeley, Northamptonshire,
England. Accomack county as de-
fined by various and oft-disputed
surveys, did not begin it's separate
existence till 1868
The first court assembled ye 21st OF
April, 1868, the following members
being present: Mr. Anthony Hodg'
kins, Captain George Parker, Mr..
Devereux Browne, Mr.. John West
and Mr.. John Wise.
Mr.. Robert Hutchinson, clerk OF
Northampton county, was the first
clerk OF Accomack county court, and
seems to have ably filed the posi-
ton, one OF grave trust and responsl
bility at the time, all documents
necessarily being in the personal
custody OF the clerk. The primitive
and meagre Curia Regis, in the abb
sence of court house and clerks office,
was scarcely more than Folk Moot
and convened at the homes OF the
neighboring gentry in succession.
The second court was held May 2nd.
1868, at rye house Of Mr.. Anthony
Hodgkins on Pungoteague Branch. "
Mr.. Hutchinson's term extended from
1868 to 1870. In the latter year he
was superseded by John Culpeper,
who received from the Hon. Thomas
Ludwell. Secretary OF Ye Colony, a
commission to ofiiciate as clerk either
in person or by his deputies in any
court or courts on the Eastern Shore
OF Virginia. Culpeper was also Lord
High Sheriff, and seems to have in
trusted the clerkship to Daniel Mech
and Francis Lord. deputies respec-
lively, for Northampton and Acco-
mack.
In 1884, John Washbourne was APP
pointed clerk by the Hon. Thomas
Ludwell-and continued In office til
1908. 1t is safe to conclude from the
length of his term, twenty. nine years,
that he made most popular and
efficient scribe. Upon the relinquish'
ment of Washbourne, Robert Snead
was commissioned by Her Majesty
Queen Anne's Secretary, Edmund
Jennings, Esqr., and held the posi-
ton from 1903 to IVA. Charles Snead
succeeded Robert Snead, and was re-
peatedly commissioned, once by
Governor Spotswood; he retired in
1927.
John jackson was commissioned
clerk by Secretary Carter in 17S7
and continued to perform the in
creasing duties OF the Office till
short time previous to his death
which occurred in the Autumn of1737
George Holden was Jackson's sue
cessor, and on the first day Of Novem
lber, 1877, presented to the court hi
commission from Secretary Carter.
Mr.. Holden was a man Of intellect
wealth and social influence from the
Upper Parish; his large demesne
lying contiguous to Holden's Creek
In 1772 he was a member of the vestry
OF Accomack Parish. He married
Anne, widow of Major Robert King
and daughter OF the Rev. Francis
Mackenzie, founder of Presbyterian
, ism in America.
|, This typical gentleman OF ante
|, Revolutionary days held the Office
thirty six years. His last signature
in bold, characteristic chirography
appears December end, 1878.
, During those stern times, which
tried mems souls-when 1.-The ole
time Continentals. with their ragged
regimentals-faltered not" Littletor
Savage filled the Office OF clerk mos
honorably and acceptably. He wa
| lineal descendant Of Thomas saw
J age, a prominent factor in the early
annals OF Virginia, having immigrant
ed with Newport in 1908, and volun
| tarIly remained as hostage to Pow
hatan for Namontack, young Draw
whom Newport induced to return t.
Europe with him. In the rude anC
, perilous wigwam of the great Wero
ance, Savage became a diligent stu
| dent of Indian language and symbol
ism, and subsequently rendered val
liable service to the young Colony a
, an interpreter. Thomas and HANNAH
Savage eventually settled Savage
, Neck, Northampton county-ant
, have given to Virginia conspicuou
/ quota OF distinguished citizens. bu
. none more worthy than Littleton
| clerk OF Accomack County Court from
, January 25th, 1774 to December Goth
1904.
D Edmund Bayly (son Of Thoma
. Bayly and Anne Drummond his wife
, and descendant of that John Drum
mopd whom Story in 1899 described