Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1904-01-15
The First Highland County Court

III 1lShland, convened MAY %OtH
1847, in log building which stood
near where the Highland County
Bank now stands. 1t was termed
a justices court.
The initial entry of that body is
as follows:
The following gentlemen justices
Of the peace for the county afore-
said, to-wit: John Sitlington,
Adam Stephenson. ST., George
IIickiin, Benjamin Fieisher. Sam |
Ruckman, Reuben Slaven. George
w Amiss, Charles Steuart, Peter
Hull, Andrew Fl Byrd, Thomas
Jones, james B Campbell, james
Brown, Emanuel Arbogast. Adam
Stephenson Jr. Abel H Armstrong.
John II PulIin and David Il Bird,
produced ii commission from the
Governor Of the Commonwealth.
commissioning them Justices Of
tho peace for tie said county OF
Highland, and also produced ceril-
fcates respectively Of their having
qualified as such according to tie
act Of assembly establishing The
said county Of Highland, passed
the 18th day Of March, 1917. and
thereupcn lie said justices pro-
ceeded to form court for the said
county Oil this day, to-wlt: On
THURSDAY the goth day OF May
1917, being the Thursday after tie
81, Monday in said month, the time
which SAID act Of assembly directs
courts for the said county to be
holden. at the house Of John Cook,
as directed BIZ said act.
THE FIRST ACT.
The first official act Of this body
was the election OF clerk of the
county, which after the fourth
ballot, resulted in the election OF
Adam Stephenson, Jr.
THE LAST JUSTICE COURT.
The last Justice court was held
on the 14th day of April 1870, and
was composed of the following
iustlces: H J Fleisher, A 2 Dew
ericks, V Bird, Thos Beverage, j
W Wade, JAG Seybert, Abrm Life
Robt S Hook, Il r Hull, Chas Il
Slayen, c. II. Barouff.
~ THE FIRST JUDO
After this date the county court
system changed and on the 18th
day of May, 1870, the first term OF
the court presided over by a county
Judge, WAS held, Judge James M
Sieg on the bench.
The initial entry in the order
book is as follows:
James NJ Sieg having been com.
missioned by the Governor of the
state as Judge of the county courts
of Bath and Highland, by COM
mission bearing date on the 21st
day Of April, 1870, returned GER
tifcate of his due qualification by
taking and subscribing the several
oaths prescribed by law, before } c
Matheny Notary Public for said
county Of Highland.
The first official act of Judge
Sipg WAS the appointment of } c
Matthew, Clerk Of the county and
circuit courts OF Highland.
THE LAST COUNTY COURT ORDER
1t may have had its objectiona-
bic features, and it may be that we
can do better without it than we
did with it. yet we are loath to give
il no. We had contracted the
county court habit had grown up
on us for over half century. Now
it is suddenly withdrawn and no
aptidote has been left in its place.
On the bench and by personal
intercourse with our people Judge
Chalkley has won many friends
who express regrets that he has
paid us his last monthly visit.
The last term was held BY Judge
p Chalkley. on the 9TH day of jan,
1904, and the closing order was
written by Judge Chalkley himself
in a clear and legible hand, which
is remarkable for the average Judge
and is as follows:
This court having been abolish
ed by the present constitution OF
Virginia from and after the thirty
first day of this present month,
and there being no further bust
ness, it is ordered that this court
stand adjourned sine die"
Signed Lyman Chalkley.