Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-19
Litigants on Eastern Shore
Were Previously Taken
to Jamestown.
TRIP EXPENSIVE AND OFTEN
IMPOSSIBLE FOR POOR MAN
First Court Consisted of Presi-
dent and Six Com
inissioners.
ny FRANCES I.ANkronD TAYLOR.

Prior TO 1882 great Inconvenience
was experienced by the people OF the
Eastern Shore by reason of having
no court. All who wished redress had
to cross the hay to Jamestown. This
was often impossible TO the poor man.
and his richer brother. In conse-
qucncc. took advantage of him.
To ohviatc matters. "A monthly
court was established in Accomac
in 1852. This court consisted OF n
pt csiding officer and six commissions
crs who were his coadjutors. Obcdi-
cnce Robins was the first president.
and Henry BaEwell the first clerk.
The commissioners were assigned
to the various plantations and were
men OF high military authority Tie
commander vas required to levy
forces. rcpcl Indian attacks. drill the
men under his command. and to hold
muster OF the men, women and chill
dren on holy daycs."
The court could not Try cases where
the amount in controversy was over
one hundred pounds OF tobacco In
value. There were no Jails and va
rled and gro,esuue were the punish
mcntS.
Oldest Record In Virginia.
Below Is given Il copy OF the first
page OF the oldest record in VIr-
ginia; yes. 1t can be said OF tho old
est in the United States:
"A Court Held al Accowmacke eth
Day OF January. 1892 Present: Capt.
Thomas Graves. capt. Edmund Scar
burgh, Mr.. Obedience Robins. Mr..
John Howe. Mr. Roger Saunders
1t is ordered by this cour, tia,
the new church wardcns shall have
power 10 d!strnync upon goods and
chattels OF all such OF the iuhabi.-
ants OF AchaWmackc that favc not
yet paid their duties OF cornc and
tobacco unto the minister according
10 an Act made by the last Gcnail
Assembly. dated the 18th OF Scptem-
tcer. 1881. and that the said church
wardcns deteyne the said goods and
chatteis until satisfaction be made ac-
cordlnE to the tenner and intent OF
the said Act"
= few extracts will show the diff
ference between the punlshments Of
those days and OF the present; time
Bishop Meade comments on the dis
cipIne OF that time.
Expensive Even Then.
A drunk cost John parruri,ore as
follows:
lit Is thought nit. and 80 ordered
by this Cort that John parramore.
for his unlawful swearing IN Il con-
tcmptuous manner in the face of the
hn EN,
stokes for the space of one com
plete hourc"; and on June .. 1888, II
was ordered that John PArramore
shall set by tho heelcs In the stokes
att the tyne ofe Devyne Scrvi.Is up"n
the next SABBATH dayc flor being
drunkc In the face OF the Cort."
The case of Goody Curtis and the
Widow Taylor is often quoted. Goody
Curtis was trying to milk her COW In
n strange pen. The COW was FESTIVE
and Goody was impatient. Goody re-
scented suggestions made by the
Widow Taylor. n lookcr-on. Words
followed, then the widow smacked
Mrs. Curtis face.
The court Ordered that the Widow
Taylor shoall pay unto John Curtis
or anic other for his use one potte
the Widdowe Taylor until the last
OF September next. and pay all
charges expended IN this suite"
lie Was Penitcnt.
Henry Charlton did not like his
rector. the Rev. Mr.. Cotton. SO In
public called him n black rotted ras-
kali"
| Charlton not only begged the par
| don OF the reverend gentleman, but
For the sgd offense buyld a pare
of stockes and sett. In them three
sevral SABBATH dayes In the tyne OF
Devyno services"
Edward Drew preferred n petition
against Joane Butler for calling his
wife improper names.
| The court decided: Upon dew ex-
| animation It is thought fit by this
| Board that sgd Joane Butler doe
| acknowledge to have called Marie
Drew -----, and hereby l confess
have done her manifest wronge,
wherefore desire before this con-
| gregation that the said Marie Drew
\ will forgive me, and also that this
congregation Will joyne and pray
| with me that God may forgive mo-"
| The court also provided that IL
Joane should fall tn retract her rash