1821

 

Based on the text provided from the microfilmed Order Book of the Pocahontas County Clerk’s Office, dated March 1822, here is the transcription:

Header Information

• Location: Pocahontas County Courthouse, Clerk's Office, West Virginia.

• Microfilmed by: Reproduction Systems for the Genealogical Society of Salt Lake City.

• Filmed at: Marlinton, W. Va..

• Date: 28 OCT. 1969.

• Photographer: Fred Ridenour.

• Volume/Year: Order Book, Vol 1, 1822–1827.

Transcription Excerpts

• March Court 1822: Pursuant to an act of assembly entitled an act forming a top frail of the [county] of Math Pendleton the Comp[any] for the County of Pocahontas.

• Appointments: The court appointed various individuals as surveyors of roads and precincts, including:

  • John Hill, assigned to keep the road from the [distance] leading from the [illegible] to the [illegible] in repair.

  • William Backley, assigned to keep the road in repair.

  • Robert Moore, appointed as surveyor.

  • Benjamin Arbogart, appointed surveyor of the public road leading from [illegible] to Sampson Matthews, sworn to keep the same in repair.

• Militia and Official Commissions:

  • Benjamin Follman was recommended to the Governor as Colonel Commandant of the militia of the County of Pocahontas.

  • Samuel Hughes, to [illegible] Jalaifiye.

  • Follman is by the court recommended to the Governor as Captain of Cavalry in the County of Pocahontas.

  • Andrew Matthews is recommended as first Lieutenant in a company of cavalry in the County of Pocahontas.

  • Jacob Rains, James Nantz, and Samuel [illegible] were recommended for commissions.

• Legal/Court Proceedings:

  • Schusten Reynotes was permitted to practice as Counsel and Attorney in this court, having taken the oath of Counsel and the oath to support the constitution of the United States.

  • The court ordered that it be adjourned until 10 o’clock tomorrow morning.

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    This document appears to be a transcription of historical Pocahontas County court records, specifically covering sessions held between May and June 1822.

    The records detail various administrative, judicial, and infrastructural activities of the court. Below is a summary of the events and processes contained within the text:

    Court Proceedings and Appointments

    • Oath Taking: Various individuals, including James Sharpe, produced commissions from the Governor and took the necessary oaths of office (fidelity and support of the Constitution) to serve in their respective capacities.

    • Law Practice: Multiple individuals, including George W. Grier, were granted leave to practice law in the court upon taking the oaths required by law.

    • Public Service Appointments: The court appointed commissioners and viewers for various administrative tasks, including laying off routes for roads, overseeing the poor, and managing public infrastructure.

    • Bond Requirements: Several individuals entered into bonds with sureties to guarantee the performance of their duties or to keep the peace.

    Infrastructure and Land

    • Road Surveys: The court appointed commissioners to view, mark out, and report on the convenience of proposed roads. These included:

      • A road from the mouth of the creek.

      • A road from the upper end of the lane through the lands of Reuben Bradshaw.

      • A road from John Bradshaw’s to James Gillespie’s.

      • A road from Varner’s to Abraham Burner’s.

    • Land Transactions: The text notes that several land deeds and conveyances were presented in court, acknowledged by the vendors, and ordered to be recorded.

    Public House and Business Licensing

    • Ordinary Licenses: Several individuals petitioned the court for licenses to keep an "ordinary" (a public house or tavern).

    • Regulation: The court set prices for items sold at these establishments, including spirits such as "whiskey," "brandy," and "wine".

    • Requirements: Applicants were required to provide bond with security and satisfy the court that they were of good character and possessed the necessary accommodations for the public.

    Legal Matters

    • Recognizances: The records mention individuals appearing in discharge of their recognizances (legal obligations to appear in court).

    • Grievances: There is a reference to a presentment against an individual for "obstructing public" [sic] ways.

       

      The provided text appears to be a transcription of historical court records, likely from the Pocahontas County, Virginia (now West Virginia) Court Order Books circa 1822. These records document administrative, judicial, and militia-related business of the era.

      Summary of Document Content

      The text captures various routine functions of a county court in the early 19th century, including:

      • Appointments and Oaths: Frequent references to individuals being appointed to administrative or militia roles and taking the required oaths of office (e.g., "took the oath oaths prescribed by law").

      • Road Maintenance: Numerous mentions of "viewing" and "laying off" roads, assigning individuals to keep roads in repair, and establishing paths for public use (e.g., "lay off the road from Bradshaws to Callisons").

      • Militia Commissions: Records regarding the appointment of officers, such as the commission of William Young as a Lieutenant in the County Militia.

      • Fiscal and Assessment Matters: Documentation of "tithables" (taxable individuals), assessments for public works, and the reporting of county levies.

      • Legal Proceedings: Notes on court motions, the presence of attorneys, and judgments regarding civil or criminal matters, including references to "good behavior" bonds.

      • Local Geography and Figures: Mentions of specific landmarks (e.g., "fork of Oats Creek," "Allegheny Mountain") and local figures (e.g., George Baxter, John Callison, John Bradshaw, James Tallman).

      Observations on the Transcription

      The text is fragmented due to the nature of the archival material. Key sections include:

      • Judicial Authority: Frequent mention of the "Court" acting on motions to admit individuals to practice law or to settle grievances (e.g., "to practice Law in the county").

      • Administrative Oversight: The court frequently appointed commissioners to oversee specific tasks, such as clearing paths, reporting on road conditions, or managing the county's financial accounts.

      • 1822 Context: Several date markers confirm the records originate from the June and August sessions of the 1822 court.

      This document reflects the structured, yet localized, nature of frontier governance in West Virginia during the early 1800s, where the county court served as the primary nexus for legal, infrastructural, and social organization.