Minutes of the Police Jury, Tangipahoa, Livingston, Washington, St. Tammany then St. Helena Parish, Louisiana File submitted by Mrs. Inez Bridges Tate and prepared by D.N. Pardue ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From publication "Old Montpelier, 1804, New Montpelier, 1904" compiled by Inez B. Tate and published by St. Helena Historical Association, 1993. Reprinted with permission. August 16-19, 1813 INTRODUCTION A manuscript which appears to be the original copy of the Minutes of the Police Jury of St. Helena Parish for the Session of August 16-19, 1813, is the property of Mr. O.J. Matthews of Darlington, Louisiana. This manuscript was found in a store in Zachary, Louisiana, which was formerly owned by an elderly relative of Mr. Matthews. It was brought to the attention of Dr. Edgar A. Schuler, Assistand Professor of Sociology, Louisiana State University, by Miss Louise Kemp; and, recognizing its value and significance as a documentary source for the early history of the State of Louisiana, Dr. Schuler kindly passed it along to the Editor or the "Quarterly". Louisiana was admitted into the Union as a State under date of April 30, 1812, but without the inclusion of the Florida Parishes--of which St. Helena is one--within the new State. But shortly after their approval of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana, Congress passed a supplemental act which authorized the State Legislature to incorporate within the new State the West Florida territory between the Mississippi and the Pearl rivers. The first session of the Louisiana Legislature incorporated this territory into the new State, before the close of the year 1812. Local governments had to be set up according to legislation enacted by the Legis- lature, and it was probably not until early in 1813 that St. Helena and the other Florida Parishes organized their Police Juries as their local governing bodies. At least one session of the Police Jury of the Parish of St. Helena had been held prior to the one under consideration. The sessions were usually held quarterly, and it is possible that two previous sessions had been held in St. Helena, prior to August, 1813. The manuscript minutes, of which a complete transcript is printed below, consist of twelve sheets of legal size paper of heavy stock and superior quality, written on both sides. The ink and paper are remarkably well preserved after the lapse of over a century and a quarter, the penmanship is excellent for a quill pen, and the text is still very legible. There are vari- ations in the spelling of some of the proper names and some other words, but on the whole the orthography is very good. The punctuation is indifferent, as it usually the case in such doc- uments. The transcript of the manuscript is here presented to the readers of the "Quarterly" as an excellent illustration of the manner of organization and method of operation of an early Louisiana Police Jury, as well as for the light it throws upon the problems confronting such a local gov- erning body and the manner in which these problems were solved, in the days shortly after state- hood. The document contains an abundance of material of interest to the genealogist, as well as other interesting items on the history of early St. Helena. In preparing the manuscript for publication the editor has tried to make some logical arrangement into paragraphs, and to clarify the punctuation as an aid to the reader; but he has in no other way emended the manuscript nor made any changes in the original text of the document. TRANSCRIPTION OF THE MANUSCRIPT Parish of St. Helena ss. On Monday the sixteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen. This day having been specially appointed by the Honble Shepherd Brown Judge of the Parish of St. Helena for a meeting of the members of the Police Jury of said Parish to be held at the Court house of said Parish due notice having been given of such meeting according to Law the members herein after mentioned attended at such meeting viz. The Honble Shepherd Brown, ex officio President of said meeting. William Leach and Alexander Brineac Esquires representing the first ward of said Parish. Benjamin Hutchinson and John F. Myers Esquires representing the second ward of said Parish. Richard Allbritton and John Breed Esquires representing the third ward of said Parish. Jonathan Kemp and Lawrence H. Moor Esquires representing the fourth ward of said Parish. And Joseph Thomas, William Watson and Thomas J. Davidson Esquires Justices of the Peace and ex officio members of said Jury-- The said members having verified their respective Powers, proceeded to the exercise of the duties prescribed them by Law as Police Jurors and the President took his seat-- Mr. Joseph Thomas was appointed Clerk of the Sitting pro tem: Messrs. Jonathan Kemp, Thomas J. Davidson and John Breed were appointed a committee to draw up rules and regulations for the Sittings of this Jury-- The Jury then adjourned until three o'clock in the afternoon of this day. -----Same Day----- The Jury met agreeable to adjournment-- Present The Honble Shepherd Brown in the Chair and Jonathan Kemp, William Leach, John Breed, William Watson, Law'ce H. Moor, Thomas J. Davidson, Benjamin Hutchinson, Alexander Brineac, John F. Myers & Richard Allbritton Esquires. Samuel H. Harper, Jesse Lee and Abner Womack Esquires representing the fifth ward of said Parish appeared and having verified their powers took their seats as members. The Committee appointed in the forenoon to draw up rules and regulations for the sittings of the Jury made report and recommended the adoption of the following rules and regulations and they were accordingly unanimously adopted and being approved by the President It was ordered that the said rules and regulations govern the sittings of the Police Jury of the Parish of St. Helena-- Rules to be observed by the present Police Jury for the Parish of St. Helena State of Louisiana August 16 1813-- Art. I. Each member speaking shall address himself to the President. II. In case of contention for priority in speaking the President shall determine the preference. III. No member shall be allowed to speak more than twice on the same subject without permission from the President. IV. That no member of the Jury shall absent himself from the sitting without leave of the President. V. Disorderly behavior or violation of these rules shall be punished by fines inflicted by the President. VI. The mode of taking the opinion of the members shall be by raising the hand to in- dicate assent and holding their position to signify dissent. VII. No member shall be permitted to speak in the sittings of the Jury without rising from his seat. VIII. No member shall rise to speak while another is on the floor speaking. IX. All motions must be seconded, if not they cannot be noticed. (Signed) Thos. J. Davidson, Charm'n Motion was made by Mr. Harper seconded by Mr. Thomas that it be proposed to David Wright of this Parish to serve as clerk of this Jury for which he shall be entitled to a remuneration of two dollars per day for each day he shall be employed during the Session of the Jury and the additional sum of twelve and one half cents for every hundred words used in transcribing the proceedings. The said motion being carried Mr. Harper and Mr. Davidson were appointed to make the said proposition to David Wright and they shortly after reported that having made the proposition to said Wright, he had accepted the offer and he was accordingly introduced and took his seat as clerk of the Jury-- On motion of Mr. Harper seconded by Mr. Moor that the Jury now proceed to the appointment of three appraisers for this Parish agreeable to the fourth section of the "act to Lay a tax within the State of Louisiana, to determine the mode of assessing and collecting said tax and for other purposes", the motion was carried nem. con. and it was accordingly so resolved. On motion of Mr. Harper seconded by Mr. Moor that Thomas J. Davidson, William Kinchen and David Kemp be appointed assessors for the Parish of St. Helena, in conformity to the above men- tioned act: The motion was carried nem: con: and the said Thomas J. Davidson, William Kinchen and David Kemp are accordingly appointed assessors under the aforesaid act. After some desultory conversation the following resolution was proposed by Mr. Harper seconded by Mr. (blank) viz. "Resolved that this Police Jury do now adjourn until the first Monday in July next"-- On taking the votes of the Jury the resolution was lost and the Jury continued to sit. The Jury then proceeded to appoint a constable for the district of said Parish within the jurisdiction of Thomas J. Davidson Esquire Justice of the Peace and Robert Chapman was appointed to that office nem: con: John Quillan was in like manner appointed constable for the district of William Watson Esquire Justice of the Peace. Stephen Williams was in like manner appointed constable for the district under the juris- diction of William Kinchen Esq're and Joseph Heard was in like manner appointed constable in the first ward of the Parish. Mr. Harper stated that owing to the indisposition of his family he was under the necessity of applying to the Jury for leave of absence during the remainder of the session: Leave was accordingly granted nem: con:-- The Jury then adjoined until tomorrow at nine o'clock in the forenoon.-- (signed) D. Wright, Clerk -----Tuesday Aug't 17th----- The Jury met pursuant to adjournment. Present Shepherd Brown in the chair and Lawrence H. Moor, John Breed, Jesse Lee, Benjamin Hitchinson, Jonathan Kemp, Joseph Thomas, William Leech, Thomas J. Davidson, William Watson, Alexander Briniac, Richard Allbritton, Abner Womack and John F. Myers. The Jury proceeded to the appointment of a constable for the district under the Jurisdiction of the Justice of Peace at Springfield and James Norton was appointed to that office nem: con: Mr. Davidson offered the following resolution "Whereas great inconvenience attends the intercourse of the inhabitants of this Parish situated on and near the Bayou Barbara with the seat of Justice of this Parish for the want of a road between the two places, as well as for the want of a Public landing established at some place on the said Bayou, Resolved that Messrs. Thomas, Moor, Leech and Bringiac be appointed a committee to draft a plan for opening the said Road and to establish a Publice landing on said Bayou as well as to recomment the most proper measures for carrying the same into effect and what ought to be the priveleges of the Public on the same.-- The aforesaid resolution being unanimously approved of it was accordingly so ordered, and the committee ordered to prepare their report without delay. On motion of Mr. Kemp seconded by Mr. Thomas that a committee on ways and means be appointed to devise the most proper method of laying on a Parish tax in order to meet the Parish debt and expences and that they make report of their judgment thereon without delay. The motion being carried Messrs. Davidson, Kemp, Lee, Breed, Womack and Allbritton were appointed such committee by the President. Motion being made by Mr. Thomas seconded by Mr. Lee that a committee be appointed to regu- late the manner of proceeding with strays and wild cattle and also to regulate the structure and height of fences, the said motion was carried, and the President nominated Messrs. Myers, Watson, Hutchinson and Moor as a committee for that purpose. The Committee of ways and means were ordered to enquire into the most expeditious mode of collecting all arrearages due the Parish from fines collected by the Magistrates and to enquire into the manner in which certain monies exacted from vessels navigating the waters of the Tickfaw and Nitalbany have been appropriated as well as to propose a method to enforce the delivery of such monies to the Parish Treasurer. Motion was made by Mr. Thomas seconded by Mr. Davidson that the Committee appointed to report on the opening of a road from Bayou Barbara to the Court house shall be aughorized to act as a general road committee to enquire into the situation and regulate other roadsin the Parish and that they receive all information which may be offered them by the inhabitants of the different parts of this Parish. The motion being carried the Jury adjourned to give time to the different committees to form their reports. (signed) D. Wright, Clerk -----Same day 3 o'clock P.M.----- The Jury met to receive the reports of the different committees. Present Shepherd Brown President and Messrs. Lee, Womack, Breed, Watson, Kemp, Allbritton, Davidson, Moore, Briniac, Myers and Hutchinson. Fortescue Cuming Esqu'r appeared to take his seat as a Justice of the Peace and ex officio member of the Jury but requested that he might be excused on account of the severe indisposition of a part of his family. Leave of absence was accordingly granted him during the remainder of this Session. William Watson Esq'r was also excused for the remainder of the Session on account of indisposition. Thomas J. Davidson Esq'r on behalf of the Committee of ways and means read the following report viz: To the Honble the President and Police Jury of the Parish of St. Helena: The committee appointed from your body as a committee of ways and means beg leave to submit the following articles and to recommend that the same may be ratified by your body and pass as laws of this Parish for the purpose of raising a Parish fund as well as for other purposes. Art. 1. Tavern kepers before they are allowed to receive any of the following rates shall take out a license from the Clerk of this Parish for which each tavern keeper shall pay as a Parish tax sum of five dollars into the hands of the Treasurer. Art. 2. Every tavern keeper having obtained such license may charge the following rates and no more. For every half pint of whiskey twelve and one half cents. For a single feed of corn for a horse twelve and one half cents. For a feed of corn with fodder Eighteen and 3/4 cents. For stabling a horse all night on corn and fodder, Thirty seven and a half cents. For pasturage for a horse all night Six and one quarter cents. For every meal of victuals Twenty five cents. For abiding all night -- Six and one quarter cents. Art. 3. Every Billiard Table shall pay a Parish Tax of twenty dollars annually. Art. 4. All millers attending water mills in this Parish shall keep good order in their respective mills by giving every man his proper turn, keeping lawful sealed measures and keep'g his mill in good order. Millers shall be entitled to receive as toll upon all corn wheat or Buckwheat ground in their respective mills one eight part thereof and no more: And any miller contravening any part of the above rules shall forfeit and pay to the Parish Treasurer to the use of the Parish Five dollars for each offence to be received before any Justice of the Peace on the information of the Party aggrieved. Art. V. The Treasurer of the Parish is hereby authorized and required to call upon Fortescue Cuming Esq'r and all others who have been concerned in collecting tolls exacted from vessels under a resolution of the first Police Jury of this Parish, either upon the Nitalbany or Tickfaw, for an account of all monies so received and to take the same into the Treasury of this Parish ready to render back to those who have paid the same. Provided however that all receipts not produced to the Treasurer of this Parish within one year from the passing of this law shall be excluded from such right. Art. VI. It shall be the duty of the Sheriff of this Parish to call on all Justices of the Peace or who were such under the late Territorial Government for all monies collected by them for fines and return the same to the Treasurer of this Parish and take his receipt. Art. VII. All white free males of twenty one years old and upwards shall pay a Poll tax to this Parish of One Dollar on each Poll. Art. VIII. Masters shall pay for every negro above the age of ten years twenty five cents for each. Art. IX. Every owner of a horse mare or mule above three years old shall pay a Parish Tax of twelve and one half cents for each. Art. X. The owner or keeper of every stud horse kept in this Parish shall pay a tax to the Parish of the amount he stands for by the season. Art. XI. All persons who have not paid their Parish Tax of 1811 shall at this time be called on by the Sheriff for their arrearages in taxes (the former Parish Judge and collector having left the Parish) as well as the taxes laid by the present law as also all other dues whatsoever which now are or may become owing to the Parish. Art. XII. At the time the Assessors appointed under the laws of this present year make their return of all persons and property subject to a Parish tax within this Parish and Judge after arranging such return shall keep a copy in his office and deliver one to the Sheriff who shall immediately appoint different central places in each of the wards, giving ninety days notice in each ward to the inhabitants to attend at such place and make payment of their taxes; after such time in case of failure he whall be at liberty to seize and sell property to satisfy such tax subjecting the Party to such costs as may necessarily attend such process agreeable to Law. Provided however that any Person or Persons thinking that he, she, or they have been aggrieved, shall have liberty to appeal to the Justices of Peace of their respective wards. Art. XIII. The sheriff shall account to the Parish Treasurer on the first Monday in Feb- ruary in each year and hand over to the Treasurer at the same time all the monies of the Parish which have come into his hands up to that Period-- All which is submitted. (Signed) Thos. J. Davidson Charm'n ----------------------- Aug't 17, 1813 The aforesaid report having been taken up section by section and the whole of the same having been agreed to, nem. con.: It is ordered that each and every of the foregoing articles become and are hereby made part of the laws of the Parish of St. Helena-- Mr. Moore on behalf of the committee appointed to regulate the manner of proceeding with strays and wild cattle and also to regulate the height and structure of fences read a report which on motion made and seconded was ordered to be recommitted and the chairman added Messrs. Kemp, Davidson & Breed to the committee. The Jury then adjourned to nine o'clock tomorrow morning. (Signed) D. Wright, Clerk -----Wednesday Aug't 18th----- The Jury met pursuant to adjournment. Present--The Hon: Shepherd Brown in the Chair and John F. Myers, Abner Womack, Richard Allbritton, Alexander Briniac, William Watson, Thomas J. Davidson, William Leech, Joseph Thomas, Jonathan Kemp, Benjamin Hutchinson, Jesse Lee, John Breed and Lawrence H. Moore, Esquires--- Mr. ((blank) on behalf of the Committee to whom was referred the consideration of a manner to regulate proceedings with estrays & read the following report To the Honble the President and Police Jury of the Parish of St. Helena: The Committee appointed from your body as a committee to regulate the manner of proceeding with strays and wild cattle and also to regulate the structure and heighth of fences beg leave to submit the following laws and regulations and to recommend that the same may be adopted by your body and pass as laws of this Parish for the purpose of regulating strays and for other purposes. Art. 1. Every holder of stock in this Parish shall present a description of his or her ear mark or brand to the Clerk of this Parish whose duty it shall be to record the same, for which serivce he shall be entitled to receive the sum of fifty cents from the party for whom such records is made. Art. 2. If two or more persons claim the same ear mark or brand the person having the same first recorded shall have the privilege of retaining such mark or brand. Art. 3. Any horned cattle sheep or Hogs found running at large unmarked after two years old shall be considered as estrays and dealt with accordingly. Art. 4. All estrays found running at large in this Parish may be taken up by any householder of the neighborhood where the same may be found and it shall be the duty of every person taking up such stray to report the same forthwith to the nearest Justice of the Peace in his ward who shall appoint two freeholders of his ward ten days after to meet examine and appraise such stray or strays upon oath, for which service the said appraisers shall be entitled to receive the sum of twenty five cents each: And the Justice before whom such appraisement is made shall cause said strays with a full description and the valuation thereof to be advertised at the Court house and at his own office for the full term of twelve months for Horses Mares or Mules and six months for Horned Cattle, Sheep, or Hogs: And if no owner appears to substantiate his or her claim to such estrays in the above mentioned term, it shall then be the duty of the said Justice to order the same to be sold, if a horse, mare or mule at the Court house, but all other stock at the discretion of the Justice-- When any estray shall be advertised at the Court house the Clerk of the Parish shall make a record of the same in a book kept by him for that purpose, for which service he shall be entitled to a compensation of fifty cents for every record so made and for all services rendered by Justices of the Peace in conformity to this article they shall be allowed one dollar and fifty cents for every stray which shall be reported to them, appraised and advertised agreeable to the provisions of this article, and all such costs shall be paid by the owner of such estrays if any shall appear or out of the monies arising from the sale of such estrays should the owner not have appeared.-- Art. 5. All horses mares or mules ordered as above to be sold shall be sold on a credit of twelve months, the purchaser giving bond and sufficient security for the same payable to the Sheriff for the use of the Parish and if no owner shall appear and substantiate his claim to such estray before such bond becomes due the money shall be collected and paid to the Parish Treasurer who shall pay to the taker up of the estray one third part of the nett proceeds thereof and shall hold the remainder to the use of the Parish. Art. 6. No more than one dollars shall be allowed for the keeping of any stray horses mares or mules incapable of working for every month they shall be so kept, and the taker up of such estrays shall not be compelled to feed them farther than to give them the use of their pastures or commons with the same privileges as are used by their outlying stock. The use of all serviceable horses mares or mules taken up as strays shall be considered a full compensation for their keeping. Art. 7. Any person taking up an estray and neglecting to report the same as above directed within the term of ten days shall be subject to a fine of twenty dollars to be recovered before a Justice of his district or of the district adjoining and such fine shall be paid to the Treasurer to the use of the Parish. Art. 8. Every taker up of estrays shall be compelled to certify to a magistrate any accident such as death or escape or material injury which may happen to such strays taking the magistrates certificate to that effect which certificate he shall present to the Clerk to be entered on his records of estrays: and in default of so doing he shall be liable to the party concerned for the amount of the appraisement of such animal or animals to be paid agreeable to the pro- visions contained in the foregoing articles. Art. 9. All those in possession of strays heretofore taken up shall report the same to the Clerk of the Parish within twenty days from passing this law and such as have been regularly and dealt with according to Law shall be advertised and sold by the Sheriff as directed by the present regulations and all such as have not been so dealt with shall be considered as if taken up on the present day. All sales of estrays made at the Court house shall take place at some second day of a Parish Court. Art. 10. Five per centum shall be allowed to all Sheriffs or Constables making sales of estrays under the provision contained in these regulations. Art. 11. Any holder of stock convicted of driving the cattle of others to his pen at a greater distance than six miles shall be subject to a fine of twenty dollars and shall pay the expenses incurred by the owner in taking them back to his house, all which shall be recovered with costs of suit before any Justice of the Peace of the District of the offenders residence on the information of the party aggrieved: and all such fines shall be paid to the Parish Treasurer to the use of the Parish. Art. 12. Each inhabitant or planter shall be compelled to keep a fence of the height of five and a half feet either Post & rail or if a worm fence well staked and ridered or braced under risque of suffering without recourse any damage which may arise to his crop from the Horses or cattle of others. Art. 13. Any person wishing to establish the lagality of his fence shall call on two of his respectable neighbors, freeholders, who after examining the same shall grant a certificate of the legality of such fence under their hands.-- Art. 14. Whenever a fence has been declared lawful the owner shall be at liberty to seize and secure all or any animals which may be found within his inclosure and immediately summon two of his respectable neighbors to assess the damges which may have been done by said animal or animals; and the said assessment being sworn to by the Parties making the same before the Justice of Peace of the District and the injured party also making oath that he verily believes said animal was not put into said inclosure by any of his family nor by any other person with intent to injuring the owner nor was put in by himself, then the owner of the animal after due summons shall be condemned by the Justice of the Peace to pay to said taker up all damages which have accrued with twenty five cents per day for keeping such animal or animals and until payment of such indemnity the said taker up may retain the animal or animals. Provided however that due notice shall be given to the owner of animals committing a trespass and in case the owner shall agree to pay and do pay the amount of damages as valued by the neighbors the said animal or animals shall be delivered up without a call before the Justice of the Peace and the owner shall be subject to no further costs or charges.-- All which is submitted. (Signed - blank) Chairman of the Committee ------------------ August 18th 1813 The aforesaid report having been taken up and read section by section and the whole of the same having been agreed to nem: com:, It is ordered that each and every of the foregoing articles become and are hereby made part of the laws of the Parish of St. Helena.-- The Court then adjourned to this afternoon at three o'clock. (Signed) D. Wright, Clerk ----------------- -----Same day 3 o'clock P.M.----- The Jury met agreeable to adjournment. Present -- As in the forenoon. Mr. Joseph Thomas on behalf of the committee of roads, bridges, causeways &c read the following report, viz: To the Honble the President and Police Jury of the Parish of St. Helena: The committee appointed from your body for the laying off and continuing of roads, Bridges Causeways &c. beg leave to report and recommend the adoption of the following resolutions and regulations for the further opening and improving the public roads in the Parish of St. Helena and for other purposes. Art. 1. A good and sufficient cart road shall be opened in the most direct route over the most proper ground from the Court house to the landing in the forks of the Bayou Barbara crossing the Hog branch at or near the ford marked out by Reuben Denham. Art. 2. A good and sufficient cart road shall be opened from the French Settlement on the river Amit to commence at or near the plantation of Mr. (blank) Brigniac, running thence over the highest and best ground and in the most direct route so as to connect with the road from the forks of the Barbara to the Court house. Art. 3. William Starns, Reuben Denham and Thomas J. Davidson are appointed commissioners to lay off and mark the said road from the Court house to Hog branch and Reuben Denham is appointed commissioner to lay off an mark the said road from the ford at Hog branch to the landing at the Barbara as well as to lay off and mark the road from the French Settlement on the Amit to inter- sect the road from the Barbara. Art. 4. The following persons are appointed overseers of the said roads viz. Lawrence H. Moor from the Court house to the ford of Hog branch; Wiliam Leech from the Barbara to Hog branch and from the French Settlement on the Amit to where the said road may intersect the Barbara road. Art. 5. Lawrence H. Moor overseer of the road from the Court house to the ford of Hog branch is authorized to call out the following persons to work on said road viz. from Messrs. Thomas J. Davidson, Alexander Bookter, John George and Lawrence H. Moor two able bodied men each; Also all males residing on the West side of Tickfaw river between the Court house and Hog branch within four miles of the said road, over the age of sixteen and under the age of fifty years. Art. 6. William Leech overseer of the remainder of said road is authorized to call out all persons within the distance of twelve miles including the Spanish Settlement on the South east side of the said road, and on the north east side of the said road as far as the river Tickfaw and up said river to the mouth of Hog branch, thence up said branch to the ford; The said over- seer is also authorized to call out such number of hands as he may deem necessary within the aforesaid limits to work on the road leading from the French Settlement to the road which leads from the Barbara to the Court house. Art. 7. A similar road shall in like manner be laid off and opened from the ferry of the Colyel to Vausers landing under the inspection and authority of the commissioner and overseer last mentioned. Art. 8. The Proprietor of the lands at the landing shall accord free passing and repassing through the same as the road shall be laid out and such quantity of land at the landing as the law directs or the commissioners of said road may dem necessary for the receipt or embarkation of goods or other articles brought there by the inhabitants of this Parish or any other person who may frequent said road or landing. Art. 9. The main Public road leading from Jackson's ferry on the Amit to Mr. John Breeds and thence to Williams road near Holly's old settlement shall be opened and kept in good repair. Art. 10. John Breed Esq'r is apointed commissioner for said road and the following persons are apponited overseers of the same viz. Robert Rouncevall from Jackson's Ferry to Mr. Quillings and William Watson from thence to Williams road near Holly's old place. Art. 11. A good and sufficient main cart road shall be opened from the Court house to Mr. Daniel Ranier's. Daniel Ranier and Alexander Bookter are hereby appointed commissioners to mark and lay off said road and Robert Holloway and Dempsey Kemp are hereby appointed overseers of said road and the said overseers are hereby authorized to call out a certain number of the hands of the following persons to work on said road viz. All the hands of Daniel Ranier subject to work on roads; from Keder Raby two hands, from Abraham Spears two hands; from Robert Holloway two hands. Art. 12. The road leading from Springfield to Jacob Cobbs shall be opened and kept open from Springfield to the ford and in good repair from thence to Cobbs. The following persons are hereby appointed overseers of said road viz. Benjamin Hutchinson from Springfield to Mrs. Starns, John George from Mrs. Starns to Bookters ford on the Tickfaw; Ephraim Deal from said ford to Spring Creek; William Redden from Spring Creek to Cap't Boykins: Uriah Pruit from Cap't Boykins to the line of demarcation. Art. 13. The road leading from Major Womack's by the way of Mr. Ephraim Bates to the line of demcarcation shall be kept in good repair and Ephraim Bates is hereby appointed overseer of said road. Art. 14. The road on the East side of the Tickfaw leading from John George to Joseph Killion's thence by way of French John's to the line of demarcation shall be kept open and in good repair. The following persons are hereby appointed overseers of said road viz. Joseph Killion from Mrs. John George as far as French John's: Stephen Waller from thence to Thomas Day's and said Day from thence to the line of demarkation; -- Joseph Killion is hereby authorized to call out the hands of the following persons subject to work on the road viz. from George Killion's to Mr. Bells including the same, all the hands subject to work on the road. Stephen Waller all the hands subject to work on the road from Mr. Bells to Thomas Day's and Thomas Day all the hands subject to work on the road from thence to the line of demarkation. Art. 15. The road leading from Powers ford to intersect William road at Claytons shall be kept in good repair and Matthew Stewart is hereby appointed overseer for said road with full power to call out all the hands that may reside nearest the said road. Art. 16. It shall the duty of each and every commissioner appointed under these regulations to commence the marking and laying off the aforesaid roads to which he may have been appointed within twenty five days after he shall have been duly notified of his appointment: And as soon as such road shall have been layed off and marked it shall be the duty of said commissioner to notify the overseer of the same whose duty it shall be to call out the hands to work on the road so marked out within ten days after such notification from the commissioner: And the said overseer shall continue to call out the hands to work on the road from time to time as he may deem necessary. The overseer shall give the persons subject to work on the road at least three days notice of the time they are wanted and shall at the same time specify the number of days they shall be employed. Provided that no person shall be compelled to work on any road more than four days in any one month nor more than twelve days in the year. Art. 17. All free males over the age of sixteen and under the age of fifty years shall be subject to work on the roads and all male slaves who may be deemed by the overseers capable of working in the field shall be liable and compelled to work on the roads. Art. 18. In the recess of the Jury Mr. Alexander Bookter is appointed a commissioner general to fill all such vacancies of commissioners and overseers as may happen during such recess. Also to order the opening of such roads as may be applied for by the majority of inhabitants of any settlement, making also the necessary appointments of commissioners and overseers which appointments shall be and remain in force until the next meeting of the Police Jury. Art. 19. Ephraim Deal overseer of that part of the Natchez road leading from Alexander Bookters ford near the Bridge to Spring Creek shall be authorized to call out the hands of the following persons subject to work on the roads viz. those of Jonathan Kemp, Robert Holloway, Aaron Greenage, Banjamin O. Williams, Mrs. Nettles, John West, Thomas J. Davidson, L.H. Moor, Alexander Bookter and Nicholas Highlands or such part of the above mentioned hands as may be deemed by said overseer right and equitable. Art. 20. The road leading from Joseph Frairs ford on Tanchipahao to the line of demarcation shall be kept open and in good repair: And Britton Addison is hereby appointed overseer from the ford at Tanchipahao to his own place and Daniel Cryer is hereby appointed overseer from Britton Addison's to the line of demarkation. And the said overseers are authorized to call out at all times when they may think necessary as many hands as they may think necessary to keep the said road in good order. Art. 21. The road leading from Myers landing at Springfield to Tanchipahao shall be kept in good repair and Samuel Richardson is hereby appointed overseer of said road from Myers landing to the bridge on Ponchitoula: and Skipworth Derbin is hereby appointed overseer for said road from the said bridge at Ponchitoula to Tanchipahao. The said Samuel Richardson is hereby authorized to call out all the hands subject to work on the roads below Nitalbany to Richardson's settlement or where he resides and Skipworth Derbin is authorized to call out all the hands subject as above from Richardson's to Tanchipahao and up Tanchipahao to Morgan Cryers. Art. 22. The road leading from William's ford to Holly's place shall be kept in good repair and Kindred Williams is appointed overseer for that purpose with authority to call out the hands subject to work on said road and William Womack is appointed overseer to superintend the road from Holly's to Clayton's with like authority. Art. 23. A Public ferry shall be established over the Nitalbany where the main road leading from Springfield to Tanchipahao may cross the same and a flat sufficient for transporting horses and carts across the same water courses be kept with the following rates. For transporting a man and horse across the Nitalbany: Twelve and one half cents. For each cart and pair of horses or oxen laden or empty: Twenty five cents. For a foot passenger: six and one quarter cents. For a waggon or team laden or empty: Thirty seven and a half cents. For a single horse: Six and one quarter cents. The keeper of said ferry shall be compelled under the penalty of five dollars to be ready and traverse all passengers who may require it from day light to the hour of nine in the evening of each day. Art. 24. A public ferry shall be established over the Bayou Colyell at or near the plantation of Anthony Idell and a flat sufficient for transporting horses and carts across the same shall be kept at said ferry with the following rates: For transporting a man & horse across the Colyell: Twenty five cents. For each foot passenger: Twelve and one half cents. For all Horned cattle sheep or Hogs: Six and one quarter cents each. Each cart and pair of Oxen empty or loaded: Fifty cents. Each waggon and team empty or loaded: Seventy five cents. The keeper of said ferry shall be compelled under the penalty of five dollars to the use of the parish to attend and transport all passengers who may require it from day light to the hour of nine in the evening. He shall also be compelled to keep a horn on the side of the river opposite his dwelling in some conspicuous place and any person being convicted of taking away or wantonly injuring said horn shall be liable to be fined ten dollars for every such offence for the use of the Parish; and every person making a false alarm by blowing this horn shall be subject to pay a fine of twenty five cents. Art. 25. The foregoing regulations respecting keeping a horn and the penalties for taking away or wantonly blowing the same shall be in force at the ferry of Augustin Lombard on the Amit. Art. 26. The following fines shall be inflicted on every delinquent in the duties pre- scribed by the present regulations, to wit. Each commissioner for every days neglect of duty shall be fined in the sum of twenty dollars--: Each overseer for a like neglect fifteen dollars and each individual male slaves included Two dollars: The above mentioned fines shall be re- coverable before the nearest Justice of the Peace at the request of the overseers and commiss- ioners of said roads in the shortest manner according to law and said fines when collected shall be appropriated to the use of said roads as the commissioners or overseers may deem proper; rendering always an account of the manner in which said fines have been appropriated to the Justice of Peace of the District. All which is submitted, (Signed) Joseph Thomas, Cha'n of the Committee The foregoing report being read the Jury adjourned to tomorrow morning at nine o'clock. (Signed) D. Wright, Clerk ------------------- -----Thursday August 19----- The Jury met pursuant to adjournment. Present the Honble Shepherd Brown in the chair and John F. Myers, Abner Womack, Richard Allbritton, Alexander Briniac, William Watson, Thomas J. Davidson, William Leech, Joseph Thomas, Jonathan Kemp, Benjamin Hutchinson, Jesse Lea, John Breed and Lawrence H. Moore Esquires-- The Jury took up the consideration of the report of the committee of roads &c as read yesterday and the same being again read section by section and the whole of it being approved It is ordered that each and every part of said report be adopted and the same is hereby made part of the laws of the Parish of St. Helena. On motion of Mr. (blank) seconded by Mr. (blank) Resolved that this Jury proceed to elect by ballot a Parish Treasurer who shall give a sufficient security in the sum of one thousand dollars for the faithful performance of his duty until the first day of July 1815 or until the election of another. Messrs. Womack and Davidson being appointed tellers to receive the votes the election took place when Thomas Kemp was unanimously elected Treasurer. On motion of Mr. Kemp seconded by Mr. Moore it was unanimously resolved that a committee to be called a committee of accounts be named who shall meet every two months at the Court house on the second day of each Parish Court session to examine all accounts wherein the Parish is interested, approving or rejecting the same as to them may seem just and equitable and that the treasurer be authorized to pay all accounts out of the Parish funds when such accounts shall be approved by the committee and not otherwise. Any three members of said committee shall be competent to the transaction of business. Shepherd Brown, Joseph Thomas, Jonathan Kemp, Lawrence H. Moore and Thomas J. Davidson Esquires were nominated members of the Committee of accounts. On motion of (blank) seconded by (blank) It was Resolved unanimously that the treasurer be allowed the sum of two and one half cents on each dollar paid and the like sum on each dollar received by him. The Sheriff of the Parish having protested against the sufficiency of the Parish Jail and the charge of making sufficient Jails, Court houses &c resting with the Parish, It is ordered that the Sheriff jointly with the Justice of Peace for the fourth ward be authorized to have the necessary repairs made presenting certified bills of all charges to the committee of accounts who shall pass such as may appear to them correct provided however that the whole charge or charges shall not exceed twenty five dollars. On motion of Mr. Moore seconded by Mr. Kemp It was resolved that Fortescue Cuming Esq'r be fined in the sum of fifteen dollars for his non attendance at this Jury meeting at the opening of its sittings. The yeas and nays being called for those who voted in the affirmative were Messrs. Hutchinson, Allbritton, Breed, Kemp, Watson, Moore and Leech--; In the negative Messrs. Myers, Thomas, Davidson, Briniac, Lea & Womack. On a motion made at the same time it was in like manner resolved that Chandler Le(?) Esq'r be fined twenty dollars for neglect of attendance at the meeting of this Jury during its present session. On a like motion to fine William Kinchen Esq'r for his non attendance the motion was lost several members having given satisfactory explanation of the reason of his absence. The Jury then adjourned to three o'clock in the afternoon of this day. (Signed) D. Wright, Clerk -----Same day 3 p.m.----- The Jury met agreeable to adjournment. Present Judge Brown in the chair and Messrs. Lea, Davidson, Allbritton, Hutchinson, Womack, Leech, Kemp, Myers, Watson & Moore. On motion of Mr. Kemp duly seconded and carried Ordered that the Clerk be directed to furnish the commissioners and overseers of the Public roads with notices of their appointment and duties. On motion of Mr. Davidson seconded by Mr. Myers that the seventh article of the rules and regulations for raising a parish fund in this parish be amended by striking out the word "white" between the words "all" and free--The motion was unanimously carried and the said article ordered to be so amended. On motion of Mr. Moore seconded by Mr. Lea it was resolved that all citizens of the Parish who may be diseased or disabled so as not to be able to support themselves by their bodily strength and who have not sufficient property for their support shall be exempt from Poll tax. Mr. Davidson offered the following resolution: Whereas it appears entirely consistant with the just privileges of Freemen that the members of this Jury for doing the service of this Parish should be allowed compensation for such service equal at least to a reimbursement of their expence while on public business to be paid out of the funds of the Parish directed to be raised by Said Jury--Be it therefore resolved that the Judge of the Parish as well as the Justices of the Peace present and all the members of this Police Jury present be allowed to receive from the Treasurer of the Parish the sum of two dollars per day for every day they have been employed in the services of the Parish at the present meet- ing on producing the certificate of the Clerk of this Jury of their attendance. The said Resolution being moved and seconded the yeas and nays were called for and taken as follows. Those who voted for the said resolution were Messrs. Moore, Davidson, Kemp, Briniac, Leech, Allbritton, Myers, Watson, Thomas & Hutchinson. Against the said Resolution Messrs. Lee, Womack & Breed. So the said resolution was carried.-- On motion of Mr. Breed seconded by Mr. Lee It was unanimously resolved that the members com- posing the committee of accounts be allowed two dollars per day to each member for each day they shall be engaged on public business.-- The Jury then proceeded to the classification of its members by Lot agreeable to the 4th Section of the act of the Legislature of the State entitled "An Act further defining the org- anization authority and functions of Police Jurors"-- On drawing the lot the members of the second class who are to serve as Police Jurors for One years are Messrs. Leach, Myers, Allbritton, Kemp, Lee and Womack. Those of the first class who are to serve for two years are Messrs. Brigniac, Hutchinson, Breed, Moore, Harper and the representative from the sixth ward.-- On motion of (blank) seconded by Mr. (blank) Resolved unanimously that the commissioners appointed for the establishment of a permanent scite for the Court house of this......(The journal ends here, the last page or sheet of the document apparently having been worn or torn off, thus destroying the minutes for the end of the session.) ****************