REVOLUTIONARY PROCEEDINGS IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY 1765, 1776-1778; Wm. and Mary Qtly.,V20,No2 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** REVOLUTIONARY PROCEEDINGS IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY 1765, 1776-1778. The court of Northumberland County met 11 november 1765, and after laying the levy the court adjourned till the "second Monday in December next". They really did not meet again till 12th day of May, 1766. This was the course pursued to render ineffective the Stamp Act. The Court of Northumberland County met the 13th day of May, 1776, and adjourned the same day, the minutes being signed by Thos Gaskins. Underneath his name are the words: "Union Dissolved & Independence Declared". This was doubtless entered by the clerk when news arrived of the action of the Virginia Convention delcaring independence on May 15, 1776. The next minutes of the court begin with the following heading: Pursuant to an Ordinance of the Honble Convention the following Gentlemen met at the Court House of Northumberland County on Monday the 8th day of July, 1776, and having severally taken the oaths appointed by them to be taken were sworn justices of the Commonwealth to wit: Thomas Gaskins Kenner Cralle Rodham Kenner Wm. Davenport Lindsey Opie Charles Lee John Smith William Eskridge. John S. Woodstock, having taken the oath appointed by the Honble Convention was accordingly admitted Deputy Clerk of this Court. Winder Kenner Esq. having taken the oath appointed by the Hble Convention was accordingly admitted sheriff of this County. Onesephorus Harvey & Thomas Hudnall having taken the oath appointed by the Honble Convention, was on the motion of Winder Kenner sheriff of this County admitted his undersheriffs. David Boyd and William Brown gent, having taken the oath etc., were admitted to practice as attornies at this Court. Page 128. (Persons appointed to take the lists of tithable and persons to act as road surveyors appointed by the Court). At a Court held for Northumberland County the 12th day of August, 1776. Present Thomas Gaskins Wm. Davenport Rodham Kenner & Kenner Cralle William Eskridge. Thomas Gaskins, Gent, produced in Court a commission from his Excellency the Governor appointing him County Lieutenant of the militia of this County, whereupon he took the oath (appointed for that purpose) accordingly. * * * * * * * * * At a Court Held for Northumberland County the 9th day of September 1776. Present Thomas Gaskins Lindsey Opie Rodham Kenner Wm. Eskridge Gent Justices Thomas Jones, Esq., having taken the oath appointed by the Honble Convention was accordingly continued Clerk of this Court. * * * * * * * * * * At a Court held for Northumberland County the 14th day of October, 1776. Present Thomas Gaskins Kenner Cralle John Smith & Wm. Davenport William Eskridge Gent. Justices Leroy Peachy, Gent, having taken the oath appointed by the Honble Convention was admitted to Practise as an attorney at Law in this Court. John Heath, Gent, produced a commission from his Excel- Page 129. lency the Governor appointing him Captain of the minute company in this County (whereof Wm. See was formerly Captain), whereupon he took the usual oaths accordingly. * * * * * William Oldham produced a commission from his Excellency the Governor appointing him Ensign of the Comapny of militia in this county whereof William Graham is Captain whereupon he took the usual oaths accordingly. * * * * * Peter F. Thornton, Esq. one of the Gent. named in the commission of the Peace for the County having taken the oath appointed by the Honble Convention was according sworn as Justice of the Peace. 9 December 1776. A commission for John Smith, Jr. to be sheriff. Onesephorus Harvey and Abraham Beacham admitted undersheriffs. 13 Janry 1777. John Warden, sworn and admitted to practise as an attorney. Thomas Gaskins Jr. and William Taylor Gent sworn vestrymen of Wicomico Parish, William Taylor sworn Justice of the Peace. Inspectors of Tobacco appointed. 10 February 1777. Levy laid. By 2883 Tithables @ 3lb Tob. p pole 8649. Pursuant to an act of the General Assembly in that case made & provides the following persons, towit, William Forsyth, Thomas Reid, Thomas Wallace, John Voy and James Robertson (being duly summoned), it appears to the Court here that they are natives and subjects of the King of Great Britain and were severally concerned with merchants in the said kingdom at the time the act of the British Parliament for seizing our property upon the water took place & in no wise attached to this country by having wives or children here. Alexander Coleman, a native likewise of Great Britain, being also summoned, tho not concerned wth any mercht or merchants in the said kingdom, appears clearly to us to be disaffected to the common cause of America Page 130. and in no wise attached to this country as aforesaid. Order'd that the Clerk of this Court transmit a copy of these proceedings to his Excellency the Governor as soon as possible. 10 March, 1777. Winder Kenner Gent recommended to the Governor as Lieutenant Colonel of the militia of this county. John Hull Gent recommended as Major. William Eskridge Gent recommended to execute the office of Captain of the Company of the militia whereof John Hull was Captain. Richard Neale recommended as captain of hte company of militia whereof John S. Woodcock was captain, he having resigned, being about to remove out of this county. John Claughton recommended as lieutenant to the said Company & Thomas Bell as ensign. John Hull, Robert Clark Jacobs, William Nutt, John Cralle, Junr, Thomas Edwards, Thomas Downing and Pemberton Claughton were recommended to be added to the commission of the peace. 12 May 1777. Thomas Shearman admitted deputy clerk. 9 June 1777. Winder Kenner produced a commission as Lieutenant Colonel, William Barrett as ensign of the ------ company of militia, John Hull, Gent., as major of the militia. 14 July 1777. John Cralle, Junr., Gent., is by the Court appointed to tender the oaths prescribed by an act of the General Assembly passed last session to every free born male person above the age of sixteen years in the precinct of the militia commanded by himself and William Graham's company agreeable to the said Act. Thomas Downing, Gent., in the Precinct of his Company of militia and John Rogers. John Hull, Gent., in the precinct of William Downing's Company of militia. Page 131. William Eskridge, Gent., in the Precinct of his company of Militia. William Kenner, Gent., in the precinct of Joseph Harcum's Company of Militia. William Nutt, Gent., in the precinct of his Company of Militia. William Davenport and William Taylor, Gent., in the Precinct of the said Davenport's company of militia. Charles Lee and Thomas Edwards, Gent., in the Precinct of the said Lee's Company of the militia. 11 August 1777. George Ingram qualified as lieutenant in the militia. George Bearcroft appointed second lieutenant in Captain John Cralle's Company; John Blincoe appointed ensign in the said Company; Benjamin Waddy appointed second lieutenant in Captain Chas Lee's Company; Matthias Self is appointed 2d lieutenant in Captain John Smith's Company. 8 Sept. 1777. Samuel Blackwell appointed second lieutenant in Captain Harcum's Company of militia & Thomas Harcum is appointed his ensign. Moses Taylor appointed a second lieutenant in Captain Eskridge's Company of militia and John Pickerrin his ensign. Richard Nutt is appointed second lieutenant to Captain William Nutt's company and Moses Sutton his ensign, they having qualified themselves agreeable to law. Abraham Beacham is appointed first lieutenant to Captain Richard Neal's company of militia and Thomas Bell is appointed second lieutenant; they having qualified themselves agreeable to law. 8 December 1777. A commission from his Excellency the Governor to Lindsay Ppie, Gent., to be sheriff of this County. Nathaniel Nutt is appointed second lieutenant in Capt. William Nutt's Company of militia and Moses Sutton his ensign. 12 January 1778. John Partridge and Joseph Lunsford, junr., who stands charged by open act and deed advised by and willingly to maintain the authority of the King of Great Britain in and over this State (a jury empannelled). Page 132. 13 Jany 1778. Levy laid. 2632 Tithables at 6 1/2 pds Tobo. John Greenstree, John Self and Thomas Self this day appeared agreeably to the recognisance from behaving in a riotous manner on the day of the Draught of the militia of this county (ask pardon and give bond for their future good behaviour). Stephen Bailey and William Pore complained of to the Court for preventing the guard put over the rioters from doing their duty appeared and asking pardon of the Court and promising to behave themselves etc. Joseph Hurn is by the Court bound to his good behaviour for causing a riot on the day of the draught of the militia of this county. (Gives bond and security). 9 March, 1778. Thomas Haram qualified as ensign to Capt. Harcum's Company, Henry Self was sworn ensign to Capt. Smith's Company. 14 April, 1778. William Nelms qualified as 2d lieutenant to Capt. Wm. Downing's Company of militia. John Hardwick is appointed first lieutenant in Captain Bradshaw's company.