USA > Georgia > Irwin County > History of Irwin county > Part 7
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into. The road between this and Jacksonville is in bad con- dition and we recommend the Inferior Court look into this and see that it is put in better condition. We have considered the subject of building a jail and on being desirous that one should be erected, but we think the best and surest plan to get one will be to have it done by private subscription which we will set about as citizens today and we hope that every man will subscribe. We recommend the Inferior Court appoint Commissioners and do whatever else may be necessary to se- cure the fund appropriated by the legislature in the educa- tion of the poor. We return thanks to the court and Solicitor- General for manners in which they have discharged their several duties." David Branch, Foreman.
At September adjourned term, 1848, the Grand Jury had no presentments, accept the usual thanks to his honor, Judge Scarborough, and Solicitor-General, A. H. Hansell.
John Henderson, Foreman; David Herndan, Jesse Hobby, John Willis, Daniel M. Luke, James A. Turner, Wright Tom- berlin, James Hollingsworth, T. N. Statum, George Wilcox, Thomas Paulk, George Paulk, Jeremiah Baker, William Fus- sell, David Troup, John B. Dorminy, John W. Wilcox, William D. Ross, David Fitzgerald, Henry Paulk, John A. Sutton, Abraham McCall, James Brown, Sr.
At the March term, 1849, the Grand Jury submitted the fol- lowing presentments: "We recommend to the Inferior Court to have particular attention paid to our road laws and see that they are enforced. We also recommend the Inferior Court to levy a sufficient tax to raise money to pay for the erection and completion of a safe and good jail. We are happy to find that there has been no business of a criminal nature before us. And we see many evidences of an improving state of society in our county. The usual thanks to Judge Scarborough and Solicitor A. H. Hansell were returned. We recommend that these presentments be published in the Federal Union."
Jonathan Smith, Foreman; Alfred Dixon, Jacob Young, Jesse C. Sumner, James Sumner, Abraham Mauldin, Jesse J. Luke, Elijah Hunter, David Branch, A. P. Clements, Thomas Tucker, David McCall, David Smith, Thos. L. Wilcox, Samuel Brown, Jacob Paulk, James C. Clements, George Spring, Allen
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Gibbs, Henry Roe, Daniel Grantham, George Mobley, Wiley Whitley.
At September term, 1849, the Grand Jury submitted follow- ing presentments: "The contract for building a jail has al- ready been taken and the jail is expected to be completed by the next term of this court. We have omitted to examine the books of our county officers in consequence of the action of the previous Grand Jury. We presume from the competency of the officers, they continue to be properly kept. In taking leave of his honor, Judge Scarborough, we beg leave to tender our congratulations for the faithful and impartial manner during his term of office which is about to expire and desire to express the wish that he may be returned to us again in the same capacity he now occupies. To Solicitor-General, pro tem, we tender our thanks for his courtesy and attention."
Jacob Young, Foreman; John Buchannon, David P. Luke, Isaac Smith, Jonathan Fountain, Elwen Handley, David Henderson, Elias Whiddon, Lewis Ball, Franklin Dixon, Ben- jamin Griffin, William Young, Benjamin Baker, William Cur- ry, Stephen Bowen, Samuel Young, David Baker, Thomas Baker, Samuel B. Clanton, Micajah Paulk, Mans W. Smith.
April term, 1850, the Grand Jury submitted the following presentments : "We have examined the books of Clerk of Inferior and Ordinary Courts and find them correctly kept. We have examined the books of County Treasurer and find them neatly kept and a balance of $50.33 in his hands unex- pended. We recommend to the Inferior Court to levy suffi- cient extra tax to repair the courthouse, to buy and procure good benches for the court room and a good table and benches for the Grand Jury room. We wish this to be attended to by the next term of this court. We recommend the Inferior Court to compel the magistrates in the different districts of our county to make a true return of the number of children in the several districts who are entitled to the benefit of the poor school law and to ascertain from the proper source the amount due this county from this state for the poor school purposes and that they make up the deficit if there be any, by taxation. We recommend that our Inferior Court enforce
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rigidly the road laws of the state. The usual thanks were returned to Judge and Solicitor-General."
John Henderson, Foreman; John Williams, Joshua Luke, Luke Merritt, Samuel Brown, Jeremiah Spring, William Akins, George Young, Solomon Tucker, Thomas Baker, Needham Bass, James Fletcher, Jesse Luke, Jonathan Walker, T. N. Statum, Joel C. Philips, Thomas Tucker, George R. Ried, Philip Gibbs, Asa Rooks, C. Phillips.
The following gentlemen served on Petit Jury at same term of court :
Isaac Young, John B. Dorminy, John Sumner, David Smith, Benjamin Willis, David Hunter, Abram, Mauldin, Daniel B. Griffin, David Troup, Godfrey Purvis, James C. Luke, James R. Land, George Warren, Richard J. Young, John Walker, John Curry, George Paulk, Byrd Mobley, Jehu Fletcher, John Hen- derson, Jr., Joseph Covington, Isaac Young, Jacob Tucker, Isaac Rooks.
At October term, 1850, the Grand Jury recommended that Inferior Court furnish good seats in the lobby of the court- house. We tender to his honor, Judge Hansell, our thanks for the able manner for which he discharges the duties of his office. We tender to the Solicitor-General, M. Sturges, for his attention to this body, our thanks.
Mickel J. Horn, Foreman; Stephen Bowen, David McCall, James Tomberlin, James Murray, David Bass, James Stone, George S. Spring, Joseph Roberts, George W. Giddens, John McInnis, Calvin Land, William Brown, Allen Gibbs, Abner Brown, L. M. Colberth, David McAnally, Benjamin Philips, Moses McCall, William Rogers, William Winderweedle, Wil- liam Monk, Wright Tomberlin.
At October term, 1852, the Grand Jury submitted following presentments : "We recommend to the Inferior Court to com- pel the various road commissioners in the county to discharge their duty by enforcing the road laws as the roads are gen- erally in bad condition, especially the road leading from Ir- winville to Jacksonville. Upon examination into our county funds we find the county indebted and but $45.00 in the hands of the Treasurer, these circumstances notwithstanding our county is in need of a more comfortable courthouse at this
HISTORY OF IRWIN COUNTY
time. In taking leave of his honor, Judge Hansell, we present him our thanks for the ability with which he has discharged his official duty. We also tender our thanks to Frank Scar- borough, Solicitor-General, for his attention to this body."
Smith Turner, Foreman; Jacob Paulk, George Mobley, Daniel Henderson, Jr., John McMillan, J. V. Hollingsworth, Isaac Young, Gabriel McCelland, James Tison, David Smith, Abner Brown, David Henderson, James Turner, Abram Mauldin, Archibald McMillan, Allen Gibbs, George William- son, Solomon Watson, D. M. Hunter, Lyman Dixon.
At April term, 1853, the Grand Jury submitted the follow- ing presentments: "We find the records of the several offices kept in good style and in good order. The jail is in as good order as the character of the building will admit having been furnished with good new locks. Some of our public roads are in good order, others are not so good as they should be and we recommend the Inferior Court to strictly enforce the road laws. We find the county funds secured in good hands. We recommend the Ordinary of this county to look well to the subject of education of the poor and especially to the proper distribution to each district of the county so far as he can consistently by the law. This body from the short time al- lowed them have not time to consider the necessity of improv- ing an additional tax for the purpose of education but feel authorized to say that education is a subject which our people are deeply interested and fully appreciate the recommenda- tion of his honor, Judge Love, and have no doubt in saying that at a proper time the citizens of Irwin County will suitably respond to this benevolent purpose. The usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General, followed."
George Paulk, Foreman; Stephen Bowen, David Troup, Eli W. Thompson, Thomas L. Drawdy, Thomas L. Willcox, Hiram J. Newberry, George W. Warren, James K. Brown, David Fitz- gerald, Jonathan Walker, Thomas King, James H. Dorminy, James Gibbs, William Philips, John Clements, J. W. B. Dor- miny, Daniel S. Sumner. William J. Ammons, Jonathan Foun- tain, William McClauthan.
At October term, 1853, the Grand Jury submitted following general presentments : "We have taken into consideration
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the remarks of the Judge in reference to the opening of a large market road from Irwinville to the Thomas County line dividing the seventh district of this county from the eighth dis- trict of Thomas County and are happy to concur with his honor in his valuable suggestion and with a view to prompt activity in the counties of Thomas and Irwin we recommend the Inferior Courts of the two counties appoint three commissioners each to meet at such time and place as the Commissioners of Thomas so to be appointed may fix apart and notify the commissioners of this county that they may jointly proceed to fix upon the course of the road and place of union and take all necessary steps to mark out the respective road from the dividing line aforesaid of the two counties and when the service is per- formed and a report made by a majority of each respective commissioner to the Inferior Court of this county that said Inferior Courts be desired prompt action. We recommend these presentments be published in the Georgia Watchman at Thomasville, Ga."
John B. Mobley, Foreman; John E. McMullen, Archibald McMillan, Lewis Harper, T. M. Statum, Nolan Monk, James Turner, James Mixon, Jacob Anderson, Andrew Hobby, Jacob Merchant, Daniel M. Luke, Joel C. Philips, Isaac Young, Heze- kiah Walker, David Herndon, Jordan Roe, Perry Fitzgerald, David McAnally, Jeremiah Baker.
No Grand Jury presentments are of record from October term, 1853, till October term, 1855, when the following was submitted: "We have not examined the books of the coun- ty officers but feel satisfied that those officers have faithfully discharged their duty. Our time having been so much oc- cupied with criminal business we have concluded to omit any mention of roads, bridges and public buildings with one excep- tion which is simply to suggest that our Inferior Court by the next session of this court make provision for the comfort and convenience of the juries by providing seats in their rooms and facilities for meeting. The tax collector, David L. Mc- Call, having returned in his list Fatima Linda Dred and Qu- man Bennett as free persons of color, through mistake, it ap- pearing to us that they are of white blood; we recommend that said taxes be allowed and placed on the insolvent list. To his
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honor, Judge Love, and Solicitor-General, we return thanks for their attention to this body during the present session of this court."
Smith Turner, Foreman ; Eli Bedgood, Archibald McMillan, Burton Beasley, Robert McCook, Thomas Tucker, John E. McMullen, John Buchannon, John C. Tapley, John W. Fletcher, Malcolm McMillan, Enoch Pridgen, Lewis Ball, Stephen Bowen, Thos. Tucker, David Fitzgerald, John Ross, Darling Swain.
The following served on Petit Jury at same term :
Thomas Brantley, Allen Gibbs, Abram Myers, Lawson J. Smith, Azor Paulk, George Paulk, Jr., Leonard Slaughter, Thomas Franklin, Andrew J. Barton, Richard Tucker, Henry W. Bedgood, Richard Gibbs, Godfrey Davis, James Fletcher, B. Willis, Henry Tucker, James D. Willcox, Ben Tucker, Thomas Paulk, Dennis Tayler, Godfrey Purvis, John Jernigan, James Turner, Jr., Davis Tucker.
At April term, 1856, the Grand Jury submitted following presentments : "We are happy to announce to the community a decrease in crime for we are forcibly reminded that no peo- ple can be happy while crime sits supreme when virtue alone should rule. We recommend a more vigilant devotion to the education of the poor children, for if our county is ever to occupy an enviable position with her sister counties who are more liberally endowed with wealth, it must and can only be by the intelligence and uprightness of her rising generation. Then are we not bound by ties as lasting as time itself, to foster this subject? We think we are and hope the Inferior Court or the poor school communities will give this subject their earnest attention. We recommend to the Inferior Court to have two dozen chairs for the use of the courthouse and procure a table for the Grand Jury room and seats for the jury. We regret to say that the Petit Jury have not received any pay for their service on court for the two last terms and hope the Inferior Court will take steps to have them paid as it is no more than right that they should have their pay. We recommend these presentments be published in Thomasville Watchman. The usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor are ex- tended."
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Samuel D. Fuller, Foreman; George McCall, John W. Walker, Simeon R. Wilson, John J. Henderson, Benjamin Griffin, James Roberts, Willis Dorminy, George E. McCook, Stephen E. Turner, Samuel B. Stone, David Troup, Hezekiah Walker, Henry S. C. Harper, George W. Warren, Hardy E. Hunter, Femandiz Lovett, Thomas W. Johnson, Philip Gibbs, William Pridgen.
At October term, 1856, the Grand Jury submitted following presentments : "We are happy to state we have attended to the interest of the county as diligently as we were able for the space of time we were allowed. We are happy in observ- ing the decrease of crime in our midst and hope it may con- tinue. We have examined the books of various officers and are pleased to find them kept in a neat and correct condition. Our roads need some repair and we hope the commissioners will speedily attend to this matter. We hope our people will be relieved of the high taxes they are compelled to pay, as soon as the debts of the county can be liquidated. We are aware that the people of Irwin County have had to pay large taxes, but it is better to suffer at this time than to sever the honor of the county, in the estimation of honest people. We recommend that the Judges of the Inferior Court be caused to be made seats for the jury rooms by the next term of our court. Presentments closed with usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General."
George Paulk, Foreman; Zara Paulk, Thomas L. Wilcox, Godfrey Purvis, James Fletcher, Elias Clements, Abram Myers, Azor Paulk, Miles Fitzgerald, Fred Tucker, James Gibbs, George W. M. Young, Micaja Tucker, Thomas Paulk, Archibald McMillan, William G. Dickson, Darling Swain, Micaja P. Young, Jacob Paulk, Jr., George G. Mobley, James Dixon, Wiley Whitley, S. B. F. Townsend.
At October term, 1857, the Grand Jury submitted following presentments : "We have been busy in presenting to the county the many violators of the criminal law and regret the necessity of presenting so many, but we attribute a great deal to the recent excitement of the times, we yet hope there will be a decrease from this time out. As the spring term is generally the time when the Grand Jury look into the county affairs, we
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leave that duty to the next panel. We recommend that In- ferior Court appoint commissioners to lay off a road from this place to Thomasville and to correspond with similar commis- sioners of Berrien, Worth and Colquitt counties as we are forcibly reminded of the necessity for the same. We recom- mend to Inferior Court to have some seats made and put into the jury rooms as our body has suffered from the absence of such. We recommend these presentments be published in Wiregrass Reporter at Thomasville, Georgia."
James W. Smith, Foreman; Abner Brown, Robert McCook, William D. Ross, Enoch Pridgen, Martin Pollock, William Stone, James A. Turner, James Turner, Daniel McCoy, Wil- liam Gibbs, John A. Handley, Philip Stone, Reason Paulk, David Fitzgerald, Elias D. McCelland, Abram S. McCall, James Roberts, Josiah G. Keen, John W. Walker, Robert Land.
At April term 1858, the Grand Jury submitted following presentments : "We are happy to say to the county that the vigilance of the Grand Jury heretofore used have reduced our labors for this term, violators of the law have become more cautious or prefer a different locality for their conduct. We are pleased in stating that the various offices are kept accurate- ly and neatly. Our courthouse we recommend Inferior Court have attended to in this particular, have seats and a table in the grand Jury room. We also recommend Inferior Court have the jail weatherboarded as it will protect the building from too rapid a decay. We also recommend that Inferior Court to assess a sufficient tax for county purposes and to pay the Grand Jury as is now provided by law. We regret to say to his honor, Judge Love, that a material witness who was sum- moned to attend the Grand Jury to be sworn before that body has gone off and the matter which we felt bound to investigate has been from absenting himself gone by unnoticed and we hope his honor will punish him for contempt and the witness' name is Richmound Dees. We recommend these presentments be published in Wiregrass Reporter, Thomasville, Georgia."
George Paulk, Foreman; Charles Roberts, James C. Sum- ner, James Boykin, William McDaniel, James Dorminy, George G. Mobley, William D. Ross, John W. Fletcher, S. B. F. Town- send, Aaron R. Chandler, Reason Paulk, John W. Walker,
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James T. Branch, Elias Clements, James Gibbs, George W. Walker, Thomas S. Rigdon, Elisha Tucker, Elias D. Whiddon, Henry S. C. Harper, Wiley Whitley, John Fletcher.
At October term, 1858, the Grand Jury submitted the follow- ing presentments: "We are happy in saying to the county that while our labors have been unceasing in ferreting out crime, we are of the opinion that there is a decrease of such. We have examined the books of the Ordinary, Judge Hender- son, and are very happy in stating that they are kept in a neat and correct manner, showing to the county that while they have an honest official, he is in every respect competent and worthy of the gratitude of the people, his books are got up in an excellent style exhibiting much taste and judgment. We earnestly hope a greater attention will be paid to the poor children, for without they are educated we will never rise to that position which we fervently desire. The poor school com- missioner has paid out every dollar he had in hand and has no account on hand for tuition unpaid. The patrol laws are near- ly disregarded and we recommend the proper authorities to more strictly observe that subject. The roads are in tolerably good order having had a dry season, bridges have not been needed. We request our members in the legislature to oppose the formation of a new circuit. We recommend to Inferior Court to have a table and chairs provided for grand jury room. We recommend these presentments be published in Pulaski Times, Hawkinsville, Georgia. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General."
William G. Dixon, Foreman; Richard A. Smith, James Walker, Henry Paulk, Sr., Micajah Tucker, William Pridgen, John B. Dorminy, Hezekiah Walker, Jacob H. Paulk, Boney W. Fussell, Lyman Dixon, Jesse Hobby, Godfrey Purvis, Isaac Young, James Dorminy, David Troup, John Grantham, George D. Wilcox, G. J. M. Harper, John Ross, Thomas L. Wilcox.
At April term, 1859, the Grand Jury submitted the follow- ing: "We have been as diligent in searching out violators of the penal laws of Georgia as possible and know of no violation unrepresented. We have matured a plan with the aid of our efficient county school commissioner, Judge Henderson, for the education of the poor children of this county but as it is not
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fully framed we are unable at this time to incorporate it in our presentments. We find all the offices in their usual good condition. We earnestly recommend to the favorable con- sideration of the Inferior Court the condition of our roads. We are happy in saying to the people that our county is in good financial condition and we recommend Inferior Court to assess such per cent. on state tax for county purposes as they deem proper. We recommend the presentments be published in Pulaski Times. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor."
George Paulk, Foreman ; Archible McInnis, James W. Whid- don, John Buchannon, William D. Ross, Zara Paulk, Abram Myers, Frederick Tucker, Arron R. Chandler, Jesse J. Luke, George W. M. Young, Micajah Young, John W. Walker, Daniel G. McCoy, W. J. Mathews, Elias Clements, William McDaniel, Azor Paulk, John B. Mobley.
At the October term, 1859, the Grand Jury submitted the following: "We have been busy noticing the violation of the penal laws, we hope they may be brought to merited punish- ment. We find our roads in good order. We hope the In- ferior Court will not render it necessary for this Grand Jury to remind them that there are benches needed in the grand jury room and the court room. We think a new judicial cir- cuit is needed to be composed principally of counties now em- braced in the Southern Circuit and we earnestly request our Senator and Representative to use their best efforts in ap- proaching legislature to have such new circuit formed and hope they will have the county of Irwin in such new circuit. We recommend that these presentments be published in Pulas- ki Times. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General."
John Ross, Foreman; James T. Branch, James Fletcher, Perry Fitzgerald, M. W. Paulk, Henry S. Townsend, Joseph A. Turner, Jehu Fletcher, William Hobby, Wiley Whitley, Daniel Henderson, Jesse C. Sumner, James Gibbs, Boney W. Fussell, Jacob H. Paulk, Robert Henderson, Jesse Clements, Isaac Young, John A. Tayler, David Troup, James McCook, John Grantham.
May term, 1860, the following presentments were submitted by the Grand Jury : "We have examined the books of Ordi- nary and find them neatly kept and take pleasure in recom-
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mending his worth and faithfulness as an officer. We also find the books of Clerk of Inferior Court and Superior Court well kept. We find our roads in bad condition generally and hope that steps will be taken by proper authorities to work them soon as possible. We find our public buildings in good condi- tion generally except the jail. We recommend that a good lock be put upon the dungeon door. Also good hinges so as to make it perfectly safe. On education we recommend that a tax of ten per cent. be assessed upon the tax of 1859 for edu- cational purposes. We recommend Inferior Court appoint a committee of three of the most punctual men for each district in the county and that it shall be the duty of each committee to visit his own district as often as twice each quarter. We recommend each district have its own treasurer to hold and pay out its own money and for the better carrying out of this arrangement we recommend Inferior Court and Ordinary make a division of common school fund to each district, that each district may receive its own funds and that said division be made according to the children in each district between the ages of six and eighteen years. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General."
William J. Mathews, Foreman; Archibald McInnis, James Turner, Richard Smith, James Luke, W. D. Ross, Archibald McMillan, John Buchannon, M. D. Mobley, Abram Myers, William McDaniel, John B. Mobley, Joshua K. Gray, John W. Walker, James Sumner, A. R. Chandler, W. G. Dixon, Azor Paulk, D. M. Hogan, James Whiddon.
November term, 1860, the Grand Jury submitted the follow- ing: "We have not had time to examine our public record and finances but having the highest confidence in our public officers, believe our county records are kept in a correct style and manner. We have pleasure in reporting that our children between eight and sixteen years of age have been correctly re- turned by our Ordinary, not leaving any not returned, accord- ing to the census book of our county. Our public roads are in good traveling condition. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General."
George Paulk, Foreman; John Ross, James Fletcher, Lionia Lea, Jesse Clements, Daniel D. Henderson, Enoch G. Pridgen,
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Henry S. Townsend, James McCook, James T. Branch, Daniel G. McCoy, Frederick Tucker, S. B. F. Townsend, James C. Sumner, Reason Paulk, Wiley Whitley, Jacob H. Paulk, John B. Dorminy, Jesse C. Sumner, Asa Rooks, Isaac Young, Thomas L. Wilcox.
"There was no court held in Irwin County from November term, 1860, to November term, 1862, at which time the Grand Jury returned a bill of indictment against Elcana Bennett for stealing one cow, of the value of $18.00, marked crop split in one ear two under bits in the other. In taking leave of Judge Hansell, we tender him our thanks for his uniform ability in discharge of his duties, also to Thomas L. Tayler, Solicitor- General pro tem, for his attention to our body."
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