USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > Notes on old Gloucester County, New Jersey, Volume I > Part 6
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1708 TAXES.
To effect this improvement, these taxes were levied : For every 100 acres of land taken up and surveyed, one shilling; for every horse and mare above 3 years, one shilling ; for neat cattle exceeding 3 years, six pence ; for sheep exceeding I year, two pence; for hired service or otherwise, three shillings; for each negro exceeding 12 years, 3 shillings; to be paid in current silver money, corn, or any other country produce.
At a meeting held January 14, 1710, the death of Matthew Medcalfe, County Treasurer, was announced, and Thomas Sharp was appointed in his place.
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NOTES ON OLD GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
At a meeting held October 17, 1712, it was ordered that Joseph Cooper and Thomas Sharp undertake the let- ting out of the work of an addition to the Prison and Court House, according to the dimensions given by the Grand Jury, in the 8th month, 1708, with the concur- rence of the Bench.
There is a statement from Thomas Sharp, for re- ceiving the tax laid for the building of an addition to the Prison and Court House, of Matthew Medcalfe, who was first appointed for the service. The amount was 32 pounds 17 shillings and 7 pence, leaving a balance in his hands of 7 pounds, 7 shillings and 10 pence. Only about 7 pounds 3 shillings and 4 pence seem to have been ex- pended for Prison, on this statement. The entries of receipts ran from February 2, 1711, to January 25, 1714, and the disbursements from May 20, 1712, to April 21, 1715.
NAMES OF JUSTICES AND FREEHOLDERS.
Prior to 1715, the public business of the County seems to have been transacted by the Grand Jury. After that year, the Justices of the Peace and Freeholders ap- pear as the governing body, as is shown from the recorded minutes under date of April 5, 1715. For the first time the names of the Justices and Freeholders are given as follows :
Justices-Richard Bull, John Inskeep, George Law- rence, John Rambo, Joseph Tomlinson, not present, yet consents.
Freeholders-John Kaighn, Peter Long, John Ladd, Jacob Clement, Joseph Cooper, Jacobus Culin, John Shivers.
BOUNTY FOR WOLVES, PANTHERS AND FOXES. NEW JAIL.
This minute appears of record :
"We, the Justices and Freeholders, as above named, do unanimously order, conclude and agree that there shall
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be raised on the inhabitants of this County of Gloucester, proportionably after the same manner as the tax for the support of Her Majesty's Government, for two years last, and to walk by the Rules of the Lists already in the Col- lector's hands, according to proportion, viz: Eighty pounds for building a Prison and repairing the Court House, and fifteen pounds for wolves, panthers and red foxes; and that for ye assessing and collecting the sums aforesaid, there is hereby appointed Thomas Sharp and Samuel Ladd, Assessors for the respective Townships of the County aforesaid, which said Assessors shall meet at Gloucester, on or before the eleventh of this instant to assess the inhabitants, according to the above mentioned proportion, and make fair lists of the said assessments, and deliver the same to the Collectors undernamed, at or before the fifteenth day of this month, which Collectors shall deliver a copy thereof to ye Constables of each Town or Precinct who is hereby required, immediately on receipt hereof, to give notice to the several inhabitants within their respective districts of the sums they are to pay, which sums shall be payable to the Collector or Collectors, at or before the Fourth Tuesday so called in May next, which Collectors are Peter Long and Jacob Clement for ye County. And upon non-payment, then the Collector is hereby required to deliver a list of the delinquents to any one Justice of the Peace of said County, who is hereby required forthwith to issue his own warrant or warrants to the several Constables, commanding them to levy the same by distress on ye Goods and Chattels of each delin- quent, and expose the same to sale to pay theyor respective sums to the Collector or Collectors, at or before the third Tuesday so called in June next, and pay the overplus, if any be, to the owner, deducting twelve pence for himself for each distress, and six pence to the Justice for the war- rant.
"And we appoint Thomas Sharp and Joseph Cooper to be Managers to see and cause to be done the work follow-
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ing, viz: To build a Gaol Twenty-four foot long in the clear and fifteen foot broad in the clear, and the wall in the full height from the foundation nine foot high and two foot thick, well done with good mortar of lime and sand; and to lay the upper and under floors with the planks of the old prison; to make a good roof to it and necessary doors and windows; and to remove the Court House where the new Prison is to stand, and repair the same as shall be needful."
These minutes are signed by Thomas Sharp, Clerk. A meeting was held at Gloucester, on the Fourth Tues- day in March, 1716, pursuant to an act of Assembly, en- titled "An act for raising of money for the building of Gaols and Court Houses." There were present the fol- lowing :
Justices-John Kay, John Hugg, John Mickle, Con- stantine Wood, Samuel Ward.
Freeholders-Samuel Coles, John Inskeep, Joseph Cooper, Jr., William Albertson, Joseph Tomlinson, John Hillman, George Ward, James Lord, James Holm, John Friend, William Harrison, Abraham Albertson.
Clerk-Thomas Sharp.
The Managers for the erection of Prison and Court House asked to be relieved, and John Hugg, John Mickle and William Albertson were appointed in their place.
On March 26, 1717, a meeting was held, with the following present :
Justices-John Kay, John Hugg, John Mickle, Con- stantine Wood.
Freeholders-John Inskeep, Samuel Coles, Joseph Cooper, Jr., William Albertson, John Hillman, William Harrison, Abraham Albertson, Henry Wood, John Rambo.
Clerk-Thomas Sharp.
At this meeting the Managers reported that they had expended toward the building of the Prison, so far
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as it was done, the sum of fifty-three pounds five shillings and seven pence, and that there was a balance from the one hundred pounds levied in the last two years of forty- six pounds fourteen shillings and five pence. John Hugg and William Albertson were appointed to complete the work and to build a stone stairs at the east end. In order to assist in the expense they were empowered to sell the old Court House and Prison for the best price they could get.
TIMBER CREEK BRIDGE REBUILT.
Constantine Wood and William Harrison were ap- pointed Managers to rebuild Great Timber Creek Bridge, and to make it in breadth from outside to outside eleven feet, the sleepers and camp sills to be made of good white oak.
On the 25th of March, 1718, the following were present :
Justices-John Kay, John Hugg, John Mickle, Amos Athead, Constantine Wood.
Freeholders-Samuel Coles, Samuel Harrison, Thomas Sharp, William Albertson, Abraham Albertson, Joseph Tomlinson, John Ashbrook, John Cooper, Robert Lord.
Clerk-Thomas Sharp.
It was reported that nineteen pounds sixteen shil- lings and nine pence more had been expended than tax had been laid, by the Managers of Timber Creek Bridge, and it was allowed from the taxes laid for the Prison and Court House. It was ordered that 80 pounds be levied for the perfection of the Prison and Court House, and 20 pounds for killing wolves, panthers and red foxes, and when the money is come in Managers shall be chosen to carry on the work.
UNSATISFACTORY PRISON.
At another meeting "it was put to vote whether the Prison, as it is now built, being defective, should stand, or
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be pulled down; it was carried by ye majority of votes to be pulled down."
"It is further concluded by this meeting, since there is not money enough already raised for the building and finishing the Prison and Court House, that there be levied on the inhabitants of this County, the sum of one hundred pounds, to be assessed and laid upon them according to law, and the Assessors meet at Gloucester to perform their service the twenty-first day of the second month, and at that time they be furnished with the lists of the taxable estates of ye people, in order to lay every man's part justly, and that it be payde into ye Government Collector, for the time being, by the first day of the Sixth Month next.
"Abraham Porter and William Harrison are ap- pointed Managers to agree with workmen and perform work aforesaid, according as it is hereafter expected, as it was formerly agreed at this meeting.
"The Trustees of Egg Harbor Township, neglecting appearance, are fined."
CONTRACT AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR COURT HOUSE AND PRISON.
At a meeting held the 13th day of the Second Month, 1719, this minute appears of record :
"This meeting agreeth with Abraham Porter and William Harrison, the Managers appointed by the same, that they undertake and appoint workmen for the build- ing and fully finishing the Court House and Prison, ac- cording as it is underwritten in particulars, and that they fully finish and perfect the same, by the first day of the Sixth Month next, under the penalty of fifty pounds each, and that for the doing thereof this meeting agrees that they shall have the sum of one hundred and seventy pounds paid them by the County Collector of the County for the time being, viz .: One-third at the beginning of
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the work; one-third at the finishing of the roof, and the other third on the full finishing, if it be in the Collector's hands, and that they are not to have the sum the law directs being concluded, and it is fully allowed in the sum above said." At the same meeting, "Also it is agreed that the Prison as it is now built being defective, shall be pulled down to ye lower floor, and rebuilt upon the same foundation with good fresh lime and sand to ye same hight it now is with corner chimneys at each end, and bar- red with iron in each funnel to prevent escapes; a parti- tion in ye middle of three inch plank, as also a house of office, to each prison, made in the manner of a well, with brick six foot deep, and boarded together with a port at ye entrance with a second door into ye prison for the better security."
"A Court House built upon it of well burnt brick, a brick and a half thick, well laid in good lime and sand, nine foot in the height, a pair of substantial stone stairs, at ye east end, made of hewn stone, four foot long, with a peddiment over them; two transom windows on ye south side, a casement in each window, the lights agree- able to ye building; one of the same kind on ye north side and a casement ; a large folding door case and doors with lights over it, at the head of the stairs, for an en- trance; the walls of the Court House well plastered and whitewashed; the lower floor of the Court House well joyned and planked upon them, and a floor of inch boards well planed and nailed down upon them; the floor above ye joyces of pine planed on both sides with inch boards; a pair of stairs up in the garret, and a window in each gable end, well roofed and shingled, and to jut over a foot on each side and to be considerably set off under the eaves; a Gallery at the west end from side to side, well railed, with stairs at each end; a Table and Bar below, railed that it may sufficiently accommodate the Justices, Clerk, Attorneys and Jurors; also to find glass, nails, iron work, locks, hinges, and to finish the whole building
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as is convenient and suitable to such a work, and that all the timber, except boards and ye upper joyce of the Court House, be good white oak.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
At a meeting held at Gloucester, on the 5th day of the Second Month, 1720, these Justices and Freeholders were present :
Justices-John Kay, John Hugg, John Mickle, Ashead.
Freeholders-Samuel Harrison, Thomas Stokes, Joseph Cooper, Thomas Sharp, Abraham Porter, John Ashbrook, John Siddon, William Harrison, Robert Lord, Richard Chew, Peter Long.
At this meeting Ann Ware was allowed five pounds for her trouble in keeping, nursing and burial of Mary Lorman.
Abraham Porter was allowed four pounds for laying the lower floor of the Prison.
Amos Ashead, Coroner of ye County, was allowed four pounds ten shillings for taking of eight inquests, where nothing was to be had to satisfy the charges and trouble.
WHIPPING POST, STOCKS.
It was agreed that a pair of substantial stocks be built near the Prison, with a Post at each end, well fixed and flattened with a handcuff iron at one of them for a whipping post.
OLD COURT HOUSE AND PRISON SOLD.
"This meeting doth sell unto William Harrison the old Prison and Court House, for the sum of eight pounds, which he promises to pay into the hands of Thomas Sharp, within the space of three months, there to be made use of for ye County's service."
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NOTES ON OLD GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
Thomas Sharp, Clerk, was allowed one pound for his services, and the Justices and Freeholders three shillings per day for their services to the County. The expenses, at the meeting of the Board, were also ordered paid by the County.
TOWNSHIPS AND THEIR FREEHOLDERS.
In the minutes of the meeting on the 8th day of the First Mo., 1721, the names of the Freeholders first appear from the respective Townships. There were present as follows :
Justices-John Hugg, John Mickle, Amos Ashead.
Freeholders-Waterford, Joseph Bate; Newton, Joseph Cooper, Jr., William Cooper; Gloucester, John Hugg, Abraham Porter ; Gloucester Town, William Har- rison, Francis Jones; Deptford, Richard Chew; Green- wich, Peter Long, Edward Eglington; Egg Harbor, Daniel Ireland.
BOOK FOR RECORDING DEEDS ORDERED.
At this meeting it was ordered that 50 pounds be raised towards the destroying of wolves, panthers and red foxes, a Recording Book for Deeds, &c., and to pro- duce as many Constable's Staves as wanted, together with the new painting of the old; ones, and for any other emergencies which shall be thought good.
COURT HOUSE BELL ORDERED ; IRONS FOR PRISONERS.
At a meeting held Third Mo. 30th, 1721, this record appears :
"A proposal being made forasmuch as an incon- venience being found for want of something to apprise the people of the time of the sitting of the Courts, from time to time, that a Bell be erected over the Roof of the Court House, with something to cover it. Thomas Sharp
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is disposed to purchase the same, when money comes in- to his hands, and get it hung and perfected, the price not to exceed eight pounds."
The Sheriff was allowed one pound and eleven shil- lings on account of Irons and putting them on prisoners, and "that he take special care of them for the same service as occasion requires."
PARLIAMENTARY RULES.
The Rules or Orders of the Board are given as fol- lows :
"No person to speak without standing up and direct- ing his speech to the Chief Justice.
"No person to speak above twice to one matter un- less leave be first obtained.
"No person to interrupt while another is speaking.
"The forfeiture in the breach of any of them, six pounds."
DEATH PENALTY ENFORCED.
At a meeting held November I, 1721, an allowance was made to the Sheriff for executing James Moore, his Horse, Saddle and Brass Pistol, and for executing Chris- tian Boll, alias Logan, and other fees, nine pounds and eight shillings. Other expenses were paid Joseph Hugg for charge of Christian Boll, and drink for , &c., twenty-one pounds, 19 shillings and six pence; Samuel Coles, for expenses about handcuffs and other expenses in pursuing and taking James Moore, 6 pounds, and David Jamison, Chief Justice, for Court services, ten pounds.
TAX LEVIED.
At this meeting it was ordered that eighty pounds be raised for above expenses, and other emergencies. The manner of raising this money is described as follows :
"Every 100 acres of land, that's tilled, seven pounds ; all horned cattle, horses and mares two years old, and up-
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wards, one pound per head; all sheep at three shillings per head ; laboring men who work for hire, three shillings per head ; all servants male in either white or black above sixteen years old, shall be nine pence, and that those whose taxable estate does not amount to one shilling, shall, notwithstanding, pay one shilling, save laboring · men who work for hire, shall not be excused under three shillings. John Kay's Grist Mill, four shillings ; George Ward's Grist Mill, John Brown's Fulling Mill, six shil- lings; Samuel Ward's Saw Mill, two shillings; Richard Valentine's Saw Mill, four shillings; Egg Harbor Mill, three shillings ; Stephen Mullica's Grist Mill, one shilling ; Town Lots in Gloucester, one shilling and six pence ; Gloucester Ferry, fifteen shillings; William Cooper's Ferry, seven shillings and six pence."
At a meeting held on the 27th day of the First Month, 1722, the following named Justices and Free- holders were named as members:
Justices-John Kay, Samuel Ward, Thomas Spicer. Freeholders-Waterford, Thomas Spicer, John Ins- keep; Newton, John Hillman, Benjamin Thackara; Gloucester, John Ashbrook, William Shay; Gloucester Town, William Harrison, Francis Jones; Deptford, Con- stantine Wood, Richard Chew; Greenwich, Edward Eglington, Richard Brickham; Egg Harbor, Gustavus Fish, Samuel Harem.
Benjamin Thackara, Richard Brickham, Gustavus Fish and Samuel Harem did not attend.
Thomas Sharp was chosen Clerk, at a salary of one . pound for his service.
FREEHOLDERS FINED.
This record appears in the minutes of this meeting :
"Whereas, by a Minute of this Board, held the thir- teenth day of the Second Month, Anno Domini 1719, Abraham Porter and William Harrison were appointed
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Managers for ye Building ye Prison and Court House, under the penalty of fifty pounds each, in ye non-perform- ance of the same, which they at ye time consented and agreed to, being ye members of the same body, and the work as yet lying and not completed, ordered that Thomas Sharp, if they neglect ye perfecting of it, by the twenty- eighth of ye Third Month next, shall prosecute them, the said Managers, for their deficit upon that account; or otherwise a prosecution shall be proceeded in against ye said Thomas Sharp for paying ye third and last payment before it became due."
It was ordered that Thomas Sharp shall get a table with a bench on each side over in the Court House, to ac- commodate a Jury as occasion shall require.
This action was taken by the Board :
"Whereas, Benjamin Thackara, Richard Brickham, Gustavus Fish and Samuel Harem, members of this Board, did not make their appearance here this day to join in the business of the County, therefore they are · hereby fined the sum of twenty shillings per man, and ordered that Thomas Sharp give the delinquents aforesaid notice of it that they make their appearance at the time of adjournment, and to bring in their fines at that time to save further trouble and charge."
These fines were remitted at the next meeting, on reasonable excuses being rendered for their absence.
At a meeting held on the 5th day of the Fourth Month, 1722, these persons were present :
Justices-John Kay, John Hugg, Samuel Ward.
Freeholders-Waterford, Thomas Spicer, John Ins- keep; Newton, John Hillman, Benjamin Thackara; Glou- cester Tp., John Ashbrook, William Sharp; Gloucester Town, William Harrison, Francis Jones; Deptford, Con- stantine Wood, Richard Chew; Greenwich, Richard Brickham; Egg Harbor, Gustavus Fish, Samuel Harem.
At this meeting this record appears in the proceed- ings :
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"Whereas, Debate hath arisen what should make a certain division in any matter or thing that might arise in debate before the meeting of Justices and Freeholders, the conclusion of this meeting is that two of the three Justices, one being of the quota, together with a majority of the Freeholders, shall be sufficient to confirm any mat- ter that may be thought necessary to be done."
STOLEN HORSE RETURNED TO OWNER.
At a meeting held the 13th day of the Ninth Mo., it being put to vote whether the horse that was stolen by David Drury should be forfeited to the King, or to be re- turned to the owner, agreed that the owner have him.
SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS.
From the foregoing records it appears that the first Court House and Jail was erected in 1694. A new Court House and Jail was evidently practically completed in 1720, as the old Court House and Jail was ordered sold to William Harrison, at the meeting held February 5, 1720, for eight pounds. A later minute in 1722 seems to indicate, however, that the buildings were not entirely completed to the satisfaction of the Freeholders. The principal public expenditures during the period covered by these minutes seem to have reference to the building of the second Court House and Jail, and the repairs and rebuilding of Great Timber Creek Bridge, with minor expenditures for the destruction of wolves, panthers and red foxes, &c. It is very evident that many slaves were owned by these early inhabitants, as they seem to be one of the sources depended on for taxation.
Notes from the Record Book of the Board of Chosen Freeholders above, cover a period from 1701 to 1722. Subsequent proceedings covered about the same nature of business as before recorded.
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WILD BEASTS KILLED.
On the 12th day of May, 1726, Joseph Cooper, Jr., County Collector, produced to the Justices and Free- holders 29 certificates for wolves' and panthers' heads, and for whelps of wolves, which amount to 21 pounds and 15 shillings ; also 27 certificates for fox heads, which amount to 2 pounds and 14 shillings.
In the minutes of December 11, 1733, this record appears :
"The Board orders Ann Wheeldon one pound eigh- teen shillings for the expense of the sitting of this Board, which was paid in presence of the said Justices and Free- holders, and she received the same, but refused to give receipt on request."
On May 8, 1734, it was ordered that a pair of stocks and whipping post be erected at Gloucester, before the prison windows, and Timothy Matlack be appointed to build it.
At the same meeting it was ordered that the square whereon the Court House stands be laid out, and the bounds thereof be ascertained, and the persons appointed to see it laid out be Joseph Cooper, Thomas Spicer, Timo- thy Matlack and John Hinchman, and that they get a sur- veyor as they think proper, and that they get it done before the next Court, and bring in the charge thereof to the next sitting of this Board. At a meeting held May 12, 1736, the same order was given, and on June II, 1736, John Hinchman was ordered paid one pound twelve shill- ings and eleven pence for the laying out of the square.
WATCH AND WORK HOUSE.
On June 15, 1736, the Board ordered a Yard and Watch House and also a Work House be built and erected before the front of the prison at Gloucester, on the south side of said prison, and also a Cellar the whole bigness of
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the Watch House, and also a Well to be sunk within the said yard, and a Pump to set therein. The Yard, Watch House and Work House to be erected and built according to the dimensions of a draft that is lodged with the Clerk of the Board. A Tax of 200 pounds was ordered raised for the defraying the cost thereof, and to be collected within four months time.
At a meeting held August 29th, 1738, this record appears :
The Board orders that the Watch House, which is now finished, be and remain in possession of the High Sheriff of the County of Gloucester, for such person as he shall think fit to dwell in this year, and the said Sheriff promises to take care that such person shall keep the said House in repair, and also take care of the Court House, that is, to secure the windows and keep the door shut, and sweep and keep it clean. The Sheriff was named William Tatem.
OWNERS OF TAVERNS, MILLS, STORES, BOATS AND FERRIES TAXED.
At a meeting held January 15, 1739, the Board ordered the sum of Eighty Pounds to be raised for the use of the County, and to be levied in the following man- ner :
Taverns or Public Houses-Benjamin Peters, Gabriel Friend, Robert Gerrard, Hugh Carwell, Henry Sparks, Enoch Ellison, Jacob Ware, Isaac Hollingshead, Sarah Bull, Daniel Cooper, Thomas Periweb, Sarah Norris, five shillings each, except Ellison, 2 shillings 6 pence ; Holling's- head, 3 shillings, and Norris, 2 shillings 6 pence.
The Grist Mills-Samuel Shivers, William Ward. Andrew Hoffman, Jacob Cozens, Robert Gerrard, Jona- than Fisher, James Childs, Elisha Smith, Egg Harbor ; Lake Gibson, George Ward, 2 mills; Richard Cheesman, Andrew Ware, Henry Roe, John Peterson, James
7
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Somers, 2 mills; John English, from 2 shillings 6 pence to 6 shillings.
Stores and Shops-Abraham Chattin, Michael Fisher, John Hopper, Timothy Matlack.
Ferries-Jacob Ware, Daniel Cooper, Benjamin Cooper, 8, 10 and 6 shillings.
Flats and Wood Boats-Six pence per cord.
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