USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches > Part 101
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205 | Part 206 | Part 207 | Part 208 | Part 209 | Part 210 | Part 211 | Part 212 | Part 213 | Part 214 | Part 215 | Part 216 | Part 217 | Part 218 | Part 219 | Part 220
Feb. 16, 1789 .- William Haslet, Common Pleas.
April 11, 1789 .- John Worth, Common Pleas.
June 5, 1789 .- David Mackey, Common Pleas.
June 16, 1789 .- Walter Finney.
Oct. 28, 1789 .- Robert Cooper, Common Plens.
Aug. 28, 1790 .- John Bartholomew, Common Pleas.
In colonial days, when a general commission was issued for justices, the first named was understood as the presiding judge of Quarter Ses- sions, Common Pleas, and Orphans' Court, and on the records the
OLD JUDGES' BENCH.
names are mostly given in the same order as in the commission. Their attendance varied at different times, and sessions of Orphans' Court were often held at private houses or taverns, in different parts of the county. In 1772 the number of justices at Quarter Sessions was six
in February, twelve in May, fifteen in August, and six in November. The "bench" on some occasions would certainly need to be a long ene, but there were probably three or more of them. One, which has survived to the present day, now finds a resting-place in the commis- sioners' office, and is one of the few relics which have been preserved of the old court-house. Doubtless upon it have sat John Morten and many others whom posterity will delight to honor. After the consti- tutico of 1790 went into effect, it would seat all the judges, and per- haps this is why it alone was preserved. A picture of it is here given. The justices sat upon the bench for the last time in August, 1791.
From 1791 to 1839 justices of the peace were appointed by the Governor for the different districts in the county, and held the office during life er good behavior, if still residing within the district.
The following are the dates of commissions during the period :
Phillp Scott, Aug. 26, 1791, Oxford, E. and W. Nottingham ; eworn Sept. 1, 1791. John Ralston, Aug. 28, 1791, Vincent, Pikeland, and Coventry; sworn Sept. 1, 1791.
Thomas Cheyney, Aug. 26, 1791, Birmingham, Thornbury, and Westtown; af- firmed Sept. 21, 1791.
Ezekiel Leonard, Aug. 26, 1791, East Fallowfield, East and West Bradford, New- lin, and Pennabury ; affirmed Sept. 1, 1791.
Aaron Musgrave, Aug. 26, 1791, Easttown, Willistown, and Goshen ; affirmed Sept. 1, 1791.
Robert Smith, Aug. 26, 1791, Oxford, E. and W. Nottingham; aff. Sept. 2, 1791. Joseph Parke, Aug. 26, 1791, West Fallowfield, Sadsbury, and Weet Caln ; sworn Sept. 2, 1791.
Stephen Muylan, Ang. 26, 1791, Easttown, Willistown, and Goshen ; sworn Sept. 11, 1791.
Richard Humpton, Aug. 26, 1791, East Fallowfield, East and West Bradford, Newlin, and Pennsbury ; sworn Sept. 19, 1791.
Samuel Cunningham, Aug. 26, 1791, West Nantmeal, East Caln, Honeyhrook, and Brandywine; sworn Sept. 28, 1791.
Robert Cooper, Aug. 26, 1791, Kennet, East and West Marlborough ; affirmed Sept. 12, 1791.
Dennis Wheelen, Aug 26, 1791, Uwchlan and E. Nantmeal ; aff. Sept. 31, 1791. James Hannum, Ang. 26, 1791, East and West Marlborough and Kennet ; af- firmed Sept. 31, 1791.
Jonathan Pugh, Aug. 26, 1791, Vincent, Pikeland, and Coventry ; affirmed Nov. 4, 1791.
William Worthington, Jr., July 3, 1792, Easttown, Willistown, and Goshen ; affirmed Aug. 2, 1792.
William Clingan, Sept. 4, 1792, West Fallowfield, Sadsbury, and West Caln; sworn Sept. 3, 1792.
Robert Smith, Dec. 21, 1792, Uwchlan and E. Nantmeal ; eworn Jan. 3, 1793. Isaac Taylor, April 10, 1793, East Fallowfield, East and West Bradford, Newlin, and Pennebury ; affirmed April 15, 1793.
Thomas Henderson, Jan. 25, 1793, Londonderry and New London ; sworn May 22, 1793.
Thos. Downing, Dec. 29, 1792, Uwchlan and East Nantmeal ; aff. May 24, 1793. Jolin Longstreth, June 10, 1793, Tredyffrin, Charlestown, East and West White- land; affirmed Sept. 21, 1793.
Benjamin Brown, Jau. 17, 1794, London Britain, Newgarden, and Londongrove ; affirmed Jan. 22, 1794.
John Hannum; Feb. 4, 1794, Goshen, Willistown, and Easttown ; affirmed Feb. 8, 1794.5
Culeh Way, Feb. 6, 1794, West Fallowfield, Sadsbury, and West Caln; affirmed Aug. 20, 1794.
John Graves, April 18, 1795, Easttown, Willistown, and Goshen ; sworn April 20,1795.
Joseph Millard, March 27, 1795, East Caln, West Nantmeal, Honeybrook, and Brandywine; affirmed May 19, 1795.
Moses Marshall, April 6, 1796, East Fallowfield, East and West Bradford, New- lin, and Pennsbury ; affirmed April 14, 1796.
Charles Willing, April 2, 1796, Easttown, Willietown, and Goshen; affirmed May 9, 1796.
Thos. Church, Aug. 2, 1796, Coventry and E. Nautmenl ; eworn Aug. 3, 1796. Jacob Lantis, Ang. 18, 1796, Coveutry, Birmingham, Vincent, and Plkeland; affirmed Aug. 29, 1796.
James M. Gibbons, Aug. 29, 1797, East Fallowfield, East and West Bradford, Newlin, and Pennsbury; affirmed Sept. 2, 1797.
Hazacl Thomas, March 28, 1798, Vincent, Pikeland, Coventry ; aff. May 21, 1798. Matthew Stanley, May 7, 1798, Brandywine, Honeybrook, East Caln, and West Nantmeul ; sworn June 19, 1798.
Samuel Sinclair, Dec. 11, 1798, Kennet, East and West Marlborough ; affirmed Dec. 26, 1798.
David Jones, Dec. 11, 1798, Honeybrook, West Nantmeal, East Caln, and Brandy- wine ; sworn Dec. 14, 1798.
Jesse Roberts, Jan. 18, 1799, Coventry, Vincent, Pikeland ; aff. Jan. 28, 1799.
Robert Miller, Feb. 8, 1799, East Caln, West Nantmeal, Honeybrook, and Brandywine ; affirmed Feb. 18, 1799.
John Smith, Feb. 26, 1799, W. Fellowfield, Sadebury, W. Caln ; sworn Maroh 6, 1799.
Edward Hicks, Jan. 25, 1799, Willistown, Goshen, and Easton; aff. March 15, 1799.
* Archives, vli. 444.
367
CIVIL AND JUDICIAL LISTS.
Nathan Scofield, April 6, 1799, E. and W. Bradford, E. Fallowfiold, Newlin, and Pennsbury ; affirmed April 22, 1799.
James Battin, May 3, 1799, Brandywine, W. Nantmeal, E. Caln, Honeyhrook ; affirmed May 14, 1799.
Isaac Anderson, Sept. 27, 1799, Charlestown ; affirmed Nov. 13, 1799. Isaac Huines, Dec. 3, 1799, Goshen, Easton, and Willistown ; aff. Dec. 11, 1799.
William Davis, Dec. 3, 1799, Tredyffrin, Charlestown, E. and W. Whiteland; sff. Dec. 18, 1799.
James McClellan, Dec. 8, 1799, W. Caln, Sadshury, and W. Fallowfield; sworn Dec. 24, 1799.
Enoch Yarnall, Dec. 3, 1799, Willistown, Easttown, and Goshen ; affirmed Dec. 24, 1799.
Rees John, Dec. 3, 1799, Pikeland, Vincent, Coventry ; affirmed Dec. 30, 1799. Francis Lee, May 20, 1800, Tredyffrin, Charlestown, E. and W. Whiteland; sworn May 22, 1800.
Charles Kenny, May 21, 1800, Birmingham, Thornbury, and Westtown ; sworn June 14, 1800.
Jesse Laverty, May 21, 1800, E. Fallowfield, E. and W. Bradford, Newlin, and Pennebury ; sworn July 5, 1800.
Whitehesd Weatherby, May 21, 1800, Willistowo, Easttown, and Goshen ; sworn Aug. 1, 1800.
John Whitting, July 23, 1800, London Britalo, New Garden, and Londongrove; sworn Aug. 22, 1800.
Daniel Evans, Aug. 10, 1800, Uwchlan and E. Nantmeal; affirmed Angust 28th. James Smith, Sept. 25, 1800, E. and W. Marlborough and Kennet; aff. Oct. 18, 1800.
Samuel Townsend, Oct. 1, 1801, Vincent, Pikeland, and Coventry ; aff. Jan. 1, 1802.
Thomas Bodley, April 2, 1802, Tredyffrin, Charlestown, E. and W. Whiteland; affirmed May 6, 1802.
Charles Kenny, July 29, 1802, Willistown, Easton, Goshen (recorded Aug. 5th). John Crosby, Jan. 8, 1803, Londonderry and New London ; sworn March 25, 1803.
An act of Assembly of April 4, 1803, for dividing counties into districts for justices of the peace, directed that Chester County should be divided into 16 districts, which was afterwards done in this manner :
Diet.
1. West Chester, Goshen, West Whiteland.
2. East and West Bradford.
3. Westtown, Pennebury, Thornbory, and Birmingham.
4. Kennet and East Marlborough.
6. East Fallowfield, West Marlborough, Nowlin.
6. New Garden, Londongrove.
7 London Britain, New London, Londonderry.
8. East and West Nottingham and Lower Oxford.
9. Upper Oxford, West Fallowfield, and Sadsbury.
10. East Caln, West Caln.
11. Uwchlan, Brandywine.
12. Honeybrook and West Nantmeal.
13. Coventry and East Nantmeal.
14. Vincent and Pikeland.
15. Charlestown, Tredyffrin.
18. East Whiteland, Willlstown, and Easttown.
COMMISSIONS BY DISTRICTS.
Dist.
12. Alexander Lockhart, Jan. 2, 1804 ; sworn Feb. 10, 1804.
10. Hugh Thompson, Jan. 2, 1804; sworn February 10th.
7. William Price, Jan. 2, 1804; sworn May 22d.
13. George Evans, Jan. 2, 1804; sworn May 30th.
12. George Evans, Feb. 25, 1805.
13. John Heister, Jr,, April 1, 1805; sworn April 20th.
8. William Thompson, M.D., Jan. 9, 1806 ; sworn January 24th.
13. Thomas Church, Jan. 29, 1806; sworn February 3d.
2. Joshua Gibbons, Jan. 1, 1806; affirmed March 19, 1806.
13. Michael Lynch, April 1, 1806; sworn April 8th.
9. Thomas Love, April 1, 1808: sworn April 30th.
7. John Finney, Feb. 1, 1806; sworn May 20th.
3. Abraham Darlingtou, April 1, 1806 ; affirmed July 16, 1806.
9. Joseph Cloud, Jan. 1, 1807; affirmed January 20th (or 26th).
8. John McCulloch, April 22, 1807; sworn May 21st.
3. Peter Harvey, Sept. 17, 1807; affirmed October 16th. 11. Methuselah Davis, Jan. 7, 1808; eworn Feb. 2, 1808.
4. James Wollaston, Nov. 8, 1808; affirmed December 16th.
13. Thomas Leighton, Nov. 8, 1808 (recorded Jan. 17, 1809).
12. William Mendenhall (no day), 1809; affirmed (recorded Feb. 21, 1809).
13. Jonathan Wynn, Feb. 10, 1809; affirmed March 21st.
1. Henry Fleming, April 18, 1809; affirmed May 8d.
4. John Cralg* (the elder), April 18, 1809; affirmed May 12th.
5. Daniel Kent,* Feb. 19, 1810 ; affirmed March 13th.
10. Alexander Maltiand, Jone 8, 1810; sworn .July 10, 1810.
9, Thomas Hope, Aug. 24, 1810; affirmed September 13th.
7. John Reed, Jan. 5, 1811; sworn February 1st.
11. James McFarian," March 23, 1811; affirmed May 2d.
Dist.
8. Jacob Jones, Feb. 24, 1812; affirmed February 28.
8. James Wilson," February 26, 1812; sworn March 14th.
7. Robert M. Waugh," March 10, 1812; sworn March 24th.
1. William Everhart,* March 30, 1812; affirmed April 3d.
9. David Crosby, July 8, 1812; sworn August 14th.
1. Willlam Newlin," March 12, 1813; affirmed March 29th. 15. William Brown, Oct. 1, 1813: affirmed November 1st.
2. Townsend Lamborn,* Nov. 11, 1813; affirmed Dec. 10, 1813.
15. Abram Phillips," Feb. 14, 1814; affirmed February 25th.
12. Richard Walker," June 1, 1814; sworn June 24th.
12. Benjamin Talbot,* Feb. 8, 1815 ; affirmed February 23d. 6. Joseph Baker, Feb. 15, 1815; affirmed February 25th. 11. Samuel Culbertson,* March 7, 1816; sworn May 1st. 16. Daniel Abrahanıs, April 27, 1815 ; affirmed May 24th. 16. Joseph Pearce, Sept. 7, 1815; eworn November 7th. 10. Charles Mowry, April 17, 1816; sworn April 27th. 9. Samuel Wilson, April 12, 1818; sworn May 7th.
4. Joshua Taylor, May 14, 1818; affirmed July 4th.
7. John Finney, Jr., May 24, 1816; sworn July 8th.
13. Evan Evans,* Nov. 26, 1816; affirmed December 10th. 14. Nathanlel Brooke, Nov. 15, 1816; sworn December 17th. 13. Hugh Strickland, Nov. 26, 1816; sworn December 18th. 16. John Morgan, May 23, 1817; sworn June 14th.
13. Edward Auderson, June 19, 1817; sworn August 4th.
16. Benjamin Wetherby,* Aug. 30, 1817; eworn October 6th. 13. Jonathan Hudson," March 7, 1818; affirmed April 7th.
15. Joshua Jones,* May 25, 1818; affirmed July 11, 1818. 8. William Mccullough,* July 7, 1818; sworn July 28, 1818. 14. John Beerbower,4 Sept. 5, 1818; sworn September 21st.
14. George Neiler, Oct. 2, 1818; sworn October 20th.
16. John Hoskins, Sept. 28, 1818; affirmed October 22d. 16. Thomas Jones,* March 27, 1819; sworn April 9th.
8. James Hutchinson,* March 22, 1819; sworn April 10th.
10. James Wilson Brown, Jan. 15, 1820 ; sworn January 28th.
9. David Trueman, Aug. 28, 1820 ; affirmed September 15th.
11. Josiah Philipe, Oct. 14, 1820; affirmed October 31st.
4. Robert Buffington, Dec. 14, 1820; affirmed January 11th. James McClellan, Dec. 3, 1799. W. Fallowfield, Sadsbury, and W. Caln. Supersedeas March 8, 1821 (by an address from both houses of the General Assembly).
9. Joel C. Baily, March 28, 1821 ; affirmed April 16th.
5. James Walton, March 28, 1821; affirmed April 20th.
2. Abraham Baily, March 27, 1821 ; affirmed April 20th.
10. Samuel Miller,* March 27, 1821 ; affirmed May 2d.
12. Jesse James," June 1, 1821 ; affirmed August 22d. 6. John W. Thomas," Oct. 19, 1821; affirmed October 30th.
12. Jonathan Jones,* March 26, 1822; sworn April 19th.
8. Elisha Haines, March 23, 1822 ; affirmed April 29th.
3. Walker Yarnall, March 23, 1822; affirmed May 6.
8. John Kelton,* March 26, 1822; sworn May 9th.
10. John Baldwin,* March 31, 1823; affirmed April 23d.
9. William H. Van Amringe,* March 24, 1823; sworn June 17th.
16. Wesley Anderson, Sept. 22, 1823; affirmed October 9th.
1. Jesse McCall,* Dec. 4, 1823; affirmed December 16th,
16. Walter Kerr, Dec. 4, 1823; sworn December 29th.
16. Thomas Davis, Dec. 12, 1823; sworn Jan. 6, 1824.
9. James Monaghan,* Dec. 4, 1823; sworn Jan. 8, 1824.
11. Ezekiel Evans, Jr.,* Dec. 4, 1823; affirmed Jan. 12, 1824.
14. Major McVeagh, Dec. 4, 1823 ; eworn January 27th, 1824.
8. Amos Bye,* Dec. 4, 1823; affirmed Feb. 2, 1824.
13. Matthew Davis,* Dec. 12, 1823; sworn Feb. 3, 1824. James Wollaston, Nov. 8, 1808. Supersedeas March 25, 1824 (recommended by both houses of General Assembly).
16. James Dilworth, May 5, 1824 ; affirmed May 26th.
14. Alexander Marshall,* June 4, 1824; sworn June 16th.
4. Jacob Lamborn," July 11, 1825 ; affirmed July 23d.
7. Davis Whitting,* Sept. 12, 1825; affirmed September 28th.
13. Jolın Bingsman, Sept. 12, 1826 ; sworn October 3d.
14. John Chrisman, Nov. 16, 1825 ; sworn Dec. 5, 1825.
15. Daniel McCurdy,* March 14, 1826 ; affirmed April let.
1. George Meredith,* May 6, 1826; affirmed May 20th. 16. Joseph Mason,* May 6, 1826 ; sworn May 26th. 13. George Lloyd," March 6, 1827; affirmed March 27, 1827. 13. John Davis," March 6, 1827 ; sworn April 30th.
9. James Haslett,* Aug. 3, 1827; affirmed September 1st.
9. John Gillies,* Aug. 3, 1827; sworn September 12th.
3. John Crosgrove,* Ang. 3, 1827; affirmed September 10th.
16. Elijah Lewis,* Aug. 3, 1827; affirmed September 5th. 12. Robert Morton,* Nov. 6, 1827; affirmed Deceniber 11th.
2. John Worth," March 11, 1828; affirmed May 12th.
9. George W. Parke,* April 3, 1828 ; eworn June 9th.
4. James McFadgen, May 12, 1828; affirmed May 26th,
1. James M. Gibbons,* Feb. 8, 1829; affirmed February 12th.
6. Joel J. Baily,* March 28, 1829 ; affirmed April 8th.
10. Christopher Wigton,* March 28, 1829; affirmed May 20th.
12. James Wilson Brown," May 29, 1829; affirmed July 6th.
11. John Templeton,* May 29, 1829 ; affirmed August 5th.
* Still in office, May 23, 1837.
368
HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Dist.
15. Peter Suplee,* July 2, 1829; affirmed August 6th.
11. John M. Mullin,* Nov. 10, 1829; affirmed December 5th.
15. John Beaver,* Nov. 4, 1829; sworn December 14th.
2. Thomas Clayton,* Nov. 23, 1829; sworn December 1st.
12. William Allen,* Nov. 23, 1829 ; eworn December 14th. 7. William Michener, Merch 3, 1830; affirmed Merch 16th. 3. Ahoer Miller,* Merch 3, 1830; affirmed Merch 18th.
3. Thomas Bennett,* Aprit 5, 1830; affirmed Aprit 13th.
1. George Boyer, April 17, 1830; sworn April 24th.
14. Sampson Davis,* Aug. 5, 1830; sworn September 14th.
16. David C. Lee,* Feh. 23, 1831 ; aworn Merch 29th.
9. John Warner,* April 18, 1831; affirmed May 9th. 10. Thomas S. Valentine,* Feb. 17, 1832; affirmed April 9th. 10. Joseph Hughes,* March 26, 1832; affirmed Mey Ist. 11. Jonathan Worrell,* May 17, 1832 ; affirmed July 30.
4 John Taggart,* June 20, 1832; affirmed Ang. 6th. 7. Joseph Jefferis,* Dec. 3, 1832; affirmed Jan. 24, 1833.
1. John T. Denny,* Feb. 9, 1833; affirmed February 20th.
8. Jesse Coulson,* Feb. 9, 1833; affirmed March 13th.
5. Robert Wilson,* March 12, 1833; affirmed March 23d.
16. Thomas R. Trimble," April 29, 1833; affirmed May 6th. 2. Matthias Pennypacker,* Dec. 17, 1833; affirmed Jan. 25, 1834.
15. Abraham Olwine,* Jan. 14, 1834; sworn February 6th. 13. Samuel Willeuer,* March 7, 1834; affirmed March 26th.
12. Beynard Way,* April 9, 1834; affirmed April 24th.
14. Edward S. Davis," May 27, 1834; affirmed August 5th.
9. Andrew McNeil,* May 27, 1834 ; affirmed June 13th.
1. Jacob Boyer,* June 6, 1835 ; affirmed June 20th.
11. Isaac Finch,* Oct. 26, 1835; affirmed November 6th.
14. George Strickland, Nov. 14, 1835 ; eworn December 14th.
15. Major McVeagh, Nov. 18, 1835 ; sworn Jen. 7, 1836.
9. Rudolph Huzzard,* Dec. 9, 1835; affirmed December 18th.
13. John Stem,* Merch 31, 1836; affirmed April 11th.
4. Samuel Jacobs,* March 30, 1836; affirmed May 2d.
15. Edward Garrigues, Jr., July 3, 1837; affirmed July 7th.
16. Nathen Y. Hunt, Dec. 12, 1837; affirmed December 18th.
1. Henry Fleming, Dec. 23, 1837; affirmed December 26th.
5. Enoch Harlan, Jan. 11, 1838; affirmed February 14th.
7. Mark A. Hodgeon; Feb. 9, 1838 ; sworn February 20th.
15. Jacob Rogers, March 7, 1838; affirmed February 20th (recorded March 20th).
14. Samuel Jones, Ang. 24, 1838; affirmed September 21st.
9. Arthur Andrews, Ang. 24, 1838; sworn October 6th.
12. David H. Hackett, March 9, 1839; affirmed March 25th.
Under the constitution of. 1838 justices of the peace became elec- tive in each township.
PRESIDENT JUDGES.
The constitution of 1790 provided that, until otherwise directed by law, the State should be divided into circuits or districts, including not less than three nor more than six counties ; that a president judge should be appointed by the Governor in cach district, and that asao- ciate judges should be appointed in each county, not fewer than three nor more than four.
In the division of the States ioto districts, the First District was composed of the counties of Philadelphia, Bucka, Montgomery, and Delaware, and the Second District of the counties of Chester, Lan- caster, York, and Dauphin.
The first president judge of the Second District was William An- gustua Atlee, who was appointed by Governor Mifflin, and presided over the courts of Chester County from November, 1791, to August, 1793. He resided et Lancaster.
He was succeeded hy John Juseph Henry, also appointed hy Gov- ernor Mifflin, who presided from February, 1794, to May, 1800, both terms inclusive.
Juhn D. Coxe, appointed by Governor Mckean, succeeded in May, 1800, and preaided to the end of May term, 1805, though from May, 1803, to 1805 he was often ahaent, and the courts were held by the associates.
William Tilghman presided at August term, 1805, and February term, 1806.
By an act of Assembly passed Fch. 24, 1806, the State was redis- tricted. Philadelphia was constituted the First District, and the countiea of Chester, Delaware. Montgomery, and Bucks the Seventh District. Soon after the pasaage of this act Bird Wilson was ap- pointed by Governor McKcan president judge of the Seventh Dis- trict, and prcaided from February, 1806, to November, 1817, when he laid aside the ermine and hecame a clergyman of the Episcopal Church. Judge Wilson was a man of talent, learning, and remark- able millness of manner and amiability of character, united with in-
flexible firmnesa and decision. He was distinguished for the sound- ness of his decisions, and it is said that only one was ever reversed in a superior court. He was held in high respect and eateem for his vir- tues aaa man, and hia integrity, uprightness, and ability as a presiding. officer in the judiciary department. He is still remembered by many of the older citizens of Chester County. In 1813 he edited an edition of Bacon's " Abridgment of the Law," a standard English work. When he presided over the courts of this county he resided at Nor- ristown.
After he left the bench he was pastor of the Episcopal Church in Norristown until 1821, when he was appointed a professor in the The- ological Seminary of the Episcopal Church, in the city of New York. In this position he continued until June 25, 1850, a period of twenty- nine years, when he resigned. As a token of respect, the truatees of the seminary appointed him Emeritua Professor in his department. He died in New York, April 14, 1859, at the age of eighty-two years.
John Ross was appointed by Governor Findley in 1818. He pre- sided over the courts of the four counties composing the district from February, 1818, to May, 1821. The district was then divided, and a new district formed, called the Fifteenth Judicial District, composed of the counties of Chester and Delaware. Judge Rosa remained the president judge of the Seventh District, composed, after the division, of the counties of Bucks and Montgomery, and ceased to act in Chester and Delaware Counties. He resided, while presiding over the courts of this county, at Easton.
Isaac Darlington was appointed by Governor Heister, president judge of the new judicial district, composed of Chester and Delaware Counties, May 22, 1821, and held the office until his denth, April 27, 1839.
Judge Darlington was a man of remarkably strong intellect, and of excellent attainments in the law. He was eminently prompt and sagacious in perceiving the strong points of the causes before him, and his adjudications were ever highly respected hy the aupreme tribunal of the State. With the people, hie opinions were treated with profound respect, and so implicit was their confidence in his judgment that it was enough that Judge Darlington decided a matter : they never dissented from ur doubted the correctnesa of the decision.
On the death of Judge Darlington, Governor Porter appointed Thomas S. Bell his successor. He was commissioned May 16, 1839, and presided over the courts of the district from that time until his appointment by Governor Shunk to a aeat on the bench of the Su- preme Court, Nov. 18, 1846.
The vacancy created by the translation of Judge Bell to the bench of the Supreme Court was filled by Governor Shunk hy the appointment of John M. Forster, of Harrisburg. Judge Forster preaided from De- cember, 1846, uotil March, 1847, ahout three months, when his nomi- nation was rejected by the Senate. He was a very courteoua gentle- man, but did not seem auited to the wants of so important a district. When his nomination was first made to the Senate it was confirmed, but afterwards reconsidered and rejected.
On the rejection of Judge Forster, James Nill, of Chamberaburg, was appointed, and presided over the courts from March 23, 1847, until March 18, 1848, when hia nomination was also rejected by the Senate.
Judge Nill posaessed a fair knowledge of the law, and waa especi- ally well rend in Pennsylvania decisions, and much interest and a good deal of feeling were excited when his nomination was before the Senate. The bar was divided, some maintaining that he waa not suited in all respects to fill the position satisfectorily, and that a more acceptable nomination should be made; and others that he would in time make a good judge, and that those who were against his confirmation were captious and hard to please. Those opposed to him, however, succeeded in proouring his rejection by a tie vote in the Seoate.
Governor Shunk then, at the aulicitation of members of the har of the district, appointed his son-in-law, Henry Chapman, of Doyles- town, who wna forthwith unanimously confirmed by the Senate. Judge Chapman presided over the courts of the district with great accept- unce, and to the entire satisfaction of the har and the people, until the expiration of his term of office under the provisions of the amend- ments to the constitution, which made the office elective. His presi- denoy extended from March 18, 1848, to Deo. 2, 1851. He was solioited hy members of hoth political parties to become a candidate for the office under the elective systemo, with the assurance that it was not likely any candidate would be placed in the field against him ; but he
Smith Futhey
369
CIVIL AND JUDICIAL LISTS.
deolined, it not being convenient for him to reside in the district, agreeably to the requirements of the amended constitution.
Townsend llaines was elected president judge at the general elco- tion in October, 1851,-the opposing candidate being Hon, Thomas S. Bell,-commissioned by Governor Johnston, Nov. 6, 1851, and pre- sided during the constitutional term of ten years, from the first Mon- day of December, 1851, to the first Monday of December, 1861.
He was succeeded by William Butler, who was elected at the gen- eral election, Oct. 8, 1861, the opposing candidate being Joseph Hemp- hill. Judge Butler was commissioned by Governor Curtio, Nov. 20, 1861, entered upon his duties Dec. 2, 1861, and in 1871 was re-elected for another term. He continued to preside with marked ability and dispatch over the inoreasing business of the courts until Feb. 24, 1879, when, owing to his appointment as United States district judge for the Eastero District of Pennsylvania, he resigned his former position.
J. Smith Futhey was appointed by Governor Huyt, Feb. 27, 1879, to act until the first Monday in January, 1880, aod in November, 1879, was elected by the people for a full term, there being no opposing can- didate.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
The constitution of 1790 provided that the Governor should appoint associate judges in the various counties, not less than three oor more than four in each, to hold their offices during good behavior.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.