USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County : from its first settlement to the present time, first under Virginia as Yohogania, Ohio, or Augusta County until 1781, and subsequently under Pennsylvania > Part 7
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The Council took into consideration the appointment of sub-Lieutenants for the county of Washington, agreeably to the militia laws of this State ; and William McCleary, William Parker, George Vallandingham, and Mat- thew Ritchie being recommended ; on consideration,
Resolved, That William McCleary, William Parker, George Valanding- ham, and Matthew Ritchie be appointed sub-Lieutenants of the county of Washington, and that they be commissioned accordingly.
Philadelphia, Dec. 27, 1781.
The Council, taking into consideration the appointing officers for the Ranging Company for the county of Washington,
Resolved, That John Hughes, Esq., be appointed and commissioned to be Captain of a company of Rangers to be raised in the county of Washing- ton, and that Gabriel Peterson be appointed Lieutenant and James Morri- son, Ensign of the said company, and that they be commissioned accord- ingly.
Philadelphia, Dec. 29, 1781.
On consideration of the proposals made by John Cannon, Esq., for sup- plying the militia and Rangers of the county of Washington which may be employed for the defence of the frontiers of said county
Ordered, That twelve pence per ration, in specie, be allowed for the ra- tions delivered at such places as the said troops may from time to time be stationed within the said county of Washington.
The rations to consist of
One pound of bread; one pound of beef or three-fourths pound of pork ; one gill of whiskey per day and one quart of salt and two quarts of vinegar, to every hundred rations.
Eight pounds of soap and three pounds of candles to every seven hundred rations.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Philadelphia, Jan. 5, 1782.
Resolved, John Hughes be appointed Captain, Gabriel Peterson Lieu- tenant, and James Morrison Ensign of the Company of Rangers to be raised in the county of Washington for the defence of the frontiers.
Resolved, That the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds specie be paid into the hands of Henry Taylor, Esq., to be by him delivered out to Captain John Hughes, Lieutenant Peterson, and Ensign Morrison for the purpose of recruiting the company of Rangers for the county of Washington.
Philadelphia, Jan. 8, 1782.
The Council, taking into consideration the exposed situation of the fron- tier counties, the probability of invasions of them by parties of Indians, and the impossibility of obtaining particular orders from the Council for calling out in due time the militia of the said counties in such cases,
Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the county of Washington be authorized and empowered to call out such and so many militia, according to law, as they may judge necessary for repelling the enemy.
Philadelphia, Jan. 29, 1782.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of John McCashem for the sum of ten pounds specie for paying for the transportation of clothing for the ranging companies of Washington and Westmoreland counties from Philadelphia to Shippensburg.
Philadelphia, Feb. 26, 1782.
A letter from the Commissioners of the Taxes of the county of Washing- ton, respecting the collection of the taxes was received and read, and on consideration ordered that the same be transmitted to the General Assem- bly of the State.
Philadelphia, March 5, 1782.
Ordered, That Captain Joseph Stiles, Commissary of Military Stores, be directed to deliver to the Honorable Dorsey Pentecost one thousand flints, fifty stand of arms, and fifty pouches, to be forwarded to the Lieuten- ant of the county of Washington for the use of the Ranging company to be raised in the said county.
Philadelphia, March 9, 1782.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Christo- pher Hayes, Esq., for the sum of eighteen pounds fifteen shillings specie for paying for the transportation of arms and ammunition from the city to Conocheague for the defence of the frontiers of Washington, Westmoreland, and Bedford counties.
Philadelphia, March 18, 1782.
The Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., presented to the Board the fol- lowing account, viz.,
Dr. The State of Pennsylvania in account with Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., For attendance in council from the 20th of December, 1781, to the 23d of
March, 1782-94 days at 17s. 6. £82.5
And thereupon an order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., for the sum of eighty-two pounds, five shillings specie, amount of the said account.
Philadelphia, March 30,-1782. .
Ordered, That James Alison be appointed sub-Lieutenant of the county of Washington in the room of Daniel Leet, who has resigned.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Philadelphia, March 30, 1782.
The Board being informed by letter and a return inclosed, on the 4th of February last, from Col. James Marshal, Lieutenant of the county of Washington, that there were irregularities in the election of some of the militia officers of the said county, and others had refused to serve,
Resolved, That the said Lieutenant be directed to proceeded with all convenient speed, to fill up the said vacancies agreeably to law, in order that commissions may issue.
Philadelphia, April 2, 1782.
An order drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Dorsey Pen- tecost, Esq., for the sum of twelve pounds ten shillings specie, to be paid to Adam Poe for taking an Indian scalp in the county of Washington, agreeably to the proclamation of the Board.
Philadelphia, April 3, 1782.
A return of justices for the township of Somerset, in the county of Washington, was received and read, by which it appears that Wm. Parker and John Stevenson were duly elected justices for the said township, there- upon
Resolved, That William Parker, Esq., be appointed a justice of peace for the county of Washington, and commissioned accordingly.
Philadelphia, April 6, 1782.
Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the county of Washington be authorized and required to call into service, and put under the direction of Alexander McClean, Esq., such number of militia as the said McClean may judge ne- cessary for guards to the commissioners for running the line between the States of Virginia and Pennsylvania, not exceeding one hundred.
Philadelphia, April 8, 1782.
The Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., presented to the Board the fol- lowing account for his attendance in council, from the 24th of March, till the 9th of April, 1782; 17 days at 17s. 6d. £14 17s. 6d.
Thereupon an order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., for the sum of fourteen pounds seventeen shillings and sixpence specie, amount of the above account.
Philadelphia, April 15, 1782.
A return of justices from Robinson township in the county of Washing- ton was received and read, by which it appears that Alexander Wright and James Ervins were duly elected justices for said township, thereupon,
Resolved, That Alexander Wright be appointed a justice of peace for the county of Washington, and commissioned accordingly.
WHEREAS, It hath been represented to this Board, that the freeholders of the townships of Cumberland and Morgan in the county of Washington (now Greene) have each of them neglected to choose two fit persons, on the 15th day of July, 1781, agreeable to the act of Assembly passed the 28th of March, 1781, entitled an "Act for erecting part of the county of Westmoreland into a separate county " to serve as justices of the peace.
AND WHEREAS, By a clause in an act of Assembly entitled "A further supplement to the act entitled 'an act directing the mode and time of elect- ing justices of the peace for the city and the several counties of the com- monwealth, and for other purposes therein mentioned,' passed August 31, 1778," it is enacted that where the freeholders of any district, county, town, township, or ward within this commonwealth have refused or neglected, or shall hereafter refuse or neglect to elect justices of the peace, agreeably
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
to the directions of the before recited acts, or of the further provisions herein made, that then it shall and may be lawful to and for the President or Vice-president in council, to commission a suitable number of justices of the peace to fill up such vacancies agreeably to the number settled in the aforesaid recited acts, therefore
Ordered, That John Minor be appointed a justice of the peace for the township of Cumberland, and Levi Karrod be a appointed a justice of the peace for the township of Morgan in the county of Washington, and that commissions be issued accordingly.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, April 17, 1782.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of John Cannon, Esq., for the sum of one hundred pounds specie, in part of contract for supplying the troops stationed in the county of Washington with provisions, for which he is to account.
The Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., presented to the Board the fol- lowing account for his attendance in council, viz .:-
From the 9th till the 17th of April, 1782, 8 days at 7s. 6d. $7.00, and thereupon an order was drawn for the amount of said account.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, June 12, 1782.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Captain John Hughes of the company of Rangers to be raised in the county of Washington, for the sum of sixty-five pounds specie, being two months pay for himself, Lieutenant Gabriel Peterson and Ensign James Morrison, officers of the said company for which they are to account.
Ordered, That Captain John Hughes, of the company of Rangers to be raised in the county of Washington, be directed to give a bounty, not ex- ceeding nine pounds specie, for such recruits as he may raise till his com- pany be completed.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, July 12, 1782.
Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the county of Washington be directed not to call out a greater number than one hundred militia at any one time for the defence of the frontiers of the county, but by special order of this Board.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, July 25, 1782.
Ordered, That a special commission of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery, directed to the Honorable Christopher Hayes and Dorsey Pentecost, Esquires, and Edward Cooke, Esq., be now issued to the county of Washington, for the trial of divers persons now confined in the gaol of the said county charged with high crimes and misdemeanors.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, August 14, 1782.
Ordered, That the county of Washington be directed to make out and return to the Board pay rolls of moneys due to the militia of the said county, with the proper vouchers for the same.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, September 28, 1782.
Ordered, That the Lieutenant of the county of Washington be directed to call out no more militia after the expiration of the time of those now in service ; his Excellency George Washington having received intelligence that the British have called in all the savages, and that no more parties are to be permitted to be sent out against the frontiers.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, October 26, 1782.
A letter from Thomas Scott, Esq., of Washington County, with a return of justices for Cumberland township in said county, was received and read,
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
by which return it appears that William McCleary and John Armstrong were duly elected justices. On consideration : Ordered, That the said letter and return lie on the table for consideration.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, October 26, 1782.
The Council resumed the consideration of the letter from Thomas Scott, Esq., and the return of justices for Cumberland township, Washington County ; and thereupon,
Ordered, That a letter be written to the said Thomas Scott, Esq., inform- . ing him that Council think it not quite prudent to issue a commission upon so old a return as that in which Mr. Edgar is mentioned, unless a petition from the people of the district had supported the sentiment expressed in his letter ; and that they have also thought it best to delay their decision on the return now received, as they are informed it is probable that one of the gentlemen named therein may be returned a member of the General Assembly ; but when that point is known, the Council will nominate and issue the commission, so as to forward it by the first opportunity.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, November 26, 1782.
Petition of David Hoge was read, stating that he had conveyed a piece of land to the commissioners to build a court-house and prison in Wash- ington County, and praying the said commissioners may be ordered to report their proceedings as soon as may be to this Board. (See March 14, 1783.)
IN COUNCIL. Philadelphia, December 4, 1782.
A return of the general election for the county of Washington was received and read, by which it appears that the following gentlemen were duly elected :-
Representatives. Matthew Ritchic and William McCleary. Sheriffs. Van Swearingen and Andrew Swearingen. Coroners. William McFar- lane and John Marshall. Commissioner. George McCormick. And the same being considered,
Ordered, That Van Swearingen, Esq., be appointed sheriff of the county of Washington, and that William McFarlane be appointed coroner of the said county, and that they be commissioned accordingly.
Van Swearingen, Esq., sheriff elect for the county of Washington, offers Matthew Ritchie and John Cornaghan as sureties for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office of sheriff of the said county, according to law, which the Council approve.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, February 15, 1783.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer, in favor of Col. John Cannon, for ninety-five pounds six shillings, balance of his account for rations fur- nished to the militia and rangers in Washington County, from February, 1782, till February, 1783.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, March 5, 1783.
A petition from Anne Browne, Jean McCulloch, Frances Morgan, Agnes Reed, Catharine Pecas, Leah Norris, Anne Straight, Hannah Russel, Nancy Peckerol, Elizabeth Shanks, Elizabeth Palmer, and Mary Patter- son, convicted of fornication and bastardy, in the county of Washington, and sentenced each of them to pay a fine of ten pounds to the use of the State, praying remission of their fines, was read, and thereupon
Ordered, That the fines adjudged to be paid to the use of the State by the persons before mentioned, be remitted.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, March 6, 1783.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, for sixteen pounds, for three hundred and twenty miles' riding to Philadelphia, at one shilling per mile.
IN COUNCIL. Philadelphia, March 14, 1783.
A report from Hugh Scott, Daniel Leet, Van Swearingen, and John Armstrong, of the county of Washington, appointed by an act of General Assembly of the 28th of March, 1781, to purchase a piece of land in said county, thereon to build a court-house and prison, was received and read, setting forth that, agreeably to the directions of the said act, they have purchased from David Hoge a piece or parcel of land, within one mile of the centre of said county, for the purpose expressed in the said act, and submitting the same to the approbation of the Council ; whereupon,
Ordered, That the said report be accepted and approved accordingly.
IN COUNCIL. Philadelphia, March 17, 1783.
Ordered, That an order be drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Captain John Hughes, Lieutenant Gabriel Peterson, and Ensign James Morrison, of the company of rangers in the county of Washington, to be charged to their account ;
Ordered, That a letter be written to Henry Taylor, Esq., of the said county, requesting him to pay to the non-commissioned officers and privates of Captain John Hughes' Company of Rangers two months' pay.
IN COUNCIL. Philadelphia, March 21, 1783.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer, in favor of Mr. Matthew Ritchie, for twenty-five pounds specie, to be paid by him to Alexander Wright and William Minor, being the reward allowed by proclamation of Council for two Indian scalps taken in the county of Washington.
The Council taking into consideration the proclamation of the 22d day of April, 1780, offering a reward for Indian scalps, and the reasons upon: which the same was founded no longer continuing,
Resolved, That the same be made null and void, anything therein con- tained to the contrary notwithstanding.
Ordered, That the foregoing resolution be sent to the Lieutenants of the county of Washington.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, March 22, 1783.
Resolved, That Council has no further use for the service of Captain John Hughes, commanding the Washington County Rangers, after the 5th of April next. That Captain Hughes be informed that Council return him thanks for the service he has rendered the State wbile in their employ.
An order was drawn in favor of Captain John Hughes, for thirty pounds specie, being two months' pay advanced to him, for which he is to account, to be paid out of the fund appropriated to the frontier defence.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, March 25, 1783.
An order was received on the Treasurer in favor of Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., for forty pounds, seven shillings and six pence, specie, amount of his account for his attendance in council from the 10th of February till the 26th of March, 1783.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, April 1, 1783.
The Comptroller General's report upon the account of James Marshall,. Esq., Lieutenant of the county of Washington, was read and approved.
5
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, May 1, 1783.
Ordered, That Capt. Joseph Stiles, Commissary of Military Stores, be directed to deliver four hundred and fifteen pounds of powder and eight cwt. weight of lead, to Col. Christopher Hays, for the use of the militia of Washington and Westmoreland counties.
Ordered, That letters be written enjoining it upon the Lieutenants of the said counties not to issue any part of this ammunition upon the receipts of the officers commanding corps, and that the same obligation be carried down to the private soldier.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, May 24, 1783.
A letter from John Cannon, Esq., contractor for the subsistence of the Washington Rangers, was read.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, May 29, 1783.
The Comptroller General's report upon the account of Thomas Scott, Esq., Prothonatory of Washington County, was read and approved.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, June 6, 1783.
Ordered, That the Washington Ranging Company be immediately dis- charged from the service of the State, but that in settlement of accounts they be entitled to pay and rations till the first day of July next. The eldest officer of the company lately commanded by Capt. John Hughes, is therefore directed to put all his vouchers, &c., into the hands of Captains Boyd and Stokely. The corps is also informed that Council, under a sense of their many services, will take some early moment to call the attention of the Assembly to their situation, and that no disposition or good offices shall be wanting to render it as easy as possible.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, August 27, 1783.
A letter was delivered to the Clerk of the General Assembly from Thomas Scott, Prothonotary of Washington County, in reply to several letters from Council upon the subject of the late communication from Vir- ginia.
IN COUNCIL. Philadelphia, August 28, 1783.
The Comptroller General's report upon the accounts of James Pollock and William Cocheran, Esqs., was read and approved.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, September 23, 1783.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., for thirty-one pounds, fifteen shillings, in full for his attend- ance in council to this day, inclusive, and his mileage.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, October 6, 1783.
The Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., sent in a resignation of his seat at this Board, which was read and accepted.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, October 7, 1783.
The following report from the Comptroller General was read and approved, upon the accounts of Thomas Scott, Esq., Prothonotary of Washington County, for tax arising from writs in said county.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, October 10, 1783.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Honorable Dorsey Pen- tecost, Esq., for fifteen pounds fifteen shillings specie, in full for his attend- ance in council till the 6th inst., inclusive.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, October 31, 1783.
Resolved, That Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., be appointed a Judge in, and President of, the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Washington.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
IN COUNCIL. Philadelphia, November 10, 1783.
The return of the General Election held in the county of Washington was received and read, by which it appears that the following gentlemen were duly elected, viz :--
Censors. James Edgar, John McDowell.
Councillor. John Neville.
Representatives. John Stephenson, Matthew Ritchie.
Sheriff's. Van Swearingen, Andrew Swearingen.
Coroners. William McFarlane, William McComb.
Commissioner. Demas Lindley.
On consideration, Ordered, That Van Swearingen be appointed sheriff, and William McFarlane coroner of the county of Washington, and that they be commissioned accordingly.
Van Swearingen, Esq., now offers John Neville, Andrew Swearingen, and Dorsey Pentecost, Esqrs., of the county of Washington, as sureties for the faithful performance of the duties of his office for the said county, accord- ing to law, which the Council approve.
IN COUNCIL. Philadelphia, November 14, 1783.
A representation from the magistracy of Washington County, upon the complaints of John Campbell and John Coxe, was read.
IN COUNCIL. Philadelphia, November 20, 1783. .
The following order was drawn on the Treasurer, viz: In favor of John Cannon, Esq., for two hundred and seventy-four pounds five shillings, in full, for rations furnished to Rangers and militia in Washington County till August 1783, inclusively, to be paid out of the frontier fund.
IN COUNCIL. Philadelphia, January 20, 1784.
The Comptroller General's report upon the account of James Marshall, Esq., Lieutenant, and James Allison, late sub-Lieutenant of Washington County, was read.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, March 26, 1784.
The Comptroller's report upon the account of Samuel Beeler for pro- visions furnished to the Washington County militia, was read and approved.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, March 30, 1784.
The Comptroller's report upon the account of Matthew Ritchie, late sub-Lieutenant of the county, was read and approved.
IN COUNCIL. Philadelphia, April 5, 1784.
The report of the Comptroller-General upon the account of Colonel Wil- liam Parker, late sub-Lieutenant of Washington County, was read and approved.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, June 10, 1784.
John White attended, and Council agreed to allow him twenty-one pounds ten shillings for riding express to the counties of Washington, Westmore- land, Bedford, Cumberland, York, Lancaster, and Chester, with dispatches to the several sheriffs of said counties, for calling the General Assembly, and thereupon an order was drawn in his favor for fifteen pounds specie in part of said sum.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, July 23, 1784.
A letter from James Marshall, Esq., Lieutenant of the county of Wash- ington, was read.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
IN COUNCIL Philadelphia, August 12, 1784.
The Comptroller General's report upon the accounts of Hon. John McDowell and James Edgar, Esqs., and orders drawn on the Treasurer for the sum of thirty-three pounds five shillings each, in full for their attendance severally, till the 10th inst. inclusively, as members of the Council of Cen- sors, to be paid according to resolution of Assembly of the 22d of Novem- ber, 1783.
IN COUNCIL. Philadelphia, September 10, 1784.
The record of the conviction of Thomas Richardson of burglary in the county of Washington, was read and considered; upon which it was
Resolved, That execution of the sentence of the court be made and done . upon him, the said Thomas Richardson, on Saturday, the 2d day of Octo- ber next, between the hours of ten of the clock in the forenoon and two of the clock in the afternoon of the same day, at the most proper and public place within the said county.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, September 25, 1784.
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer of the State in favor of James Edgar, Esq. (for fifty-six pounds eighteen shillings), a member of the Coun- cil of Censors, for his wages, for attendance in the said Council until this day, to be paid according to the resolution of the General Assembly, dated the 22d day of November, 1783.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, September 27, 1784.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Henry Taylor, Esq., for the sum of two pounds five shillings specie, for his services in paying the Ranging Company of Washington County, late commanded by Captain Hughes, agrecably to the Comptroller-General's report.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, September, 28, 1784.
The Comptroller-General's reports upon the following accounts were read and approved : For provisions furnished to the Washington County militia by William Campbell, Richard Elson, John Smith, William Rankin, Thomas Cherry, John Nichols, Henry Enoch, David Shepherd, Thomas Rankin, Stephen Treacle, Demus Lindley, James Marshall, Jr., and George Atkinson.
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