USA > Virginia > Rockingham County > Rockingham County > A history of Rockingham County, Virginia > Part 5
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13. Kercehval's History of the Valley of Virginia, reprint of 1902, page 49.
14. For detailed accounts of the massacres at Upper Tract and Fort Seybert, see Kercheval, pp. 89-91, and Morton's History of Pendleton County, West Virginia, pp. 42-50.
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A HISTORY OF
During this war with the French and Indians the legisla- ture of Virginia passed numerous Acts for the defence of the frontiers, for paying the troops called into ser- vice, and for supplying the army with provisions. The frontier counties naturally furnished the largest numbers of men for this war. In the seventh volume of Hening's Statutes is found a schedule, appended to an Act passed in September, 1758, giving the names of soldiers to whom pay was due, together with the names of other persons who held accounts against the Colony for work done for the army, for provisions furnished, for horses sold or hired, etc. In this schedule lists are given from 39 counties. Some of these lists are very short, a few are very long. The longest four, named in order of length, are those of Augusta, Bedford, Lunen- berg, and Frederick. Inasmuch as what is now Rocking- ham was then a part of Augusta, it is possible to find in the Augusta list a number of Rockingham names. The following, copied from the list of Augusta soldiers, are almost certainly names of Rockingham men :
Christopher Armentrout
Jacob Grub John Gum
Henry Benninger
George Capliner
George Hamer
John Cunrod
Stephen Hansburgher
Walter Cunrod
Gideon Harrison
Woolrey Coonrod
John Harrison
Hugh Diver Roger Dyer William Dyer
Nathan Harrison
Adam Hedrick
Abraham Earhart
Samuel Hemphill
Michael Earhart, Jr.
Leonard Herron Archibald Hopkins
Jacob Eberman John Eberman Michael Eberman Jacob Fudge George Fults John Fulse
John Hopkins (lieut.) Honicle Hufman Philip Hufman
Francis Kirtley (Capt.). Gabriel Kite George Kite
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George Hedrick
Michael Erhart
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
Jacob Kite
Valentine Kite William Kite
Daniel Long
Henry Long John Long William Long Ephraim Love, (Capt. ) 15
George Mallow
Michael Mallow
Nicholas Mildebarler
· Adam Miller
David Miller
Jacob Miller John Miller
Peter Miller
Jacob Moyers Nicholas Null Jacob Pence
Henry Peninger Gunrod Peterish Matthew Rolestone Samuel Rolston William Rolestone John Seller Edward Shanklin John Shanklin Richard Shanklin Paul Shever James Skidmore John Skidmore16 Joseph Skidmore George Shillinger Isaiah Shipman Josiah Shipman
Lodowick Slodser
Abraham Smith (Capt. ) 17
15. Capt. Love probably lived near the site of Singer's Glen. On July 29, 1748, Jacob Dye and Mary his wife sold to Ephraim Love, late of Lancaster County, Pa., 377 acres of land "on ye head Draughts of Muddy Creek under the North Mountain," adjoining Daniel Harrison. Witnesses, William Carroll, William White, and Peter Scholl. Peter Scholl lived on Smith's Creek. As early as 1742 he was one of the twelve militia cap- tains of Augusta, and in 1745 was one of the first justices of the county. Valentine Sevier, father of Gen. John Sevier, is represented as being a member of Scholl's military company in 1742. See Waddell's Annals of Augusta, pp. 45-47.
16. John Skidmore was one of the original justices of Rockingham County.
17. Abraham Smith, son of Capt. John Smith. A. Smith was a cap- tain of militia in Augusta in 1756. In 1757 he was a prisoner in the French dominions. In 1758 he was court-martialed, but acquitted, his accuser being punished. In 1776 he was colonel of militia; in 1778, one of the first justices of Rockingham County, and county lieutenant. He owned a large estate at the foot of North Mountain, about two miles from North River, which descended to his son Henry.
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A HISTORY OF
Daniel Smith (Lt.) 18
Ury Umble
Mathias Tice (Dice?)
Peter Vaneman
Christian Tuley
Jacob Wiece
Gunrod Umble
Joseph Wiece
Martin Umble
Filey Yacome
Among the persons named in the schedule as having fur- nished supplies to the the troops, the following were all probably from Rockingham:
James Bruister
James Fowler
Wooley Coonrod
Felix Gilbert19
George Coplinger
Ruben Harrison
James Cowan
Alexander Hering
Charles Diver
Leonard Hire
Hugh Diver
Nicholas Huffman
Roger Dyer
Archibald Huston
William Dyer
Gabriel Jones20
Michael Erhart
Joseph Love
Evan Evans
Henry Peninger
Nathaniel Evans
Matthew Rolestone
Rhoda Evans Lodowick Folk
William Rolestone
Ephraim Voss21
18. Daniel Smith, a younger brother of Abraham, was a captain of militia in 1776, and in 1778 was one of the first justices of Rockingham, being presiding justice at the time of his death in 1781. He lived at Smithland, two miles below Harrisonburg, and the first sessions of the county court were held at his house. His wife was Jane Harrison. He had been a justice in Augusta County, and had held the office of sheriff in that county. When the troops returned from Yorktown, in the fall of 1781, he was colonel of militia, and was thrown from his horse and fatally injured in the grand review held in Rockingham to celebrate the victory. See Waddell's Annals of Augusta, pp. 150-152.
19. Felix Gilbert was a well known citizen of Rockingham, wealthy, and prominent in many connections.
20. Gabriel Jones, "The Lawyer," lived on the river, a mile or two be- low Port Republic, the place now being known as Bogota.
21. Voss may have lived in Southwest Virginia, since Fort Voss (Vause) is said to have been at the head of Roanoke River, in the present county of Montgomery, about ten miles from Christiansburg.
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
By the favor of Mr. John T. Harris the author has been enabled to go over an old day book used from 1774 to 1777, etc., by Felix Gilbert, who lived and kept a store at or near the place since known as Peale's Cross Roads, five miles or so southeast of Harrisonburg. A number of items, copied from this old book, are given below. They have personal, social, and economic interest, as well as some political significance. 1775
Recd. for the Bostonians
Of Patrick Frazier
1 bus. wheat
Jos. Dicktom
2 do.
George Boswell
5% do.
(5 bus. Retd.)
James Walker 1
do. Return'd
George Clark
1 do.
James Beard
1 do.
Robt. Scott & son
2 do.
It is evident from the above that contributions were being made in this part of Virginia, as well as elsewhere, for the re- lief of the patriots of Boston, whose harbor had been closed by Act of Parliament in 1774, as a penalty for the "Boston Tea Party."
Monday, Decr. 5th, 1774
John Alford
(weaver)
Dr.
To 1 pr. Shoe Buckles
1 [s. ] 3 [d. ]
To 1 qt. whisky
1 0
To 1 pr. Compasses
9
To 3 doz. Buttons
-
2
0
[Same Date. ]
Robt. Elliot
Pr. Order Dr.
To pd. Schoolmaster
1
6 0
James Wayt Pr. Order
Dr.
To pd. Schoolmaster -
6 0
Dennis McSwyny (Schoolmaster)
Cr.
[By above two items and]
Wm. Ham
4
4
Esther Taylor
10 0
Wednesday, Decr. 7th, 1774.
Little Jack
Dr.
To 1 pt. Tin
9 [d.]
¿ pt. whisky
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A HISTORY OF
It is possible that Little Jack was an Indian. Whiskey was a common commodity in the Valley in Revolutionary days, as doth abundantly appear not only from Felix Gilbert's old ledger, but also from the records of the court, a number of which records may be found in the next chapter.
Decr. 13, 1774
Col. Thos. Slaugh'r
Dr.
To a handsaw
5
6
To Drawg Knife
2
9
a hammer
2
1 augr
1
3
1 pr shears
1
-
200 nails
2
10
2 Gimlets
-
6
1 Tin Cup
-
6
1} yds. flannl
3
1
Friday, Decr. 23d, 1774.
Capt. Danl. Love
Dr.
To 1 Gal. Rum
5
0
4 lbs. Sugar
3
4
To 4 pr. Garters
3
0
Colo. John Frogg
Dr.
To 1 knife & fork
2
3
To 1 sack salt
1
1
0
Saturday, Decr. 24th, 1774
Little Jack
Dr.
To 6 pipes
Tuesday, Decr. 27, 1774
Jacob Grubb per self & Frow
To 11b. Lead
6
To 1 stamp'd Handhf
3
6
To 273 lbs. Iron at 4 d.
9
2
To 6 lbs. Eng. Steel
6
0
To 3 1b. Blister'd do.
4₺
To 2 setts knit'g needles
8
Tuesday, Jany. 10th, 1775
Jacob Lincoln
To 24} lbs. Blistered steel
18
43
To 143 lbs. Eng. do.
-
14
6
To 1 hank silk
1 0
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-
-
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
Saturday, Jany. 14th, 1775
Jack (bigg)
Dr.
To ¿ pt. whisky
4 [d. ]
Were "Big Jack" and "Little Jack" both Indians? It would so appear from the nature of their purchases. Indians were frequently seen in this part of the Valley at a much later period.
Saturday, Feby. 11th, '75
Gawin Hamilton
Dr.
To 5000 E. nails
1 7 6
To 3 Chizels
3
0
To 1 Rasp
1 3
To 1 pr. saddle strops
1
0
Friday, Feb. 17th, '75
Capt. Rowland Thomas
Dr.
To 35 lbs. tallow at 6d
17
6
To 237 lbs. Flower at 12-1c 1
9
7}
Monday, Feby. 20th, 1775.
Mr. Thos. Lewis pr Capt. Smiths Cesar To makg Ring & Staple
& pin for Ox Yoke
3 9
Thursday, March 2d, 1775.
Mr. Gabl. Jones-per Jimm-
Dr.
To 6 Venison Hams at 1-9
10 6
Thursday, 9th March, 1775.
Doctr. Thos. Walker22 pr Mr. Gilmer To 2 yds Osnabrugs
2 . 2
Mr. Peachy Gilmer
Dr.
To 23 yd. wt. linin
3 3
3
To 2 Oz. wt. thread
3
0
To 2 felt Hats
4
0
To 2 qr. paper
3
6
-
22. This was probably the distinguished Dr. Thos. Walker, of Albe- marle County, Va.
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A HISTORY OF
Friday, March 17th, 1775.
Isaac Zane, 23 pr W. Crow Cr.
By 20-0-12 Iron
20 2 2
Tuesday, May 30th, 1775.
Mr. John Madison24 Senr. pr self To 18₺ yds. Velveret -
-
1 14 0
Saturday, July 1st, 1775.
Danl. Love
Dr.
To 2 Sickles
2 3
Thursday, July 6th, '75
Jacob Purky
Cr.
By 1 day Reaping -
-
2 6
By 1 day do. yr. negro
2
6
[No date: Probably 1777:]
one Davis a preacher has a Hyde of Leather-John wilson owes 3 Dollars-an old Quaker on Stephen jays place-Saml. watts owes some- thing.
Feby. 16th-1778 Boler Lee has rented ye plantation I had of Thos. Dooley on ye South mountain [Blue Ridge]. he is to have it for one year & to make up ye Fences & pay 400 lbs. of good merchantable Tobo. or 12 Barrils of Corn. if he Dos not keep it more than one year he is to let ye person that sukceeds him put in a fall Crop.
LIST OF TITHABLES FOR 1775.
Felix Gilbert was probably authorized by the Augusta County court to take the list of tithables in his distirct. At any rate, the following list, dated 1775, is found written in his book. Most of the names herein given are still familiar in Rockingham:
John Coutes 1 Heny. Munger 1
Robt. Heth 2 Jno. Tack 1
Jno. Deneston 2 Henry Tack 1
23. Gen. Isaac Zane had iron works on Cedar Creek, the present boundary between the counties of Shenandoah and Frederick. He was perhaps a brother of Elizabeth Zane.
24. John Madison was the first clerk of Augusta County, and was the father of Bishop Madison. He lived at Port Republic.
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
Jacob Tack
1 Adam Siller 1
Chas. Foy
1
Peter Siller
3
John Foy
1
Heny. Siller
1
John Mungor
1 Jacob Arkinbright 2
John Miller 1
John Rush
1
Paul Lingle 1
Henry Deck
1
John Lingle
1 John Deck 1
Danl. Price
2 Jacob Deck
1
John Futch
1
Lewis Rinehart
1
Fredk. Haynes
3
Geo. Hoofman
1
Heny. Null
Heny. Tamwood
1
Fredk. Armontrout
5
Jno. Null 1
Mathias Shooler
1
Jacob Lingle, Jur. 1
Ullry Hushman
2
Mathi's Kersh
1
Ullry Hushman, Jr.
1
Michl. Siller
1
Peter Nasmus
1
Avonas Bowyer
1
Geo. Conrod
1
John Bowyer
1 Conrod Petorfish 2
3
Saml. Magot 1
Peter Brunomer
2
James Madday
1
Anthony Brunomer
1
John Hardman 1
Danl. Sink
1
John Hadrick 2
Heny. Cook
1
Stephen Hansberger
3
Heny. Armentrout
1
Adam Hansberger 1 Heny. Price
Geo. Fridley 1
Boler Lee
1
Jacob Hammer
2 Michl. Dofflemire
1
Wm. Summersetts 1 Windal Leverts [?]
Geo. Blose 1 Adam Blose
1
Conrad Taylor
1
Conrod Young
1
Martin Doffilmire
1
Wm. Smith, Jr.
1
Christian Teter 1 Mijah Smith
1
Heny. Miller 3 Brustor Smith
1
Boston Noster
1 Wm. Smith
1
Thos. Barnet
1 Jacob Nicholas
4
Matthew Petmus
1 Richd. Welsh
1
Wm. Haney
1 John Lawn
1
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2
1
Jno. Futch, Jur. 2 Jacob Moyer
3 Michl. Hoofman 1
A HISTORY OF
Thos. Doolin
1 Robert Hill 3
Wm. Lee
1
Willm. Lee, Jr.
1
Zephaniah Lee
1
David Koch
1
Zachariah Lee
1 Rubin Roch 1
Martin Crawford
1
Willm. Boswell
2
Robert Lynes
1 John Frizor
1
James Raynes [?]
1 Ephraim Wilson
1
Thos. Berry
1
Wm. Coile
1
Jas. Raines Jur.
1
Thos. Huet
1
Jas. Berry
1
William Campbell
1
John Siller
1 Jno. Jackson
1
Christian Miller
1
James Bruster
3
Philip Lingle
1
Felix Gilbert
12
Jno. Armontrout
1
John Craig
9
Augustian Price
3
William Hook
1
Wm. Pence
1
Robt. Hook Irish
1
Jacob Grace
1
James Archer
1
Geo. Pence
[?]
George Shaver
1
John Pence
1
James Scott
1
Chas. Rush
1
Nat Scott
1
John Rush
1
Robt. Scott, Jr.
1
Anthoney Aler
2
Jacob Scott
1
William Oler
1
Nicholas M
3
Henry Oler
1
Michl. Trout
2
John Oler
1
Margt. Purkey
3
John Fults
3
Jacob Purkey
2
Cutlip Arie
1
John Pence, Jur.
1
Robert Hook, Sr.
2
Henry Pence
1
Evan Evins
1
Adm. Pence
1
Jonathan Evans
1
John Purkey
1
Saml. Twichet
1
Henry Purkey
1
John White, Sr.
5
Jacob Pence
1
John White, Jr.
1
Elijah Hook
1
Geo. Mallow
3
James Hook
1
John Hooper 1
The evidence is already abundant in the foregoing par- ticulars to show that the settlement of Rockingham was go-
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.
ing on steadily and rapidly during the whole period now under consideration, that is, the years from 1738 to 1777. £ The records concerning inn-keepers, military organizations, and well established communities, as well as those concerning numerous individuals widely distributed, indicate conclusively that even as early as the first courts in Augusta (1745) that part of the county now included in Rockingham was dotted over with clearings and homesteads. Additional evidence, if it were needed, might be found in the records of the old churches, some of which can easily trace their organization back into the early 18th century. St. Peter's, below Elkton, Peaked Mountain Church, at or near McGaheysville, Rader's Church, near Timberville, Friedens, near Cross Keys, St. Michael's, above Bridgewater, and Spader's Church, near Pleasant Valley, not to mention others, are all old churches, and in a few of them are well-preserved chronicles of very early days. The most complete and best preserved records are perhaps those found in the Peaked Mountain Church. Parts of these records were translated and published in 1905, by W. J. Hinke and C. E. Kemper, in the William and Mary College Quarterly. A complete translation should be given to the public in convenient form, since dozens of families, not only in Rockingham County, but also in many other parts of the United States, would find therein matter of great interest.
A few of the Peaked Mountain records of births and bap- tisms go back to 1750 and before, but the regular organiza- tion of the congregation must, perhaps, be placed a few years later. The following extract is given from the above-men- tioned translation by Mr. Hinke, as containing certain facts of historical interest relating to the period under considera- tion, together with a number of family names that have been familiar in Rockingham for more than a century and a half.
Agreement Between the Reformed and Lutheran Congregations Worshipping in the Peaked Mountain Church: Rockingham Co., Va., Oct. 31, 1769.
In the name of the Triune God and with the consent of the whole
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A HISTORY OF
congregation, we have commenced to build a new house of God, and it is by the help of God, so far finished that the world may see it.
We have established it as a union church, in the use of which the Lutherans and their descendants as well as the Reformed and their de- scendants, shall have equal share. But since it is necessary to keep in re- pair the church and school house and support the minister and school- master, therefore, we have drawn up this writing that each member sign his name to the same and thereby certify that he will support the min- ister and school-master and help to keep in repair the church and the school-house as far as lies in his ability.
Should, however, one or another withdraw himself from such Chris- tian work, (which we would not suppose a Christian would do), we have unitedly concluded that such a one shall not be looked upon as a member of our congregation, but he shall pay for the baptism of a child 2s. 6d., which shall go into the treasury of the church, for the confirmation of the child 5s., which shall be paid to the minister as his fee; and further, should such a one come to the table of the Lord and partake of the Holy Communion, he shall pay 5s., which shall go into the treasury of the church; and finally, if such a one desires burial in our graveyard, he shall pay 5s., which shall also be paid into the treasury of the church.
In confirmation of which we have drawn up this document, and signed it with our several signatures.
Done in Augusta County, at the Peaked Mountain and the Stony Creek churches, on October 31st, Anno Domini, 1769.
The present elders:
George Mallo, Sr. his John X Hetrick mark
Nicholas Mildeberger
Frederick Ermentraut
Philip Ermentraut
Jacob Bercke
Henry Ermentraut
his
Daniel Kropf
Jacob I. E. Ergebrecht mark
Peter Mueller, Sr. his
John Reisch
Adam O Hetrich mark
John Mildeberger
Jacob Traut
John Hausman
Augustine Preisch
George Mallo, Jr.
George Schillinger
Jacob Lingle
Anthony Oehler John Mann Alwinus Boyer
Peter Niclas
Jacob Kropf
Jacob Niclas
George Zimmerman
Christian Geiger
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Charles Risch Henry Kohler William Long
Jacob Ergebrecht
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.
Augustine Preisch, Jr.
Peter Euler
Conrad Preisch
William Mchel
Jacob Kissling
Jacob Risch
Jacob Bens
John Ermentraut
Adam Herman
John Schaefer
Michael Mallo
Christopher Ermentraut
his
Martin Schneider
Christopher X Hau
mark
John Bens
In closing this chapter it will be of interest to record the fact that the part of Augusta County now known as Rock- ingham furnished at least one company of soldiers in Dun- more's War, and that this company took part in the famous battle of Point Pleasant, October 10, 1774. This company was commanded by Captain, later, Colonel William Nalle, who lived in East Rockingham, and was, in 1778, made one of the first justices of Rockingham County.25 It is also a fact of special interest that it was a Rockingham man, Valentine Sevier, who, with James Robertson, later known as the father of Middle Tennessee, first discovered the presence of the In- dians early on that fateful morning at Point Pleasant. Sevier was a younger brother of General John Sevier, and was born in Rockingham in 1747. In 1773 he went to the southwest, and was thus a member of Captain Evan Shelby's company in 1774. He and Robertson went out before day at Point Pleas- ant to hunt turkeys, and thus discovered the Indian army. He was a captain in the Revolution, and took part in the battle of King's Mountain. After other military services, in which he rose to the rank of militia colonel, he removed to Clarks- ville, Tenn., where he died in 1800.
Among the other captains who took part at Point Pleasant, as given by Thwaites and Kellogg, were Benj. Harrison, John Skidmore, Joseph Haynes, and Daniel Smith.
Benjamin Harrison (1741-1819) was a son of Daniel Har-
25. For a list of the men in Captain Nalle's company, see the muster roll in the Appendix. This muster roll is copied from Thwaites and Kel- logg's Documentary History of Dunmore's War, page 405.
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Corad Loevenstein
A HISTORY OF
rison of Rockingham; father of Peachy Harrison, grandfather of Gessner Harrison. He was a colonel in McIntosh's cam- paign (1777), and led troops in 1781 to aid Lafayette against Cornwallis. John Skidmore, who was wounded at Point Pleasant, was a soldier in the French and Indian War and one of the first justices of Rockingham County. Daniel Smith, though living at this time in Southwest Virginia, was prob- ably a son of Colonel Daniel Smith of Rockingham. Joseph Haynes was a resident of Rockingham or of some section ad- jacent. In Felix Gilbert's day book before me, covering sev- eral years from December 5, 1774, the names of Capt. Jos. Haynes, Capt. John Skidmore, and Capt. Benjamin Harrison, as well as the name of Capt. William Nalle, frequently appear. Evidently they were all frequent customers at Gilbert's store, which, as shown above, was not far from Harrisonburg. It is reasonable to suppose, therefore, that a number of the men in the companies commanded by Harrison, Skidmore, and Haynes were also from Rockingham, though the rolls of these companies seem not to be preserved.26
26. For additional particulars regarding Harrison and Smith, the reader is referred to Waddell's Annals of Augusta, Boogher's Gleanings of Vir- ginia History, and Thwaites and Kellogg's Documentary History of Dun- more's War. In the last may also be found a sketch of Valentine Sevier, Jr.
Rockingham County Court House, Erected 1896
Photo by Dean [Page 178]
Front Views of Third County Court House, 1874-1896
[Page 168]
Rear Photo by Morrison
Second County Court House. 1833-1874 Photo loaned by Mrs. C. S. Burkholder
CHAPTER V. THE NEW COUNTY AND THE NEW NATION.
1777-1820.
In October, 1777, the Act providing for the creation of the County of Rockingham from Augusta was passed by the Virginia legislature; and early the next year, to wit, in April 1778, the first court for the new county was held. The board of justices was in session two days, and transacted a great deal of important business, not only in process of civil organ- ization, but also in reference to various personal interests of individual citizens.
The following paragraph, copied from the original min- ute-book of the court, will get the situation and the several actors on the scene clearly before us:
Be it remembered that on the xxvii Day of April MDCCLXXviii a Commission of the peace and a Commission of Oyer & Terminer under the Hand of his Excellency Patrick Henry Esq. Governor in Chief, dated the xxiv Day of March MDCCLXXviii directed to Silas Hart, Daniel Smith, Abraham Smith, John Gratten, Josiah Davison, John Skidmore, George Boswell, Thomas Hewitt, John Thomas, William Nalle, Robert Davis, James Dyer, Henry Ewing, William McDowell, Anthony Ryder, John Fitzwater & Isaac Hinckel Gent. Justices for the County of Rockingham being read, Daniel Smith & Abraham Smith having administer'd the Oath of a Justice of Peace as prescribed by Act of Assembly also the Oath of a Justice of Oyer & Terminer to Silas Hart Gent. and then the said Silas Hart administered each of the said Oaths to Daniel Smith, Abram Smith, John Gratten, Josiah Davidson, George Bowell, Thomas Hewitt, John Thomas, James Dyer, Henry Ewing, William McDowell, Anthony Ryder, John Fitzwater & Isaac Hinckle, aforesaid, who were sworn in the Commission of the peace & Justices of Oyer accordingly.
Following out a commission issued March 24, 1778, by Governor Patrick Henry, Silas Hart was sworn in as sheriff, with Gabriel Jones and Robert Cravens as sureties. Gaven
A HISTORY OF
Hamilton qualified as deputy sheriff. Thomas Lewis pro- duced a commission as county surveyor, from the president and masters of "the Colledge of Wm & Mary," and was sworn into the office, having Daniel Smith and Abraham Smith as sureties. Peter Hog was unanimously chosen and appointed clerk of the peace.
On this first day of the court, April 27, 1778, the follow- ing justices were present:
Daniel Smith
James Dyer
Abraham Smith
Henry Ewing
John Gratten
William McDowell
Josiah Davidson
Anthony Ryder
George Boswell
John Fitzwater
Thomas Hewitt
Isaac Hinckle
John Thomas
Various matters in the settlement of estates, etc., were transacted. The minutes are signed by Abraham Smith, but apparently written by someone else.
The court resumed its session the next day, April 28, 1778. At the opening six of the justices were present, namely: Daniel Smith, Abraham Smith, John Thomas, John Gratten, Isaac Hinckle, and John Fitzwater; an hour or two later Thomas Hewitt and James Dyer came in, and later still Josiah Davidson. A great deal of important business was transacted this day, in addition to the formal provisions for the settling of several estates.
The sheriff was ordered to summon 24 freeholders as a grand jury for the county;
William Bush, Jeremiah Beasly, Henry Brewster, George Huston, William Magill son of John, Elliot Rutherford, John Fulton, Jr., John Bryan, Jr., Reuben More, Mathias Leas, Y- Jr., Joseph Custard, William Dever, Beerton Blizard, Samuel Skidmore, and Jacob Ellsworth were appointed constables in their respective districts;
Abraham Smith was recommended to the governor and council as a fit man for the office of county lieutenant; Daniel Smith was in like manner recommended for colonel, Benja-
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J
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
min Harrison for lieutenant colonel, and John Skidmore for major;
John Gratten, John Thomas, and Daniel Smith were ap- pointed coroners for the county;
It was ordered that Gawen Hamilton, being first sworn, should run the division line between Rockingham and Au- gusta; also the "Length of the County from the said Line to Lord Fairfax's Line, or run any other Line by the Direction of Mr. Lewis the Surveyor to enable him to make out a plan of the County";
Gawen Hamilton was recommended as a proper man to serve as deputy surveyor under Mr. Lewis, "if he is pleased to appoint him to that office";
Gawen Hamilton was appointed a captain of the militia in the county; Joseph Smith, 1st lieutenant; John Rice, 2d lieu- tenant; and Wm. Smith (3d lieutenant?); Wm. Herring was appointed 2d lieutenant, and Joseph Dictam, ensign, in Capt. Robert Craven's company; Richard Reagen was appointed 2d lieutenant, and Joseph Smith ensign, in Capt. Daniel Smith's company;
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