Page 79 - History of Rockingham Co

A HISTORY OF

Hamilton qualified as deputy sheriff. Thomas Lewis pro-

duced a commission as county surveyor, from the president

Wmand masters of "the Colledge of & 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
Henry Ewing
Abraham Smith William McDowell
Anthony Ryder
John Gratten John Fitzwater
Josiah Davidson
George Boswell Isaac Hinckle
Thomas Hewitt
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

AJosiah Davidson. 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,

Jr., Joseph Custard, William Dever, Beerton Blizard, Samuel

Skidmore, and Jacob Ellsv/orth 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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