Lauderdale County, Tennessee
Court Minute Book A
May 2, 1835 - May 6 1844

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Ordered that the Clerk issue a summons directed to the Sheriff to notify Joel W. Kearby, administrator of Robert Maxwell, dec'd, to appear before this Court at the next term to give additional security.

Joel W. Kearby, administrator of the estate of Robert Maxwell, dec'd, returned an additional inventory of property of the estate, ((Page 476)  Joel and his sale bill.

Jesse R. Hutchison, overseer of the Fulton Road from Cane Creek Bridge to Fulton Turnpike, returned his road order and it is ordered that Miles D. Wakefield be appointed overseer in his place with the same hands and keep it in repair as a first-class road.

Adjourned.  /s/ J. H. Maxwell, Chairman; Henry S. Peyton, J.P.; Elnathan H. Condray, J.P.

(Page 477)  Court met in Ripley July 4, 1842.  Present:  John H. Maxwell, chairman; Esquires Childress, Condray, Peyton, Rice, Alexander, Hutcheson, Pope, Ledbetter; Isaac M. Steele, clerk; and Griffith L. Rutherford, Esquire, Sheriff.

Jas. L. Green, duly commissioned a Justice of the Peace, took the oaths and took his seat as a member of this court.

David Walker returned his order as overseer of the road from Ripley to the county line near Champ C. Conner's, and (Page 478) John Laird was appointed overseer of the road with these hands to work under him:  David Walker, Jas. A. Morris, A.G.W. Byrn hands, H. Vickery, M. Harnes, Wm. Hafford, Jerry Ruddle, Lance Graves and hands, John B. Byrn, and Joseph Glawson, and keep it in repair as a second-class road.

Griffith L. Rutherford, administrator of the estate of Joshua Wright, returned an account of  the sales of the estate.

James Price returned his order as overseer of the road from Ripley to Fulton as far as the old Fulton road, and Isaac Thompson was appointed overseer of the Fulton road from Ripley to the old Fulton road near Gaines' old place and he is to have the following hands:  John McCall, Joseph Wardlaw and hands, and (Page 479) James Price; and keep it in repair as a second-class road.

Andrew Caplinger proved by his oath the killing of one wolf over 4 months.

The court proceeded to establish a ferry on Hatchie River on the road from Durhamville to Covington at the place known as Williams Old Ferry and adjudged and decreed that Geo. W. Gause and Richard W. Green be appointed keepers and that they be liable according to the form of the statute as such keepers and enter into bond and security as required by law.  (Page 480)  George W. Gause entered into bond with John W. Durant and Thomas G. Rice, his securities.  These rates were decreed:

Ordered that Isaac M. Steele, clerk of the court, be paid $1 for a blank book purchased of James A. Lackey in 1840 to make the Sheriff tax list; $1 (for another book) purchased of James J. Robinson for the same

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(purpose) for the year 1841; 50 cents for (another book) purchased of Durant & Hearing for the same (purpose) for 1842; $1 for furnishing the Sheriff bond to the Comptroller; $1 for recording the settlement with the (Page 481) County Trustee in 1842; $1.75 for issuing 28 jury tickets from the October term of Circuit Court 1841; $1.56 ¼ for issuing 25 jury tickets from the February term 1842 of Circuit Court; $1.62 ½  for issuing 26 jury tickets from the June term 1842 of Circuit Court; $1.50 for all services in relation to three paupers--Rebecca Boswell, Charles Smoot, and Nancy Grant--for 1842; $1.50 for issuing 8 road and 2 juries of view (orders) from the October term 1841; 12 ½  cents for issuing one road order from December term 1841; $1.12 ½  for issuing 5 road orders and 2 orders for juries of view from the January term 1842; 25 cents for issuing 2 road orders from the February term 1842; $1 for issuing 6 road orders and 1 order for a jury of view at April term 1842; (Page 482) 37 ½  cents for issuing 3 road orders at June term 1842; ___ for furnishing sheriff with tax list for 1842; $1 for issuing venire facias for Febry. and June terms 1842 of Circuit Court--in all $36.37 ¼.

Ordered that Rezin S. Byrn, treasurer of the Commissioners of the Town of Ripley, be allowed to return as a compensation for his services 3% on all monies received and 3% on all monies paid out.

I. M. Steele, G. L. Rutherford, and Jonathan L. Hearring were appointed to divide the negroes devised by the last will of Amy (or Aney) (Page 483) Richardson, dec'd, to Rebecca A. Lackey, formerly Rebecca A. Richardson, Mary A. Richardson, and Virginia A. Richardson, children of  S. Richardson and report to the October term of this court.

Joel W. Kerby, administrator of the estate of Robert Maxwell, dec'd, returned an additional inventory and additional sale bill of the estate.

Ordered that Isaac Braden, Coroner, be paid $6.50 for funeral charges incurred by him in burying Henry Kimmons and a person whose name is unknown.

(Page 484) David Fitzpatrick, Elijah Lake, John McWhite, James B. Cook, A. H. Pope, Thomas J. Childress, and George Thumm were appointed to a jury of view to mark a public road (if in their opinion the public interest will be promoted thereby) from the most convenient point near Joseph Currie's in the direction of Fulton to intersect the Fulton Road near James B. Crook's and report to the October term.

(Page 485)  Isaac Moore proved on oath the killing of four wolves, one over and three under four months.

Ordered that Abel H. Pope, County Surveyor, be paid $3 for surveying and making a plat and certificate of the lot in Ripley on which the Old Court House is situated.

(Page 486)  Ordered that Archer Phillips, overseer of the road from Hurricane Hill to the forks of the road near James Whitson's, have the following hands in addition to those allowed him by his former order:  John Price, W. Boyd and John Boyd, and that he keep in in repair as a second-class road.

The court appointed John Thompson guardian of John W. Rudder, an orphan and minor heir of Saml. Rudder instead of Moses E. Stone, former guardian.  A. O. Thompson and William A. Wood were securities on his bond.

James W. Reynolds was appointed overseer of the road from Ripley toward Dyersburg in place of William Lunsford with the following hands to work under him:  Guilford Jones and hands, William Inman, Damon [sic--probably Damon Millsaps] (Page 487) Thomas Millsaps, George Millsaps, Millsaps [sic], John H.Maxwell and hands, J. D. Maxwell and hands, John J. Nelson and hands, William Lunsford and hands, Alfred Denny, Nicholas Reynolds, Walter Caruth, William Caruth, and Armsted B. Neely, and work from Ripley to the north bank of Caruth's Creek and keep the road in repair as a first-class road.

Ezekiel Farmer, administrator of the estate of Gilbert Elam, dec'd, returned on oath an account of sales of the estate.

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Gilly Hunter, guardian of William Hunter, a minor orphan, came into court and renewed her bond as required by law, and gave Abel H. Pope and Wm. P. Gaines as her securities.

Robt. B. Blackwell, guardian of Harriet E., Thomas J. J., and June A. W. Blackwell, minor orphans, came into court with Archer Phillips and R. H. McGaughy as his securities.

(Page 488)  The Court appointed Elizabeth Reams guardian of William Inman, a minor orphan, and she entered into bond with G. L. Rutherford and Nicholas Reynolds as securities.

Joel W. Kerby, administrator of Robt. Maxwell, dec'd, being solemnly called to come into court and give additional security in accordance with the order of this court at the last term, which had been made known to him as appears by the return of the sheriff of this county, came and refused to give additional security.  It is, therefore, ordered that he be dismissed from any further administration on said estate and it is ordered that Samuel Hankins be appointed administrator of the estate instead of Joel W. Kirby.  (Page 489) Samuel Hankins came into court and entered into bond with S. Richardson, Joseph Tayler, William D. Lee, and R. C. Campbell for securities, and took the oath.

William D. Lee, guardian of Malvina A. and Josiah C. Marley, minor orphans, came into court and renewed his bond giving Stith Richardson, Guilford Jones, and R. Campbell as securities.

This day the court elected Isaac Braden Coroner; he entered into bond with Archer Phillips, R. P. Russell, and Jno. W. Durant his securities and took the oaths.

(Page 490)  Venire for Circuit Court term on the next Monday in October to serve as grand or petit jurors:  S. S. Gause, William Turner, Joseph Currie, Monroe P. Estes, John J. Nelson, Rezin S. Byrn, Isaac D. Maxwell, William McClelland, Joseph Churchwell, James Sherman, James Gillespie, Leroy F. Lockard, Henry Willard, Sugars T. Evans, Jas. Hubbard, Lee H. Rucker, Henry Shearer, Calvin F. Ledbetter, William Jennings, Jesse Ledbetter, John W. Nearn, Benjamin Brown, George Chipman, Wm. B. Sawyer, and James Salisbury.  Samuel Deason and Robert Cri(h)field, constables, to attend the Court and jury.

(Page 491)  Ellison P. Fuller, David Williams, Daniel Williams, Green Baker, and Jas. B. Crook, a jury of view [appointed at the April term] reported that they had marked the road commencing on the Ashport road near William Nash, then with the road as cut by the citizens and to intersect the road [by?] Turner Williams.  It was ordered to be established.

Adjourned for the day.

(Page 492)  Court met Tuesday, July 5, 1842.  Present:  J. H. Maxwell, E. H. Condray, T. J. Childress, A.G.W. Byrn; Jessee Green, Wm. R. Ledbetter, H. S. Peyton, A. H. Pope, Thos. G. Rice, Esquires.; Isaac M. Steele, Clerk; and G. L. Rutherford, Esq., Sheriff.

A.G.W. Byrn, Esquire, returned an inquisition held by him on the body of William Y. Driskill.

R. S. Byrn, Archer Phillips, and Elijah Lake were appointed to receive proposals for purchasing a site and erecting the necessary buildings for a poor house for Lauderdale County and report to the October term.

(Page 493)  David P. Posey, guardian of Virginia H. Keller, a minor orphan and one of the heirs of Imri Keller, and Wesley Keller came into court and renewed his bond with Archer Phillip and Wm. P. Gaines as security.

Benjamin Whitson was appointed overseer to cut out a road from the Ashport Road near William Nash's intersecting the Fulton Road east of Turner Williams as viewed by the jury of view and is to have the following hands to cut the road:  H. C. Keller and hands, Jno. Chapman, Walace Rooks, Isham Robinson, Jas. H. Johnson, Jas. Sherman, E. P. Fuller and hands, Jonathan Gardner, Jas. Hodges, and Jas. Gillispie.  He is to he cut it out the same as a second-class road and report to the October term.

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Jas. H. Given proved by oath the killing of six wolves--one over and five under the age of four months.

(Page 494)  Ordered that William McFarlan,overseer of the road from Hatchie to Fulton road at Stephen Gardners old [place?], have the following hands to work under him:  John McWhite, J. Churchwell, J. P. Silvertooth, J. D. Edney, J. G. Childress, William T. Holm, John C. Barnes and hands, Nancy Childress' hands, Elijah Lake hands, Milton F. Lake, B. Gilstrap, E. Gilstrap, Lacey & sons, and keep it in repair as a second-class road.

Ordered that James B. Crook, overseer on the Fulton road from Cane Creek to the Lake road about one mile east of Turner Williams, have the following hands:  Merril Churchwell, David Williams, William Williams, George R. Williams, Wm. Cauley, Ransom Hawkins, Green Baker, Noah Baker, Robert Baker, E. Smith, Daniel Williams, James B. Crook's hand, Benj. Hammil, T. Williams, and T. Laney, and that he keep it in repair as a second-class road.

(Page 495)  Abner Pitts was appointed overseer of the Fulton road from the Lake road about one mile east of Turner Williams to the Ripley Road east of S. Gardner's old place with the following hands to work under him:  his own hands, Josiah Blankenship, Wesley Blankinship, F. Barfield, Henry Barfield, W. D. Barfield, Jno. Floyd and hand, Tho. L. Clark, Stephen Gardner, Wm. Prescott, L. F. Lockard, Thos. Lockard, Moses Lockard, and keep it in repair as a second-class road.

William P. Gaines, guardian of Juretta G. Neiswanger, a minor orphan, came into court and renewed his bond giving for security David P. Posey and Griffith L. Rutherford.

David A. Bradford, guardian of the minor heirs of Arnold Burke, came into court and renewed his bond giving John Bradford, Joseph Wardlaw, S. A. Thompson, and J. L. Hearring (Page 496) as securities.

Ordered that the Clerk notify all guardians appointed by this court heretofore and who have failed to come and renew their bonds that they are bound to come forward at the August term and renew their bonds.  Voting aye were Byrn, Green, Maxwell, Peyton, and Rice; voting no were Condray, Ledbetter and Pope.

Adjourned.  /s/ J. H. Maxwell, Chairman; A. H. Pope, J.P.; Elnathan H. Condray, J.P.

(Page 497) August term.  Quorum Court met August 1, 1842 at Ripley. Present:  John H. Maxwell, Chairman; A.G.W. Byrn and Elnathan H. Condray, Esquires; Isaac M. Steele, Clerk; Griffith L. Rutherford, Esq., Sheriff.

Isaac M. Steele, Clerk, presented a settlement made with Hiram C. Keller, guardian of H. M. Keller; and a settlement made with David P. Posey, guardian of Virginia H. Keller.

(Page 498)  James H. Given, guardian of John H., Washington, Polly W., and Nancy Johnson, minor orphans and heirs of Sally Johnson, renewed his bond in the sum of $1800 giving H. C. Keller and J. R. Hutcheson for security.

H.C. Keller, guardian of H. C. Keller, renewed his bond giving G. L. Rutherford and
James H. Given for security.

James Johnson resigned the office of Constable of the 5th Civil District.

Adjourned.  /s/ J. H. Maxwell, Chairman; Elnathan H. Condray, J.P.; A.G.W. Byrn, J.P.

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(Page 499)  September Term 1842 - Quorum Court met September 5, 1842, in Ripley.  Present:  John H. Maxwell, Chairman; H. S. Peyton and Elnathan H. Condray, Esquires; Isaac M. Steele, Clerk; Griffith L. Rutherford, Esquire, Sheriff.

Erasmus D. Thurmond records his stock mark.

Isaac M. Steele, Clerk, presented a settlement made with Stith Richardson, President, and Griffith L. Rutherford, Treasurer, of the board of Trustees of Ripley Academy.

(Page 500)  Pendleton G. Gaines was appointed overseer of the road from Covington to Ripley, working from Fullen's Ferry to Currie's with the hands in the following bounds to work under him:  commencing at E. Nevil's running a direct line to Joseph Currie's, from there due north to Barnes' Creek, then down the creek to the Hatchie River, then to the beginning, and that he keep it in repair as a second-class road.

John Laird was appointed overseer of the Brownsville road from Ripley to the county line near C. C. Conner with these hands in addition to those allowed him by his former order:  Amos C. Latham, Jeremiah Cheek, and Wm. Reed, and that he keep it in order as a second-class road.

Isaac Thompson, overseer of the Fulton road from Ripley to the old Fulton road near Gaines' old place is to have the following hands to work under him:  John McCall, Joseph Wardlaw and hands, James Price, (Page 501) and John Whitson and all hands that are or may come into the bounds of the aforementioned hands and that he keep it in repair as a second-class road.

Brice McElroy was appointed overseer of the old Dyersburg-Covington road from the south bank of Cane Creek to where the road intersects the Ripley-Dyersburg road with the following hands:  David Harriss, Carter Ellis, and the hands on Love's tract of land, and that he keep it in repair as a second-class road.

Ranzom Hawkins, guardian of Catharine Hawkins, came into court and renewed his bond giving H. C. Keller and A. H. Pope as securities.

John D. Edney was appointed overseer of that part of the public road between Wm. P. Gaines' old place and (Page 502) Silvertooth's Landing with the following hands:  James Silvertooth, Mrs. Hunter's hands, William T. Hulm, Richard Moore, F. Barfield, J. C. Barnes, Mrs. Childress' hand, Henry Barfield, Elijah Lake's hands, and Thomas L. Clark, John McWhite, J. Churchwell, J. G. Childress, Milton F. Lake, B. Gilstrap, and Lacey and sons, and William McFarland and that he keep the road in repair as a second-class road.

Samuel Hooper, one of the witnesses to the last will and testament of Henry Chambers, dec'd, says he saw him sign, seal, and publish it as his last will and testament, and that he subscribed it as a witness in the testator's presence.  William Pillow deposes and says that he saw Henry R. Chambers sign, seal, and execute the same for his last will and testament, and it was ordered to be admitted of record. (Page 503) Henry F. Rutherford and Martha H. Chambers qualified as executor and executrix and entered into bond of $4000 with G. L. Rutherford and William P. Gaines their security.

Adjourned.  /s/ J. H. Maxwell, Chairman; Ellanthan H. Condray, J.P.; Henry S. Peyton, J.P.

(Page 504) October 1842 Term. Court met October 3, 1842 in Ripley.  Present:  John H. Maxwell, Chairman; Esquires Condry, Peyton, Rice, Byrn, Pope, Fisher, Campbell, Childress, and Ledbetter; Isaac M. Steele Clerk, by his deputy Wm. T. Morehead; Samuel A. Thompson, Deputy Sheriff.

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Taylor's, then with the Hurricane Hill road to Watson's Creek or branch, then down it to the Fulton Road, then east with the road to the beginning excluding James E. Street and the hands of Mary J. Lea.  He is also to have James C. Lovelace's hands, George W. Tatum and hands, and Jeremiah Penick and hands.

(Page 505)  Ordered that Isaac M. Steele, Clerk, be paid 50 cents for issuing venirie facias for the October term of Circuit Court; $1.00 for issuing 8 road orders from the July term; 25 cents for issuing one order for Jury of view from the July term; $1.00 for notifying two guardians to renew their bonds; $2.00 for settling with the trustees of Ripley Academy; $1.00 for recording settlements with himself as clerk; $1 for recording settlement with David Gilliland, Clerk of the Circuit Court; 62 ½  cents for issuing 5 road orders from the September term; $1.00, the amount paid by him for a writing chair for the clerk's office, $15 for all services in relation to common schools for 1842; and $50 for ex officio services for the year 1842 making in all $73.37 ½.

Ordered that Jonathan L. Hearing be paid $5 for making a writing desk for the clerk of the county court and 75 cents for furnishing and putting a lock on it; $6 for making writing desk for the sheriff; 75 cents for furnishing and putting a lock on it.

(Page 506)  Wm. B. Chambers returned his road order as road overseer and William Curtis was appointed overseer in his stead of the road from the bridge on Mill Creek on the Dyersburg road to the Key Corner and that he have all the hands west of the Dyersburg road except Matthew Brandon and that he keep it in repair as a second-class road.

Drewry Massy returned his road order as road overseer and Benjamin F. Boydson was appointed in his stead overseer of the road from Ripley to intersect the Bucks Ferry road at Isaac Moore's with the following hands to work under him:  Thomas Lockard, Moses Lockard, Drewry Massey, Moses B. Chism, George W. Chism, Elijah Chism, Roland Ledbetter, J. J. Osteen, Hiram Meadows, William Sawyer, and Calvin F. Ledbetter, and that he keep it in repair as a second-class road.

Cyrus Webb and Ellison P. Fuller each proved by their own oath the killing of a wolf over four months of age.

(Page 507)  Benjamin Whitson proved by his own oath the killing of one wolf over four months, and Samuel Deason proved the killing of one under four months.

Samuel Hankins, administrator of the estate of Robert Maxwell, dec'd, returned an inventory of notes, accounts, judgments, negro property, etc., that has come into his hands.

David P. Posey was appointed guardian of Louisa Delph, an orphan.  He entered into bond with A. H. Pope and Thomas J. Childress his securities.

William D. Crook was appointed guardian of Napoleon, Lafayette, Mary, and Margaret Crook, minor heirs, and he entered into bond with James B. Crook and Daniel Williams his securities.

(Page 508)  Jemima Chism has departed this life intestate, and William R. Chism was appointed administrator after entering into bond and taking the oath.

Isaac M. Steele, Griffith L. Rutherford, and Jonathan L. Hearing, who were appointed in July to divide the negroes devised by the last will of Aney Richardson, dec'd, reported as follows:  to Rebecca A. Lackey we assign Nat at his valuation of $450 and (she) is to receive from Mary A. Richardson $8.33; to Virginia A. Richardson we assign Caroline and her child (Page 509) at their valuation of $450, and she is to receive from Mary A. Richardson $8.33; and to Mary A. Richardson we assign Berry and Mima at their valuation of $475 paying R. A. Lackey and Virginia A. Richardson $8.33 each.  Report was accepted and ordered to be vested as set forth.

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Brownsville at or near Mr. Thomas Blackwell's and intersect the road from Durham to Williams' old ferry at the new Methodist Church on said road near Mr. James C. Lovelace's and report to the January term.

Ordered that G. L. Rutherford, Sheriff, be paid $4 for work done on the jail and 12 ½  cents for one pound of nails.

(Page 510)  William A. Wood resigned as constable.

Samuel S. Gause returned his road order and Monroe P. Estes was appointed overseer in his stead of the road from Thomas G. Rice's gin to the Haywood County line with Saml. S. Gause's hands, the hands of Shadrack Rick and his own hands to work under him and keep it in repair as a second-class road.

James H. Cleaves returned his road order and David Fitzpatrick was appointed overseer in his stead on the road from Durhamville toward Covington as far as Joseph Currie's and he is to have the hands in the following bounds:  west of Williams Ferry Road to the spring branch of Mrs. Thompson, thence with the creek to Hatchie River and south of the road to the river except the hands on Wardlaw's plantation, P. G. Davenport, Carter Whitson, and Nevils.  He is to keep the road in repair as a first-class road.

Benjamin Whitson, appointed at the July term to cut out a road from the Ashport Road near Wm. Nash's intersecting the Fulton Road east of Turner Williams', returned his road order endorsed "The within order executed by cutting out the within named road, September the 15th 1842 /s/ Benj. Whitson.

(Page 511)  John Wood, who was appointed at the April term overseer to open a road from Ancel Reynolds to the Ashport Turnpike near Saml. Deason's, returned his order executed according to law.

Matthew Brandon returned his road order and James Soward was appointed in his stead overseer of the Dyersburg Road from Mill Creek to the Dyer County line with all hands east of the road and north of Mill Creek and all hands on Matthew Brandon's place and William M. Omohundro's Orval Thurmond's place.  He is to keep it in repair as a first-class road.

Gordon W. Stone returned his road order and Marshall A. Posey was appointed in his stead overseeer of the road from Ripley toward Covington commencing at Batie's fork of Cane Creek and working to John Fullen's field with the same hands that Stone had to work under him, and keep the same in repair as a first-class road.

Adjourned for the day.

(Page 512) Oct. 4, 1842

Hermis Champ to be paid $7.87 ½  cents for boarding a runaway negro 21 days.

William Walpole returned his road order; Caleb W. Anderson was appointed in his stead to oversee the road from Mill Creek toward Bucks ferry with the same hands Walpole had.  He is to keep the road in repair as a second-class road.

(Page 513) William D. Lee returned his road order; William T. Morehead was appointed in his stead to oversee the road from Ripley to Brownsville beginning at Ripley and working to the Cross Roads near Hermis Champ's old place with the following hands:  Robt. C. Campbell's hands; Benjamin Watkins & hands; Dunlap, John P. Fossett, Joseph Taylor, William D. Lee and hands, Alexander McKinnon, William

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Mcclelland, Thomas Hazlewood & hands,   Dunahoo and Walter Glasson.  He is to keep it in repair as a first-class road.

James Gillespie proved on oath the killing of a wolf over age of four months.

Rezin S. Byrn, Elijah Lake, and John H. Maxwell were appointed commissioners to procure a site and have the necessary buildings erected for a poor house to be completed by the next January term and they are to report to the next January term of Court.

(Page 514) Nicholas Reynolds was appointed overseer of the road from Boling Fisher's to Ashport beginning at Boling Fisher's lane and work to where it intersects the Bucks Ferry Road with the following hands:  hands of Edward Fisher, William Nearn and Ancel Reynolds, and keep it in repair as a second-class road.

Elijah Lake was appointed to cut out the west end of the new road marked out from Joseph Currie's to intersect the Fulton Road west of Green Baker's commencing where it crosses the Silvertooth Road with the hands in the following bounds:  beginning at the Fulton Road where the Silvertooth Road intersects it and running with Silvertooth's road to Edney's, thence with the road to Childress' old Ferry on Hatchie River, thence down the river to the mouth of Cane Creek, then up the creek opposite Benjamin Hamil's, then south including Hamil, to the Fulton Road east of Turner Williams and with the Fulton Road to the beginning, and he is to report to next January term of Court.

George Thumb was appointed overseer to cut out the east end of the new road marked out from Joseph Currie's to intersect the (Page 515) Fulton Road west of Green Baker's commencing at Currie's and opening it to where it crosses the Silvertooth Road with the hands in the following bounds:  beginning at the Covington Road at Hurricane Hill thence with that road to Fullen's Old Ferry on Hatchie River, thence down the river to Childress' Old Ferry, thence with that road to Edney's, thence with the Silvertooth Road to the Fulton Road near Gardner's old place, thence with said road to Hurricane Hill, the beginning, and he is to report to the next January term of Court.

Ordered that the part of the old Bucks Ferry and Stokes Landing Road over which Joshua Wright was overseer be discontinued.

Ordered that George W. Lumpkins be appointed overseer of the new road from the northwest corner of Ancel Reynolds' field to intersect the turnpike road near Samuel Deason's with the following hands:  John L. Ledbetter, Samuel Lusk, William Jennings, Thomas Jennings, Green B. Jennings, Samuel Jennings, Reuben P. Kennedy, John Langley, Andrew Langly, Hesekia_ Henderson and James J. Osteen.  Road to be kept in repair as a second-class road.

(Page 516) Court adjourned.  /s/ J. H. Maxwell, Chairman, Elnathan H. Condry, J.P., E. H. Hinton, J. P.

(Page 517)  Court met November 7, 1842 in Ripley - Present:  John H. Maxwell, chairman; Henry S. Peyton and E. H. Condray, Esquires, the quorum court.

At the October session Thomas M. Blackwell had proved on oath that he had killed a wolf over age of four months and the clerk failed to enter it on the minutes; therefore, it is ordered to be entered nunc pro. teme and (Page 518) certified to the comptroller of the Treasury.

Isaac M. Steele presented a pro rata distribution made by him as clerk of the Court of the estate of Jeremiah Cotter, dec'd, and Absolum G.W. Byrn, administrator, paid the creditors in accordance with the report and settlement.

William R. Chisholm, administrator of Jeremiah F. Chism, dec'd, returned an inventory.

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(Page 519)  John H. Maxwell, chairman, by the direction of the Court, bound Elijah W. Robison, a minor orphan aged 11 years on March 12, 1842, to Hiram Meadows to live and work as an apprentice until he reaches the age of 21.  Elijah shall obey the lawful commands and faithfully serve Hiram Meadows and be in all respects subject to his authority and control according to law and his duty as an apprentice.  Meadows covenants to teach and instruct Robison in the trade and occupation of a farmer and to read and write and some good arithmetic, or cause the same to be done, if he have sufficient (Page 520) capacity.  He is also to provide sufficient diet, lodging, washing, and apparel and other necessaries suited to an apprentice both in sickness and in health and take care of his morals and treat him with humanity and at the end of the time give him one horse, saddle and bridle worth $75, a good feather bed, and two good suits of clothes.  Wm. R. Chisholm was his security.

Wm. J. Connelly was appointed to oversee the Ashport road from Cane Creek to the bluff of Cole Creek with the following hands:  E. Balenger, John Rackly, _____ Rackley, John Arnold and hands, Thomas Turner, John King, Charles ((Page 521) Black, and John G___; and keep the road in repair as a first-class road.

Wm. R. Ledbetter appeared and took his seat as a member of the Court.

Rezin S. Byrn, John H. Maxwell, and Elijah Lake who were appointed commissioners of a poor house at the October session were sworn according to law.

James J. Robinson produced his certificate of election as constable in the 2nd District and made bond with Robert C. Campbell, James Whitson, and William D. Gaines as his securities.

(Page 522) Adjourned.  Signed, J. H. Maxwell, Chairman, Elnathan H. Condray, J.P.; Henry S. Peyton, J. P.

(Page 523) Quorum Court met in Ripley December 5, 1842 - Present:  J. H. Maxwell, E. H. Condray & A.G.W. Byrn, Esquires.

Isaac M. Steele, Clerk of the Court, made settlement with P. G. Davenport, executor of the last will and testament of George Moore, dec'd, and with John Fletcher, administrator of the estate of John Cochrane, (Page 524) dec'd.

It appears that Rezin G. Henley, Revenue Commissioner of the 5th Civil District, committed a clerical mistake in putting down the valuation of 435 acres in his district belonging to the Union Bank of Tennessee as $217.50 when he ought and intended to put it at $2175[sic].  It is ordered that Union Bank be released from the payment of $9.82 state tax and 19.64 county tax erroneously taxed as above.

Wm. R. Chisholm, administrator of Jeremiah F. Chisholm, dec'd, returned an account of sales of the estate.

(Page 525)  William A. Cleaves, administrator of Michael Cleaves, returned an inventory and account of sales.

William Elmore and William Ball, subscribing witnesses to the last will and testament of Ann Lytle, were sworn and said that they saw her execute it and subscribed it as witnesses in her presence.  It was ordered to be admitted of record.

G.L. Rutherford, sheriff and collector of the public taxes made the following report:
Insolvents for the year 1842

– 85 –

G.L. Rutherford made oath that the list was true to the best of his knowledge and that he has used all legal ways and means in his power to collect the taxes on the list from the time he received it from the clerk, and that he could not find any property to enable him to collect the taxes.  Court ordered that he be allowed a credit (Page 528) for state and county taxes on the insolvents.

Men to serve as grand or petit jurors at Circuit Court  the first Monday in February:
S. V. Gilliland, Cyrus Webb, Asa Pate, R. P. Russell, Wm. Lansford, A. S. Tucker, James Whitson, J. S. Hearring, Abner Pitts, Wm. Strain, E. P. Fuller, D. C. Russell, A. Caplinger, H. Leeper, John C. Barnes, Wm. L. Mitchell, John Arnold, Saml. Lusk, John A. Hogsett, Hiram Meadows, J. J. Smith, C. G. Manning, B. M. Flippin, Edward Kennelly, and Claiborne Rounsaville, with Samuel A. Thompson and Jas. J. Robinson as constables to attend the court and jury.

(Page 529) William Bibb was appointed to oversee the part of the road from Ripley to Brownsville by way of C. C. Conners lying between the forks of the road near James Price's and the Haywood County line with the following hands:  James W. Morris, Wm. Hafford, David Walker, J. Cheek, Amos E. Latham, Wm. Reed, James Brogden, Absolam Vickory, John B. Byrn, J. W. Hollman, Joseph Glawson, and Joseph Lowry.  The road is to be kept as a second class road.

Adjourned.  Signed, J. H. Maxwell, Chairman, Elnathan H. Condray, J.P., Absalom G.W. Byrn, J.P.

(Page 530)  Court met January 2, 1843 - Present: A.G.W. Byrn, Elnathan H. Condray, William R. Ledbetter, A. H. Pope, Jas. L. Green, Henry S. Peyton, T. G. Rice, Esquires.

– 86 –

James L. Green, Esqr. was elected chairman.

(Page 531) Revenue Commissioners appointed to take a list of taxable property and polls for 1843: Tho. G. Rice in Civil Dist. 1; A.G.W. Byrn in Civil Dist. 2; A. H. Pope in Civil Dist. 3; J. M. Alexander in Civil Dist. 4; E. S. Campbell in (Page 532) Civil Dist. 5; E. H. Condray in Civil Dist. 6; Edward Fisher in Civil Dist. 7; John S. Robbins in Civil Dist. 8.

Jas. L. Green, A.G.W. Byrn, and Abel H. Pope, Esqs., were elected to hold the quorum court for 1843.

(Page 533)  Joseph Hays was appointed guardian to Jesse J. Moore, Betsy A. Moore, and George W. Moore with Joseph Wardlaw, and Samuel A. Thompson his securities with bond of $300.

Rezin S. Byrn was elected treasurer of the poor house and made bond with Samuel V. Gilliland and David Gilliland his securities.

Elnathan H. Condray resigned as Ranger.

(Page 534)  Elijah Lake and Rezin S. Byrn, two poor house commissioners, reported that after considering the sites offered for the erection of the poor house with reference to health and cheapness, they have contracted for the occupant claim on which Joseph Glawson resides consisting of 77 acres, with between 12 and 15 acres in cultivation, for which they have agreed to pay $150.73.  They have not caused a house to be built because of (Page 535) insufficient time, but there is a cabin on the place which will, in their opinion, answer the purposes for a year.

The following payments were ordered to be paid on unanimous votes:

W. Hamil - $5 for making a coffin to bury Rebecca Boswell, a pauper;

Griffith L. Rutherford, sheriff - $50 for his ex officio services for 1842, (Page 536)    
$25 for furnishing wood and water for the Courts and taking care of the court house, and $1.12 ½  for postage he paid on commissions of Justices of the peace;

James Hodges  - $1.50 for hauling the coffin of Rebecca Boswell from Ripley to the burying ground;

John H. Maxwell - $12 for holding the quorum courts 8 days;
(Page 537) Elnathan H. Condray - $12 for holding quorum courts 8 days;
Henry S. Peyton - $6 for holding quorum courts 4 days;
Henry Willard - $3 for holding quorum court 2 days;
(Page 538) Absolum G.W. Byrn - $3 for holding quorum court 2 days;

Ordered that all that portion of Lauderdale County north of Forked Deer River be erected into a Civil District to be called and known as Civil District No. 9 and that the election ground be at the house of Wm. L. Mitchel.

Rezin S. Byrn and Samuel V. Gilliland were elected Commissioners of Revenue to settle with the county officers.

(Page 539)  Tax rate was set:
On each $100 of taxable property - 3¢ contingent tax; 3¢ jury tax; 3¢ poor tax; 3¢ road and bridge tax. 
On each white poll - 12 ½ ¢ jury tax; 12 ½ ¢ contingent tax; 12 ½ ¢ poor tax.
On all licensed privileges, the same as the state tax.

Isaac M. Steele settled with John H. Lanier, executor of the last will and testament of Jonathan Jones.

– 87 –

(Page 540)  Laban Jones was appointed to oversee the Ripley to Dyersburg road between Mill Creek and the Dyer County line with all hands east of that road and north of Mill Creek and the hands on Matthew Brandon's and Orville Thurmond's plantations and keep it in repair as a first-class road.

Isaac D. Maxwell was elected Ranger to replace Elnathan H. Condray who resigned.  He made bond with Hiram C. Keller and William Lunsford his securities.

Peter R. Winningham was appointed to oversee the part of Brownsville to Fulton Road between the Haywood County line and Durhamville with the hands of Mary J. Lee to work it and keep it in repair as a first-class road.

(Page 541)  Thos. Blackwell, Smith Kent, John P. Rice, James C. Lovelace, William Turner, and A. Pate, a jury of view, have marked a road commencing on the Brownsville Road near Camp Creek Bridge, then west to William Turner's west line, then southwest near Daniel Cherry and David A. Bradford's corner, then along Bradford and Rhodes' line to the Durhamville road, and it was ordered the road be established.  William Turner was appointed overseer to cut out and open the road commencing on the Brownsville-Fulton Road near Camp Creek Bridge and intersecting the road from Durhamville to Green & Gause ferry at St. Paul's Chapel as viewed and marked out by the jury of view.  The following are to work under him:  J. P. Rice and hands, Thomas Blackwell's hands, John Bradford's hands, Smith Kent's hands, James C. Lovelace & hands.

(Page 542)  J. F. Jett, Jos. Taylor, J. Faucett, Tarlton Durham, Alex _. Tucker, Robert Walker, and Samuel Dunlap were appointed to view and mark out a road commencing on the Ashport Turnpike a few rods west of Mr. Hazlewood's house, running south by Robert Walker's, then westwardly to Hurricane Hill, if they think the public good requires it, and report to the April session.

The coroner was ordered to take possession of and sell the property of Edward Harris and appropriate it to the payment of his burial expenses and report his proceedings to the Court.

(Page 543)  Lee H. Rucker was appointed Revenue Commissioner to take a list of taxable property and polls for the 9th Civil District for 1843.

Adjourned for the day.  Signed, Jas. L. Green, Chmn., A. H. Pope, J.P.; Abs. G.W. Byrn, J.P.

Tuesday morning, January 3rd 1843 - Present: James L. Green, Esq., Chairman; Esqrs. William R. Ledbetter, Absolam G. W. Byrn, Abel H. Pope, E. H. Condray, E. H. Hinton

Elijah Lake was appointed to oversee the part of the public road from Joseph Currie's to the Fulton road between the Fulton road and the east end of the first bridge east of the said Lake's with the hands on his own plantation and keep it in repair as a second-class road.

(Page 544) Marshal A. Posey to oversee the Ripley-Covington Road from Baties forks of Cane Creek to Fullen's field with J Currie and hands, D. C. Russell and hands, hands on Gilliland plantation, hands on P. Posey's plantation, Joshua R. Stone, G. W. Stone, Wm. Spence, and the hands on J. Buchannon's plantation, and keep it in repair as a first-class road.

Elijah Lake reported that he had opened the road from Joseph Currie's to the Fulton road as ordered.

Pendleton G. Gaines was appointed overseer of the Ripley-Covington road from Fullen's ferry to Fullen's field with the hands in these bounds to work under him:  commencing at E. Nevil's, then due north to Barnes Creek, then down the creek to the Hatchie, and to the beginning, and keep it in repair as a first-class road.

– 88 –

Benjamin Porter's hands, Rezin Porter, Saml. Hankins' hands, William Spence, and John Thurmond, and keep it in repair as a second-class road.

Alfred Kennedy was appointed overseer to cut and open a road from the termination of Eaton-Fulton Road at Haywood county line to the termination of Eaton-Fulton Turnpike and keep it when opened in order as a first-class road with these hands: Dabney P. Phillips, Wm. H. Howard, John B. Dodd, Wm. Dodd, Jas. Ingraham.

James A. Luckey to be paid $5 for medical services rendered Rebecca Boswell, a pauper.

(Page 546)  At the request of Isaac D. Maxwell, Ranger, Isaac M. Steele took the oath as Deputy Ranger.

Adjourned.  Jas. L. Green, Chmn., A. H. Pope, J.P., E. H. Hinton, J. P.

(Page 547)  Court met February 6, 1843 - Present:  James L. Green, Abel H. Pope and A.G.W. Byrn, Esquires

Caleb W. Anderson appeared and made oath that the testatrix [testatrix was not named, Ed.] signed and published the writing annexed to this Commission and certificate as her last will and testament, that she was of disposing mind and memory and that he subscribed his name thereto in the presence of the testatrix at her request.  It was ordered to be certified to the County Court of Caroline County, Virginia, to be there recorded.

Isaac M. Steele, Clerk, made settlement with James H. Given, guardian of John H. Johnson, Wm. H. Johnson, P. W. Johnson, Nancy Johnson, and Sally Johnson. (Page 548)  He also made settlement with John Thompson, guardian of John W. Rudder; and with William G. Rounceville, administrator of Amos Rounceville, dec'd; and with Robert B. Blackwell, guardian of Harriet E. Blackwell, Thomas J. J. Blackwell, Henry F. Blackwell, and Jane A. V. Blackwell.

John Boyd was appointed to oversee the road from Hurricane Hill to the forks of that road near James Whitson's with the following hands:  William Boyd, (Page 549) Griffin George, John Alverson and sons, and Samuel W. Davenport and sons, and John Fullin, and keep it in repair as a second-class road.

James H. Cleaves was appointed guardian to Alfred D. Conner commonly called Alfred D. Moore. A. S. Durham, and Joseph Hays entered as securities with him on $500 bond.

Isaac M. Steele, clerk, settled with William A. Cleaves, administrator of Michael Cleaves, dec'd.

(Page 550) Guilford Jones, County Trustee, reported on receipts and disbursements for 1842:

– 89 –

(Page 553)  It appears to the Court that Eleanor Wood, who obtained letters of administration upon the estate of Sabret Wood, dec'd, from the County Court of Tipton County, has departed this life before the expiration of her administration, and William A. Wood, having applied for letters of administration de bonus non and having entered into bond with security and took the oath, he is to have letters accordingly.

– 90 –

Adjourned for the day.
Met Tuesday morning - Present:  James L. Green, Esqr., Chairman, Abel H. Pope and Absalom G.W. Byrn.

George Thum, who was appointed overseer to cut out the east end of the new road from Joseph Currie's to intersect the Fulton Road west of Green Baker's, reported, recommending W. H. Fisher as overseer.

(Page 554)  Joseph Hays, guardian for the minor heirs of Jessee Moore, appeared in open court and made oath that $54.93 had come into his hands as guardian.

Alfred Kennedy, overseer to cut out the road from Haywood County line to the termination of the Fulton-Eaton Turnpike, is to have, in addition to the hands allowed in his former order, the hands living between Tisdel Creek and R. P. Currin's east boundary and Rutherford's Creek.

Adjourned.  Signed, Jas. L. Green, Chairman; A. H. Pope, J. P.; Absalum G.W. Byrn, J.P.

(Page 555) Quorum Court met March 6, 1843 - Present:  James L. Green, Esquire, Chairman, and Esquires Absolam G.W. Byrn and Abel H. Pope.

Released from paying double taxes:
Absolam Bostick on lots #4, 5, 11, 45, 47, 81, and 87 in the town of Ripley
                Nicholas T. Perkins on 274 acres in the 6th Civil District
                Isaac Taylor on 155 acres in 6th Civil District
                James P. Taylor's heirs on two tracts of 640 acres each (Page 556) in 4th Civil District
                Isabella Wilson on a slave valued at $500
                Parks Campbell & Co to be permitted to list 200 acres in the 6th Dist. for single taxes
                Alden Gifford on tracts of 640 acres and 274 acres in the 6th Dist., and 4,000 acres in the 7th Civil District

Absolam Vickery to oversee that part of the road from Ripley to Brownsville by way of Champ C. Conner's lying between the forks of the road near James Price's and the Haywood County line with the following hands:  William Bibb, James A. Morris, Wm. Hafford, David Walker, J. Ch(ee?)k, Amos Latham, William Reed, James Brogden, W. Holleman, Joseph Glawson and (Page 557) Joseph Lawry, and keep it in repair as a second-class road.

Robert Black to be released from double tax on 400 acres in the 3rd Civil District.

The clerk presented settlements with Gilly Braden, alias Gilly Hunter, guardian of William Hunter, and with Isaac Braden, guardian of Mahala Braden and others, and with Jonathan Laney, administrator of Matthew Turner, dec'd.

(Page 558) Samuel V. Gilliland to be released from double tax on 320 acres in the 4th Civil District, and Calvin Jones from tracts of 750 acres, 127 acres, 50 acres, and 22 acres in the 5th Civil District.

Adjourned.  Signed, Jas. L. Green, Chairman, Absalum G.W. Byrn, J.P., A. H. Pope, J.P.

(Page 559)  Court met April 3, 1843 - Present:  A.G.W. Byrn, A. H. Pope, E. H. Condray, W. R. Ledbetter, J. M. Alexander, J. H. Maxwell, E. Fisher, and T. J. Childress, Esquires

Edward Fisher was appointed Chairman protempore.

(Page 560, 561) Griffith L. Rutherford, sheriff and collector of taxes, renewed his bonds for $1000 and $2000.  He was elected sheriff and collector of the State and County Taxes for a two-year period from the first Saturday in March 1842.  His securities were Henry F. Rutherford and William P. Gaines.

– 91 –

(Page 562)  Isaac M. Steele was paid $1.56 ¼ for issuing 25 jury tickets from the October term of Circuit Court, $1.62 ½  for issuing 13 road orders from the October session of court; 25 cents for issuing an order for Jury of view from October session; 12 ½  cents for issuing one road order from the November session; 12 ½  for issuing one road order from the December session; (Page 563) 50 cents for issuing the writ of venirie facias from the December session; 18 ¾ cents postage paid on a letter from the Secretary of State; 87 ½  cents for issuing 7 road orders from the January session; 25 cents for one jury of view at the January session; $1.43 ¾ for issuing 23 jury tickets from the February term of Circuit Court; 25 cents for two road orders at the February session; 12 ½  cents for one road order at March session; $1 for cash paid for the delivery of two copies of Caruthers & Nicholson's compilation of the Statutes of the State of Tennessee for the 9th Civil District; and $16.47 ½  for cash paid in part pay for a minute book for the Circuit Court making in the whole the sum of $24.78 ¼.

(Page 564) Abel H. Pope was paid $7.76 for the burial clothes for Rebecca Boswell, a pauper.
Rezin S. Byrn was allowed $23 on settlement of his account as Treasurer of the Commissioners of Ripley for 36 chairs furnished for the use of the Court House and $5.26 for four pairs of andirons for the Court House.

William W. Lea was released from paying double taxes on all property in his name in the county, and the heirs of John Pope were permitted to list 500 acres in the 7th Civil District valued at $1500 for single tax..

(Page 565)  If the poor tax for 1842 has been paid by the sheriff and collector to the county trustee, the trustee is to pay over the part which is unexpended to Rezin S. Byrn, Treasurer of the commissioners of the poor house.  If it remains in the hands of the sheriff and collector, he is to pay it to Byrn, and when the poor tax for 1843 is collected, the Sheriff is to pay it to Byrn or his successor in office.

Rezin S. Byrn, one of the commissioners for the town of Ripley, presented a plan for railing in the Court House, and ordered that it be let out (for contract?)

(Page 566)  Ordered that heirs of Joshua Wright be released from paying double (taxes) on one slave valued at $400; that Patience Wescott be released from double tax on 1603 acres in 3rd  Civil District valued at $3206; that John Donalson be released from paying double tax on 2500 acres valued at $5000 in the same district.

Venire for the grand and petit jury for the next session of Circuit Court on the first Monday in June:  William J. Crocker, Pleasant C. Dial, John Watson, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Isaac D. Maxwell, John Thompson, William A. Wood, William Hafford, Green Baker, George R. Williams, Josiah Blankenship, George Thumm(?), (Page 567), Henry Willard, Samuel A. Given, John A. Clark, Isaac Moore, D. Gennings(sic), John Wood, William Boydstun, Henry Somero, E. Fisher, C. Rounsaville, John Oliver, William B. Sawyer and Lee H. Rucker.  Marshall A. Posey and James H. Given, constables, to attend the court and jury.

Ordered that John Fletcher be released from paying double tax.

Report of Rezin S. Byrn, treasurer of the Commissioners of Ripley, on money collected from sales of town lots, the amount due and the manner it has been spent:

– 92 –

In the following cases the purchasers and their securities have proved insolvent and the commissioners will be compelled to take the lots back:

– 93 –

(Page 570)
Expenditures: 

(Page 571)
Byrn reported that he charged and received from J. L. Hearring $18.00 interest on advances he made him, which they were not to do by contract, but which was done at his own risk.

A.H. Pope, I. H. Maxwell, and Thos. J. Childress, Esquires, appointed to examine the report, reported it correct and recommended Byrn not be charged with $18. interest received from Hearring.

(Page 572)  James Soward was permitted to list tracts of 100 acres ($400 value) and 200 acres ($300 value), both in the 8th Civil District, for single tax.

Payments of $10 each were ordered to be made to the following for their services as Revenue commissioners in the districts shown for 1843:

John A. Pewett was appointed to oversee the part of Ripley-Dyersburg road between the north bank of Caruth's Creek and the north end of Bolling Fisher's field with the following hands:  Bolling Fisher's hands, H. T. Blythe, Edward Fisher's hands [sic] H. H. Richardson, Jas. L. Fort and Jordan W. Richardson, Onisemas Fudge, Thomas Hutcheson, and J. Richardson's and keep it in repair as a first-class road.

– 94 –

Henry Shearer was appointed to oversee the part of Bucks Ferry road between the northwest corner of Ancil Reynolds' field to the Haywood County line with the following hands to work under him:  (Page 575)  Richard Hill, E. G. Chism, Tho. Wilcox, Henry Reynolds, Henry Shearer's hands, Isaac Reynolds, Daniel & David Reynolds and Benjamin Brown.  It is to be kept in repair as a second-class road.

Nicholas Reynolds was appointed to oversee the public road from Bolling Fisher's to Ancil Reynolds with John Hodge in addition to the hands heretofore allowed him.

____ Bell was appointed overseer to cut out the part of the public road from Ashport to the mouth of Cole Creek lying between Ashport and Booth's and have all hands from Booth's to Ashport inclusive and report to the July session of court.

John C. Nevels was appointed overseer to cut out the road from Booth's to the mouth of Cole Creek with all hands from (Page 476) Booth's to the mouth of the creek and report to the July session of court.

A.F. Jordan is to be released from paying double tax on Ripley lots No. 61 (value $150) & 63 (value $10.50); and Francis Shoemake on lot No. 7 (value $200).

Adjourned.  Edward Fisher Ch. Protem; I. H. Maxwell, J.P., Elnathan H. Condray, J.P.

(Page 577 blank) 
(Page 578)  Quorum Court met May 1, 1843 - Present:  James L. Green Esq., Chairman, and Esqs. A.G.W. Byrn & A. H. Pope, duly commissioned and qualified and appointed to hold the quorum courts.

Isaac M. Steele, clerk, settled with Wm. P. Gaines, guardian of Juratta G. Neiswanger.
(Page 579)  Griffith L. Rutherford, administrator of estate of Alexander Stricklin, dec'd, returned an account of sales of the estate.

Samuel W. Hankins has departed this life without making any last will and testament, and application being made, letters of administration were granted to Caroline Hankins.

Adjourned.  James L. Green, Chairman; A. H. Pope, J. P.; A.G.W. Byrn, J.P.

(Page 580) Quorum Court met June 5, 1843 - Present:  James L. Green, Esqr., Chairman, and Abel H. Pope and A. G. W. Byrn, Esqrs.

George W. Young was appointed to oversee the road from Durhamville to William's Ferry on Hatchie River instead of George W. Gause with the same hands that Gause had, and keep it in repair as a second-class road.

William Salisbury and Zachariah Mitchell each recorded his stock mark.

(Page 581)  The clerk settled with Stith Richardson, executor of Susan C. Marley, dec'd.

Rezin S. Byrn and Samuel V. Gilliland, commissioners of Revenue, presented their settlement with Guilford Jones, County Trustee.

A.G.W. Byrn presented a paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of James E. Street. Rezin S. Byrn and John Watson, subscribing witnesses thereto appeared, and it was admitted.

(Page 582) P. F. Crichfield was appointed to oversee the Dyersburg Road from Leonard Dunavant's land to Mill Creek instead of Jack Fowler with the same hands Fowler had and keep it in repair as a first-class road.

– 95 –

William D. Lee, guardian for Malvina A. Marley and Josiah C. Marley, was ordered to come to the July court term and give additional security on his guardian bond.

Rezin S. Byrn and Samuel V. Gilliland, Commissioners of Revenue, (Page 583) settled with Guilford Jones, Trustee.  Receipts included amounts from the former Trustee, the County Clerk, the Circuit Clerk, and on the following strays already paid: E. Kennelly, Samuel Hankins, Cain Acuff, James B. Hutcheson, Saml. Hooper. John Fletcher, Dickerson Jennings, Isaac D. Maxwell, Reuben Alfin; and on fees due on strays but not collected from: Jas. H. Hogsett, Saml. Lusk, P. C. Dial, Leonard Dunavant, Mary J. Lea, and John Barnes.

Payments were made to: I. M. Steel for a bridge and for books; R. Boswell (pauper) for 1841, E. H. Condry for a court order; A. H. Pope for the county plan.
(Page 584) Jury ticket payments were made to:  A. Phillips, Henry Someroe, D. P. Posey, Levi Garder David FitzPatrick, Geo. W. Tatum, Roberson Meadows, Jno. L. Flippin, Joseph Taylor, R. C. Campbell, Thos. L. Clark, J. B. Crook, Caleb W. Anderson, and N. W. Barnes. 
Payments for service as Revenue Commissioners were made to: E. H. Hinton, Jno. H. Maxwell, E. Lake, S. V. Gilliland, R. S. Byrn, Samuel Thompson, R. G. Henley, and Henry Willard.
John H. Maxwell was paid $40.00 for Nancy Grant, a pauper. 
John W. Hamil, Isaac Steele and Isaac Braden were paid for C(our)t orders, and Braden was paid for two inquests.
Thos. J. Keeton and Fred Barfield, constables, were paid for waiting on the court.
(Page 585)Additional payments:  W. A. Wood and F. Barfield, constables at court; Bill of cost in State vs. F. McCoy, State vs. Wm. Hulme, and State vs. R. H. Hamil; A.G.W. Byrn, inquest; Isaac M. Steele, Ct. order; A. H. Pope for R. Boswell, pauper; and jury tickets for L. F. Lockard, Jos. Currie, Ezk. Wakefield, G. W. Young, Sugars T. Evans. J. H. Hogsett, J. H. Nixon, E. S. Campbell, R. Meadows, Richard Parr, Drury Massy, E. H. Hinton, E. Wright, James Salisbury, Henry Willard, Benjamin Brown, James Shearman, Wm. Turner, Saml. S., Gause, C. F. Ledbetter, M. P Estes, Wm. McClelland; (Page 586) J. D. Maxwell, M. B. Chism, H. Crichfield, Jr., H. Pitts, Saml. A. Givens, Jno. F. Jett, A.G.W. Byrn, Dickerson Jennings, Wm. Hafford, David Walker, G. R. Williams, Wm. B. Sawyer, Lance Graves, E. Lake, George Chitman, Jesse Ledbetter, J. W. Nearn, Jas. Hubbard, J. Churchwell, Smith Kent, T. J. Childers, Z. Mitchell, P. G. Davenport, R. C. Campbell, B. Nearn, and Wm. Williams.
G.L. Rutherford was paid for wood and ex officio services; Isaac Braden for an inquest; J. H. Maxwell for holding quorum courts; and S. Deason, a constable at court.
(Page 587)  Jno. W. Hamil was paid for a ct. order, J. Gillaspie for a jury ticket; and the Trustee a commission.  The Trustee was left with a balance of $501.92 ¾ and $250 in Mississippi money.

Isaac Reynolds has died intestate and David Reynolds entered into bond and was made administrator. 

Adjourned.  Jas. L. Green, Chair; Abs. G.W. Byrn, J.P.; A. H. Pope, J. P.

(Page 588)  Court met July 3, 1843.  Present:  James L. Green, chairman; Absolam G. W. Byrn, Elnathan H. Condray, William R. Ledbetter, Edward Fisher, John H. Maxwell, Henry S. Peyton, Abel H. Pope, John S. Robbins, Thomas G. Rice, E. H. Hinton, T. J. Childress, and James Soward, Esquires.

Ordered that Isaac M. Steele be paid for issuing road orders and venire facias at the April session and for furnishing the sheriff's revenue bond for 1843, for issuing 41 jury tickets from the June term of Circuit Court, two road orders at the June (Page 589) session, for furnishing the sheriff the tax list for 1843 and for revenue erroneously collected and paid to the Treasury.

Caroline Hankins, administratix of Samuel W. Hankins, returned an account of sale of the estate.

Rezin S. Byrn, James Price, and John Thompson were appointed to view the bridge built on Matthews fork of Cane Creek on the Byrn road and report to this term the value of it and what they think the county should pay for it.

– 96 –

(Page 590) Peter R. Winningham, overseer of the Durhamville road, is to have Mrs. Lee's hands, his own, and Thos. Tuggles' hands.

George W. Young, Saml. Owen, Saml. S. Gause, J. P. Rice, D. A. Bradford, William Turner, and S. M. Sweet were appointed a jury of view to lay off a road from a point in the road from Durhamville via Green & Gause's ferry to Covington commencing at the mouth of the lane between S. S. Gause and G. W. Young, intersecting the Brownsville road, and report to the October session.

(Page 591)  Bridget Street and A.G.W. Byrn, executrix and executor of the last will and testament of James E. Street, dec'd, entered into bond giving James C. Lovelace and J. H. Maxwell as securities, and they were issued letters testamentary.

Charles Black proved on oath the killing of one wolf over four months old, and Benjamin Whitson proved on oath that he killed six wolves under four months.

(Page 592)  Rezin S. Byrn and Samuel V. Gilliland were each paid $2.50 for settling with the County Trustee for 1843.

Wm. Turner was appointed overseer of the road from Brownsville near Thomas Blackwell's and intersecting the road from Durhamville to Green & Gause ferry at the Methodist Church with the following hands:  J. W. Winfrey, J. P. Rice and hands, Thomas Blackwell & hands, Robert Hewit, James C. Lovelace, and Jeremiah Penick's hands. (Page 593) It is to be kept in repair as a second-class road.

Isaac M. Steele is to be paid $2.37 ½  for a docket purchased for the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.  H. S. Peyton is to be paid $7.50 for a Revenue book he furnished for the Clerk of the County Court's office.

Grand and petit jurors to serve at the October term of Circuit Court: (Page 594) Archer Phillips, Saml. S. Gause, Joseph Currie, Monroe P. Estes, John J. Nelson, B. Griffith, Wm. P. Gaines, Wm. McClelland, Milton F. Lake, J. D. Edney, L. F. Lockard, Fred Barfield, Sugars T. Evans, Jas. Hutchison, Jas. Hubbard, R. E. Campbell, William G. Hogsett, Cain Acuff, R. Meadows, Wm. R. Chism, L. Dunavant, Edward Wright, Wm. Curtis, John Soward and Wm. L. Mitchell, with Robert Crichfield and James J. Robinson to attend the court and jury as constables.

Absalum Vickery is to be paid $45 for building a bridge on Matthews fork of Cane Creek, but not until he shall produce satisfactory evidence of his having completed the bridge by putting three puncheons at each end of the bridge and complete the butments at both ends.  He is requested to keep the bridge in repair five years.

(Page 595) David Reynold, who was appointed adminstrator of the estate of Isaac Reynold, resigned the appointment and surrendered his letters of administration.

Ellison P. Fuller proved on oath that he killed a wolf under four months.

The following men were appointed judges for the popular election to be held on the first Thursday in August next:  1st District - Joseph Currie, A. Phillips, and S. Rice;
2nd - J. D. Maxwell, R. S. Byrn, and (Page 596) L. Gaines;  3rd - E. Lake, Abel H. Pope and David C. Russell; 4th - Saml. A. Given, Henry Willard and James B. Hutchison; 5th - James Hubbard, E. S. Campbell and John Nixon; 6th - Armsted Wood, Jesse Ledbetter, and Samuel Lusk; 7th - Edmund Wright, Jno. H. Somero, and H. Crichfield, Junr.; 8th  - Richard, Wm. B. Sawyer, and John Soward; 9th - Wm. L. Mitchell, James Lewis, and Lee H. Rucker.

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(Page 597) John W. Durant, Thos. G. Rice, and Samuel Owen were appointed commissioners to draught a plan and let out to the lowest bidder the building of a bridge on the slough on the road from Green and Gause ferry on the Hatchie river and report to the October term.

Thomas Hutchison was appointed overseer of the Key Corner road from the forks at the corner of the Benjamin F(isher?) field to Haywood county line, and he is to have the hand of Mrs. Isabella Wilson (to work under him) and keep it in repair as a second class road.

Guilford Jones, Trustee, entered into bond with Wm. D. Lee and Hiram C. Keller for securities for the safekeeping and paying over the common school moneys.

(Page 598)  Ordered that the commissioner of Ripley have the inside of the Courthouse painted immediately.

William D. Lee, guardian of Malvina A. Marley and Josiah C. Marley, appeared and gave Martha A. Shepherd and Chloe Lee as additional security.

(Page 599) Adjourned.  Jas. L. Green, Chairman; Abs. G.W. Byrn, J.P.; A. H. Pope, J. P.

(Page 600) Court met August 6, 1843.  Present:  James L. Green, Absolam G.W. Byrn and A. H. Pope, Esquires.

James Salisbury and Robertson Meadows record their stock marks.

(Page 601)  Isaac M. Steele, clerk of the court, settled with Hiram C. Keller, guardian of Hiram W. Keller; and with Wm. A. Wood, administrator of the goods and chattels of Eleanor Wood, dec'd.

Bridget Street and A.G.W. Byrn, executor and executrix of the last will and testament of James E. Street returned an inventory and sale bill of the property of the estate.

Samuel Deason has died leaving no will and William Deason has applied (Page 602) for letters of administration.  The widow and relict having waived her right in his favor, he gave bond, and letters were issued.

Armsted Wood, John A. Hogsett, and Joel Sawyer, freeholders unconnected either by affinity or consanguinity with the widow of the late Samuel Deason, were appointed commissioners to set apart to her so much of the crop, stock, provision, and monies on hand or due, or other assets as may be necessary for the support of her and her family until one year from the decease of her husband.

Adjourned.  Jas. L. Green, Chairman; A.H. Pope, J.P.; A.G.W. Byrn, J.P.

(Page 603 - blank)  (Page 604)  Court met September 4, 1843.  Present: Abel H. Pope, Henry S. Peyton, and A.G.W. Byrn, Esqs.

Isaac Moore produced the certificate of G. L. Rutherford, Sheriff, of his having been elected constable in the 6th District, and entered into bond.

David Harris was appointed overseer of the old Dyersburg road from the south bank of Cane Creek to where it intersects the road from Ripley to Dyersburg with the following hands to work under him:  Brice McElroy, Curtis Ellis, and the hands on Love tract of land, and keep it in repair as (Page 605) a second- class road.

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Reynolds, Walter Caruth, William Caruth, Armsted B. Neely, and Wm. Lunsford and hands, and that he work from Ripley to the north bank of Caruth's Creek and keep it in repair as a first-class road.

R. C. Campbell produced a commission from the Governor as a Justice of the Peace and took the oath.

(Page 606)  Cyrus Webb recorded his stock mark.

Isaac M. Steele presented his settlement with David P. Posey, guardian of Virginia H. Keller.

William Deason, administrator of the estate of Samuel Deason, dec'd, returned an inventory and account of sales.

Wm. A. Simmons produced the certificate of G. L. Rutherford, sheriff, of his having been elected in the 5th District of Lauderdale County to serve as a constable and entered into bond.

(Page 607)  Adjourned.  A. H. Pope, Chairman P(ro)T(empe); Henry S. Peyton, J.P., A.G.W. Byrn, J.P.

(Page 608)  Court met October 2, 1843.  Present - James L. Green, Chairman; John H. Maxwell, Thomas J. Childress, Martin R. Alexander, Henry S. Peyton, Elnathan H. Condry, Thos. G. Rice, William R. Ledbetter, A.G.W. Byrn, and Abel H. Pope, Esquires.

James P. Ledbetter was appointed overseer of the road from Ripley to intersect the Bucks Ferry Road at Isaac Moore's with the following hands to work under him: John B. Moore, Thomas Lockard, Moses Lockard, Drewry Massy, Moses B. Chism, Benjn. F. Boydson, John Meadows, George W. Chism, Elijah Chism, Roland Ledbetter, James J. Osteen, Hiram Meadows, (Page 609) William Sawyers and Calvin F. Ledbetter R. Chism and William Boydson, and keep it in repair as a second class road.

[This whole paragraph marked out:  Milton Lake was appointed overseer of the part of the public road between William P. Gaines' old place and Silvertooth's Landing in place of John D. Edney with the following hands: James P. Silvertooth, Mrs. Gilly Hunter's hand, William T. Hulm, Frederick Barfield, J. C. Barnes, Mrs. Nancy Childress' hands, Henry Barfield, Elijah Lake's hands, Thomas S. Clark, John McWhite, J. Churchwill, J. G. Childress, B. Gilstrap, Lacy & Sons and William McFarlan and that he keep the same in repair as a second-class road.]

Henry Crichfield was appointed to oversee the Dyersburg Road from Leonard Dunivant's land to Mill Creek instead of P. F. Crichfield with the hands that P. F. Crichfield had and keep it in repair as a first-class road.

Robert H. Hamil to be paid $5 for making a coffin for John Blackwell (p. 610).  Voting aye were John H. Maxwell, Thomas J. Childress, Martin R. Alexander, Henry S. Peyton, A.G.W. Byrn and Abel H. Pope.  Voting no were James S/L. Green, E. H. Condry, Thomas G. Rice and Wm. R. Ledbetter.

(Page 610) Sarah Cook has died intestate and William Turner was granted letters of administration.

A jury of view appointed at the July term of court to lay off a route for a road from the road from Durhamville via Green & Gause's Ferry to Covington commencing at the mouth of the lane between S. S. Gause and G. W. Young and intersecting the Brownsville Road, if in their opinion the public good demanded it, reported that they laid out a road "commencing at the mouth of the lane between G. W. Young and S. S. Gause on the Durhamville Road, thence west, (Page 611) keeping the road already opened as near as practicable &intersecting the Brownsville road near the corner of J. C. Coggshall's field—distance about 1 ¼ miles—having viewed the same, do not think the publick good demands the same as the order directs, but that the public good would be promoted & the convenience of the neighborhood all of which is respectfully submitted."  Signed, Geo. W. Young, Samuel Owen, Saml. S. Gause, D. A. Bradford, William Turner.

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It was ordered that the road be established as a second-class road and George W. Young was appointed to oversee it with his own hands to cut it out.  Further, he is to have S. S. Gause's hands, S. Rice's hands, J. L. Gause's hands, and M. P. Estes' hands to cut it out and build a bridge across (Page 612) the creek on the road.

John J. Nelson was appointed to oversee the road from Ripley to Dyersburg from the east mouth of the lane between him and Isaac D. Maxwell and to work to the Carruth Branch of Cane Creek and to have his own hands, Walter and William Carruth to work the road as a first-class road.

Joseph Currie was appointed to oversee the road from Covington to Ripley from Fullin's field to the southeast corner of Joshua Stone's field and that he have Saml. V. Gilliland's hands, Gordon Stone, and his own hands to work and keep the road as a first-class road.

William P. Posey was appointed to oversee the Covington and Ripley Road from the southeast corner of Joshua Stone's field to Beatie's fork of Cane Creek and that he have David P. Posey's hands, John Buchanan & hands, & Joshua R. Stone, and keep it in repair as a first-class road.

(Page 613) Nicholas Reynolds, Senior, records his stock mark, and John C. Barnes records an additional stock mark.

Samuel V. Gilliland, guardian for the heirs of Sabret Wood, dec'd, returned an inventory of their effects.

Ordered that Isaac M. Steele be paid $50 for his ex officio services as Clerk of the County Court, and $1.12 ½ for a blank book for the office, 50 cents for issuing venirai facias, 25 cents for issuing order for jury of view, 62 ½ cents for issuing 5 road orders, $1.00 for recording settlement with himself, $1.00 for recording settlement with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, $2.00 for settling with the treasurer of Ripley Academy, $15.00 for all services in relation to common schools in 1843, (Page 614) a total of $21.50.

Ordered that Thomas D. Hart be paid $4.63 for goods furnished by him for the burial of John Blackwell.

Edmund Fitzpatrick was appointed to oversee the road from Durhamville to Hurricane Hill with the following hands to work under him: his own hands, Jas. Anthony's hands, Cyrus Webb, L. Durham, _____ Durham, M. Starnes, J. Price, R. P. Russell, and David FitzPatrick's hands, and keep it in repair as a first-class road.

Right Koonce was appointed to oversee the road from Durhamville to the west end of James Anthony's land with the following hands to work it: Caleb Arnold, John Arnold, M. Arnold, James Brown, James Cleaves, William Cleaves, _____ Pitman, Joseph Hays, John Holmes, (Page 615) Thos. Holmes, Wm. Matthews, Saml. Thompson hands, and William Thompson and Wm. Holmes, and keep it in repair as a first-class road.

Benjamin F. Jordan proved the killing of one wolf over 4 months.

Thomas FitzPatrick was appointed to oversee the road from the west end of James Anthony's land to the road near Joseph Currie's with his own hands to work and keep in repaid as a first-class road.

Hiram Meadows, Isaac Moore, H. Shearer, T. Wilson, and Wm. R. Ledbetter were appointed a jury of view to examine the propriety or impropriety of turning the road from Ripley to Isaac Moore's at the corner of Benj'n F. Boydson's field, and report in January.

(Page 616) Abraham L. McMordie was released from $7.72 county tax and $3.22 state tax incorrectly charged to him on 4827 ½ acres because the Revenue Commissioner erred in valuing the land at $9655 instead of $3218.

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the line of C. Watson and Marshall Starne's land so as to intersect the road from Durhamville to Hurricane Hill at or near the corner of Milton G. Turner's field and report next January.

(Page 617) The road from Cane Creek Bridge to Vasser's old place is to be divided and James B. Hutchison is appointed to oversee the lower part from the ten-mile post from Fulton to Vasser's old place and all persons living in the 4th District west of the west boundary line of the Hatchie Connection lands were assigned to work under him. David Williams is appointed to oversee the other portion of the road from Cane Creek Bridge to the ten-mile post from Fulton, and all persons liable to work on roads living between Cane Creek and Cole Creek south of the old Ashport Road, except John King and Thomas Turner, and east of the west boundary of the Hatchie Connection lands, were assigned to work under him.

Benjamin Whitson was appointed to oversee the road from Ashport road west of William Nash's old place to the Fulton Road and have the following hands to work it: Ellison P. Fuller & hand, John Wardlaw, Benjamin Hamil, and Turner Williams, and to keep it in repair as a second-class road.

(Page 618) John Boyd was appointed overseer of the road from Hurrican Hill to the Ripley Road east of Wm. P. Gaines' old place on the same road and have these hands: William Boyd, William Spence, Samuel Davenport, Thomas Davenport, John Fullin, John Alverson, Bluford Alverson, Wade Alverson, Josiah Blankenship and James Blankenship.  They are to keep the road in repair as a second-class road.

George Thumb was appointed to oversee the Fulton Road from Joseph Currie's to the east end of the first bridge east of Elijah Lake's with the following hands to work it: William Fisher, Nancy Fisher's hands, Adolphus Carrigan, Albert Durham, David C. Russell and hand, Leroy F. Lockard, Thomas Lockard, Moses Lockard, William McPharlin, Zachariah Norman, Stephen Gardner, and William T. Hulme.  They are to keep it in repair as a second-class road.

(Page 619) James Shearman was appointed overseer of the Ashport Road commencing at the fork west of Gaines' old place working to Cane Creek Bridge with the following hands: John Floyd & hand, William Strain, Jr., John S. Pope, John Chapman, Hiram C. Keller and hands, Wallis Rooks, and James Gillispie.  They are to keep it in repair as a second-class road.

Abner Pitts was appointed to oversee the Fulton Road from the forks of the road east of Wm. P. Gaines' old place to the fork that leaves it for Elijah Lake's, east of Turner Williams, and he is to have the following hands to work: Isaac Braden, John Braden, Elihu Nelson, John Prescott, James Prescott, Thomas Clark, Nathaniel W. Barnes, Henry P. Barfield, William D. Barfield, Frederick Barfield, and his own hands.  The road is to be kept in repair as a second-class road.

James L. Green, chairman of the County Court of Lauderdale County, called on Isaac M. Steele, clerk, for his receipts for county revenue which were produced:

(Page 620) Trustee's Office, Ripley, Tenn. 8 Sept 1843
Guilford Jones, Trustee received $69.68¾ from Isaac M. Steele, clerk of Lauderdale County Court in full of revenue collected from 1st Sept 1842 to 1st Sept 1843.  $72.50 was collected by Steele's commission was $1.81¼ and the cost of rendering the settlement was $1, leaving a total of $69.68¾.

James Barfield has died intestate and Frederick R. Barfield was issued letters of administration.

Jesse R. Hutcheson resigned his commission as a justice of the peace.

(Page 621) Pendleton G. Gaines proved on oath the killing of four wolves under age of four months.

Ordered that the commissioners of Ripley have a well dug on the public square, and that they have the necessary repairs done to the cupola on the Court House.