History of West Virginia: In Two Parts - Google Book Search

MONROE.On the I4th day of January, 1799, the General Assembly of Virginia passed a bill entitled, "an Act to provide for the division of Greenbrier and the formation of a new county." This was the twelfth subdivision of Virginia formed west of the Alleghenies, and was named in honor of the fifth President of the United States.The First County Court.—In compliance with the third section of the bill creating the county, the first court convened at the house of George King, which stood one mile east of the present site of Union, on the 2 ist day of May, 1799. The following-named justices, each holding a commission from James Monroe, the Governor of Virginia, composed the court: William Hutchinson, James Alexander, Isaac Estill,, William Haynes, John Hutchinson, John Grey, John Byrnesides, William Graham, James Hanlyand William Vawter. John Hutchinson was chosen clerk. John Woodward was granted license to practice law and appointed Commonwealth's attorney. Then, it being noon, it was " ordered that the court adjourn from George King's house to his barn for conveniency.'' Upon reassembling, Isaac Estill presented a commission from the Governor appointing him sheriff of the county. James Alexander, William Haynes and John Byrnesides became his bondsmen. John Byrne- sides was recommended as a suitable person to be appointed surveyor of lands. John Arbuckle was appointed deputy sheriff.On the second day the court turned its attention to the military establishment, and James Graham was recommended to the Governor as one well qualified to discharge the duties of colonel of the county. John Hanly and John Hutchinson were recommended for majors ; Isaac Estill, John Byrnesides, James Jones, Robert Nickell, William Graham, Samuel Clarke, Henry McDaniel and Watt Farley, for captains; Nimrod Tacket, John Hanly, Jr., George Swope, James Gray, William Maddy, David Graham, Talison Shumate and Thomas Wyatt for lieutenants, and Alexander Dun- lap, Charles Keenan, James Young, James Byrnesides, James Miller, James Gwinn, James Thompson and John Harvey, for ensigns. John Leech was nominated as captain of a troop of cavalry; Robert Patton for first lieutenant, Joseph Alderson for second lieutenant, and Ervin Benson for cornet.James Graham was then recommended as a suitable person to execute the office of coroner, and Thomas Lowe, Robert Dunbar, John Cottell, William Dison, George Foster, Enos Halstead and Joshua Lewis were appointed constables.

History of West Virginia: In Two Parts - Google Book Search

Blogged with the Flock Browser