Directors of the second section, for that part of the Northern Liberties and Kensington not comprised in the Lancansterian system, Pay-for teachers, five male and

four female, 1,321 35; Supplies, for sundries paid to T. W.Haines, 12 81, Directors of the Fourth section, for that part of Penn Township not comprised in the Lancasterian system, viz:

Pay for teachers, five male and one female,

Directors of the Fifth section, for the townships of Oxford, Lower Dublin, Byberry and Moreland, Pay to teachers, fifteen male and three female, 1,013 40; Rent for school rooms, 60 00; Stationary,

1,334 16

695 27

for sundries, 7 33; Fuel 22 60, 1,103 33 Directors of the Sixth section,comprising the townships of Germantown, Roxborough, and Bristol, Pay to teachers, twenty-one male

and fifteen female, 2,170 91; Rent for Directors' meeting room, 6 00, For account of Lancasterian School at Germantown, Salary to one male teacher,248 70; Stationary, for sundries, 57 34; School furniture, for coal stove and telegraphs, 42 25, Directors of the Seventh section, comprising the townships of Blockley and Kingsessing, Pay to teachers, ten male and four female, 1,215 39; Rent, for Directors' room, 12 00, Directors of the Eighth section, comprising the township of Passyunk,

Pay to teachers, two chief and one

2,176.91

348 29

1,227 39

Total,

-139 04

$168 94

SAMUEL M. SOLOMON, SAMUEL COATES, Jr. Auditors of the County.

Philadelphia, February 23, 1830,

Extracts from the Ancient Court

RECORDS OF CHESTER COUNTY. Under an impression that the readers of the "Register of Pennsylvania," may feel some curiosity to know the manner in which the earliest Tribunals of Justice, in this commonwealth, conducted their proceedings, the fol lowing extracts from the original Records are submitted. The quaintness and simplicity of those primitive times may at least afford a few moments' amusement.

The first entry in the Record, is as follows-"Prov ince of Pennsylvania, at the Cort. at Upland (Chester) September 13th, 1681. Justices present-Mr William Clayton, Mr. William Warner, Mr. Robert Wade, Mr. Otto Ernest Cock, Mr. William Byles, Mr. Robert Lucas, Mr. Lassey Cock, Mr. Swan Swanson, Mr. Andreas Bankson.

1830.]

157

At the Court at Upland, November 30, 1681. William Markham, Esq. Governor and President. Justices there present.

Mr. William Clayton,

James Saunderland,

Robert Wade,

Thomas Fairman,
Robert Lucas,

Mr. William Byles,
Lassey Cock,
Otto Ernest Cock,
Swan Swanson,
Hendrias Bankson.

Mr. John Test, High Sheriff. Mr. Thomas Reyell, Clerk.

Richard Noble deposed that hee with several others found diverse peeces of burnt porke or bacon in the said Anderson's house; and also that hee the said Richard Noble with others found hidden and unfrequented places in an out house belonging to the said John Anderson, where (as an Indian had before then informed them) the said Anderson used to hide porke;and further deposed, that the said Anderson gave out threatining words against the officers and others who came to search.

Peter Rambo, Junr, and Lawrence Lawrenson, deposed the same as above. Judith Noble deposed that the said Anderson gave out threatning words against the officers and others who came to search. Francis Walker deposed that a person who bought a peece of porke of the said Anderson told him the said Walker that the said pork had a bullett in it.

Francis Stephens deposed that the said Anderson being asked concerning a Hogg's head, (hee the said Anderson having then a headless hogg) where the head then was, hee the said Anderson answered hee had left the head down the river: and the said Anderson's boy said noe, the hogg's head is upon the mill att home.

John Hollinshead gave in his evidence before Thomas Budd a magistrate at Burlington, which was also produced under the hand of the said Thomas Budd, being of the same import with the deposition of the aforesaid Francis Stephens.

Woolley Rawson, from Marcus Creeke to Naman's creeke. Robert Wade, from Naman's creeke to Upland (Chester) creeke. William Oxley, from Upland creeke to Ammersland. Mons Stawkett, from Ammersland to to Karkus Mill. Peter Yokebam, from Karkus mill to Schore Kill (Schuylkill) falls. Andreas Rambo, from Schore Kill falls to Tawcony creeke. Erick Mullickay, Clause from Tawcony creeke to Poquessink creeke. Johnson, from Poquessink creeke to Samuel Cliff's. John Akraman,from Samuel Cliff's to Gilbert Wheeler's.

William Penn Esq. Proprietory and Governor was present at a court held at Chester, the 27th of the 4th month, called June, 1684.

"At a court held at Chester, for the county of Chester, the 1st 3rd day in the 1st weeke of the 8th moneth, being the 6th day of the moneth, 1685.

"Ordered, that for defraying the public charges of this county, a levie be raised upon every hundred acres of land taken up and surveyed, after the rate of two shillings and six pence for every hundred acres within this county; and lands taken up by non-residents, and soe not occupied, shall pay after the rate of three shillings and nine pence for every hundred acres: and that all the male inhabitants within this county from sixteen to sixty years of age doe pay after the rate of two shillings and sixpence by the pole, except men servants, who shall pay after the rate of one shilling and three pence by the pole, and noe more: and that Jeremy Collett, High Shreife of this County be ordered to levie the same within three moneths-whoe is to be allowed after the rate of one shilling for every pound soe levied. It is alsoe further ordered, that the Constaple doe forthwith bring in within fourteen days after the date hereof, the names and sir-names of all the male inhabitants residing within their several presincts unto the chief collector, who shall allow fourteen days time after warning given to every township to bring in their respective payments to the Towne of Chester. The collector is further ordered to receive good and merchantable Indian corn, after the rate of

2s. 8d.

good and merchantable wheat, at 4s. 6d. per bush. good and merchantable Rye, at 3s. 6d.

-

"Ordered, that the Shreife take into his custody the body of David Lewis upon suspition of treason, as also the body of Robert Cloud for concealing the same; for that he the said Robert Cloud being attested before this court, declared that upon the 3d day of the weeke before Christmas last att the house of George Foreman, the said David Lewis did declare in his hearing that he was accused for being concerned with the Duke of Monmouth in the West Country.

Robert Dyer became security that his servant David Lewis shall appear at the next Provincial court held at Philadelphia ye 10th day of ye 2d moneth, 1686, to an swer the premises."

10th moneth, 1686. "James Saunderlaine for himself his heirs and assigns doe promise this court a convenient peece of land in ye towne of Chester where they may erect a court-house and prison, and to make a firme title of the same to the proper use and behoofe of this

The Grand Jury, present Thomas Colborne of this township of Chester for selling rum to ye Indians contrary to the laws of this province.

This place is subsequently written "Amos-land” in the Road Records.--It is believed the present name is

John Blunstone made over a deed for one acre of land in the township of Darby to build a meeting house thereon for the use of the said township forever to exercise the true worship of God therein.

7th month 1687."Richard Crosby being summoned to appear at this court to answer the complaint of our Sovereigne lord the king and the cheife proprietary for being drunk and committing other misdemeanours-was for the same indickted. The grand inquest find the bill. William Goford being attested, declareth that Richard Crosby being much in drink challenged the Sweads or English or any other man att cudgells, wrasling, or any other such violent exercise; and furthermore did strike him upon the head, and did trip up his heeles twice, and yt he heard him say ye Sweads were rogues and did take part with the Indians. John Clue being attested as aforesaid declareth the same.

Johannes Friend being attested as aforesaid declareth that he heard Richard Crosby call the Sweads rogues, and that they did take part with ye Indians against ye English.

1st month, 1689-90. John Simcocke Junr. in open court declared that he was overtaken with drinke-soe was ordered to pay his fine which was three shillings.

The Grand Inquest present Isaac Brickshaw for defaming John Simcocks, one of the peoples representatives in Counsel, in these words: that he was drunk at last court at Chester the 5th of December; whereupon he is called to the barr where he makes his appearance and puts himself upon the mercy of the king and gov ernor. Judgement is granted that he is to be bound to his good behavior, and to set up a paper of what his crime was. And likewise, Henry Barns was ordered to find suretyes for his good behavior, and to put up his paper.

8th Mo. 1691. We of the Grand Jury, present Henry Barnes, Joyner, of this county, for that about Midnight last he did sweare several oaths contrary to ye good and wholsome Laws of this province in that case made and provided.

We alsoe present Edward Eglinton for breaking of ye stocks in the Towne of Chester, and unlawfully let ting out a prisoner, against ye peace of the King and Queen, &c. CALEB PUSEY, Foreman.

7th Mo. 1692. We of the Grand Inquest doe present

"The grand inquest presentments. We of ye grand Inquest for the county of Chester this 4th day ye 10th month in ye year 1688, do present as followeth:

Imps. We present William Coblett of Concord, for travelling upon ye road on ye first day of ye weeke being ye 21st of ye 8th month in ye year 1688, with a yoake of oxen and a wayne and a horse or mare before them. (This is the first notice of a breach of the Sabbath, on the records.)

We likewise present the road betwixt Geerge Wollards fence and Jonathan Hayeses for being not passable. We likewise present the township of Chester for want of a foot bridge over Chester creek by William Wood

fye

1689. "John Maddocke of the township of Ridley, being convicted before John Simcocke and John Bris tow for speaking and uttering scandalous and dishonorable words against ye life, person and government of y chiefe proprietory Wm. Penne, Esq. as alsoe against ye life and person of his present governor John Blackwell, Esq. was for the same by them committed and att this court indickted. The grand inquest find the bill-whereupon he is called to ye barr and puts himself upon ye mercy of the king and governor; upon which he is fined £5, to ye use of ye chiefe proprietory and to pay all court charges."

On the 27th of the 6th mo. 1689-A case of crim-con came before the court; the parties having confessed themselves guilty of the charge were presented by the Grand Inquest, "upon which they are both called to the bar, where they made their appearance, and upon her further confession and submission a jury of women, whose names are under written ordered to inspect.". The names of the jury impannelled Lydia Wade,

Sarah Usher,

Hester Rawlence,
Mary Carter,
Jane Haukes,
Mary Hodskins,

Elizabeth Musgrove, Mary Bayliss,

Elizabeth Hastings,
Mary Little,

Jane Moulder,
Anne Saunderlaine.

"They make return that they cannot find she is (as charged) neither be they sure she is not." [The case is recorded at full length on the records of this date.]

7th March, 1692. John Maddock was called to the Bar to answer to a presentment of ye Grand Inquest for abusing John Simcock and John Bristow, two of ye King and Queen's Justices of ye peace, in calling of them a pack of Rogues-and ye Jury was called, and ye said Maddock, did then in open Court still affirm that ye said parties was two of ye greatest Rogues that ever came into America: Whereupon ye Court gave judgment that he pay a fine of five pounds and cost of suit. The said Maddock was also fined 5s. for swearing.

1st Mo. 1693. John Clews and Elinor Arme, now his wife, was called to the Bar to answer to a presentment of the Grand Jury for committing***; who pleaded guilty, and submitted themselves to the Court-whereupon the Court gave Judgment that the parties shall pay a fine of fifty shillings down, or give good security to the Sheriff to pay it within six months; and that the one quarter of an hour, with a paper upon her breast said Elinor shall stand at the common whipping post for thus-"I heare stand for an Example to all others, for committing the most wicked and notorious Sin of **** ̧”

Chester ye 2d of October, 1695. Wee the grand Jury by the King's authority finding that the county is in dept by the accounts that the last Grand Jury presented, that the County Tresurer is out of purse and others in the consarns of the county charge, and that the prison is not yet finished, and several wolf's heads to pay for: We the Grand Inquest have taken it into our consideration to lay an Aseasement upon the county for to pay the Judges expenses which is to be payd to Joseph Wood, Sheriff of Chester County, and what was disburst by the said Tresurer of said County consarning the build ing of the Prison, and to finish the said county prison with as much expedition as may be, and the said levie to be raised as followeth on all Reall and personall Esteetes att one penny per pound, and three shillings per head freemen: (viz.) Every acre of cleared land and be ing in tillage att one pound per acre, and for every hundred acres of Ruf land by the river at ten pounds per hundred, and for every hundred acres in the woods at five pounds per hundred; for all horses and mares from 3 years ould and upwards att 3 pounds; for every colt one year ould and upwards 20′ shillings; for all cows and oxen from 3 years ould and upwards 2£ 10s.; for all cattle one year ould and upwards att one pound; for all sheepe a year ould and upwards, at six shillings a peece