Adams County, Ohio - Commissioners' Early Proceedings, 1900

Two members of the first Board, Henry Massie and Joseph Darlinton, met at Adamsville, June thirteenth, and adjourned until the twenty-seventh, on account of the absence of James Scott, the other member.

At the meeting on the twenty-seventh, Mr. Scott still did not put in an appearance. After appointing Mr. Darlinton Clerk of the Board, Mr. Massie and he transacted some business for the county and adjoumed on the twenty-eighth, to meet at Manchester August 9. 1788. Mr. Scott took his seat at this meeting. The Board held its meetings thereafter at Manchester until March session, 1799, when the Board met at Washington, where it held its meetings until the location of the county seat at West Union, in 1804.

Joseph Darlinton appointed Clerk to the Board of Commissioners. The following persons were appointed Collectors for the several townships in the county :

Having calculated the public debts and demands of this county, we find it necessary for defraying the expenses of building the county jail agreeable to the plan of the Couft of Common Pleas at their last session, as well as all other expenses which have or may be brought against the county, to levy the sum of two thousand four hundred dollars on the several townships in this county.

James Scott, Esq., being appointed Commissioner by the Court of General Quarter Sessions, held at March term, this day exhibited a certificate of his qualifications, ap.d took his seat.

It appeared to the satisfaction of the Commissioners that John Crawford, of Iron Ridge Township, who was taxed as a single man, is married, and that his property is taxed to, and paid by his son, Moses Crawford; ordered to refund the money.

Drew advertisements to be set up in the most public places in each township, requesting all persons who had business to transact with the Board of Commissioners, to attend at Washington on the twenty-ninth day of May next, and required the punctual attendance of each assessor at that time and place. Also notified the collectors of '98, that if they did not appear on that day and settle up their respective balances, they could not expect any longer indulgence.

The Commissioners thought proper to advertise the burning of the jail on Friday night, the twenty-seventh of December last, and offering a reward of two hundred dollars in order to find out the incendiaries. In consequence thereof, wrote five advertisements. James Edison, Clerk of Board.

George Harper presented the certificate of Thomas Kirker, Esq., for having killed an old wolf, agreeable to law, for which he is allowed the sum of $1.25.

Noble Grimes & Co. presented an order of the Court for the house, fuel and candles, attendance amounting to $6.00, and the Commissioners concluding the order did not come properly before the Board, referred the order ag^in to the Court for their decision, being of the opinion that it ought to be $10.00.

Nathan Ellis, Esq., was qualified as the Collector of the county taxes, for the year 1801, and was furnished with a duplicate thereof, which amounts to $1,262.97^.

George Gordon obtained an order on the Treasurer for $43.37, for his services as Clerk of the Court from September session, 1797, to September session, 1798, inclusive.

August II, 1800. Stephen Cary, Collector of Union Township, has also made to appear that Joseph Darlinton is unable to pay his tax, he is therefore exonerated in the sum of twelve and one-half cents.

NobJe Grimes, Esq., presented two accounts for his furnishing house ^oom for four terms of court, also repairing court house, $40.00 aid $5.00.

William Creighton, Esq., presented the certificate of the Court that he prosecuted the pleas for the county at September session, 1801, and was allowed the sum of $15.00.

Francis Taylor, Esq., presented the certificate of the court that he prosecuted the pleas of the county, at June sessions, 1801, and was allowed $15.00.

John Stevenson, jailor, presented his account as Crier of the Court at September term, four days, and attending the stray pen Oiic day, Crier of the Court at December term, one day, and attending on the stray pen one day, amounting to $7.00.

Thomas Scott, Esq., presented the certificate of the court for prosecuting the pleas of the Uiited States in behalf of the county at March term, amounting to $15.00.

The account of Noble Grimes & Co. was returned from the court with a certificate that he was entitled to $10.00 for the use of his house, etc., at the December sessions, 1801.

James Stevenson presented an account for running the line between Ross, Clermont and Adams Counties, amounting to $(55.50. Wolf scalps raised to $3.00 each in 1802.

John Lo<lwick was appointed Collector of t3ie count\^ rates and levies for the year 1802, and at his own offer bid to collect at $5.47 per $100.

The Commissioners order the Secretary to immediately make out the duplicate for the tax of 1802, in which duplicate he must put the tax of the town property and Cedar Hill Township agreeable to the rates of 1801, as the appraisers neglected to make a return of that year .and to

Peter Shoemaker presented an account for taking care of a poor person farmed out to him, and was allowed $50.00, agreeable to his account as filed.

Four head of neat cattle taken up by me some time in January, 1801, were claimed on the tenth of September ensuing by Thomas Young, living in Hamilton County, waters of Little Miami, twentieth of Sept':niber. 1802. David Bradford.

These are to certify that a cow and calf taken up by me last February have been claimed by and proven to be the property of Mary Harrison.. of Kentucky, August 26, 1802. David Edie.

I do certify that a bright bay mare taken up by me, is this day restored to the owner, Henry Andrews, living in South Bend Township, Hamilton County. Given under my hand this ninth day of August, 1802. Geo. Hutton.

John Lodwick, Sheriff, exhibited a receipt from the Treasurer for $30.25, it being the net proceeds of an estray mare sold by the said Lodwick, which was taken up by Thos. Grimes.

Isaac Davis, John Evans and James Menary, Commissioners, who, in obedience to law, viewed the county in order to report to the Legislature thje most eligible situation for the seat of justice for this county, had their amounts exhibited and were allowed $49.00.

Nathaniel Beasley, Moses Baird and Robt. Simpson this day produced certificates of their being duly elected Commissioners of Adams County, and also of their being duly qualified according to law, and took their seats. Jos. Darlinton appointed Clerk to Board.

After weighing the subject, the Commissioners of Adams County subscribe to the Zanesville & Maysville Turnpike Road Company $8,000.00, which sum is to be obtained from the Bank of West Union when called on at a rate of 6 per cent, per annum, and is not to be called for until the year 1840.

The Commissioners of Adams County have come to the conclusion to issue Adams County scrip for the special benefit of the Zanesville and Maysville Turnpike Road Company, to the amount of $8,000.00, in the following manner: $1,500.00 in one year, $1,500.00 more in eighteen months, $2,500.00 in two years, and $2,500.00 in three years, all bearing legal interest from the issue until paid.

The Commissioners have come to the conclusion to have the market house of said county cleared out and kept clean and free henceforth from fodder, hay, oats, or straw of any kind and every kind.

The Commissioners adopted the following resolution, to-wit: Resolved, that the County Commissioners of the county of Adams are opposed to the enactment of the proposed law providing for tlie sale of the Maysville and Zanesville Turnpike road, as a g^oss act of injustice to the people of the county, and hereby respectfully but firmly remonstrate against the same.

Resolzfed, that the Auditor be directed to forward an authenticated copy of the foregoing resolution to our member of the House 6f Representatives, to be by him presented to that body.

Oliver Township established. Cut off of Wayne and Scott. First election held at the house of W. B. Brown near Unity. Was named in honor of John Oliver, of Meigs Township.

The stone work of the jail and Sheriff's residence was let to William Killen for $994.50. The completion of the building to Rape & Moore for $2,498.00.

E. P. Evans presented a bill for J. R. Cockerill and I. H. De Bruin for $30.00 cash paid by them for transporting arms and acoutremenls from Columbus, Ohio, to this county for use of the First Regiment, First Brigade, Fifth Division, O. V. M., which was allowed. Also a bill for $63.00 for repairing old arms, which was not allowed.

The Commissioners met pursuant to law. Present : Jos. R. Stevenson, John Pennywitt, and J. C. Milligan, the latter two claiming the same seat. In consequence of the Commissioners being unable to ag^ee as to who constituted the Board, they adjourned until tomorrow.

This day the Commissioners of said county appointed L. E. Cox and Smith Grimes to act as agents for the different townships of this county, to procure substitutes, etc., in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly, passed at the present session, restricting and legalizing substitute brokerage.