xt7nzs2k9d0k https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7nzs2k9d0k/data/mets.xml Shelby County, Tennessee Shelby County, Tennessee Court 1941 Prepared by the Tennessee Historical Records Survey, Division of Professional and Service Projects, Work Projects Administration; Other contributors include: United States Work Projects Administration Division of Professional and Service Projects; iv, 100, 6 leaves, 28 cm; Includes index; UK holds archival copy for ASERL Collaborative Federal Depository Program libraries; Call number FW 4.14:T 256/4/bk.1 books English Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee Historical Records Survey This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed in accordance with U. S. copyright laws. Tennessee Works Progress Administration Publications Minutes of the County Court of Shelby County, Book Number 1, 1820-1824 text Minutes of the County Court of Shelby County, Book Number 1, 1820-1824 1941 1941 2015 true xt7nzs2k9d0k section xt7nzs2k9d0k     `IIIIHHIIHWNH | HH1 E        
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  THE TENNESSEE HISTORICAL NEcuNnS SURVEY
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CV MINUTES OF THE COUNTY COURT
V OF
E ·* SHELBY coumw
H * ‘ Book No. 1
`· 1820-24
Nashville, Tennessee
The Tennessee Historical Records Survey
January 1941

 The Historical Records Survey Program
C2 Sargent B, Child, National Director
—< M dison Bratton, State Supervisor
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J Milton W, Blanton, Regional Supervisor m
= T. Marshall Jones, State Supervisor O
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, Florence Kerr, Assistant Commissioner
A Blanche M. Ralston, Chief Regional Supervisor
g Betty Hunt Luck, State Director w
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P ‘WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION ?
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1 Howard O. Hunter, Acting Com issioner m<
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A Harry S. Berry, State Administrator M€
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f' Sponsor: ••••••••••• Tennessee State Planning Com ission cc
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A} Shelby County Board of Commissioners
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E Although the Historical Records Survey in Tennessee has as its
* chief purpose the preparation of guides to archival and other historical
‘ materials, a part of the project's program has been the transcription of
selected county records as a method of preservation and as a means of
placing typewritten copies of source materials in libraries and research
' centers. “
Q This undertaking on the part of the Survey represents a continuation
I of a program instituted under another project, sponsored by the Tennessee
State Library, whose program and personnel were absorbed by the Survey in
[ October 1958. Records have been selected for transcription with a view
? to their administrative importance, their significance as research
* materials, and their physical condition. A poorly preserved record is,
E of course, selected over a well preserved record of similar content. In
“ more recent months primary emphasis has been placed on the transcription
p of the minutes of the county courts, the governing bodies of Tennessee
counties. The ribbon copies of the transcriptions are deposited in the
¢ Tennessee State Library, at Nashville, with carbon copies being deposited
in the Library of the University of Tennessee, at Knoxville, and, in many
instances, in the courthouses of the concerned counties where they are
used for administrative purposes. The_two libraries and the counties
receiving copies act as cosponsors of this operating unit of the project.
For the last year, carbon copies have also been placed in the Library of
Congress, `
In the belief that certain transcriptions are of sufficient signifi-
cance as historical research materials to justify wider distribution, the
Tennessee Survey is mimeographing, for distribution to the institutions and
agencies receiving other project publications, a limited number of such
records. This volume, a transcription of the first minute book of the
county court of Shelby County, is the first to be reproduced by mimeo-
graphing. U
Shelby County is in the extreme southwestern corner of the State;
its southern border is the Mississippi State line, its western border
the Mississippi River. Created by legislative act of 1819 and organized
in the spring of 1820, Shelby County, like its present seat of govern-
ment, the city of Memphis, has had a history both colorful and dramatic,
, no period more so than that reflected in this book. Shelby County and
Memphis were brought into being by a small group of men of vision, chiefly
the triumvirate of Andrew Jackson, John Overton, and Marcus B. Winchester,
all clearly envisioning the metropolis that was to be built on cotton,
land, lumber, and water·borne commerce. ‘
In the year of its organization, Shelby County had a population
of 364, the least of any of the State's then 47 counties. Forty years
later, in 1860, it was, with a population of 48,092, the State's largest
county. In the wake of the great disaster of 1878 - the year of the
yellow fever - the county fell briefly into second place, but since 1890

 iv
` Preface
it has been the State's most populous county; in 1940 its population
was counted as 357,620. memphis, the county seat, has long been the `
largest city of Tennessee,
This volume covers a part of the long period in Tennessee when the
county court, composed of the justices of the peace, was known as the
court of pleas and quarter sessions, and before successive legislative
acts stripped the court of its common law jurisdiction and left in its
place two almost distinct administrative agencies • one legislative and
the other judicial, its jurisdiction centering largely in matters uf
probate. The Shelby County court of pleas and quarter sessions, in the
year l820, designated virtually all of the county officials, appointed`
administrators, marked public roads, granted licenses to "ordinaries,"
levied taxes, heard civil actions of great variety, and tried and con-
victed persons offending against the peace and dignity of the State. It
. represented a decentralized government; it was, with its inclusive
H functions and jurisdiction, an administrative agency in which were found
gf most of the functions and authority which concerned a citizen with busi-
V _ ness to transact with the government.
This volume is intended to be a verbatim transcription, There are
‘ ‘ numerous apparent errors, but the book was transcribed as it appears.
" " The copyists did not attempt, for example, to correct the clerk's
spelling, nor were such matters as the date "May 20, l820" on page l in-
vestigated, whereas there were actions recorded which obviously occurred
before this date, It was inevitable that certain errors would result
from the copyists' inability to read the clerk's scrawl; patient research
and comparison would, perhaps, have justified considerable revisions in
— the finished draft. The transcription is not, however, an editorial
task. The bars drawn through much of the text indicate that the words,
in the original, are similarly marked or scratched out, The numbers,
enclosed in parentheses, throughout the text, indicate the beginning of
numbered pages in the original minutes. The index numbers are to the
pages of the original volume.
E *? I The original book is in the custody of the county court clerk in
‘{*“ the Shelby County courthouse at Memphis, The transcription was made and
·-`ii typed in 1958 by employees of the Copying Historical Records Project,
-*4 , the predecessor of the Transcription Unit of the Historical Records Sur-
p‘ vey.» The longhand transcription was made by Gertrude McGill, and the
· typewritten copies by Mae Welch, under the supervision of Penelope Jo
Allen and Kathdeen Caradine, Publication of this book was under the
supervision of Mary Alice Burke. Stencils were cut by Mary F. Barton,
Cora I, Adams, Helen P. Allen, Patsy R. Floyd, and Bessie E. Binkley.
A list of publications of the Tennessee Historical Records Survey follows
V the index to this volume.
h Madison Bratton, State Supervisor
The Tennessee Historical Records Survey
Nashville
January 51, 1941

 SHELBY COUNTY
MINUTES
VOL. 1
Minutes No. l May 20, 1820 Feb. 16, 182h
(P.l) State of Tennessee ) Chickasaw Bluffs lbnday
Shelby County ) May lst, 1820
Agreeably to an Act of Assembly
passed at Murfreesborough Nov. 2h, 1819 establishing a new county on the
Mississippi River known & called by the name of Shelby County, author-
izing & requiring a court of pleas & quarter sessions for said county to
be held at the Chickasaw Bluff on the day of the date hereof, Jacob
Tipton Esqr. who having been duly qualified agreeably to the requisitions
of said act appeared, caused proclamation thereof to be duly made, produced
his commission, and took his seat for the purpose of opening Court as
foresaid and thereupon proceeded to the qualification of Anderson B. Carr,
Marcus B. Winchester, William Irvine, Thomas D. Carr & Benjamin Willis,
who having produced their Commissions, MAA severally took the oath
(administered by Jacob Tipton Esqr.) to support the Constitution of the
State of Tennessee tho Oath of Office as Justice of Peace for said County
whereupon proclamation thereof being made the Court opened in due form.
Present the Worshipful
Jacob Tipton
Anderson B. Carr Esquire
Marcus B. Winchester
William Irvine
Thomas D. Carr Justice
Benjamin Willis
The Court proceeded to the appointment of a chairman whereupon
.William Irvine Esqr. was duly and constitutionally elected.
Ordered by the Court that John Bead be appointed Clerk protempore
of this Court, and that Major Thomas Taylor in like nnnner Sheriff.
(P.2) ’ May Term 1820 contd. May lst.
A deed of conveyance William Thompson to Anderson B. Carr for
an improvement was proven in open Court by the Oath of Michael Byrd
one of the subscribing Witnesses thereto and ordered to be certified
for Registration.
A covenant between Anderson B. Carr & Humphrey Williams was proven
in open Court by the oath of Michael Byrd one of the subscribing
Witnesses thereto and ordered to be certified for Registration.
An Agreement between John Grace & Anderson B. Carr was proven in
Open Court by the Oath of Marcus B. Winchester & Samuel R. Brown,

 2
(P.2 C0¤@'d·) subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be certified
for Registration.
Ordered by the Court that notice be given by advertisement on the
Court House door signed by the Chairman of the Court for the election of
officers for said Court which was done accordingly.
Court adjourned 'till tomorrow morning 9 o'clock.
Will, Irvine, Chairman
Jacob Tipton
A. B. Carr
M. B. Winchester
Thos. D. Carr
u Benjamin Willis, Jr.
Tuesday morning May 2nd, 1820, Court meet according to adjournment.
Present the Worshipful
, Wm. Irvine
Jacob Tipton
A. B. Carr Esqs.
. .~ H. B. Winchester
· Thos. D. Carr Justices
B. Willis
(P.3) Hay Term l82O cont'd May 2
The Court proceeded to the appointment of Clerk and to that office
appointed Wm. Lawrence who thereupon took the oath to support the Consti—
tution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Tennessee
the oath against duelling & the Oath of Office.
The Court proceeded to the appointment of a Sheriff to that office
Appointed Samuel R. Brown who thereupon took the Oath to support the
· Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of
Tennessee the Oath against duclling & the oath of office.
The Court proceeded to the appointment of a Register and to that
_ office appointed Thos. Taylor who thereupon took tht oath to support the
Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the State of Tenn—
essee the Oath against Duelling & the oath of office.
The Court proceeded to the appointment of Hanger and to that office
Sppointed Alex Ferguson when there a question arising whether said
Ferguson was elligible to the appointment, as a naturalized citizen the
decision thereof was postponed.
The Court proceeded to the appointment of Trustee and to that office
appointed it appeared on ballotting Paul Baylis & Willimn A. bavis in
nomination that the votes were ··l.= equal the decision of said election was
postponed until 3 o'clock P. M,

 3
. (P.3 Cont'd.) The Court proceeded to the appointment of Coroner and to
that office Appointed Gideon Carr who thereupon took the Oath to support
the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of
Tennessee, the oath against Duelling and the Oath of office.
(P.A)The Court proceeded to the Balloting for constitution upon counting
the votes William.Bettis & William Dean in nomination it appeared to be
equally divided. Whereupon the Court postponed the decision thereof
amwl3cNdom.
The Court proceeded to the appointment of Solicitor and to that
office appointed John D, Perkins.
Court then adjourned till 3 o*clock P. M.
Court met according to adjournment Same Justices present.
Ordered by the Court that the Wednesday after the first Monday of this
Court be set apart fer transacting County business,
The Court proceeded to conclude the appointment of a Trustee to that
office appointed William A. Davis who thereupon took the oath to support
the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the State of
Tennessee the oath against Duelling and the Oath of Office.
The Court proceeded to conclude the appointment of Constable and to
that office appointed William Bettis and William Dean.
' The Court then adjourned until tomorrow morning 9 o’clock.
Will Irvine, Chairman
Jacob Tipton
M. B. Winchester
A. B. Carr
Thos. D. Carr
(P.5) May Term l82O cont'd May 3rd.
Wednesday morning May 3, l820, Court met according to adjournment
Present the worshipful
William Irvine Esquires
Jacob Tipton Justices
M. B. Winchester
j A. B. Carr
Thos. D. Carr
The Court proceeded to confirm the appointment of Alexander Ferguson
HS Hanger of this County, it appearing to the satisfaction of the court
that he is naturalized citizen whereupon he took the Oath to support the
Constitution of thc United States the oath to support the Constitution of
the State of Tennessee the ceth against Duelling and the oath of office.

 . » A
(P.5 Cont'd.) Willimn Dean and William Bettis heretofore appointed
` Constables csme into open court and took severally the oath to support
the Constitution of the United States the oath to support the Constitution `
A of the State of Tennessee, the oath against Duelling & the oath of Office.
A John Montgomery & John P. Perkins Esqrs. produced their licenses as
_ practicing Attornies and having taken the oath required by Law are there—
J fore admitted to practice in this court.
John P. Perkins took the oath required by Law as solicitory of this
Court.
William Lawrence came into open court and entered into Bond for the
faithful discharge of the duties of his office as Clerk of this Court to
the Govenor and his successor in office with Anderson B, Carr & Marcus
B. Winchester his securities therein in the sum of five thousand dollars.
if (P.é) Samuel R. Brown came into open Courts end entered into Bond
agreeable to Law in the sum of five thousand dollars for the faithful dis—
charge of the duties of his office as Sheriff of this County with William
` Lawrence & James Stewart his Securities therein.
Gideon Carr came into open Court end entered into Bond agreeable to
Law for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office as Coroner of
this County in the sum of five thousand dollars with Anderson B. Carr and
William Irvin his Securities therein.
· Thomas Taylor came into open Court and entered into Bond agreeably to
Law for the faithful discharge of thc duties of his office as Register of
this County in the sum.of five thousand dollars with Jacob Tipton &
William Irvin his securities therein.
Willium A. Davis came into open Court and entered into Bond for in the
sum of Two thousand dollprs agreeably to law fo  the faithful discharge of
the duties of his office as Trustee of this County with Thomas D. Carr
and Samuel R. Brown his Securities therein.
Alexander Ferguson came into open Court and entered into Bond for the
faithful discharge of the duties of his office ss Hanger of this County in
_ the sum of five hundred dollers agreenbly to Law with William A. Devis,
William D. Ferguson & Patrick Meagher his securities therein.
(P.?) William Bettis came into open Court and entered into Bond in
the sum of five hundred dollars agreeable to Law for the faithful dis-
charge of the duties of his office as a Constable of this County with
Gideon Carr & Anderson B. Carr his securities therein.
William Dean came into Court & entered into Bond in the sum of five
hundred dollars agreeable to Law for the faithful discharge of the duties
of his office as a constable of this County with William Irvin & Joshua
Fletcher his securities therein,

 5
_ (R,7 Cont'd.) Ordered by the Court that Joseph James be allowed to keep
. an ordinary or house of entertainment in the Town of Memphis upon condition y
of his prdfnfing licenses, entering into Bond & agreeable to Law ordered »
by the Court that Patrick Meagher be allowed to keep an ordinary or house
of public entertainment in the Town of Memphis upon his entering into Bond
& according to Law.
y A title Bond, Peggy Grace to T. D. Carr for a lot No. L3, in the town
of Memphis, was proven in open Court by the oath of A. B. Carr one of the
subscribing Witnesses thereto and ordered to be certified for Registra-
v tion.
A Title Bond, George Allen to William Lawrence, for an occupancy was
proven in open court by the oath of A. B. Carr one of the subscribing
_ Witnesses thereto and ordered to be certified for Registration.
A Title Bond Drury Bettis & Jno. Gibbs to Wm. Lawrence for an
occupancy was proven in open court by the oath of A. B. Carr one of the
subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be certified for Registration.
(P.8) A Title Bond, Robt. Mc Allister to Wm. Lawrence for an occu-
pancy·was proven in open court by the oath of Wm. A. Davis & A. B. Carr
two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be certified for
A Registration.
_ Ordered by the court that the following persons to wit: Thomas H.
Persons, Joshua Fletcher, John C. McLemore, Marcus B. Winchester, Charles
Holeman & William Irvine or any five of them be appointed a Jury of
Review to mark out the best and nearest route for a road from the Town of
Memphis to the county line in a direction to Taylor*s Mill settlement on
Forked Deer and nnke report thereof to the next term of this court.
Ordered by the Court that William Irvine be authorized to keep a
Public Ferry for the purpose of conveying persons & property across the
Mississippi River at the public warehouse, otherwise called Irvine Land-
ing, he having entered into Bond in the sum of two thousand dollars agree-
ably to Law for keeping the banks in proper order, with suitable boats,
and giving due attendance with Joshua Fletcher and Gideon and Carr his
security for the performance thereof and that he allowed to demand &
receive the rates following to wit:
For each man & horse one dollnr—-----~-——~---- —-—— ~ ———--- is l.00
each loose or led horse mule or jack 50 cts —-—————-—- .50
each head of cattle under five fifty cents --—--—-——-~ .50
‘ » each head of cattle if over that number twenty five Ct. .25
each head of hogs or sheep if under five 25 cts, ---—- .25
each foot passenger twenty five cents- ——-———-——-———- .25
each four wheel carriage & drivers of four horses or
under if empty three dollars ---—--—-—-—--———-—-—— ——— 3.00
the same if loaded five dolL;rs—--- —--———— - —————————— 5.00
each horse in a team over four twenty five cents—~—-- .25
each two wheel carriage & driver & two horses, l.50-— l.5O
tho same if loaded ---——- ~ ------————----—————————— ~——— 2.50

 6
(B.9) Ordered by the Court that the following rates be adopted for the
y regulation of ordinnries or houses of public entertainment to wit:
' Boarding per week two dollars & fifty cents {
Boarding end Lodging per week three dollars & fifty cents
each Diet thirty seven end one half cents
Lodging per night twelve & an half cents
Lmghgymrnbmttm£w2&anhMfcmms
” Borrding per dry less than week one dollar
Keeping horse per week two dollers fifty cents
Keeping horse per day with corn & fodder or oats 25 cents
ditto per feed with corn only twelve & and half cents
‘ Whiskey per half pt. twelve and one half cents
French Brandy or Gin twenty five cents per half pint
Apple or Peach Brrndy Eighteen & three fourth cents ditto
Jamncai Spirits twenty five cents per ditto
Ordered by the Court that the following persons be summoned s venire
to attend here nt the next Term of this Court to wit:
John W. Padem John M. Riddle
Daniel Hirkleroed Robert McAllister
John Bettis Roberts
Patrick Meaghcr lhmmhrcy Williams
‘ Thomas H. Person William Thompson
Persons Joab Been
Persons John Grace
Charles Holeman Robert Quimby
Joshum Fletcher Tylmen Bettis
Russell Bean Drury Bettis
Gideon Carr Palmer
Jacob T. Swaford George Allen
Joseph James Butler Ashford
(P.lO) Benjamin Willis Esqr. came into open Court and tendered his resig—
nation as a Justice of the peace for this county which wes sccepted.
Ordered by the Court that Thonns Cerr Esqr. be appointed to take a
list of taxable property for this county and make return thereof to next
Court.
Court. Ordered that the court be edjourned until 9 o'clock tomorrow
' morning.
Will Irvine, Chtirman
A. B. Corr
· Thos. D. Curr
(P·ll) Huy Term Thursday nth May, 1820
Court met according to adjournment present the worshipful
Wm. Irvine Esquire
A. B. Carr
T. D. Cerr Justices

 I 7
(P,ll Cont'd.) A Bill of Sale Joeb Been to Wm. Irvine for a negroe boy
slnve was proven in open court by the oath of Overton W. Carr a sub— -
scribing Witnesses thereto and ordered to be certified fo  Registration.
A Title Bond from Benjamin Ferguson to hmm Irvine for two occupencies
wes proven in open court by the osth of Overton W. Carr one of the sub—
scribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be certified for Registration,
A Deed of conveyance from Jno. P. Smith to Wm. Irvine for a certain
parcel or trect of lend therein described wes proven in open court by the
oath of Joshua Fletcher and John Fletcher two of the subscribing witnesses
thereto and ordered to be certified for Registrotion.
Present M. B. Winchester Esqr.
Ordered by the court that Jacob T. Swerford be allowed to keep en
ordinary or house of Public Entertainment at his now dwelling house in
this county he having given bond in the sum of twelve hundred & fifty
dollars with Joshua Fletcher his security & qualified according to lew.
Ordered by the court thut us Patrick Meegher failed to produce to
the Court sufficient security to procure n license to keep an ordinary.
The order of the 3rd dey of this term is hereby rescinded.
P.l2 Ordered thst Joseoh James be allowed to kee un ordinar or house
. _ _P
of public entertainment et his new dwelling house he having given Bond in
the sum of twelve hundred end fift dollars with Alexander Fercuson end
y - »D
William A. Davis his securities and qualified according to lew.
Court then adjourned until the next term in course.
Will Irvine Chairmen A
Thomas D. Carr
M. B. Winchester
(P.l3) blank
(P.lL) Records of Shelby County Court Monday lst day of August Term l82O
cont*d,
’ A
Court met Present the worshipful William Irvine end Marcus B.
Winchester Esquires Justices. For wont of a quorum they order that court
be adjourned until tomorrow morning lO o’clock.
Will Irvine Chairmen
‘ M. B. Winchester
(1215) sim-;
(P.lé) Records of the County Court of Shelby County 2nd dey of August
Term IBEO

 8
li (P.l6 Cont'd.) Court met Tuesday morning Court met according to ad-
[‘ journment present the Worshipful William Irvine, Thos. D. Carr & Marcus I
l B. Winchester Esqrs. Justices. .
Depty Sheriffs Qualified William A. Davis personally appeared in
court & the court having examined his appointment & ordered the oath of
V office to be administered to him, which was done,
l I Grand Jury Empanneled The following persons were brought into
court elected sworn and empanneled as a Grand Jury for the present term—
vis
Thos. H. Persons, Foreman
Willie Roberts
John Grace, John W. Oadham, Jacob T. Swaford Drury Bettes, Patrick
Meagher, Thos. Palmer Humphrey William, J. M. Riddle, Joshua
Fletcher, Joseph Janes & Robert Quimby who being solemnly sworn,
charged etc. retired etc.
Daniel Harkleroad, Robt. McAllister, Wm. Thompson, Joab Bean
& Tilman Bettis Gentlemen named in the venire facias but not
elected etc. as Grand Jurors were dismissed until tomorrow morn-
ing lO o'clock.
John Bettis, Benja. Persons, Will Persons, Charles Holeman,
Russell Bean, George Allen and Butler Ashford Gentlemen named in the venire
· facias and summoned to appear here this day, were solemnly called and
came not; but there several excuses having been heard & deemed sufficient.
It's therefore considered by the court that they be dismissed and released
from their recognizances,
Court Adjourn Court adjourns until tomorrow morning lO o*clock.
Will Irvine, Chairman
Thos. D. Carr
M. B. Winchester
· (P.l7) Minutes of the Records & proceeding of the County Court of
Shelby County for August Term l82O Wednesday 3 day of the term.
V _ Court Met Wednesday morning Zrd day of August term l82O Court met
according to adjournment. Present the Worshipful William Irvine, Thos. D.
Carr & Marcus B. Winchester, Esqr. Justices.
Return of Report of Road Comms. The Report of the Commissioners
nominated and appointed at the last term of the sd county court; to ex-
aminc find out and mark the nearest and best way for a public road to the
East boundary of the County of Shelby was produced in open court and
4 ordered to bo filed.
Patrole appointed Same court present, when they nominate, appoint
.· Bhd authorize Russell Bean, William Dean, John N. Riddle, Joeb Bean,
John W. Oadham ard John Mazles to patrols, etc. through the county of

  
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  9
‘ i (P,l7 Cont'd.) Shelby under the same rules and regulations that are
€ usually observed by patrols companies in this state for the space of
J three months ordered that they be notified thereof by the clerk. j
Taxes laid for l82O Same Court present when the County taxes for
i the year 1820 are laid as follows, to wit; County tax on each hundred
acres of land l8 3/A cents, on each black p¢ZZ/ town lot 37 l/2 cents.
On each white poll l2 l/2 cents, on each black poll 25 cents. On each
Stud horse or jack kept for mares the price of the season ef ana mare.
V On each wholesale and retail store and on each pcdlar or hawker the sum
of five dollars. And the court also lay tie jury & poor taxes the same.
on each article as the county tax; except wholesale and retail stores,
and pedlars or hawkers and stud Horses and jacks which are not taxed to
the jury or poor and it is ordered that the sheriff collect the same
when he collects thc State tax.
(P.l8) The sane court present when the Grand Jury came into court and
handed in their Bills of Indictment.
Grand Jury came into Court, _
No. l State ' No. 2 State ' Indictment
vs ' Indictment vs ' retailing
Henry Gibson ' A, B.- Patrick Megher' spirits, ax
No. 3 State ' Indictment, A. B.
vs ' ·
Patrick Megher * the Grand Jury then retired.
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vs Indictment
Henry Gibson A. B.
Daniel Harkleroad, Robert Mc Allister, Wm. Thompson, Joab Bean, ~
Tilman Bettis, Enos Wade, Wm. Bettis, hmm Ferguson, Gideon Carr, Wm. West,
Arnold Kelley & Benjamin Willis being returned and sworn as the Jury in
this case and the defdt. being called to the bar, pleads not guilty; and
it appearing to the court that the defendant lack material evidence which
he may procure tomorrow; It is therefore ordered by the court that the
_ trial be put off till tomorrow morning and that the jury be dismissed till
9 o'clock tomorrow, the defedt. being left in the custody of the sheriff.
No. 2 State
vs Indictment Retailing etc
Patrick Megher

 p lO
r .· g (P,I8 Cont'd) Judgt. and final sentence The defedt. being called to
* . T the bar, pleads guilty, and submits to the grace and mercy of the court \
wherefore it is ¢pn considered by the court here that the defedt. be .
fined the sum of one dollar for the use of the state; and pay the costs
in this behalf expended.
"e (P.l9) N0. 3 State
‘ vs Indict A. B.
Patrick Megher
¥' `I Continued by consent of parties untill tomorrow. Court adjourns
' - till tomorrow morning 9 o'cIock.
` Will Irvine, Chairman
Thos. D. Carr
__ j M. B. Winchester
(P.20) Minutes of the Record and Proceedings of County Court Shelby
County for August Term l82O Thursday nth day of sd term.
Thursday morning nth day of August term l82O Court met according to
adjournment present the worshipful Wm. Irvine, Thos. D. Carr & M. B.
. Winchester, Esq. Justices,
Deposition to be taken issued. Same court present when it is ordered
that a commission issue to M. B. Winchester Esqr. to take the deposition of
Enos Wade & Arnold Kelly in a certain matter of controversy between Thomas
Woodward & Patrick Uegher and that the defedt. give ten days notice thereof.·
N0. l State
vs Indictment A. B.
Henry Gibson
_· Final Sentence Pursuant to yesterday’s order of court; the court
U proceeds now to the trial and the evidence both for the state and the
defendant being heard; the jury upon retirement find guilt in manner and
form as charged in the bill of indictment. Therefore it is considered by
I the court here that the dcfedt. be fined one dollar for the use of the
state and costs in this behalf expended etc,.
‘ Petit Jury Ordered by the court that Whn Bettis and Benja Willis
be released from further attendance on the last empanneled petit jury and
: ~ that Denial Herkleroad, Robt. Mc Allister, Dmn Thompson, Joab Bean, Tilman
» Bettis, Enos Wade, Wm. D. Ferguson, Gideon Carr, Wm. West, Arnold Kelly,
Henry N. Whitman and John Ferrell be empanneled & sworn a petit jury for
the present term.
, Q_ Courthouse Comm. for Ct. House Ordered by the court, that Thos. D.
Carr, Esqr. be authorized and empowered to contract with same workman to
build and erect u temporary log Court House, Jury room and jail on Market
Square in the town of Memphis & hereby appropriate $l75. for erecting and
building the sane.

  T3; A
t ll
· . i (P.2O Cont'd.) Grand Jury Disudssed Same court present when the grand
. J jury came into court & having dispatched all business were finally dis-
- · missed. f
< t (P,2l) Ordered that Patrick Megher have license to keep an ordinary at
his now dwelling house in this county on condition of his giving bond &
. security etc. as required by law.
Ordinary P. Megher.
P. Jury Dismissed Ordered by the court that the petit jury em-
panneled etc. for the present term be finally dismissed.
Cxurt adjourns till tomorrow morning 9 o'clock.
M. B. Winchester
Friday 5th day of August Term Court met according to adjournment pre-
- sent M. B. Tinchester Esqr. Justice Court adjourns for went of a quorum
~ till tomorrow morning 9 o'clock.
M. B. Winchester
J (9.22) Records of Shelby County Court August Term 1820, Court Met.
Saturday oth day of the term court met according to adjournment,
present Willm. Irvine, Thos. B. Carr and M. B. Winchester, Esqrs. Justices
‘ No. A State
vs Indict.
Thos. Patterson
Final Sentence of the Court. The court this day took into consider-
ation the present mt heretofore exhibited by the Grand Jury etc. and not
withstanding the Grand Jury found not a True Bill the court still consider
‘ that the Defcdt. pay the costs in this behalf expended etc.
No. l A. B, Carr, Assignee etc.
vs Attacht.
Michael Byrd Debt,
Judge. entered, etc. This day comes the plaintiff by his att. and
j - the defdt. not appearing tho solemnly called; therefore on motion of the
plaintiff it is considered by the court that judgt. final by defau