From The Record-Argus (Greenville, Pennsylvania), April 8, 1876, Saturday, Page 8 --
COURTS OF JUSTICEPrevious to the election by a vote of the people, the office of Justice of the Peace was filled by appointment by the Governor and his council. The first appointment for this office in the town of Greenville, was Mr. William Scott, (the term of office being for life or during good behaviour). Mr. S. held forth in a small store-room on High street, near the present residence of Josiah Kughler. The manner of conducting court at that day differed from this, in as much as the laying of penalties was mostly devolved on the justice. For instance: A countryman was one day brought before the court for some misdemeanor, and using profane language on the street. His punishment was to dig three stumps out of Main street, on the hill west of the U. P. church. Whether this was the method in which the street was finally cleared of this nuisance we know not, but if so, we would recommend it to the Burgess and Council as the bust method of grading and paving the streets at the present day. As at the same ration of penalty quite a fund of labor might be accumulated.
William Scott (1771-1849) was my 3xg-grandfather on my father's maternal side. He is a recent discovery for me and I am just now beginning research on this line.
Copyright © 2021 by Kevin W. Walker
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