William Scott (1771-1849) First Justice of the Peace for Mercer County, Pennsylvania

From The Record-Argus (Greenville, Pennsylvania), April 8, 1876, Saturday, Page 8 --

COURTS OF JUSTICE

Previous 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

Amanuensis Monday: Will of Francis Gibson (1774-1858)

In the name of God Amen. I Francis Gibson of  Neshannock Township Laurence County and State of Pennsylvania considering the uncertainty of this present life and being of sound mind and memory Blessed be God for the same do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following Viz.

1st of All I commend my immortal spirit into the hands of God who gave it and my body to be buried in a deacent (sic) and Christen (sic) like manner and of the worldly good with which it has pleased God to bless me in this world I dispose of as follows

2nd  I give unto my Eldest son Isaac Gibson the tract of land containing 117 acres 84 perches (?) as this day deeded to him and he is to pay the $200 consideration money to my son William M. Gibson. I give unto my son Samuel Gibson the west end of the farm where I now reside dividing by the line run by James Oliver to be for his proper use and benefit during his natural lifetime and then to be the property of them their heirs or assigns and on consideration of his paying unto each of my daughters Ester Parters (Porters) Elizabeth Wilson Martha Hannah (Hanna) Anne Morehead Mary Fisher Sarah Johnston and Rebecca Wilson the sum of one hundred dollars and the sum of three hundred dollars unto my son William M. Gibson

3rd I give and bequeath unto my Son Francis Gibson the East end of the Tract as run off by James Oliver To be for his use and benefit and his heirs or assigns forever

And 4th I give and bequeath unto my son William M. Gibson the sum of five hundred dollars as mentioned above two hundred dollars to be paid by Isaac and three hundred dollars to be paid Samuel 

5th. I give and bequeath unto each of my daughters Ester Elizabeth Martha Anne Mary Sarah and Rebecca Jane an equal share of the Household and Kitchen Furniture not otherwise disposed of the property to be appraised and offer at public sale after my decease by my Executors in after named and proceeds after paying the expenses to be divided among all my daughters above named share and share alike.  And I allow my daughter Anne Morehead in addition to the sum of one hundred dollars and her equal share of the proceeds of the sale of my household furniture to have my clock it is my will that the stoves and grates be left in the house.  And I further give and bequeath the remainder of all my personal property money due me on notes books account or in any way after defraying all expenses paying all my Just debts funeral expences (sic) and putting up a tomb stone to my late wife’s grave to my grand children herein after named Viz Francis Wilson Francis Gibson Francis Fisher and Francis Gibson and any other grand children tat are called by the name of Francis or may be so called during my lifetime to be divided among them share and share alike

I hereby constitute and appoint my son Isaac Gibson and Thomas Pomeroy the Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and declaring null and void all other wills I do declare this to be my last Will and Testament.  In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 26th day of February A.D. 1856 

Francis his X mark Gibson seal

Francis Gibson was my 4xg-grandfather on my Dad's maternal side.  Research has yet to be done, but every indication is these Gibsons were related to the Gibsons behind my mother. 

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Jacob L. Gurwell (1786 - abt. 1860)

The following is reproduced with permission from the "Gurwell Group" newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 4, (December, 1996) writer and editor Shirley Boyd --

Of the three young Gurwells, William, James and Jacob L., the least is known about Jacob L.  

Jacob L. Gurwell did not remain long in one spot.  First mention is in Mercer County, PA from where he served in the War of 1812. 

Jacob L. enlisted for the period of October 1, 1812 to April 2, 1813  in the Pennsylvania Militia and served as a private in Captain Matthew Dawson's Company of (PA) Militia, 5th Battalion (Nelson's) Infantry.¹  They joined General Crook's brigade and marched through Ohio to operate with General William Henry Harrison against the British at Ft. Meigs.  He served two months and receive $13.32 for his service.  Jacob L. was discharged December 10, at Mansfield, Ohio (Richland County) which was "210 miles from home."  One Company Muster Roll shows 285 miles from home (19 days).  His allowance for clothing was $3.98.² 

In October 1817, he married Mrs. Elenor Da(o)rland in Perry Township, Wayne County, Ohio, by Daniel Hutchison, J.P.³   

The 1820 census of Berlin Township, Coshocton County, Ohio (became Holmes County in 1826) shows that there was one male 26-45, two females under 10 and one female 16-26 in Jacob's household. 

On May 1, 1821 he purchased "Lot No. five of the fourth quarter of the tenth Township & the Sixth range of the tract...lying in the State of Ohio."⁴ However, in November of the same year he sold the land to Jacob Frye.  Jacob L.'s wife was listed as Aley.⁵   

On April 25, 1822 he purchased land in Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio.  (Sale was the from Delaware County, Ohio land office.  The deed was signed by President James Monroe.)⁶ 

By 1823 he had moved to Crawford County, Ohio.  A history of Crawford County records that "in 1823 in Liberty Township, Crawford County, the Northwest corner of Jacob L. Gurwell's farm was the first burying ground in that area so it is believed that one of the first to die belonged to Jacob L.  The graveyard no longer exists."⁷  Jacob L. is on the 1826 personal property tax list in Liberty Township.  "Prior to 1830 Jacob L. and David Hawk started a tannery northeast of Annapolis in Liberty Township."⁸  In 1832 and '33 Jacob L. was on the tax list in Liberty Township for lands and house.  In 1834 he bought land in Chatfield Township, Crawford County. 

The 1830 census of Crawford County, Liberty Township lists the following in Jacob L.'s household:  one male under 5, one male 40-50 (Jacob), one female under 5, one female 5-10, two females 10-15 and one female (20-30) (Aley).

While living in Crawford County, Jacob bought and sold many tracts of land. The last land transaction in Crawford County was in 1836 when he sold land to Isaac Starns.  He signed the land record and Aley made her mark. 

Jacob L. next appears in the 1850 Holt County, Missouri census.  He is 64 and lists his birthplace as Pennsylvania.  In his household are Emma, 26, born in Ohio, James, 16, born in Ohio, Amanda, 11, born in Illinois and William, 3, born in Missouri.  From this we can infer that he lived in Illinois after he left Ohio, that Aley died sometime after the birth of William (assuming that she was William's mother). 

----------------------------------------------------- 

_FOOTNOTES: 1-Military Records from the National Archives; 2-Ibid.; 3-Wayne County, Ohio Marriage Records. 1812-1829.; 4-Holmes County, Ohio Deed Book Vol. 15, p. 19, Holmes County Court House, Millersburg, Ohio. (Poor copy.); 5-Holmes County, Ohio Transcript Deed Record 11,  p. 173, Court House,  Millersburg, Ohio.; 6-Crawford County, Ohio, Recorder's Office, Bucyrus, Ohio Deed Book 4,  p. 108-109.; 7-1881 History of Crawford County, Ohio; 8-Ibid. p. 576 

Jacob Laban Gurwell is my 3x-great-grandfather on my mother's paternal (Gibson) side.

If you have anything to add on the Gurwell family history both Shirley and I would like to hear from you.  She can be emailed at shirboy[at]aol.com.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Amanuensis Monday: Resignation Letter of Judge Alexander Wright (1746-1838)

Mahoning Creek Mercer Coun May 13, 1829. 

Dear Sir, 

I have served as associate judge for the county of Mercer ever since it was first organized.  I now feel the debilitating influence of old age: and as you are the organ of the Commonwealth to make or unmake her offices I pray your Excellency to accept my Resignation of the office of Judge for the County of Mercer. and you will confer a favour on your humble servant.

Alex Wright 

His Excellency J.A. Shulze
Governor of Pennsylvania

Alexander Wright was my 5xg-grandfather. (Alexander Wright -> Elizabeth Wright -> Alexander Porter -> Samuel Porter -> Camilla Porter -> Mattie Needham -> living father -> Kevin).



Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker