Name/Title
Appointment of Virginia Justices of the PeaceEntry/Object ID
2023.23.2LDescription
Official appointment of four Justices of the Peace for Northampton County, Virginia: Thomas Parsons, John Darby, Littleton Eyre, and Peter Bowdern. Signed by Governor Patrick Henry during his fourth term (1784–1785). In the printed type, the name "THOMAS JEFFERSON" is crossed out, and "Patrick Henry" is handwritten in ink above it.
Ink on laid paper. Typed document with handwritten words filled in. Red seal towards bottom left corner. Matted and framed, a small rectangular section of the back matte is cut out to view the date written on the reverse.Collection
Patrick & Dorothea Henry CollectionTranscription
Transcription
The Commonwealth of VIRGINIA
To all persons to whom these presents shall come greeting: KNOW YE that our GOVERNOUR, on recommendation from the court of the county of Northampton hath, with advice of our COUNCIL of STATE, constituted and appointed
Thomas Parsons, John Darby, Littleton Eyre, & Peter Bowdern
gentlemen, Justices of the Peace, in and for the said county, in addition to those now holding that office, with authority as well to execute within the limits of the said county the other duties of the said office prescribed by law as to be of any court to be held for the said county, of which one of the said Justices heretofore commissioned and now holding the said office shall be one IN TESTIMONY whereof these our letters are made patent. Witness Patrick Henry, Esq; our said GOVERNOUR at Richmond, on the 24th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five.
P. HenryLanguage
EnglishDimensions
Width
11-3/4 inLength
11-3/4 inDimension Notes
Details: Frame included.Provenance
Notes
In the colonial and early American eras, the primary purpose of the Justice of the Peace was to keep order. They accomplished this by making arrests, charging criminals, and serving in grand juries and local courts. Though education in law was not required for the position, a Justice of the Peace held significant power in their communities because of their wide range of duties.
The original land of Northampton County was established in the colony of Virginia as Accomac Shire after the settlement of Jamestown in 1607. Beginning in 1663, the area was divided to create two counties, Northampton and Accomack, which still exist today.
With this document, four men—Thomas Parsons, John Darby, Littleton Eyre, and Peter Bowdern—were appointed as Justices of the Peace for Northampton County. It was printed for use during Thomas Jefferson's terms (1779–1781) as Virginia's second governor; his name is crossed out, and Patrick Henry's is handwritten above it, likely when Henry re-entered office three years later and served from 1784–1786. His governor's signature can be seen at the bottom of the document.
The PHMF received this appointment as a loan from Richard L. and Catharine H. Hubbard on May 1, 2023.