Transcription
Potomac Scene, Friday, February 13, 1976. Page 4
OLDE
PRINCE WILLIAM
COUNTY
1776 - 1976
A look at jails and courts in Revolutionary Prince William
compiled from historical papers by the Eastern Prince William
Chamber of Commerce Bicentennial committee:
On Thursday the 7th day of April next being Prince William
court week will be let at the court house door at 4 o'clock in the
afternoon, the building of a large two story brick prison when
the plan, Dimensions and times of payment will be made
known to the bidders. Henry Lee, Richard Graham,
Alexander Lithgow. Commissioners.
Allan Macrae, William Carr and James Deneale. Gent or
any two of them are appointed to agree with some person to
erect a ducking stoll on Quantico Creek of the Town of
Dumfries.
1787 - On Wednesday night the 10 inst. an attempt was
made by some atrocious incendiary to burn the clerks office
at Dumfries in order it is supposed to destroy the records etc.
by throwing a brand of fire through the window which burnt
through the floor. Had the villans designs answered his
expectations it is more than probable he would have burn't down
the greater part of the town of Dumfries.
Jane Kelley - 'Having a base born child, plead guilty her
sentence to be whipt at the whipping post. 25 lashes.
Ordered that the keeper of the Public Jail of this Dist do
certify to the executive the escape of Matthew Anderson who
stands indicted for horse stealing, specifying the time and
manner of his escape, together with a description of his
person.
John Smith put in the stocks for one hour for his ill behavior
to the court.
Criminals tried by General Court and sentenced "to be
hanged" William Smith alias William Nugen, labourer.
Parish of Dettingen Prince William County for horse stealing.
Letter from Joseph Prentiz's Joseph Jones to the Governor:
Represent that George Brown convicted of horse stealing by
District Court at Prince William is probably of unsound mind
and therefore a subject of Executive clemency.
A petition of Mr. Henry Peyton complaining of an undue
election.
A suit delayed until next session. John Highlander broke
into the Mill House of John Graham and stole bags of corn,
wheat and rye.
Runaway from the subscriber in Dumfries a servant man
Joseph Fisher a convict and tailor 5'6" dark visage and a
down look.
3.0.0 pounds reward for a mulatto boy Archie about 14 years
old...went off in the company of a very artful wench-John
Macrae.
Kit a negro man slave belonging to Landon Carter stole a
mare belonging to Henry Wilson Plead - Not guily. Court said
not guilty so as to suffer death but it is ordered he be set in the
pillory for the space of five minutes; and one of his ears be
nailed thereto and from thence cut loose of, that he also
receive 39 lashes on his bare back well laid on.Transcriber
Adam KitchenLanguage
English