Old Court Records
Anderson County, KY
Source: "A History of Anderson County" by Lewis W. McKee
Originally published: Frankfort, Ky., 1937
Submitted by K. Torp
Old Court Records
Anderson County, KY
Source: "A History of Anderson County" by Lewis W. McKee
Originally published: Frankfort, Ky., 1937
Submitted by K. Torp
CHAPTER IV
OLD COURT RECORDS
The record on March, 1832, in the Anderson County Court is as follows: "On motion
of Jeremiah Mizner it is ordered that John Bond, Joseph Allin, Joseph Woods and Johnson Malone be commissioned
to view the way from Madison (Main) street at Mathias Gait's house (now the post office site) on to Wallace's ware
houses to Sublett's Ferry, through lands of Joseph Mizner, George Harlan, George Stott, George Walker, Dixon Dedman
and down Bailey's Run creek to said ferry and report." This road to Sublett's Ferry (Shryock's) was opened
the next year. From 1831 to '33 Anderson County was laid off in roads.
In May, 1833, on motion of Andrew Hawkins and James Dawson, it was ordered that Luke Lillard, Joel Boston, Wm.
Burford and Reuben Boston be appointed viewers to view and make a new road by way of Hawkins' mill on Gilbert's
creek to Dawson ferry on Kentucky river.
The following is the form to which the first Justices of the Peace had to subscribe:
January 18, 1827; I, Henry Davidge, presiding Judge of Anderson County, certify that James McBrayer, Esquire, this
day personally appeared before me at the town of Lawrence in Anderson County and made oath on the Holy Evangely
of Almighty God that he will support the Constitution of the United States, and that he will be faithful and true
to the Commonwealth of Kentucky so long as he shall be a citizen thereof; and also the office of a Justice of the
Peace prescribed by the Constitution of the United States, and also the oath prescribed against duelling. In testimony
whereof I, Henry Davidge, presiding Judge aforesaid, have set my hand and seal this 23rd of January, 1827, in the
35th year of the Commonwealth." After this oath, a certificate signed by Joseph Desha, Governor of Kentucky,
testified that James McBrayer was a qualified Justice of the Peace of Anderson County.
On May, 1830, the court ordered "that Joseph Moore, infant orphan of Sarah Moore, deceased, who will be eleven
years of age the 13th of this month, be bound apprentice to Howard Sutherland, until he arrive at age of 21 years
to learn the trade of blacksmith." (Signed) N. C. Johnson, Clerk of Court.
In March, 1831, it was "ordered that Thomas Montgomery be bound as an apprentice to Reuben Boston to learn
the art of a farmer; said Thomas being nine years of age to be bound until he arrives at the age of 21 years, Sallie
Montgomery, mother of Thomas, consenting thereunto in open court." (Signed) John Busey, Clerk.
Another indenture made January 4, 1833, shows that Nelson C. Johnson, Clerk of Anderson County Court, convenented
with Thomas Mountjoy that Thomas Slaughter "shall serve Thomas Mountjoy as an apprentice to the tanning business
until he arrive at the age of 21, and the said Thomas Mountjoy covenent on his part to learn the said Thomas Slaughter
the art, mystery and business of a tanner and to furnish the boy with good board during the term of his apprenticeship,
and to school said Thomas as to reading, writing any cyphering to the Rule of Three, and at the end of his term
of service to furnish him a good suit of clothes and pay him the sum of three pounds and ten shillings."
In November, 1834, the court ordered that John Busey, Wesley Browning, Andrew McBrayer and John Bond be appointed
a committee on behalf of the county (any three of whom may act), to select a situation proper to locate a Poor
House for the use of the county; and that said commissioners be authorized to lay out and expend in the purchase
the sum of $200 payable out of the county levy of 1835, and the balance of $100 payable out of the county levy
of 1836. At this meeting the court ordered a road opened to Hudgin's Mill on Salt river. This became Bond's Mill
in 1850, and was in possession of the Bonds for over half a century.
[The first location of the Poor House was on the old Frazier farm, near Rice's Road, back of the J. B. Morris farm.
Today it is six miles from Lawrenceburg on the Glensborough pike on Hammond's creek; 105 acres are embraced in
this tract, and John Oliver is the present keeper.-L. K. B.]
February 22, 1834: "At the instance of the Judge and members of the Bar and officers of this court it is ordered
that they will, as a mark of respect for the memory of John Breathitt, deceased, late Governor of the Commonwealth,
attend in procession his corpse as it passes through the county, and the court will adjourn for that purpose."
In the old Order Book "A," of an earlier period is found the following: May 28th, 1828; Commonwealth
vs. George Stott who "did swear five times and was fined 25 shillings." Also the same against Stephen
Neal, Garland Lane and Woodford Watts, each were fined 5 shillings for swearing.
November term, 1855: Commonwealth against Mose, a slave, for felony, 150 stripes; the first to be inflicted on
the 26th of November and every five successive days until completed. It is adjudged that he receive the 150 lashes
upon his bare back, to be inflicted by a cowhide, by the sheriff or one of his deputies at the public whipping
post, if there be one, or in the jail room. Upon the completion of the sentence, it is ordered that said slave
be delivered by the jailer to his master.
May 14th, 1860, it is ordered by the Court that the Jailer of the county obey the following rules in reference
to the jail: That it shall be his duty to keep the jail clean and clear of filth; second, to provide good and wholesome
diet for the prisoners; third, that he shall visit said jail at least three times a day while prisoners are in
the same, and examine every thing on the inside; fourth, and make his report monthly to this Court.
February 10th, 1860: Commonwealth against Jim, a slave, charged with burglary. It is ordered that James Posey be
appointed attorney to defend the defendant, and the defendant being informed of the nature of the indictment, plea
and verdict was asked if he had any legal cause to show why judgment should not be pronounced against him, and
none being shown, the Court adjudged that the defendant receive 200 lashes laid upon his bare back, to be inflicted
50 at a time at intervals of five days. The sheriff is directed to execute the order.