ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS established by the TOWN COUNCIL OF LAURENSVILLE January 1846  Transcribed by Edith Greisser ORDINANCE  I Be it ordained, that the town Council of Laurensville shall meet regularly for the transaction of business on the first Saturday in January, April, July and October in each and every year and more often at the insistence of the Intendant or any member of the Council or any emergency or for the transaction of business when any particular occasion. ORDINANCE  II The Town Council shall appoint annually an officer to be known as the High Constable of the town who shall, before he enter on the duties of his office, give bond with good security to the town Council and their successors, in the sum of $200 for faithful discharge of his duties.   ORDINANCE  III Every person or persons against whom any information is exhibited shall be summoned by note in writing served upon him or her, or left at his or her usual place of abode, by the high Constable or any officer or person under him, one day at least before the meeting of the Council, to appear before them to answer the charge; and if shall upon such summon, the party shall refuse or neglect to appear or render a sufficient excuse for his or her non-appearance, such refusal or neglect shall not prevent Council from proceeding to try such offender or offenders. And any person or persons having been summoned to attend as a witness or witnesses in any case to be tried by counsel and who shall refuse or neglect to attend; or to render a sufficient excuse for their non-attendance, shall forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding $10.   ORDINANCE  IV Any white person between the ages of 21 and 50 years who being called upon by any member or of Council, for assistance to suppress any affray, breach of the peace, or other outrages and shall refuse such assistance, shall forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding $10, unless a sufficient excuse is given for such refusal.   ORDINANCE  V For the purpose of keeping in repair the market, public wells, springs, streets, public roads within the limits of the Corporation, all white males between the ages of 16 and 50 and all colored males between the ages of 16 and 60, inhabitants of the incorporation, shall be liable to work 20 days in each year under such overseer the Town Council shall appoint, upon such notice being served by the Marshall or his deputy of the time and place, when and where, the work is to be performed, as is now required by law to be given in relation to working on public roads. It The same right or substitutes being allowed as is now secured by law. The year shall be divided into four quarters, viz: 1st Quarter        from 1st February to the 1st of May 2nd Quarter       from 1st May to the 1st of August 3rd Quarter       from 1st August to the 1st of November 4th Quarter       from 1st November to the 1st of February   And, exemption from working any one quarter may be procured for any hand liable there to by the payment of $2.50 per quarter to the clerk or Treasurer or the Town Council; provided the same be paid before the beginning of said quarter. Every person liable to work as aforesaid, who has not procured an exemption shall be liable to the same fine per day for failing to as is now provided by law in relation to defaulters in road duty.   ORDINANCE  VI It shall be the duty of every citizen who is a resident within the Incorporated limits of the said town of Laurensville, on application made by the High Constable or his officer, to make a just and true report to the High Constable or his officer of the white males in his family over 16 and under 50 years of age and of the black males over 16 and under 60 years of age. And it shall be the duty of every citizen to make such report annually on or before the first day of February in each year. And in the default of making such report after being duly notified by the High Constable or his officer, two days, each defaulters shall pay a sum not exceeding five dollars. ORDINANCE  VII No person shall retail spirituous or fermented liquors in less quantity than 3 gallons, within the limits of this town, without a license from the Town Council. Persons desiring such license shall make application to the Town Council specifying particularly the house and place where he intends retailing liquor; and if the Town Council shall grant such license, the applicant before he receives it, is required to pay for the license and make an shall give to the Town Council a bond with good security in the sum of $100 for keeping a decent and orderly house. No retail license shall be transferred from one person to the other nor shall the place of retailing be changed without the consent of the Town Council. No retailers except tavern keeper shall sell spirituous or fermented liquors on Sunday except in cases of sickness or to travelers passing through and then not to be used on the spot; nor after nine o'clock at night at any time; nor shall they at any time keep open doors or windows of their retail shops. Every such retail license shall expire on the first Saturday in January annually; but it may be revoked by the Council whenever in their opinion it is abused, to the injury of the public. All persons offending against the ordinance shall be fined upon conviction thereof, in sum not exceeding $20.   ORDINANCE  VIII No person shall have, keep or use any E O or A B C Table or Faro Bank or any other table constructed for the purpose of gaming or on which any game is played, nor shall play at any other game not authorized by law, whereby money is that were one, within the Incorporated limits of this town. Every person violating this ordinance shall for every day on which he or she violates the same, forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding $20. No billiard table license shall be given, granted or allowed in this town for a shorter or less term of time than 12 months and the applicant before he receives such license shall pay to the Clerk of the Council $20 per ton for each billiard table and two dollars for the fees of the license.   ORDINANCE  IX No person shall keep on his or her premises a nuisance to the annoyance of his or her neighbors. Any person so annoyed may complain to a member of Council or to the High Constable, who shall require in writing an abatement of the nuisance by the person complained of in 24 hours. Should the nuisance not be abated or removed at the expiration of that time then such member or High Constable shall summon three freeholders, not residing in the immediate vicinity to examine the premises complained on. If they deem there is a nuisance that ought to be removed they shall give a decision in writing to that officer; and upon such decision the said member of Council or High Constable shall order the removal of the nuisance and if within one day thereafter it is not removed, for every day following the person on whose premises it remains may be fined in the sum not exceeding $20.   ORDINANCE  X It shall be the duty of all lot holders and those having charge of lots to keep them clean and dry. The shall permit no celler or sink to cool in water. They shall fill up all low places within their enclosure in such a manner to pass the water into the streets, on 10 days notice, in writing, from any member of Council, requiring them to do so. It shall also be their duty and they are hereby required on one day’s notice from any member of Council in writing to remove from their lots all decayed and decaying vegetable and animal substances and in general everything tending to corrupt the air to a sufficient distance as not to jeopardize the health of the town; and they shall keep the foundation of their privies closely boarded and by the use of lime and other correctives shall keep them as pure as possible. And whoever violates this ordinance shall be fined on conviction in the sum not exceeding $10 for each day he or she continues such violation.   ORDINANCE  XI No person shall place in any street or on any sidewalk or public square, any empty boxes, empty casks or other obstructions of any kind. No person shall run a horse or mule in the streets, nor shall drive, ride or place any horse, mule or any other animal, or any kind of carriage, on any side walk or on any street which intersects any side or other walk in such manner as to prevent the free passage of persons. Provided nevertheless that this ordinance shall not prevent wagons or other carriages from loading and unloading at all laces necessary.   ORDINANCE  XII Any white person or persons who shall be guilty of fighting, quarreling, rioting or otherwise acting in a disorderly manner in the streets or elsewhere shall forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding $20; and if such offense be committed by an apprentice or other minor, such apprentice or minor shall be liable to be committed to the common jail, except the parent, master or guardian of such apprentice or minor pay to the Town Council such fine as they shall inflict.   ORDINANCE  XIII Any white person in any manner opposing the town officers in the discharge of their duty shall on conviction, be fine not exceeding $20.   ORDINANCE  XIV Every show man or juggler who shall make any exhibition for pay, of any play of the stage, of animals or anything else, shall for each day pay a tax to the town Council of $10. And in case a showman or juggler shall refuse or neglect to pay the taxes imposed by this ordinance, it shall be the duty of any member of the Council to issue execution against the goods and chattels of such exhibitor, or his person, for the amount of the taxes and cost.   ORDINANCE  XV It shall not be lawful for any person or persons to camp horses, wagons or wagons, carts or carts, in any of the public roads, streets or alleys, or in any lot adjoining the public square, or in any public lot, within the Incorporated limits of this town. It shall be the duty of officers or the Council, on finding of any person or persons, encamped in violation of this ordinance, to order them to remove forth with and in case of refusal, such officers shall arrest such offender or offenders and take him or them before the Council or any member thereof who may fine him or them in a sum not exceeding $20; and upon refusal to pay such fine he or they may be committed to the jail of Laurens district.   ORDINANCE  XVI When a fine is imposed by the Town Council it shall be the duty of the Clerk of Council within three days there after, unless otherwise directed by the Council, or unless within that time he or she produce to the clerk the receipt of the High Constable or other officer of Council for the fine and cost, to issue execution against the body or goods of the person so fined, which execution shall be directed to the High Constable or his deputy and bear test in the name of the Intendant. When the Intendant or any other member of Council shall impose a fine for the violation of any ordinance of the town he shall forthwith report the same to the Clerk of Council that it may be entered on record and when so entered, execution may issue instanter thereon, as above. In all cases of the sale of goods under execution, 10 days notice thereof shall be given the day of sale inclusive.   ORDINANCE  XVII No person within the Incorporated limits of the town shall keep a house of entertainment for the accommodation of travelers, strangers or visitors, for pay, unless he, she or they shall first have paid and obtained a license from the Town Council, without incurring a fine not exceeding $20 – Provided, this clause shall not extend to those who keep yearly borders, for a shorter period such as residents to go to school, engaged in business or following some livelihood in this town.   ORDINANCE  XVIII Any white person who shall be guilty or willfully or maliciously injuring or maltreating the stock or any property whatever of another person within the incorporated limits of this town or shall enter on any premises of another and commit any disturbance by willfully doing an injury to the lot, garden, well, or spring, he or they on conviction thereof shall be fined not exceeding $20. And should any such offense be committed by an apprentice or minor, such apprentice or minor on conviction shall be liable to be committed to the common jail, unless the master, or guardian of such apprentice or minor shall pay to the Council such fine as may be inflicted. Nothing herein contained shall be construed so as to apply to any person who may be using the necessary means to prevent an injury being done his premises or property by the stock of another person.   ORDINANCE  XIX Every individual owning and occupying a dwelling house in the town of Laurensville and every person occupying a dwelling as tenant to another, shall be required to keep at all times at least one would marry size water bucket in some convenient and accessible place on their premises ready to be used in case a fire shall happen in any part of the town; and each store in shopkeeper and keeper of a tavern or public house, shall be required to keep constantly at least two water buckets and a convenient part of their store, shopper house for the same purpose. Each bucket hereby required to be marked with the owner's name and the letters F. B. in large capitals on the same. Any person failing to comply with this ordinance shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five dollars.   ORDINANCE  XX Whereas, it may happen that persons shall apply for and obtain a license to keep tavern, with a view to evade the legal requirements concerning retailers of spirituous liquors and with the design to make a business of retailing merely without preparation for, or intention of, entertaining travelers and boarders, or of providing provender and suitable means for feeding and keeping horses; to prevent such evasion of the law, Be it ordained, that every license to keep tavern which may be granted by Council shall be subject to be repealed and revoked upon it's been made to appear that such license has been abused or perverted contrary to law; or that the person obtaining such license does not bona fide and in the true acceptation of the term, keep the tavern; and the person so offending shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $20, provided notice of one day shall be given to such person to show cause why such license shall not be revoked or fine inflicted. And provided nothing herein contained shall prevent such person from being proceeded against for any unlawful conduct as they are now liable to by law.   ORDINANCE  XXI Should any slave offer any article whatever for sale within the incorporated limits of this town without the legal permission of his or her owner in writing, or by the permission of some white person present with and having charge of such slave, such article so offered (Unless brooms, baskets, shuck collars, watermelons, or other articles usually manufactured by slaves or uncivilized fruits) shall be liable to be seized and taken from any such slave so offering the same by any citizen of the town and especially by the patrols of the town and other officers for the time being, whose duty it shall be to make such seizure and bring the same before any member of the Council, shall take charge of the same and give notice by advertisement on the courthouse door for three days of such seizure, stating the name of the slave and that of his or her owner; and if the said article is not claimed within the three days by the owner of the slave, it shall be sold by the town constable to the highest bidder and the proceeds paid over to the use of the town Council.   ORDINANCE  XXII No person shall offer for sale any unsound or unwholesome articles, before he or she has given public notice of such defect in open market; and any person offending herein, shall be liable to be fined not exceeding $10. All ordinances conflicting with this are hereby repealed.   ORDINANCE  XXIII No person shall be allowed to hire slaves, male or female, their own time, within the limits of the incorporation; and every owner or person having charge a slave or slaves, hiring their own time within the incorporation, shall be liable to be fined in a sum not exceeding $20 and the slave or slaves so hiring their own time shall be liable to be taken and lodged in jail at the cost of the owner until all fines and costs of proceedings are paid.   ORDINANCE  XXIV Any person who shall shoot a gun, pistol or other firearm or throw fireballs in the public square or within 20 yards of any street or road, 200 yards from the courthouse (Unless the act is done in obedience to some lawful requirement) shall be fined on conviction a sum not exceeding five dollars for each offense.   ORDINANCE  XXV Any person who shall exhibit stallions, jackasses or bulls on the public square shall be fined a sum not exceeding $10.   Done and ratified in Council on the 24th day of January, Anno Domini 1846 John W. Simpson Intendant J. S. Hicks, Clerk and Treasurer William Hance, William R. Farley, John D Wright, Edward Hicks - Wardens