A photograph of the Sweet Springs jail which petitioners in 1801 deemed ”so weak and untenable as frequently to occasion the escape of prisoners” may be seen at this link.
UPDATE: Sadly, this link is dead. 8 Jan 2012. DK
Related post: Petition, Monroe County, 1801
The following surnames were taken from a petition circulated in Monroe County, Virginia requesting that their parent county, Greenbrier, cease efforts to tax them. The signatures were all in the same hand, indicating that a copyist created the list from a different source document of original signatures. This may account for the many spelling variations of surnames.
An extensive report on three generations of the CANTLEY family is now available in the “REPORTS” section.
To the Honorable the Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Petition and Memorial of the subscribers, freeholders and inhabitants of the county of Monroe respectfully represent
That by an Act of the General Assembly of this Commonwealth passed in the year [blank space left unfilled] the seat of justice of the judicial district composed of the counties of Greenbrier, Montgomery, Botetourt, Kanawha and Monroe was established at the Sweet Springs in the county of Botetourt: that under the operation of the said law a monopoly enures to the proprietor of the Sweet Springs, perhaps, equally unconstitutional, as it is oppressive to your Petitioners that situate in a remote part ^corner of Botetourt county, apart from the body of population and without the advantage of a neighborhood, the suitors and witnesses to the said court are confined for their accommodation, to the tavern of the proprietor under the most inconvenient charges and regulations: that the expense of witnesses attendant upon the said court being generally equal to the fine incurred by their absence, the administration of public justice is generally retarded, and too frequently entirely defeated: that owing to the peculiar circumstances of the place a trial in the said court is rarely to be obtained previous to a lamentable train of continuances equally injurious to the parties litigant as to the general effectuation of rights: that the jail of the said District is so weak and untenable as frequently to occasion the escape of prisoners: that the said District does not command a clerk’s office, but that the records and exhibits are precariously kept in a small log mansion house among the mountains considerably detached from the said court house: that they are partially transported to the terms of the said court, and remain during the session in no certain place and under no certain arrangement, equally inconvenient to those whom they may concern, as unprotected from the common accidents by which they may be destroyed. Your Petitioners beg leave further to represent that the town of Union in the county of Monroe is situate in the heart of a compact and plentiful settlement, rapidly progressing in itself with comfortable and reasonable accommodations : a strong jail : a large and commodious court house, nearer the centre of population and territory than any other town of the District and commanding every advantage of country resource. Your memorialists therefore humbly represent : that situate as they now are, they are burthened [burdened] with numerous and oppressive hardships, without the convenient and regular administration of justice, to which they are entitled in common with other citizens : and solemnly averring to your honorable body that the convenience, the interest and opinions of the great body of the District loudly demand a removal, and that those invaluable objects are hapily and peculiarly concentrated in the town of Union in the county of Monroe : and firmly convinced that that equal and sound policy, which hath ever actuated the legislature will regulate their care. They pray your honorable body to pass a law for the removal of the seat of justice of the said District from the Sweet Springs, to the town of Union in the county of Monroe and they as in duty bound will pray
NOTES:
The following is a partial list of surnames found on this document. Since the actual lists consist of signatures, I was unable to decipher some of them.
ALDERSON, ALEXANDER, ALFORD, ALLEN, ALLFORD, BALLARD, BENNETT, BENSON, BERN, BERRY, BICKET, BLACK, BLAND, BLANTON, BOLDIN, BOLLEN, BOSTICK, BOYD, BROOKING, BROWN, BRYNSIDE, BURDIT, BURK, BURN, BURNS, CAMP, CAMPBELL, CANLEY, CANTLEY, CANTLY, CAR, CARTER, CASSTER, CHAMBERS, CHARLTON, CHRISTY, CLARK, CLINE, COLLINS, CORNWALL, CORNWEL, CROSER, DAWSON, DEBOY, DOLTON, DONNELLY, DORREY, DOUGHERTY, DOUGLASS, DOUTY, DUGLAS, DUNBAR, EARLY, ELLIOTT, ERSKINE, EWING, FALKNER, FARLEY, FIFE, FOSTER, GABBERT, GALLE HURR, GARED, GARVIN, GLENN, GOTS, GRAHAM, GRASS, GRAY, GREEN, GWINN, HALL, HANDLEY, HARMON, HARPER, HAWKINS, HINCHMAN, HOLLAND, HONICER, HOUND, HUGHES, HUMPHREYS, HUTCHISON, JAMES, JOHNSON, JOHNSTON, JONES, KERNAN, KIENAN, KILBURN, KINCAID, KING, KINKAD, KISINGER, KITCHEN, KNOX, LAREW, LAWRANCE, LEACH, LEE, LEG, LEGG, LIVELY, LOUSE, LOVE, LOWE, LYNCH, MADDY, MAN, MANNIX, MATTHEWS, MCDOWELL, MCGLAMERY, MCGRAN, MCNEER, MEADOWS, MILLER, MILLER, MITCHEL, MORDACK, NELSON, NICHOLL, NICKEL, NICKELL, NICKIL, NICKL, PACK, PATTERSON, PATTON, PHILLIPS, PIERSEN, POWERS, PRENTICE, RAINS, RALSTON, RAMSEY, RAYNS, ROACH, ROBINSON, RUBLE, SCOTT, SHANKLIN, SHANKS, SHIREY, SHOEMAKER, SKAGGS, SKEGGS, SMITH, SPICKARD, SWOBE, TACKETT, TAYLOR, TERRY, THOMAS, THOMSON, VINVENT, VOSSEMINE, WHIT, WIGEL, WIKEL, WISEMAN, WITHEROW, WYLIE, YOUNG
Link to transcription of names in the arrangement wherein they appeared on the document pages/fragments. This list includes partial transcriptions of names that were difficult to read. You will see here how family members and perhaps neighbors signed in groups.
Estate of Mrs. Sarah Clark, Decd
Inventory and Appraisal
26 May 1810
“a negro woman named Jean and her daughter 6 months old” – $383.33
“a girl about ten years old named Lucy” – $200
“a boy about eight years old named Madison” – $216.66 2/3
“1 do [boy] about six years old named Theophlias” – $180
“1 do [boy] about four years old named Str[i?]lar” – $150
1 bay mare six years old
1 Iron tooth harrow
1 log chain
1 pair steelyards
9 sheep
3 potts
10c [-in?] without a lid
3 pair pot hooks
Turning tools
1 Flax wheel
1 Broad ax
1 Crook
1 Handsaw
1 pair [Lad?] Irons
1 Hackle
1 Looking Glass
[Crowes ins have ??]
Crooked drawing knife
Shoe hammer and pinchers
1 pint glass
5 pewter plates
dishes
1 [check?] reel
1 Coffee mill
Bedstead Bed & Furniture
2 Boxes
1 Ladies Saddle
1 Bedstead Bed & Furniture
1 Bedstead & Cord
1 Hone
1 set Razors & case
a parcel of books
1 Callender
4 plates and sheers
1 Table
1 Loom and guide wheel
2 old stays
1 2 year old Colt
1 Heifer
1 bridel Cow and Calf
1 black and white Cow and Calf
1 yearlin Steer
1 Cutting Box and knife
1 Riffle gun
5 chairs
12 geese
1 pair dog irons
1 Broad ax & trough
1 Hoe
Total value of estate: $1,389.03 2/3
Submitted by: Isaac Estill, William Vass, Tod Stergeon
At Monroe June Court, 1810
Date of license, 1854
Caleb Rains and Leah Harvey, May 24
Hugh Smiley and Margaret Ann Young, May 29
Daniel J. Early and Mary Miller, June 7
Wm A. Porterfield and Almeriah Ballard, June 12
Samuel C. Barger and Lurany F. Goodall, June 16
Madison C. Meadows and Mary Ann Garten, June 19
[??]gant Bobbett and Melinda I. Burdill, June 19
James Boon and Elizabeth Meadows, June 19
William H. Dunsmore and Mary Ann Holmes, June 24
John W. Yates and Louisa S. Ralsten, June 29
Robert Lemon and Virginia Burdell, July 11
William Wikel and Nancy Arnot, July 11
George Wikel and Jane Minner, July 12
[Conrad?] Gibson and Mary [I. or J.] Jones, July 17
William H. Broyles and Katherine Ferguson, July 18
Archibald Carter and Mary Magdalin Vass, August 1
Andrew S. Lymann and Mary C. Bonham, August 7
Abraham L. Keadle and Amelia Tuggle, August 12
James L. Lynch and Mary Ellen Harris, August 24
Garland J. Sims and Caroline Meadows, August 28
Jackson Meadows and Martha Sims, August 28
Lewis A. Whitten and Evaline Keaton, August 28
John A. Rutledge and Clara G. Campbell, August 31
Thomas W. Townsley and Nancy Jane Brown, September 18
James E. Bostic and Eliza S. Foster, September 18
Charles Eddy and Louisa Katherine Faudree, September 23
James A. Holmes and Susannah Humphreys, September 28
James S. Clayborn and Virginia Crabbs, October 3
James L. Allen and Martha I. Collins, October 10
John M. Ewin [Ervin?] and Mary E. Higgenbotham, October 16
James A. Porterfield and Isabella [F?] Ballard, November 6
John McDermot & Malvina [R?]ay, November 14
D[?] F[?] & Katherine Elizabeth Schultz, November 20
William T. Vass & Martha Jane Calloway, November 20
Michael Christopher & Elizabeth Vance, November 28
Lorenzo Atha & Susan Caroline Vass, November 28
James S. Hawkins and Susan Jane Parker, December 4
James M. Lucas and Elizabeth Buckland, December 4
John George [possible ditto mark indicating ‘Lucas’ as above] and Mary S. Ellis, December 4
Philip B. Croser and Mary Ann Brown, December 4
Lewis Brown and Margaret M. Shirer, December 4
James Boyd and Mary A. Pack, December 4
Note: My ancestor in this list is Lorenzo Atha. My line descends from Lorenzo and his second wife Mary Jane Wiseman.
Date of License, 1853
Hiram Adkins and Elizabeth E. Clower, December 10
Samuel Hoffman and Sarah J. Allen, December 5
Daniel A. Vance and Amanda S. Young, December 19
Paris Meadows and Linia Woodram, December 26
Wright Dillion and Eliz. Jane Dillion, December 27
Wm T. Cobern and Sarah E. Broyles, December 27
William Dunn and Eliz. A. Spangler, December 28
Date of License, 1854
William Erskine and Mary Agness Ayres, January 2
Jno. C. Ballard and Vilenna R. Ballard, January 3
Harrison B. Dunn and Martha A. Dunn, January 6
Granville Canterbury and Mary I. Nickell, January 7
Wm F. Neel and Margaret E. Stodghill, January 10
Oliver E. Charlton and Mary W. Milton, January 16
John M. Erskine and Isabella I Donnally, January 19
James S. Bostick and Katharine Margaret Pitzar, January 23
Andrew Y. Bostick and Virginia Vance, January 23
Goodall Garten and Juda Martin, January 23
Alfred Huffman and Martha Ann Jones, January 24
Joseph P. Hines and Lucy Alderson, January 30
Asa Amick and Mildred Ann Boley, January 31
James C. Kincaid and Isabella P. Clark, February 1
James M. Bailey, Jr. and Elizabeth Hutchinson, February 1
Conrad A. Spangler and Hannah E. Diddle, February 3
Bird Woodram and Louisa V. Vass, February 6
Floyd Spangler and Mary Fleshman, February 7
Wm L. Bostick and Mary Ann Broyles, February 9
William StClair [smeared ink] and Mary S. Willis, February 18
Andrew Buckland and Lucy Broyles, February 20
John. A. McDaniel and Margaret H. Donnally, February 22
Andrew H. Johnston and Mary Jane McDaniel, February 22
Gabriel Gray and Ellen B. McDaniel, February 22
Leroy Hany and Mary Smith, March 1
Joshua H. Noble and Marinda J. Canterbury, March 2
Christopher Handley and Adaline Campbell, March 10
James D. Peebles and Mary Baker, March 15
Russell B. Wiley and Matilda Ratliff, March 22
Isaac Denhart and Minerva S. Skaggs, April 10
Joel Dowdy and Emily McCormack, April 10
Joseph Reed and Mary Ann Vance, April 15
Alexr D. Haynes and Rebecca Jane Shanklin, May 10
Samuel W. Nickell and Mary C. Nickell, May 13
John P. Campbell and Mildred Frances Long, May 23
This Indenture made this 14th day of October one thousand eight hundred seventeen Between Rebecah Cantly widow of Samuel Cantly decd, John Wyatt & Eleanor his wife late Eleanor Cantly, Alexander Cantly & Mary his wife John Cantly, Sally Cantly, James Cantly Rebecah Cantly, Mary Cantly & William Cantly, heirs & representatives of Samuel Cantly Decd of the one part & Alexander Clark of the other part each of the County of Monroe & state of Virginia Witnesseth, that for & in consideration of the sum one dollar to them in hand paid at or before the ensealing and delivering of these presents the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge have baggained & sold and by these presents do bargain and sell unto the said Alexander Clark and his heirs a certain Tract of land lying on Indian Creek in the county of Monroe containing forty four acres be the same more or less part of a survey of six hundred acres made for James Ellison Senr dated the 18th day of June 1790 patented the 5th day of March 1792 to said James Ellison. Beginning at a white oak and a steep bank corner old survey and Joseph Siers and with S50 W90 poles to three white oaks S47 E62 poles to a walnut on the bank of the creek thence leaving Siers up the creek N82 E24 pl to an elm and walnut N17 E34 pl to two hickories on the creek bank & N41 E55 pl to a large white oak & dogwood on the opposite line thence through the survey N53 W 47 pl to the Beginning crossing Indian Creek, with its appurtenances to the said Alexander Clark to the sole use & behoof of the said Alexander Clark and his heirs & assigns forever, and the said widow & heirs and representatives for themselves & their heirs doth covenant with the said Alexander Clark & his heirs the said Tract of Land from themselves And their heirs to the said Alexander Clark & his heirs & assigns forever will warrant & forever defend aginst all claims or claims whatever in witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & seals this day and year first above written
Signd, Seald & delivered in the presence of Rebecky Cantley {seal}
Joshua Butcher Eleanor Wyatt {seal}
James Clark John Canly {seal}
John Wyatt {seal}
Monroe County To wit
We William McDaniel and Georg Walker Justices of the peace in the county afore said stat of Virginia Do hereby certify that Eleanor Wyatt the wife of John Wyatt Rebecky Cantly widow of Samuel Cantly Deceased and John Cantly partys to a certain Deed for the conveyance of real estate to Alexander Clark Bearing Date this 14th Day of October 1817 and hereto anext personally appeared before us in our county aforesaid and the said Eleanor Wyatt being examined by us prively and apart from her husband and having the deed aforesaid fully explained to her she the said Eleanor Wyatt Rebecky Cantly and John Cantly acknowledged the same to be their acts and deeds and declared thy had willingly signed sealed and declared the same and they wished not to retract it given our hands and seals this 14th day of October 1817. William McDaniel {seal}
George Walker {seal}
Monroe Clks office Oct 14 1817
This Deed of Bargain & Sale from the heirs of Samiel Cantly Decd & Alexander Clark was acknowledged before two Magistrates & certified
Teste
Jno Hutchison Jr CMC
This Indenture made this fourth day of August one thousand eight hundred and twenty four, Between Alexander Cantley and Polley his wife of the one part and Thomas Scott of the other part, each of the county of Monroe and state of Virginia, Witnesseth that the said Alexander Cantley and Polly his wife for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar to them in hand paid by the said Thomas Scott at or befor the ensealling of these presents the receipt thereof they do hereby acknowledge, have bargained and sold unto the aforesaid Thomas Scott the one full and equal undivided eighth part of a tract or parcel of land which Samuel Cantley the father of the said Alexand Cantley died seized of and which eighth part is the part belonging to the said Alexander Cantley as one of the legatees of the said Saml deceased, and which undivided one eighth part of land the said Alexander Cantley and Polley his wife to the said Thomas Scott will warrant and forever defend from themselves and their heirs and from all and every claim or demand whatever, to the sole use and behoof of the said Thomas Scott with is appertainances forever. In Witness whereof they have hereunto set there hands and seals this day and date first above written
In Presents of }
Alexander Cantley {seal}
her
Polly X Cantley {seal}
mark
Monroe County to wit
We William McDaniel and John Pack Justices of the Peace in and for said county do hereby certify that Alexand Cantley and Polly Cantley the wife of the said Alexander Cantley personally appeared before us in our said county and they being parties to the within deed for the conveyance of real estate and acknowledged the same to be their acts and deeds and wished us to certify the same to the clerk of the county court of Monroe aforesaid, in order that the same may be recorded, she the said Polly being examined prively and apart from her said husband, declared she had willingly signed sealed and dellivered the same and that she wished not to retract it Given under our hands and seals the fourth day of August 1824. William McDaniel {seal}
John Pack {seal}
Monroe County Clerks Office 4th August 1824
This deed of bargain and sale from Alexander Cantley and Polly his wife to Thomas Scott was acknowledged before two Justices of the Peace and by them certified and the same is comitted to be recorded.
Teste. Isaac Hutchison CMC
Monroe County to wit ~
This day John Wyatt
made oath that to the best
of his knowledge that Alexr
Cantley is 21 years of age
from under my hand & seal
this 9th day of April 1816
J. Hutchinson
