CHAPTER IX.

OHIO COUNTY - CIVIL HISTORY - PAST EVENTS AND INCIDENTS SHOULD BE 
PRESERVED - ATTENTION DIRECTED TOWARD THE WEST - THE QUARREL BETWEEN 
THE MOTHER COUNTRY AND THE COLONIES ASSUMES VAST PROPORTIONS - 
VIRGINIA CONVENTION OF 1775 - THE LIMITS OF THE DISTRICT OF WEST 
AUGUSTA - THE BOUNDARIES OF OHIO COUNTY DEFINED - ITS ORIGINAL AREA - 
LANDHOLDERS OF THE COUNTY MEET AND SELECT A PLACE FOR HOLDING COURT - 
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY - STEPS TAKEN FOR THE ERECTION OF A COURT 
HOUSE - COL. DAVID SHEPHERD ARRAIGNED BY THE COURT FOR CONTEMPT - THE 
FIRST ATTORNEYS -NUMBER OF TITHABLES -FIRST PURCHASE OF PUBLIC GROUND 
- FIRST WILL RECORDED - SECOND DEED - RETRACTION OF A LIBEL - 
SPINNING WHEELS EXCHANGED FOR LAND - SETTLEMENT OF BOUNDARY BETWEEN 
OHIO AND YOUGHIOGHENY COUNTIES - BILL OF SLAVES - FIRST MARRIAGE 
LICENSE - PARTIES FINED FOR SELLING LIQUOR WITHOUT LICENSE - COMMON 
SWEARERS FINED - IMPRIS0NMENT INFLICTED FOR SPEAKING DISRESPECTFULLY 
OF THE COURT - RATES FOR ORDINARY KEEPERS FIXED - LEVIES - PROPOSALS 
FOR A NEW COURT HOUSE - REMOVAL OF THE COUNTY SEAT. 


WHETHER, within or beyond the limits of our own lives, the past is 
always a subject of interest. The circumstances connected with the 
founding of a community, whether small or great, are always a matter 
of concern, not alone to those who are directly interested, but in a 
greater or less degree to the mass of mankind in general because the 
events and incidents connected with such an undertaking always 
include within themselves the elements which to some extent appeal to 
the curious and inquisitive qualities of human nature.
 
But a stronger and more controlling feeling with us of the present 
day, should be an intense and earnest desire to rescue from oblivion 
the rapidly fading incidents and fast fleeting memories of a period 
in our history which was marked with deeds of prowess, and 
characterized by traits of self-denial and acts of sacrifice, not 
less worthy of renown and preservation than many of those which 
occupy such prominent conspicuity in the annals of Greece and Rome in 
the days of their classic antiquity. The foundations of our western 
empire were laid amid scenes of strife and warfare and cemented with 
a baptism of blood, and especially was this the case with reference 
to that portion of it lying within that region known as the upper 
Ohio valley. 

As indicated in a former part of this history, after the chastisement 
inflicted upon the Indians by Col. Bouquet, in the year 1765, and by 
means of which a temporary peace was secured, the people east of the 
mountains began to turn their attention to the country bordering on 
the Monongahela and Ohio rivers, particularly the former. The 
fertility of the soil, the variety of the 'timber, and the great 
abundance of game, gave to it a desirable charm in the eyes of the 
adventurous and the back-woodsman, which induced them to push 
westward and take possession of a land so rich in all the essentials 
of promise and the elements of untold and undeveloped possibilities. 

The differences between the mother country and the colonies had, in 
the year 1775, culminated in some portions of the country to open 
acts of defiance, and were daily assuming a more threatening aspect. 

Indeed, in this year, the quarrel had become so pronounced, that all 
hopes of a satisfactory adjustment of them had been abandoned. The 
house of Burgesses of Virginia had been dissolved, and the royal 
governor (Dunmore), with his wife and children, had left the capital, 
these latter taking refuge on a British vessel lying in the harbor, 
on which they shipped for England, while he himself sought refuge on 
a British man of war, then lying in the waters of Virginia, and from 
which quarter he issued his innocuous edicts and proclamations.
 
In the meantime a convention of authorized delegates from different 
portions of Virginia were summoned to meet in Richmond on the 20th 
day of March, 1775, which having assembled, enacted such legislation 
and exercised such executive control over public affairs as the 
public safety demanded and the exigencies of the hour required. 

One of the first things in the early session of this body which 
received its attention was a letter received from a number of the 
inhabitants of the district of West Augusta, requesting the admission 
of John Neville and John Harvie, Esqs., as delegates from that 
district, to represent the interest of its inhabitants in the 
convention. This request was promptly acceded to, and thereupon they 
were admitted and took their seats as members and participated in the 
proceedings of the body.
 
The boundaries of West Augusta as defined by an act of the general 
assembly passed in the year 1776, were as follows: "Beginning on the 
Allegheny mountains between the heads of Potowmack, Cheat and 
Greenbrier rivers; thence along the ridge of mountains which divides 
the waters of Cheat river from those of Greenbrier, and that branch 
of the Monongahela river called Tygart's Valley river to the 
Monongahela river; thence up the said river and the west fork thereof 
to Bingamon's creek, on the northwest of the said west fork; thence, 
up the said creek to the head thereof; thence in a direct course to 
the head of Middle Island creek, a branch of the Ohio; and thence to 
the Ohio, including all the waters of the aforesaid creek in the 
aforesaid district of West Augusta, all that territory lying to the 
northward of the aforesaid boundary, and to the westward of the 
states Pennsylvania and Maryland, shall be deemed and is hereby 
declared to be within the district of West Augusta." 

Within the above mentioned limits was embraced not only the entire 
territory of the present panhandle, but also Greene and Washington 
counties in the state of Pennsylvania, and portions of Allegheny and 
Beaver counties in the same state. By a section of the same act three 
counties, to wit: Ohio, Monongahela and Yohogania, were carved out of 
this district.
 
The boundaries of Ohio county were defined as follows: "Beginning at 
the mouth of Cross creek; thence up the same, to the head thereof; 
thence southeastwardly to the nearest part of the ridge which divides 
the waters of the Ohio from those of the Monongahela; thence along 
said ridge to the line which divides the county of Augusta from the 
said district; thence with the said boundary to the Ohio; thence up 
the same to the beginning."
 
The counties named were the first which were organized in the Ohio 
valley. The original area of Ohio county was 1,432 square miles. But 
owing to the formation of new counties out of its original territory 
its area has been decreased and it now contains only about 113 square 
miles. By the same act provision was made for the meeting of the land 
holders of the new county for the purpose of selecting the most 
convenient place for holding courts. 

In compliance with the provisions of the aforesaid act of assembly, 
and of certain instructions addressed to him, John McColloch, Esq., 
summoned the landholders within the county to convene at the house of 
Ezekiel Dewitt, Esq., situated on Buffalo creek on the 27th day of 
December in the year 1776, for the purpose of electing and 
constituting a committee in said county, and also to make choicer of 
a place where county courts were to be held in future in said county.  
The said meeting met at the time and place mentioned, and by a vote 
of the majority of those present they decided in favor of "Black's 
Cabin," situated on the waters of Short creek. This cabin was located 
in the vicinity of a spring, known at that day and later as Well's 
spring, and which has been walled up and protected by its present 
proprietor - Mr. Foreman, a resident of West Liberty, in said county. 

The place thus selected was at the time in the midst of a wildernest 
with but here and there an inhabitant. We are wholly ignorant of the 
motives which prompted them in making the selection they did, but 
doubtless they were satisfactory to those immediately interested.
 
At this place, therefore, on the 16th day of January, 1777, was 
organized the first court in Ohio county. Some historians have 
insisted that this was the first court organized west of the 
Alleghanies. But this is a mistake. When Maj. John Connelly, with the 
approval of Gov. Dunmore in the year 1774, occupied and repaired Fort 
Pitt and changed its name to Fort Dunmore, a court was established by 
him which had a brief existence, which ceased to exist, however, when 
the Pennsylvanians retook possession of the fort and restored to it 
the name of Fort Pitt. This last-named court, therefore, had 
precedence of the Ohio county court in point of time. We are also 
inclined to think that there was another court in existence in the 
western part of Pennsylvania some years prior to the establishment of 
the court in Ohio county,  but our data for this assertion is 
imperfect, but we think it quite probable that such was the case.
 
At the session of the court held at Black's cabin at the date 
mentioned hereinbefore the oaths of office were administered to David 
Shepherd, Silas Hedges, William Scott and James Caldwell by James 
McMechen, Esq., who had been duly appointed and instructed for that 
purpose under and by virtue of a writ of dedimus potestatem, which 
was directed by the governor to William Scott, James McMechen and 
David Rogers, authorizing either of them to act in the premises. 
After his qualification David Shepherd proceeded to administer the 
same oath to the following named persons, to-wit: Zachariah Sprigg, 
Thomas Waller and Daniel McClain, as justices, who after being duly 
qualified took their seats upon the bench. They then proceeded to the 
appointment of a high sheriff of the county, the lot falling upon 
John McColloch, Esq., who tendered John Mitchell and Samuel 
McColloch, a brother of John, as his sureties in his official bond 
for the faithful discharge of his duties as sheriff, who were 
accepted as good and sufficient, whereupon his bond was duly executed 
in open court. At the same time he was required to enter into an 
additional bond in the penalty of L1,000 conditioned for his 
faithfully collecting and duly accounting for all officers' fees, 
moneys, etc., which might come into his hands. The sureties upon this 
last mentioned bond were the same as on the former, with the addition 
of James McMechen. Thereupon the oath of office was administered to 
him in open court, and he was installed in his new position, that of 
the first sheriff of Ohio county. The court then proceeded to the 
choice of a clerk, and James McMechen being approved of that office 
he took the necessary oaths and was inducted into office.
 
With a view of regulating and disciplining the militia of the county, 
the court resolved, "that David Shepherd be recommended to his honor, 
the governor, as county lieutenant, Silas Hedges, Esq., as colonel, 
Mr. David McClure, as lieutenant colonel, and Mr. Samuel McColloch as 
major of militia." On the following day the court recommended the 
appointment of nine captains, nine ensigns and nine lieutenants, 
together with several constables. On the same day the court made the 
following entry: "Ordered, that Capt. Samuel Meason, Lieut. Ebenezer 
Zane, James McConnell and Conrad Wheat, being first duly sworn, do 
view the best and most direct way for the laying out of a road from 
Fort Henry to the first fork of Wheeling and due return make to the 
next county court." 

At the following March term, steps were taken for the erection of a 
court house, as appears from the following extract from the record: 
"The court taking into consideration the expediency of having a court 
house erected, it is ordered that a house for that purpose be erected 
of the following dimensions and conveniences, to wit: A diamond-
cornered house of dimensions 22x18 feet in the clear, one story and 
one-half high, a floor above and below of hard or sawn plank, ten 
joists in the upper floor, nine or ten feet high in the lower story; 
court's bench and clerk's table; two windows of eight lights each 
8x10 inches, a pair of stairs and cabin roof; a plain door and hinges 
of iron; likewise plain window shutters with iron hinges also. A jail 
20x16 feet on the outside; the logs of the wall to be round and close 
laid, the loft, floors, and partition to be of logs squared to eight 
inches thickness; two rounds of logs above the loft, cabin roofed, 
doors and windows agreeable; a stone chimney with iron grates; the 
doors done with nails; locks sufficient; the loft and floor to have 
each a large beam supporting them in the middle, and for the purpose 
of having the aforementioned buildings completed as soon as possible 
agreeable to the aforesaid dimensions, it is ordered that John 
McColloch, high sheriff, be ordered to out the same up at public 
auction to the lowest undertaker." It will be observed from this 
description that our forefathers did not indulge to any great extent 
in architectural taste or display. 

The persons heretofore named, and the officers before mentioned as 
having been recommended to the governor for appointment to different 
positions, having been approved by the governor, and the same having 
been certified to the court, were duly commissioned, and appeared at 
the June term, 1777, and qualified by taking the respective oaths of 
office.
 
Owing to the unsettled condition of the borders, occasioned by the 
depredations of the savages and the cruel and relentless warfare 
which they waged against the whites, the conduct of local affairs, 
necessarily to a great extent was neglected to the supervision and 
control of the military officials of the county; hence, the supremacy 
of civil power and authority was for a time compelled to yield to 
that of the military. The sessions of the court, therefore because of 
the existence of these troubles, were suspended for the period 
between the month of June, 1777, until the 6th day of April, 1778, on 
which latter date the court re-assembled and resumed its judicial 
functions.
 
The members of the court jealous of their authority and dignity, and 
smarting under the feeling that their rights had been infringed upon, 
and that the court had been treated with contempt in not having been 
consulted by the military authorities who had instituted martial law 
throughout the county, determined to vindicate the outraged majesty 
of the law, as they regarded it, and therefore, on the second day of 
its session, cited Col. Shepherd, the county commandant, to appear at 
its bar and purge himself of contempt, the specific charge against 
him being, that during the interval between the above named periods, 
he had established martial law in the county, without having first 
advised with the court as to the reasons and necessity for adopting 
such a measure. The colonel, in justification of his conduct, pleaded 
that exigencies had arisen which required promptness in meeting them, 
and that any delay would have proved disastrous to the county, that 
the dangers to the public safety were imminent and had to be met on 
the spur of the moment, and that no disrespect on his part was 
intended to the court, and that he humbly apologized if the court was 
of the opinion that he had failed in extending to them that courtesy 
which was due to them as the representatives of civil law and the 
conservators of the public peace. The extenuation offered by Shepherd 
in his behalf, and the firm yet submissive bearing of the officer, 
disarmed their criticism of his conduct.
 
After due deliberation among themselves, being satisfied of the 
justice of the plea offered, and feeling assured by his conduct and 
explanation, that he did not intend wantonly to encroach upon the 
prerogatives of the court, the charge against him was dismissed and 
he was permitted to depart without so much as a reprimand. 

The first attorneys admitted to practice in the county were Philip 
Pendleton and George Brent, who were admitted on the 2d day of 
November, 1778, and on the same day Mr. Pendleton was appointed 
commonwealth's attorney.
 
At this court the number of tithables in the county was returned at 
352. This was probably the entire number of persons in Ohio county, 
over sixteen years of age. The poll tax was fixed at 20 shillings and 
the sheriff was instructed to collect double that sum from all 
tithables "who refused to take the oath of allegiance to the 
commonwealth."

Extracts from Early Records - First Purchase of Public Grounds - 
Court House at West Liberty. - "Know all men by these presents that 
I, Abraham Vanmeter, of Bartlay County & Colony of Virginia, do 
Bargain and sell for the Consideration of Twenty pounds paid when 
Levy'd of the County Current money to the Court of Ohio County & 
Successors a Lot of Land, Containing of Two acres which I claim Lying 
on the Head of the Northerly Fork of short Creek Known by Block's 
Cabin Boun'd as follows, Beginning at a white oak standing near the 
head of a spring and Running thence N: 56 W: 20 pole to a stake 
thence south 34 W: 16 pole to a stake thence S: 56: E: 20:. p to a 
stake N: 34: E 16: p to the Beginning, Containing Two acre's Land for 
the use publick of the s'd County. I do hereby Bind myself my Heirs & 
assigns and for ever Quit my Claim for the above two acres as witness 
my hand & seal this sixth day of March one thousand seven hundred and 
seventy seven. 
"Interlined Bebore sign'd
"Abraham Vanmeter, [Seal]. 

"Witness: Andrew Fouts, Conrod Stroup, John Spalen.}
Acknowledged in open court Ordered to be Recorded: Test, James 
McMechen, C: C:"

The First Will.-- "Virginia, Ohio County May 18, 1777.
 
This last Will and Testament. I doth give and bequeath unto George 
McCollock, Jr., two ceartain servays of land, lying and being on the 
waters of Bufillow Creek, with all the improvements and conveniences 
belonging to the said Surveys of land. I also give and bequeath a 
certain Bay mare unto Rebeckah McCollock. I give and bequeath a 
certain Roan filly Colt unto Jane McCollock. I further give and 
bequeath a certain Bay horse Colt unto Silas McCollock, and my Cow 
and Calf with i-ny bogs I do give to George McCollock, Sr., and 
desire the said McCollock may sell the aforementioned Cattle and hogs 
to pay all my just and Lawfull Debts, and I leave the said George 
McCollock, Sr., Executor, In Witness hereto I have set hand the day 
and year above written. 

"N. B:- And I leave the said George McCollock, Executor these words 
is Interlined above. 
"Signed in presence of Charles Wells, Jos. Wells, Ed Perine.}   
Thomas Y Newbury. [Seal.] Ed. 

"Proven in open Court by Joseph Wells and Edward Perine two of the 
subscribing Evidences to the said Will and ordered to be Recorded, 
test
 
"James McMechen, C. C."
Second Deed on Record.- "Know all men by these presents that I, 
William Hawkins, of the one part, and John Willson of the other part, 
witnesseth that the said Hawkins, for and in Consideration of one 
hundred pounds, currt. money of Penlyl.; to him in hand paid the 
Receipt of which he doth hereby acknowledge, hath granted Bargained 
and sold and firmly by these presents doth grant Bargain and sell 
unto the said Jno. Wilson all that tract or parcel of Land lying on 
the waters of short Creek, Beginning at a Bounded tree Between the 
said Hawkins and Daniel Harris and extending up the River Ohio to 
Glen's Line and with the said line to short Creek and with said Creek 
to Harris's Run and up said run until it strikes Harris's Line 
and with said line until said Beginning Tree all which land with the 
improvements thereunto Belonging I do hereby Warrant and Defend from 
all person or persons, to he held by him the said Wilson or his 
assigns in peacible possession the Lord of the soil only excepted as 
witness my hand this day of February 1773 the word (river) interlined 
before signed.                               William Hawkins. 
"Witness present
"John Wills. 
"David McLure. 
"Rec'd this 28th day of January 1777 the above Mentioned sum of one 
hundred pounds with interest in full of the above Mentioned Land as 
witness my hand.
William Hawkins. 
"Test James McMechen. 

The above was acknowledged in open court and ordered to be put upon 
Record.
 
"Test James McMechen, C. C."

Retraction of Libel.- "This is to Certify that I the subscriber did 
sometime ago advertise John Hauly to have taken a black mare away 
from me Clandistinly; I do now with sorrow and Reluctance own now the 
said advertisement to be, false and groundless.  Given under my hand 
this 3d day of April, 1778. 
"JACOB GRO.
"Witness present,Jno Williamson, James Clements, William Carson, John 
Boggs, James Caldwell,}
The above was proven in open Court by John Williamson and James 
Caldwell, Esqrs. Two of the witnesses being evidences.
Test.
JAMES MCMECHEN, C. C."
 
Spinning Wheels Exchanged for Land.- "Know all men by these presents 
that I Isaac Taylor for and in consideration of the sum of one 
hundred good and Merchantal Lining Spinning wheels to me in hand paid 
by George Coridders the said Receipt I do acknowledge myself 
satisfied. Therewith doth grant bargain and sell unto the said 
Coriddors the place where I now live on with all improvements thereon 
and doth warrant and defend the same with two hundred acres thereunto 
belonging unto the said George Coridders his heirs and assigns from 
all persons the Lord of the Soil only Excepted in witness whereof I 
have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 19th day of June, 1778. 
Tests. 
"James  Gillespie,
"Thomas Clark,                              Isaac Taylor, [Seal.] 
"James Gillespey.
"The above was acknowledged in open Court and ordered to be recorded. 
Test." 

"Settlement of Boundry between Ohio and Youghiogheny Counties. "We 
the Commissioners of Yohogany and Ohio Counties Respectively 
appointed as pr order of the Respective Courts may most indisputably 
appear to ascertain the Boundry Line between the aforesaid Counties, 
agreeable to the act General assembly in that case made and provided 
in Compliance with which we proceed to the business and do find as 
follows viz: Beginning at the mouth of Cross Creek thence by the 
several Meanders thereof until the Confluance of the two Branches 
known by the name of Shearers and McGoogine Branches thence up the 
aforesaid McGoogine branch until the head thereof about half a mile 
South of Wm. Prices new dwelling house, thence South 33: E to the 
nearest part of the Ridge that divides the waters of Monongahely from 
those of Ohio to a Blas'd and Corner mark'd stake, in testimony of 
which we have hereunto affixed our hands this 22d day of August 1778. 
"Isaac Leet, Jr.,
"William Scott,
"James McMechen,
"Richard Yeates."

Bill Of Slaves.- "1789, Ohio county, State of Virginia.
James Wells bought of John Wells, October 20th: To 1 negro boy named 
Dick, L90; 1 negro girl named Poll, L60; 3 feather beds with their 
furniture, L10; 1 wagon and geere, L10. 
Received October the twentieth, 1789, of James Wells the sum of one 
hundred and seventy pounds, it being full satisfaction for the above 
amount and pay received by
"JOHN WELLS, Witness.
"RICHARD WELLS.
 
"Ohio county, State of Virginia on this 20th Day of October 1789, 
personally appeared before me one of the Justices for said County, 
the above named John Wells acknowledged the above bill of articles on 
Negroes to be the Right title and property of the above Named Richard 
Wells.
Acknowledged before Me, 
"RICHARD WELLS. 

"A true Copy from the Oridginall. 
"The above bargain and Sail was Proven to Court by Richard Wells the 
Subscribing Witness at November Term, 1789 and ordered to be 
recorded. 
Test.                         MOSES CHAPLINE Clk."

First Marriage License.-- I do hereby Certify that I have this day 
solemnized the Right of Marriage between Mr. John Mclngtur and Miss 
Sarah Zane agreeable to an act of assemby in such case made and 
provided. 
"Witness my hand this 11th day of January, 1790. 
RICHARD YEATES. 
"A Copy Test.                 MOSES CHAPLINE Clk."

At the succeeding court sixteen persons were fined for retailing 
liquors without license, and nine persons were fined for one oath or 
as common swearers. Another person was ordered to be imprisoned three 
months for. Speaking disrespectfully of the court and as being 
disaffected toward the commonwealth.

The second levy was for L352, 10, 0.

Four hundred and seventy tithables were taxed 15 shillings each.

In March, 1780, John Briggs was granted a license to keep an 
ordinary, he complying with the law and giving Charles Hedges as his 
surety. James Gillesby also obtained a license for the same purpose. 
Several soldiers "proved their services in the wars in Virginia, in 
1758, and prior to 1763." 

On Tuesday, June 6, 1780, the court proceeded to settle the rate for 
ordinary keepers viz.: For half pint of whiskey, $6; for a breakfast 
or supper, $4; for one dinner, $6; for lodging with clean sheets, $3; 
for one horse, to hay one night, $6; for pasturage one night, $3; for 
one gallon of corn, $5; for one gallon of oats, $4; for half pint of 
whiskey with sugar, $8; for one quart of strong beer, $4.

On Tuesday, August 8, 1780, the ordinary keepers were ordered to sell 
at the following rates, viz.: For half pint whiskey, $6; for half 
pint whiskey with sugar, $8; for breakfast or supper, $6; for dinner, 
$10; for lodgings with clean sheets, $3; for one horse to hay twenty-
four hours, $6; for pasturage twenty-four hours, $3; for one gallon 
of corn, $5; for one quart strong beer, $4. The foregoing is to be 
understood as the tariff of prices in continental currency.
 
On Tuesday, November 4, 1783, the rates as ordered by the court were 
as follows, viz.: For half pint of spirits or West India rum, IS, 
6d.; for half pint of common rum, IS.; for half pint whiskey, 8d.; 
for one dinner, IS. 3d; for one supper or breakfast, IS.; for one 
bed, 4d.; for one horse to hay one night, IS.; for one horse to 
pasture one night, 6d.; to one gallon of oats or corn, IS.
 
On May 3, 1784, the court ordered the following rates: For breakfast 
or supper, IS. 3d.; dinner IS. 6d.; half pint whiskey, 9d.
 
The third levy was for L74 8s., and the tithables were taxed 10 
shillings each. The fourth levy was for L85 16s., and the tax upon 
each tithable was 6 shillings. The items of the levy were, viz.: The 
sheriff, for one year's extra services, L7, 13s. 9d.; the sheriff, 
for one year's extra services L7 13s. gd.; Peter Cox, for one wolf's 
head 15S.; Samuel McColloch, one wolf's head, 15s.; Jacob Fowler, one 
wolf's head, 15s.; David Shepherd, Gent., four wolves' heads, L3; 
Peter Fleming, one wolf's head, 15s.; John Whitsell, one wolf's head, 
7s. 6d.; Andrew Zane, three wolves' heads, L2 5s.; David Bradford, 
Esq., Com'lth Atty., L30; Joseph Ogle, for making socks, L2; James 
McMechen, for his records, L8; James McMechen, for extra service, L5 
12S. 6d.; to dobbing the court house, to be paid B. Davis, L2; 
sheriff, for ball'e of last year's, amt., L10 8s.; Zacharia Sprigg, 
Gent, L2 5s. 6d. 

The succeeding levy was as follows, to wit: David McClure, for extra 
services as clerk, L17, 13s. 9d.; Robert Carpenter, for one wolf's 
scalp, for B. Davis, 15s.; Matthew Kin, for one wolf's scalp, for B. 
Davis, 15s.; Jacob Sprigg, high sheriff, for F. James, L4 6s. 3d. 
David Bradford, Esq., L20; Lawrence Buskirk, one wolf's head, 15s.; 
Thos. Orr, one wolf's head, 15s.; William Boggs, one wolf's head, 
15s.; Jacob Whiehill, one wolf's head, 15s.; William Shepherd, two 
wolves' heads, L15 10s.; Moses Shepherd, one wolf's head, 15s.; 
Samuel McClain, one wolf's,head, 15s.; Richard Markland, one wolf's 
head, 7s. 6d.; Elizabeth Tomlinson, wolf's head, 7s. 6d.; Nathan 
Masters, one old wolf's head, 15s.; Isaac Williams, one wolf's head, 
15s.; Robert Carpenter, one wolf's head, 7s. 6d.; Charles Hedge, Ll 
10s.; Silas Hedge, for extra services, L4 7s. 6d.; Zach Sprigg, for 
extra, L3 2s. 6d.; Robert Edgar, by am't, 10s.; total L55 12s. 6d.; 
David Stephens, 7s. 6d.
 
On the 6th of February, 1786, the petition of Col. David Chambers was 
laid before the court, concerning a water grist-mill. It was ordered 
that the sheriff summon a jury to meet on the premises on the 15th 
instant, and make a report under their hand seal and under the hand 
and seal of the sheriff. 

On the 6th of March following, the records show: The jury appointed 
to lay off an acre of ground agreeable to the petition of Col. David 
Chambers, has returned their report to court. Judgment, and ordered 
that the verdict be recorded.
 
We infer from an entry in the order book, made at the June term of 
court in 1793, that the old court house had filled the original 
purpose of its erection and therefore a new one was found to be 
necessary, as follows:-
 
The court having taken into consideration the propriety of building 
in the town of West Liberty, for the use of Ohio county, and whereas, 
a plan of said house having been produced to court for their 
consideration, the court after examining said plan, approved of the 
same, and do order that the sheriff of this county do advertise in 
the "Pittsburgh Gazette," and at four of the most public places in 
the county immediately, that the building said house will be set up 
at public sale in the town of West Liberty, the 27th instant (June), 
and sold to the lowest bidder, taking bond with sufficient security, 
payable to the, present, court and their successors for the use of 
Ohio county, in the penal sum of L1,000 from said purchaser, that he 
will complete the said house within eighteen months from the date 
thereof, and the said court also ordered that whatever the building 
said court house is sold for shall be laid in the county levy at 
November term next except L100 which has been heretofore laid for the 
purpose of being appropriated toward building a court house and now 
lays in the hands of John Boggs, late sheriff, which sum is to be 
considered as part for the use aforesaid, and that the said sum be 
aid to the said purchaser, when he shall have completed his said 
contract, except the aforesaid sum of L100, which sum, or so much as 
remains in the aforesaid Boggs' hands unappropriated shall be paid by 
said Boggs to the aforesaid purchaser as soon as the court can 
collect the same from the said Boggs, and that said courthouse be 
built on Liberty street in the aforesaid town, about the space of six 
feet north of the present court house. John Henderson came into court 
and entered his protest to the above order." 

It appears, however, that there was a "hitch" in carrying out the 
foregoing order, and that then as now, all public officials were not 
trustworthy, and sometimes forfeited the confidence reposed in them, 
for at the following term of court held in July of the same year, the 
following entry appears: 

"Whereas, it appears that Andrew Archbold, deputy sheriff, and Isaac 
Meek, Esq., from the testimony given in court this day by Richard 
Brown and Charles Prather, has acted improperly in conducting the 
contract or sale for the court house in said county, we therefore 
order that the proceedings for building said court house shall be 
stopped and delayed until further order of said court, and we also 
order that a summons shall issue for said Archbold to appear at 
August court next, to show Cause why an information should not be 
filed against him for a misdemeanor in his conduct as aforesaid."
 
We find, however, from the records that from the time of the making 
of the last order in 1793 no, active measures were taken for the 
erection of the court house, but at a term of court held on the 5th 
day of June, 1797, the following entry appears among the proceedings 
of that day: "Ordered, that the commissioners who were appointed on 
behalf of this county to erect public buildings at West Liberty be 
authorized to cancel their agreement made with Samuel Beck and that 
they do desist from further prosecuting said buildings until further 
order." The agitation of the removal of the county seat to Wheeling 
was at this time claiming the attention of the people and this may 
have been the reason the court was induced to order the cancellation 
of the agreement above referred to as it was removed to Wheeling in 
the year 1797 where the court was first convened at the public inn of 
John Gooding on the 7th day of May, 1797. In its day West Liberty was 
an important place, but on the removal of the court house it soon 
lost its prestige as well as prominence as a business point.