The first jury ever impanelled in the County was at the August term following, to try an action for assault and battery between James Porteus and Jonathan Fennell, alias Fenney, as follows: Benjamin Porter, foreman; Francis Browning, Francis Williams, James Stodgill, Leonard Phillips, William Richeson, George Head, John Conner, John Bomer, William Bohannon, William Crosthwait, Isaac Bletsoe. The verdict was for fifteen shillings damages. The first grand jury appeared in November, Robert Cave, foreman; Abraham Bletsoe, Francis Browning, William Bryant, William Pannill, Edward Franklin, Philip Bush, Anthony Head, William Kelly, Henry Downs, John Bransford, David Phillips, John Howard, George Anderson, Mark Finks, William Carpenter and George Woods.

The following minutes seem worthy of notice: in 1738, a petition for division of the county by inhabitants of Sherrando. This was effective the same year, when Augusta and Frederick counties were formed, embracing all of Virginia lying beyond the Blue Ridge. But Augusta, though formed in 1738, did not really organize as a separate county until about 1745.

Petition of John Lewis and others, of Beverley Manor, for a road to the top of the Blue Ridge, and of Joist Hite, who lived in Frederick County, for a road through Ashby's "bent" (gap).

Ordered, that the County Standard be removed from the house of Colonel Lightfoot, deceased, to that of Major Robert Slaughter.

In 1739 the road was laid off from Beverley Manor, beginning at the North mountains, in Augusta, and

ending at the top of the Blue Ridge, "to the bounds of Goochland County," now Albemarle, probably Rockfish Gap, where the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway now

crosses.

In 1741 a road was ordered to be opened from Evan Watkins's ferry by a course of marked trees to the head of Falling Spring and over the Tuscarora branch, thence to Opequon Creek, thence to Spout Run, by the King's road leading by Joist Hite's to a fall in the same near the Sherrando ford, and that all tithables from the Potomac between Opequon and the mountain this side the little Cape Capon, and many others, proceed to work the same.

Two more roads, to show the dimensions of the County: May, 1745, James Patton and John Buchanon, Gent., having viewed the way from Frederick County line through that part of this County called Augusta, made their report: "Pursuant, etc., we have viewed, laid off and marked the said road as followeth : to begin at Thom's Brook at Frederick County line, thence to Benjamin Allen's ford and Robert Calwell's path, thence across Beard's ford on North River and Alexander Thompson's ford on Middle River, thence to the Tinkling Spring, to Beverley Manor line, to Gilbert Campbell's ford on north branch of James River, thence to Cherry Tree bottom on James River, thence to Adam Harmon's on the New or Wood's River."

In August of the same year: "Ordered, that George Robinson and Simon Akers view the way from the forks of Roan Oak (Roanoke) to the gapp over the mountains to meet the line of Brunswick County, and from the Catawba Creek into the said way."

In 1748 Culpeper, including all of Orange lying between the whole length of the Rapidan and the Rappahannock rivers, was cut off, and our former "principality" is reduced to the dimensions of Orange and Greene of to-day.

And to dispose of Greene once for all, it may be said here that there was angry contention about this dismemberment, with numerous petitions and counter petitions and protests, but the separatists finally prevailed in 1838.

The old County, though shorn of her territory, has never been shorn of her good name; and her illustrious offspring who have made her famous and historic, were born and reared in the limits of the Orange of to-day!

CHAPTER IV.

The Courthouses.

Mr. William Robertson's house, on Black Walnut Run, was designated as the place where court should be held, by the Governor's order, till the Court could agree upon a place, and have the Governor's approbation, and there the first term was held on the 21st of January, 1734, (Old Style.)

At the same term the sheriff, Thomas Chew, was ordered to build a prison at his plantation, "a logg house, seven and a half feet pitch, sixteen long and ten wide, of loggs six by eight at least, close laid at top and bottom, with a sufficient plank door, strong hinges and a good lock, and that two hundred pounds of tobacco and cask be paid him for building the said house."

A debate was had as to the most convenient place to build a courthouse. The Court divided, one party for the centre of the County and the other for the Raccoon Ford, then some distance higher up the river than now, eight for the former and six for the latter. The question was whether the mouth of the Robertson or Raccoon Ford was nearer the centre, Justices Smith, Taliaferro, Chew, Barbour and Taylor favoring a point just below the mouth of the Robertson on the south side of the Rapidan. Mr. Lightfoot agreed that this was nearest the centre, but insisted on the north side of the

Rapidan. Robert Slaughter was in favor of the centre, when the same should be ascertained. Messrs. Field, Green, Finlason, Ball, Pollard, and Francis Slaughter declined to answer the last question, as to the centre, but insisted on Raccoon Ford, or thereabouts, and the north side of the river. All which the Court ordered should be particularly represented to the Governor.

At the March term ensuing there was an order from the Governor that some of the justices attend the general court and have a hearing about placing the courthouse, and they agree to go at their own charges.

At this term also the following letter from Colonel Spotswood was ordered to be recorded:

Whereas I have been desired to declare upon what terms I will admit the Courthouse of Orange County to be built upon my land in case the Commissioners for placing the same should judge the most convenient situation thereof to be within the bounds of my Patent. And forasmuch as I am not only willing to satisfy such commissioners that no obstruction in that point will arise on my part, but am also disposed to make those terms as easie to the County, as can well be expected; I do therefore hereby declare that I consent to the building of a courthouse, prison, pillory and stocks on any part of my lands not already leased or appropriated; and that I will convey in the form and manner which the Justices of the County can in reason require such a quantity of land as may be sufficient for setting the said buildings on, with a convenient courtyard thereto, for the yearly acknowledgment of one pound of tobacco. And moreover, that I will allow to be taken gratis off my land all the timber or stone which shall be wanted for erecting and repairing the said buildings.

Given under my hand at Germanna the 6th day of January 1734-5
A. Spotswood.

The date of this letter would indicate that negotiations had been begun with Colonel Spotswood before