Court of Pleas 1799 ~ 1809

Instead of the civil districts, as now represented, the county previous to 1834, was separated into militia companies, and over each company was a captain appointed by the county court and for each captain's company was appointed a tax lister. The county was at first divided into three divisions.

The court of pleas and quarter sessions was established February 26, 1799, while the General Assembly was in session at Knoxville. The court first met on the first Monday in February, 1800, at the house of Thomas McKay, in the town of Franklin. The court continued to meet here till November 3, 1800, when the session was opened in the courthouse.

The first justices holding court were John Johnson, Sr., James Buford, James Scurlock, Chapman White and Daniel Perkins. James Scurlock, who had previously qualified before a justice of Davidson County, proceeded to administer the oath to the others.

The court organized by electing Scurlock chairman, but after the organization he resigned, and was succeeded by Chapman White. The court then proceeded to elect a clerk, when N. P. Hardeman was chosen and gave bond in the sum of $5,000. Edmund Hall was chosen the first sheriff, and gave bond in the sum of $10,000.

Chapman White was made register;
Francis Hall, solicitor
Joseph Porter, ranger
Joel Williams and John Harness were chosen constables
Henry Rutherford was made first surveyor
William White, William Ashton and David Logan were made "searchers or patrollers" from Parrish's mill dam; Big Harpeth to the mouth of West Harpeth; thence up to the dividing ridge.

First Jury

The jury for the superior court of the Mero District consisted of Henry Rutherford, David McEwen, Thomas McKay, Abram Maury and Richard Hightower.

The tax listers were Daniel Perkins, who had that territory "north of the dividing line between Big and Little Harpeth, thence up Little Harpeth to Richard Hightower's and the Davidson County line."

James Scurlock all "east of the commissioner's trace"

Chapman White "all west of, the commissioner's trace."

Patrick McCutchen appeared the first day and recorded his Ed Ragsdale and Spencer Buford for the remaining part of the county.

The circuit court was authorized by an act of the General Assembly November 16, 1809, entitled an act establishing a circuit court and a supreme court of errors and appeals.

By order of the General Assembly of November 14, 1811, Thomas Stuart became judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit of "law and equity." By the same act the judge was compelled to be a resident within his circuit. Judge

Sheriff Regular Jury Panel

First Grand Jury

 Williamson County | AHGP Tennessee

Source: History of Tennessee, Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1886