Bedford County Documents

  CR/XIII/461   *{See legend below}
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 02 January, 1783

A petition from Thomas Stokely and John Boyd, Esquires, captains of two of the Ranging companies on the western frontiers of this State, setting forth that they have just returned from captivity, intirely destitute of money, and almost so of cloathing, and praying some relief from this Board, was read; and thereupon,
     Ordered, That warrants be drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the said Thomas Stokely and John Boyd, for the sum of fifty pounds specie each, in part of their pay, for which they respectively are to account.

  CR/XIII/471
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 04 January, 1783

On application, An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Captain John Boyd, of the Bedford county company of Rangers, for thirty pounds specie, in part of his pay, for which he is to account, to be paid out of the five thousand pounds appropriated to the frontier defence.

  CR/XIII/473-474
          Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 06 January, 1783

A representation was read, signed by John Boyd, Captain of Rangers, and Thomas Stokeley, also captain of Rangers, representing the situation of Henry Dugan, Serjeant of Captain Boyd's company, and Robert Watson, John Marns, and Michael Hare, of Captain Stokeley's company of Rangers, now returned from captivity amongst the savages: and thereupon,
     Ordered, That two month's pay be advanced to the said Henry Dugan, John Marns, Robert Watson, and Michael Hare, and that each of them be furnished with a hat, two shirts, a waistcoate, a pair of overalls, a pair of stockings, a pair of shoes, and cloth and trimmings for a coat, and that Colonel Farmer be directed to furnish the said cloathing accordingly.

  CR/XIII/477
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 09 January, 1783

On application, An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of captain John Boyd, for five pounds specie, for paying to John Skilling, private in Captain Thomas Robeson's company of Rangers in Northumberland county, two month's pay, to he charged to said Skilling, and deducted out of his pay, for which Captain Robeson is to account, it appearing to the Board by said Skilling's affidavit, that he is a soldier belonging to Captain Robeson's company. and just returned from captivity.

  CR/XIII/482
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 19 January, 1783

The following orders were drawn on the Treasurer, vizt:
     In favour of Honorable John Piper, Esquire, for forty pounds specie, in part of his pay as Councillor for the county of Bedford.

  CR/XIII/484
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 21 January, 1783

On application, An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Colonel Lewis Farmer, for eleven pounds and six pence specie, for cloathing furnished to Captains Boyd and Stokely, for four privates belonging to their Ranging companies, for which Colonel Farmer is to account.

  CR/XIII/509
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 17 February, 1783

A letter from Gorge Woods, Esquire, of this day, was read, requesting that a petition, and sundry depositions accompanying the same, respecting the conduct of Charles cessna, Esquire, late Commissioner of Purchases for Bedford county, laid before Council in June, 1782, may be transmitted to the Speaker of the Honorable House of Assembly; thereupon,
     Ordered, That Colonel Woods be informed that the petition and depositions aforesaid shall be delivered to the House, if requested so to be.

  CR/XIII/513
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 21 February, 1783

A resolution of the General Assembly of the twentieth instant, relating to the conduct of Charles Cessna, Esquire, late Commissioner of Purchases in the county of Bedford, was read; and thereupon,
     Ordered, That the petition and depositions laid before Council in June, 1782, be now transmitted to the Speaker of the General Assembly, to be laid before the House.

  CR/XIII/514
          Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 24 February, 1783

A resolution of the General Assembly of the twenty-fourth instant, was received and read, requesting Council to lay before the House, all the vouchers and receipts in their possession respecting Charles Cessna, Esquire, a member of the House, and late Commissioner of Purchases for the county of Bedford.

  CR/XIII/583
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 23 May, 1783

An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of captain John Boyd, of the Bedford County Rangers, for the sum of sixty-one pounds nineteen shillings and seven pence specie, amount of his account for retained rations, from the tenth day of February, 1781, till the first day of January, 1783, to be paid out of the fund appropriated to the frontier defence, agreeably to the Comptroller General's report.

  CR/XIII/584-585
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 26 May, 1783

An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Lieutenant Richard Johnston, for the sum of twenty pounds specie, being two month's pay advanced to him as Lieutenant of Captain Boyd's company of Rangers in Bedford county, for which he, the said Johnston, is to account. To be paid out of the fund appropriated to the frontier defence.

  CR/XIII/591
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 04 June, 1783

An account of services performed at a special Court of Oyer and Terminer held at the town of Bedford, by Bernard Dougherty, Esq'r, and others, was read, and postponed for consideration.

  CR/XIII/592
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 05 June, 1783

The Comptroller General's reports upon the accounts of John Moore, Esquire, of Westmoreland county, David Espy, Esquire, Prothonotary of the county of Bedford, and John Sigfriedt, late Sheriff of the county of Northampton, were read and approved.

  CR/XI/592-593
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 06 June, 1783

Upon consideration, Ordered, That the Bedford, Westmoreland and Washington Ranging companies, be immediately discharged from the service of the State, but that, in a settlement of accounts, they be intitled to pay and rations 'till the first day of July next. It is expected that Captains Boyd and Stokely will come forward to settle with the Comptroller General for the whole. The eldest officer of the company lately commanded by Captain John Hughes is, therefore, directed to put all his vouchers, &ca., into the hands of these gentlemen. The corps is also informed, that council, under a sense of their many services, will take some early moment to call the attention of the Assembly to their situation, and that no disposition or good offices shall be wanting to render it as easy as possible.

  CR/XIII/684-685
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 11 September, 1783

Agreeably to a resolution of the General Assembly of the tenth inst.,
     Resolved, That the Attorney General be directed to institute actions against Chares Cessna, of Bedford county, late a member of the House, for forgery and perjury.
     Reuben Skinner, Esquire, was this day commissioned a Justice of the Peace for the county of Bedford, upon a return made agreeably to law.

  CR/XIII/701
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 02 October, 1783

Two deeds were examined and signed by His Excellency the President, to James Woods, conveying two tracts of land formerly in Cumberland County, now in the county of Bedford; one containing fourteen hundred and ninety-seven acres & allowance, sold for two thousand and five pounds, two miles above Frankstown. The other adjoining the above on the middle branch of Juniata, sold agreeably to law, for one hundred and seventy pounds, containing three hundred and twenty-three acres, late the estate of Harvy Gordon, an attainted traitor, forfeited to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Deeds dated the second of October, 1783.

  CR/XIII/701
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 03 October, 1783

An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Honorable John Piper, Esquire, for fifty pounds five shillings specie, in full for his wages as Councillor 'till the seventh instant, and his mileage.

  CR/XIII/729
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 27 October, 1783

The memorial of John Boyd, Esquire, praying that some part of his pay as a Captain of a Ranging company may be advanced on account, was read, and an order taken that his request cannot be complied with.

  CR/XIII/729-730
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 28 October, 1783

The returns of the General elections held in the counties of Bedford and Westmoreland, were read, by which it appears that the following gentlemen were duly elected, vizt: censors. David Espy, and Samuel Davidson. Councillor. Bernard Dougherty. Representatives. George Woods, and Robert Cluggage. Sheriffs. Abraham Miley, and James Black. coroners. Cornelius McAulay, and Benjamin Burd, For the county of Bedford...
     On consideration, Ordered, That Abraham Miley be appointed Sheriff, & Cornelius McAulay Coroner, of the county of Bedford... and that they be commissioned accordingly.
     Abraham Miley, Esquire, offers Thomas Coulter and George Funk, of Bedford county... as sureties for the faithful performance of the duties of their several offices, for the said counties respectively, according to law, which the Council approve.

  CR/XIII/748
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 20 November, 1783

The resignations of Robert Cluggage, Robert Scott, and Samuel Thompson, as Justices of the Peace for the county of Bedford, were read and accepted.

  CR/XIV/19-22
           Proclamation of the cessation of the war between the United States of America and Great Britain by John Dickinson, 22 January, 1784

A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS, Definitive Articles of Peace and Amity between the United States and his Britannic Majesty, were concluded and signed at Paris, on the third day of September, 1783, by the Plenipotentiaries of the said United States and of his said Britannic Majesty, duly and respectively authorized for that purpose, which definitive Articles are in the words following:
     "Article 1st. His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said United States, vizt: New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgeia, to be free, sovereign, and independent States; that he treats with them as such, and for himself, his heirs, and successors, relinquishes all claims to the Government, property, and territorial rights of the same, and every part thereof.
     "Article 2nd. And that all disputes which might arise in future on the subject of the boundaries of the said United States may he prevented, it is hereby agreed and declared, that the following are and shall be their boundaries, vizt: From the north-west angle of Nova Scotia, vizt: that angle which is formed by a line drawn due north from the source of St. Croiz river to the highlands, along the said highlands, which divide those rivers that empty themselves into the river Lawrence from those which fall into the Atlantic ocean, to the north-westernmost head of Connecticut river; thence down along the middle of that river to the forty-fifth degree of north latitude; from thence by a line due west on said latitude until it strikes the river Iroquois or Cataraqui; thence along the middle of the said river into Lake Ontario, through the middle of the said lake, until it strikes the communication by water between that lake and lake Erie; thence along the middle of said communication at the water communication between that lake and lake Huron; thence through the middle of said lake to the water communication between that lake and lake Superior; thence through lake Superior northward of the Isles Royal and Philipeaux to the Long lake; thence through the middle of said Long lake and the water communication between it and the lake of the Woods, to the said lake of the Woods; thence through the said lake to the most north western point thereof, and from thence on a due west course to the river Mississippi; thence by a line to be drawn along the middle of the said river Mississippi until it intersects the northernmost part of the thirty-first degree of north latitude south, by a drawn due east from the determination of the line last-mentioned, in the latitude of thirty-one degrees north of the equator to the middle of the river Apalachicola or Catahouche; thence along the middle thereof to its junction with the Flint river; thence strait to the head of St. Mary's river; and thence down along the middle of St. Mary's river to the Atlantic ocean east, by a line to be drawn along the middle of the river St. Croix from its mouth in the Bay of Fundy to its source, and from its source directly north to the aforesaid highlands which divide the rivers that fall into the Atlantic ocean from those which fall into the river St. Lawrence, comprehending all islands within twenty leagues of any part of the shores of the United States, and lying between lines to be drawn due west from the points where the aforesaid boundaries between Nova Scotia on the one part and East Florida on the other shall respectively touch the Bay of Fundy and the Atlantic ocean, excepting such islands as now are or heretofore have been within the limits of the said Province of Nova Scotia.
     Article 3rd. It is agreed that the people of the United States shall continue to enjoy unmolested the right to take fish of every kind on the Grand Bank, and on all the other Banks of Newfoundland; also in the Gulph of St. Lawrence, and all other places in the sea where the inhabitants of both countries used at anytime heretofore to fish. And also, that the inhabitants of the United States shall have liberty to take fish of every kind on such part of the coast of Newfoundland as British fishermen shall use, (but not to dry or cure the same on that island,) and also on the coasts, bays, an a creeks of all others of his Britannic Majesty's dominions in America; and that the American fishermen shall have liberty to dry and cure fish in any of the unsettled hays, harbours, and creeks, of Nova Scotia, Magdalen Island, and Labrador so long as they shall remain unsettled; but so soon as the same, or either of them, shall be settled, it shall not be lawful for the said fishermen to dry or cure fish at such settlements, without a previous agreement for that purpose, with the inhabitants, proprietors, or possessors of the ground.
     Article 4th. It is agreed that the creditors on either side shall meet with no lawful impediment to the recovery of the full value in sterling money, of all bona fide debts, heretofore contracted.
     Article, 5th. It is agreed that Congress shall earnestly recommend it to the Legislatures of the several States to provide for the restitution of all estates, rights, and properties which have been confiscated, belonging to real British subjects; and also all the estates, rights, and properties of persons resident in districts in possession of his Majesty's arms, and who have not borne arms against the said United States; and that persons of any other description shall have free liberty to go to any part or parts of the thirteen United States, and therein to remain twelve months unmolested in their endeavors to obtain a restitution of such their estates, rights, and properties, as may have been confiscated; and that Congress shall also earnestly recommend to the several States a reconsideration and revision of all acts or laws regarding the premises, so as to render the said laws perfectly consistent, not only with justice and equity, but with that spirit of conciliation which, on the return of the blessings of peace, should universally prevail. And that Congress shall also earnestly recommend to the several States, that the estates, rights and properties of such last-mentioned persons, shall he restored to them, they refunding to any persons who may be now in possession, the bona fide price, (where any has been given,) which such persons may have paid on purchasing any of the said lands, rights, and properties, since the confiscation. And it is agreed that all persons who have any interest in confiscated lands, either by debts, marriage settlements, or otherwise, shall meet with no lawful impediment in the prosecution of their just rights.
     Article 6th. That there shall he no future conviscations made, nor any prosecutions commenced against any person or persons, for or by reason of the part which he or they may have taken in the present war; and that no person shall, on that account, suffer any further loss or damage, either in his person, liberty, or property, and that those who may be in confinement on such charges at the time of the ratification of the treaty in America, shall be immediately set at liberty, and the prosecution so commenced he discontinued.
     Article 7th. There shall be a firm and perpetual pence between his Brittanic Majesty and the said States, and between the subjects of the one and the citizens of the other: wherefore, all hostilities, both by sea and land, shall from henceforth cease; all prisoners, on both sides, shall be set at liberty; and his Britannic Majesty shall, with all convenient speed, and without causing any destruction, or carrying away any negroes or other property of the American inhabitants, withdraw all his armies, garrisons, and fleets, from the said United States, and from every port, place, and harbour, within the same, leaving in all fortifications the American artillery that may be therein, and shall also order and cause all archives, records, deeds, and papers, belonging to any of the said States, or their citizens, which, in the course of the war, may have fallen into the hands of any of his officers, to be forthwith restored and delivered to the proper State and persons to whom they belong.
     Article 8th. The navigation of the river Mississippi, from its source to the ocean, shall for ever remain free and open to the subjects of Great Britain and the citizens of the United States.
     Article 9th. In case it should happen that any place or territory belonging to Great Britain or to the United States, should have been conquered by the arms of either from the other, before the arrival of the said provisional articles in America, it is agreed that the same shall be restored without difficulty, and without requiring any compensation.
     Article 10th. The solemn ratification of the present treaty, expedited in good and due form, shall be exchanged, between the contracting parties in the space of six months, or sooner if possible, to be computed from the day of the signature of the present treaty. In witness wherof we, the undersigned their Ministers Plenipotentiary have in their, and in virtue of our fall powers, signed with our hands the present definitive treaty, and, caused the seals of our arms to be affixed thereto."
     And whereas, The United States in Congress Assembled, having seen and duly considered the definitive articles aforesaid did by a certain article, under the seal of the United States, bearing date the fourteenth day of January, 1784, approve, ratify, and confirm the same, and every part and clause therof, engaging and promising that they would faithfully perform, and observe the same, and never to suffer them to be violated by any one, or transgressed in any manner, as far as should be in their power:
     And whereas, The said United, States being sincerely disposed to carry the said articles into execution truly, honestly, and with good faith, according to the intent and meaning therof, by their proclamation bearing date on the said fourteenth day of January, to notify the premises to all the good citizens of these States, thereby enjoining all bodies of Magistracy, Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary, all persons bearing offices, civil or military, of what rank, degree, or powers, and all others the good citizens of these States, of every vocation and condition, that, reverencing those stipulations entered into on their behalf, under the authority of that Foederal bond by which their existence as an independent people is bound up together, and is known and acknowledged by the Nations of the world, and with that good faith which is every man's surest guide, within their several offices, jurisdictions, and vocations, they carry into effect the said definitive articles, and every clause and sentence therof, strictly and completely:
     We have thought fit to, make known the premises to the citizens of this State, and we do hereby strictly charge and command them to observe and act conformable to the same; and we do hereby require all Sheriffs to cause this proclamation to be made public in their respective counties.
     Given in council, under the hand of the President and the seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this twenty-second day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four. JOHN DICKINSON.

  CR/XIV/169
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 30 July, 1784

The resignation of George Ashman, Esquire, as Lieutenant of the county of Bedford, was read and accepted.

  CR/XIV/176
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 11 August, 1784

The Comptroller General's reports upon the following accounts were read & approved: Of Captain John Boyd, late Captain of Bedford county Rangers.

  CR/XIV/179
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 17 August, 1784

The Comptroller General's reports upon the following accounts were read and approved, vizt:
      Of Bernard Dougherty, Esquire, for rations issued to the Bedford county Rangers, and to the troops marched to Fort Pitt in 1783. Of ditto for rations furnished to militia of s'd county.

  CR/XIV/181
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 19 August, 1784

An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Bernard Dougherty, Esquire, for the sum of ninety-seven pounds six shillings and three pence specie, in full of his accounts for rations furnished to the Bedford county Rangers, to the troops stationed at Fort Pitt, in 1782, and to Captain Heney's company of militia in the county of Bedford.

  CR/XIV/395
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 01 April, 1785

The accounts of William Holliday, Paymaster of the Bedford county militia, were read and approved.

  CR/XIV/447
          Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 26 April, 1785

The Comptroller General's reports upon the accounts of Samuel Moore and George Smith, as volunteers under the command of Captain John Boyd, for pay, &ca., was read and approved.

  CR/XV/37
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 15 June, 1786

The Comptroller General's report upon the account of Doctor John Peters, for medicine and attendance upon four wounded soldiers of Captain Boyd's Ranging company, and for medicine and attendance upon two sick soldiers of captain Thomas Campbell's Ranging company, were read and approved.

  CR/XV/187
          Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 29 March, 1787

The following orders were drawn upon the Treasurer, vizt:
     In favor of John Piper. Esquire, for thirty-seven pounds eighteen shillings and six pence. being due to him upon a settlement of his account as late Lieutenant of the county of Bedford, according to the Comptroller General's report, to be paid out of the monies arising from militia fines.

  CR/XVI/71
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 06 May, 1789

The Comptroller and Register General's report upon the accounts of Samuel Moore for a rifle gun and accoutrements taken from him by the savages at Frankstown, in Bedford county, while in actual service as a volunteer under Captain Boyd, in 1781, valued at five pounds five shillings, was read and approved.

  CR/XVI/160
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 16 September, 1789

The comptroller and Register General's reports upon the following accounts, were read and approved, vizt:
     Of Nathaniel Jerrard, of Bedford county, for two and a half hundred weight of flour furnished by him to Captain Philips' company of Bedford county militia, while stationed for the defence of the frontiers of that county against the savages in the year 1780, amounting to one pound seventeen and six pence.

  CR/XVI/337
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 16 April, 1790

The Comptroller and Register General's reports upon the following accounts were read and approved, vizt:
     Of Robert Kendall, for two months' pay for his services in Captain Tagart's company of Bedford county militia, in June and July 1782, amounting to ten pounds thirteen shillings and six pence, including the State and Continental pay.

  CR/XVI/363-364
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 18 May, 1790

The Register and Comptroller General's reports upon the following accounts were read and approved, vizt:
     Of Captain Samuel Holliday, for the pay and bounty of a detachment of Cumberland county militia under his command, on a scout to Frankstown against the Indians, from the twenty-ninth of May to June the eighth, 1781, inclusive, amounting to thirty-two pounds five shillings and four pence.

  CR/XVI/487
           Note of the Supreme Executive Council, 07 October, 1790

Agreeably to the Comptroller and Register General's reports the following orders were drawn upon the Treasurer, vizt:
     In favor of Catherine Tantlinger, widow of Henry Tantlinger, late of the Bedford county militia, for the sum of thirty-three pounds fifteen shillings, payable according to act of Assembly passed the twenty-seventh day of March last, being the amount of two warrants of Council, dated the fifteenth of May, 1788, and the tenth of October, 1789, which were drawn in her favor, for the pensions due to her untill the fourteenth of August, 1787, according to an order of Orphans' Court of the said county, dated the same day, in pursuance of an act of Assembly passed the twentieth of March, 1780, payable out of the monies arising from militia fines in the said county, but that fund not being productive, the said warrants are now delivered up to be cancelled.

 

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