More Facts About Bedford County

In a previous story on the creation of the various Boroughs and Townships we listed them chronologically as they were formed by the local Court. We intended to show the townships that were a part of this new county only. If we go back beyond 1771, we will find that several districts are actually older than Bedford County.

Cumberland County, our mother County's Court in July 1767 fixed the boundary of Derry Township, and in October, four additional townships were formed - Dublin, Colerain, Cumberland Valley, Bedford and Barree. These Townships included all of the area now known as Bedford, Blair, Huntingdon, a large part of Fulton and Mifflin as well as part of Centre Counties. The officers (constables) of these districts were - William Parker, of Colerain, Thomas Coulter of Cumberland Valley, John Cochran of Bedford and John Force of Barree.

One of the first orders of business brought before the First Court of quarter Sessions held in Bedford on April 16, 1771, in a tavern room (a court house did not exist on that date) was to divide the new county into Townships. Air, Dublin, and Colerain boundary lines were to remain unchanged, but the lines of Bedford and Cumberland Valley were extended to the top of the mountain. (Allegheny).

In the July Sessions 1773 Barree Township (now Huntingdon) was divided to create Hopewell Township.

Now that the present November elections are final and the elected officers are in their respective offices, we might dwell upon the process of holding elections after this county was first formed. Instead of holding spring and fall elections, only one election was held each year. On June 14, 1777, a law was enacted that fixed the second Tuesday in October as the day of holding the annual general election. Bedford County was then divided into four districts. Women had no voting rights. It was felt a woman was not competent to even discuss political problems. Her place was in the home taking care of the home and family chores. This was her duty and obligation.

Only the free men of Bedford, Bedford Township, Colerain and Cumberland Valley could vote at the elections held at the court house in Bedford. Bethel, Dublin and Air Townships comprised the second district. Free men in these districts cast their vote at the home of one John Burd at Fort Littleton. Voters of Barree, Hopewell and Frankstown met and cast their votes at Standing Stone. Voters of the fourth district consisted of Brothers Valley, Turkey Foot and 'Qesnachoning' Townships went to the home of John Kemberling.

Before each free man could cast his ballot, he had to present a certificate verifying that he had taken an oath of Allegiance to the Lord and King George III, as prescribed by an act of law.

In September 13, 1785, Bedford County was separated into five districts. Number one included Bedford, Bedford Township, Colerain, Cumberland Valley and Providence Townships. Voters came to the Courthouse. On the l9th of September 1786 a sixth district was created. This consisted of Frankstown and the area now called Morrison's Cove. Voters voted at the home of Lazarus Lowery in Frankstown. By an act of September 27, 1786, the number of representatives to the General Assembly from Bedford County was fixed at three members.

The first Justices of the Lord and King in the Quarter Sessions of Court on April 16, 1771, were William Proctor, Robert Cluggage, Robert Hanna, George Wilson, Elliam Lockery and William McConnell. It was their duty to hear and determine whether the persons brought before the court were guilty or innocent of 'divers felonies and misdemeanors'. Robert Galbrath was the first attorney. Twenty three men were sworn in as jurors.

We found one very amusing incident that happened on this day. One of the members of the grand jury was fined five shillings for being drunk and ten shillings for the contempt in so doing while on duty and coming into court in that condition. We also found another item that we are certain will raise a few questions in the minds of you readers. In the July 1780 Sessions of the Court the fee for payment for Court duty was fixed by the Court to be $26.00 per day per man.

Perhaps we should explain the reason for this high fee. By law, payment had to be made in Continental paper currency. No one wanted this paper money. They wanted it in cold hard cash. Actually, when the Continental currency was exchanged, each juryman received about forty cents per day for his services. The value of the paper money had depreciated so much that it was necessary to set a rate of exchange. It required sixty four and one half dollars in paper to equal one dollar in hard cash.

"And that's they way it was, nearly two hundred years ago"