"The first court in Rutherford County met at the house of Thomas Rucker January 3, 1804, this being the first Monday. The “commissioners of the peace” were Col. John Thompson, Peter Legrand, Thomas Rucker, John Howell, Charles Ready and John Hill, to whom the oath of office was administered by William Nash, till this time a resident of Davidson County. The first act of the court as the appointment of Samuel McBride, sheriff, who gave bond in the sum of $12,000, and Joseph Herndon was made clerk. William Mitchell was appointed register; John Howell, ranger, and Joseph Boyer, John Anthony, W. Ramsey and William Martin, constables. Thomas Overton and John H. Bowen were admitted as attorneys. The sheriff returned the first grand jury as follows: Alex McCulloch, foreman; Henry David, George Ransom, J. M. Wright, Sr., Joe Nichols, Samuel Campbell, Daniel Williams, William Felton, Samuel Wilson, Thomas Nelson, James Whitsett, J. Clark, James Lindsey, William Gammel, John Smith, John Kimbro, Simon Miller, Mark Mitchell, John Sullivan, Robert Smith, C. Harmon, Tomas Mitchell, James McGabah, James Hill and James Oliphant. "
© 2005 John Scott , 305 Murphy Court , Macon , GA 31216 , jsscott@tennesseeheritage.com. Permission is granted to copy portions of this document for personal use only. May not be published in paper form, electronically, or by any other means without permission.