North Carolina Government in 1869

North Carolina Government in 1869

William W. Holden of Wake County was Governor. He was elected in 1868, with a four-year term running from January 1, 1869.

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The General Assembly began its annual session in November each year and was composed of 50 Senators and 120 Representatives. These legislators were elected every two years on the first Thursday in August.

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The Supreme Court included a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices, with two terms held each year in Raleigh: commencing the first Monday in January and the first Monday in June (and continuing as long as the public interest required).

R. M. Pearson (Yadkin County) [Chief Justice]

Edwin G. Reade (Person County)

Wm. B. Rodman (Beaufort County)

R. P. Dick (Guilford County)

Thomas Settle (Rockingham County)

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The Superior Courts operated in twelve judicial districts, with one judge per district. Judges were elected by the voters of the district and served an eight-year term (annual salary $2,500). This court was required to hold two sessions annually. Caswell County was in the Seventh Judicial District (with the following counties: Alamance, Chatham, Guilford, Orange, Person, Randolph, and Rockingham). Court in Caswell County was held the fourth Monday after the first Monday in March and September.

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Pursuant to the North Carolina Constitution of 1868 the executive authority of North Carolina's counties was shifted from the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions to the newly created board of commissioners. Commissioners were given full financial responsibility for the county, which included adopting the budget and setting the property tax rate. Initially, the commissioners were appointed, but eventually commissioners were elected. Here are the first members of the Caswell County Board of Commissioners:

Bowe, W. B.

Jones, Yancey

Mason, Morris

Mebane, Giles

Roan, Dr. N. M. (Chairman)

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After the Civil War, the North Carolina Constitution of 1868 gave citizens more input into electing their local leaders. Citizens were given the power to elect the sheriff, coroner, register of deeds, clerk of court, surveyor and treasurer, and, eventually, the newly created board of commissioners.

In 1869:

Caswell County Sheriff: Jesse C. Griffith

Coroner: Usually a local medical doctor

Register of Deeds: M. W. Norfleet

Clerk of Court: Henry F. Brandon

Surveyor: Being researched

Treasurer: possibly, but not confirmed: Thomas Donoho Johnston

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References

Powell, William S. When the Past Refused to Die: A History of Caswell County North Carolina 1777-1977. Durham (North Carolina): Moore Publishing Company, 1977.

The Daily Standard (Raleigh, North Carolina), 19 February 1869.