The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 3 "THE COTTON GIN PORT" DESIGNATED AS TEMPORARY SITE OF SEAT OF JUSTICE The Act of Creation for Marion County by an Act of the Alabama Territorial Legislature designated "The Cotton Gin Port" as the site of the temporary seat of Justice. By act approved December 16, 1819, the temporary seat of justice was placed at the house of Henry GRIER, in the Buttahatchee Community. The permanent site selected in 1820 was Pikeville which was incorporated by act January 12, 1827. During the 62 years while Pikeville was the County seat, there were two or more courthouses built. Pikeville was long a place of some importance, but after the removal of the courthouse to Toll Gate (now Hamilton) abut 1883, it declined and died and is now one of the historic "ghost towns" of Alabama. In 1818 William RAGSDALE became the first Probate Judge. According to available records, the following have served Marion County as Probated Judges: John D. TERRELL, Jr. -- Elected 1829 served 45 years. John POPE -- Completed Judge TERRELL's term, 3 years. Walter H. MATTHEWS -- Elected in 1886, Jason P. FORD -- Elected in 1892, Willian(sic) R. WHITE -- Elected in 1898, Mack PEARCE -- Elected in 1904, H. B. BOSTIC -- Elected in 1916, William H. CANTRELL -- Elected in 1922 (Grandson of John D. TERRELL, Jr.), Roy SANDERSON -- Elected 1934 (Resigned November 15, 1945), Angus BERRYHILL -- Appointed to complete term of SANDERSON, George W. PEARCE -- Elected in 1946. Died March 1947, R. R. WRIGHT -- Appointed to serve until election, Frank PEARCE -- Elected in 1948. The Marion County Court house burned on March 30, 1887, destroying many records of historic value. Among the duties of the Justice of the Peace was that of issuing Land Grants, which later became the duty of the Probate Judge. Marion County is now governed by a Board of Revenue. This Board is composed of five members, one of whom is elected as chairman. The term of office of each is four years. Delegates of Constitutional Convention [article ends]