Hi. I've put the Justice of the Peace information I collected into three parts: 1. Historical, Legal and Political Antecedents, 2. General Requirments and Functions of American JPs, and 3. Characteristics and Qualifications of Some JPs in Various States of the US. These categories are somewhat arbritrary and overlapping, but that's because I'm dealing with what you all sent me and is not research that I've done on my own. I most certainly appreciate all of the colorful and eclectic responses that I received. Connie ~~~~~~~ Part 3 - Characteristics and Qualifications of Some JPs in Various States of the US. This includes some of the fun part of the responses as researchers tell about some of their ancestors who were JPs. But first I think you'll enjoy this first-hand account of being a JP, which comes from my cousin in Arkansas, Joseph Hardman. The title JUSTICE OF THE PEACE probably has different meaning in each of the 50 states of the Union. Many states don't have them. Here, in Arkansas, it is an elective office - and is conisdered to be the initial stepping stone to higher office - usually. The only qualifications required are age and residency. I have been a JP in the State of Arkansas. The prinicpal duty was being a member of the County legislative body (here called the Quorum Court). In those states which have County Supervisors, the JP function is similar. This quorum court had the power to enact local ordinances for the health, safety and wellfare of the residents. These laws could not be in conflict with State or Federal law. The Quorum court enacted/levied taxes, to support county government, with a good chunk of real estate taxes to support schools. They also approved the annual county budget(s) - Sheriff, Clerks, tax collector, assessor, and the maintenace of the court house, etc. The ritual of marriage goes well back beyond my time. Being a rural state, many communities did not have full time preachers - so the power to preform weddings was given to the JPs. I served 3 terms (2 years each) total of 6 years and qualfied for a life time honorary title of Justice of the Peace - along with (life time) power to perform weddings in my County of residence. I have several commisions signed by then governor, Bill Clinton. Several of my contemporaries earned some good money at marrying people - I have less than a dozen weddings to my credit. I have described my experience as ...'the best course in 9th Civics that I ever had!' I remain well acquainted with most of the court house staff - on a first name basis, and have been appointed and re-appointed to the County Tax Equalization Board, which is the first step in arbitrating any dispute over property evaluations (on which real estate taxes are based). I find the work fascinating - don't make too many friends however. Hope this gives you a birds eye view of a JP in Arkansas. What follows now are some of the rest of the stories that I received, from several different states- don't miss the last one about Judge Duffy, easily the most poetic JP I've run across yet. Indiana: Walt 55: My 4th gt. grandfather was a JP in IND. and was dismissed for ruling on both sides of case. They said he drunk the whole time that he being impeached. 1858 Kansas from LGard: My ggguncle, John B. Bingham was elected JP in Franklin County, KS in 1858, at the time of the Kansas/Missouri border dispute over the extension of slavery. One of his duties as JP was to perform marriages, one of which was the marriage of his brother Parley Pratt Bingham to Nancy Oliver. Their other brother, my gggrandfather, David Francis Bingham, who was just 21, was elected constable in the same election of 1858. They were probably elected as they were two of the first settlers in that part of Kansas, a mile from the John Brown massacre that happened shortly after they were elected. >From Don Ronk? California Tulare County: Linda Bingham Gardner. In Tulare County, David's daughter, Kate Eva Bingham (married Thomas Campbell) was the first female JP in Tulare County, and one of the few women to be elected. Maybe it runs in the family. 1900 Washingrton, Rosalia, Whitman County - from Louise King: ...my grandfather was a Justice of the Peace in Rosalia, WA (Whitman County) for 14 years. I don't think he had any education....he came to the US from Alsace, in 1880 as a young man....married, homesteaded and had 13 children. He was however fairly prominent in the community and gave money to build the first Catholic Church there. He was elected each time. I have those papers. Here is a funny story that my cousin found for me about my grandfather when he was a Justice of the Peace. >From the Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash. Friday Morning, August 24, 1900 section 2, page 4 Two Rosalia Saloon-Keepers Are Under Arrest Colfax, Wash.--Aug. 23 Transcripts were filed in the superior court today showing that Joseph Schulthers and Florent Meyer, saloon-keepers of Rosalia, had been arrested for selling liquor on Sunday, August 19, upon complaint of R. A. Ehrich, and taken before C. Schurra, justice of the peace for Rosalia precinct, where they were held to appear in the superior court August 31. Bonds were fixed at $100 in each case Now C. SCHURRA WAS MY GRANDFATHER Celestin Schurra FLORENT MEYER was my grandma's brother and HIS brother in law! His brother in law, Florent laughed it off: his bartender had sold on a Sunday, unknown to him. Can you imagine those two brothers-in-law dealing with each other on this basis? I think this is from Phil Zubler? Please let me know if I got this contributor's name right....or even if I got it wrong. My grandfather, William J. Duffy, was a Justice of the Peace in San Pablo, CA for 10 years. We know of nothing that qualified him in legal matters and he did tend to have an unusual approach. I vaguely recall the he made it only through the 4th grade. There are a couple of experiences related to his time as a JP that may be of interest if not comical. One time a constable arrested a number of tramps caught sleeping in a box car on the railroad track near the Southern Pacific. He went to Duffy's home looking for the "Judge" to try the men he had in custody. The Judge was busy stacking hay and was anxious to get the job done before the threatening storm. He assembled the prisoners in back of the haystack and sentenced them to the county jail. Another story was about a couple who came to the home of the Justice of the peace to be married. It was late and the Judge had retired for the night. A storm raged. When a knock was heard, the Judge in night cap and flannel gown, stuck his head out the upper story window and asked what they wanted, They said they wanted to get married. He told them to hold hands saying, Out in the wind and stormy weather I join this man and woman together. A flash of lightening interrupted, a clap of thunder followed. He continued with head bowed, Only He who rules the thunder Shall rend this man and woman asunder. Later William became a guard at San Quentin prison. His first working day at the prison was, Fourth of July. This was not a work day for the prisoners and they were all assembled in the big yard where games were played for recreation. Duffy's job, along with many other guards, was to walk among the prisoners to see that no trouble started. A prisoner came up to Dad and said, "Hello Judge, don't you remember me?" Duffy said, "No, should I?" "You sent me here," he was told and the prisoner added, "Wait here and I'll get some of the other boys you sent over." William thought it best to move on, but later he did meet each one and they greeted him as a friend. William was always called "Judge" by inmates and prison personnel, in fact, all the rest of his life he was called "Judge Duffy" by all who knew him. End of Part 3 Thanks for all of your contributions. Now, when I put JP beside the name of one of my ancestors I have a better idea of what they did and how they fit into their community. connie putnam May 1999