TIP#153 - TOWNS, STRAYS, LUNATICS This tip will be a little shorter than usual, due to the fact that I just got out of the hospital and can't sit easily for long periods of times. It's good to be back! On 19 December 1796, the State Kentucky Legislature set forth some definitions of towns and how they were to be established in the Commonwealth. It stated that the county courts were vested with full power and authority within the bounds of their respective counties, and were to establish a town and vest any particular tract or parcel of land as they deemed necessary for this purpose. They could appoint trustees and notification of land to be purchased was to be posted at the courthouse door and in the Kentucky Gazette or Herald. No town could be established on any land or any land laid off in addition to any town already established that had been claimed by any person without consent. Land vested to become a town as to be laid off in "convenient streets and lots" with the lots being disposed of in publish auction for the best possible price. The trustees were to take bond with security for the payment of the purchase money to the proprietor and deliver bond to him. The trustees were also charged with the responsibility of maintaining the city streets to insure that they were free of refuse, and kept in a state of repair. There were up to 15 trustees allowed and they were to meet on the county court day in August every second year. After a town had been established, and a proprietor of the land adjoining the town wished to add to or enlarge the town, this was to be advertised and the additional land laid off. Special legislation was passed in February of 1798 making it illegal to run or race a horse within the town limits, or to shoot within the town limits. Those with stud horses were also restricted to keeping the horse "covered" and the public water source was to be kept clean and pure. In December 1800 the election for trustees was set as the first Monday in each August with the applicant being a free male 18 years old or older, an actual resident of the town, a real estate owner. Taxation was to be determined by the trustees and various rules established for the collection and recording of said taxes. STRAYS: When one thinks of strays in the early days, one normally thinks of stray livestock. However, there were also regulations about stray boats, canoes or any other vessel adrift! Anyone finding same was required to go before a justice of the peace and give a description of the vessel, where it had been found, etc. It was recorded by the County Clerk and published for 3 successive court days; the one finding the vessel was entitled to a reward of 6 shillings for every boat, 3 shillings for every vessel or canoe. When it came to livestock, this included horses, mares, colts - 10 days were allowed for the finder to take the animal before a justice and make oath of where they had found same, and to record any brand or mark. 3 disinterested parties were called to make an evaluation of the animal and to note the apparent age and shape. The finder was paid 6 shillings for each horse, mare or cold, 2 shillings for every head of "neat cattle", one shilling for every sheep or goad and one shilling for every hog above a year old. If the animal was not claimed within 2 months (being advertised in newspapers and at the courthouse), the finder could have the animal. Sometimes strays could be held a year and then sold with the money going into the treasury. A pound was to be built in every county next to or close to the courthouse for holding the stray animals. Individuals had to come to the court house to claim their property. LUNATICS: According to the law passed December 19, 1798, a lunatic was defined as "any person of unsound mind". The Attorney General or the attorney for the county, had to make application to a court of chancery within the Commonwealth of Kentucky, to appoint a committee to such unsound person. The court of chancery made an order respecting the support, restraint and/or safe-keeping of the individual of unsound mind as they thought fit and proper. When the estate of the person of unsound mind was sufficient for the support of his family (if he had one), the person was supported out of his own money. But, if there was no estate, or it was insufficient, the court had the power to make an order that a sum was to be paid to the committee out of the public treasury. © Copyright 9 June 1998, Sandra K. Gorin, All rights reserved. sgorin@glasgow-ky.com Sandi Gorin - 205 Clements Ave., Glasgow, KY 42141-3409 (502)651-9114 or sgorin@glasgow-ky.com - Kentucky Colonel PUBLISHING: http://members.tripod.com/~GorinS/index.html KYRESEARCH: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ky/Tips KYBIOS: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ky/Bios BARREN CO OBITUARIES: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ky/BarrenObits