Source: _http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/search/search.aspx_ (http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/search/search.aspx) Eastern North Carolina Digital Library - Search Ordered that a Commission of the Peace issue for Onslow Precinct Directed to James Tunis, Edward Marshburn, Joseph Montford, James Murry, James Taylor, Lazarus Thomas, Thomas Johnston, Capt. Francis Brice, Christopher Dudley, Nicholas Hunter, Abraham Mitchell, Rich'd Nickson and John Frederick constituting and appointing them Justices of the Peace for and within the said Precinct, which Court is to sit on the First Tuesday in January, April, July and October yearly. The first book of “Minutes” of the earliest Onslow Courts has been “Lost.” The first volume in existence which may be seen is in the Department of Archives and History in Raleigh, bearing on its face page the inscription, “ Onslow Court Minutes from January 1, 1733/4,” and is a continued story brought forward from previous chapters. Inasmuch as the Act of Confirmation did not become Law until February 19, 1734/5, this Book contains eighteen months of the old Precinct Court Proceedings. No notation appears as to where one ends and the other begins. The boundaries of the County as delineated in the two Acts varies but little (not more than three miles at any point). In the former, the “Northern Border” extended to two miles East of White Oak River, giving control to Onslow of both banks of the River for use of Ferries (or bridges), while the later Act made the river “from its mouth to the head thereof” the boundary, which was a natural one. ================================================================== Of the original Justices appointed in 1731, four of the five outstanding leaders on the first Commission were retained on the second Board in 1735. These were Edward Marshburn, Christopher Dudley, Nicholas Hunter and Abram Mitchell. One of the leaders, Thomas Johnston, failed of reappointment. Notable new members appointed were John Starkey and Christopher Heidleburg. Nine members were dropped and eight new ones appointed. Reasons for failure to reappointment were not always political. ============================================================= The White Oak River settlements grew rapidly, for in 1728 they had a squabble as to location of roads to be laid out up the river on both sides. The question was taken to the Carteret Court, which named a commission to settle the differences. This commission included twelve of the most prominent men of the settlement: Richard Pitts, John Roberts, Samuel Jones, Sr., Thomas Houston, John Gillet, Nicholas Hunter, Richard Williamson, Esq., David Barry, Alexander Grant, Peter Starkey, Robert Harris and Edmond Lowell. Hope this helps June