Couple tidbits I found today at the Fairfax County History Library, Fairfax VA. ___________________ Calendar of Virginia State Papers, pg 487, 20 Sep 1788. "And. WODROW to Governor RANDOLPH. Informs him that James MURPHY, who was appointed Searcher for this place (Romney) is about to remove to the Western Waters, and begs leave to recommend a Mr. William JACOB to be appointed in his place. Will readily undertake to be responsible for his conduct, as he has every reason to believe him to be a person of strict integrity, &c. Is of opinion that such an officer is necessary here, and is pretty certain the duty will be strictly attended to by Mr JACOB." Enclosed is the commision of MURPHY, as Searcher, on which his resignation is endorsed. ___________________ Henings Vol XIII, pg 90, Laws of Virginia, Chap LXXI, Passed the 4th of December 1789. "An act for appointing trustees to the town of Romney, in the county of Hampshire and for adding trustees to the town of Louisville, in the county of Jeffferson. Sect 1. Be it enacted by the Gneral Assembly, That Isaac PARSONS, Isaac MILLER, Andrew WODROW, Stephen COLVIN, Jonathan PURSELL, Nicholas CASEY, WIlliam MCGUIRE, Perez DREW and James MURPHY, gentlemen, shall be and they are hereby constituted and appointed trustees of the town of Romney, in the county of Hampshire; and that they or any five of them shall have the power and authority to settle all disputes relative to the lots in the said town, and also to open and clear the streets and lanes in the said town, agreeable to the original plan and survey thereof." Goes on to Sect 2 for Louisville. Dan Harris