The Building of Roads
The building of roads in the county is a fascinating study of how things have changed from then to now. In researching my wife's family I found two small notices that state the following:
Wil Messman you are here by notified
to be at the house of Robet McLean (his name is crossed out and Wil Messman is inserted below his name) on
on the 9th and 10th days of June 1854 at 8 oclock in the morning with
tools to work the Roads in Road
District No 19 this the 31 of may
1854 N. Skipper Super of Dist No 19
It is signed on the back by Wil Messman
The paper is a off color white thick and coarse and is written in faded black ink from a quill pen. The strike out of McLean's name and insertion of Messman's is done in a light blue ink from a quill pen as well. The paper has been folded many times and is well worn. More than likely carried in the pocket during the time the work was being done.
The second paper is on blue foolscrap and is quilled in a strong black ink and reads as thus:
November the 20, 1854
William Mesman you are by notified
to be at the haus of Robert McLean (again crossed out and William Mersman inserted over the top of it)
of Friday and Saturday the first and Second of december at 8 oclock A M
and bring with you suitable tool
to work the roads in District No 19
Nathan Skipper Supervisor
This is also signed by William Messman and under his name is written, you will meat at William Mesman
As it cost about $0.25 to send a letter during this time period it is doubtful these notices were mailed. In fact one of the county supervisors purchased a small note book that cost $0.05 and caused an uproar in the county. Good citizens of the county were concerned that spending money at that rate would soon bankrupt the county. Perhaps, they were hand delivered by Mr. Skipper to Mr. Messman himself. In some cases the working of roads were in lieu of paying property tax for that year. The documents themselves are of the same type and quality as other tax documents issued at the Ewington Courthouse. As there are no tax papers for the year 1854 and these were kept with the other tax records this is most likely the case. The crossing out of the name looks as if it were done by the supervisor at a later time. I am not sure of what labor my wife's Great-Great Grandfather had to do on the roads but it seems to be the only time he worked the roads rather than pay the tax.