Early Governors' Papers

State of Tennessee White County

To his excellency William Carroll Esqr Governor in and over the State of Tennessee. The undersigned petitioners beg leave to state that in the bounds of Captain James Young's Company of Militia for said County. we have but one Justice of the peace, and from the many inconveniences we labour under for the want of an other Justice appointed in sd. Company, and living at a remote distance from the Town of our County and said vacancy being Occasioned by a removal of one of our Justices and our next sessions of the General Assembly being a long time hence, we are Constrained to solicit relief and do recomm =end William Lisk in said Company as a man of honesty, stability, sobriety, and firmness, & well qualified to serve as a Justice of the peace, and pray your excellency to commission William Lisk untill the next session of our Legislature. and we will ever be &c. &c.

20th day of February A.D. 1822.

John Knight Farmer. 1. Richard Crowder. 2. Charles. S. Barthe 3. Nath Evans 4. Kelly [fuliers?] 5. John Jett 6. Benjamin [Yougen?] 7. Wm young 8. William L. young9. James Young. Captain 10.

State of Tennessee White County

I John Knight Farmer an acting Justice of the Peace in & for the said County do hereby Certify that every assignor whose name is on this petition are Citizens of our county, and that there is but one Justice of the Peace in Captain Young's Company, and in my opinion the citizens in the said Company and Neighborhood are much troubled for the want of a good Justice of the peaceI have been personally acquainted with Mr Lisk for about Eighteen years and believe him to be as good a man as any in the State and believe him to be worthy of any appointment that could be confered on him, and such men as him we want in office. The fees of Justices have been taken from them by a late law. which makes it extriemley [sic] difficult for people to get their business don [sic], and Mr. William Lisk is Willing to Serve. &c a President of this Kind was made by Joseph Herd being appointed some time before the last Session of the Assembly untill [sic] the end of the Session. The reappointed. &c.

Given under my hand and seal this 3d. day of April 1822.

John K. Farmer Jp White County County.

County Court commences in about 6 days and continues two weeks. We are desirous that his Commission could be forwarded in time for him to be quaified before the adjournment of this Court. in close to Jno. K. Farmer Sparta Tennessee

Wm Lisk`s Petition 20th February 1822