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From: Shelley Murphy <>
Subject: Re: [PAFRANKL] Court House Question
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 10:39:57 -0500
References: <e9db920083f11739f84324e4d828e080@adelphia.net> <420E44BF.000001.04020@TOSHIBA> <000e01c5114c$a7d22140$f6f1cd97@preferrejc0w9y>
In-Reply-To: <000e01c5114c$a7d22140$f6f1cd97@preferrejc0w9y>


Thanks Carolyn that puts a little bit of light on it. I hope this helps
others as well.


On Feb 12, 2005, at 4:48 PM, Carolyn K Shearer wrote:

> The present courthouse, on the NE corner of the square, was rebuilt
> on the site of the one that burned. I understand that some of the
> current white columns in the front are from the original, but have not
> found any proof of that. There are some columns standing in the
> pictures taken after the burning. M'Auley's 1878 county history shows
> a picture of 'First Court House, built in 1794, removed 1842.' and
> 'Present Courthouse' which looks just like the current one (without
> the later additions) The same source states that the old courthouse
> was just west of the current one.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Joyce Cooper
> To:
> Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2005 1:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [PAFRANKL] Court House Question
>
>
> Hello Shelley and Researchers,
>
> Here is what the Franklin Book, (this chapter by Benjamin M. Nead,
> Chambersburg,) has to say about the court house.
>
>
> By terms of the act establishing the county of Franklin, (April 9,
> 1784,)
> James Maxwell, James McCalmont, Josiah Crawford, David Stoner, and
> John
> Johnston were appointed trustees on behalf of the county and were
> directed
> to take charge of some property in the town of
> Chambersburg/Chamberstown in
> the township of Guilford, within the county of Franklin, for seats
> of a
> court house and of a county gaol (jail) or prison for the county.
>
> For the purpose of constructing these buildings the commissioners
> were
> directed to levy a tax which would raise a sum not exceeding one
> thousand,
> two hundred pounds.
> The court house erected at this time was "two-storied brick building,
> surmounted by a tall conical eupola and a spire. In the belfry was
> suspended
> a small bell of Spanish make-an ancient storied bell."
>
> The regulation of the courts was also regulated by the act mentioned
> above.
> The first court of Franklin county was held on the 15th of Sept.,
> 1784, in
> the stone house erected on the north-west corner of the "diamond" or
> public
> square, in the borough of Chambersburg, in 1770, by J. Jack-an old
> landmark
> up to the distruction of the town by confederate cavalry on the 30th
> of July
> 1864 (as Shelley mentioned), when it burned and with it the bodies
> of two
> Confederate soldiers who met their fate within its walls at the
> hands of the
> then owner.
>
> This first court was held before Humphrey Fullerton, Thomas Johnston
> and
> James Findley, Esqrs. Edward Crawford, Jr. commissioned Sept. 10,
> 1784 was
> prothonotary and clerk.
>
> The second court was held on the 2nd of Dec., 1784 in the same
> building,
> upstairs before William McDowell, Humphrey Fullerton and James
> Findley, Esqs
> Jeremiah Talbot, commissioned Oct. 20th, 1784 was sheriff. The
> following
> persons were on the grand jury: James Poe, Henry Pawling, William
> Allison,
> William McDowell, Robert Wilkins, John McConnell, John McCarny, John
> Ray,
> John Jack, Jr., John Dickson, D. McClintock, Joseph Chambers and
> Joseph Long
>
>
> Hope this is of interest to some of you. I did not see it mentioned
> about
> where the rebuilt courthouse stands since the original one was
> burned during
> the Civil War.
>
> Happy Hunting,
> Joyce in CA
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: Shelley Murphy
> Date: 02/11/05 15:59:30
> To:
> Subject: [PAFRANKL] Court House Question
>
> I know I have asked this question before, but maybe asking it in a
> different way will help. I appreciate anyone response or direction.
>
> On the first page of the Kittochtinny Historical Society web site it
> makes reference to the first the official courthouse being completed
> in
> 1793. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE THE LOCATION OF THE FIRST COURTHOUSE
> was?
>
> Also, it says when Chambersburg was burned by the Confederates in
> 1864,
> our second courthouse was partially destroyed. WHERE IS THE LOCATION
> OF
> THE SECOND COURTHOUSE, is it the current location?
>
> Thanks Shelley
>
> .
>

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