Petition 14-2-1801

Dated 29 October 1801

To the Tennessee General Assembly from Henry Howell, James Fears, William Millikin, and Michael Massingill

In 1797, they were appointed to purchase land and lay off a place for the erection of a court house, prison, and stocks in Grainger County.  They did so and contracted with Charles Smith to do the work, giving him their bond for $400.

The county received the properties and, for nearly two years, has used the building, for which it has paid only $100.

Smith brought suit, and the four were forced to pay the debt and court charges.  They now ask for a legislative act to refund their losses.

Source:  Abstract of the petition, published in the TN Genealogical Society‘s “Ansearchin'” News, Vol. 2, 1993, page 72.