History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers . n as highway commissioners, though only actingin a subordinate and temporary capacity under direction ofthe county commissioners. By an act of March 11, 1854, the county commissionerswere made elective, and divided into three classes. At thefirst election held in that year they were all elected at thesame time for one, two, and three years, respectively, sincewhich one commissioner has been elected annually. The firstelection for special commissioners was
History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers . n as highway commissioners, though only actingin a subordinate and temporary capacity under direction ofthe county commissioners. By an act of March 11, 1854, the county commissionerswere made elective, and divided into three classes. At thefirst election held in that year they were all elected at thesame time for one, two, and three years, respectively, sincewhich one commissioner has been elected annually. The firstelection for special commissioners was held in 1856. They areboth elected at the same time, and hold their offices for threeyears. The chairman of the board is elected by ballot fromamong its members. COURT-HOUSES. The earliest courts in the region constituting the old county ofHampshire were held in Springfield, and probably in the houseof ye worshipful William Pynchon, who was the firstmagistrate. Subsequent to the organization of HampshireCounty, in 1662, they were held alternately at Springfield andNorthampton. From 1792 to 1813 all the courts were held * As early as 1652, according to Hon. George Bliss, and before the erection ofHampshire County, three commissioners were appointed to transact publicbusiness for the people of the Connecticut River settlements. These conimis-Biouers succeeded the early magistrates, and continued until the erection ofHampshire County, in 1662. FIRST COURT-HOUSE, BUILT 1722. There was no court-house in Springfield until 1722, an*d thecourts were held wherever they could be best earliest legislation we find touching the erection of acourt-house is under date of 1721, when the following appearsof record: Nov. 29,1721.— Voted that we will build a Court-House, provided our neigh-boring towns, viz.: Westfield, Suffield, Eutield, and Brookfield, be assisting to usin doeing of it. Voted, also, that this town will be at half the cost and chargeof said Ho
Size: 1855px × 1347px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookpublisherphila, bookyear1879
