Jailbird!

Well, we know from the personal property tax records that Peter Scaggs was in Russell County, VA from 1796-1803 and in Tazewell County, VA from 1807-1810.  Where was he from 1804-06?  In the Russell County jail.


From Russell County Law Book 3 – abstracts by Rhonda Robertson

p. 334 25 Sept 1804
John Drake appearance bail for Peter Scaggs at the suit of William
Romine surrendered in court the body of the said Scaggs which was
Ordered in Custody by the Court.

Note: John Drake married Martha Lester (2/12/1793) – Martha
is a sister to William Calvin Lester (m. Rachel Skaggs (Bishop),
Hannah Lester (m. Jeremiah Skaggs (son of Zachariah) and Rebecca
Lester (m. Travis Horton, son of John).

p. 335 William Romine.......Plt }
vs } In Case
Peter Scaggs Dft }
John Horton undertakes for the defendant in this suit that in case
he shall be cast he shall satisfy and pay the condemnation of the
Court or render his body to prison in execution for
the same or that he the said John Horton will do it for him.

28 Nov 1804
p. 361 William Romine vs Travis Horton }
Same vs Peter Scaggs } In Case
Same vs John Horton }
Same vs John Davis }
Notice that security for costs be required

6 June 1805
p. 419 Ordered that Peter Scaggs pay unto George Kindrick one Dollar
& six cents for two days attendance as witness for him at the suit
of William Romine.

5 Sept 1805
p. 446 Ordered that Peter Scaggs pay unto John Davis one dollar &
fifty nine cents for three days attendance as a witness for him at
the suit of William Romine.

Ordered that William Romine pay unto John Drake one dollar and six
cents for two days attendance as a witness for him against Peter
Scaggs.

6 Nov 1805
p. 468 Ordered that William Romine pay unto John Drake 53 cents for
one days attendance as a witness for him against Peter Scaggs.

7 Nov 1805
p. 470 William Romine Plt }
vs } In Case
Peter Scaggs Dft }
The Special Bail of the defendant surrendered the Dfts body in
discharge of his recognizance which is by the plaintiffs attorney
Ordered in Custody of the Sheriff.

p. 471 William Romine Plt }
against } In Case
Peter Scaggs Dft }
This day came the parties by their attornies and writ of enquiry of
damages being set aside the defendant saith that he is not guilty in
manner and form as the plaintiff against him hath complained and he
further pleads Justification to which the plaintiff replies
generally & puts himself upon the Country & the defendant likewise
whereupon came a jury to wit:
John Woodson, Alexander Dunlop, Robert Mitchell, James Turner,
Joseph Taylor,
Benjamin Lindon, Thomas Davis & Micajah Stone who being elected
tried & Sworn the truth to speak upon the issue joined upon their
oath do say that the defendant is guilty in manner and form as the
plaintiff against him hath declared and they do assess the plaintiff
damages by reason thereof to thirty dollars besides his
Costs...Therefore it is considered by the court that the plaintiff
recover against the said Defendant the damages aforesaid in
form aforesaid assessed & his costs by him about his suit in this
behalf expended & the said Defendant in mercy etc.

p. 472 Ordered that Peter Scaggs pay unto John Davis two dollars and
sixty five cents for five days attendance as a witness for him at
the suit of William Romine and that he also pay unto George Kindrick
one dollar & six cents for two days attendance as a witness for
him at the suit of the said Romine

Ordered that William Romine pay unto John Drake & Samuel Duff 53
cents each for one days attendance each as witness for him against
Peter Scaggs & that he also pay unto Christopher Olinger & Jonathan
Davis one dollar & six cents each for two days attendance
each as witness for him against the said Scaggs

5 March 1806
p. 497 Ordered that John Horton Senr pay unto Peter Scaggs 53 cents
for one day attendance as a witness for him at the suit of William
Romine.

Yes, it appears that Peter spent 1804-06 in court and/or jail and eventually lost his case to William Romine.


Update:  William Romine was a constable in Russell County, Virginia at the time:

From Russell County Law Book 3 – abstracts by Rhonda Robertson

P568 - William Romine, constable produced account for services for the Commonwealth

P615 - Constables for the 1st batallion: James Sargent, John Ferguson, Charles Crumwell, William Romine, Travis Kindle, William Campbell, George Puckett, Robert Hamon. Constables for the 2nd batallion: Lewis Harris, John Robinson, John Smythe, Jr., Cornelius Fugate, (Long) Thomas Gibson, James Osborne & Abraham Childers



Question:  Does anyone know what this lawsuit between William Romine and Peter Skaggs was about?