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Early Government In Cecil County

     In the beginning of its settlement by European colonists, Cecil County was divided into five hundreds. These included: South Sassafras, Worten Creek (south of the Sassafras River), North Sassafras (which included land between the Elk and Bohemia Rivers), Bohemia Hundred (which included land between the Elk and Bohemia rivers), and Elk Hundred (which contained land north of the Elk River). As the population increased, these hundreds were again divided. Each hundred had a constable whose duties were to make an annual return of taxables, to collect taxes, and to keep order among the residents, servants and slaves. Many of these early constables were paid in tobacco. These constables were appointed by the justices' court and were commissioned by the county clerk for one year terms. The justices' court also appointed one or more overseers of the roads for each hundred. These overseers were to make sure that the heads of rivers, creeks, branches and swamps were passable by horse or on foot.

In 1770 Cecil County was divided into thirteen hundreds: North Sassafras, West Sassafras, Bohemia, Middle Neck, Bohemia Manor, Back Creek, North Milford, South Milford, North Susquehanna, South Susquehanna, Elk, Charlestown and Octoraro. The justices' court also appointed a person to serve as ferryman at each of the public ferries. These appointed ferrymen fixed the rates to be charged for passage. These ferrymen also often received their wages in tobacco, in addition to their received fares.

In 1720 the Maryland General Assembly passed an act empowering the country courts to enact the rules, regulations and fees for the running of their own court transactions.

During these early colonial years, the qualifications for practicing law in Cecil County were not at all stringent. For example, one individual petitioned the court in order to become a lawyer on the basis that he possessed several law books and had studied them during the preceding year. Another individual wanted to become a lawyer because of his inability to find a competent attorney. He needed to represent himself in his legal transactions. Both these petitions were granted by the Cecil County court.

Early government in Cecil County as in the other colonies was organized according to necessity and utility with very few precedents or preconceived ideas or statutes.