[17] "Petition of John Mercer" (1748), (Ludwell papers, Virginia Historical Society), _VHM_ (Richmond, 1898), vol. 5, pp. 137-138.
[18] _Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscdit. William P. Palmer, M.D. (Richmond, 1875), vol. 1, pp. 137-138.
[19] _JHB, 1742-1747; 1748-1749_ (Richmond, 1909), pp. 285-286.
The administrative problems that contributed to the establishment of the port towns also called for the erection of courthouses. As early as 1624 lower courts had been authorized for Charles City and Elizabeth City in recognition of the colony's expansion, and ten years later the colony had been divided into eight counties, with a monthly court established in each. By the Restoration the county courts possessed broadly expanded powers and were the administrative as well as the judicial sources of local government. In practice they were largely self-appointive and were responsible for filling most local offices. Since the courts were the vehicles of royal authority, it followed that the physical symbols of this authority should be emphasized by building proper houses of government. At Jamestown orders were given in 1663 to build a statehouse in lieu of the alehouses and ordinaries where laws had been made previously.[20]
In the same year, four courthouses annually were ordered for the counties, the burgesses having been empowered to "make and Signe agreements w^{ th} any that will undertake them to build, who are to give good Caution for the effecting thereof with good sufficient bricks, Lime, and Timber, and that the same be well wrought and after they are finished to be approved by an able surveyor, before order be given them for their pay."[21] Such buildings were to take the place of private dwellings and ordinaries in the same way as did the statehouse at Jamestown. It was no accident that legislation for houses of government coincided with that for establishing port towns. Each reflected the need for administering the far-flung reaches of the colony and for maintaining order and respect for the crown in remote places.
[20] HENING, op. cit. (footnote 1), vol. 2, pp. 204-205.
[21] _JHB, (1659/60-1693)_, op. cit. (footnote 6), p. 28.
THE COURTHOUSE IN THE PORT TOWN FOR STAFFORD COUNTY