Justices Licensed Liquor Sales During the First Cleveland County Court

At the first meeting of the Cleveland County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in March 1841, the justices met to organize the new county government. While they were in the middle of appointing county officers and naming road overseers, the court paused its official business to grant a license to one of its own members, William Weathers, allowing him to retail spirituous liquors in small quantities at his store. The court session itself was being held at Weathers’ home, and his store was located in connection with the house. Mamie Jones pointed out the humor in the situation, noting that the justices may have already consumed the liquor they had brought with them and felt an immediate need for another toddy before continuing the important work of setting up county government.

Source: Mamie Jones