Officers Returns from the Town of Hurley, 1745

Hurley: Ulster County Ss:

Att the Meeting Of the freeholders And the Inhabitants Of the township Of Hurley On the first Tuseday in Aprill in the present Year Anno:Dom:1745 pursuant Of the power and authority Given And Granted by letters pattents By his late Majetyes King George the first, to the trustees for the time being on behalf of themselves And Others for Electing Of town Officers for the Township of hurley Aforesaid, the following Officeirs for this Present Year Now elected By the Majority of Votes as followes

Supervisor Johannis hardenbergh

Assessors Gerardus hardenbergh

                Antonie Crispell......

                Jacob van wagene Jun.

Constable Jan van deusegun(?)

Colector Cornelius Nukerck

Overseers of the Poor Abraham ten Eyck

                                   Abraham van wage(?)

Suryors of the Roode Hurly Albert Roosa

                                  Rosendall Matys Blanjanque(?)

Trustees...........

Albert Roosa......

Antinie Crispell.........          Fence Veawers

Gerret Konstapel........        Cornelius Nukerck

Johannis Crispel........         Johannis Duboys

Jacob Ostrander.........        Cornelius Nukerck Jun.(?)

Hendrick Konstapel.........

Cornelius Nukerck.........     Johannis Oostrander

Hurley Ye 13 April 1745     Town Clerke

Then returned Unto the

County Clerke......

 

Note:

This is a typical returns of town officers list, filed with the County Clerk, showing the results of an election for the Township of Hurley of 1745. Most of the positions are familiar and remain in use today. Other positions reflect the needs of the colonial period. "Survyors of the Roade" laid out roads to meet rural transportation needs; "Fence Veawers" inspected fences used to keep livestock and "Overseers of the Poor" were responsible to oversee services to the needy. Note that the authority to conduct these elections came from "King George the first". Freeholders were defined by statute as persons possessing real property worth at least £60, above all mortgages and other encumbrances thereon. Also of note, is the handwriting. Clerks of the period were professional hand writers, using quill (feather) pens and bottled ink.