On Judy's Answer to the Functions of a Magistrate

I recently sent a question to Judy Russell, Certified Genealogist and author of the fantastic blog TheLegalGenealogist, asking her what types of functions a county magistrate would have performed in the 1850s. After reading the War of 1812 pension file of my 4th-great-grandfather, Manuel Lamon, and learning of his 12 years of service as a magistrate in Harrison County, Indiana, I asked Judy for some ideas on the types of things a magistrate may have done to get better sense of Manuel's life during that time. A few weeks passed, and Judy not only answered the question but delivered some great ideas, as well as a copy of a Revolutionary War pension signed by Manuel in his magistrate role.

I can't thank Judy enough. Her blog is one of the best in the genealogy & family history space, and sets a high bar of others to follow. She didn't have to take the time to answer my question so thoroughly, but she did, and I am grateful. This is another example of the wonderful genealogy community.

I copied the image she found signed by Manuel Lamon from the Revolutionary War pension file of Catherine Acre, widow of Philip Acre (widow's pension application number W.9690).

Full citation to the image above, per Judy Russell: Affidavit of claimant, 16 April 1855; Catherine Acre, widow’s pension application no. W.9690, for service of Philip Acre (Pvt., Capt. Perry’s Co. (5th Va. Reg.); Revolutionary War Pensions and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, microfilm publication M804, 2670 rolls (Washington, D.C. : National Archives and Records Service, 1974); digital images, Fold3 (http://www.Fold3.com : accessed 6 Feb 2013), Philip Acre file, p. 14.

So now I have some additional ideas of where to look for information. Unfortunately, some of these will have to wait on my research wish list.