Law and Order

Law and Order. . , On April 6, 1773, English justice arrived west of the Allegheny Mountains at Hanna's Town, the seat of the new county of Westmoreland. For settlers, court symbolized a stable system of law and order on the ever-changing 18th century frontier., Court at Hanna's Town, From 1773-1786, people from across southwestern Pennsylvania gathered at Hanna's Town for court. It was a time to trade, socialize, and conduct legal business. Some filed into Hanna's Tavern to settle a debt or acquire a license. Others faced public trials for disputes, theft, treason, and even capital crimes., A source of justice as well as entertainment, court trials brought accused criminals, witnesses, lawyers, jurors, and curious spectators to Hanna's Town., Hanna's Town Resolves, The settlers of Westmoreland County lived in a remote corner of the British Empire, entitling then to the same liberties and privileges as those in Great Britain. Actions by the British Parliament soon threatened these rights., In April 1775, English soldiers fired on American militia in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, sending shockwaves through the colonies and sparking the Revolutionary War. Like many Americans, the people of Westmoreland County saw this as a betrayal of their rights as English citizens. In response, they gathered here to draft the Hanna's Town Resolves, a passionate message to British Parliament., "It is the duty of every American to oppose [tyranny and oppression] with our lives and fortunes." , Hanna's Town Resolves, May 16, 1775., The people of Westmoreland County declared themselves both loyal English subjects and Americans who were obligated to resist British oppression. They formed a county militia to defend their rights and the Pennsylvania frontier. By challenging British injustice, the Hanna's Town Resolves were among the documents that paved the way for the Declaration of Independence., (Captions):, Photo above by Paul Valerio, Westmoreland Photographers Society. , Other photos by Pamela Curtin and Joanna Moyar., Hanna's Tavern was the first Westmoreland County courthouse. This tavern was reconstructed in 1973 for the county bicentennial., The flag of the Westmoreland County militia borrowed common phrases and imagery of the American Revolution. The rattlesnake, an animal not found in Great Britain, became a uniquely American symbol., Convicted criminals endured the pain and humiliation of the whipping post and pillory. The jail, or "gaol," served as a holding place for prisoner's between court sessions rather than as a long-term punishment.