Sussex County Delaware ~ Justices of the Peace

Courts had been held prior to 1673 at the Horekill by the justices from New Castle, and upon the Dutch obtaining possession in 1673 courts were established, and on November 29th of the same year there were appointed as justices Mr. Harmonus Wiltbank, Sandee Moelsteyn,1 Dr. Jon Roats and William Clossen.

Civil and Military Appointments for Horekill, The following is a list of magistrates appointed;

November, 1674

Captain Paul Marsh, lieutenant and president of the court.
Helmonus Wiltbank, Justice, sheriff and collector.
Alexander Molesteen, Justice.
John Kippshaven, Justice.
Otto Wolgust, Justice.
Daniel Brown, under sheriff and constable.

June 25, 1675

John Avery, lieutenant and president of the court
Edward Southern, Justice.
Alexander Molteen, Justice, with none abler.
John Kippshaven, Justice, well to take.
Otto Wolgost, Justice, ordinary planter.
Daniel Brown, under sheriff and constable.
Corneles Verhoofe, clerk, deputy surveyor and collector.

January 4, 1676

Daniel Brown discharged from constable's office and Simon Paling elected.
Helmonus Wiltbank, May 14, 1677
Edward Southern May 14, 1677
Alexander Molestine, May 14, 1677
C. Verhoofe, clerk, May 14, 1677
John Avery, Oct 8, 1678
Francis Whitwell, Oct. 8, 16782
Alexander Molestine, Oct. 8, 1678
John Kippshaven, Oct 8, 1678
Luke Watson, Oct 8, 1678
John Roades, Oct 8, 1678
James Wells Oct 8, 1678
C. Verhoofe, clerk. Oct 8, 1678

Upon the reorganization of the county districts by Sir Edmund Andros in 1680, appointments of justices were made for the six districts. On the 28th of May 1680, the following were appointed for the Whorekill District as follows:

"A commission of the former date to Mr. Luke Wattson, Mr. Jobs Roades, Mr. John Kippshaven, Mr. Otto Woolgost and Mr. William Clarke to be Justice of the Peace at the Whorekill and Dependencies, the said Court to begin at the south side of Ceder Creek and goe to goe downwards.
"William Clakke, Clerk."

Justices of the Peace

Appointed by William Penn

Sussex County

Footnote:
1. Alexander Molestine and Dr. John Rhodes. Molestine was spelled in the early records in various ways and today is known as Molleston, formerly a family of prominence in Kent County.

2. Francis Whitwell was one of the first Justices of St Jones' County (now Kent) when It was organized in 1680.

Source: History of Delaware, 1609-1888, Volume I, by J. Thomas Scharf, L. J. Richards & Company, Philadelphia, 1888.