Chasing the Past

Rec’d of DJ Allen J.P. $4.00 it being a fine collected

State vs. Wm Gaines (col) I am to bring this money

to the county treasurer and take his receipt for same.

Sept 5 1887 S.H. Milton

Yet again, I’m unsure of the name. My best guess is SH Milton, but I cannot find anyone like that on an 1880 or 1900 census. The person for whom the fine is due looks to be Wm Gaines, colored. I’ve found a William Gaines, 48, on the 1900 census living in Lilesville. I’m not certain, of course, that it’s the same person and need to see if I can find any court records to document. A $4 fine back then seems to indicate, at least to me, a more serious crime.

This post is part of a series of transcriptions of letters, papers, receipts, and other ephemera that are held in the Smith Family Collection.  All originals are held in this collection, unless otherwise stated.