*** Source: Thompson, Robert A., Historical and descriptive sketch of Sonoma County, California. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co., 1877, 122 pgs. Notice: This data is donated to the Public Domain by TAG, 2004, and may be copied freely by anyone to anywhere. *** ---page 47--- THE COURT OF SESSIONS. The Court of Sessions first met in the town of Sonoma in 1850. H. A. Green was county judge, and Charles Hudspeth and Peter Campbell were chosen associate justices. This court, beside their judicial powers, had control of the county business; they provided buildings for public purposes, and first divided the county into townships. Some time in 1851, Judge Green died, and Martin E. Cooke was appointed in his place. Mr. Cooke declined to serve, and W. O. King was appointed, and held one term of the court. The same fall the Hon. C. P. Wilkins was elected by the people as county judge. In 1852 Peter Campbell and J. M. Terrill were elected associate justices. On October 3d of the same year, Phil. R. Thompson and A. C. Godwin were elected in place of the first named persons, whose terms expired. In 1854 Judge Wilkins resigned, and Phil. R. Thompson was appointed in his place; J. B. Boggs and J. B. Pettus were elected associate justices. In 1854 Frank W. Shattuck was elected county judge, he resigned in 1855, and John E. McNair was appointed in his place; Phil. R. Thompson and J. E. Prewett were associate justices. In the fall of 1855, William Churchman was elected county judge, and James A. Reynolds and S. T. Coulter were chosen as associate justices. THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. The first board of Supervisors met in the town of Sonoma on the 5th of July, 1852. D. O. Shattuck, Sr., was elected president, James Singley, W. A. Hereford, L. P. Hanson were the other members. Hanson appears on the record at but one meeting, and on the 4th of October, W. O. King suc- ceeded him. 1853-4, H. G. Heald, James Singley, S. L. Fowler and Alexander Copeland were elected. At first meeting of the new board, James Singley was chosen president. 1854-5, H. G. Heald, president, succeeded, December 28, by Robert Smith, R. Harrison, S. L. Fowler and Alexander Copeland. 1855-6, Donald McDonald, president, Stephen Akers and William T. Allen. 1856-7, James Prewitt, president, B. B. Berry and C. J. Robinson. 1857-8, W. B. Hagans, president, R. Smith and Josiah Morin. In January, 1858, at a special election, Joseph Knowles was elected in place of R. Smith. 1858-9, Alex. Copeland, president of the board, J. Morin and J. Estis. January 26, 1859, E. Swift was elected vice Copeland, and Josiah Morin was chosen President. 1859-60, Josiah Morin, president, W. McP. Hill and H. M. Willson. 1860-61, H. M. Willson, president, Josiah Morin and W. McP. Hill. 1861-2, William McP. Hill, president, N. Fike, Josiah Morin. 1862-3, Josiah Morin, president, N. Fike, T. F. Baylis. 1863-4, N. Fike, president, T. F. Baylis and A. S. Patterson. *** end ***