This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

maintained for distribution of amounts to widows and orphans of deceased soldiers. Roads and bridges were is dire need of repair, as some were called impassable, but money was somehow found to buy lumber and materials to repair infrastructure; indeed, even some new roads were recommended, like the one to Toulme's Station at the New Orleans, Mobile and Chattanooga Railroad. The Whitfields were applying for a license to open a new inn; Poitevent, Favre, Mauffray, and Smith Sr. petitioned for licenses to sell spirits, even though limited as to quantity. A grocery came to Pearlington.
Meetings were accepted as serious endeavors. Elected members were expected to attend and absentees were fined - usually five dollars, a substantial amount in that day. Board business often carried over to another day, and sometimes went on for several days. New warrants were given as payment, while other, older ones were being cancelled at a discount. Periodic appointments of overseers were made and their hands were listed name by name, and all were expected to do the job of maintaining the roads. Grand and petit jurors were regularly appointed, and the courts heard cases involving both criminal and civil matters.
The Board's minutes reflected happenings outside normal business. People died - some by drowning; some were strangers, and the coroner was paid for inquests. John Lizanna made coffins for ten dollars.
The jail needed fixing: $4 for whitewashing; $14 and $23 to Hoffman for feeding the prisoner; $4 to the blacksmith; $10 to Ulman for lumber and labor; $1.50 to "Hampton freedman" for cleaning. Poitevent sued his neighbor who did not want a road running through his land; settlement came from the High Court of Errors and Appeals. A reward was offered and paid for the capture of an escaped prisoner.
Summary
During the period covered by the minutes in Book A, all of the Confederate states had been readmitted to the country once again known as the United States. In Hancock County, we can see a body of governing officials evolving from a Police Court to a Board of Supervisors. It was a committee of active citizens standing ready to repair roads and bridges, to build new a new courthouse and jails, and to approve new business permits sought by enterprising people.
It was a county in the process of rebuilding itself.