The grand juries of the county were apparently determined to enforce the observance of the Sabbath day. In 1749, Andrew McNabb was presented for a breach of the Sabbath—in what way is not stated; in 1750, Jacob Coger was presented "for a breach of the peace by driving hogs over the Blue Ridge on the Sabbath;" and in 1751, James Frame was presented "for a breach of the Sabbath in unnecessarily traveling ten miles."
At laying the county levy in 1750, allowance was made for two hundred and fifty-six wolf heads—the entire head had to be produced. In 1751 allowance was made for two hundred and twenty-four heads. In 1754 William Preston obtained an allowance for one hundred and three heads. They were hardly all trophies of his own skill, but most, if not all of them, were probably purchased by him. Indeed, wolf heads constituted a kind of currency.
The court and grand juries were extremely loyal. In 1749, Jacob Castle was arrested "for threatening to goe over to and be aiding and assisting of the French ag'st his Majesty's forces." In 1751, Owen Crawford was presented "for drinking a health to King James, and refusing to drink a health to King George." The accused made his escape, and the presentment was dismissed.
Constables were appointed at various times on the Roanoke and New rivers.
The first classical school west of the Blue Ridge was opened zin 1749, by Robert Alexander, two miles southwest of the present village of Greenville. The teacher was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1736, and to the Valley in 1743. How long Mr. Alexander conducted the school we do not know. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Brown, and the school was removed first to Old Providence, then to New Providence, and shortly before the Revolutionary war to Mount Pleasant, near Fairfield. It was latterly under the care of Hanover Presbytery.
1791, to his executors, Alexander McClanahan and Alexander St. Clair, to do with it as they pleased. The terms imply a secret trust. At any rate, the executors conveyed the farm to Robert McClanahan, the third of the name, and grandson of the first. In 1808, the last named Robert sold the farm to John McDowell, who built the present handsome brick dwelling on the hill, having lived in the meanwhile, as the first Robert McClanahan had, in a small house near the Greenville road.
