These two petitions were listed in the History of Milton Township, written for the Jefferson County Historical Society. The author is not stated but was probably William E. Ryker, the society’s president. The author stated the two petitions were in his posession. The first is undated.- Robert W. Scott
"To the Honorable, the Associate Judges of the Jefferson Circuit Court. We, your petitioners, beg leave to state and represent to your Honors that we are situated in a rather remote section of the country and particularly as respects to the want of civil officers, there being at this time a considerable settlement on the Indiana Kentuck peace within several miles, which places us in a disadvantageous situation as respects to the subjects of controversy that might be determined before a justice. Now in order to remedy these inconveniences and in some measure to bring justice to our doors, we beg again your honors to recommend the appointment of Joseph Howard, or our neighborhood, to fill that office. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc."
Signed by Henry Banta, Henry Saylers, Joseph Hankins, David Forester (?), Francis Welchel, John Lee, Mordecai Brooks, Noah Brooks, Jesse Neal, Umphrey Brooks, Daniel Neal, Gershom Lee, Enoch McCarty, Robert McKay, John Bohannon (Buchanan), Stephen Rutherford, Moses Devore, Benjamin Devore, Eliza Devore, George Burton, Isaac Short, Isaac Howard, James Brown, John Helm, David Demaree, Benjamin Brooks, Nicholas Manville, John Lochred (Lockridge). After the signatures is added this further request. "We, the above petitioners, wish you to appoint John Lanham as constable in the settlement."
The other petition dated 1818 reads
"To the Honorable, the Board of Commissioners of Jefferson Co. State of Indiana: We the undersigned, pray your honors to grant us a division of the township of Madison to set off such a part of the township as your honors shall think proper for the accommodation of the inhabitants of Indian Kaintuck and the adjoining settlements. By complying with the above request you will confer a singular obligation on your petitioners. Jan. 26, 1818."
The history has a comment that this petition has the same 12 signers as the 1816 petition and that the names listed are the new lines. It is not clear if that means the first petition, listed as undated, was written in 1816. However, it clearly has more than 12 names.
Signers:
William Welchel, Davis Welchel, John Welchel, Frank Welchel, William W. Welchel, George Helms, Abraham Helms, Isaac Helms, John Helms, Thomas O. Neal, William Neal, James A. Neal, William McKay, Uriah McKay, Abraham McKay, William Cob. Ambrose Cob, John Henry, Jeremiah Wilkins, David Hutcherson, Samuel Johnson, George Rogers, Wiley Brooks, James Sheridan, John West, Chris Bean (probably Christian Bear), Jacob Short, John Lanham, Thos. Windsaw, Daniel H. Larimore, Nehemiah Vernon, Samuel Heath, Shuble Farr, Andrew Lee and Thomas Von (Vaughn).