FAIR-PLAY MEN

About the year 1769, there was a tract of land in Pennsylvania, between Lycoming Creek and Pine Creek, in which the proprietaries prohibited the making of surveys as it was doubtful whether it had or had not been ceded by the Indians. Although settlements were forbidden, adventurers settled themselves there. However, being outside the pale of ordinary authorities, the inhabitants annually elected a tribunal of three of their number, in rotation, whom they denominated fair-play men, and who had authority to decide all disputes as to boundaries. Their decisions were final and enforced by the whole community en masse. The decisions are said to have been just and equitable, although this opinion may be disputed by any affected Native Americans.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.