Judge Zachariah Lawrence Bettis

Zechariah Lawrence Bettis (June 12, 1816 – September 23, 1879)[1] was an American politician who served as the Probate Judge of Clarke County, Alabama during the American Civil War. He was born in Edgefield, South Carolina and was a part of a migration from Edgefield County to Clarke County. In 1856, he was elected the Probate Judge of Clarke County. Under the constitution of the time, the Probate Judge was the chief executive official of an Alabama county. He remained in this office until 1866. He died in Grove Hill, Alabama in 1879.

He was 1st cousins, once separated with John Cranford who served as President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate, later serving a term in Congress. His wife, Elizabeth Talbert, was second cousins with South Carolina Congressman W. Jasper Talbert, who represented Edgefield in Congress, and he was third cousins, once separated with Reps. Henry Swearingen of Ohio and Thomas Van Swearingen of Virginia. Bettis's son Alfred became a physician and later moved to Texas.[2]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zachariah_Bettis

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38090047/zachariah-lawrence-bettis

Said Court was held 11th Dec. 1815 , " at the house of Dr. Biddlix in the Pine Level , before Joseph Phillips , Esqr . , Chief Justice . " The last court presided over by Chief Justice Phil lips was “ held at the house of John Landrum , de ceased , on the 6th May , 1816. " L. J. Alston as Chief Justice presided over the Orphans Court and County Court , from Nov. 1816 , till May , 1821 , during which time the names of John Dean , William Cochran , William Murrel , Elijah Pugh , Nathan Christmas , Ira Portis , Wm . L. Paris , Jamer son Andrews , Joseph B. Chambers , Samuel B. Shields , Thomas Matlock , Thomas Portis , and James Kirkpat rick , appear as “ Justices of the quorum . ” The senior Justice present presided in the absence of the Chief Justice . During the year 1817 this was changed from Miss . Territory to Alabama Territory -- and from Nov.1817 , to August , 1819 , these Courts were held in and for Clarke County , Alabaina Territory . ” Alabama be came a State in 1819 . From Feb. 1813 to the Courts were held at private houses . The first Court house for Clarke County was erected in 18— at Clarkesville , 7 miles west from Grove Hill , and the Courts were held there till the county seat was moved to Macon ( now Grove Hill ) in 1832 . First court held at Macon 28th Dec. 1832 . Previous to January , 1824 , the “ Minutes of the Orphans Court , County Court , and Court of Commis sioners of Roads and Revenue , were kept in the same book ; but in separate books froin and after that date . Prior to Sept. 1821 , only two regular terms of the Orphans Court were held in each year . -

Occasional Special or Intermediate terms were held . Monthly terms since Sept. 1821 .
1. From Sept. , 1821 , to January , 1823 , John G. Creagh presided in the Orphans Court , as Judge thereof .
2. Robert Lee was Judge from Jan. 1823 , to Jan. 1824 .
3. Edward Kennedy was Judge from Feb. 1824 to Jan. 1827 .
4. Samuel Wilkinson was Judge from Apr. 1827 , to Nov. 1833 .
5. Wm . R. Hamilton was Judge from Jan. 1834. to 1838 .
6. Wm . T. Jones was Judge from Jan. 1838 , to Dec. 1838 .
7. Joseph P. Portis was Judge from Jan. 1839 , to Dec. 1844 .
8. Terrell Powers was Judge from Jan. 1845 , to May , 1850 .
9. H. W. Coate ( Judge Probate Court ) * was Judge from May , 1850 , to May , 1856 .
10. Z. L. Bettis was Judge from May , 1856 , to Feb. 1866 .
11. Isaac Grant was Judge from Feb. 1866 , to May , 1866 .
12. R. J. Woodard was Judge from May , 1866 , tu 8th Aug. 1868 .
13. J. R. Wilson was Judge froin sth Aug. 1868 , to Nov. 1880 .