At the first session of the Legislature in April, 1803, an act was passed organizing Judicial Courts. The Supreme Court consisted of three Judges, elected by joint ballot of the General Assembly, their official term to be seven years. One session a year was held by this tribunal in each county. The Constitution gave the Supreme Court original and appellate jurisdiction, both in common law and chancery, in such cases as the law should direct. On the 17th of February, 1808, the number of Judges were increased to four, and the State divided into two districts, Eastern and Western, two of said Judges to hold court in each, as they should determine among themselves. This county was in the Eastern District, but the law was repealed February 16, 1810, at which date the number of Supreme Judges was reduced to three. By this act the Supreme Court was given concurrent jurisdiction of all civil cases, both of law and equity, where the matter in dispute exceeded $1,000, and appellate jurisdiction from the Court of Common Pleas in all cases wherein that court had original jurisdiction. It also was given exclusive cognizance of all cases of divorce and alimony, and in all criminal cases except where the prisoner elected to be tried by the Court of Common Pleas. The number of Judges was again increased to four February 13, 1816, and exclusive cognizance of criminal cases conferred upon this tribunal. Thus it stood until the adoption of the new constitution in 1851. Many laws were passed, defining more minutely the powers and duties of the Supreme Court, which may be found in the Ohio statutes.