Fair-Play Men

A local Irregular tribunal which existed in Pennsylvania about the year 1769. 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, yet adventurers settled themselves there. Being without the pale of ordinary authorities, the inhabitants annually elected a tribunal, in rotation, of three of their number, whom they denominated "fair-play men," who had authority to decide all disputes as to boundaries. Their decisions were final, and enforced by the whole community en masse. Their decisions are said to have been just and equitable.

2 Smith, Pa. Laws, 195; Sergeant, Land Laws Pa. 77.