Porter

The name of an ancient English officer who bore or carried a rod before the justices. The door keeper of the English parliament also bears this name. One who is employed as a common carrier to carry goods from one place to another in the same town is also called a porter. Such person is, in general, answerable as a common carrier.

Story, Bailm. § 496.

PORTGREVE (from Saxon gerefa, reeve or bailiff, and port). A chief magistrate in certain maritime towns. The chief magistrate of London was anciently so called, as appears from a charter of King William I. Instead of this portgreve of London, the succeeding kings appointed two bailiffs, and afterwards a mayor.

Camden, Hist. 325.