Legal Definitions - hundred

A "hundred" refers to a historical administrative and judicial subdivision of a county, primarily originating in England, and later adopted in some early American colonies. It designated a specific geographical area that often had its own local court and was responsible for various administrative functions, including taxation and maintaining order. In the United States, while most states discontinued this system, it continues to exist as a political subdivision exclusively in Delaware.

• Historical English Context: In medieval England, if a local dispute arose, such as a disagreement over property boundaries or a minor theft, the parties involved would often bring their case before the *hundred court*. This court served as the primary judicial authority for that specific region, demonstrating the "hundred" as a fundamental unit of local governance and justice.

  Explanation: This example illustrates the "hundred" as a distinct administrative and judicial area, where local legal matters were handled by its own court, rather than requiring travel to a more distant county court.

• Historical Populace/Obligation: During periods of military need in 13th-century England, royal decrees might have required each *hundred* to contribute a specific number of men or a certain amount of provisions for the national defense. This shows the "hundred" as a collective unit representing its inhabitants and their obligations.

  Explanation: Here, the "hundred" is depicted not just as a geographical area, but as a community of people who shared collective responsibilities, such as military service or resource contributions, highlighting its role as a unit of population.

• Modern Delaware Context: When a resident of Delaware receives their property tax bill, the document might specify that their property is located within a particular "hundred," such as "Red Lion Hundred" or "Appoquinimink Hundred." While these hundreds no longer have their own courts, they remain recognized geographical and political subdivisions within the state.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates the enduring, albeit modified, role of the "hundred" in modern Delaware as a recognized geographical and political division, even if its original judicial functions have been absorbed by other governmental structures.