fair-play men

FAIR-PLAY MEN. About the year 1769, there was a tract of country in 
Pennsylvania, situate between 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's Laws of Pennsylvania 195; 
Serg. Land Laws, 77."