Sheriff: executes civil and criminal process throughout the county, has charge of the jail and prisoners, attends courts and keeps the peace.

Oxford English Dictionary

In many states, the Sheriff was also an election official and their signature can be found on copies of Original Documents, ranging from state to federal elections. In Congressional districts having more than one county, the Sheriffs of each county would meet in a designated County Court House, compare the returns and certify the results. If the Sheriff of a county did not appear, the votes from his county would not be counted.

1787 - 1824: Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina

Office Scope: County / City / District (Pennsylvania, South Carolina)

Role Scope: County / City / District (Pennsylvania, South Carolina)