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When looking back on the records of the past, the lives of women, particularly non-elite women, are sometimes barely visible. The Plymouth Colony Court Records, however, contain a multitude of references to women. The majority of these references deal with unusual occurrences rather than the daily lives of women, and thus give an interesting view onto the lives and roles of women in the society of the Plymouth Colony. In general, women of Plymouth Colony had fewer rights and responsibilities than men. Married women in particular were not allowed to hold positions of authority, land, or goods (Thompson 149). However, as Demos points out, women of the Plymouth Colony did have more rights than their counterparts in seventeenth-century England (85). Furthermore, the rights and responsibilities of women changed once they were widowed. Because widows had a somewhat ambiguous role due to their responsibilities as both mother and father, as well as husband and wife, they were expected to act in both capacities (Conger 247). As widows, women were allowed to control money, land, and other resources from their deceased husband's estate. Widows often wielded this power subtly to ensure both their own well being and that of their children (Conger 246). The following paper is an attempt to bring together and analyze the references to women in the first four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records. In reviewing the references extracted from the records I found I could divide them into the following 13 categories: 1. References to the taxation of a woman 2. References to sexual offenses 3. References to land dealings 4. References to women as the executrix or beneficiary of a will 5. References to a woman's death or the execution of a widow's will 6. References to a man's will providing money and/or resources to his widow or children 7. References to women being put into service 8. References to women being accused of a crime 9. References to women accusing another person of a crime 10. References to women receiving a person into her service 12. References to divorce 13. References to women acting as a witness to legal proceedings 14. Miscellaneous references to women The references in each of these categories helps define the dual role of women in Plymouth society, and demonstrate the shift from a position of little power and few rights as a married or single woman, to a position of intermediate power as a widow. However, due to the unsystematic nature of human interaction as demonstrated in the references in the court records, these categories are somewhat arbitrary, and some references may overlap or belong to more than one category.
There are two references to women being taxed in the first four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records. All the women who are "rated for publick use" by the government of the Plymouth Colony are widows, and owe from twelve to nine shillings, payable in corn. Since widows were the only women within the colony that were allowed to hold any substantial amount of property, they were also the only women within the colony that could have their property taxed. The property of married women was turned over to their husbands upon their marriage, and therefore married women did not directly hold any property and could not be taxed. The records also demonstrate that widows were taxed fairly in relation to men. Men were usually taxed more than widows, but men generally owned more taxable property. The practice of taxing widows evidences the ambiguous gender roles widows fulfilled within the Plymouth Colony. Since widows owned property and were viewed as both husbands and wives, their property could be taxed unlike other women who held little or no property.
The involvement of women in sexual offenses was one of the most abundant categories of references in the first four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records. There were 64 references total, with most occurring in volumes three and four. The majority of these references concern consensual sex before marriage, but there are also cases of adultery, incest, attempted rape, sex between a master and servant, and sex between servants. Sexual offenses were punished in a variety of ways, including sitting in the stocks, payment of a monetary fine, being whipped, finding sureties for good behavior, or wearing a badge. The punishment of wearing a badge sometimes carried a further conditional punishment. For example, in the case of Mary Mendame, if she was found without her badge, she would be further punished by being "burned in the face wthe a hott iron" (PCR 1: 132). All of these punishments could be inflicted upon either the accused males or females. For the most part, both the man and the woman involved in the offence were punished equally. However, there are a select few cases in which the punishment of the woman was lessened or retracted due to her previous good behavior or penitence (PCR 3:91). Dorothy Temple's punishment was reduced from two whippings to one (PCR 1:127). Monetary fines were also reduced or remitted for good behavior (PCR 4: 8-9). Furthermore, in these cases the sentence inflicted upon the woman was less harsh than the punishment of the man involved in the sexual offence. Such was the case for Thomas Bird and Hannah Bumpas, where Bird was punished by whipping and a ten pound fine, while Bumpas was punished only by whipping (PCR 4:22). Although the punishment administered to a woman in cases of sexual offenses was sometimes reduced, dismissed, or less harsh than the punishment of her male partner in crime, women were accused of sexual offenses more often and more readily than men, as a double standard of sexual morality existed in the colony. There are no cases of married men being explicitly accused of adultery, whereas married women were often accused of and punished for adultery. Adultery was viewed as an offence not only against marriage, but against the social structure of the community as well (Demos 97). Further evidence for the double standard of sexual morality can be seen in women who participated in sexual intercourse before marriage and were pushed into marriage to buffer both legal punishment and social sanctions (Morgan 604). Nonetheless, illicit sexual intercourse, especially by married men, was most certainly a common occurrence, even though married men were never accused of adultery in the court records (Morgan 596). Rather, the courts accused men of fornication, a less serious offence. Evidence for the double standard of sexual morality present in the Plymouth Colony is readily apparent in the one case of incest present in the first four volumes of the court records. Thomas Attkins, a resident of Plymouth, was accused of committing incest with his daughter Mary Atkins (PCR 3:199-200). Even though he was punished by whipping, a corporal punishment, the records also state that he was under the influence of alcohol, and imply he had little control over his actions. The mention of his drunken state partially removes blame from him, and subtly places it with his daughter for not resisting his attempts.
In the 34 references to land dealings involving women in the first four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records, the vast majority of the women mentioned are widows. Most references involve a grant or transfer of ownership of land (PCR 2:26 and PCR 1:40-41). In these cases, as before, widows have control over land and its use as allowed by their vaguely defined gender roles. The few references involving land that mentioned married women invariably mention their husbands, who had control over the land and its use as well (PCR 2:6). However, even widows were not always allowed full rights or responsibilities concerning the disposal of land. For example, Jone Miller had to ask permission of the court to sell land from her recently deceased husband's estate for the benefit of their daughter (PCR 4:4-7). Even though Jone Miller was probably not the executrix of her husband's will, and did not have full control over his property, as a widow, she should have been allowed to dispose of it as she saw fit. In the end, the court allowed her to sell the land, but only for "the releife of her said daughter," and not for her own benefit.
There are 56 references in the first four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records to women acting as the executrix or beneficiary of a will, the majority of which are in volume four. Most of these references are fairly simple and straightforward, such as the one on June 3, 1662, which states "Lres of adminnestration is graunted vnto Mirriam Wormal to adminnester on the estate of Josepth Wormall, deceased" (PCR 4:16-17). As executrix, the widow settled debts, and provided for the distribution of her late husbands estate, which usually went to their children (Richter 304). In such cases, widows were granted power over land and other property that she could not have held as a married woman. During married life, a woman's husband exclusively controlled their property, but the unclear gender role of a widow allowed her to gain and keep control over property and other resources. Sometimes, the power of a widow over her late husband's estate was reduced, if a son, brother, or court appointed official was made joint executor with a widow. Such is the case with Widow Abell, who was made joint executrix along with Captain Willett over the estate of her late husband, Robert Abell (PCR 4:46-47). This often occurred because both men and women did not feel that women could adequately handle economic affairs without assistance (Thompson 149). Thus, although some widows controlled the disposal of the estate of their late husband, often this control was reduced by a male figure of authority.
There are 15 references to the deaths of women in the first four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records. In these cases, generally the husband or son of the deceased woman was appointed to administer her estate. For the most part, this involved the presentation of an inventory of the woman's "goodes and chattels" to the court, which were then disposed of to sons, daughters, or other family members. Only if the woman was a widow when she died, did she leave a will to provide for the distribution of her estate to her children, especially unmarried daughters. Widows were the only women who left wills, as they were the only women that could own property. This is the case for Mistris Jone Swift, whose "last will and testament" was executed by Mr. Hinckley after her death (PCR 4:54-55). Also included in this category are references to accounts of women's deaths. Rebeckah Sale "hanged her selfe in her owne hiered house" (PCR 4:81-84). Later in the records, there is also a reference to the death of Mary Totman, who apparently mistakenly ate a poisonous root. Each of these deaths were investigated by a court appointed panel, who then witnessed the court proceedings explaining the death. The records only made reference to examining unusual causes of death.
The first four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records contain 26 references to the provisions made in a deceased man's will for his widow or children. By law, widows were due one third of the estate of their deceased husband, but children had no rights to their father's property (Thompson 136). Consequently, if a widow remarried, her new husband had the power to take over any property left to her beyond the original one third of her previous husband's estate, leaving her children penniless. To prevent this occurrence, the wills of men often provided for the distribution of money and other resources to their children, payable when they reached a certain age or were married (Thompson 145). This act, can be seen in the case of Grace Halloway, who was provided a sum of money in her father's will to ensure her future welfare (PCR 4:136-137). Likewise, after the death of her husband Peter, Mary Browne received her third of his estate and successfully petitioned the court for extra money from the estate to help raise their children (PCR 1:18-19).
Volumes one through four of the Plymouth Colony Court Records contain nine references to young women or girls being put into the service of another family. Parents often placed their children into service if they could not afford to provide for them. The family that received young women into service provided them with "meate, drinke, & cloathes during the said terme" of service (PCR 2:38). Usually terms of service lasted until the young woman's late teens or early twenties. For example, Mary Brown was put into the service of Mr. John Done until "shee should accomplish the age of seaventeen yeares" (PCR 2:76). In exchange for their daughter, the parents of the young woman put into service received payment in livestock or harvests, such as corn or wheat.
There are 30 references to a woman accusing another person of a crime in the first four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records. These accusations include blasphemous speech, abuse, lewd behavior, stealing a pig, beating, molesting, unapproved marriage, cutting a colt, not solemnizing marriage, and stealing a cow. In most of these cases, the accusations made by women were taken seriously, and the accused person, male or female, was brought to trial and if found guilty, punished. Widows, married women, and single women all made accusations equally. There is no indication in the records that accusations made by a widow were taken more seriously than those made by a married or single woman, or vice versa.
The first four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records contain 53 references to women being accused of a crime, which constitutes one of the most abundant categories of references. Women were accused of a wide range of crimes, including abuse, living disorderly, selling alcohol to an Indian, squatting, being at a Quaker meeting, stealing a boat, slander, stopping a highway, failure to appear in court, murder, dancing, lying, stealing, being a witch, not attending church, working on a Sunday, being drunk, exchanging a gun with an Indian, and paying someone underage. Punishments, when mentioned, varied with the type of crime. Cases of stealing, lying, being at a Quaker meeting, and selling alcohol to an Indian were punished with a monetary fine. Slander and stealing were punished with time in the stocks, and slander and disturbance of worship were punished with whipping. There was only one instance where the death penalty was imposed, in the case of a murder. There is no indication in the records that widows were punished differently than single or married women. The reference to the murder of Martha Clarke by her mother Alice Bishop, was perhaps the most intriguing reference found in the first four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records (PCR 2:131-133). The records describe the murder in detail "wee found a woman child, of about foure yeares of age, lying in her shifte vppon her left cheeke, with her throat cut with diuerse gashes crose wayes, the wind pipe cut and stuke into the throate downward." The description of the murder demonstrates that Alice did not fully comprehend the consequences of her actions. When Alice Bishop was accused of murdering her daughter she made no recorded protest against the accusation. The reference further describes her trial and sentence of hanging "by the necke vntell her body is dead, which accordingly was executed" (PCR 2:134).
There are five references of a woman receiving someone into service in the first four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records. Both widows and married women requested and received servants. A single woman, by virtue of her lack of power, money, and resources, could never provide for a servant, and therefore single women were never recorded as having received anyone into service.
There are only four references to divorce in the four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records. Since divorce was a relatively uncommon occurrence, the small number of references is not surprising. Few divorces were granted in the Plymouth Colony as there were few reasons adequate to end a marriage. Demos cites three possible grounds for divorce: bigamy (93), impotence (95), and adultery (96). Of these three reasons, only one, impotence, faults the husband for the divorce. Therefore, if divorces were granted on grounds of bigamy or adultery, most likely the wife was blamed. The first case in the records involves Elizabeth and Thomas Burge. While she was still alive, Elizabeth solicited the court for a divorce, but the divorce was not granted until after her death. The settlement included "an old cotten bed and bolster, a pillow, a sheet, and two blanketts, that were with the paire of sheets, with some other smale things" that were granted to Elizabeth. Although the reasons for the divorce stated in the records were vague, it seems that the proceedings and settlement of this divorce were simplified by Elizabeth's death (PCR 3:218-223). The second case of divorce in the first four volumes of court records involved William Tubbs and his wife Marcye. William solicited the court for divorce, claiming she "sequestered herselfe from him and will not be pswaded to returne to him" (PCR 4:186-187). Since Marcye's actions violated regular cohabitation, one of the three obligations of married couples, as cited in Demos (92), the court granted him a divorce a month after his original request (PCR 4:191-193). Divorce placed women in an ambiguous situation. They were neither married, nor single, nor widowed, and therefore did not fit into any of societies conventional roles for women. Because divorce gave women an uncertain social status, in addition to violating the sacred institution of marriage, divorces were uncommon and generally not desirable within the Plymouth Colony.
There are 13 references to women acting as witnesses in legal proceedings. This includes women witnessing the execution of wills, giving testimony at trials, and appearing in court. The use of women as well as men as witnesses in legal proceedings demonstrates that women were trusted to provide truthful testimony. If possible, their statements were supported by the testimony of a man, but this was not necessary in all cases.
There were 14 references to women that did not fit well into any of the above categories, and were therefore classified as miscellaneous. These references included agreements on the trade of livestock, receipt of payment of a debt, being a Quaker brought into Plymouth, delivering or sending a message, and being allowed to sell liquor.
Within the first four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records, a dual view of women emerges. The first image is that of a single or married woman, who had few rights and responsibilities, and could hold no property. These women could be accused of crimes, including sexual offenses, and be punished for them. In addition, they could be received or receive someone into service, witness a legal proceeding, or divorce. However any of the above stated functions could be limited by men to a minimum. After the death of a husband, however, the role of a woman in Plymouth society changed drastically, as she could no longer depend on her husband for her welfare. In these cases, widows assumed the role of father, mother, husband, and wife, which allowed them more control over their own lives, as well as those of their children. This is evident in the references to widows in the Plymouth Court Records. Widows, unlike single or married women, could be taxed, hold land, execute the will of their late husbands, and make their own wills to provide for the well being of their children, particularly daughters. Widows fulfilled a completely distinct gender role from their married and single female counterparts. As the references to women in the first four volumes of the Plymouth Colony Court Records show, the role of women and widows grew more distinct over time, further demonstrating that women played an important, though somewhat less visible role in the early society of the Plymouth Colony. BibliographyConger, Vivian Bruce. "`If Widow, Both Housewife and Husband May Be': Widows' Testamentary Freedom in Colonial Massachusetts and Maryland." Women and Freedom in Early America. Ed. Larry D. Eldridge. New York: New York University Press, 1997. 244-266. Dale, Elizabeth. "The Marriage Metaphor in Seventeenth-Century Massachusetts." Women and Freedom in Early America. Ed. Larry D. Eldridge. New York: New York University Press, 1997. 229-243. Demos, John. A Little Commonwealth: Family Life in Plymouth Colony. London: Oxford University Press, 1970. Morgan, Edmund S. "The Puritans and Sex." The New England Quarterly. December, 1942. 591-607. Richter, Julie. "The Free Women of Charles Parish, York County, Virginia, 1630-1740." Women and Freedom in Early America. Ed. Larry D. Eldridge. New York: New York University Press, 1997. 290-312. Shurtleff, Nathaniel and David Pulsifer, eds. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England. New York: AMS Press, 12 v. in 6. Thompson, Janet A. Wives, Widows, Witches, & Bitches: Women in Seventeenth-Century Devon. New York: Peter Lang, 1993. AppendixPlymouth Colony Court RecordsMarch 25, 1633 (PCR 1:9-11) *According to an order in Court held the 2d of January, in the seaventh yeare of the raigne of or soveraigne lord, Charles, by the grace of God King of Engl., Scotl., France, & Irel., defendor of the faith, &c, the psons heere under menconed were rated for publike use by the Govr, Mr Will Bradford, Capt Myles Standish, Joh: Alder, Joh: Howland, John Done, Stephen Hopkins, Will Gilson, Sam Fuller, Senior, John Genny, Godbert Godbertson, & Jonathan Brewster, to be brought in by each pson as they are herre under written, rated in corne at vis p bushell, at or before the last of November next ensuing, to such place as shall be heereafter appointed to receiue the same. And for default heereof, the value to be doubled, & accordingly leavied by the publick officer for yt end. [list of 89 names, Widow Warren appears 30th, Blossome appears 59th, Widow Harding appears 84th] Widow Warren,.........00:12:00 Widdow Blossome,........00:09:00 Widow Harding,.........00:09:00 April 1, 1633 (PCR 1:12) 2. It. John Hews & Jone his wife adjudged to sitt in the stockes because the said Jone conceived wth childe by him before they were publickely married, though in the time of contract. 3. It. John Thorp & Alice his wife likewise adjudged to sitt in the stockes & amerced in forty shillings fine, because his wife conceived wth childe before marriage, but in regard of their prnt poverty, twelue moneths time given for paymt. July 1, 1633 (PCR 1:14-15) It. To Joh Wynslow, ||Allerton, Mr Fuller, Wido Wright, || & Joh Adams that wch Mr Gilson mowed last yeare, & the rest adjoyning unmowed. *It. That Mrs Warren & Robt Bartlet mow where they did last yeare, & the marsh adjoyning, as high as Slowly Howse. October 28, 1633 (PCR 1:17-18) In this Court, Mary, the late wife of Peter Browne, deceased, who dyed wthout will, presented an inventory of the goodes & chattels of her said husb. upon oath, & was referred for administracon to another Cour of Assistantes, to beheld the on Munday, the 11th of Novbr next ensuing. At the same Court, John Done presented an inventory of the goodes & chattels of Martha Harding, deceased, who, in the behalfe of her son, was allowed the administrator of the said Martha. *At the same Court, Alice, the late wife of John Thorp, appointed to bring in an inventory of the goodes & chattells of her deceased husband on Monday, the 11th of November next ensuing. Phineas Pratt referred to further hearing at the same time about the goodes of Godbert Godbertson & Zara, his wife. November 11, 1633 (PCR 1:18-19) It was ordered, that whereas Peter Browne dyed wthout will, having divers children by divers wiues, his estate amounting to an hundred powndes, or thereaboutes, it is ordered, that Mary, his wife, who is allowed the administratrix of the said Peter, forthwith pay downe fifteen powndes for the use of Mary Browne, daughter of the said Peter, to Mr Joh. Done, of Plymouth aforesaid, wth whom the said Court haue placed the said Mary for nine yeares; at the end whereof the said John is to make good the said fifteen powndes to her or her heires, if in case she die. Also it is further ordered, that the said widow Mary Browne pay or cause to be paid into the handes of Mr Will Gilson the full sum of fifteen powndes, for the use of Prisilla Browne, another of the daughters of the said Peter, the Court having placed the said Prisilla wth the said Will for 12 yeares, a thend whereof the said Will is to make good the same unto her, as her fathers legacy as aforesaid; & to that end the said John & Will either stand bound for other for pformance of the severall paymts, as also for such other pformances of meat, drinke, cloathing, &c, during the said terme, as is meet. And for the rest of the estate, the widow having two children by the said Peter, togther wth her owne 3d, it is allowed her for bringing up the said children, provided that shee discharge wtsoever debtes shall be proved to be owing by the said Peter, & the legacies given by the Court. For pformance whereof shee & Mr Will Brewster bownd in two hudred powndes. At this Court, Phineas Prat appointed to take into his possession all the goodes & chattels of Godbert Godbertson & Zarah, his wife, & safely to preserue them, according to an inventory presented upon oath to be true & just by Mr Joh. Done & Mr Steph. Hopkins. *At the same Court, the widow Ellen Adams presented an inventory of the goodes & chattels of her late husband, John Adams, deceased, upon oath. And whereas the said John dyed wthout will, it was ordered, that if in case the said Ellen shall have an inclinacon to marry, shee, before her said marriage, estate the three children of her former husband, deceased, James, John, & Susan, in fiue powndes starling a peece, to be paid when they shallcome to yeares of discretion, according to the statutes of Engl.; for pformance where of, as also to make full paymts of all & every the debtes of the said John Adams, the said Hellen & John Barnes are bound in the sum of 140* [pounds], the said Hellen being allowed the administratrix of her said husband. November 24, 1633 (PCR 1:20) Novbr 24. Alice Grinder acknowledgeth herselfe to be the servt of Mr Isaack Allerton for fiue yeares next ensuing, during wch terme the said Isaack to maintaine the said Alice foode & raymt competent for a servant, & at thend thereof the said Isaack to giue her two sutes of appell. This maid servt was left heer by Mr Joh. Graunt, master of the ^ for Mr Allerton, in his absence. November 25, 1633 (PCR 1:20) 3. That whereas Godbert Godbertson & Sara, his wife, dyed indebted more then their estate amountes unto, Mr William Bradford was appointed to administer in the behalfe of the Court, & enter upon the goodes, according to an inventory brought in upon oath, that so the creditors may be satisfyed so far forth as the estate will make good. December 2, 1633 (PCR 1: 20) *Decbr 2d. Whereas Mr Will Bradford was appointed, in the behalfe of the Court, toenter upon the estate of Godbert Godbertson & Zarah, his wife, & to discharge the debtes of the said Godbert, so far as his estate will make good; and whereas the greatest pt of his debtes are owing to Mr Isaack Allerton, of Plym., mercht, late brother of the said Zarah, the said Isaack hath giver free leaue to all other his creditors to be fully discharged before he receiue any thing of his pticular debtes to himselfe, desiring rather to lose all rather then other men should lose any. January 2, 1633/34 (PCR 1:22) 5. That in case a man die bankerout, as afore, considering the rawnes of the countrey, & the smale meanes for help & reliefe can yet be affourded by others, and that life must be preserved in the widow, children, or both, and considering the cases of psons cannot be alike, but some may require more help, some lesse, it is ordered & determined, that whatsoever the Govr & Assistantes shall allow the widow & fatherles or motherles in this kinde for their prnt comfort shall be to them & their comfort, notwthstanding they dare not administer; *nor shall they be lyable to any paymt to any the creditors of the deceased, in respect therof, provided too great detrimt come not to the creditors thereby. January 24, 1633/34 (PCR 1:25) Jan. 24. Whereas John Coomb, gent., is possessed of thirty acres of land neere unto the high cliffe, in the right of Sarah his wife, the said John & Sarah haue exchanged the same wth Mr Tho: Prence for other thirty acres of land neere unto Wynslowes stand, to them & their heires for ever. And whereas the said Thomas hath a dwelling howse & other out howsing upon the same, the said Thomas hath sold unto the said John the said howsing, to him & his heires for ever, in consideracon of twenty powndes starling, to be paid in the moneth of Septembr, anno 1634, vizt, one third in goates, one third in hoges, & one other third in merchantable corne, at the ordinary rates the said comodites shall then passe. March 10, 1633/34 (PCR 1:26) March 10. Whereas Phineas Prat, joyner, in the behalfe of Marah, his wife is possessed of thirty acres of land neer unto the high cliffe, the said Phineas & Marah haue exchanged the fee simple thereof wth Mr Thomas Prence for other thirty acres of land at Wynslows stand, and next adjoyning to another portion of land belonging to the said Phineas. But whereas there is a brooke, wthin the said thirty acres thus exhanged & acknowledged by mutuall consent, whereat John Come, gent, may freely make use of, it is granted to him, his heires, or assignes, provided he so make use of the said water as the said Phineas be not annoyed thereby, but either by convenient inclosure, at the cost of the said Joh. or otherwise, shall saue harmeles the said Phineas & his heires from any detrit or annoyance that shall befall them, the said Phines & Marah, their heires & assignes. March 27, 1634 (PCR 1:26-28) *According to an order in court held the 2d of Jan., in the ninth yeare of the raigne of our sov. lord, Charles, by the grace of God king of Engl., Scotl., Fr., & Irel., defendr of the faith, &c, the psons heerunder menconed were rated for publick use by the Govr & Mr Tho. Prence, Mr Will Bradford, Capt Myles Standish, John Howland, Stephen Hopkins, John Done, Will Gilson, Will Collier, Joh. Jenny, Rob & Heekes, Jonathan Brewster, Kenelm Wynslow, & Stephen Deane, to be brought in by each pson as they are heerunder written, rated in corne at vjss p bushell, at or before the last of Novbr next ensuing, to such place as shall be heerafter appointed to receiue the same; and for default heerof, the value to be doubled, & accordingly levied by the publick officer for that end. [list of 81 names, Widow Warren appears 26th, Widow Browne appears 38th, Widow Fuller appears 39th, Widow Adams appears 50th] Widow Warren,.........00:09:00 Widow Browne,.........00:09:00 Widow Fuller,..........00:09:00 Widow Adams,.........00:09:00 July 5, 1635 (PCR 1:35) At this Court, Thomas Williams, ye saruant of widow Warren, was accused for speaking profane & blasphemous speeches against ye majestic of God, which wer these: ther being some discention betweene him & his dame, shee, after other things, exhorted him to fear God & doe his duty; he answered, he neither feared God, nor the diuell; this was proued by witneses, and confesed by himselfe. This, because ye Courte judged it to be spoken in passion & distemper, with reproue did let him pass, vpon humble acknowledgement of his offence; though ye Gouer would haue had him punished wth bodly punishmente, as ye case seemed to require. January 5, 1635/36 (PCR 1:36) Thomas Clarke was plaintiue against widow Warren, for taking a boat of his, which was lost in ye Eele Riuer, wher she left it, by an extraordinary storme, in ye same place; for which he demanded 15li damage; but ye jury aquite ye defendante, finding ye boat to be borrowed, & laid in an ordinary place of saftie; yet, for other considerations, they gaue ye said Thomas Clarke 30s. At ye same Courte, Jane Warden sued ^ Weekes for 50li, which she had lent him, to be paid vpon demande. He was ordered to put so much goods into *ye hands of Mr Hopkins & Kenelemne Winslow as should contrauele ye money, & had 3 months time alowed to sell them, or other good, to make her paymente. February 11, 1635/36 (PCR 1:36-37) The 11 of Feb:, 1635, Benjamine Eaton, ye sone of Francis Eaton, of late deceased, was, by ye Gouer & Assistanes, with his mothers consente, put to Bridgett Fuller, widow, for 14 years, shee being to keep him at schoole 2 years, & to imploy him after in shuch seruice as she saw good & he should be fitt for; but not to turne him ouer to any other, without ye Gouer consente. March 14, 1635-6 (PCR 1: 40-41) That Mrs Fuller haue the grownd from the Smelt River to Mr Allertons creeke, and on the other side the Smelt River to the point of trees. That widow Billington haue between the marsh against her owne grownd, & what is too much for her is for Mr Done. That Mrs Warren, Rich. Church, Tho. Little, & Robt Bartlet mow where they did last yeare, and that amongst them they provide for John Fans. June 7, 1636 (PCR 1:41) John Done, yeoman, entreth an acco of slander, and layeth it in and 100li, against Helin Billington, widow. At this Court an action of slander was tried between John Done, plaintiffe, & Helin Billington, defendant, wherein the defendt was cast in fiue powndes starling to the plaintife, and adjudged to be sett in the stockes & be whipt. January 3, 1636/37 (PCR 1: 48-49) The condicon that the said John Emson shll appeare at the next Genall Court to be holden for Mattacheusettes Bay, there to answere as well to all such matters as on his maties behalfe shalbe objected against him concerning his abuseing of Edith Pittes, as also to doe & receiue such thinges as by the said Court shalbe enjoyned him, & not to dept the same wthout lycence; that then, &c. The recognizance was taken wth condicon, also, that if the Gounor & Assistantes should call for him otherwise, he is to appeare the next Genall Court at Plymouth. The condicon that Edith Pittes, his servant, shall psonally appeare the next Genall Court holden for Mattachusettes Bay, to giue evedence for or souaigne lord the Kinge against John Emson, concerning his abuseing her, and also to doe, & pforme such thinges as by the said Court shalbe enjoyned her, & not dept the same wthout lycence; taht then, &c. This recogn. was also taken condiconally, if the Gounor of Mattachusetts Bay should require her appearance. February 6, 1636/37 (PCR 1: 50) It is also agreed by the said Court, theat the six acrees of land in the new feild formly graunted to Josua Pratt are now graunted, by the consent of the said Josua Pratt, vnto Mris Bridgitt Fuller, widdow, to belong vnto her house in Plymouth, & be therewth used so long as the same shalbe inhabited, or be fitt to dwell in. *Jan: 6th. It is also agreed that the six acrees of the lands of John Jenney, and the two acrees of Mris Fuller, lying at Strawberry Hill, enclosed by Mr Raph Smyth, shalbe yeilded vpp vnto them this yeare, that they may ymproue them to the setting of corne; prouided that the said John Jenney shall erect a dwelling ouse neere or vpon the said six acrees, wch are to belong vnto the said house as long as it shalbe a dwelling; as also Mris Fullers two acrees to belong vunto her house in Plymouth so long as it shalbe a dwelling. And the residue of the landes enclosed by Mr Smyth as aforesaid, to belong to his house at Plymouth, and to be therewth used as long as it shalbe inhabited. March 7, 1636-7 (PCR 1:54) *It is agreed vpon, by the consent of the whole Court, that Elizabeth Warren, widdow, the relict of Mr Richard Warren, deceased, shalbe entred, and stand, and bee purchaser instead of her said husband, as well because that (hee dying before he had pformed the said bargaine) the said Elizabeth pformed the same after his decease, as also for the establising of the lotts of landes giuen formly by her vnto her sonnes in law, Richard Church, Robert Bartlett, and Thomas Little, in marriage wth their wiues, her daughters. March 20, 1636-7 (PCR 1:56) To Thomas Cushman, the remaynder of the marsh before the house he liueth in, (wch Mris Fuller doth not vse,) and the little pcell at the wadeing place on thother side Joanes Riuer. To Mris Fuller, where shee gott hey the last yeare. July 7, 1637 (PCR 1:59-60) The wayes now in vse to Wellingsley bridge, and so the creeke, where wee allowe fiftie foote from the banke, & from the corner at Raph Wallens. The vpper way to Thomas Clarkes still; the lower way from Raph Wallens right out to Holmans Rock; allowed fourty foote on the west side, and so straight to Manasseth Kemptons ground, whose fence is to be remoued twenty foote inward, and so passing betweene two rocks at the brooke, straight to Edward Banges, leaueing his house west, and so along, leaueing Nicholas Snowes house east, & and so to Mr Hopkins house, leaueing it east, and so vp the valley to Thomas Clarkes vper stile, the foote way to be continued from Mr Hopkins, in the old path, belowe Thomas Clarkes, to the heigh way. The heigh way from Thomas Clarkes stille to passe betweene his house and his hoggs coate downe to George Soules, next the riur, and the said Georg to allow a sufficient way from thence ou the riuer by a bridge, and so to another heighway alowed for that neighbourhood; to the wch neighbourhood we allow a way from Mr Hopkins house downe to a p^ that leades to the fishing poynt; from whence wee allow a way to Robert Bartlettes, leaueing his house east, and so alonge, leaueing Thomas Littles east, & Mris Warrens west, and so to Richard Churches, leaueing his house on the west side; so to a place of comon ground, which is still to be left betweene. August 21, 1637 (PCR 1:65) John Bundy was exaned and found guilty of lude behavior & vnciuill carriage towards Elizabeth Haybell, in the house of her mr, Mr Willm Brewster, and is therefore adjudged to be seuerely whiped, wch was executed vpon him accordingly. December 4, 1637 (PCR 1:70) The pcell of land containeing about 60 acrees, lying at the Eele Riuer, in a place there called the Whoop Place, formerly graunted to Thomas Clarke, is now confirmed to him and his heires foreuer, and is to be layd forth so as it may be least pjudiciall to Thomas Little, Robte Bartlett, Mris Warren, & the neighbourhood there. February 5, 1637/38 (PCR 1:76) A garden place at Wellingsley, and six acres of land vpon Woberry Playne, are graunted vnto Margaret Toothaker, widdow. April 2, 1638 (PCR 1:82) The lands that were prportioned to Mr Atwood and John Shaw are to stand as they are layd forth for them, prouided the doe not prjudice the graunt formerly made to Mr Prince & Mris Fuller. May 7, 1638 (PCR 1:84) Mris Fuller requesteth to be enlarged wth foure acrees of lands at the New Feild. August 7, 1638 (PCR 1:93-94) Whereas Thomas Boardman, liueing incontinently wth Luce, his now wyfe, and did begett her wth child before they were marryed together, wth, vpon exaiacon, was confessed by them both, the said Thom. Boardman was censured to be seuerely whipt, wch was pformed accordingly, and to fynd sureties for his good behaur; and that he left the child (so vnlawfully begotten) liueing in England, & bring good testymony thereof; and the sd Luce, his wyfe, to be censured when shee is deiuered, as the Bench shall think fitt. The condicon that the said Thom Boardman shalbe of the good behauior towardes our souaigne lord the King, & al his leige people, and appeare at the Genall Cour to be holden for this gouement in January next, & not dept the same wthout lycence, and shall also bring testymony vnder the hand of the alderman of the ward and pish in London, or els some other sufficient testymony, that a man chile, begotten vpon the body of Luce his now wyfe, before marriage, was liueing when he put forth the same to nurse, and to whome it was put, &c; that then, &c. September 3, 1638 (PCR 1:95) Mris Fuller requesteth more meaddow ground. September 4, 1638 (PCR 1:98) John Weekes, John Allen, & widdow Toothaker psented for stopping the heigh way that goeth to Mannomett. November 5, 1638 (PCR 1:100) Whereas ^ Aldredg, widdow, was required psonally to appeare this day at the court, to answere to all suchmatters as on his maties behalf shalbe objected against her, and shee did willfully absent herself, & was conveyed away by the means and help of Mr Samuell Gorton & his wyfe, whereby the court was deluded, it is ordered, that if shee shalbe found wthin this gount, that ^ shalbe apphended, and after correccon as the Bench shll thinke fitt, shee be sent from constable to constable to the place from whence shee came. November 8, 1638 (PCR 1:102) Novembr 8. Memorand. That whereas Elizabeth Watson, widdow, assigned & turned ouer her servant, Henry Blage, vnto Thomas Watson, for the residue of the terme he had to serue her, wch was foure yeares from Easter-day, 1638, paying her xjli xs p ann., that is to say viijli to her, and iijli xs to the said Henry Blage, for hiswages yearely, during the saide terme, --now, the said Thomas Watson hath, wth and by the consent of the said Henry, assigned his right & title in the said Henrys service, for the residue of the sd terme, to John Rogers, vpon the same condicons that the sd Thomas should haue him, his tyme to begin the xvijth day of October last past, 1638. February 4, 1638/39 (PCR 1:111-112) Concerning Mr Steephen Hopkins and Dorothy Temple, his servant, the Court doth order, wth one consent, that in regard by her couenant of indenture shee hath yet aboue two yeares to serue him, that the said Mr Hopkins shall keepe her and her child, or puide shee may be kept wth food and rayment during the said terme; and if he refuse so to doe, that then the collony puide for her, & Mr Hopkins to pay it. A parcell of vpland lying at thend of Goodman Shawes land at Smilt Riuer is graunted to Francis Cooke, puided it doe no pjudice the graunts formly made to Mr Thomas Prince, Mrs Fuller, and others, wch lands are to be viewed and layd forth for him. Mr Steephen Hopkins is committed to ward for his contempt to the Court, and shall so remayne comitted vntill hee shall either receiue his servant Dorothy Temple, or els puide for her elsewhere at his owne charge during the terme shee hath yet to serue him. February 8, 1638/39 (PCR 1:113) The viijt of Februar., 1638. Memorand: That whereas Dorothy Temple, a mayde servant dwelling wth Mr Steephen Hopkins, was begotten wth child in his service by Arthur Peach, who was executed for murther and roberry by the heigh way before the said child was borne, the said Steephen Hopkins hath concluded and agreed wth Mr John Holmes, of Plymouth, for three poundes sterl., and other consideracons to him in hand payd, to discharge the said Steephen Hopkins and the colony of the said Dorothy Temple and her child foreuer; and the said Dorothy is to serue all the residue of her tyme wth the said John Holmes, according to her indenture. June 4, 1639 (PCR 1:127) Dorothy Temple, for vncleanes and bringing forth a male bastard, is censured to be whipt twice; but shee faynting in the execucon of the first, thother was not executed. June 24, 1639 (PCR 1:128-129) *Memorand, the xxiiijth of June: that Mary Moorecock hath of her owne voluntary will, wth consent of her father in law, Thomas Whitton, put herself apprentice wth Richard Sparrow, of Plymouth, and Pandora, his wyfe, and after the manner of an apprentice wth them to dwell from the day of the date hereof vnto thend & terme of nyne yeares now next ensuing, & fully to be compleate & ended; the sd Richard Sparrow fynding his said servant meate, drink, & apparell during the said terme, and shall also keepe her a ewe lambe wch her said father in law will bestow vpon her during the said terme, and hall haue the third pte of thencrease thereof for his charg & labor: prouided that if the said Richard & his wyfe shalldye & depte this life before thend of the said terme, that then the said Mary shalbe free; and in the meane tyme that the said Richard nor his wyfe shall assigne or set ouer the sd Mary for her service during the sd terme to any other, wthout consent and likeing of the sd Mary & her frendes. And if it shll happen that the said Mary shall haue a motion of marriage before thend of the said terme, that then it shalbe referred to two indifferent men to arbitrate what the said Richard shall haue for his charges he shall haue been at wth her. September 3, 1639 (PCR 1:132) Mary, the wyfe of Robte Mendame, of Duxborrow, for useing dallyance diuers tymes wth Tinsin, an Indian, and after committing the act of vncleanesse wth him, as by his owne confession by seuall interpters is made apparent, the Bench doth therefore censure the said Mary to be whipt at a cartes tayle through the townes streetes, and to weare a badge vpon her left sleeue during her aboad wthin this gount; and if shee shalbe found wthout it abroad, then to be burned in the face wth a hott iron; and the said Tinsin, the Indian, to be well whipt wth a halter about his neck at the post, because it arose through the allurement & inticement of the said Mary, that hee was drawne therevnto. Xpofer Winter, of Scituate, for committing vncleanesse wth Jane, his wyfe, before marriage, is censured to be whipt a the post at the Gounrs discretion; and the said Jane, his wyfe, to be whipt at a carts tayle wth the said Mary Mendame. March 3, 1639/40 (PCR 1:142-143) Whereas the inhabitantes of Cohannett, now called Taunton, haue complayned of thire greate want of meddow groundes, the wch hath beene seriously weighed and considered vpon by speciall order of the whole body of the Court, and fynding their wantes to be such that vnlesse they be supplyed of meddow landes they cannot comfortably there subsist, the Court doth therefore now order and graunt the meddow landes at Assonet, and betwixt Taunton and Assonett on both sides the riuer, vnto the said inhabitantes of Taunton, prouided alwayes that the ministers and people now there which are fitt & do pceede & continue in a church estate there the space of seauen yeares next ensuing, (except some speciall hand of God doe hinder the same,) that then the meddow landes shalbe to them and theire heires, to haue & to hold to them & their heires foreuer. And the Court doth further order, that they will see Mr Hooke, Mr Streete, & Mrs Poole shall haue competent meddow & vplands for farmes layd forth for them about May next, by Captaine Standish & such others wth him shalbe assigned therevnto. April 6, 1640 (PCR 1:143) A pcell tenn acres of meddow in the long meddow by Edward Doteys is graunted to Mris Bridgitt Fuller, to be layd forth for her of that wch lyeth next to Edward Doteys meddow, and a pcel of vpland to yt. May 5, 1640 (PCR 1:151-152) Whereas Mrs Elizabeth Glouer, widdow, executrix of the last will and testament of Mr Joseph Glouer, deceased, constituted Mr Tymothy Hatherley her attorney, to psecute John Combe, of Plymouth, gentle, for a debt vpon a bond of twelue poundes, for wch diuers suites would haue beene pduced by reason of diuers engagements of diuers psons therein, the charge of all wch would haue falne vpon the said John Combe, --now, for thending & decideing whereof, it is concluded and agreed vpon, in consideracon that the said John combe hath, in the open Court, bargained, sould, assigned, & made ouer vnto Mr Thomas Prence all his corne now planted and groweing vpon his land about his house at Rockeynooke, to haue and to hold all the said corne vnto the said Thomas Prence, his executrs and assignes, wthout any lett or denyall of him, the said John Combe, his executrs, administratrs, or assignes, or any of them, and hath deliuered possesion thereof vnto the said Mr Thom Prence, by deliuing of xijd in the name of possession in the open Court, the said Mr Thomas Prence hath vndertaken to pay the said debt to Mrs Glouer, and either to deliuer the sixteene bushells of wheate and eighteene bushells of rye at Mris Glouers house in Cambridg, in Mattachewsetts Bay, at or before the twentyeth day of August next ensuing, or els pay her tenn pounds two shillings sterl; puided always, that if the corne be payd as aforesd, that then Mris Glouer shall allow the one halfe of the charges of the transportacon there of from hence to her house in Cambridg. Richard Church, Robte Bartlett, Thomas Little, & Mrs Elizabeth Warren are graunted enlargementes at the heades of their lotts to the foote of the Pyne Hills, leauing a way betwixt them and the Pyne Hills, for cattell & cartes to passe by. September 1, 1640 (PCR 1:162) Thomas Pynson & Joane, his wife, for inintenency before their marriage, are censured, the said Thom to be whipt at the post, and Joane his wife to sit in the stocks. November 2, 1640 (PCR 1:164-166) Francis West and Margery, his wyfe, for incontenancy wth one another before marriage, were censured to be both set in the stocks; and that Francis shall make a paire of stocks to be set vp in a convenient place in Duxborrow, wthin the space of two months now next ensueinge. George Soule is graunted the meddow he desires against Mr Princes landes at Greens Harbour, if in case Mr Howland do not exchaung fiue acres wth Mr Bradford, and Mr Bradford take his further of to fitt him wthall, or make exchaung wth Mr Burne & Mrs Fuller, whereby he may be furnished. These seual psons following are graunted meddowing in the South Medows towardes Aggawam, Colebrook Meddowes:-- [a list of 18 names and parcels of land follows] The west meddow called Lakenhame by Doteys. [a list of four names follows, Bridgit Fuller is third] To Bridgit Fuller 10 acres, wth vpland. December 1, 1640 (PCR 2:5) Jonathan Brewster, for neglecting the ferry. Witnes, John Lewis, John Bryant, Thom Pinchin, & his wyfe. January 5, 1640/41 (PCR 2:6) It is orered by the Court, that Francis Billington & Christian, his wyfe, shall giue Jonathan Brewster & Loue Brewster possession of her thirds the lands bought of them; & then Jonathan Brewster to pay him in corne the remaynder, which is xxxviijs vjd. February 1, 1640/41 (PCR 2:7) It is ordered by the Court, that the twenty acres of land wch Thom Clarke bought of Raph Wallen shalbe layd forth at the lower end of the two lottes of 40 acres that he hath at the Eele Riuer, and that Edward Banges, Nicholas Snowe, & Josuah Pratt shall also lay forth Sarah Mortons lott there, and after they are layd forth, the bounds to be entred in the booke of recordes, that there may be no more controusy about them. April 23, 1641 (PCR 2:13) *The xxiijth Aprill, 1641. Memorand: that it is agreed vpon betwixt Mris Bridgitt Fuller, widdow, and Nehemiah Smyth, concerning certaine sheepe wch the said Nehmiah hath of the said Bridgittes to keepe to the halfes, vpon the condicons following: Inprimis, the said Bridgittes hath deliued four ewe sheepe to the said Nehmiah, wch hee is to keepe vntill the xxiiijth of June, 1643, and then the encrease is to be deuided, and the said Mris Fuller to haue one half, and the said Nehmiah thother half therof; and the wooll to be yearely diuided, and thone half sent to Mris Fuller yearely, to Plym, or where shee shall dwell, and likwise the stock at thend of the termes. Itm; It is agreed vpon betwixt the said pties, that the said Nehemiah, after the said xxiiijth June, 1643, shall houe the said foure ewes againe, wth her half of thencrease, for the terme of six yeares longer, saue that there shalbe a diusion of thencrease at thend of the first three yeares, and thother diusion to be make a thend of the said terme of six yeares; alwayes prouided, taht the said Bridgitt shall haue thone half of the woll sent her yearely to Plym, or where she shall dwell, and thone halfe of the money for such weathers as shalbe sould out of thencrease during the said terme. June 1, 1641 (PCR 2:18) Lres of administracon are graunted vnto Katherne Hurst, the relict of Wm Hurst, late of Sandwich, deceasd. September 7, 1641 (PCR 2:25) Richard Sparrow is graunted the meddow ground at the Wood Iland, wch was Mris Fullers, containeing about two acrees.
September 16, 1641 (PCR 2:26) Mrs Bridgitt Fuller is graunted one hundred acres vpland to her meddow at Lakenhame, and to abutt vpon her meddow there, as nere as it can convenyently be layd forth. November 2, 1641 (PCR 2:27) Lres of administracon are graunted to Mrs Elizabeth Kemp, to administer vpon all the goods, cattells, and debtes wch Willm Kempe, her late husband, dyed possessed of, or were due & apptaineing vnto him at the tyme of his decease, puided shee exhibite vpon oath a true inventory therof wth all convenyent speed, or when shee shalbe therevnto required by the Court. December 7, 1641 (PCR 2:28) *Forasmuch as Thomas Bray, of Yarmouth, a single pson, and Anne, the wyfe of Francis Linceford, haue comitted the act of adultery and vncleanesse, and haue diuers tymes layne in one bed together in the absence of her husband, wch hasth beene confessed by both pties in the publike Court, the Court doth censure them as followeth: That they be both seuerely whipt immediately at the publik post, & that they shall weare (whilst they remayne in the goument) two letters, viz, an AD, for Adulterers, daly, vpon the outeside of their vppermost garment as aforesd, that then the constabel of the towne or place shall take them, or either of hem, omitting so to weare the said two letters, and shall forthwth whip them for their negligence, and shall cause them to be imediately put on againe, and so worne by them and either of them; and also that they shalbe both whipt at Yarmouth, publikely, where the offence was comitted, in such fitt season as shalbe thought meete by Mr Edmond Freeman & such others as are authorized for the keepeing of the Courts in these ptes. March 1, 1641-2 (PCR 2:35-37) *Lydia Hatch, for suffering Edward Michell to attempt to abuse her body by vncleanesse, & did not discouer it, & lying in the same bed wth her brother Jonathan, is censured to be publickly whipt; was accordingly donn. Wee psent Thomas Tupper, of Sandwich, for misdemeanor in lacivious & vncleane carriages towards Lincefordes wyfe, late of Yarmouth. We psent Lincefordes wyfe for the same miscarriage. We psent John Casely, of Barnstabel, & Alis, his wyfe, for fornicacon, in vnlawfull companying before their marriage. John to be whipt, & Alis to be set in the stocks. April 5, 1642 (PCR 2:37) Mris Elizabeth Kemp exibited, vpon her oath, an inventory of all her husbands goodes, debtes, and cattelles, this Court. April 18, 1642 (PCR 2:38) *Memorand, the xviijth day of Aprill, 1642: that Francis Billington and Christian, his wyfe, haue put Elizabeth, their daughter, apprentis to John Barnes and Mary, his wyfe, to dwell wth them and to do their service vntill shee shall accomplish the age of twenty yeares, (shee being now seaven yeares of age the xth of July next,) the said John Barnes & Mary, his wyfe, finding here meate, drink, & cloathes during the said terme. June 7, 1642 (PCR 2:42) John Casley, of Barnestable, & Alis, his wyfe, for fornicacon before marriage, is censured, the said John to be whipt, and Alis, his wyfe, to sit in the stocks whilst her husband is in whipping; wch was accordingly executed. January 3, 1642/43 (PCR 2:50) The contrusy betwixt Mrs Bridgitt Fuller & Josias Winslow about a boare resteth for want of better euedence. March 7, 1642-3 (PCR 2:53-55) Lres of administracon are graunted to Joane Swyft, of Sandwich, to administer vpon her husbandes estate, and to pay the debts as farr as the estate will amount vnto, by equall pporcons, and is bound to the Gou & Assistantes to do it, & Daniell Wing wth her. The xjth March, 1642. Memorand: that Joane Swyft, administratrix of Wm Swyft, deceased, hath payd to John Barnes vli iijs & iiijd vpon the administracon of her husbandes estate, yt amounting to pay eich of his creditors vjs viijd in the pound, so that there is more due vnto this payment xs, his debt being xvijli vjs viijd, and hath deliued vnto her her husbandes bills & writings for that money, puided that if there doe arise any more due vnto him, others being payd acording to the like pporcon, that he haue his pporcon as it will come to. January 2, 1643/44 (PCR 2:67-68) The xviijth day of January, 1643. William Hoskine, of Plymouth, hath put Sarah, his daughter, to Thomas Whitney, and Winefride, his wyfe, to dwell wth them vntill shee shall acomplish the age of twenty yeares, the said Thomas, and Winyfride, his wyfe, vseing her as their child, and being vnto her as father and mother, and to instruct her in leaneing and soweing in reasonable manner, fynding vnto here meate, drink, and apparell &lodging during the said terme; and if it shall happen the said Sarah to marry before she shall haue accomplished the said age of twenty yeares, (she being six yeares of age the xvjth of September last past,) that then the sayd Thomas shall haue such satisfaction for her tyme then remayning as shalbe adjudged reasonable & equall by two indifferent men. August 20, 1644 (PCR 2:75) A warrant to be sent forth to bring in the bodies of Jonathan Fish and Mary, his wyfe, Nathaniell Fish, Jane, the wyfe of Mr Willm Wood, Rose, the wyfe of Joseph Holly, ^, the wyfe of Richard Kerby, ^, the wyfe of Michaell Turner, & Joane Swyft, widdow, to giue euidence in John Ellis & his wifes case. October 10, 1644 (PCR 2:76) Memorand, the tenth of October, 1644: that wheras Mr John Doane had some tyme since xvli, the childs porcon of Mary Browne, whom he was to keepe and bring vp vntill shee should accpmplish the age of seaventeene yeares, and should haue the use of the said pcon vntill then--now, the said terme being expired, the said John Doane hath deliued, wth the consent of the said Mary Browne, and by order of the Court, vnto John Browne, of Duxborrow, to cowes at xiijli, and fourty shillings in swyne and wheate, and is by the Court discharged of the said xvli; and the said John Browne is to keepe the said two cowes and their encrease for their milk, wth the rest of the stock as aforesd, vntill the said Mary shalbe marryed, or thought fitt to marry, wherevnto the said Mary hath consented. November 5, 1644 (PCR 2:77) Joseph Pryor, now dwelling wth John Rogers, of Duxborrow, not yet fully xxjtie yeares of age, chooseth Mr Tymothy Hatherly to bee his guardian vntill he shall accomplish the age of xxjtie yeares; and whereas he had comenced an action against Daniell Pryor & Mary, his wyfe, for a legacy of fiue poundes, wch was bequeathed him by his father, deceased, and is now in the handes of the said Daniell Pryor and Mary, his wyfe, whereof the said Joseph hath receiued twelue shillings, and thother foure poundes & eight shillings is put into Mr Hatherly his said guardians handes, to be payd the said Joseph when he shall acomplish his said age; and the said Daniell Pryor and Mary, his wyfe, are therof discharged from payment of the said legacy hereafter, this being so ordered by the Court, wth consent of all pties. January 7, 1644/45 (PCR 2:80) The condicon, &c, that if Susanna, his wyfe, shall & doe make her psonall appeareance at the next Genall Court of or said souaigne lord the King, at Plym, to answere to all such matters as on his said mats behalfe shalbe objected against her, concning the spoyleing & defileing of a well of water in Scittuate, and abide the order of the Court, and not dept the same wthout lycence, &c; that then, &c. March 3, 1644-5 (PCR 2:82-83) Memorand: that Samuell Eddy hath put his sonn, John Eddy, to dwell wth Francis Goulder, and Katherne, his wyfe, vntill he shall accomplish the age of xxjtie yeares, (being seaven yeares of age the xxvth of December last past,) the said Francis, and Katherne, his wyfe, fynding vnto the said John, their servant, meat, drink, and apparell during the said terme, and either in the end thereof, or els at the day of the death of the said francis, or of the said Katherne, his wyfe, whether shall last happen, to pay him fiue pounds in countrey pay; or, if it please God so to disable the said Francis, or Katherne, his wyfe, that they shall not be then able to pay so much, then to pay him so much as I shall haue left: And if it happen that both the said Francis, and Katherne, his wyfe, shall dye before thende of the said terme, that then the said John shalbe at liberty to be disposed of as his pentes shall thinke fitt; but if either of them doe liue out the said terme, then the said John to dwell wth the longer liuer of them vntill he shall accomplish the age of xxjtie yeares, as aforesaid. June 4, 1645 (PCR 2:85-86) John Ellis, of Sandwich, for abuseing himself wth his now wyfe by comitting vncleanesse wth her before marryage, is censured to be whipt at publike post, and Elizabeth, his wyfe, to stand by whilst execucon of the sentence is pformed; wch was accordingly donn. And the said John Ellis, for his long and tedious delayes, occasioning much trouble & charge to the countrey, for that he would not confesse the truth vntill this psent, is fyned vli. October 28, 1645 (PCR 2:89) Prixcilla Browne, daughter of Peter Browne, deceased, haueing accomplished the terme shee was to dwell wth Wm Gilson, of Scittuate, who was to pay her xvli in thend of her terme; now the said Pricilla came into the Court, and hath chosen John Brownd, her vnckle, to be her guardian, and to haue the placeing and disposeing of her vntill the Court shall judg her meete to be at her owne disposeing; and likewise tho take her porcon, viz, xvli, and to ymproue it by putting it into a breeding stock, and keepe them, and giue her half thencrease, or els to use it as his owne, and to pay her the said xvli whem the Court shall judg it meete for her to haue it at her owne disposeing. March 3, 1645/46 (PCR 2:97-98) 5. Wee do here psent John Gray, of Yarmouth, for abuseing Ann, the wife of Wm Eldred, in an injurious manner. *Whereas an action of slaunder and defamacon was this Cour comenced by Mr John Farnyseede, and Elizabeth, his wyfe, against Thomas Bonney, by the arbitration and meditation of frendes, it was vpon the said Bonneys acknowledgement withdrawne, wch was shewed in Court, and ordered to be recorded as followth, viz:-- Know all men by these pntes, that whereas Thomas Bonney hath said that Mris Farniseede did justle him in her house, and that hee tooke it as a temptation of him vnto lust, the said Thomas Bonney doth freely and humbly acknowledg, vnto the glory of God and vnto his owne shame, that it was his owne base heart that caused him to make that construction therof, hee acknowledging that hee had no sufficient reason so to conceiue, but that euell suspition arose from the corruption of his owne heart; and although the said Thomas Bonney did further accuse her in comeing bare legged vnto him, speaking vnto him, Thomas Bonney, will you mend my shooes? she vtterly denyeth that euer shee came to him in any such manner, the said Thomas Bonney dareing not say but that hee might be mistaken therin; and whateuer interpretation Thomas Bonney did make thereof, the said Thomas Bonney acknowledgeth it to arise from his owne base, lustfull heart, and doth wholly condeme himself for speakeing or thinking any euell of her, the said Thomas Bonney not dareing to say or think any other of her but that shee is a very honest, modest, and chaste weoman, both in heart, worde, and deede, and dothe therefore earnestly beseech the Lord to for giue him his many and great sinns therin, & dothe humbly entreate Mris Farnyseede, her husband, pentes, and frends to forgiue him these so greate wronges & injuries done by him herein, pmiseing to acknowledg these his wronges (donn vnto her) in or before the congregacon wheneuer it shalbe required of the said Mrs Farnyseede, her husband, or frendes; and also the said Thomas Bonney dothe hereby testifye, that if euer hereafter hee shall in any measure speake any thing to any pson or psons tending to her disgrace of defamacon, that then it shalbe lawful for the husband of the said Mris Fernyseede to psecute his action of launder and defamacon, notwthstanding this his acknowledgment; the said Thomas Bonney also pmiseing to put into the hand of the deacon of the church of Duxborrow fiue shilinges, for to be by the said deacon distributed vnto the poore. In witnesse whereof the said Thomas Bonney hath subscribed his hand this second day of March, 1645. THOMAS BONI. Witnes, John Willis. July 7, 1646 (PCR 2:104) In the difference betwixt Richard Church, complaynent, and Mrs Jenney, widow, defent, the Court, vpon heareing the cause and examinacon of witnesss, and view taken of his booke, there appeared due vnto Richard l iis, wch the Court doth award and order the said Mris Jenney to pay to the said Richard Church, saue that the said Richard Church is to hew a sett of coggs and rounds for her, according to the couenant. October 27, 1646 (PCR 2:110) In the case betweene Gabriell Whelding and Richard Taylor, about his daughter Ruth, the said Gabriell pmiseth his free assent and consent to theire marriage. March 2, 1646-7 (PCR 2:112) Vpon peticon of Francis Crooker, who desires in marriage Mary Gaunt, kinswoman to Mr Coggin, of Bastable, the Court, having heard both pties & seriously weighed ye circumstances, doth order, yt yf ye said Crooker bring vnto ye Gounor a ctificte, vnder the hands of Mr Chauncy & some other approved phisition, that then he, ye said Crooker, shall in convenient time haue in marriage the said Mary Gaunt. October 26, 1647 (PCR 2:118-119) Mr Hathrley here in Court acknowledgeth that Helene, the wife of Kanelme Winslow, acknowledged her free assent and consent ot ye sale of all such lands as her said husband had sould vnto Samuell Sturdevant. Capt Miles Standish acknowledged, likewise, yt she, the same Helene, acknowledged her free assent & consent to ye sale of all such lands as her said husbnd had sould to Henry Sampson. In a case of diference twixte John Floyde & Jane Duglas, his servt, the Court ordereth yt the said Jane, or her assignes, pay vnto ye said John, or his asss ye sum of iijli xs in good country pay wthin 30tie dayes after sight of this order, & so she is released fro ye service of her said master, Floyde, & hath her libty to serue elcewhere. Att this Court, Mr Wm Bradford, Gou, administrator of ye goods, and chattles, & cattles of Sarah, ye wife & relict of Cutbert Godberson, deceased, gaue in an account of his said administratorship, & requiring his discharge; his accoumpt vpon view being accepted, he was likewise discharged. August 1, 1648 (PCR 2:131-133) Att this Court it was ordered, yt Thomas Cushman shall haue and enjoy, without disturbance, the one third part of all the English corn due vnto Mis Combe, for her part, from William Spooner, for this psent yeare, excepting the rye, wherof hee is to haue the one halfe, and one part of fiue of the Indian corn, and the one half of the frute, and the one half of the hempe. The said Court haue further ordered, concerning the childred of the said Mis Combe, now being with William Spooner, yt the said Spooner keepe them for the psent, and not dispose of them for the future, without further order from the Court. *These sheweth, that on Jul the 22cond, 1648, wee, whosse names are vnderwritten, were sworne by Mr Bradford, gouerner, to make inquiry of the death of the child of Allis Bishop, the wife of Richard Bishope. Wee declare, yt coming into the house of the said Richard Bishope, wee saw at the foot of a ladder wh leadeth into an vpper chamer, much blood; and going vp all of vs into the chamber, wee found a woman child, of about foure yeares of age, lying in her shifte vppon her left cheeke, with her throat cut with diuers gashes crose wayes, the wind pipe cut and stuke into the throat downward, and a bloody knife lying by the side of the child, with wh knife all of vs judg, and the said Allis hath confessed to fiue of vs at one time, yt shee murdered the child with the said knife. JOHN HOWLAND, JAMES COLE, JAMES HURST, GYELLS RICKARD, ROBERT LEE, RICHARD SPARROW, JOHN SHAWE, THOMAS POPE, FRANCIS COOKE, FRANCIS BILLINGTON, JOHN COOKE, WILLIAM NELSON. Rachell, the wife of Joepth Ramsden, aged about 23 yeares, being examined, saith that coming to the house of Richard Bishope vppon an erand, the wife of the said Richard Bishope requested her to goe fetch her som buttermilke at Goodwife Winslows, and gaue her a ketle for that purpose, and she went and did it; and before shee wente,shee saw the child lyinge abed asleep, to her best deserning, and the woman was as well as shee hath knowne her att any time; but when shee came shee found her sad and dumpish; shee asked her what blood was that shee saw at the ladders foot; shee pointed vnto the chamber, and bid her looke, but shee perseiued shee had kiled her child, and being afraid, shee refused, and ran and tould her father and mother. Morouer, shee saith the reason yt moued her to thinke shee had kiled her child was yt when shee saw the blood shee looked on the bedd, and the child was not there. Taken vppon oath by mee, WILLIAM BRADFORD, The day and year aboue written. At a Court of Asistants holden at New Plymouth, the first of Aguste, 1648, before Mr Bradford, Gouer, Mr Coliar, Captain Miles Standish, and Mr William Thomas, gent, Assistants, the sd Allice, being examined, confessed shee did comite the afforsaid murther, and is sory for it. October 4, 1648 (PCR 2:134) Att this Court, Allice Bishope, the wife of Richard Bishope, of New Plymouth, was indited for felonius murther by her comited, vppon Martha Clark, her owne child, the frute of her owne body. The names of the grand inquest that went of triall of the aforsaid bill of inditmetn, weer these:-- John Dunham, Sen, John Barker, Isaake Weels, Josepth Colman, Mr Thomas Burne, John Allin, Robert Finny, Thomas Bordman, Henery Wood, James Bursell, Ephraim Hickes, Josepth Tory, James Walker, Micaell Blackwell, James Wyat, Daniell Cole. Loue Brewster, These found the bill a trew bill. The petty jurys names taht went vppon her tryall were these:-- Josias Winslow, Seni, Gyells Rickard, Thomas Shillingsworth, John Shaw, Sen, Anthony Snowe, Steuen Wood, Richard Sparrow, William Mericke, Gabriell Fallowell, William Brete, Joshua Prat, John Willis, Thes found the said Allice Bishope guilty of the said fellonius murthering of Martha Clarke aforsaid; and so shee had the sentence of death pronounced against her, viz, to bee taken from the place where shee was to the place from whence she came, and thence to the place of execution, and ther to be hanged by the necke vntell her body is dead, which acordingly was executed. October 4, 1648 (PCR 2:136) The Court haue ordered, concerning Thomas Dunham, that hee abstaine from coming att or sending vnto Martha Knote, of Sandwidge, from this psent day vntell the first Tuesday of Desember next, vntell the Court can better deserne the treuth of his pretended contracte with the sd Martha Knot, vnles the Gouerner, vppon clearing of thinges, shall giue him leaue. March 6, 1648-9 (PCR 2:137-138) Wee psent the wife of Hugh Norman, and Mary Hammon, both of Yarmouth, for leude behauior each with other vpon a bed. O this more is entered in the conclusions of the Court held the 2cond of October, 1650, p. 226. Wee psent Peregrin White, and Sara, his wyfe, both of Marshfield, for fornication before marriage or contract. Cleared by paying the fine. Fined. May 6, 1649 (PCR 2:138) The Court haue ordered yt John Churchill, of Plymouth, shall haue the disposing of the house and land yt was Gorge Clarks for the vse and good of Abigaell Clarke, daughter vnto the said Gorg Clarke, either to let or sell the said house and land with the Courts consent. October 29, 1649 (PCR 2:147) Lres of adminestration are graunted vnto Abigail Coggin, of Barnestable, to adminester vpon the estate of her husband, & to pay the debts as fare as the estate will amount vnto, by equal pportions, & is bound to the Court to doe it, & Mr Thomas Dimack & Thomas Hinckley with her. March 6, 1649 (PCR 2:148-149) Whereas, att the Generall Court, holden at Plymouth aforsaid, the 29th of October, 1649, Richard Berry acussed Teage Joanes of sodomy, & other vnclean practisses allso with Sara, the wife of Hugh Norman, & for yt cause the said pties were both bound ouer to answare att this Court, & accordingly appeered; the said Richard Berry acknowlidged before the Court yt hee did wrong the aforsaid Teage Joanes in both the aforsaid pticulars, & had borne false wittnes against him vppon oath; and for the same the said Richard Berry was sentenced to bee whipte at the poste, which accordingly was performed. Lres of adminestration are graunted vnto Mrs Margeret Hicks, to adminester vppon the estate of Ephraim Hicks, & to pay the debts as fare as the estate will amount vnto by equall pportions, & is bound to the Court to doe it, & Mr Tho Willet with her. The fourth of Aprell, 1650. Tho Wallen, Richard Carle, Gorg Way, Katheren Warner, and Mary Mills were apprehended at Barnstable, in the jurisdiction of New Plym; and on the eight day of Aprell, aforsaid, they being examined before William Bradford, gent, Gouer, Willam Collyar, and Willam Thomas, gent, Assistants, confessed yt they, the said Tho Wallen, Richard Carle, & Gorge Way did healpe away Katheren Warner & Mary Mills, who were run away from theire husbands; and for yt purpose yt Richard Carle aforsaid did steale his fathers boat, which they came away in; it was therefore ordered by the Gouer & Assistants aboue mensioned, taht the aforsaid Gorg Way, Katheren Warner, & Mary Mills should bee sent from constabel to constable to the place from whence they came, wh is a place called Winter Harbor, near Richmans Iland to the eastward; and yt Tho Wallen & Richard Carle aforsaid bee comitted to ward; all which accordingly was forthwith pformed. June 5, 1650 (PCR 2:156) Lres of adminestration are allso graunted vnto Sara, the wife of Tho Blossom, to adminester vppon the estate of the said Tho Blossom, and to pay the debts. And, further, the said Sara, the wife of Tho Blossom aforsaid, doth by these psents make ouer vnto her child that shee had by her said husband, who shee calleth Sara, fiue pound sterling out of the estate aforsaid, to belong and appertaine vnto the said child as its owne pper right foreuer. October 2, 1650 (PCR 2:162) October the 2cond, 1650. Wee, whose names are heer vnder written, being the grand inquest, doe present to this Court John Hazaell, Mr Edward Smith and his wife, Obadia Holmes, Josepth Tory and his wife, and the wife of James Man, William Deuell and his wife, of the towne of Rehoboth, for the continewing of a meeting vppon the Lords day from house to house, contrary to the order of this Court enacted June the 12th, 1650. October 2, 1650 (PCR 2:163) Whereas the wife of Hugh Norman, of Yarmouth, hath stood psented diuers Courts for misdemenior and lude behavior with Mary Hammon vppon a be, with diuers lasiuious speeches by her allso spoken, but shee could not apeere by reason of som hinderances vntell this Court, the said Court haue therfore sentanced her, the said wife of Hugh Norman, for her vild behauior in the aforsaid pticulars, to make a publick acknowlidgement, so fare as conveniently may bee, of her vnchast behauior, and haue allso warned her ot take heed of such cariages for the future, lest her former cariage come in remembrance against her to make her punishment the greater. March 4, 1650-1 (PCR 2:165) Wee present Robert Waterman, of the towne of Marshfeild, for offering an attempt of boddyly vncleanes to Sara Pittney, of the aforsaid towne. JOHN DINGLEY Fined fifty shill., or to suffer bodily punishment. June 5, 1651 (PCR 2:170) Wee present John Shaw and James Shaw, Samuell Cutbert and Beniamin Eaton, of the towne of Plym, and Goodwife Gannett, and Martha Haward, and Willam Snow, of the towne of Duxburrow, for vaine, light, and laiuius carriage at an vnseasonable time of the night. Lres of adminestacion graunted vnto Mary Yates, to adminester vpon the estate of John Yates, deceassed. October 7, 1651 (PCR 2:172-174) Gorge Russell, of Scittuate, was bound ouer vnto this court to answer for his vnciuell and vnreasonabel beating of Katheren Winter; and for the same was sensured by the Court to pay twenty shillings forthwith vnto the cunstables of Scittuate, for to bee imployed for the good of the said Katheren. Wheras, at the Gerall Court holden the 8th of June last past, John Shaw and James Shaw, Samuell Cutbert, and Beniamine Eaton, Goodwife Gannett, Martha Haward, and Willam Snow were psented for vaine, light, and lacivious carriage at an vnseasonable time of the night, the Court, not finding them alike faulty, haue fined James Shaw and Goodwife Gannett thiry shillings apeece, to be payed by the next Court of Assistants, & themselues then psonally to apeere, or otherwise to receaue corporall punishment by whiping. And Samuell Cutbert, William Snow, Benamine Eaton, and Martha Haward are released, with admonishion to take heed of such euell carriages for the future. Wee further psent Ralph Allen, Senior, and his wife, Gorge Allen and his wife, Willam Allen and Richard Kerbey, Peeter Gaunt and his wife, rose Newland, Edmond Freeman, Seni, and his wife, Goodwife Turner, and widdow Knott, all of the towne of Sandwidg, for not frequenting the publick worship of God, contrarye to order made the 6th of June, 1651. Wee further psent the wife of Richard Knowles, of the towne of Plym, for retailing of strong waters contrarye to order. Wee further psent Elizabeth Eeddy, Seni, of the towne of Plym, for laboring, that is to say, for wringing and hanging out clothes, on the Lords day, in time of publicke exercise. Wee further psent the wife of Richard Knowles, of the towne of Plym, for retailing of strong waters contrarye to order. Wee further psent Goodwife Knowles for selling strong waters for fiue or six shillings a bottle that cost but 35s the case. Fined 10s; to bee bestowed on ye poore of Plym. Wee further psent Goodwife Ramsden for lacivius goeing in the companie of young men. Sence cleared with admonition. Wee further psent Samuell Eaton and Goodwife Halle, of the towne of Duxborrow, for mixed daunsing. June 10, 1651 (PCR 2:176) *Memorandum: that wheras Kanelme Winslow, of Marshfeild, somtimes inhabitant of the towne of Plym, at the time of his mariage with Ellenor Adames, (sometimes wife vnto John Adams, deceased,) did put in securitie to pay vnto James Adames, sonn of the said John Adams, the som of fiue pounds when hee should come to be of age, these psents wittnesseth that James Adams aforsaid did come before the Gouerner, and did acknowlidg that hee hath receued from the said Kanelme Winslow the said fiue pound; and ccordingly on the 26th of December, 1651, it was ordered to bee entered vpon publicke recond as paved and receiued as aforsaid. *The Names of the Purchasers. [list of 58 names follows, Elizabeth Warren is 39th] Elizabeth Warren, widdow, March 2, 1651-2 (PCR 3:4-5) Wheras John Willis, of Duxborrow, complained that his daughter in law, Rebeckah Palmer, was molested and hindered in pforming faithfull service vnto her mr, viz, Samuell Mayo, or Barnstable by the wife of Trustrum Hull, of Barnstable aforsaid, the Court haue sent downe order by Roger Goodspeed, grand iuryman, of Barnstable aforsaid, to warn the wife of ye said Trustram Hull to desist from such practises any further, as shee or any other that shall soe doe will answare it at theire perill; and allsoe that the said wife of Trustrum Hull doe giue answare for her not appeering at this Court nor her attornie, to answare the suite comenced against her by the said John Willis. Memorand: that Mercy Tubbs bee warned by warrant to appeere at June Court, to answare for mixed dauncing, whereof shee is accused. Mercy Tubbs cleared with a admonition. Wee psent Jonathan Couentry, of the towne of Marshfeild, for makeing a mocion of marriage vnto Katheren Bradbery, servant vnto Mr Burne, of the same towne, without her masters consent, contrary to Court order. Departed the gouerment. Wee further psent Katheren Winter, of Scittuate, for comitting ye sinne of fornication with her father in law, James Turner. Could not appeere this Court, but sence punished att Scittuate. June 2, 1652 (PCR 3:11) David Linnet and Hannah Shelley, for vncleane practises eich with other, are sentenced by the Court to bee both publickely whipt at Barnstable, where they liue. June 29, 1652 (PCR 3:15) Lres of adminestration are graunted vnot Mary Ewer to adminester vpon the estate of John Ewer, deceased. October 5, 1652 (PCR 3:18-19) The oath of Rachell Ramsden conserning the said Court. Rachell Ramsden, aged twenty-six years or therabouts, being deposed, saith that shee heard Goodwife Eaton say that Christopher Winter and Samuell Eaton were together on Munday last; and that shee heard her husband say that hee bid Goodman Winter not deney that hee had cut the coult, the said Winter being angry that hee should soe speake; "for," said hee, "it is true, Goodman Winter; for I was with you att worke then, and saw it." The Court doe request and appoint Mr Hatherley to make enquiry conserning a stray steer which is att Thomas Tildens, at the North Riuer, in the bounds of Marshfeild, which steer Mis Richards layeth claime vnto, and to vse his best endeavor to find out whether hee bee hers or noe; and incase the right owner can bee found, and will pay the charges of his keeping, that then hee cause him to bee deliuered vnto them. Wheras a petition was prefered by Robert Bartlet vnto the Court holden att Plymouth the 7th of October, 1652, therin requesting that wheras sundry speeches haue pased from som who pretend themselues to bee the sole and right heires vnto the lands on which the said Robert Bartlet now liueth, at the Eelriuer, in the townshipp of Plymouth, which hee, the said Robert, had bestowed on him by his mother in law, Mis Elizabeth Warren, in marriage with her daughter; by which said speeches and passages the said Robert hath ben dishartened in his proceeding either in building, fencing, &c; the Court haueing taken the pmises into servis consideracon, and haueing serched what the Court hath vpon reconrd extant, and what could bee manifested vpon memory by those that then were cheife and had speciall hand in carying on and menageing the former affaires of the countrey, and doe therby find that Mis Elizabeth Warren, who gaue the said lands vnto the said Robert and others in like condicion, had power soe to doe, as being by and order of Court bearing date March the 7th, 1637, and other actes of Court before, envested into the state and condicon of a purchaser, as in the said order is expressed; the said Court doth by these presents, therefore, futher ratify and confeirme the aforesaid actes of Court wherby the said Elizabeth Warren is declared to haue right to despose of the aforsaid lands, approueing and allowing of the abouesaid gift of land vnto the said Robert Bartlet and others in like condicon with him, to bee valled to his and their heires and assignes for euer. March 1, 1652-3 (PCR 3:21-23) The Court haue ordered Capt Standish and Mr Alden to provide portions out of the estate of Thomas Chillingsworth, deceased, for his children, and to take cecurity in the Courts behalfe for the right desposing of the said estate, lres of adminnestracon being graunted vnto Joane Chillingsworth, wife of late deceased Thomas Chillingsworth, to adminnester vpon his said estate. Lres of adminnestracon are graunted vnto Grace, the late wife of Willam Hallowell, deceased, to adminnester vpon his estate; and in regard of psent infeirmity, shee being not able to appeer at the Court, Captaine Standish and Mr Alden are appointed to require her oath vnto the inventory of the said estate at home. Lres of adminnestracon are graunted vnto Elizabeth, wife of the late deceased Robert Waterman, to adminester vpon his estate, and to pay the debts soe fare and by equall proportions as the estate will amount vnto. Mis Joane Barnes, for frequently slaundering and defameing the children of Captaine Willett and the daughter of Gorge Watson, shee was sentenced to sitt in the stockes during the Courts pleasure, and a paper whereon her facte written in capitall letters, to bee made fast vnto her hatt, or near vnto her, all the time of her sitting here; all which was performed, according to the sentance. May 3, 1653 (PCR 3:28) Wee psent Allice Berry, or Yarmouth, for stealing of an neckcloth from Willam Pearce his wife, of Yarmouth. June 9, 1653 (PCR 3:36-37) Wee psent Allice Berry, of Yarmouth, for goeing into the house of Samuell Arnold, and taking bacon and eggs when there was noe body att home. Allice Berry sentanced, for this and other doeings of like nature, sentanced to sit in the stockes for the space of an houre att Yarmouth in som publick place. Wheras wee haue enformacon of John Marchant, of Yarmouth, his attempting the chastety of Annis, the wife of Thomas Phillips, of the said towne, but haue not as yett oath of it, wee leaue it to the next jury to enquire after. Wee psent Gyles Rickard, Senior, of Plymouth, for laciuius carriages towards Mary, the daughter of Barnard Lumberd, of Barnstable. Fined 50 shillings. Edward Holman, and Martha, the wife of Thomas Shriue, warned by the Court to keep out of the companie of each other, on prill of suffering corporall punishment by whiping. *Lres of adminnestration are graunted by the Court vnto Anna Barker, widdow, the late wife of John Barker, deceased, to adminnester vpon his estate; and shee hath giuen cecuritie vnto the Court to giue in an account of her said adminnestratorshipp when she shalbee therunto required; and John Williams, Junier, standeth bound vnto the Court with her for the same. Furthermore, the said Anna Barker, widdow, doth by these psents engage and giue vnto her three daughters, Anna, Debora, and Mary, the summe of ten pounds apeece, to bee paied vnto them when they are of the age of twenty one yeares; and as any of them shall come to bee of the said age, that then theire said ten pounds shalbee deliuered vnto them in good and currant pay, or six monthes after the day of theire marriage; and incase any of them die before they bee of the age of twenty one yeares or are married, that then the said summe of thirty pounds bee nothwithstanding equally deuided amongst those of them that shall surviue. Whereas, by reason of age and weaknes, the widdow Hick, wife of the late deceased Thomas Hick, of Scittuate, cannot appeer in Court to make oath to the inventory of his estate, and for like reason, alsoe, the witnesse of the will of the said Thomas Hicke cannot appeer in Court to make oath thervnto, the Court haue ordered Mr Timothy Hatherley and Mr Thomas Robenson to take theire oathes att home, and psent them to the Court. August 2, 1653 (PCR 3:39) Vpon a complaint of John Philips against Josepth Roes, for none paiement of a debt of six pound due vpon bill, an order was directed vnto Mr Alden as followeth: These are to request you, that wheras there is a debt due vnto Josepth Roes from John Browning, decease, and that certaine goods of the said Brownings are in the custedy of the cunstable of Marshfeild vndesposed of, that you would take course that the said goods of the said Roes may bee equally diuided betwixt the widdow Waterman and the said Josepth Roes; and that soe much as shalbee the pte of the said Roes, that it bee deliuered vnto the said John Phillips, to answare pte of the debt of the said Roes, accordingly as hee hath assigned it. March 7, 1653-4 (PCR 3:45-47) *The widdow Hallowell being graunted lres of adminestration on the estate of Willam Hallowell, deceased, doth allow vnto her two daughters ten pounds apeece to either of them, and dothe by these psents bind herselfe for the pformance of it; Mr Buckley being bound with her for the securitie of the said portions, to bee paied att the day of theire marriage. If either of them die before then, the suruiver to enjoy the portion of the deceased. In wittnesse wherof wee haue sett to our hands this fift of January, 1653. GRACE HALLOWAY, her marke, EDWARD BUCKLEY. Att the Court held att Plymouth the 8th of June, 1654, Mr Edward Buckley came into the Court, and was cleared of these engagements, and John Phillipes is entered in his stead. The widdow Joane Chillingsworth in like mannor came into the Court, held att Plymouth,the 7th of March, 1653, and acknowlidged that shee hath giuen vnto her foure daughters the summe of ten pounds apeece, to bee deliuered to them att theire day of marriage, or within three monthes after the same; and alsoe that incase any of them die before then, the surviuers to haue theire pte that die equally deuided amongst them, and for the pformance heerof Thomas Doged and the said Joane Chillingsworth haue joyntly giuen in securitie vnto the Court. Wheras, the wife of Mr Thomas Gilbert hath desired by her letter that her servant, whoe hath receiued som hurt, and is now in Mr Streets family, that there hee might remayne vntill her husband returne from England; the Court hath graunted her request, provided that Mr Stree bee freely willing to give him entertainment, but if not these were to require the cunstabel of Taunton to see that the said seruant bee prouided for in some convenient place, and that hee returne not vnto his mis vntill his cause bee heard and further order taken in the same. *Mis Laythorp is graunted lres of adminnestracon to adminnester on the estate of Mr John Laythorp, deceased. Mr Thomas Prence is appointed and requested by the Court to take oath vnto the estate att home. Lres of adminnestration was graunted vnto Patience Faunce, to adminnester on the estate of John Faunce, deceased. 2. Wee psent Elizabeth Randall, of Scittuate, for teling of a lye to the detterment of Gowin White. +This cleared by the fine.+ Paid. Wee psent Joseph Rose, and Elizabeth, his wife, of Marshfeild, for fornication. Cleared by paying the fine. June 6, 1654 (PCR 3:52) Wee psent Lydia Rawlins, of Scittuate, for lying, slaundering, and defaming of her brother in law, Thomas Rawlins, of Boston. March 6, 1654-5 (PCR 3:75) Imprimis, wee psent Willam Randall, and Elizabeth, his wife, of Scittuate, for abusing the cunstable, Walter Hatch, in work and action, as by threats, and refusing to giue cecuritie according to the warrant, and that when hee strained for the majestrates table, his wife tore the destresse out of his hand, and hurt his hand soe as blood was sheed. For what wrong was done to the cunstable, the court remite it vpon his request, and sence fuly remited. It, wee psent James Gleghorne, and Abia Lumbard, his now wife, of Barnstable, for carnall copulation before contraction. It, wee psent Allice, the wife of Richard Berry, of Yarmouth, for goeing into the house of Benjamine Hammond, when noe body was att home, and felloniously tooke away a womans shift, that was new made, but without sleeues, and a peece of porke. It, wee psent Joane, the wife of Obadiah Miller, of Taunton, for beathing and reviling her husband, and egging her children to healp her, biding them knock him in the head, and wishing his victals might coake him. June 8, 1655 (PCR 3:82) Imppr, wee psent Susanna, the wife of Robert Latham, for being in a great measure guilty, with her said husband, in exerciseing cruelly towards theire late seruant, John Walker, in not affoarding him convenient food, rayment and lodging; especially, in husbands absence, in forceing him to bring a logg beyond his strength. Item, wee psent John Sprague and Ruth Bassett, of Duxburrow, for fornication before they were married. Item, wee psent Hugh Cole, and Mary Foxwell, his now wife, in keping company with each other in and vndecent manner, att an vnseasonable time and place, before marriage. Item, wee psent Jane, the seruant of Willam Swift, for an acte of fornication, by her owne confession vpon examination. Item, wee psent Alice, the wife of Rich Berry, for theiuish milking the cow of Tho Phelps, of Yarmouth. October 4, 1655 (PCR 3:91) And att this Court, Jane Powell, seruant to Willam Swift, of Sandwidge, appeered, haueing been psented for fornication, whoe, being examined, saith that it was comitted with one David Ogillior, an Irish man, seruant to Edward Sturgis; shee saith shee was alured thervnto by him goeing for water one euening, hopeing to haue married him, beeing shee was in a sadd and miserable condition by hard seruice, wanting clothes and liuing discontentedly; and expressing great sorrow for her euell, shee was cleared for the psent, and ordered to goe home againe. March 5, 1655/56 (PCR 3:96-97) Att this Court, Sarah, the daughter of Richard Kerbey, of Sandwidge, appeered according to summons, and being examined concerning diuers suspisious speeches by her vttered against Richard Bourne and Mr Edmond Freeman, of Sandwidge aforsaid, & is found faulty, and sentanced by the Court of bee punished seuerly by whipping, onely the execution therof is respited, that incase shee bee warned by the present centance and admonission to offend noe more in this kind, that then the said punishment not to bee inflicted, otherwise to be executed. We psent Richard Trutall for laciuiouse carriage toward Ann Hudson, the wife of John Hudson, in taking hold of her coate and inticing her by words, as alsoe by taking out his instrument of nature that hee might prevaile to lye with her in her owne house. October 5, 1656 (PCR 3:108) Lres of adminnestration are graunted vnto Joanna Kemton, to adminnester vpon the estate of Ephraim Kemton, deceased. Lres of adminnestration are graunted vnto Bathsheba Pratt, to adminnester on the estate of Joshua Pratt, deceased. February 3, 1656/57 (PCR 3:110-111) In a controversy betwixt Thomas Lucas and the widdow Dotey about reconings betwixt them, the said Lucas is to pay to the widdow Dotey 3s, and soe the controversy is ended. Att this Court, the cunstable of Taunton brought a certaine Scote, a single man, and an Irish woman named Katheren Aimes, whome hee had apprehended vpon suspision of comiting adultery each with other; but the Court, haueing examined them, could not proceed to punish them for want of clearer euidence; but haueing intelligence that sundry in Taunton could giue euidence in the case, whoe were not psent, the Court comited the said man and woman to the custidy of the marshals vntill the next Court, and summoned in the wittnesses to appeer att the said Court, viz, Alexander Aines, John Muckclay, Daniell Muckeney, Scotsmen, and a certaine Irish woman named Elizabeth; her other name non psent doe know. Att this Court, complaint was made against Jane, the wife of William Launder, of Sandwidg, and Sarah, the daughter of Richard Kerbey, for desturbance by them made in the publicke worship of God on the Lords day att Sandwidge, by opposing and abusing the speaker amongst them, whervpon the said pties were summoned to appeare att the next Court to answare for their said misdemeanor. Att this Court, complaint was made that Nicolas Vpsiall, and Richard Kerbey, and the wife of John Newland, & others, did frequently meet together att the house of William Allin, att Sandwich, on the Lords day, and att other times, att which meetings they vsed to invey against minnesters and majestrates, ot the dishoner of God and contempt of goument; the Court haue therfore directed sommons to the cunstable of Sandwich to require the said Willam Allin, Richard Kerbey, and the wife of John Newland psonally to appeer att the next Generall Court, to answare for the said misdemeanors; and the said Nicolas Vpsiall being onely lycenced by the Court formerly to stay att Sanwidge vntell the extremitie of winter is ouer, is by spetiall order now warned to depart the goument by the first of March next; and Trustrum Hull, whoe brought him into the gouement, is, according to order, required to carry him away againe by the time beforementioned. March 5, 1656-7 (PCR 3:111-113) Att this Cour, Katheren Aines, for her vnclean and laciuiouse behauior with the abouesaid Willam Paule, and for the blasphemos words that shee hath spoken, is centanced by the Court to bee forthwith publickly whipt heer att Plymouth, and afterwards att Taunton, on a publicke training day, and to were a Roman B cutt out of ridd cloth and sowed to her vper garment on her right arme; and if shee shalbee euer found without it soe worne whil shee is in the goument, to bee forthwith publikly whipt. Alexander Anis, for his leauing his family, and exposing his wife to such temtations, and being as baud to her therin, in centanced by the Court for the psent to sitt in the stockes the time the said Paule and Katheren Ainis are whipt, which was pformed; as the said Alexander Anis is to pay the charges of his wifes imprisionment and punishment, which said charge, is regard the said Anis is very poor, is to pay it by twelue pence p weeke vntill it is all payed; and James Walker, of Taunton, is appointed to recieue it in the countreyes, behalfe. Sarah Kerbey, for her desturbance of the publicke worship of God, after admonision and centance formerly giuen against her, which was, to bee publickly whipt, is now ordered to bee pformed, and soe accordingly was exequted. Jane, the wife of Willam Launder, for the like offence, viz, desturbing the publicke worship of God on the Lords day, att Sandwich, is centanced to bee publickly whipt, onely the execution therof is respeted, that incase shee shalbee warned by the psent centance and admonision to offend noe more in this kind, that then the said punishment not to bee inflected, or otherwise to bee executed. Memorand: to send for Elizabeth, the wife of John Newland, to appeer att the next Court. May 4, 1657 (PCR 3:114) The Court ordered and request Mr Hatherley and Capt Cudworth to take cecuryty of Abiaill, the wife of Willam Hatch, deceased, in the behalfe of Pheba Hatch, his daughter, for the paiment and makeing good of her portion giuen her by her said deceased father, to bee deliuered according to his will extant. Lres of adminnestration graunted vnto Manasses Kemton to adminnester on the estate of Joanna Kemton, deceased, with liberty left that incase Thomas Rawlins shall think good to joyne with him therein, hee may if hee please. Mr Allexander Standish and Mr Josias Standish doe accept of beeing exequitors with Mis Barbery Standish, theire mother, on the estate of Captaine Myles Standish, deceased. June 3, 1657 (PCR 3:120-121) +Richard Sparrow and Thomas Clarke were appointed by the Court as a comittee to take into seroiuse consideration what way to take for the accomodation of our honored Gou and majestrates in makeing prouission for them as occation doth require, haue recomended to the Court the result of thiere agitations, which were read in Court and approued, and accordingly recorded as followeth:-- 1. Wee doe agree that Mistris Bradford shalbee satisfyed by the Tresurer what charges shee had been att in intertaining our honored Gou and majestrates for this psent Court. 2. Wee doe agree that shee shall haue ten pounds of the best pay, to bee payed vnto her out of the Treasurer, to satisfy for such trouble and charge as shee shall sustaine in entertaining of our honored Gou and majestrates for the ensuing yeare. June 1, 1658 (PCR 3:142-143) Such as were appointed by the Court to bee ouerseers of the children and estate of Mr Allexander Winchester, deceased, -- viz, Richard Bowin, Leiftenant Peter Hunt, and John Allin, of Rehoboth, -- haue appointed vnto Mr Nicolas Pecke a home lott of land, being twelue acres, more or lesse, in the towne of Rehoboth, with an house and barne theron, and all and singulare the appurtenance belonging vnto the pmises, as his pte or porion of land, with his wife, named Mary, the eldest daughter of the said Mr Winchester; and , according to the order of the said Richard Bowing, Peter Hunt, and John Allin, it is heer entered. Wheras Susana Latham hath stood psented vnto this Court for sundry yeares for crewelty toward John Walker, seruant to Robert Latham, these are to signify, that accordingly as it was manifested in the Court, that if any will come in, they shall haue full and free libertie to procequte against her att the next October Court, or otherwise that then the said psentment shalbee raced out of the Court records. Att the Court held att Plymouth the fift of October, 1638, proclamation was made three times in the Court, that if any would procecute against Susanna Latham according to this order, they should bee heard; but none appeered in the case, her psentment was rased out of the records of the Court. August 4, 1658 (PCR 3:148) Wee find, that this psent day, John Phillips, Junir, came into his dwelling, lately knowne or called Mr Buckleyes house, in good health, as Goodwife Williamson afeirmeth, and satt vpon a stoole by the chimney, and by an imediate hand of God, manifested in thunder and lightening, the said John Phillipes came by his death. September 29, 1658 (PCR 3:149) Mr Collyare, Mr Alden, and Constant Southworth are requested and appointed by the Court to take some speedy course to reduce Goodwife Thomas, a Welch woman, liueing att the North Riuer, to liue more orderly, soe as shee bee not for the future indangered to come to missery and extremity, as formerly shee hath bine. October 2, 1658 (PCR 3:150) Lydia, the wife of Henery Tayler, being psented for retailing and selling stronge waters to an Indian, shee confessing the same, is fined to the countreyes vse fiue shillings. March 1, 1658-9 (PCR 3:158-159) Vpon the complaint of Willam Tubbs, that Goodwife Thomas, a Welch woman, that shee dwelleth on his land without his leaue, the Court haue appointed Mr Collyare and Mr Alden to take some speedy course to remoue her vnto her owne land. Mary, the wife of Walter Briggs, of Scittuate, haueing bine psented for telling of a lye, the Court, haueing examined pticulares about it, haue cleared the said Mary Briggs, but desired Mr Hatherley from the Court to admonish her to bee wary of giueing occation of offence to others, by vnnessesary talkeing to the occationing of others to complaine or raise such aspersions. June 7, 1659 (PCR 3:163-169) Esra Perrey is allowed by the Court to be exequitor of the estate of Sarah Perrey, there being noe other, (although shee hath many other frinds in the countrey,) that claimeth any interest into the said estate, haueing put in cecuritie into the Court to bee accountable for the estate encase it shalbee required by any that hath better title therto. The Court allow to Ensigne Willams six shillings for four dayes attendance att the Court, to answare the complaint of Robert Barker in the behalfe of Deborah Barker. The Court haue ordered that Goodwife Thomas, the Welch woman, shall not bee assisted by any in setting vp any house or cottage any where except it bee on her owne ground. October 6, 1659 (PCR 3:170-175) In psuance of which said order the deputies sent from the seuerall townshipes, vpon theire serious consideration of the matter betrusted with them, haue, this sixt of October, 1659, couenanted and agreed together with the farmers of the said trad, viz, Mr Thomas Prence, Mistris Allice Bradford, Senir, Captaine Thomas Willett, and Major Josias Winslow, in manor and forme as followeth, viz: That the rent of the said trad for the yeare one thousand six hundred fifty and nine, fully compleat on the first of Nouember next ensuing, bee wholly remitted by the countrey to the aforsaid farmers, and that *ten pounds in money be payed vnto the countrey by the aforsaid farmers for the yeare next ensuing, during which time the farmers engage to carry on the trad as formerly, and att the end of the said tearme, viz, on the first of Nouember, one thousand six hundred and sixty, the said farmers to leaue the said Kennebeck trade free, without any engagement vnto the countreyes dispose, as they shall thinke meet, not leauing aboue fiue hundred skines in any debts to bee required of the Indians; the which incase they to who the countrey shall dispose the said trad will not giue to the aforsaid farmers six shillings a skine for the said debts, then it shalbee lawfull for them, by theire agent or agents, to demaund and procure the said debts in such a way as is the vsuall course of obtaining such debts, without any violent seizsure on them, the aforsaid farmers alsoe engageing not to haue any trade with the Indians there any longer then to the end of the tearme aforsaid, viz, vntill the first of Nouember, 1660. In witnes wherof they haue heervnto sett theire hands enterchangably the day and date abouesaid. THOMAS PRENCE, The marke of Mistris ALLICE BRADFORD, in the behalfe JOSIAS WINSLOW, of the rest, CONSTANT SOUTHWORTH, The marke of ROBERT STUDSON, JAMES WALKER, EDMOND HAWES, THOMAS HINCKLEY, RICHARD SPARROW, PEREGRINE WHITE. In the case betwixt Thomas Clarke and Samuell Jenney, about the daughter of Samuell Jenney, named Sarah Jenney, vpon diuers considerations the Court haue agreed and doe order, that Samuell Jenney shall haue his said daughter deliuered vnto him, although notwithstanding the Court doe heerby declare themselues that they expect that the said Thomas Clarke to haue respect to the said child, and a care of her and her portion as an ouerseer, according to the will of Mis Jenney. *Att this Court Ensigne John Williams appeered to answare the complaint of Robert Barker and Deborah Barker the daughter of John Barker, deceased, for that hee, the said Ensigne Williams, was accused to haue misvsed the said Deborah Barker, she haueing liued with him; hee produceing many euidences to cleare his innosensy in the pmises, the Court could not find the acusation to bee true; notwithstanding, vpon some considerations, ordered, that the said Deborah Barker should not bee returned againe vnto her said vnkell, Ensigne Williams, but should chuse her guardian, and either liue with him or bee disposed of to some other honest man to seruice as hee should thinke meet; att which time the said Deborah Barker ^ make choise of Thomas Bird, of Scittuate, whoe was then psent in the Court, to bee her guardian, which was approued by the Court; and with him shee returned home, to bee with him vntill shee should bee otherwise by him bee disposed of. October, 1659. Wee, whose names are vnderwritten, haueing made serch and enquiry, according to our best light and vnderstanding, into the cause of deathe of Mary Chase, viz, of our towne of Yarmouth, doe with joynt consent psent, the day and yeare abouesaid, that wee can find noe other but that shee died a naturall death through inward sickness, as is euident to all men natually. ANTHONY THACHER, JOHN MILLER, ROB: DENNIS, ANDREW HALLOTT, JOHN JOYCE, RICHARD TAYLER, JOHN HALL, JOHN CROW, SAMUELL RYDER, WILLAM HEDGE, RICHARD HORE, EDWARD STURGIS. Conserning the complaint of Goodwife Thomas, the Welch woman, the Court haue ordered, that shee repaire to Mr Collyare and Mr Alden, to Duxborrow, att such time as they shall send for her, and they are to heare and determine what is meet in the case. Conserning a certaine woman, viz, the wife of John Spring, of Watertowne, which was somtimes the wife of Thomas Hatch, of Scittuate, which said woman hath liued about three or foure yeares att Scittuate from her husband, the Court haue ordered, that shee either repaire to her husband with all convenient speed, or to repaire to Duxburrow to the house of Mr Alden, on the twentyeth of this psent month of October, to giue a reason why shee doth not; and incase shee shall refuse to attend this order, the Court will take a speedy course to send her to her said husband. Att this Court open proclamation was made, that if any shall come in betwixt this date and the Generall Court, to bee holden att Plymouth, the first Tusday in March next, and can claime any just debt from the estate of Robert Waterman, satisfaction shalbee made proportionable to the said estate, or otherwise a quietus est will then bee graunted to Elizabeth, somtimes the wife of the said Robert Waterman; and since that time vntill the seaunth of June, 1660, none came in, and then a quietus est was graunted vnto Elizabeth, sometimes the wife of the abouesaid Robert Waterman. December 6, 1659 (PCR 3:177-180) Att this Court, Josepth Prior, being sumoned, appeered to answare for pilfering and prloyning practices, and other vnworthy carriages relateing thervnto, viz, in alluing a younge maide, a kinswoman to Mr Willam Collyares, to healp him, the said Prior, to sundry thinges ptaining to the said Mr Collyare, without knowlidg of or leaue from Mr Collyare or Mis Jane Collyare, his wife; but forasmuch as euidence was not eextant in Court ot cleare vp the said accusation, the said Prior denying sundry pticulares that was layed to his charge, the Court bound him ouer to appeer att the Court to bee holden att Plymouth the first Tusdy in March next, to answare to the said accusation. *Wheras Thomas Greenfeild, coming lately out of England, and arriveing att Road Iland, came into these ptes about the fourteenth day of Nouember, and brought Mary Dier with him to Plymouth, contrary to and order of Court which prohibeteth any of those called Quakers to come into this jurisdiction, shee, the said Mary Dier, being one of thise soe called; and hee, the said Greenfeild, being examined and required to answare directly whether hee had any residence, viz, house or land, att Sandwich, within this goument or noe, hee, refusing to make any answare to that demand, was therfore (after being vrged to speak and giue answare to the said query) comited to prison acording to order, as falling vnder the account of a foraigne Quaker, and att this Court was bourght before authoritie and againe examined vpon the pmises, and refused to make any satisfactory answare; nothwithstanding wheras Mr Edmond Freeman, Senir, of Sandwich, appeering in Court and affeirming that the said Greenfeild hath house and land in the liberties of Sandwich, with other concurrent testimony to the same effect, the Court saw reason to release the said Thomas Greenfield, and accordingly hee was released, paying his fees, which hee refused to doe; wherfore the Court was constreined to take othe course to satisfy the same out of the estate of the said Greenfeild, by warrant directed to the marshall, Barlow, for the same purpose, which wais charge of imprisonment amounted to the sume of thirty shillings. And the said Greenfeild, for his bringing in or being a conduct to the said Mary Dier fom Road Iland to Plymouth, was sentanced to pay for her transportation backe to Road Iland the sume of sixteene shillings, and for the fees of Mary Diers imprisonment the sume of eleuen shillings; which said sumes the marshall, Barlow, was by warrant required to leuy on the estate of the said Thomas Greenfeild, whersoeuer hee should find it within his liberties. Whereas John Sutton complained of Abraham Sutlife, and Sarah, his wife, in an action of defamacon, for that the said Sarah Sutlife hath reported that the said John Sutton was basely begotten and basely borne, I, the said Sarah Suttlife acknowlidge I soe said; but it was vnaduisedly spoken by mee, I haueing noe ground nor cause soe to speake, neither know any such thinge by him, and ame very sorry I wronged the said John Sutton in soe saying, and doe promise to make this acknowlidgement att Scittuate meeting house, that is near Stony Brooke, the first Lords day in this psent October, as soone as fore noon exersice is done; this writing being red, the said Sarah is to owne it to bee her acknowlidgement, or Abraham Sutlife is to owne it in behalfe of his wife, as her acknowlidgment; and it is lawfull for the said John Sutton to record these psents att Plymouth Court, or elsewhere, as hee shall see cause; and incase this bee not pformed as abouesaid, John Suttons action may proceed; but if it bee don, the action is att an end. Dated the 2cond of October, 1659. The marke of SARAH SUTLIFE. May 1, 1660 (PCR 3:186) Elizabeth Eedey was summoned to this Court, and appeered, to make answare for her traueling on the Lords day from Plymouth to Boston; and affeirmed that shee was nessesitated to goe on that day, in regard that Mistris Saffin was very weake and sent for her, with an earnest desire to see her in some cercomstances in her answare, although they saw not a sufficient excuse for her fact therin, saw cause to admonish her, ans soe shee was discharged of the Court. June 13, 1660 (PCR 3:191) *Willam Newland testifyed in the Court, that a message was brought or sent to him by one from Elizabeth Freeman, that affeirmed that Jacob Burgis was drawne to testify that which hee did conserning Barlow, by Benjamine Nye, by feare, as threatened that incase he would not attend Barlow in his occations against the Quakers, and soe to giue the psent euidence, hee should not haue his daughter to wife. This is the substance of what Willam Newland testifyed conserning this matter. Thomas Butler, and Dorithy, his wife, for turbulent cariages the same night that theire son Daniell was serched for att theire house, fined forty shillings. August 7, 1660 (PCR 3:197-198) In answare to Robert Barker, about Goodwife Thomas, the Welchwoman, the Court ordereth that the said Robert Barker shall require and take into posession such goods or chattles as are belonging to the said Welch woman, and soe to take her into his custitie, that shee may liue in his house, and to see that shee doe not liue extrauigantly as formerly, and to pforme the conditions made with the towne of Duxburrow in that behalfe; and incase shee should goe away att any time, the said Robert shall returne her estate againe to her, and in the mean time not to make any of it away or dispose of any pte therof vnlesse hee bee nessesitated thervnto to prouide clothing for her, or incase of sicknes of the like, and shalbee reddy to giue an account of what hee expends therof when required by the Court. Att this Court, Thomas Attkins, an inhabitant att the Riuer of Kennebecke, appeered before the Court, haueing bine apprehended and comitted to jayle for comitting insest with his owne daughter, named Mary, whoe accused him that hee had comitted the said acte sundry times with her; and being strictly examined hee deneyed that hee euer hee had to doe with her in that kind, and was returned to the jayle againe, and there to remaine vntill the next Court for futher tryall. The sume of the examination is elsewhere extant in the Court. October 2, 1660 (PCR 3:199-200) *Att this Court, Thomas Attkins, inhabitant att the Riuer of Kennebecke, and late prisoner att Plymouth, for comitting insist with Mary Atkins, his owne daughter, came to his tryall according to law, which accordingly was procequted against him, by a bill of inditement prefered, and a jury of twelue men were impanneled for the tryall of the case, the prisoner examined, and all the euidence that could be produced was psented. And whereas, in the examination of the said Thomas Atkins, it appeered that on a time hee being in drinke in the night season in his owne house, hee offered some vnclean, insestious attempts to his owne daughter, Mary Attkins, abouesaid, in his chimney corner, as hee himselfe, inpte, confessed. Hee was sentanced to suffer corporall punishment by whiping, which accordingly was executed, and soe the said Atkins cleared and sett att libertie to returne to his owne home. Diuers psons fined for being att Quaker meetings. Robert Harper & his wife, Peter Gaunt, Josepth Allin, Dorithy Butler, Benjamine Allin, Obadiah Butler, John Newland and his wife, John Jenkens, Willam Allin, Richard Kerbey, Senir, Willam Gifford, Richard Kerbey, Junir, Mathew Allin, Jone Swift, The wife of Henery Dillingham, John Smith, of Plymouth, Willam Newland and his wife, Junir, and Deborah, his wife, John Soule, of Duxburrow, Lydia Hickes, of Plymouth. Rodulphus Elmes, of Scittuate, These fined each ten shillings, according to the law. October 2, 1660 (PCR 3:202-203) The Court haue ordered, that Mr Collyare, Mr Aldin, and the Treasurer are to meet together the first Tusday in January next, to settle matters about the estate of Goodwife Hunt, betwixt her and her children. *Wheras Ephraim Hickes, of Plymouth, the tweluth day of December, anno Dom 1649, died a violent death, and that the night before his decease hee expressed a few words to Mr Thomas Soughworth about the disposing of his outward estate, which said will nuncapatiue was found by the Court to bee vnvaled and ilegall, for that the said Ephraim Hickes as not in a capasitie in regard of his said manor of death to make a legall will, soe that the said estate faling to the Court ot bee att theire dispose, they, for sundry causes moueing them thervnto, then ordered that the said estate should bee improued for the comfort and support of Mistris Margarett Hickes, the mother of the said Ephraim Hickes, in her age and widdow hood, according to theire approbations and aduise; and wheras, through some neglect, it soe is that the said order of Court was not recorded, now vpon the speciall complaint of the said Margarett Hickes, of the said neglect,-- This Court therfore ordereth, that forasmuch as it apeereth that there was a manifest neglect in that the said order was not recorded, and that the species therof is well remembred and fully attested and testifyed vnto by some whoe were in place when the said order shalbee now entered in the records of the Court, and accordingly it is entered as followeth, viz-- It is ordered by the Court, that the whole estate of Ephraim Hickes, deceased, shalbee improued for the comfort and support of Mistris Margarett Hickes in her age and widdowhood, and not estranged form the same, and that some speedy course bee taken that the said estate may bee secured and improued for the ends aforsaid, according to the approation and aduise of the Court. March 5, 1660-1 (PCR 3:205-210) The condition of this obligation is, that incase Dina Siluester shall and doth appeer att the Court of Assistants to bee holden att Plymouth the first Tusday in May next, and attend the Courts determination in reference to a complaint made by Willam Holmes and his wife about the matter of defamation, that then this obligation to bee void, or otherwise to remaine in full force and vertue. Att this Court, Robert Whetcomb and Mary Cudworth, for disorderly coming together without consent of parents and lawfull marriage, is sentanced to pay ten pounds fine and imprisoned during the pleasuer of the Court; and being desirouse to bee orderly married, accordingly were this 9th of March, 1660. *In reference vnto a petition prefered to the Court by Mistris Margarett Hickes, the Court haue ordered, that the said Margarett Hickes shall chose one man, and Samuell Hickes another man, to arbetrate the case betwixt them; and incase they can not agree, that then the said arbetrators shall choose a third man to bee vmpire, and as hee shall agree and conclude of matters in contruersy betwixt them, soe shalbee the the finall end therof; and incase they, viz, the said Margarett Hickes and Samuell Hickes, doe not or will not chose men as aforsaid, that the the Court will chose men and depute men to arbetrate the case and put it to a finall end. The Gour is authorised by the Court to giue oath to Susana, the wife of the late deceased Josepth Rogers, for the truth of the inuentory of his estate. Dina Siluester, being examined, saith the beare shee saw was about a stones throw from the higheway when shee saw it; and being examined and asked what manor of tayle the beare had, shee said shee could not tell, for his head was towards her. *Lres of adminnestration was graunted vnto Joane, the wife of Edward Tilson, late deceased, to adminnester, vpon his estate, and to pay all such debts as are owing to any. The Court haue further ordered, that the said Joane Tilson her husband dying without will, and forasmuch as shee hath bine a true labourer with him in the procuring of his estate, that shee haue thirty pounds sterling out of the said estate as her owne proper, to her and her heries for euer; and for the remainder of the said estate, that the younger children bee made equall to the elder in what they haue had, and for the remainder, after that is done, that it bee equally deuided amongst all the children in equall proportions. Att this Court, Mr John Browne & Captaine Willett was appointed by the Court to apprehend Henery Hobson, o Road Iland, and to take cecuritie or his appeerance att the Court att Plymouth to answare for his derision of authoritie in counterfeiteing the solemnising of the marriage of Robert Whetocom & Mary Cudworth. *Att this Court, Hester, the wife of John Rickard, for laciuiuse and vnaturall practices proued by a psentment, was sentanced to sit in the stockes during the pleasure of the Court, and to weare a paper on her hate, on which her facte was written in capitall letters, all the time whee was to sit in the stockes; all which was pformed. It was ordered by the Court, that Mary, the wife of Edward Cobb, of Taunton, should bee sumoned to appeer att the Court to bee holden att Plymouth the first Tuesday in May next, to answare for her miscarriages, as appeers by a deposition giuen in to the grand enquest against Josepth Dunham. May 7, 1661 (PCR 3:211-112) Conserning the complaint of Willam Holmes, of Marshfield, against Dinah Siluester, for acusing his wife to bee a witch, the Court haue sentanced, that the said Dinah Siluester shall either bee publickly whipt or pay the sume of fiue pounds to the said Willam Holmes; or incase shee, the said Dinah Siluester, shall make a publicke acknowlidgement of her fault in the pmises, that then shee shall beare onely the charge the plaintiffe hath bin att in the procecution of his said suite; the latter of which was chosen and done by the said Dinah Siluester, viz, a publicke acknowlidgement, made as followeth:-- *May the 9th, 1661. To the honored Court assembled: Wheras I haue bin convicted in matter of defamation conserning Goodwife Holmes, I doe freely acknowledg I haue wronged my naighbour, and haue sined aginst God in soe doeing; though I had entertained hard thoughts against the woman; for it had bine my dewty to declare my grounds, if I had any, vnto some majestrate in a way of God, and not to haue devoulged my thoughts to others, to the womans defamation. Therfore I doe acknowldg my sin in it, and doe humbly begg this honored Court to forgiue mee, and all other Christian peole that bee offended att it, and doe promise, by the healp of God, to doe soe noe more; and although I doe not remember all that the wittnesses doe testify, yett I doe rather mistrust my owne memory and submitt to the euidences. The marke of DINAH SILUESTER. Att this Court, Ann, the wife of Thomas Sauory, was psented before the Court to answare for being att home on the Lords day with Thomas Lucas att vnseasonalbe time, viz, in the time of publicke exercise in the worshipe of God, and for being found drunke att the same time vnder a hedge, in vnciuell and beastly manor, was sentanced by the Court as followeth, viz: for her accompanying of the said Lucas att and vnseasonable time as aforsaid, she was sentanced to sitt in the stockes during the pleasure of the Court, which accordingly was pformed and executed; and for her being found drunke as aforsaid, fined fiue shillings; and for prophaning the Lords day, fined ten shillinges, according to the lawes in such cases prouided. June 7, 1661 (PCR 3:217-218) *June 7, 1661. Wheras there hath bine diuers differences betwixt Margarett Hickes, widdow, and Samuell Hickes, her son, arising about the last will of Robert Hickes, as alsoe about certaine goods and chattles of Ephraim Hikes the younger, son of the said Robert Hickes and Margarett Hickes; and vpon debateing of the same, it is this psent day concluded, by a joynt agreement betwixt them both, that Samuell Hickes shall pay his mother the sume of ten pounds, the one halfe therof att or before the first day of December next after the dae heerof, and the other halfe in October, 1662, which sume shee doth acknowlidge shalbe in full satisfaction of all differences whatsoeuer, and dothe acquitt the said Samuell of all thinges whatsoeuer that did or might any way arise by reason of the said estate, as alsoe for all other matters whatsoeuer from the begining of the world vnto this day, the winescott bedsted and the table in the hall to remaine to the house aas now it stands; and Samuell Hickes doth promise, that incase hee doth remoue from Plymouth, that hee will not put any into the house that shalbee injuriouse or offenciue to his mother; neither will hee molest or trouble any by reason of any psent estate his mother is now possessed of, the house remaining to him att his decease. Witnes our hands to this our joynt agreement, the seauenth day of June, in the yeare 1661. MARGARETT HICKES, SAMUELL HICKES. Witnes. John Browne, The marke of Manasses Kemton, Ephraim Morton. June 10, 1661 (PCR 3:218-223) The 10th of June, 1661. Forasmuch as the abouemensioned writing was desired to bee recorded, and vpon review therof is found not full for the ends intended on both parties, viz, the concluding of all differences between the abouesaid Margarett Hickes and Samuell Hickes that had bin about the estate therin specifyed, the said Samuell Hickes, being sent for by the Court, did in the Court freely declare that what was short in the aboue entered writing and agreement on his part, hee now engaged, and doth by these psents acquitt his mother, Mistris Margarett Hickes, and all concerned on her part, as fully as by the said writing his mother had acquited him on his pte; that soe heerby there is a full and finall end of all differences betwixt the said pties and all othes any way conserned therin, from begining of the world to this day, being the 10th of June, 1661, and for the future foreuer not meddleing with the purchase land. The condition, that if the said Henery Hobson shall and doe appeer att the Court to be holden att Plymouth the first Tusday in October next, to answare for his division of authoritie in counterfeiting the solemnising of the marriage of Robert Whetcombe and Mary Cudworth, and not depart the said court without lycence; that then, &c. Memorand: that Robert Whetcomb & his wife, Robert Able and his wife, and Ezekiell Mayne be summoned to the said Court to giue euidence about the abouesaid fact. *Thomas Burge, Junir, being bound ouer to the Court to answare for an act of vncleanes comitted by him with Lydia Gaunt, hee was sentance, accordingl to the law, to bee seuerly whipt, which accordingly was enflicted whiles this Court was in being, and a 2cond time to bee whipt att Sandwich, att the discrestion of Mr Hinckley, on the first Munday in July next after the date heerof; and as conserning the capitall letters to bee worne according to the law, it is for the psent respitied vntill the Court shall descerne beter of his future walkeing. And wheras Elizabeth, the late wife of the said Thomas Burge, did vrgently sollicite the Court for a diuorse, the said Thomas Burge manifesting little dislike therof, and some of theire relations concurring therin, the Court, considering the nature of the fact, together with the pticulars mencioned, did see cause to graunt the said Elizabeth her desire, and therefore doe heerby declare, that henceforth they, the said Thomas and Elizabeth, are not to bee reputed husband and wife each to other, but are cleared of theire marriage bond, and are fully and clearly divorced; furthermore, the Court doth allow and determine, that the said Elizabeth, the late wife of the said Thomas Burge consenting thervnto, att the same time the Court did allow her an old cotten bed and bolster, a pillow, a sheet, and two blanketts, that were with the paire of sheets, with some other smale things that are in Willam Bassetts hands, to the vallue of forty shillings. *The Court haue ordered and appointed Mr Thomas Hinckley to see the Courts order executed on Thomas Burge, Junir, of Sandwich, viz, to bee publickly whipt, att the discretion of the said Mr Hinckley, for the fact of vncleanes the said Burge comitted with Lydia Gaunt, of Sandwich aforsaid; this to bee executed att Sandwich with all convenient speed, according to the law in that case prouided. October 1, 1661 (PCR 4:4-7) In answare vnto a petition prefered to the Court by Jone, the wife of Obadiah Miller requesting that shee may haue libertie to make sale of some of the land that her deceased husband left vndisposed of, the Court, haueing considered that her request is in the behalfe of her daughter, whoe shee saith is weake and stands in need theof, do giue libertie that one quarter pte of the said land, and of what is left by her said deceased husband, may beesold for the releife of her said daughter; and what it shalbee sold for shalbee carfully disposed of to the vse of Bathshebah Coggen, att the descretion of Richard W x and Walter Deane, of Taunton, and the resedue of the said lands, &c, bee reserued by them for the vse of the rest of the children of the deceased Thomas Coggen, prouided that the said Jone Miler doe put in sufficient cecuritie that the said estate shalbee soe disposed of. Att this Court, adminnestration was graunted vnto Samuell House, Junir, and Elizabeth House, the sone and daughter of Samuell House, deceased, to adminnester on the estate of the said Samuell, Senir, deceased. The condition, that if Anna Bessey shall and doe appeer att the Court to bee holden att Plymouth the first Tusday in March next, to answare for her vnaturall and crewell carriages towards Gorge Barlow, her father in law, and not depart the said Court without lycence; that then, &c. Released. Dorcas Bessey owethe our sou lord the Kinge the sume of 10:00:00. The condition, that if Mary Bessey shall and doe appeer att the Generall Court to bee holden att Plymouth the firt Tusday in March next, to answare for her vntaruall and crewell carriages towards Gorg Barlow, her father in law, and not depart the said Court without lycnce; that then, &c. Released. Mary Bessey oweth our sou lord the Kinge the sume of 20:00:00. The condition, that if Dorcas Bessey shall and doe appeer att the Generall Court to bee holden att Plymouth the first Tusday in March next, to answare for her vnaturall and crewell carriages towards Gorge Barlow, her father in law, and not depart the said Court without lycence; that then, &c. October the 1, 1661. Whereas I, Abraham Peirce, Junir, haue follishly and vnadvisedly reported to Ruth Sprague and Bethyah Tubbs, att the house of Francis Sprague, that Rebeckah Alden and Hester Delanoy were withchild, and that thervpon wee should haue young troopers within three quarters of a yeare, I doe freely and from my hart owne my fault heerin, and am hartily sorry that I haue so spooken, to theire great reproch and wronge and the defamation of theire relations, which I earnestly desire may bee passed by of them all; and I hope I shall for euer heerafter take heed what I doe speake and report of any att any time. March 4, 1661-2 (PCR 4:8-9) Mr Thomas Prence is authorised by the Court to giue an oath to Hannah, the wife of the late deceased Nathaniell Mayo, att Eastham, for the truth of the inventory of the estate of the said Nathaniell Mayo. The like to Captaine Thomas Willett, for the truth of the will and inventory of the widdow Martine, of Rehoboth. Letters of adminnistration is graunted vnto Hannah, the wife of the said Nathaniell Mayo, deceased, to adminnister vpon his estate, &c. The like was graunted vnto Faith Clarke, widdow, to adminnester on the estate of Thirston Clarke, deceased. Conserning a controversy betwixt Jone Tilson, widdow, and John Barnes, about the prise of a cow by him receiued in pte of the pay due for the land att Lakenham, the Court haue ordered, that John Barnes shall repay or discount the sume of twelue shillings vnto the said widdow Tilson; and soe the matter is ended. Wheras Robert Whetcombe and Mary Cudworth was formerly fined, for disorderly coming together without consent of theire parents and lawful marriage, the sume of ten pounds, and imprisioned during the pleasure of the Court, haueing since bine orderly married, and liueing orderly together, and following theire callinges industriously, and attending the worship of God dilligently, as is testifyed by some of theire naighbours of good report, the Court haue seen good to remitt fiue pounds of the said fine; in respect alsoe of theire pouertie, the Treasurer is ordered likewise to bee slow in demaunding the remainder. March 4, 1661-2 (PCR 4:10-11) An order directed to Richard Willams and Walter Deane, of Taunton, as followeth:-- Wheras, by an order of Court bearin date the first of October, 1661, libertie was graunted vnto Jone Miller to make sale of a quarter pte of the land of Thomas Goggen, deceased, and that what it should bee sold for should bee improued for the releife of Bathsheba Coggen, att youer descretions, these are therfore to signify vnto you, that the Courts order farther is, that whatsoeuer shalbee improued of the said land sold for the releife of the said Bathsheba Coggen, that you take sufficient securitie of the said Jone Miller, in the behalfe of the Court, for the same before it be let goe out of youer hands. The Courts order. p mee, NATHANIELL MORTON, Clarke. *Anna Bessey, for her crewell and vnaturall practice towards her father in law, Gorge Barlow, in choping of him in the backe, nothwithstanding the odiousness of her fact, the Court, considering of some sercomstances, viz, her ingeniouse confession, together with her psent condition, being with child, and some other pticulares, haue sentanced her to pay a fine of ten pounds, or to bee publickly whipt att some othe convenient time when her condition will admitt therof. Doncas Bessey and Mary Bessey, for carriages of like nature towards theire said father in law, though not in soe high a degree, wer both sentanced to sit in the stockes during the pleasure of the Court; which accordingly was pformed. The younger, viz, Mary Bessey, was sharply reproued by the Court, as being by her disobeydience the occationers of the euill abouemencioned. Gorg Barlow and his wife were both seuerly reproued for theire nost vngodly liueing in contension one with the other, and admonished to liue otherwise. Robert Barker, for his wife and son theire changing of a gun with an Indian, fined ten pounds. May 7, 1662 (PCR 4:11) Concerning a difference betwixt Abraham Jackson and Rose, the wife of Thomas Morton, the said Abraham complaining that the said Rose, as hee came from worke, did abuse him by calling of him lying rascall and rogue, which was testifyed by Jonathan Prat likewise, vpon oath, the Court declared, and ordered to bee recorded, that they apprehend, that notwithstanding her soe peremptory deneyall that shee called him rogue, they doe beleiue that shee soe did call him; and wheras shee owned that shee called him lying rascall, and said shee was sorry for it, and promised to bee more carfull of her words for the future, they haue for the psent pased it by. June 3, 1662 (PCR 4:16-19) Lres of adminnestration is graunted vnto Mirriam Wormall to adminnester on the estate of Josepth Wormall, deceased. *Mr Timothy Hatherly is heerby engaged and stands bound vnto the Gou and Court of New Plymouth in the sume of an hundred pounds, to saue harmless the said Gou and Court from any damage that may arise by the letters of adminnestration graunted by the Court vnto Meriam Wormall, widdow, to adminester on the estate of Josepth Wormall, deceased. Leiftenant James Wyate, together with the widdow Allice Deane, of Taunton, doe both of them joyntly and seuerally stand bound vnto the Gou and Court of New Plymouth in the sume of twenty pounds, to saue harmles the Court and vndamnifyed by theire pmitting of a legacye of ten pounds to bee payed by Thomas Troubridge, of New Hauen, vnto Isacke Deane, of Taunton, the said Isacke Dean being vnder age. Mr Hatherley is desired and deputed by the Court to adminnester an oath to the widdow Vtley, of Scittuate, for the truth of the inventory of her husbands estate, whoe is lately deceased, in regard that shee is weake and ill, and not able to make her psonall appeerance att the Court. Lres of adminnestration is graunted vnto Mistris Allice Parker, of Taunton, to adminester on the estate of Mr Willam Parker, deceased. Lres of adminnestration is graunted vnto James Leanard, of Taunton, to adminnester on the estate of Thomas Billington, of Taunton, late deceased. *Conserning a cow belonging to Jane, the daughter of Anthony Bessey, of Sandwich, the Court haue ordered Gorge Barlow, in whose hands the said cow hath bine for som tim, to returne her to the ouerseers of the estate of the said Anthony Bessey, to bee disposed of by them for the vse and good of the said Jane Bessey. *In reference to a petition prefered to the Court by sundry of the freemen, and in reference vnto a graunt made to some to looke out accomodations of land, as being the first borne children of this goument, and for the disposing of two seuerall tracts of land lately purchased, the one by Major Winslow and the other by Captaine Southworth, the Court, haueing viewed the seuerall lists of the names of those that desired to bee accomodated therin, haue settled it vpon those whose names follow:-- [the second listing is as follows] Anthony Anible, for his daughter, Hannah Burman, Willam Nelson, by right of his wife. June 10, 1662 (PCR 4:22) The court doe likewise authorise the said Mr Timothy Hatherly to adminnester an oath to the widdow Vtley for the truth of the inventory of the estate of her husband, late deceased. *Att this Court, Thomas Bird, for comitting of seuerall adulterouse practices and attempts, soe farr as strength of nature would pmitt, with Hannah Bumpas, as hee himselfe did acknowlidge, was sentanced by the Court to bee whipt two seuerall times, viz, the first time att the psent Court, and the second time betwixt this and the fifteenth day of July next. And the said Hannah Bumpas, for yeilding to him, and not makeing such resistance against him as shee ought, is sentanced to bee publickly whipt, which accordingly was pformed. And likewise the abouesaid Thomas Bird hath engaged to the Court to make payment of the full sume of ten pounds vnto the abouesaid Hannah Bumpas or her assignes, in pte of satisfaction for the wronge hee hath done her as abouesaid. October 3, 1662 (PCR 4:29) The wife of Gorg Crispe being psented for a lye, the Court, haueing considered the matter, doe find that shee spake a falshood, but judge it not to come vnder the notion of a pnisious lye, but onely vnadvisedly, and soe require not the fine. March 3, 1662-3 (PCR 4:31-34) Letters of adminnestration are graunted vnto Jonathan Hatch and Lydia, the wife of Henery Taylor, to adminester vpon the estate of Thomas Hatch, deceased, to pay all lawfull debts owing from the said estate, and to bee reddy to giue account therof vnto the Court. Nathaniel Church and Elizabeth Soule, for comitting fornication with each other, were fined, according to the law, each of them, 05:00:00. May 5, 1663 (PCR 4:35) In answare vnto a petition prefered to the Court by Judith, the wife of Willam Peakes, of Scittuate, in reference vnto her son Josias Leichfeild, the adopted son of John Allin, deceased, the Court haue ordered and doe heerby giue libertie vnto the said Josias Leichfeild to choose two guardians, and to psent them vnto the next Generall Court. June 1, 1663 (PCR 4:39) *The Court haue ordered, concerning the disposing of the estate of Faith Clarke, widdow, deceased, that her daughter, Faith Dotey, widdow, shall haue a quarter pte, or one pte of foure, of the goods and chattles of the said Faith Clarke, her debts being discharged; and the remainder three ptes of four, or three quarters therof, shalbee equally deuided betwixt her two sonnes, Henery and Thurston Clarke; and that Captaine Bradford and Josepth Andrewes shall make the said deuision, together with another whom the said Faith Dotey shall make choise of; and that the said Capt Bradford and Josepth Andrewes shall take course that the debts due from the said estate bee defrayed out of the same. Wheras John Allin, of Scittuate, and Anna, his wife, longe since tooke Josias Leichfeild as theire adopted child, with purpose to bringe him vp, and to doe for him as theire child, and soe faithfully pformed during the said Allin his life, and not long before his death was mindfull of him; yett being suddainly taken away, left not his mind soe full and pticulare concerning him as hee intende and might haue bine desired; yett soe much appeered to the Court vpon oath as in theire apprehensions carryed the true intent and force of a will. The said Josias haueing chosen Leiftenant James Torrey and Cornett Robert Studson his guardians, it was att this Court agreed between Anna, the relict of the said Allin, and the boyes abouenamed guardians, with the Courts approbation and likeing, that the said Josias should haue twenty pounds sterling payed into the hands of his said guardians about Michilmus next, by them to bee improued for him, and soon after that time to bee freed & to bee put forth to a trad, and conveniently fited out with suitable apparrell and nessarries; and when hee shall come to the age of twenty one yeares, to bee posessed of the farme and appurtenances giuen him by the said John Allin, deceased. June 1, 1663 (PCR 4:42-43) The Court being enformed that Josepth Rogers, of Namassakeesett, hath frequently and from time kept companie with Mercye, the wife of Willam Tubbs, in a way and after such manor as hath giuen cause att least to suspect that there hath bine laciuiouse actes comitted by them, the Court sees cause and haue required the said Josepth Rogers to remoue his dwelling from Namassakeesett aforsaid by the twentieth day of this instant June, and haue alsoe declared vnto him that if att any time hee shall bee taken att the house of the said Tubbs, or in the companie of the said Marcye Tubbs alone in any place, that then hee shall forth with bee taken and seuerly whipt; and the said Willam Tubbs was by the Court strictly charged not to tollarate him to come to his house or where hee hath to doe att any time, as hee will answare the same att his pill. In answare vnto a petion pfered to the Court by Mr Thomas Clarke, and Thomas Pope, the ouerseers of the estate of Mistris Sarah Jeney, deceased, in reference vnto a mare disposed of by the Treasurer in the behalfe of the countrey, the Court haue allowed them, in reference vnto the children of the said Mistris Jeney, the first horse beast, bee it horse or mare, that shalbee found to belonge vnto the countrey. August 4, 1663 (PCR 4:44) Vpon the motion of Mr Hatherley and Mr Tildin, in the behalfe of the widdow, Mistris Lydia Garrett, of Scittuate, to haue libertie to sell stronge liquors, in regard that sundry in that towne are oft times in nessesitie therof, this Court dothe giue libertie vnto the said Lydia Garrett to sell liquors, alwaies prouided that the orders of Court concerning selling of liquors bee obserued, and that shee sell none but to house keepers, and not lesse than a gallon att a time. October 5, 1663 (PCR 4:46-47) Letters of adminnestration is graunted vnto Lydia Rawlins, widdow, to adminnester on the estate of Nathaniel Rawlins, deceased. Captaine Willett is requested to adminnester an oath to the widdow Abell, of Rehoboth, for the truth of the inventory of the estate of Robert Abell, deceased. Memorand: that the Court doe consider of the condition of Naomy Siluester, widdow, her deceased husband haueing by his last will and testament left, in an absolute way, but a smale, inconsiderable pte of his estate vnto her; that the Court take some prudent course that shee haueing approued herselfe, as appeers by the testimony of some of her naighbours, to bee a frugall and laborious woman in the procuring of the said estate. Mercy Tubbs acknowlidgeth to owe vnto our sou lord} the Kinge the sume of........................}20:00:00 Willam Tubbs the sume of.......................... 10:00:00 The condition, that if the said Marcye Tubbs bee of good behauior towards our sou lord the Kinge and all his leich people, and appeer att the Court to bee holden att Plymouth the first Tusday in March next, and not depart the said Court without lycence; that then, &c. The abouesaid Marcye Tubbs and Josepth Rogers, for theire absean and laciuous behauior each with other, cleared against them by the trauers of a psentment against them, were centanced by the Court to find sureties for theire good behauior as abouesaid, and fined each fifty shillings for the vse of the collonie. Willam Norkett, for comitting fornication with his now wife, fined fiue pounds. Ralph Earle, for drawing his wife in an vnciuell manor on the snow, is fined twenty shillings. Richard Berry, and Willam Griffin and his wife, and Richard Michell and his wife, for playing att cards, fined each of them forty shillings, according to the law, to the vse of the collonie. These fines are since remited by the Court held in March, 1663. March 1, 1663-4 (PCR 4:54-55) Lres of adminnestration graunted vnto the said Mistris Newman, together with her son, Mr Samuell Newman, Junir, to adminnester on the said estate. Lres of adminnestration graunted vnto the widdow, Joannah Abell, to adminnester on the estate of Robert Abell, deceased. Mr Hinckley is appointed by the Court to adminnester an oath to the widdow Lewis for the truth of the inventory of the estate of Gorge Lewis, deceased, and to take securitie in the Courts behalfe for her true and faithfull adminnestration on the said estate. And likewise Mr Hinckley is authorised by the Court to adminnester an oath to the witnesses of the last will and testament of Mistris Jone Swift, deceased. May 3, 1664 (PCR 4:58) *Att this Court, Hannah Churchill, widdow, desired that the one halfe of the land graunted to Willam Pontus, being in the diusion of lands att Namassakett and places adjacent, might bee confeirmed vnto her and her heires and assignes for euer: the Court, considering of her request, and serching the records conserning both the will of the said deceased Willam Pontus and the manor of the graunt of the said lands, haue, with the consent likewise of Phillip Delanoy, whoe was then psent, and with the consent of Mary, his wife, the other daughter of the said Willam Pontus, settled the one halfe of the whole intire share of land lying and being att Namasskett of places adjacent, will all and singulare the meddows and all other appurtenances thervnto belonging, vpon and vnto the said Hannah Churchill, widdow, to her and her heires and assignes for euer. Lres of adminnestration was graunted, att this Court, vnto Syselia Fish, widdow, to adminnester on the estate of Mr John Fish, deceased. June 8, 1664 (PCR 4:66) Willam Paybody, for makeing a writing for the seperating of Willam Tubbs from Marcye, his wife, in reference vnto theire marriage bond, is fined by the Court the sume of fiue pounds; and Leiftentant Nash and John Sprague, for subscribing as witnesses to the said writing, are fined each three pounds. Att this Court, a protest was openly published, att the request of Willam Tubbs, against Mercye, his wife, as disowneing all debts that shee shall make vnto any from this time forward, as not intended to pay any of them to any pson whatsoeuer. July 27, 1664 (PCR 4:69) Concerning two psentments, the one against Samuell Sabin, of Rehoboth, and Mary Billington, and the other against Mary Marriho, of Yarmouth, the former, viz, that of Rehoboth, is refered to Mr Hinckley to heare and determine. August 2, 1664 (PCR 4:70) Att this Court, an acquittance was shewen in the Court, wherby it appeered that the portion belonging to Sarah Andrews, the daughter of Mr Henery Andrews, of Tauntion, deceased, is fully payed and satisfyed; which said acquittance was signed with Jared Talbut, and witnessed by Gorg Macye and Willam Harvey, whose names were subscribed thervnto with theire owne hands. October 4, 1664 (PCR 4:77) Ruhamah Turner, for comitting fornication, fined 05:00:00. Seuerall of the naighbors of Sandwich engaged to pay this fine in the behalfe of Ruhamah Turner. February 7, 1664/65 (PCR 4:80) *In answare vnto the desire and motion of Henery Wood and Thomas Pope, that for as much as it dothe appeer by the last will and testament of Mistris Sarah Jenney, deceased, that did att her death giue and bequeath vnto the eldest daughters of Samuell Jenney, Henery Wood, and Thomas Pope a mare colt; and that Sarah, the eldest daughter of the said Samuell Jenney, is deceased before shee came to age, that therfore the surviuers of the said daughters might haue the pte of the deceased, the Court, takeing notice of the tearmes of the will, &c, adjudged it the right of the survivers, viz, Sarah Wood and Sussanah Pope; but forasmuch as Samuell Jenney was not psent, and that his plea about it hath not bine heard, it was refered to the Generall Court to bee holden in March next, att which time the said Samuell Jenney is to bee psent, and to make his plea, if hee hath any thinge to speake in the case. March 7, 1664-5 (PCR 4:81-84) Lres of adminnestration was graunted by the Court vnto Joyce, the wife of Thomas Lumbert, deceased, and vnto Jedediah Lumbert and Caleb Lumbert, to adminnester of the estate of the said deceased Thomas Lumbert. Lres of adminnestration were likewise graunted vnto Stephen Vinall and John Vinall, to adminnester of the estate of Ann Vinall, deceased. Wee, whose names are heervnder subscribed, doe heerby signify to all psons whome it may concerne, that, acording to our best light and apprehension, Rebeckah Sale, the late wife of Edward Sale, was her owne executioner, viz, shee hanged her selfe in her owne hiered house. JOHN READ, Senir, PETER HUNT, JOHN PERREN, Senir, JAMES REDWAY, ROGER ANNADOWN, WILLAM SABIN, HENERY SMITH, JOHN FITCH, THOMAS COOPER, Junir, JOHN PECKE, NICHOLAS PECKE, SAMUELL PECKE, DANIELL SMITH. Wee, shose names are subscribed heerto, doe heerby signify to all psons whom it may conserne, that Elizabeth Walker, the daughter of Phillip Walker, of the towne of Rehoboth, was accedentally drowned; shee, being sent to scoole, was found alsoe accedentally in the riuer first by two youthes; and they makeing knowne the same to two wemen, the wife of Nicholas Jyde and the wife of Roger Annadowne, and then to Willam Sabine, whoe forth with came and drew her out of the water, as hee saith. From the testimony of the afor specifyed psons, together with other concurring cercomstances, wee the subscribers, conceiue that the child, which was two yeares and an halfe old, before specifyed, came accedentally to her end. STEPHEN PAINE, Senir, THOMAS COOPER, JOHN READ, Senir, PETER HUNT, JOHN PERRAM, ROBERT FULLER, ANTHONY PERREY, NICHOLAS PECKE, JOHN FITCH, HENERY SMITH, JOHN BUTTERWORTH, DANIELL SMITH. Ruhamah Turner, of Sandwich, for comitting fornication with John Ewen, was fined the sume of fiue pounds to the vse of the collonie. May 3, 1665 (PCR 4:87-88) Wheras Willam Newland standeth bound vnto this Court in the sume of three hundred pounds sterling faithfully to pay and make good vnto the children of Josepth Holley, deceased, the sume of six score pounds sterling, the Court, takeing notice and being sertifyed by seuerall writings vnder the hands of the said children and otherwise that they, the said children of the said Josepth Holley, Senir, deceased, viz, Josepth Holley, Junir, Mary the wife of Nathaniell Fitsrandall, Sarah, the wife of Josepth Allin, Experience Holley, and Hopestil, the wife of Samuell Worden, haue receiued theire seurall ptes and portions of the said sume, viz, euery of them twenty foure pounds, doe therfore fully and absolutely discharge the said Willam Newland, hee, his heires, exequitiors, and adminnestrators, from the abouesaid bond and obligation, haueing fully paied the said sume vnto the said children aboue expressed. Att this Court Gorge Barlow appeered, being summoned to answare for attempting the chastity of Abigaill, the wife of Jonathan Pratt, by aluring words and actes of force, being to the affrighting and much wronging of the said Abigaill in the house shee dwells in, being then alone; the said Barlow bee ^ examined, deneyed the said acusation in all the ptes of it; notwithstanding, the Court saw cause to require bonds of him for his good behauior vntill the Generall Court to bee holden att Plymouth the first Tusday in June next after the date heerof as followeth:-- Gorg Barlow acknowlidgeth to owe vnto our sou lord} 20:00:00 the Kinge the sume of........................} Thomas Sauory the sume of ......................... 10:00:00 June 9, 1665 (PCR 4:89) Wheras there was an agreement made between the Court and Leftenant James Torrey and Cornett Robert Studson, as guardians vnto Josias Leichfeild and Anna, somtimes the wife of John Allen, bearing date June, 1663, and stands vpon record pticularly to bee seen, wee doe heerby declare and testify, that the said agreement wee did and doe clearly vnderstand was for a full and finall issue and settlement of what ptained vnto the said Leichfeild from Goodman Allens estate. THO: PRINCE, Gou. JON ALDEN JOS: WINSLOW THO: SOUTHWORTH THO: HINCKLEY WILL BRADFORD. June 7, 1665 (PCR 4:98) Ann Hinde, the wife of Willam Hoskins, aged 25 yeares or therabouts, being examined and deposed before Mr Edward Winslow in a case between John Darbey and John Chipman, afeirmeth vpon oath as followeth:-- That the said Ann liued in the house of Mr Darbeyes father with the said John Chipman att such time as the said John Chipman came from thence to New England to serue Mr Richard Darbey, his brother; and that the said Ann came afterwards likewise ouer to serue the said Richard Darbey, when old Mr Darbey requested this deponant to comend him to his cozen Chipman, and tell him if hee were a good by hee would send him ouer the money that was due to him when hee say good; and further, wheras this deponant heard the said John Darbey affeirme that his money was payed to John Chipmans mother, shee further deposeth that his said mother was dead a quarter of a yeare or therabouts before her old master sent this message to his cozen Chipman; all which this deponant sweareth, and further knoweth not. Before mee, EDWARD WINSLOW. Taken the 2cond of March, 1641. June 9, 1665 (PCR 4:101) The condition, that if the said John rushell shall and doe appeer att the Generall Court of his matie to bee holden at Plymouth the first Tusday in October next, to answare to any thinge that may bee further objected against him conserning attempting the chastitie of Hannah, the wife of Willam Spooner, &c, and in the interem of time bee of good behauior towards our sou lord the Kinge and all his leich people, and not depart the said Court without lycence; that then, &c. August 1, 1665 (PCR 4:103) Att this court, Edward Williams, att the request of the Court, engaged to pay vnto Ann Crooker, widdow, the sume of forty shillinges in good cloth, att a reasonable rate, which hee giueth vnto the said widdow, to bee forth deliuered vnto her or her assignes att his returning home; which hee doth in consideration of her poor condition, and that it bee a finall end of all controuersyes between the said Ann Crooker and the said Willams conserning her sonne, Moses Crooker. October 3, 1665 (PCR 4:105-106) The Court doth alow vnto Sarah Ormsbey, widdow, the best bed that shee hath, with a boulster and paire of pillowes, a paire of sheets, a paire of blanketts, and the best rugg or couerlidd that was left, and curtaines and vallence to the bed, and all her owne wearing apparrell. Lres of adminnestration are graunted vnto Thomas Roes, of Scittuate, and his wife, to adminnester on the estate of Jonas Pickles, deceased. These psents witnesses, that the abouenamed Thomas Roes engageth before the Court, that if incase God giue him any children, that when hee dieth hee will leaue that estate which God giues him to bee equall deuided amongst the children of Jonas Pickles and his in equal proportion; and incase hee die without any child of his owne before his wife, hee will leaue his estate vnto his wife to bee disposed of by her; and likewise hee dothe engage, that if his wife die before him, that hee will dispose of a considerable pte of his estate to the children of the said Jonas Pickles as the Court shall thinke meet. +Lres of adminnestration are graunted vnto ^ , the wife of Leifte James Torrey, deceased, to adminnester on his estate, and hath giuen securitie to the Court for her true adminnestration thereof.+ *+Att this Court Ensigne John Willams appeered, being sumoned to answare the complaint of Mr Barnabas Laythorp, in the behalfe of his sister, the wife of the said Williams, whoe complaned of the said Willams of vnkind, churlish, and vnworthy behauior in seuerall respects towards his wife; shee being alsoe in Court, appeering according to sumons, and pleaded her innosensy in such thinges as were by him layed to her charge, especially in reference vnto the child lately borne of her body, affeirming before her and vnto him in the Court that the said child was his, begotten by him, the Court being+ ^ ^ Sarah Ensigne, for comiting whordome agreuted with diuers cercomstances, was centansed by the Court to bee whipt att the cartstaile; and that it bee left to the descretion of such of the majestrates as shall see the said punishment inflicted for the number of stripes, but not to exceed twenty, which accordingly was inflicted this Court. October 3, 1665 (PCR 4:110) One hundred and fifty acrees of land are graunted by the Court vnto the three sisters, the daughters of Roger Chandeler, deceased, viz, to each of them fifty acrees, lying between the Bay line and the bounds of Taunton, according to the desire of John Bundey. Letters of adminnestration are graunted vnto Ann, the relect of Leiftenant James Torrey, late of Scittuate, deceased, to adminnester on the estate left by him, the said estate being left in her hand to be improued for the bringing vp of theire children, both whiles shee remaines a widdow and afterwards, if it please God to alter her condition, and for that end haue impowered Mr Joseph Tilden and Walter Hatch to bee ouerseers therof. December 2, 1665 (PCR 4:111-112) In reference vnto the complaint of Hester, the wife of John Rickard, against Ann, the wife of Willam Hoskins, for slaundering her in saying the said Hester was as drunke as a bitch, and found in private companie in an ordinary with John Ellis, of Sandwich, the said Ann Hoskins acknowlidging her fault in open Court in reporting such thinges, haueing noe sufficient ground soe to doe, the said Hester Rickard therin rested satisfyed, and soe the matter was ended. March 6, 1665-6 (PCR 4:117) Letters of adminnestration are graunted vnto Gorge Watson to adminnester on the estate of Mistris Margarett Hickes, deceased. Lres of adminnestration are graunted vnto Mistris Mary Howes to adminnester on the estate of Mr Thomas Howes, deceased. June 5, 1666 (PCR 4:125-131) *Att this Court, Elizabeth, the wife of John Williams, appeered with complaing against her husband, the said John Williams, for his great abusiue and vnaturall carryages towards her, both in work and deed, in defaming her in rendering her to bee a whore, and by psisting in his refusing to pforme marriage duty vnto her according to what both the law of God and man requireth, which more att large appeerthe by a writing vnder her hand. And wheras the said John Williams obtained liberty of the Court of haue the case tryed by a jury, accordingly a jury was impanneled for the tryall of the said case, whose names are as followeth:-- John Tomson, Ephraim Tinkham, John Dingley, Gilbert Brookes, John Smalley, Robert Vixon, Trustrum Hull, John Done, John Joyce, John Washburne, John Pecke, John Howland. These all sworne. These found the abouesaind complaint to bee true or just. And accordingly the Court proseeded to pase centance against him as followeth:-- Wheras Elizabeth, the wife of John Williams, exhibited a complaint against her husband vnto the Court of Assistants held att Plymouth the first day of May last past before the date heerof, for many abusiue carriages towards her both in work and deed, by defaming her in rendering her to bee a whore, and psisting in his refusing to pforme marriage duty vnto her, as alsoe that hee hath not onely withheld nessesary comforts and conveniencyes suitable to her estate from her, but hath carryed bitterly towards her in many respects; and wheras hee should haue bine a shelter and a protection vnto her, hath endeauored to reproach, insnare, and betray her, &c, as by that her declaration aboue mencioned is more att large expressed; & that att the said John William his request the aboue said complaint was att this Court put vpon tryall by a jury of his equalls, and a verdict brought in against him, and that they found her complaint to be true or just, which did alsoe appeer to our satisfaction by euidence, himselfe alsoe declaring his insufficiency for converse with weomen,-- The Court, haueing seriously considered of the matter, doe judge, that it is not safe or convenient for her to liue with her husbnad, but doe giue her liberty att psent to depart from him vnto her frinds vntill the Court shall otherwise order or hee shall apply himselfe vnto her in such a way as shee may be better satisfyed to returne to him againe, and doe order him to apparrell her suitably att the present, and furnish her with a bed and beding and such like nessesaryes, and to alow her ten pounds yearly to maintaine her while shee shalbe thuse absent from him, and for pformance heerof doe require that hee put in cecuritite, or that one third pte of theire estate bee cecured for hier liuelihood and comfort. 2condly. For that hee hath greatly defamed and otherwise abused his said wife as in the pmises, wee adjudge him to stand in the street or markett place by the post with an inscription ouer him that may declare to the world his vnworthy carriages towards his wife. Att the earnest request of his wife, this pte of the centance was remited and not executed. 3dly. Inasmuch as hese his wicked carryages haue bine contrary to the lawes of God and man, and alsoe very disturbing and expensiue to this goument, wee doe amerce him to pay a fine of twenty pound to the vse of the collonie. In reference to the Courts centance of John Williams his fine, and the cecuring of one third of his estate towards his wifes maintainance, the Court orders the cheife marshall to make distresse on the goods of the said William for his fine to the countrey according as in such case by law is prouided; and as to the cecuring of one third of his estate for his wifes maintainance or liuelyhood, the Court orders, that incase hee refuse to sett out one third to his wifes order which is desired, or to giue her cecuritie for the payment of the ten pounds annually according to order, then the cheife marshall to see an equall deuision of the said estate, viz, lands, goods, and chattles, into three ptes, which shalbee brought to his view or cognizance by Elizabeth, the wife of the said Willaims, with the healp of Captaine Cudworth, Isacke Chettenden, or any other of her naighbours; and being soe deuided, to deliuer one of the three ptes vnto the said Elizabeth or her order, to bee deposed by her for the ends aforsaid; the said marshall being to take care, in pformance of this his order, that it bee done in such a way as may bee least prejudiciall to the said estate. The Verdict of the Corroners Enquest concerning the sudden Death of Mary, the Wife of Thomas Totman, of Scittuate. Wee, whose names are vnder subscribed, being impanelled on a jury by the constable of Scittuate, the 10th day of Aprill, 1666, to enquire after the death of Mary, the wife of Thomas Totman, and haueing viewed the corpes and heard what euidence can speake, doe giue in this following as our verdict:-- That Mary, the wife of Thomas Totman, gathered, dressed, and did eate a root, which wee judge, shee mistakeing it, thinking it to bee the same which shee had formerly often eaten of; but the root being of a poisonous nature, eateing of it, wee judge, was the sole cause and occation of her death; and that wee all agree heervnto, withnes our hands this 24th of Aprill, 1666. p me, JAMES CUDWORTH, WILLAM WITHERELL, HUMPHERY TURNER, JOHN TURNER, JOHN BRYANT, JOHN ROGERS, ELISHA BESBEY, the marke of EZEKIELL MAYNE, JOB JUDKIN, his marke. EDWARD WRIGHT, his marke. EDWARD WANTON, his marke. HENERY EWELL, his marke. Forty acrees of land is graunted by the Court vnto Rebecka, the wife of Hezekiah Hoare, of Taunton, in some convenient place neare Taunton bounds. October 31, 1666 (PCR 4:136-137) Att this Court, John Phillips, of Marshfeild, tendered to make payment of the sum of ten pounds vnto Grace Halloway, the daughter of Willam Halloway, deceased, the said Grace Halloway being now of age to receiue the said sume as her portion, and shee haueing requested Major Winslow to aduised her in reference vnto the future way of her liulyhood; the Court, alsoe, approueing therof, haue alsoe ordered, that the said sume of ten pounds bee deliuered vnto him for to be improued by him for her vse. In reference vnto the complaint of Elizabeth, the wife of Gorg Vaughn, and alsoe the complaint of the wife of Samuell Eaton, against and Indian called Sampson, allias Bump, for most insolent and intollorable carriages towards them, whoe coming into the house of the said Vaughan, hee not being att home, and held vp his knife att the said Elizabeth Vaughn seuerall times in a threatening way and manor as if hee would haue wounded her, with other insolent carriages that much affrighted her, and also carrying to the wife of Samuell Eaton att the same time very wickedly by twisting of her necke to the indangering of her life, and alsoe other insolent carriages to Francis Billington att the same time, whoe was sent for to rescue the said weomen from his violence and wickednes; for which said facts, agrauted by diuers other pticluares, hee was centanced by the Court to be seurely whipt att this psent Court, and to bee branded in the shoulder with a Roman P, which accordingly was inflicted. March 5, 1666-7 (PCR 4:140-142) Arther Howland, Junir, for inveigling of Mistris Elizabeth Prence and makeing motion of marriage to her, and procecuting the same contrary to her parrents likeing, and without theire consent, and directly contrary to theire mind and will, was centanced to pay a fine of fiue pounds and to find surties for his good behauior, and in speciall that hee desist from the vse of any meanes to obtaine or retaine her affections as aforsaid. In reference vnto a box attached by John Rickard for a debt of fifteen shillings due from Elizabeth More, the Court haue awarded vnto the said Rickard a petticoate of the said Mores, which is to answare the said debt and the charges of the suite. Joseph Hollet and Elizabeth, his wife, for comitting carnall coppulation each with other before marriage or contract, fined ten pounds. Letters of adminnestration was graunted vnto Hosea Joyce to adminnester on the estate of Mr John Joyce, deceased. Memorand: that Dinah Siluester, Sarah Smith, and the daughter of Edward Jenkens, bee summoned to the next Court. The condicion, that wheras the said Arther Howland hath disorderly and vnrighteously indeauored to obtaine the affections of Mistris Elizabeth Prence against the mind and will of her parents, if, therfore, the said Arther Howlnd shall for the future refraine and desist from the vse of any meanes to obtaine or retaine her affections as aforsaid, and appeer att the Court of his matie to be holden att Plymouth the first Tusday in July next, and in the mean time be of good behauior towards our sou lord the King and all his leich people, and not depart the said Court without lycence; that then, &c. June 5, 1667 (PCR 4:153-156) This Court haue ordered and appointed Capt James Cudworth and Mr Joseph Tilden, in the behalfe of Elizabeth Williams, the wife of John Williams, to demaund and receiue what is due to her from her said husband for her annuall allowance according to order of Court, and that incase there shalbe occation therof, that one of them bee an apriser of that which shalbe payed vnto her in that behalfe, and incase either of them shalbe by Prouidence hindered from pforming what is required of them in that case, that then John Gallett is to supply his rome by the Courts appointment. Att this Court, Mary Hacke, of Taunton, sollisted the Court to haue libertie to bestow herselfe in marriage, and produced diuers testimonies to make in manifest to the Court that Willam Hacke, her husband, is dead, hee haueing left her about three yeares since, and went for England, and that shee neuer receiued any letter from him since, nor any other intilligence from or concerning him, saue the said testimones, which serued to euidence that hee is deceased. The Court not being satisfyed in the testimonies soe fully as to graunt her libertie of marriage att the psent, they refered the case for further clearing vntill the next October Court. July 2, 1667 (PCR 4:158-159) Arther Howland, Junir, did sollemly and seriously engage before this Court, that hee will wholly desist and neuer apply himselfe for the future, as formerly hee hath done, to Mistris Elizabeth Prence in reference vnto the marriage. The Court haue graunted vnto Sarah, the wife of Thomas Haward, Junir, sixty acrees of land lying betwixt the line of the collonies and the bounds of Bridgwater. July 2, 1667 (PCR 4:162-164) In reference vnto Sarah, the daughter of John Smith, of Barnstable, her comitting of fornication, although the sume of ten pounds fine might be required for her said default, yett on some considerations the Court haue remited the one halfe therof, and doe require the sime of fiue pounds. Elizabeth Soule, for comitting fornication the second time, was centanced to suffer corporall punishment by being whipt att the post, which accordingly was executed and pformed. Dinah Siluester, for comitting fornication, fined ten pounds. Joseph Hallott & his wife, for comitting carnall coppulation before marriage and before contract, fined 10li:00:00. *Vpon a motion of mariage betwixt John Phillips, of Marshfeild, and Faith Dotey, of Plymouth, in the jurisdiction of Plymouth, in New England, in America, these pticulars were joyntly concluded of by the abouesaid pties, as followeth:-- Imprimis. That the children of both the said pties shall remaine att the free and proper and onely dispose of theire owne naturall parents, as they shall see good to dispose of them. Secondly. That the said Faith Dotey is to enjoy all her house and land, goods and cattles, that shee is now possessed of, to her owne proper vse, to dispose of them att her owne free will from time to time, and att any time, as shee shall see cause. Thirdly. That incase by death God should remoue the said John Phillips before her, that shee come to be left a widdow, that then shee shall haue and enjoy one third pte, or one pte of three, of all his estate that hee dieth posessed of for her liuelyhood during her life, --that is to say, one third of all his estate, either house, lands, or any other his reall estate, -- and att the end of her life, then it shall returne to the heirs of the said John Phillips, excepting her wearing apparrell and her bed and beding, and such furniture as belonges thervnto, which shee shall and may giue att her deathe to who shee pleaseth, all the rest of the thirds to returne to the heires of the said John Phillips. In witnes wherof the said John Phillips and Faith Dotey haue mutually and joyntly sett heervnto theire hands, this twenty third of February, anno 1666. The marke of JOHN PHILLIPES. The marke of FAITH DOTEY. In the psence of Thomas Southworth, Desire Dotey. October 30, 1667 (PCR 4:167-168) Wheras the Court haue formerly determined, that John Williams, Junir, of Scittuate, shall alow vnto Elizabeth, his wife, the sume of ten pounds p yeare for her maintainance vntill, by theire mutuall agreement or the Courts appointment, they shall come to liue together againe, this Court dothe further order, that the said Williams shall yearly renew bonds for the current discharge and payment therof. Likewise, letters of adminnestration were graunted vnto Sarah, the wife of Nathaniel Warren, deceased, to adminnester on his estate. November 18, 1667 (PCR 4:170-171) Timothy Poole, so of Captaine Willam Poole, being about twenty fiue yeares old, on the 15th day of Novuember, 1667, in the morning, went from the house of James Bell, pretending to goe to kill some fowle, to a smale pond about halfe mile from the house of James Bell; Hester, the wife of James Bell, reported that Timothy Poole told her that hee had killed some fowle, and that hee had some expectations to kill some more; but returning not that day, James Bell, comeing home to his house that day, made some serch in the woods for him, but not finding him, came to the towne to haue some others to goe to seeke him, with whom there were Henery Andrewes, John Hall, Jehud Talbut, Samuell Hall, Nathaniel Williams, Joseph Willams, and some others, which after some serch made by these by the syde of a smale pond, the found on the snow his tract, and by that came where they found his gun and most of his clothes, and from thence saw where the yice had bine formerly broken into the pond; and after that, when they had fehed a cannoe, and after some time of dilligent sech, Henery Andrewes discouered him att the bottome of the pond, about twelue foot deep in the water, which when they had gotten vp, they brought to the shore, and finding noe hurt on him any othewise but that hee perished in and bythe water and the extremity of cold; and this the berdict of the jury which was warned by the constabel, which are these vnderwritten by vs. GORG: HALL, GORG: MACEY, NICHOLAS WHITE, JOHN COBB, JOSEPH WILBORE, PETER PTTS, WILLIAM HAILSTONE, THOMAS CASWELL, JOHN DEANE, RICARD BRIGGS, JONAH AUSTIN, Junir, WILLAM HARVEY. March 5, 1667-8 (PCR 4:173-175) Leiftenant Morton and seuerall others of the naighbors liueing towards the Eelriuer gaue in att this Court an account of a late amesurment and ranging of theire lands, viz, theire twenty acree lotts, with theire additions of enlargments; that is to say, of theire said twenty acree lots, from the widdow Churchills bounds on the notheren syde to William Clarkes southerly bounds or line, and respecting the said aditions from Nathaniel Mortons notherly syde or line to Willam Clarkes southerly line of his addition, or the southermost bound of vper end of his land att the Eelriuer; and the Court ordered, that the said ranges and bounds should be recorded, and are extant eslwher in the records of the Court, and to be feirme and settled for the future, and not to be altered. In reference vnto a claime made by Benjamine Bartlett vnto some land giuen by Mr Jonathan Brewster, deceased, vnto his wife, which is said to lye in Alkarmus Feild, the Court haue ordered, that incase hee can produce any testimony to manifest wher Mr William Brewsters land lyeth within the said feild, that then hee shall haue four acrees layed out vnto him by William Crow; and incase that afterwards hee can produce any other euidence that more is due vnto him there, that hee shall haue it layed out to him. Lres of adminnestration were graunted vnto Mistris Elizabeth Thacher and vnto John Thacher to adminnester on the estate of Mr Anthony Thacher, deceased. Lres of adminnestration were graunted vnto Mary, the wife of Anthony Dodson, to adminnester on the estate of John Willams, Senir, of Scittuate, deceased. March 5, 1667-8 (PCR 4:178) In reference vnto a controuersy between Joseph Turner and Hester Wormall, concerning reports deuoulged by the said Turner against the said Hester Wormall, forasmuch as that notwithstanding such testimonies as haue bine produced on both sydes for the clearing of the case, it lyes dubiouse to the Court, it is for the psent suspended vntill further complaint and euidence shalbe produced vnto the Court for the clearing vp therof. June 3, 1668 (PCR 4:186-187) And I, Mary Sisson, doe testify, that I heard the same words att the same time; and further, when my husband was gon out of the house, I heard them both say they were troubled in conscience that they had concealled it soe longe, and did refuse to take pte of the grattification. Mary Philips and Jane Hallowey, for breaking the} Kings peace by strikeing each other, were fined} 00:03:04 each...........................................} Att this Court, vpon the oftens and earnest suite of Willam Tubbs to be diuorsed from his wife, shee haueing for a longe time sequestered herselfe from him, and will not be pswaded to returne to him, the Court haue directed letters to Road Iland to the goument there, in whose jurisdicion shee now is, to request them to take course that shee may be informed of the Courts pleasure and determination, that incase shee, the said Marcye Tubbs, the wife of William Tubbs, doe not returne vnto her said husband between this date and the Court of his matie to be holden att Plymouth the first Tusday in July next, that then hee, the said Willam Tubbs, shalbe diuorced from her. July 7, 1668 (PCR 4:191-193) John Willimas engaged to pay towards his wifes maintainances a barrell of beife and a barrell of porke, to be deliuered good and marchantable somtime in Nouember next vnto Mr Thomas Clarke att Boston, and a good cow not exceeding eight yeare old, and as much corn as will make the beife, porke, and cow ten pounds, to be deliuered att the now dwelling house of John Williams, in Scittuate, the second Tusday in May next, to the said Elizabeth Williams or her assignes. *Wheras Marcye, the wife of Willam Tubbs, being a woman of ill fame and light behauior apparently manifest, that for the space of four yeares and vpwards absented and withdrawne herselfe from her husband into another collonie, pretending shee is att libertie, and that, notwithstanding all the meanes and waies her husband can vse with safety, shee will not be reclaimed nor pswaded to returne and abide with him as shee ought to doe; and that, alsoe, by letters to the goument of Road Iland from this goument, due course hath bin taken to giue her certaine intelligence, that incase shee would not returne vnto and apply herselfe to her husband to liue with him as shee ought to doe betwixt the date of the said letters and this psent Court, that then hee should be diuorced from her; and that shee will neuer returne againe vnto him while her eyes are open; hee, the said Tubbs, appeering att this Court, and earnestly againe sollissiteing the Court for a diuorce from her,-- This Court, therfore, sees cause and doe heerby declard, that the said Willam Tubbs is legally cleare from his couenant of marriage formerly made with Marcye, his late wife, and free him from those dutyes relateing therto; and that the said Marcye hath cutt of herselfe from any right henceforth to the pson or estate of the said William Tubbs, her late husband, and heerby alowing him libertie further to dispose of himselfe in marriage, if hee see fitt soe to doe. |
