USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Springfield > Colonial justice in western Massachusetts, 1639-1702; the Pynchon court record, an original judges' diary of the administration of justice in the Springfield courts in the Massachusetts Bay Colony > Part 40
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April .24th 1662: The freemen met, and gave in theire votes for Asistants and to theire Deputy, who Received them into distinct Pa- pers and sealed them up (according to Law) to Carry with him to the Court of Elections on the .7th of May Next:
[*321] Springfeild: March .10th 1662/63.
This Day the Freemen being called togither by the Constable to give in theire votes for Nomination of Assistants, And for choise of County Treasurer, They proceeded in the worke according to Law: And appointed Mr. Holyoke to carry theire votes sealed up to the shire Towne on the last .4th day of this Instant March:
They being Sealed up in the presence of the freemen and written on directed and attested by the Constable:
378
PYNCHON COURT RECORD
May 8th 1663. Captain Pynchon chosen Deputy:
At a meeting of the Freemen of this Towne, They gave in theire votes by Papers for a Deputy for the Generall Court, and choss Cap- tain John Pynchon to be theire Deputy for the next Court of Elec- tion unto whom they have given full Power to deale in all the affairs of this Common wealth wherein Freemen may act by theire Deputy according to Law:
At the same meeting: The freemen Gave in theire votes for elec- tion of Assistants and the General officers of the Countrey, Before the Constable and theire Deputy who Received them into distinct Papers and sealed them up to be Caryed to the Court of Election on the .27th day of this Instant May, according to Law:
[Page 322 is blank.]
[*323] August the 1st 1664. Captain John Pynchon: Deputy.
According to a Warrant under the Secretaryes hand, the Con- stable assembled the freemen of this Town of Springfeild to choose a deputy for the Generall Corte to be held at Boston the .3d of this instant by Order of the Councill And Captain John Pynchon is Chosen Deputy for this Generall Corte aforementioned.
Mr. Elizur Holyoke Deputy
October .14th (1664) A warrant from the Secretary To the Con- stable to warne the Deputy of Springfeild to the General Court, to sit at Boston next Wednesday the .19th of this present October: oc- casioned the freemen to Assemble: who choose Mr. Holyoke theire Deputy for the Generall Court aforementioned:
[*324] Springfeild: March .13th 1664/65.
This Day the Freemen being called togithir by the Constable; to give in theire votes for Nomination of Assistants, and for choise of County Treasurer: They proceeded in the worke according to Law: And appointed Mr. Elizur Holyoke to carry theire votes sealed up to the shire meeting on the last .4th day of this Instant March: They being sealed up in the presence of the freemen Assembled: and Di- rected and Attested by the Constable:
Aprill 21st. 1665. Captain Pynchon: Deputy who was taken of from that Service, by it etc.
At a meeting of the freemen of This Towne, they gave in theire votes by Papers for a Deputy for the Generall Court, and choose Cap- tain Pynchon theire Deputy for the Court of Election on the .3d. of May next: for the first session thereoff unto whom they have Given full Power to deale in all the affaires of this Common wealth wherein Freemen may act by theire Deputy according to Law:
379
PYNCHON COURT RECORD
At the same meeting the Freemen gave in theire votes for elec- tion of Governour and Assistants, and the Generall officers of the Country, before the Constable and theire deputy, who Received them into distinct Papers and sealed them up to be caryed to the Court of Election of the .3d of May next according to Law:
The votes Received and sealed up, were the votes of .24. freemen:
[*325] July 26 1665. Mr. Holyoke Deputy
The Constable Assembled the freemen by warrant from the Sec- retary to choose a Deputy for the Generall Court called the .1. of Au- gust 1665. And the freemen choose Mr. Elizur Holyoke to be theire Deputy for the General Court aforesaid.
Springfeild September .29th. 1665. Deputy: Mr. Holyoke.
The Constable Having Assembled the Freemen to choose a Dep- uty for the next Generall Court The Freemen proceeded in the worke and choose Mr. Elizur Holyoke to that service For the Gen- erall Court to be held at Boston on the .11th of October 1665.
Springfeild March .12th 1665/66.
This Day the freemen being called togithir by the Constable to give in theire votes for Nomination of Asistants and for choise of County Treasurer: They proceeded in the worke according to Law: And appointed Mr. Elizur Holyoke to carry theire votes sealed up to the Shire meeting on the last .4th day of this Instant March: The freemen also at the same tyme gave in votes for Associates for the County Corts and sent them By the same person to be opened at the shire meeting.
Aprill .20th 1666 Captain William Davis Deputy.
The freemen met togithir by warning from the Constable: and Proceeded to choise of a Deputy for the Court And Chose Captain William Davis of Boston Deputy (for Springfeild) for the Generall Court to Sit next May the first Sessions of it.
At the same Meeting the freemen gave in theire votes for elec- tion of the Generall officers of the Country before the Constable who Received them and sealed them up to be caryed to the Courts of Election next May the .23th 1666.
[*326] Springfeild March the .9th 1666/67. Mr. Holyoke Com- missioner to carry the votes to the shire meeting.
This day the freemen being Called togithir by the Constable ac- cording to Law, they accordingly assembled, and proceeded to give in theire votes for nomination of Magistrates Choise of Associates and County Treasurer: And choose and Appointed Mr Elizur Hol-
380
PYNCHON COURT RECORD
yoke to carry theire votes sealed up to the shire meeting: on the last Wednesday of this Instant March according to Law:
May . 1st: 1667. Mr. Holyoke Deputy.
The freemen met togithir by warning from the Constable and proceeded to choise of a Deputy for the Generall Court.
And choose Mr. Elizur Holyoke for their Deputy for the next Generall Court to assemble at Boston on the .15th of May next, viz for the first Sessions thereoff: At the same meeting the freemen give in theire votes for Election of the Generall officers of the Country, before the Deputy who Received them and sealed them up in distinct Papers: to be by him caryed in to the Court of Election aforesaid.
[*327] Springfeild March the .11th 1667/68. George Colton to carry the votes to the shire meting.
This Day the Freemen being Called togither by the Constable as Law directs they accordingly assembled and proceeded to give in theire votes for Nomination of Magistrates, choise of Associates and County Treasurer, And choose and appointed George Colton to carry their votes sealed up to the shire meeting on the last Wednes- day of this Instant March according to Law:
Leiutenant Cooper, Deputy.
At the same meeting the freemen proceeded to choise of a Dep- uty for the Generall Court, and (by Papers according to Law) chose Leiutenant Thomas Cooper for theire Deputy for the next Generall Cort of Election viz the first sessions thereoff.
Aprill .22th 1668.
The Freemen met togithir by warning from the Constable, And gave in theire votes for Governour Asistants etc, to theire Deputy and Constable who Received them into distinct Papers and sealed them up (according to law) to carry with him to the Court of Elections at Boston on the .29th of this instant Aprill 1668.
March 12th 1668/69. Samuell Marshfeild to carry the votes to the shire meeting.
This day the freemen being called togithir by the Constable as Law directs, they accordingly assembled: and proceeded to give in theire votes for Nomination of Magistrates, Choise of Associates; and County Treasurer, And chose and appointed Samuell Marshfeild to carry theire votes sealed up to the shire meeting on the last .4th. day of this Instant March according to Law.
George Colton Deputy.
At the same meeting the freemen proceeded to choise of a Dep- uty for the Generall Court and (by Papers according to law) chose
381
PYNCHON COURT RECORD
Quarter Master George Colton for theire Deputy for the first Ses- sions of the next Generall Court of Election:
October .4th 1669.
The Freemen Assembled (by warning from the Constable) and having Agreed to make choise of a Deputy for the Generall Court to sit now the next weeke: They proceeded to give in their votes, And (by Papers according to Law) Choose Quarter Master George Colton Deputy for the Generall Court which is to begin its sessions the .12th of this Instant October:
[*328] March .9th 1669/70. Mr. Holyoke to carry the votes to the Shire meeting:
This day the freemen being Called togithir by the constable (as Law directs) They proceeded to give in theire votes for Nomination of Magistrates choise of Associates and County Treasurer And chose and appointed Captain Holyoke to carry theire votes Sealed up to the shire meeting on the last Wednsday of this Instant March.
Samuell Marshfeild Deputy:
At the same Meeting the freemen proceeded to choise of a Dep- uty for the Court of Election And Choose Samuell Marshfeild theire Deputy for the next Generall Court of Election.
Captain Holyoke Deputy.
Samuell Marshfeild refusing the service of Deputy not being present at the choise and declaring his nonacceptance thereoff, To the Freemen, the 20th of Aprill 1670. At theire meeting by warning from the Constable, To give in votes for choise of Governour asist- ants etc .: The freemen were willing to proceed to a new choise, and for that end gave in Papers according to Law: and choose Captain Elizur Holyoke their Deputy for the next Court of Elections and for that Sessions of the Generall Court which is to begin on the .11th of May next: And at this Meeting gave in their votes to the Deputy and Constable (for election of Generall officers of the Country) who Received them into distinct Papers and sealed them up according to Law for the Deputy to carry with him to the Court in May next.
March .8th 1670/71. Mr. Holyoke to carry the votes to the shire meting
This Day the Freemen being Called togithir by the Constable (as Law directs) They proceeded to give in their votes for Nomination of Magistrates Choise of Associates for keeping the County Courts, and for choise of the County Treasurer according to Law: And Chose and appointed Captain Holyoke to carry their votes Sealed up to the shire meeting on the last Wednesday of this instant March.
382
PYNCHON COURT RECORD
Quarter Master Colton Deputy.
At the same Meeting the freemen proceeded to choise of a Dep- uty for the Court of Election: And choose Quarter Master George Colton their Deputy for the next Generall Court of Elections.
[*329] Aprill .19th 1671.
The Freemen met togithir by warning from the Constable and gave in their votes for Governour, Asistants etc, to their Deputy who Received them into distinct Papers according to Law to carry with him to the Court of Elections in May next:
At the same meeting the freemen agreed and by vote deter- mined to have Two Deputys the next Generall Court, and so gave in their vote by Papers according to Law, and choose Captain William Davis of Boston for their Deputy: the other being George Colton: as aforesaid:
March .7th 1671/72. Mr. Holyoke commissioner to carry the votes to the shire meeting.
This Day the Freemen being called togithir by the Constable (as law directs) They proceeded to give in their votes for Nomination of Magistrates, Choise of Associates for keeping the County Courts, and for choise of the County Treasurer according to Law: And choose and appointed Captain Holyoke to carry their votes sealed up to the shire meeting on the last Wednesday of this Instant March:
Captain William Davis Deputy.
At the same Meeting the freemen proceeded to choise of a Dep- uty for the Generall Court: And chose Captain William Davis of Boston their Deputy for next Court of Elections on the .15th of May next and so to stand their Deputy for the whole yeare ensueing:
[*330] Springfeild March .10th 1672/73. Captain Holyoke Com- issioner to carry the votes to the shire meeting.
This Day the Freemen being Called togithir by the Constable (as the Law directs) They proceeded to give in their votes for Nomi- nation of Magistrates, Choise of Associates for keeping the County Courts, and for choise of the County Treasurer according to Law: And chose and appointed Captain Holyoke to carry their votes sealed up to the shire meeting on the last Wednesday of this Instant March.
Captain Holyoke Deputy:
At the same Meeting the Freemen proceeded to choise of a Dep- uty for the Generall Court for the yeare ensueing: and Chose Cap- tain Elizur Holyoke for their Deputy:
383
PYNCHON COURT RECORD
March the .9th 1673/74
This day the Freemen being called togithir by the Constable (as the Law directs) They proceeded to give in their votes for Nomina- tion of Magistrates, choice of Associates for the County Courts and County Treasurer according to Law: And Chose and appointed Mr. Pynchon to carry their votes (sealed up, which was done in presence of the freemen) unto their shire meeting which is on the last Wednes- day of this Instant March.
Captain Holyoke Deputy:
At the same meeting the freemen proceeded to choise of a Dep- uty for the Generall Court, and chose Captain Elizur Holyoke for their Deputy for the next Court of Election:
March 10th 1674/75. Quarter Master Colton to carry the votes to the shire Meting.
This day the Freemen Met, being called togither by the Consta- ble (as law directs) and gave in their votes for Nomination of Mag- istrates as also for Nomination of Associ[ates] for the County Courts and for choise of County Treasurer: And they chose and appointed Quarter Master George Colton, to carry their votes Sealed up to the shire Meeting on the last Wednesday of this Instant March:
Captain Holyoke: Deputy:
At the same Meeting the freemen proceeded to choise of a Dep- uty for the Generall Court and chose Captain Holyoke their Deputy for the next General Cort of Election that Sessions only:
March.8th 1675/76. Captain Davis Deputy.
This day the Freemen being called togithir by the Constable as the Law directs: They gave in their votes for Nomination of Mag- istrates and Associa[tes] and for choise of County Treasurer, And they chose and appointed Benjamin Parsons to carry their votes sealed up to their shire Meeting on the last Wednesday of this Mar[ch] Also the freemen by Papers chose Captain William Davis their Deputy for the Generall Court for the yeare ensueing.
Aprill 1676.
The freemen Meeting by warning from the Constable they gave in their votes for Governour Asistants etc.
[*331] Springfeild March .13th 1676/77.
This day the Freemen Met being called togither by the Constable as law directs; And gave in their votes for Nomination of Magistrates: and also of Associates for the County Court, and likewise for choise of County Treasurer: And they chose and appointed Samuell Marsh-
384
PYNCHON COURT RECORD
feild to carry their votes sealed up to their shire Meeting which is on the last Wednesday of this Instant March.
[The next item has been crossed out.]
Mr. Eliott Deputy.
At the same Meeting the freemen by Papers Chose Mr. Jacob El- iot of Boston (the Deacon of the .3d church) their Deputy for the first Sessions of the Generall Court in May next:
May .9th 1677. George Colton Deputy.
The freemen met togithir by warning from the Constable and gave in their votes for a Deputy from among themselves (recalling the last vote for one in Boston) and made choise of Quarter Master George Colton for theire Deputy for the Court of Election next: At same tyme Gave in their votes for Governour Deputy Governour As- istants: etc.
March the .13th 1677/8.
The Freemen Met being called togither by the Constable as Law directs and Gave in their votes for Nomination of Magistrates, as also of Associats for the County Courts, and likewise for choise of County Treasurer: And Chose and apointed Samuell Marshfeild to carry the votes sealed up to the sheire Meeting on the last Wednes- day of this Instant March according to Law And saw not cause to choose any Deputy for the Generall Court.
Aprill .24th 1678.
Being a Meeting of the Freemen by warning from the Constable They proceeded to give in their votes for choise of Governour Asist- ants etc. sealing them up in distinct Papers according to law, and so to be caryed to the next Court of Election to be on the 8th of May 1678:
October 16th 1678.
The freemen assembled by warning from the Constable by virtue of a speciall warrant for choise of a Deputy Governour etc. and sent their votes sealed to Boston to be opened 21st of October 1687. ac- cording to order of Generall Cort.
March 14, 1678/79.
The Freemen Met being called togither By the Constable as Law directs, and Gave in their votes for Nomination of Magistrates as also for Associates for the County Courts, and Likewise for choise of County Treasurer: And chose and appointed Jonathan Burt to carry the votes sealed up to the shire Meeting on the last Wednesday of this Instant March according to Law.
385
PYNCHON COURT RECORD
May 9th 1679.
The Freemen met by warning from the Constable and gave in their votes for Governour Asistants etc. sealing them up as Law di- rects to be caryed to the Court of Election, at Boston on the .28th of this Instant May:
[*332] Springfeild March .8. 1679/80. Mr. Samuell Marshfeild: Deputy.
This day the Freemen Met, being assembled by the Constable and Gave in their votes for Nomination of Associates: Choise of County Treasurer And chose Samuell Marshfeild to seale up the votes and carry them to the shire Meeting according to Law: Also at this Meeting they proceeded to Choise of a Deputy for the Generall Court: and made choise of Samuell Marshfeild for their Deputy for the next Court of Elections:
April 1680.
The freemen Met by warning from the Constable and Gave in their votes for choise of Governour Asistants etc: Sealing up all etc. according to Law:
December 24.th 1680. Mr. Joseph Pynchon chosen Deputy.
The Constable assembled the Freemen by warrant from the Sec- retary to choose a Deputy for the Generall Court which is called to Sit the .4th day of January next who Being Met together, made choise of Mr. Joseph Pynchon for their Deputy for the Generall Court aforesaid, and apointed Mr. John Holyoke to write to him to signifie the same to him:
April: 28 1681.
At a Meeting of the Freemen Mr. Joseph Pynchon was made choise off for the Deputy of this Towne for the General Court of Elections.
March .14: 1681/82.
This Day the freemen Met being assembled by the Constable ac- cording to law, and Gave in their votes for Nomination of Magis- trates: as also for Nomination of Associates, choise of County Treas- urer And ch[ose] and apointed Samuell Ely to carry the votes sealed up to the shire meeting they being sealed up in presen[ce] of the free- men according to law:
Mr. Joseph Pynchon Deputy.
Also At this Meeting the freemen proceeded to choise of a Dep- uty for the Generall Court, and made choise of Mr. Joseph Pynchon for their Deputy for the Generall Court of Elections.
386
PYNCHON COURT RECORD
March. 13th 1682/3. Samuell Ely: comissioner.
This day (as I was Informed I being at Boston) The freemen be- ing assembled by the Constable, Met and gave in their votes for Nomination of Magistrates as also for Nomination of Asociate choise of county Treasurer etc. and chose: Samuell Ely to carr[y] the votes to the shire Meeting on the last Wednesday of this Instant March.
Mr. Samuell Marshfeild Deputy.
At this meeting Samuell Marshfeild was chosen Deputy for the next Generall Court of Election in May next.
[*333] March 11th 1683/84. Mr. Samuell Marshfeild Deputy.
This day the Freemen Met being assembled by the Constable ac- cording to law, and gave in their votes for Nomination of Magis- trates, as also for Nomination of Associates choise of County Treas- urer, And choose and apointed Samuell Marshfeild to carry the votes sealed up to the shire Meeting they being sealed up in presence of the freemen according to law. Also at this Meeting the freemen [pr]oceded to choise of a Deputy for the Generall Court, and [ma]de choise of Mr. Samuell Marshfeild for their Deputy [to] the Generall Court of Elections next ensueing:
May 13th 1691.
Mr. John Holyoke (at the meeting of the Freemen for giving in votes by Proxies for election) was Chosen Deputy for this Towne of Springfeild for the General Court of Elections next ensueing on the 20th of this Instant May, that is to say for the first Sessions of said General Court, and to act on their behalfe as their Deputy or Rep- resentative:
[*334] A list of the Names of all the Freemen in Springfeild as they are this 13th of May 1691.
Of the auncient Freemen that are now remaining
Lieutenant Colonel John Pynchon, Mr. Pelatiah Glover, Mr. John Holyoke, George Colton, Thomas Mirick, Nathaniel Pritchard, Miles Morgan, Jonathan Burt Senior, Thomas Day Senior, Charls Ferry Senior, Luke Hitchcock, James Warrinar, John Warner (over the Great River) , Japhet Chapin, Samuell Ely Senior, Joseph Steb- bins, Ephraim Colton, Captain Thomas Colton, Ensigne John Hitch- cock, Daniel Cooley, Increase Sikes: John Dumbleton (over the great River) , Samuell Marshfeild, John Barber:
Admitted to the privileges of Freedom by the General Court Bos- ton December 19th 1690 and sworne at Springfeild Before John Pynchon: March .26.th 1691 and May .11.th and .13.th 1691 these persons following:
387
PYNCHON COURT RECORD
David Morgan, John Dorchester, James Dorchester, John Har- mon, David Lumbard, Charls Ferry Junior, Isack Colton: Samuell Bliss Senior, Samuell Bliss .3d., Thomas Stebbins, Edward Stebbins, Benjamin Stebbins, Samuel Lamb, Daniel Lamb, Joseph Leanord, Benjamin Leanord, Edward Foster, Josiah Marshfeild, John Miller, Samuel Miller, Thomas Cooper.
Jonathan Ball, Joseph Bedortha, Samuell Bedortha, Joseph Ely: James -- , Thomas Day Junior, John Merick, Lieutenant Abel Wright, Eliakim Cooley, Joseph Cooley, Benjamin Cooley, Jonathan Morgan, Samuel Bliss Junior, Nathanell Bliss, John Colton, John Bliss Senior, Joseph Thomas, Nathanel Burt Senior, Jonathan Burt Junior, John Burt.
[*335] May 1692 Captain Belcher Mr. Holyoke our Deputys.
By vertue of a warrant from his excelency Sir William Phips the Governour of this Province to the Constable of Springfeild to As- semble the Inhabitants Freeholders to choose .2. persons to Repre- sent them at the General Assembly apointed by his excelency to con- vene at Boston the .8th day of June 1692. The Freeholders etc. accordingly assembling together this - and made choice of Mr. John Holyoke and Captain Andrew Belcher to represent them at the Generall Assembly on the 8th of this next June and to act therein, accordingly on their Behalfe:
May, 1693.
John Pynchon Esq. chosen the Representative for this Towne of Springfeild, who being taken of to the Council The Freeholders made a choise of Captain Benjamin Davis for their Representative:
1694
Nathanel Bliss chosen our Representative.
1695
Lieutenant Abel Wright chosen to Represent Springfeild.
1696
Mr. Luke Hitchcock chosen Representative.
Appendix
To the much Honored the County Corte of Middlesex
These may signify to this Honored Corte that Wee whose Names are Subscribed, being appointed by Order of Our much Honored the Gen- erall Corte in May last past to heare and take examination of a great misdemeanor committed in NorthWottock at Northampton by Robert Bartlett against Sarah the wife of Christopher Smith both of the said town, and that if Wee should fynd the case only a misdemeanor and not Capitall, then to bynd over the said Bartlett, unto the County Corte of Middlesex, next ensueinge the date of the said Order, to answer for his fault: Wee have accordingly indeavored to attend the pleasure and said Order of our Honnored Corte and have examined the cause, and though the crime be of a grievous nature exceedingly to be lamented of all that heare it, yet we cannot judge the case Capitall; and therefore have bound over the said Bartlett to this Honored Corte to answer for his fault, and have sent the accusation and relation of the said Sarah Smith concern- inge the said Crime, with the said confession of the said Bartlett therein:
The accusation relation of Sarah the wife of Christopher Smith of Nortwottuck at Northampton against Robert Bartlett of the same Town: wherein shee thus affirmeth that About the beginning of October 1655, I haveing occasion (my husband for some space being from [home] To goe into the Meddow to look after Two calves, because the wolves had done some hurt to some of our Neighboring Calves, it being the Lords day neere Sun-setting, I did accidentally meet with Robert Bartlett, whom I asked whether he saw any calves, he said he saw some, soe I went with him to see whether I had any there or noe, and they beinge none of my calves, he led me further thorow a swamp, and he goeinge before mee upon a suddayne he turned full butt upon mee and laid hold on mee, and grasped me in his Armes, soe that I was in a great fright, not know- inge what his aim and intent was: I was in an amazement to see such uncomely carriage by him, for that impudently and immodestly he kissed mee and after that he threw mee down and kissed mee, and lay uppon me with his mouth upon mine: on some part of my body he lay on how much I cannot tell, neyther can I tell whether he uncovered mee by tak- ing up my coates, yea or noe, but he did shamefully handle my nakedness: I considering what his filthy unclean purpose was, by his shameful car- riage towards mee, I was very earnest with him to lett mee goe he made
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