USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Records and files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, vol 8 > Part 10
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Bill of cost of Nathan Webstor, t constable of Bradford, who went three miles to seek Thomas Bettis, etc., 10s. Samuel Hart was bound for said Bettis' appearance at the next Ipswich court. Sworn, Mar. 18, 1680, before Daniel Denison.t
Thomas Bettis' declaration: "my master haith this mani yeares beaten me upon small or friuelouse ocasion I haue indeuored to please and giue my master content but I seldom can: he brocke my hed twice, strucke me one the hed wth a great stick: wch stick was tow long to strike me in the house for the flore: he brocke it upon his knees and then he strok me one the hed and stounded me I fell downe against the wall: the blood ran downe all my cloths to my feett my master tooke me up and washed of the blood wth a pigin of watter he feched sum suger and bound it up wth a cloth I was so disie all day that I cold nethr well se: or stand up right: my Arme wos so sore wth beating me att the same time that it was all black and blew: I cold not lift it up to my hed: yett my master wold haue me goe to worke as sune as I cold and becase he had so beat me that I cold not keepe up wth my cumpani as I used to doe: my master told me that I was a hipokritte: after this I was abused seuarall times by him: one time he tied me to a beds foott: another time to a table foott: and also to a cradell foott and euery time beate t Autograph.
92
IPSWICH QUARTERLY COURT
[Mar.
Andrew Peeters was allowed costs in an action brought by Luke Perkins and his wife Elizabeth and not prosecuted .* Francis Quilter was fined upon her presentment.t
me cruely: and I was almost starved for want of cloth in the winter season in spesall when I stood in most need of cloths my first dame wold allwaise diswade my master and prayed him not to beate me: but this dame sets him one: I haue bin so abused that I am afraid to liue wth him ani more or ani longer and if your honars please to order me to liue wth ani other master I am willing, but not to liue wth him."
John Boynton, aged about thirty years, deposed. Sworn, 25 : 1 : 1681, before N. Saltonstall, { assistant.
Shu. Walker, aged about forty-two years, deposed that he lived near John Simmons and Bettes was a very naughty boy, etc. Sworn, 23 : 1 : 1681, before N. Saltonstall, # assistant.
Samuell Emarson, aged about seventeen years, deposed that he had lived with his master Simmons about four years and Bettis was very rude in the family whenever his master was away, etc. Sworn, 25 : 1 : 1681, before N. Saltonstall, } assistant.
Martin Forde, aged about twenty years, deposed that he heard Betts say that his master allowed him enough to eat and drink, etc. Sworn, 25 : 1 : 1681, before N. Saltonstall, } assistant.
Nathan Webster, aged thirty-five years, deposed that in winter Betteys came to my house without any hat and very thinly clothed, etc. Sworn in court.
John Grant, aged about twenty-two years, deposed that living at Simmons' house, he had seen the latter beat Bettys so that he fainted. Also that at one time he tied him to a cradle, having pulled off all his clothes to his shirt, and whipped him with three cords tied to a stick so that he brought blood, while he asked the boy if he loved him. The boy said yes and he beat him again. At another time, when the boy was going out to work, Simons called him in and bade him blow the fire, etc. Sworn in court.
*Andrew Peeters' bill of cost, his journey from Specket, two days, also John Gamage's charge from Specket and return- ing home again, etc., 1li. 17s. 1d.
tAnswer of Frances (her mark) Quilter, widow, to her pre- sentment: that the presentment was two years old and there- fore void; that the pewter or pot which she was accused of taking was found in her husband's woodpile, upon their own ground, by her maid servant the day her husband Quilter died, which was about two years ago; that she supposed her # Autograph.
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1681]
Walter Fairefield being presented by the selectmen of Wen- ham to keep an ordinary or house of public entertainment there, court granted the petition for the present accommoda- tion of strangers only according to law. For the future, neither he nor any other ordinary keeper should have liberty to be an attorney or plead in open court in any case but his own, and the selectmen were given liberty to nominate any other meet person, and present him to the court for an ordinary keeper, who did not follow the law, as Walter Fairefield had done .*
John Marsh had his license renewed for a year.
Samuell Colby of Amesbury had his license renewed for a year.
William White of Haverill had his license for cider renewed for a year.
John Mighill had his license renewed for a year.
John Spark had his license renewed for a year, also his license to draw liquors.
husband had laid it there to keep it from her, as he did his money; that she might, as they allege, have ordered her servant to set it in the oven, as she was troubled, her husband being at the point of death; that although she sold it to her sister, who afterward went out of the town, yet she was an inhabitant when she sold it, and to say that she sold it out of town was not true.
Francis Youngt deposed that there was a pewter chamber pot lost from Mr. John Waynright's while he lived there. Frances Quilter told her she sold it to her sister Woodman for 3s. Deponent said if it were Mr. Waynright's, it had letters on it. Her maid Peggy said she saw the letters and that her mistress put the pot in the oven while the goods were inventoried. Deponent told her that he would send the constable of Nuburye to search her sister's house, where- upon she sent her maid to Nuburye to get it. It had a J and a W plainly upon the handle.
Ann Pegea, aged about seventeen years, deposed that the day Joseph Quilter was looking for the money, her dame told her to bring in the pewter for fear he would get it. There were three letters upon the upper part of the handle, J. E. W.
*Copy of the approbation of the selected townsmen of Wenham, Richard Hutten, Richard Dodg, William Fiske and James Freind, given, Jan. 3, 1680, at a town meeting.
t Autograph.
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IPSWICH QUARTERLY COURT
[Mar.
Edward Hassen had his license renewed for a year.
Quartermaster Perkins had his license renewed for a year, also for wine and liquors.
John Stone of Beaverly had his license renewed for a year.
Peeter Duncan had his license renewed for a year, also for wine and liquors.
John Bullock had his license renewed for a year .*
Peeter Pate, presented for absence from his wife, told what means he had used to get her to come and live with him. Court ordered him to make arrangements with some master of a vessel that goes to Virginia to bring her and report to the court under the master's hand what had been done. He was to pay costs to Andrew Greely and - Aires.t
*Copy of the approbation of the selectmen of Salem, on 29 : 1 : 1681, by John Hathorne, ¿ recorder.
tJames Pecker, sr., ¿ of Boston, sometime an inhabitant at Haverhill, certified, on Jan. 17, 1680, that upon request of Peter Patta of Haverhill in 1679 he took letters which Patta had written to be delivered to his wife, if alive, at Var- ganah. The letters were not sealed and he asked said Pecker to read and direct them to the places where she might be. Patta earnestly desired her to come to him in New England, said he would pay her passage and gave her other encourage- ment. Pecker delivered the letters to men who would be careful of them, but he never heard anything from them, although he had inquired of men who came from the same town to which the letters were directed.
"Peter Patee having lived neare three yeares in this Country, & bene in service in the warr, & somewhat wounded, & living without offence in the Towne of Haverhill for some space of Time, as I am Informed, I doe allowe him to dwell in the Country. Dated 9th of April 1678. Samuel Symonds, ; Dep. Govern."
George Brownet deposed, on Mar. 27, 1681, that when the Deputy Governor gave an order to Pate to remain in the country deponent told the court that he had left his wife in Virgini and that he was a wounded man. Ensign Pecker engaged to send the letters to Virginia, etc.
Nathaniel Ayer deposed that he heard Peter Patye say a year and a half or two years ago that he had left a wife and child in Verginia about two years before. Sworn, 26 :1: 1681, before N. Saltonstall.}
# Autograph.
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1681]
William Longfellow, acknowledging the crime of killing a bullock of Joseph Plummer's, valued at 4li., was ordered to pay 12li. to said Plummer .*
Samuell Shepard of Haverhillt certified, Mar. 29, 1681, that he wrote the letters for Peter Pateye.
*Warrant, dated Dec. 17, 1680, for the apprehension of Willm. Danforth and William Longfellow, also summons to Philip Squire and Mary Smith as witnesses, signed by Daniel Denison.t The constable of Newbery was directed also to search for a hide and horns of the beast.
Willm. Danfort and William Longfellow confessed that, on Oct. 25, at night, they with Philip Squire killed a red brindle steer which they believed to be Joseph Plumer's and Long- fellow carried the quarters into William Danfort's house. Owned before Daniel Denison.t
Joseph Plumer's bill of cost, 2li. 2s. 8d.
Willm. Longfellow'st petition: "That your unworthy petitioner doth fall down at your Worships feet & in all peni- tent wise as formerly) doth confess his fault that he is now Legally Convicted of, that is of a very odious nature; & is deeply sensible of Goods dishonour this Court's trouble the greife of his friends & Injury to his Neighbour which by this his high handed wickedness he hath scarce Enjoyed himselfe ever since ye Commission; & doth himself Earnestly, & de- sires yt otheres may with him begg God's pardon of it And moreouer doth humbly craue leaue to inform your Worships, that besides ye naughtyness of my own heart, I was for a Considerable time frequently & earnestly solicited to join in doeing what I did; & after ye fact prevailed with by the saime ill meanes not to discose it And the guilt of my Crim laid so Heauy on me that I Confessed the saime before Arested for it; your poore petitioner being also sencible of the Low Estate of his famely occationed in a great measure through my own defalt doth with all Lowly submission beseech this honoured Court that my sentence may be with as much grace & fauour as may consist with a suitable Testymoney against so grevous a Transgression of the Lawes of God and this Jurisdiction Hopeing that through ye supply of god's Grace it shall be, efficatious to warn others to fly sin and especially your unworthy Petitioner who shall humbly submit to; & ever pray for your worships."
Edward (his mark) Lumas of Ipswich, on Dec. 20, 1680, gave bond for William Longfellow's appearance
Philip Squire, aged about twenty-five years, and Mary Smith, aged about twenty-six years, deposed that they lived t Autograph.
96
IPSWICH QUARTERLY COURT
[Mar.
Henry Bennet and Wm. Hayward not bringing into court Wm. Danford their bond was declared forfeited. Said Danford was committed to goal upon complaint of Joseph Plummer concerning an ox and bailed by Henry Bennet and Wm. Hayward of Ipswich, who could not bring him in because they did not know where he was. Court ordered that the sum in the bond be levied, 6li. of it to be delivered to William Longfellow, his partner in the said offence, in part of the 12li. ordered to Joseph Plumer by law for his ox, and that 20s. be delivered to Robin Robinson, the Scotchman, for satisfaction for his pigs that he lost .*
Edward Phelps was fined for drunkenness.t
John Browne was admonished upon his presentment.}
Tho. Joanes of Manchester dying intestate, his sons Abra- ham Joanes, Tho. Joanes and Ephraim Joanes were appointed administrators, and they brought in an inventory in two papers which they filed.
Haverill was presented for not having a schoolmaster, but
at Wm. Danford's the latter end of last October when Long- fellow was there and they planned to kill the steer. They led the steer behind the hill on the back side of the house, and Longfellow held him by the horn and the rope and Dan- forth struck him down. Longfellow struck him two more blows and then said to Squire, "Philip doe you tacke the axe and strike ablow that you may be one of us or else you will discouefer us." After they had flayed and quartered him, Longfellow took a sheet, laid it on his shoulders and brought the four quarters to Danford's, leaving Squire to bury the hide in the pine swamp near the house. Sworn before Daniel Denison.§
*Bond, dated Dec. 18, 1680, given by Henry Benet§ and William Hayward§ for William Danford's appearance.
tWill. Sayear testified that he saw Edward Philps of An- dover so overtaken with drink that he was not rational in words or behavior and reeled like a drunken man. At that time Mr. Rich. Dole admonished him. Sworn, 30 : 1 : 1681, before Nath. Saltonstall, § assistant.
#John Brown, glazier, of Ipswich, was presented for dis- orderly behavior in his own house by reason of which his wife and children were forced to forsake the house and also for spoiling his own goods. Wit: Roger Dorby and John Edwards, sr.
§ Autograph.
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1681]
finding that some provision had been made for teaching chil- dren, they were released. Court further ordered that the town before the next Ipswich court provide an able and meet schoolmaster who will constantly attend that service, and that the school be kept near the centre of the town .*
Sarah Lambert, for fornication, was ordered to be whipped or pay a fine.
Joseph Williams was appointed administrator of the estate of his mother, Jane Williams, and brought in an inventory.
Richard Holmes was fined upon his presentment.t
*Copy from the selectmen's book for acts and orders, taken on Feb. 4, 1680, by Nath. Saltonstall,{ recorder for the town of Haverhill: "The 5th day of March 1679-80. Considering y' great necessitie of helping children & youth & others in ye knowledge of God, & his Holy wayes, ye which one great help to attaine unto is Reading, And ye writeing is also very necessary; Therefore Wee have taken as much care as wee can Wee have made choice of Rob Ford for to teach all those to write & also Arithmetick yt shall come to him for yt end; & y. sª Ford have engaged to doe this worke, & to pforme ye duty of a Faithfull Schoolemaster dureing this yeare only. And for Reading, Wee have chosen ye wife of Rob' Collins & agreed wth her; And also wth ye wife of John Maccallum wth her consent, And also ye wife of Robert Hast- ings. All these for to take children & youth to read. We have also published this above written ye first Traineing day that was in this yeare in our Towne. Daniel Lad, senir, George Corlis, Thomas Ayers, Robert Ford, Josiah Gage."
tMary Grant's bill of cost, 17s. 6d.
Samuel Philipst testified that Goodwife Grant, being ill and full of pain, from a fall which brother Holmes was, as she said, accused of, caused by a thrust upon her breast, whereby she was thrown backward upon the ground, sent for him. She was ill as was evidenced not only by her complaint, but by her countenance and inability to rise from her seat. She acknowledged that she had spoken foolishly against deponent and he said he was satisfied.
William Duty testified that last fall, being at his master Harris' door, he saw Goodman Holmes in his orchard chasing a hog with his dog, and having a stick in his hand that was in the fence when he went over it. The hog was Goodman Grant's and the latter's wife ran to scare the dog off, whereby Holmes pushed her down, and when she cried out to her husband, Holmes said she fell down herself.
# Autograph.
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IPSWICH QUARTERLY COURT
[Mar.
Mary Grant was admonished upon her presentment." Tobiiah Perkins was sworn constable for Topsfield. George Abbot was sworn constable for Andover.
Mr. Samuell Worster dying intestate, court granted admin- istration upon his estate to Elizabeth Worster, the widow, who brought in an inventory amounting to 384li. 9s. clear estate. The widow was ordered to have 54li., and the rest of the estate to be equally divided among the eleven children, the eldest son to have a double portion, each share amounting to 27li. The house, barn and 200 acres of land were bound, the children's portions to be paid at age, and the widow to have the estate for the bringing up of the children. Should the estate diminish without fault of the administratrix, pro-
Ann Downes testified that her dame was very ill, etc. Mary Grant testified that she was so injured that she doubted if she ever would be as well as she was before. John Grant testified to the injury his wife received.
Mary Grant testified that, speaking in a friendly way to neighbor Holmes about mending fence, he said that she de- served to have a rope around her neck for meddling with such things.
Rowley presentment.
*Elizabeth Broadstreet and Elizabeth Holmes deposed that, being at the house of Nathl. Harris last week and the wife of Jno. Grant being present, the latter said it would not be long before Elizabeth's father would have to appear in court in the case with her, and pointing to Holmes' house said it was the murdering house. Sworn in court.
John Harris, sr.,t testified that his near neighbors, John Grant and his wife, were as far as he had had dealings with them, neighborly and loving, etc.
Samuell Mighell, aged about fifty-one years, Elizabeth, his wife, aged about forty-six years, and Abraham Jeuit and Johnathan Hariman deposed that they being at Samuell Mighell's house last Indian harvest, Mary Grant told Richard Holmes that he was a bastard of the worst sort. She also said, "You a chirch member, you are not fit to liue upon the earth."
Elizabeth Mighell deposed that from her house she saw Richard Hoomes and Mary Grant come from the field gate and heard him say "if I cannot deall with you athoriti can." She replied that she did not care for authority, for the magis- trates, for the ministers nor for the Governor himself.
t Autograph.
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1681]
portionate abatement was to be made on the children's por- tions.
Sarah Stickny, widow, was ordered to be whipped for for- nication, unless she pay a fine .*
Obadiah Wood, presented for selling beer and cider without a license, was fined, but the fine was respitted until the court should take further order.t
John Downeing was fined for being drunk.#
Mrs. Margret Bishop dying intestate, administration upon her estate was granted to her son Samuell Bishop, who brought in an inventory amounting to 710li. Samuell Bishop bound.
Whereas the house and land of Obadiah Bridges was bound for the payment of the children's portions, 16li., court released the house to Nath. Rust, he giving as security six acres of meadow at the west meadows with his own bond of 30li. for the payment of the said portion. Said Rust was bound.
Administration upon the estate of Thomas Joanes of Man- chester was granted to his sons Abraham, Thomas and Eph- raim Joanes, who brought in an inventory.
Mr. Samuell Worster dying intestate, administration upon his estate was granted to Elizabeth Worster, the widow.
Jane Williams dying intestate, administration upon her estate was granted to Joseph Williams, her son, who brought in an inventory.
Benjamin Lowle was licensed to make sturgeon, provided he deliver to the marshal for the use of the court yearly one "joale" of sturgeon.
Thomas Teuksbury, complained of for absence from his wife contrary to law, was ordered to depart to his wife before the next court upon penalty of 20li.§
*Newbury presentment. She had a child born in January last. Wit: Elizabeth Brown and Sara Hains.
tIpswich presentment. Wit: Sergeant Waight and Rich. Bedford.
Petition of Obadiah Wood|| that his fine be respitted.
#Ipswich presentment. Wit: Sergeant Waight and Arter Abbot.
§Newbury presentment, for absence from his wife several years.
|| Autograph.
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IPSWICH QUARTERLY COURT
[Mar.
List of presentments, signed by Tristram Coffin,* for the grand jury:
Joseph Parker and his wife of Andover, for fornication.
Samuel Wakfeld of Salem, for travelling on the Sabbath day from Andover to Salem. Wit: Leiut. John Osgood and Ensign Thomas Chandler.
John Grandear and his wife of Andover, upon suspicion of fornication.
"Whereas M' Jer. Hubbert of Topsfeild hath at severall times, and in severall places, both publickly, and privately uttered severall reprochfull and scandalous speeches both agaynst ye elders & messengers of ye church who met ye last summer at Topsfeild, and also agaynst ye Inhabitants of Topsfeild, all or some, I thought good in ye behalfe of my selfe and fellow elders to make a complaynt thereof to this Honored Court, that they would please to take it into con- sideration, yt his virulent speeches might be restrayned for ye future, and such as have been so unjustly wronged by him, might receive satisfaction, as yo' selves shall judge meet. "March 31, 1681 Yo' sevant William Hubbard .* "
"A complaint being put into this Court by M' Wm Hubbard on behalf of himself & others agt M' Jeremiah Hubbert of Topsfeild for reproachfull & scandalous words pernitiously vented & published in many places & yt publiquely agt ye late Councill of Elders & Messengers at Topsfeild, and ye people of Topsfeild some or all of them: This Court doth order the Clerke of this Court to send out forthwith a Sum- mons to ye Marshall of Ipswich to warne M' Jeremiah Hub- bert to appeare at ye next Court at Salem to answer ye com- plaint, unlesse that ye said Jeremiah Hubbert shall above a fortnight before sd Court appeare before ye Hond Major Genll. Denison & give such satisfaction as he shall judge meet, The sd M' W" Hubberd, & neighbouring ministers offended havine convenient notice given them of ye time of his appearance be- fore ye sd Maj" Generall. And ye Clarke is ordered to makg returne of this act to sd Salem Court & ye marshall of yo war- rant also by we he shall summon Mr Jeremiah Hubbart unless y ye Maj. Genll. shall have before ye time limited issued yt matter."
Francis Dane's* letter, dated Andover, Mar. 28, 1681, to the Ipswich court: "Understanding that our Towne was presented for want of a Schoolmaster, I thought it my duty to signify that for these thirty & two yeers I haue taught any Schollers that they Sent to me to learne to write, and some in their Grmmar, & if God lengthen out my time I shallbe willing to doe it."
* Autograph.
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RECORDS AND FILES
1681]
Sarah Gage, widow of John Gage, dying intestate, admin- istration upon her estate was granted on July 21, 1681, by Major Genrll. Denison, Esq., and Major Appleton, Esq., to John French and William Smith, two of her sons-in-law, who were ordered to bring in an inventory to the next County court.
Thomas Gidding dying intestate, administration upon his estate was granted on July 28, 1681, by Major Genrll. Denison, Esq., and Major Samuell Appleton, to Deacon William Good- hue and the widow of said Thomas, who were ordered to bring in an inventory to the next Ipswich court.
Wm. Ilsly, son of Wm. Ilsly of Newbury, deceased, declared on Aug. 11, 1681, before Major Genrll. Denison, Esq., that he had considerable objections to his father's will, and on Sept. 27, 1681, he declared that he and his brothers had agreed.
"In the yeare 1680 Meres Tucker was Hired to be Scoole- master for the town of Salsbury by me William Osgood sener in ye behalfe of x Selecht men as one of them to whom it doth.consern.and to teach all that should com fo him to Read and to write by me William Osgood." Witness Meres Tucker .* "
From Salem Commissioners' Court files:
James Scelton and William Pow testified that Thomas Stevens and Rebecah Harris had lived together as man and wife for some months past and they had often said they were married. Robert Lawerenc testified to the same. Sworn, 10 : 12 : 1680, before Wm. Brown, assistant, and Bartho. Gedney*
Jno. Wilkinson, aged about thirty-six years, testified that last night he was at the house of Robert Laueranc and went in when constable Norman did and there saw Samuell Gatchell, William Armitage, Jonathan Gatchell, William Pow's wife and Robert Lauerance's wife beating a man whom they had gotten down. Richard Clattery testified to the same and also that the man who was so beaten was Robert Laverence. Sworn, Feb. 10, 1680-1, before William Browne and Bartho. Gedney,* assistants.
James Pittman, aged about twenty-nine years, deposed that he had often seen abusive carriages at the house of Robert Laueranc and had told the latter's wife that if it was his case he would use means for redress. William Armitage threatened to beat him for saying it, and being near the said house William Pow's wife and Laurence's wife hauled him into the house and locked the door on him. He further testified that he had seen Samuell Gatchell in the morning before day with Robert Laverance's wife. Sworn, Feb. 10, 1680-81, before William Browne, assistant.
Thomas Smith, aged about forty-five years, testified that he had came home the last night from his work about seven or eight o'clock, and after he had gotten into his own house he heard a great outcry, "Murder! Murder!" at the house of Robert Laveranc. Deponent went to their door and heard a great noise of fighting and crying inside. Upon going in he met William Armitage to whom he said it was a shame to let neighbors kill one another. There- upon Armitage took him by the collar and also struck James Scelton, break- * Autograph.
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