USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Records and files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, vol 8 > Part 28
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Mary Wooddam, widow, dying intestate, administration upon her estate was granted to John Ayres, her son-in-law.
Lidia Clement deposed that the trouble was during a great storm of snow, and hearing a noise in the street looked out of their door and saw Grelee between Ela's and Mr. Ward's going toward the Captain's. Ela's wife, so accounted, was going away when her husband came out with a cudgell, threat- ening her, so that she being not quick of foot was in danger, etc. Elizabeth Clement, her mother, also testified. Sworn, Feb. 16, 1681, before N. Saltonstall,* assistant.
* Autograph.
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Mathew Petingall, having lost the sight of one of his eyes, was released from ordinary training, paying 5s. per year to the use of the company.
Court having heard the complaint of Robert Ring, with the answer of the marshal and constable, and having perused the papers against said Ring's son, judged the complaint frivolous and unjust, and dismissed the marshal and constable who were altogether innocent and faultless in the matter.
Thomas Smith and Martha Gilbert, for fornication, were ordered to be whipped or pay a fine.
Joseph Page was appointed guardian of Joseph Heath, son of Joseph Heath, deceased .*
Bartholmew Heath dying intestate, court granted ad- ministration upon the estate to his two sons, John and Josiah Heath. There being a deed of gift dated Mar. 12, 1668-9, and recorded at Salsbury, court ordered that the estate given in the said deed be according to that and what remained undisposed therein to be divided equally among the rest of the children, the eldest son to have a double portion.
Petter Greene and Peeter Brewer, bound over to this court for quarrelling and fighting, which was heard in court, were fined. Brewer's fine was to be used toward paying for two wolves killed by Samuell Davis of Haverill.t
*Petition of Joseph (his mark) Page of Haverhill to the Ipswich court, Mar. 28, 1682, that he had an interest in the estate of Barttolome Heath, deceased, who left a considerable property, since he had married the widow of Heath's son Joseph and had in his keeping a child of said Joseph. He asks for a chance to plead for the widow and orphan and that he be appointed guardian to the child.
tWarrant, dated Jan. 10, 1681, for the appearance of Peter Green upon complaint of Peter Brewer, for, upon the night of Dec. 7, 1681, at the house of Andrew Grelee in Haverhill, dangerously wounding him in the face, signed by Nath. Sal- tonstall,# assistant.
Samuell Pearson, aged thirty-two years, deposed that Joseph Grely's house was raised on Dec. 6, 1681, and after they had been at supper in the evening, Peter Brewer came in and quarrelled with Peter Green. They went out of doors and fought, Green striking the other with the end of a cane # Autograph.
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[Mar.
so his mouth was full of blood, etc. Sworn, 11 : 11 : 1681, before N. Saltonstall,* assistant.
Andru Grele deposed. Sworn, 30 : 11 : 1681, before N. Saltonstall,* assistant.
John Jonson, jr., deposed. Sworn, 24 : 1 : 1681, before Nath. Saltonstall,* assistant.
John Whittier deposed that as he sat by the fire talking with Goodman Graylee, etc. Sworn, 13 : 11 : 1681, before N. Saltonstall,* assistant.
Martha Page, wife of Cornelius Page, testified that Green told her that he called Brewer out to laugh and jeer at him, etc. Sworn, Jan. 14, 1681, before N. Saltonstall,* assistant.
Samuell Parker, aged about twenty-two years, and Thomas Eatton, jr., aged about twenty-one years, both of Haverhill, testified that being at Peter Brewer's house, etc. Sworn, 13 : 11 : 1681, before N. Saltonstall,* assistant.
Israel Hendrick testified that he heard Brewer say that Peter Green came in a poor coat but now "it is master Green in his stuf," etc. Sworn, 17 : 11 : 1681, before Nath. Sal- tonstall,* assistant.
Thomas Whittier, jr., deposed that Brewer said that Green was a pitiful fellow and came to town in a threadbare coat but now he could swagger every day in his serges, etc. Sworn, Jan. 17, 1681, before N. Saltonstall,* assistant.
Jotham Handrick testified that Brewer was sitting by the fire when Green came and stood by him, but the latter used no provoking words. When they went out to fight Christify Cannaston of Greenland caught hold of Green to stop him, etc. Sworn, 16 : 11 : 1681, before N. Saltonstall,* assistant.
Hanell Clarke, aged about thirty years, deposed. Sworn, 13 : 11 : 1681, before N. Saltonstall,* assistant.
Benjamin Greely, aged about twenty-five years, testified that Brewer came into his father's house after the raising of his brother Joseph's house, etc. Green was invited to the house-raising and to the refreshment afterwards. Robert Clement, sr., was also in the house, etc. Sworn, Mar. 25, 1682, before N. Saltonstall,* assistant.
Letter addressed "for ye Honrd Capt Saltonstall: "Hon" Sir
"After humble Salutation &c att Peter Bruers request I am bold to informe you yt ye wound yt was in his upper lipe went almost to his eye, into his nose & also into his mouth. it could not well be done accidentally becaus it was torne so many ways
"29th 1 mº 82 Yor humble servt
"I have not rec'd anything for what I Jnº Dole .* dia for him."
· Autograph.
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John Sompeken, an Indian, convicted for pulling a woman who was in a delicate condition off her horse when he was drunk, was ordered to be whipped ten lashes and his skin of beaver and gun to be taken for his charges to the county .*
Upon petition of Mary Challis, court having at the ordering of the estate allowed her to sell off the waste land to the value of 10li. for the repairing of the said house, now impowered her to sell more waste land to the value of 10li. for the same purpose.
Ebenezer Browne, for throwing down a ladder upon Joseph Boynton's wife who was in a delicate condition whereby she was much hurt, was fined.t
*Warrant, dated Mar. 23, 1681-2, for the appearance of an Indian who assaulted the wife of Joseph Peasely near Robert Ford's in Haverhill, taking the advice and direction of Joseph Peasly and Phil. Eastman, signed by Nath. Saltonstall,; assist- ant, and served by Tho. Ayers, constable of Haverhill, who found the Indian. He said he was overcome with drink which he had at John Page's when he did it and he was sent by mittimus to Ipswich prison.
Order to the constable of Bradford to take the Indian to Ipswich prison, and to the keeper to receive him, dated Mar. 24, 1681-2, and signed by Nath. Saltonstall,{ assistant.
John Page, jr., ordinary keeper, of Haverhill, in answer to the charge that he let the Indian have five pints of cider at his house, craved the liberty of the law in such cases to
purge himself by his corporal oath, which was allowed. On Mar. 25, "I the said John Page, jr. doe upon the true faith of a Christian affirme that I am cleare and innocent as to the charge made, & do therefore sweare by ye Great & Dreadful Name of ye Almighty God that I did not by myself or servants, or any other pson directly or indirectly give, sell, truck or barter any Cyder or other strong drink (prohibited to be traded wth Indians) to ye said John or any other Indian then in company wth him according to his charge made against mee."
tJoseph Boynton's complaint: that although his wife was now well, yet she suffered great pain for twenty-six weeks after Browne's "Rustick dealing with her," and had not been able to do anything in the house but sit in her chair. A great part of his own time was taken up in caring for her, and he had been to much expence in getting advice from midwives and others, all of which amounted to 48s. damage, etc.
# Autograph.
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[Mar.
Hannah Hassen, Mary Bennet and Mary Lighton deposed that they were with her when the child was born, etc.
Joseph Boynton's bill of cost, 2li. 5s.
Hannah Hazen, Mary Leaver and Mary Leighton testified that on Aug. 25 last in the forenoon they went with others of their neighbors to Sarah Boynton when she received the hurt. They declared that she was a peaceable, quiet, well- carriaged neighbor. Sworn, 27 : 7 : 1681, before N. Sal- tonstall,* assistant.
Sarah Boynton testified that she looked out and saw Ebenezer Browne throwing down the cart ladders that stood up against the doorway where an ox of Goodman Browne's was shut up. She called to him that he could not have the ox unless he brought a half bushel of corn, as her husband charged her, or else old Goodman Browne was to promise to pay it. He went in and loosed the ox "in which time I set up one of the ladders, which was the foreladder of a cart & held it up: then he came with the oxe & pressing against the ladder, told mee, you had as good let it alone it is not a woman that shall hinder me I will have him do what you will, then I charged him to go of from our ground, but he Refusing, I told him if you will come you must take what Comes for I will do what I can to hinder you: if you had agreed with my husband & brought a token I would not have sd anything against it: then hee said the token is we must give you half a bushell of corn, not saying who should do it: then I said how shall I know that for I never did know of it before whereupon hee sd will you not belleive mee: then I told him I must not trust anybody but old Goodman Browne upon this account, then he said my word is as good as my fathers, I am as Good a man as my father, but I durst not give any credit to it, then he sd if you were a man as you are a woman I would stave out
your braines Then the sd Browne being in the hovell & hav- ing thrust off the ladder at a distance from the hovell at the top he plucked it suddenly to him & pluckt it out of my hand & throwing it suddenly from him the uppermost slot of it" struck her. She called to one of her children to prevent him from taking away the ox, and he said if she followed him he would stave out her brains. He called to the daughter, "Rotten Baggigs doest thou follow thy mothers steps, get thee home or I will drub thy coat." Sworn, Sept. 27, 1681, before N. Saltonstall,* assistant.
Sarah Boynton, aged between nine and ten years, deposed as to what her mother said, etc. Affirmed, 27 : 7 : 1681, before N. Saltonstall,* assistant.
Sarah Lighton, aged about nineteen years, deposed that * Autograph.
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John Tucker, for fornication, having been accused by Ann Gilbert, confessed and was ordered to be severely whipped and to pay for the birth and support of the child. She was ordered to be severely whipped and both were to pay equally for the prosecution. Upon petition of some in their behalf the corporal punishment was suspended and they were fined 6li. each .*
William Chapman and Elizabeth Smith were convicted of fornication, he to give security or marry her.
Grace Stout, convicted for stealing 18s. in money from Samuell Pearce, was ordered to pay 56s. to Pearce.t
she saw Browne come into the yard "with such a countenance as I concluded he was much moved," etc. Sworn before Daniel Denison.#
Anne Plummer, aged about twenty-one years, deposed. Sworn in court.
Samuell Boynton, aged about twenty-one years, deposed that having lived with his brother Joseph the latter's wife was well enough before she was hurt to card for a spinner whom his brother hired and to carry on her family work. Deponent left there about a month before her child was born and she could do no work after she was injured. Sworn in court.
William Brown, aged about twenty-six years, deposed that Sarah, wife of Joseph Boynton of Rowley, came to his shop when he was at work, etc.
Sarah Boynton testified as to her suffering.
Mary Bennit, aged about forty-two years, and Sarah Spo- fard testified that they were near neighbors, etc. Sworn in court.
Sarah Lighton, aged about nineteen years, deposed that she was employed to spin at Boynton's house, etc. Sworn in court.
*John Tucker's bill of cost, 1li. 2s.
Petition of Mary Toucker, with John Toucker and An Gillburd, that the sentence of whipping for her son and maid be remitted and a fine substituted.
On Feb. 14, 1681, before the Worshipful Bartholmew Ged- ney, Esq., Ann Gilbert confessed to fornication with John Tucker. John Tucker was bound for appearance, with his father Andrew Tucker as surety.
tMoses Pengry, jr.'s, complaint against Grace Stoute: for stealing 7 shillings of money and some linen from him. # Autograph.
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His reasons were because she sometimes watched with his wife in the same room where these things were; because she passed daily by his house morning and evening to Good- wife Foster's where she worked, and when the theft was com- mitted his wife was gone from home to see her friends where she continued about a month, and he also was away often; because they found a woman's thimble near the place where the linen was.
Samuell Pearce's bill of cost, 3li. 8d.
Account of the money Grace Stout has laid out since she came to Ipswich: for abusing the tithingman, 4s .; per Nath. Knoulton, 88. 6d .; to Jno. Ayers, 6d., Mark Ayers, 9d., Eliz. Knoulton, 10s., Grace Sarl, 1s., 11s .; Tho. Newmarsh, 6s. 8d .; Hanna Newmarsh, wife of Jno. Newmarsh, 5s .; Thomas Dennise, 2s. 6d .; Saml. Searle, 1s. 8d .; one horne Bottle & one porringer, 2s. 6d .; Abigaill Dutch, 4s .; Martha Smith, 2s. 4d .; Moses Pearce, 3d .; Johanna Graves, 5s. 9d .; Docter Bennit, 2s .; Saml. Pearce, 68. 8d .; William Hodgskin, 5s .; Eliz. Crose, 1s. 4d .; Sam. French, 6d .; Serj. Clarke, sr., 9d .; to Mrs. Towsey, for eye water, 1s .; Sarah Burnume, 6d .; total, 3li. 10s. 11d.
Samll. Pearce testified that when Grace Stoute lived with Deacon Knoulton, deponent laid out for her 6s. 8d. in money at Boston and Salem to buy lutestring and linen cloth. Sworn in court.
Samll. Pearce suspected that she stole 12 New England shillings, 12 New England three pence, 4 New England two pence and 3 or 4 old England shillings.
Account of what she had received since she came to Ipswich for work, etc .: of Deacon Knolton's wife, 9s .; from strangers at the house, 1s .; Mrs. Wenwright, for work, 1s. 3d .; Goody Starkewether, 2s .; Goody Moses, 2s. 6d .; Mary Newmarch, 2s .; for work of Rebeckah Barry and for a pair of gloves, 4s. 8d .; Martha Gaines, 1s. 6d .; Mary Hodgkins, 4s.
Phillip Fouler, aged about thirty-three years, testified · that he inquired of Mr. Harison and his wife how Grace be- haved when she lived with them and they said she was a notorious thief and she cost them ten pounds before she had been there half a year. Sworn in court.
Martha Lamson, aged thirty-four years, deposed that Grace told her several times that she had no money at all and when she came from Mr. Joseph Porter's she had two or three small bibs which she gave to Mary Dennis' children. Isaac Cummings, jr., who lived at deponent's house when Grace lived with them, often asked Grace to loan him money but she said she had none. Sworn in court.
Joseph Porter testified that Grace was his servant about two years and a half ago and he found her at his chest. Mis-
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sing some money, he accused her of taking it and she gave it up. He then dismissed her. Sworn, Mar. 30, 1682, before Daniel Denison .*
Abigaill Dutch, aged thirty-two years, deposed that she had 2s. 6d. of Grace for knitting her stockings, of which Grace sent 1s. 6d. to Boston by deponent's husband to buy her one silver waistcoat hook, which he did. Sworn, Mar. 3, 1681-2, before Daniel Denison .*
Samll. Pearce, aged twenty-eight years, deposed that after the money was taken from Grace and Mr. Willson had tolled it, she called him into the other room and weeping said, "Good Master, petty my case & leate the ting pace & go no farther & tacke all that Mony, and all that I haue and I will bee yo' siruant & doe all that I can for you as longue as I liue." Sworn, Mar. 31, 1682, before B. Gedney,* assistant.
Receipt of Tho. Clarke, Sergt.,* to Grace Stoutt for 9s. in money for a foot stool.
Johanna Graves, aged about twenty-two years, testified that she had 5s. 9d. of Grace for some whisk and lace, ribin and lining cloth.
Jno. Lamson, aged thirty-nine years, deposed that Graves said when she lived with him that she had no money, etc. This was since she came from Salem. Sworn, Mar. 2, 1681-2, before Daniel Denison .*
Nathaniel Knoulton testified that Grace gave him money when he went to Boston and he bought for her a silver thimble, a bodkin and three yards of ribbon at 2d. per yard, all of which came to about five and six pence.
Moses Pearce testified that he received of Grace Stout 3d. for one gilt box.
Mary Donill, aged about thirty-five years, testified. Sworn in court.
Theophelus Willson and Jno. Pearce deposed. Sworn, Mar. 3, 1681-2, before Daniel Denison .*
Jno. Ayers testified that he sold some ribbon to Grace for which she paid to Eliz. Knoulton 6d.
John Hodgkins* and Alexander Marrick* certified, Mar. 25, 1682, that being at Boston on Mar. 17 in company with Mr. William Harrison at his shop and talking about Grace Stout's troubles at Ipswich, Harrison said that he had nothing to accuse her of for his part.
Samll. Searli deposed that he received 1s. 8d. in money of Grace.
Martha Smith, aged about twenty-six years, testified that she had 2s. 4d. from Grace for lace in 1680.
Elizabeth Knoulton and Grace Searle deposed that when * Autograph.
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IPSWICH QUARTERLY COURT
[Mar.
Grace came to live with Deacon Knoulton she had no chest nor box but one tin tobacco box, which once she opened and showed them her money, not above 1s. or 18d., etc. Sworn, Mar. 3,. 1681-2, before Daniel Denison .*
Arminell Tousey* received of Grace 1s. for eyewater last summer.
Mary Clarke, aged thirty-one years, and Ruth Boulton, aged about fifteen years, testified that they were talking with Grace about a shilling that was taken from Tho. Clark's daughter and she said she scorned to steal a shilling, that she had a way to get money that nobody knew and never should know. She further said she sold a box at Salem for 7s. De- ponents testified that they saw Grace pay Doctor Bennit 2s. for physic. Sworn, Mar. 3, 1681-2, before Daniel Denison .*
Samll. Pearce testified that while Grace lived with him three months as a hired servant he had 18s. 8d. taken from a box and desk, some from his pocket in his chest. Sworn in court.
Mary Pearce, sr., aged twenty-four years, and Mary Pearce, jr., aged fourteen years, deposed that they said to Grace that they thought she had a pretty deal of money and she replied that if she had half of 20s. she would eat the keeler that then she was kneading bread in. Sworn, Mar. 3, 1681-2, before Daniel Denison .*
Hannah Knolton,* aged about thirty-five years, testified that she had received of Grace 6s. for a whisk and a bonnet. Thomas Knoulton witnessed his wife's signature.
Grace Hodgskin testified that Grace paid her 5s. for linen cloth which Grace bought of her son William Hodgskin.
Mark Ayers, aged twenty years, deposed that he was with Grace at Jno. Lamson's where she lived at his master Knoul- ton's and saw her give nine pence to Lamson's children.
Mary Pearce, sr., aged twenty four years, and Moses Pearce, aged fifteen years, deposed that they heard Grace say that since she came to Ipswich she gave 18d. in money for one horn bottle and 1s. for one earthen porringer. Sworn, Mar. 3, 1681-2, before Daniel Denison .*
Tho. Dennis deposed that Grace bought a carved box with a drawer in it of him in 1679, and it had two locks for which Grace paid him in money. Owned before Daniel Denison .*
Thomas Newmarsh testified that he laid out 6s. 3d. for Grace to buy one pair of stockings and one silver rump hook when she lived at his house.
Ales (her mark) Bracket affirmed that her son Samuell Word told her at her house before Grace Stout that she took 27s. in money and linen of his wife's. The money was found
* Autograph.
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Joseph and John Woolcott, convicted of stealing wood from John Atkinson, were ordered to pay 6s. 8d. to said Atkinson .*
under a bed in his chamber in a cloth with some butter and sugar. The little while she lived with them, she was a liar and very naughty in all respects to him and his son's children and was not fit to live in any honest man's house. Wit: Moses Pengry, jr.t
*Warrant, dated Jan. 24, 1681, for the apprehension of John and Joseph Wolcot upon complaint of John Atkinson upon suspicion of stealing a parcel of cord wood cut by his servants in Newbury woods near John Webster's coal pit, signed by Daniel Denison.t
Hugh March, sr., aged about sixty-two years, testified that two or three years since Joseph Woulcoot sold two lambs of his to Joseph Knight of Newbury. When he heard about it he quickly went to Knight and took them, one being killed of which he had three quarters and the other alive. Woulcoot said they were his and received 2s. for them. William Muffet testified that Nath. Bricket told him that Woulcoot offered them to him but he feared that he had not come honestly by them. Sworn before Daniel Denison.t
Increase Pilsberry, aged about twenty-one years, testified that in 1680 being with Samll. Buckman, the latter said that George Peirce, Joseph Wollcot and himself went to the garden of James Smith when Wollcot took cabbages and put them into a bag. Pierce took down the rails and Buckman brought the beast to the rails. Deponent further said that that day on the way home Buckman desired him to go to Woolcot's house on the homeward way to drink a pot of cider. Goody Woolcot asked Bucknam if he had any more of the same and he replied "no, our boyes get them away." Deponent asked him on the way home what the same was and Buckman re- plied nothing but a dozen or two of eggs. Deponent asked him why he did not eat them at home, and he said his folks would not let him have any and he carried them where he could eat them. Sworn in court.
Joseph Knight, aged about twenty-nine years, deposed that the lambs had no marks, etc. Sworn in court.
Phillip Fouler, aged about thirty-three years, deposed con- cerning the marks, etc.
Cutting [Noyes?], aged about thirty-two years, deposed. Sworn in court.
John Webster, aged about forty-five years, testified that he met John and Joseph Woolcot in the woods with cord wood on a sled going toward home. Thinking it was his neighbor t Autograph.
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[Mar.
Atkinson's deponent said to them "Have you Got Sam Buk- mans coardwood?" Later he asked John Woolcot if he came honestly by that wood and he said they cut it last spring. John Atkinson's son and Ephraim said it was their wood and they left it near a walnut tree on the hill and there were wal- nut trees on the other side. Wolcott said that the Atkinsons knew no more than a dog where their wood lay, etc. Sworn, Jan. 20, 1681, before Daniel Denison .*
John Webster testified that when his evidence was read before the Honored Major Denison at Mr. Clark's house, etc. Sworn in court.
Joseph Pike, aged forty-three years, testified that Major Denison told Buckman to go with deponent to where the wood was cut, etc. Sworn in court.
Thomas Noyes, aged about nineteen years, testified that Samuel Buckman, servant of John Adkinson of Newbury, etc. Sworn before D. Denison .*
William Muffet, aged about eighteen years, testified that he was working in the woods with Samuell Buckman who had a parcel of "lincks," about twenty with him, and asked him to go to John Woolcot's to eat them with him. He asked Goody Woolcott for the frying pan. "What will you doe with the friing pane," said she. "Frie some lincks," said he. "Wheaire had you them?" said she. "I toocke them out of my damnies Cubard," said he. "A very pretty trick," said she, and went and fried them and they all ate them, the children included. Buckman told him when he kept sheep he carried beer and cheese for his dinner and being at Goody Wolcot's house, she said that his master had pork and bacon enough and if he would bring a good piece of bacon she would boil it for him, for she had herbs enough. Deponent then informed his master of it who forbade him going to Wool- cot's house. Sworn, Jan. 30, 1681, before Daniel Denison .*
Sarah Smith, aged about thirty-eight years, deposed that once when Joseph Woolcot was at their house he looked at a piece of ribbon in a chair and she watched him and saw him put it in his pocket. He delivered it to her when she told him that she would tell his father. Sworn, Jan. 30, 1681, before Daniel Denison .*
Recerd Thurly, aged above sixteen years, testified to Buck- man's frying his dinner at Woolcott's. Samuel Buckman and Mary Woollcot testified to the same. Sworn, Feb. 6, 1681, before Daniel Denison .*
Ephraim Wheeler, aged about nineteen years, and John Atkinson, aged about fourteen years, deposed. Sworn, Jan. 30, 1681, before Daniel Denison .*
* Autograph.
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RECORDS AND FILES
Thomas Tewksbury, for not obeying the court's order to appear for not going to live with his wife, was to pay costs to the constable of Newbury.
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