USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Records and files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, vol 8 > Part 34
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"May it please ye honoured Court Doctor Knott came and stood before M' Batters his Door and called to me Saying Job : Job : wherupon I looked out of ye Prison Window and saw him scrape wth his Sticke upon ye Ground Job sayes he doe you know what This meanes I answered him No; Oh sayes he Sirrah you are like to learne to howgh in Virginia Wittness- Jnº Cooper.
"June the 23th 82. Doctor Knott Came to Goodman feltons. house for A Copy of ye Attachment I hearing his Tongue (may it please ye honoured Court) called unto him & desired him to send me my shirt & Drawers Whereupon he came to Goodman Feltons back Door rayling & reuiling att me most Sadly Calling of me Rogue & Sirrah telling of me he had beter att home to wipe his shoes then Euer my father was for he said he was an Annybaptisticall Quakeing Rogue that for his maintainence went up & down England to delude Soules for ye Diuell weh is no small Greife to me, to thinke that he has not Onelye Abused me in keeping of me in close Prison almost This fourteen Weekes, but abuse him whom he neuer knew but was well known to be A religious Godly man by Seuerall Good Godly people here in New England; likewise his Library wch I brought Ouer to This Country Proues him (may it please y" honord Court) Not to be neither Quaker nor Annybaptist Wch ve Reverend M' Allen & M' Madder of Boston & ye worshipful M' Danford of Cam- bridge are Sensible of besides A great Many Scollers of Cam- bridge wch bought Suereall of ye Bookes pertaining to my fathers Library
"May it please The Honourd Court
"I beseech you' honors To take this sad Miserable and de- plorable Condition I am now in unto you' honnours Considira-
* Autograph.
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tions; in considering in the first place of my Education & bring- ing up wch was to learning (My great grandfather was a Docter of Divinitye in London in Queen Elizabeths Tyme & Deceased there; my Grandfather was minester of St Iues Covell knowne by ye honoured Gouern' Broadstreet as his honour Told me himselfe) and likewise by Master Pembleton of Winter harbor now Deceased. My father (may it please y honoured Court) and M' William Bridge Preached Twelue yeares together in ye New Church of Great Yarmouth. I being his Eldest Son he did Intend I should have been A minister And in my Thirteenth yeare of Age sent me to Emanuell Colledge in Cambridge it being ye same Colledge he himselfe was brought up in : But ye prouidence of God ordered it so The Tymes altering; I had been there but a fortnight before my father Sent for me home and asked me if I was willing to goe to London to be an apprentice; my answer was That I was willing to Submitt to his pleasure wherupon he sent me to London & I was Bound an Apprentice to A Whole Sale Grocer in Cheapside; But I had nott been An apprentice much aboue A yeare before ye Cheifest part of ye Citty was Burnt; my Master Sustaining therby so great A Losse as he did by reason his Owne house he lived In & all his Goods and likewise Seuerall other houses he had rented out in ye Citty Broke; and was not able to Sett up his Trade againe; wherupon I being uery younge desired my father if he pleased That he would giue his Consent that I might goe to Sea; which request of myne (may it please ye honourd Court) he consented unto; And bound me an apprentice for Three years to Capt. Sam1l Scarlet of Boston to Serue to ye Sea; which Tyme I truly serued as is well knowne by seuerall of Boston; now ye Debt (may it please ye honoured Court) wch Doctor Knott sayes he has en- gaged to pay in my behalfe I did not owe it through any Ex- trauegance but Through ye prouidence of God hauing been taken Twice and cast away Once since I came out of England; And now lately I accidentally cutt all ye Sinews of my right hand: through wch meanes I was forced to lye Lame upwards of Six Months Not being able to use One of my fingers in Six months Tyme; That what ye Doctor had for ye Cure of my hand ye Charges I was att for Washing Lodging & Diet it being in so Deere A place, it was in Piscataqua Riuer besides the Losse of my Tyme; brought me Thus behinde hand; and Therfore I humblye desire (you' honours) to Commiserate my poor & Distressed Condition I am Now In; being A Stranger to yo" honours and likewise this Towne hauing Layd here almost fourteen Weekes in Close prison. The Lord knowing there is no One knows what here I haue suffered since I came in here hauing not now halfe ye strength I had when I came first in here. The Lord knows when I shall recover my strength againe but my trust & hope is still in him, besides ye Losse of my most pretious
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SALEM QUARTERLY COURT
[June
John Beckett v. Jonathan Knight. Withdrawn."
Josiah Roades v. Sarah Hathorn, widow, and Nathaniel Hathorne, her son. Verdict for plaintiff, the horse in contro- versy. Appealed to the next Court of Assistants. Nathaniel Hathorne, Tho. Newell, sr., were bound, with John Newell and Ebenezer Hathorne as sureties.
Samuell Tarbox and Mathew Farrington were sworn con- stables for Lynn.
Tyme woh can neuer be recalled Againe In wch Tyme (may it please ye honoured Court) I might haue paid Mr. Wentworth of Piscataqua his Debt but haue maliciously been Debarred from it & kept here by a Wretched Malicious Man falsely web I Question Nott but you' Honours plainlye sees it. Your honours Poor and humble Declarant and Petition' who Prays for yor honours health happinesse and Prosperity in this Qerlo Lyfe And in ye World to come lyfe Euerlasting So prays "Your honours humble Petitioner & Seruant "Job Tookie."t
Richard Lee, aged about twenty-one years, testified that on Mar. 20 last he was living with Richard Knott in Marblehead and heard Job Tookie declare that he would not go in Knott's employ fishing in neither of his shallops. Nevertheless Knott ordered his master to go to sea the next day and to call for Tookie which they did and he refused to go with them. Sworn, June 19, 1682, before Moses Mavericke, t commissioner.
Henry Trevet, aged about sixty years, testified to the same. Sworn, June 26, 1682, before Moses Mavericke, t commissioner. William Jarman, aged about thirty-eight years, testified that he was the man who called to Tookie, etc. Sworn, June 26, 1682, before Moses Mavericke, t commissioner.
Walter Adams, aged about forty-eight years, testified that he being skipper of one of Doctor Knott's shallops last winter, the Doctor desired one of his own servants who went fishing with Adams, called Thomas Vee, offering to let Tookie go in Vee's place. Deponent said he would try Tookie three days first to see if he could catch fish, but Tookie refused to go when called, and he was obliged to go to sea with his old crew. Sworn, June 26, 1682, before Moses Mavericke,t commissioner.
*Writ: Mr. John Beckett v. Jonathan Knights; non-perform- ance of an agreement in building a leanto to his dwelling house; dated May 22, 1682; signed by Hilliard Verent for the court and town of Salem; and served by Henery Skerry, t marshal of Salem, by attachment of land of defendant.
t Autograph.
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Moses Gerrish of Newbury was freed from common training, he paying 5s. per annum to the use of the company, provided the Captain accepts it.
Capt. Richard Walker, Capt. Thomas Marshall and Mr. Thomas Laighton of Lynn were sworn commissioners of small causes in Lynn.
Edward Marshall was sworn constable of Lyn.
Joseph Williams dying intestate, Sara, the relict, was granted administration upon his estate and she presented an inventory* which was allowed. The clear estate amounted to about 90li., and there being six children, four sons, Joseph, Daniel, Benja- min and David, and two daughters, Sarah and Abigail, court ordered to the eldest son 10li. and 5li. to each of the others at age or marriage.
Edward Berry of Marblehead petitioned the court to be freed from common training, on account of his great age, poverty
* Inventory of the estate of Joseph Williams, taken June 27, 1682, by Joseph Grafton, sr., t and Francis Neale, sr .: t one halfe of the Dwelling house, Barn and Shopp which he builded, 40li .; the other part of the house and land thereunto belonging which is his wifes and Children after her mothers Discease; to a Boat, 5li .; Two Cowes and a Maire, 8li .; 3 swine & two piggs, 3li .; Land att Topsfield, 16li .; one bed and bedstead as itt standeth, 5li .; two small beds more and ye firnituer to them belonging, 5li .; two Chests and two Boxes, 1li. 10s .; fower paire of Sheets much worne, 2li. 10s .; 3 paire of pillowbeers, Ili .; to fower pewter platters, one Great bason, two little Basons, two quart potts, fower porengers, one sawcer, 6 spoones, alchymie, one Chamber pott, a sucking bottell & small Tunnell, 1li. 15s .; an old warming pann, 5s .; one Brass Kettle and to Brass Skilletts, 2li. 10s .; two Iron potts & two Iron Kettles, 1li. 10s .; a paire of Andirons and two hakes & a fryin pann, 10s .; a fier shovell, Tongs, a spitt and a paire of Bellowes, 7s .; two Gunnes, two rapiers, a Pike and a belt, 2li .; a smoothing Iron & Looking Glass, 3s .; two sawes, axes and working Tooles, 10li .; 10 Bushels of Indian Corn & six bushells of Rie, 1li. 18s .; six old chaires, 6s .; Lumber, 10s .; a wheele & a smale Tabel, 6s .; his wareing Clothes, 5li .; to tenn pound of Linen yarn fower pound of Cotton yarn, & Five pound of Cotton woole, 1li. 13s .; to an old Saddle and Briddle, 10s .; two sythes, 5s., 13s .; A Canow, 15s .; a Pine Chist, 5s .; total, 9li. 10s .; due to ye estate from severall persons, 8li. 2s. 6d .; due from ye estate to severall persons, 36li. 8s. 13d.
t Autograph.
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SALEM QUARTERLY COURT
[June
and weakness of body, and that the Captain was willing if the court approved, and he was accordingly dismissed from train- ings.
Thomas Judkin had his former license renewed for keeping an ordinary in Gloster.
John Allen acknowledged judgment to Philip Greely.
Theophilus Baily had his license renewed for the ensuing year.
Robert Cockes, presented for beating one Booby, was fined, and for swearing was dismissed, it being not legally proved.
Court ordered to Ruth Williams 6li. to be paid by John and Joseph Gatchell in satisfaction for nursing the child to the present time, this being in addition to what had been granted her already .*
Tho. Maule, presented for breach of the peace in striking George Deane's children, was admonished, as were the boys, and all were ordered to pay costs.t
*Elizabeth Pow, aged about thirty years, testified that being with Mary Williams the day before she died, the latter denied that the child was Jonathan Gatchell's. Sworn, June 29, 1682, before Moses Mavericke,# commissioner.
Elizabeth Gillegan, aged about twenty-six years, testified that Mary Williams told her the same. Sworn, June 29, 1682, before Moses Mavericke, commissioner.
tJeane Lord, aged about fifteen years, testified that she being on the street on Apr. 6 saw Thomas Maule take up Geo. Deane, jr., and put him in his barn whereupon the boy cried very much so that his sister Elizabith Deane asked said Maule to let him out. Maule took a great stick and struck her over the head and shoulders about twelve blows when Thomas Deane came and asked for his brother. Maule warned him to keep out, but Deane pressed toward the barn door for the rescue of his brother and Maule struck him twice with a sod spade, pulled him down and struck him more blows, etc. Sworn, Apr. 7, 1682, before Bartho. Gedney,{ assistant.
Mary Lambert, aged about fifteen years, testified to the same. Sworn, Apr. 7, 1682, before Bartho. Gedney,# assistant.
Benjamin Williams, aged about seventeen years, testified that he was in the street near Thomas Maule's new house, with Thomas Dane and several other boys, and saw Dane take a stick out of Richard Thomas' hands saying he would beat Maule with it. Dane and Charles Phillips threw stones at Maule who # Autograph.
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1682]
was in his barn and bade Maule come out and they would drub him. Dean thrust his stick in at a hole in the barn and said he had given him a good punch. It was said among them that they thought Maule had gone around to his home. Then Phillips and Dean sent Richard Thomas to the house to tell him that there were boys playing the rogue on his ground and flinging stones.at his barn and, if he came, they intended to drub him. Phillips said he would give 5s. to know whether Maule were at home, etc. Sworn, Apr. 17, 1682, before B. Gedney,* assistant.
John Blieth testified as to the actions on that Sabbath day night and that Richard Thomas was sent to tell Maule that somebody was going to pull up all of his trees, etc. Sworn, Apr. 17, 1682, before B. Gedney,* assistant.
Bathsheba Coombs, aged about forty-five years, deposed. Sworn, Apr. 7, 1682, before B. Gedney,* assistant.
Charles Derby, aged about thirteen years, testified. Sworn, Apr. 7, 1682, before B. Gedney,* assistant.
Sarah Cole testified. Sworn, Apr. 7, 1682, before Bartho. Gedney,* assistant.
George Deane, aged about forty years, testified that he had seen Maule writing and posting his books on the Sabbath day, etc. Sworn, June 24, 1682, before Bartho. Gedney,* assistant.
Martha Proctor, aged about sixteen years, testified that Maule many times came to her master King's house on the evening of the Sabbath day and she had heard her master say, "What, Thomas, hast thou bin to meeting to day?" Maule would reply, "No, I haue bin so busy today about posting my Bookes wch I could not attend upon other dayes." Sworn, June 24, 1682, before Bartho. Gedney,* assistant.
Daniel Dove, aged about twenty years, and Isack Williams, aged about twenty years, testified that they were in the street near Isack Williams, father's house at eleven o'clock at night and saw Thomas Deen and John Richards going toward Maule's new house where his orchard is; and this was the night that the apple trees were cut down. Sworn, Apr. 18, 1682, before Bartho. Gedney,* assistant.
Steven Ingols testified that he saw John Richards and Tho. Dane there that night, etc. Sworn before B. Gedney,* assistant.
Eleckieas (also, Alexius) Ronalls, aged about twenty-five years, and Haggar, John Trask's negro, aged about twenty-one years, testified that they saw John Richards go over the fence between Maule's and Richard Crod's houses as if he came directly from the window by the bed where Thomas Maule lodged, about eight or nine o'clock. When he came into the street he said to the boys "Is Tom Maule com out?" They asked him several times if he had been in the orchard, but he made no reply. Then he went over to Maule's new house where
* Autograph.
1
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SALEM QUARTERLY COURT
[June
Thomas Maule, presented for pernicious lying several times, was fined, and Jeremiah Neal, Mr. Phippen and Edw. Bridges were allowed witness fees .*
the orchard was "and said Tom maule had a brane new shope." Sworn, Apr. 18, 1682, before Bartho. Gedney, t assistant.
Joseph Lord, aged about twenty years, testified that at ten o'clock at night he saw John Richards and Thomas Deen in the town at Capt. Pris' corner near his house and they both went up as far as John Mason's house where they stopped and talked. Deponent noticed that they were both laughing as they left him and went toward Maule's, one saying to the other "com let us goe wee had as good be hanged for a oldee sheep as a young lam." Sworn, Apr. 18, 1682, before Bartho. Gedney, f assistant. *Presented for the following offences:
For profanely taking the name of God to witness the last Salem court that he never posted his books on the Lord's day for which there is legal proof to the contrary. Wit: George Deane and Martha Proctor. For professing that he had great respect for the Sabbath when he had said that all days were alike to him and that he had worked on that day and could as freely as on other days were it not for the laws of the outward man. Wit: William Godsoe and Joseph Gatchell. For defaming authority in saying that he was counselled by the Worshipful Mr. Bartholomew Gidney to deny that which was proved in court to be a just and honest debt. Wit: William Godsoe and Elizabeth Deane. For his constant practice of lying and defam- ing his neighbors, as in court last December, saying that by reason of his bad neighbors he had sold his house for 50li. loss, whereas before he had said that he had made 40li. Wit: Jos. Gatchell, Francis Nurse and Jonathan Neale. For denying that he took away Mr. Higginson's notes directly or indirectly when it can be clearly proved that he did take away said notes and made his jeers about it. Wit: Joseph Phippen, sr., Edm. Bridges, Joseph Gatchell and William Godsoe. For saying that Frances Croade was a base liar and would have been hanged long ago had she had her deserts, which he positively denied before Mr. Gidney. Wit: Jonathan Flint and Charles Phillips. For deriding authority after he had been at the court to answer for default in Sabbath breaking, saying that the court did not so much as give him a check for it, nor believe anything that was said against him. Wit: Elizabeth Deane, sr., and Elizabeth Deane, jr. The foregoing were left to the consideration of the "Judicious Jury."
Edmand Bridges' bill of cost, 3s.
Bill of cost of Joseph Phippen, sr., and Jeremiah Neale, 6s., and to the other witnesses, 6s. each.
t Autograph.
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Richard Croade, presented for being drunk, was fined .*
John Mason, presented for excessive drinking, was fined.' Wm. Godsoe and Samll. Wakfeild were allowed witness fees.t
Ruben Guppy, presented for selling drink without license, was fined or upon failure to pay was to be imprisoned.
Frances Collens, presented for selling strong drink without license, was fined.}
Isaack Read and his wife, presented upon suspicion of stealing corn from Andrew Tarvice, were fined.§
Samuell Wackfield, aged about twenty-nine years, testified that as he was in his own garden he saw Thomas Deayn strike Thomas Maule several blows within the latter's fence and when deponent went to see what the matter was, Deayn had pushed him backward onto the ground, calling him bad names. Also William Crod took Maule by the throat and Richard Croade's two daughters called him Irish baud master and bade him fetch his Irish baud from Antogo. Sworn, Apr. 7, 1682, before B. Gedney, | assistant.
Daniell Dove, aged twenty years, testified that he heard Sarah Croad call Maule these names and that he saw Elizabeth Dane, so called, go to Maule and ask him to let out her brother and Maule told her to get off his land. He further told her he would drub her if she did not go, whereupon she dared him and he struck her several blows, etc. Sworn, Apr. 7, 1682, before Bartho. Gedney, || assistant.
John Coats, aged twenty-three years, testified that he saw the beginning of the fray, etc. Sworn, Apr. 7, 1682, before Bartho. Gedney, || assistant.
*Salem presentment. Wit: William Pinson and his wife Rebecka.
¡Salem presentment.
#Salem presentment. Wit: Bartholmew Gidny, Nathanell Greene and John Bonker.
§Andrew Tarvis' complaint against Isack Read and Jane, his wife: "On munday last there being much company at Beniamin Scarlets the hous where I dwele there was amongst others Isack Read & his wife & about an hour within night my wife tould me that Jane Read was in the leanto & then I asked her where her husband was & my wife tould me he was gone & the next morn- ing my wife going into the leanto caled to me & tole me that we were undon our Corne was gone; my wife went out & found corne scatered on the grownd: al the way unto the brooke In the way towards Isaac Reads houses & In the way there was 2 traces of Corne In a holow tree & the eares all taken"; they further || Autograph.
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SALEM QUARTERLY COURT
[June
Upon complaint of Mary Russell that her husband Thomas Russell had carried himself very profusely and extravagantly in running up and down the country, taking no care to provide for his family, much abusing his wife and family, and he having been convicted formerly of disorderly carriages of this sort, and was without reformation, court ordered his estate to be se- questered. He was to have no power to dispose of it; and court appointed Capt. Ward and Benjamin Parmiter as feoffees in trust for said Mary and her children to secure the estate for their relief and to place the children out, with the mother's consent .*
said that they had had meat taken and found one piece near the door. Sworn, Apr. 3, 1682, before Bartho. Gedney, t assistant. Andrew Tarvice's bill of cost, 1li. 6s.
Summons, dated Apr. 3, 1682, to witnesses, Goodwife Rouden, Daniell Poole, Nathaniell Carell, Hugh Jones and Nathaniell Felton, jr., signed by Bartho. Gedney, f assistant.
Nathannel Felton, aged twenty-six years, testified that on Mar. 28, last he was going early in the morning to the north field and between the dwelling of Andrew Tarves and the house of Isake Read saw several ears of Indian corn lying on the ground.
Mary Rowden and Daniell Poole testified that Sarah Tarviss and Jane Read discoursing about the corn in said Rowden's house, Goody Tarviss asked how came her corn gone and Sarah said perhaps the horses ate it. Poole testified that he saw corn under the groundsel of the house. Sworn, Apr. 3, 1682, before B. Gedney, t assistant.
Samuell Endecott testified that he saw Goody Reed stand at the leanto door at night "after she bid us good night, near where the corn hung, etc. Sworn, May 23, 1682, before Bartho. Gedney, t assistant.
*The petition of Mary (her mark) Russell: "whereas Thomas Russell the husbande of ye aforesayed Mary hath & doth follow A very lewed Course of life by drunkeness, idleeness, makeng away out of ye house such necessaryes as my poore Family can- not well be withoute, not prouideing sustenance for mee or my children, neither foode nor raymente, but runninge & rideinge aboute the country, & makeing or takeng up his abode affar of somtimes at the eastward at pescataway, sometimes south- warde at New Yorke & at his returne certaine is his custom to make away all yt hee can from mee & my children of what hee finds in the family & at this time he is & hath been gon this four- teene nightes I know not whither, nor whether hee intends to returne or not, besides his wicked violence at such times as hee t Autograph.
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Richard Flinder, presented for breach of the Sabbath by sail- ing with his sloop out of Manchester river on a Sabbath day, confessed, pleading necessity, was dismissed, court giving him a caution to be careful for the time to come .*
Peeter Goite, being charged by Ruth Williams with being the father of her child, was sentenced to pay 4s. per week for the first four weeks and 3s. per week thereafter for food and raiment for the child. He was bound, with Samuell Nicholson as surety.t
is at home & at his seuerall returnes home is so cruell against my person that I dreade his societie. Therefore the petitioner being out of all hopes of A Comfortabllee subsistance; neyther For her self nor bringeing up of his & my three children with respeckt to education in any wise ackcordinge to the rule of Gods worde & Lawes prescribed in this Commonwealth;" etc.
*Wit: John Sibley and -- -Aling.
tSummons, dated 30 : 4 : 1682, to the midwife who was with Ruth Williams, also two other women as witnesses, signed by Hilliard Veren,{ for the court, and served by the constable of Marblehead on Elizabeth Smith and Rebekeh Swet. The mid- wife was so busy in her profession that she could not attend, but :sent her testimony.
Elizabeth Smith, aged about twenty-nine years, testified that Gregory Williams being at Marblehead when his wife was sick desired her and the nurse to look after her. She asked him what she should do if his wife died and he said for her to look after the child and he would satisfy her for it. Sworn, June 29, 1682, before Moses Mavericke,# commissioner.
Waiburrow Gatchell, aged about seventy years, testified that she was the midwife at the birth of Ruth's child and the latter said that Peter Goitt was the father of it. Sworn, June 29, 1682, before Moses Mavericke,{ commissioner.
Elizabeth Smith and Rebeca Sweet testified to the same and that they had seen Goit go in to Ruth's house at twelve or one o'clock at night, the latter often sitting up late to wait for her husband's coming from sea. Sworn in court.
Ruth Williams, aged about thirty-five years, testified that Gregory Williams, being at Marblehead when his wife was sick, desired deponent as her nurse to look after her to see that she wanted nothing and he would satisfy her, etc. Sworn, June 29, 1682, before Moses Mavericke,# commissioner.
:. Petition of Ruth Williams of Marblehead: that she had kept the child of Gregory Williams about ten months and tended his wife two months and had received but 40s .; she asked for satis- faction.
# Autograph.
346
SALEM QUARTERLY COURT
[June-
Thomas Deane and Charles Phillips, bound to the court upon suspicion of cutting down several apple trees of Thomas Maule's, desired to be tried by jury. Verdict for defendants .*
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