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M. L
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02232 7594
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/minutesofcouncil00newj_0
MINUTES
OF THE
COUNCIL OF SAFETY
OF THE
-
STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
Compliments of
A
GOVERNOR PARKER.
JERSEY CITY :
PRINTED BY JOHN H. LYON. 1872.
130261
1764890
1:
Council of safety.
the Council of safety of the state of New sey City, Printed by J. H. Lyon, 1872.
compliance with an act of the Legislature, approved Apr. C, over the period from March 18, 1777 to Oct. 8, 1778. For e Council of safety of 1775 and 1776 see New Jersey ( Prov- the Provincial congress and the Council of safety, 1879.
: New Jersey-Hist .- Revolution. 3-29140
gress, no. E263.N5×63.
..
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Volume I.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY.
JOHN CLEVES SYMMES. WILLIAM PATERSON. NATHANIEL SCUDDER. THEOPHILUS ELMER. SILAS CONDICT.
JOHN HART. JOHN MEHELM. SAMUEL DICK. JOHN COMBS.
CALEB CAMP. EDMUND WETHERBY. BENJAMIN MANNING.
Haddonfield March 18th 1.777.
Pursuant to the Power and Authority given, in and by an Act of the Council and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey, intitled " An Act for investing the Governor and a Council consisting of twelve, with certain powers therein men- tioned for a limited Time," The Governor and Council of Safety met;
Present. His Excellency the Governor,
Mr Symmes Mr Dick
Mr Paterson Mr Combs
Mr Scudder
Mr Camp
Mr Hart
M' Manning
M' Mehelm.
The Board was informed that Captain Walton was attending in Town, with a number of Prisoners, which he had brought from Monmouth; and by some papers laid before the Board, it appeared that some of the said Prisoners were taken in a Boat going from Philadelphia to New York.
The said Prisoners taken in a Boat, being six in number, were called in and examined, and it appearing that they belong to the State of Pennsylvania, the Councill advised His Excellency to order Captain Walton to conduct them to Philadelphia and deliver them to the Order of the Councill of Safety of Penn- sylvania, together with a State of the Evidence obtained in the course of the Examination.
The Board adjourned till 3 o'clock P. M.
The Govrr & Council of Safety met pursuant to adjourn- ment.
The Intervention of the Legislative Council prevented the entering on business.
The Board adjourned till 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.
March
.
8
March 19. 1.777.
The Governor & Council of Safety met.
Present His Excellency the Governor, M' Symmes M' Dick M' Scudder
Mr Camp.
Mr Hart.
The Board entered upon the Examination of the Prisoners sent to Haddonfield, some Time since, by General Putnam. Abraham Briton, Jonathan Forman, & Robert Barns having been examined, took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance, as by Law appointed, and were discharged.
Jacob Roter, and Joseph Hornor, having been examd took the said Oaths, and were discharged in like Manner.
Anthony Woodward, son of William, having been examined, being one of the People called Quakers, took Affirmations to the Effect of the Oaths above mentioned, and entered into Re- cognizance with David Hurley his Surety in £300 Each, before M' Justice Symmes, for his appearance at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer, to be held in the County of Monmouth, & in the meanTime to be of good Behaviour; and was there- upon dismissed.
Moses Ivins, being examined, acknowledged that he had given Bond to the late Convention in £500 conditioned for his good Behaviour towards the State, and having entered into Recognizance with Abraham Briton his surety, in £300 each to appear &c as in the Case of Anthony Woodward, was dis- missed.
The Board adjourned till 3 o'clock P. M.
Met pursuant to adjournment.
Isaac Rogers, Abner Rogers, John Coperthwaite, William Emley Jun' Samuel Emley, Bickley Steward, and Richard Huntley of Upper Freehold, and George Brewer of Shrews- bury were brought in and examined; they generally declared that they were of the People called Quakers, and averse to bearing Arms on that account, but that they were willing to take the Affirmations to the State; they severally took and subscribed Affirmations to the Effect of the Oaths to the State and were discharged.
Ordered,
That the Prisoners lately ordered to be brought from Fred- erick
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erick Town in Maryland and lodged in the Gaol of the County of Salem, be conducted under Guard to Bordentown, so as to be there by Wednesday next, or as soon after as may be con- venient ; and that Coll. Dick be desired to detach so many of the Militia of his Battalion as may be necessary to carry this Order into Execution.
An account of Captain Elisha Walton for subsisting a Guard and six Prisoners belonging to Pennsylvania, at & from Had- donfield to Philadelphia on the 18th & 19th Instant, amount- ing to £4 7s. 6d. was laid before the Board. Ordered that the same be paid.
The Board adjourned till Wednesday next, the 26th Inst. then to meet at Bordentown.
Bordentown March 26. 1.777
The Governor & Members of the Council of Safety met, pur- suant to adjournment.
Present. His Excellency the Governor. M' Symmes M' Hart Mr Manning.
There not being a Quorum to proceed to Business, Adjourned till tomorrow.
Thursday, March 27 1.777
Met pursuant to adjournment.
Present. His Excellency the Governor. M' Symmes Mr Hart M' Scudder M' Manning
There not being yet a Quorum, adjourned till Tomorrow.
Friday, March 28th, 1.777
Met pursuant to Adjournment.
Present, His Excellency the Governor M' Symmes, M' Scudder,
M' Dick, M' Manning, M' Hart A
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His Excellency was pleased to lay before the Board a letter from Israel Shreeve Esq' Colonel of the Second Battalion of Continental Troops raised in this State, by which it appears that Charles Axford, who was appointed Quarter-Master to the said Battalion, on the 4th February last hath not joined the Regiment and that the Colonel hath not seen nor heard from him since his Appointment, and supposes he hath declined ; that on his Arrival at Princeton the necessity of having so useful an Officer obliged him to apply to the General to appoint one in Orders, when Benajah Osmun, a very suitable person was ap- pointed; and that the Colonel with the Regiment pray he may be continued : And it appearing to the Board, from the said letter and from other information, that the said Charles Axford hath not accepted the said office,
Benajah Osmun was appointed Quarter Master to the said Second Battalion.
The Board adjourned till 9 O'clock tomorrow Morning.
Saturday, March 29 1.777.
The Board met,
Present as before.
The Board proceeded to the Examination of Thomas Groom, Morgan John, Joseph Groom & John Ashton, four Prisoners sent by General Putnam, having been apprehended & brought to him, as Persons suspected and disaffected to the State; & the whole Forenoon being taken up with that & some incidental Business, the Board adjourned till 3 o'clock this afternoon.
Saturday, P. M. 29th March 1.777
The Board met, pursuant to adjournment.
Present-as before.
Morgan John & John Ashton, two of the four prisoners above mentioned were discharged, by the Board, on their taking the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance to this state.
The Board then proceeded to examine Major Seabrook re- specting three Prisoners who were sent in March last to Frederic in Maryland, & now returned to this Stat, vizt Ben- jamin Wilson, William Valentine & John Jones ; & tho' it appeared that they went on Board a Vessel of the Enemy in Distress, & without orders, yet that it was not with Intent to assist the Enemy nor of injuring the State, they were dis- charged upon taking the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance. :. Mr Paterson attended and took his Seat at the Board.
Resolved.
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Resolved. That his Excellency the Governor draw on the Treasurer for the sum of Three Hundred Pounds in part of the sum of One Thousand Pounds for which he is authorized to draw by the Act instituting the Councill of Safety, and then the Board adjourned to Monday next at 9 o'clock.
Monday March 31st 1.777
The Board met.
Present His Excellency the Governor Mr Symmes M' Dick M' Scudder
M' Manning
M' Paterson
Ordered that Thomas Watson Esq' be sent to be examined respecting his having taken a Protection from the Enemy. Mr Watson accordingly attended and was examined.
Ordered, that Cap'n Arnold be directed to send two of his Light horse to attend the Council of Safety, and Directions were given accordingly.
Ordered, that John Pope and William Newbolt be sub- poenad as Witnesses against Thomas Watson, and then the Board adjourned to 3 o'clock P. M.
Monday, P. M. 31 March
The Board met pursuant to adjournment Present-as before.
Ordered, that John Lawrence Esq" of Burlington be desired to attend this Board.
The witnesses against the prisoners not being yet arrived, and there being no business before the Board, adjourned till tomorrow 9 O'clock.
Tuesday 1 April 1.777
The Board met pursuant to adjournment.
Present-as before.
John Butler was examined as a witness against Thomas Watson, and his Affidavit taken in writing.
James Cox, Jun' examined in like manner.
The Board adjourned till 3 O'clock this afternoon.
Tuesday
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Tuesday P. M. 1 April 1.777
The Board met according to Adjournment.
Present-as before-
William Newbolt attended and was examined as a Witness against Thomas Watson
John Pope examined in like manner-and then the Board adjourned tomorrow 9 O'clock,
Wednesday, 2nd April 1.777
The Board met pursuant to Adjournment.
Present, as before-
M' Randolph, examined as a Witness against Joseph Salter. Ordered, That Isaac Potter & Daniel Griggle subpoena'd as witnesses against Joseph Salter.
M' Savage, was examined as a Witness against Joseph Salter.
John Lawrence Esq' attended the Council & was examined, and then the Board adjourned to 3 O'clock this afternoon.
Wednesday, P. M. 2nd April 1.777
The Board met according to adjournment.
Present, as before.
His Excellency laid before the Board, the Resolution of Congress of the 14th January last, respecting the Commission- ers of the Loan Office, and the Auditor General's letter of the 30th of the same month, for their sense of that part of the letter respecting the Payment and Subsistence of the Con- tinental Troops Stationed in the State, which the Board delivered.
The rest of the afternoon was taken up in administ'ring the Oaths to the State.
Adj'd till tomorrow 9 o'clock.
Thursday, 3rd April 1.777
Met according to adj't.
Present, as before.
His Excellency laid before the Council a Memorial from John Van Anglin, which was read, setting forth, That the Memorialist is a first Lt in the first Jersey Regiment raised in this State during the War; That two Junior Officers in the said Regiment have in the Arrangement made by the Field-Officers been
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been placed over his Head, and praying that his case may be taken into Consideration, and his Rank properly adjusted-
Ordered, That the above Memorial be referred to the Coun- cil & Assembly in Joint Meeting convened.
Ordered, That Subpoenas be issued to cite Thomas Phar, & Joseph Lawrence Esq' to appear before the Council on Satur- day next at 10 o'clock in the Forenoon to bear testimony against John Lawrence J' of Burlington.
Ordered, That Subpoenas be issued to cite Abraham Hen- dricks, Peter Imlay and Mary Davison to be before the Coun- cil on Saturday next at 10 o'clock in the Forenoon to give Evidence against John Lawrence Sen"
Testimonials from Gen' Dickinson and Gen' Heard certify- ing That Doct" Hendry had served as Surgeon to a Brigade of Militia, that he had also acted as Director & Superintendent of an Hospital, and recommending that he should be allowed a Compensation adequate to such extraordinary Services, were read and referred to the Honbie Congress-
The Council adj'd till 3 o'clock P. M.
Met according to Adjt
A letter from Gen! Heard respecting the Battalion under the Command of Col. Beavers in Hunterdon and such persons as had taken Protections & refuse to deliver them up; and also respecting certain disaffected Persons in Sussex, who were en- listing Men for the Service of the Enemy, was read ;
Agreed, That the Governor write Col Beavers, and desire him to convene the Companies in his Battalion, for the Purpose of Electing Officers &c-
Agreed, that such of the Magistrates in Somerset, as live nearest to Gen' Heard be written to, and desired to convene before them such Persons as have taken Protections, and to tender them the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance.
Agreed, That General Heard be directed to detach a File of Men to apprehend the Persons referred to in his Letter ; and in Order the more effectually to take them, to consult certain Persons in the County of Sussex, who will give the necessary aid & Assistance.
Garrat Covenhoven, Thomas Wolley, Charles Lucas, John Davidson & Zachariah Sickles, Inhabitants of the County of Monmouth, and apprehended by Co' Forman in virtue of an Order from his Exey Gen' Washington, appeared before the Council, & took the Oaths to Governmt as established by an Act of the Legislature, and were thereupon discharged ;
Adjourned till ToMorrow Mor"5 9 o'clock.
Friday,
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Friday, April 4th 1.777
The Council Met.
Present-as before-
A petition from the Field and other Officers in the County of Monmouth was read, setting forth that certain persons acted as Commissioners under Lord and General How, and granted Pro- tections and administered the Oath of Allegiance to the King of Great Britain, while the enemy were in the County afore- said, and praying that such persons may be taken Notice of, and dealt with according to Law-
Hezekiah Wood of Bordentown, appeared before the Coun- cil and took the Oaths to Governmente
Jacob Lawrie of Bordentown appeared before the Council, delivered up his Protection, and being one of the people called Quakers, took the Affirmations to Governmt
Ordered, That Precepts be issued to apprehend and bring before the Council the following Persons, Samuel Burling, Thomas P. Hewlings, Colin Campbell, John Taylor, John Wardell, John Laurence Sr, James Grover, Joseph Saltar, Edmund Williams, Robert Hartshorn, Esek Hartshorn, Daniel Hendrickson, Middletown, Henry Waddelle, Joseph Leonard, Doctre John Laurence, Robert Cooke, William Guisbertson, & Thomas Thompson.
Ordered, That Richard Waln & Daniel Ellis be summoned to take the Oaths to Government,
Adjd till 3 O'clock P. M.
Met according to Adjt
Ordered, That Subpoenas be issued to warn Gilbert Barton & William Laurence to appear before the Council, & give Evidence against John Lawrence Sent
The Remainder of the Afternoon was taken up in Hearing & Examining Certain disaffected Persons from the County of Monmouth.
Adjd till ToMorrow Morng 9 O'clocke.
Saturday, April 5th, 1.777
The Council met-
Present as before.
Benjamin Baird Esqre first Major in the Second Battalion of Foot Militia in the County of Somerset, having deceased, and Enos Kelsey Esq Second Major in the same Battalion having resigned his Commission on Account of his being appointed to the office of D. Q. Master, and Commissary, The Council pro- ceeded to the Choice of Major's for the said Battalion, when Peter
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Peter D. Vroom was duly Elected 1st Major, and William Ver- bryck 2nd Major in the Battalion aforesaid-
Thomas Farr appeared before the Board, & gave Evidence ag't John Laurence of Burlington, and his Testimony reduced to writing.
Joseph Laurence Esq' appeared before the Board, and gave Evidence agt John Laurence of Burlington; M' Peter Imlay likewise appeared & gave Evidence ag's John Laurence Senr of Monmouth ; Agreed, That Mr Justice Symmes be directed to take the Recognizance of the afsd Jo Laurence & Peter Imlay &c &c
Mr William Laurence, in Pursuance of a Subpoena, appeared before the Board, and gave evidence against John Laurence Sen" which was reduced to Writing, &c,
Adja till 3 O'clock P. M.
Met according to Adjt.
Mary Davison, appeared before the Board, and was ex- amined.
Abraham Hendricks, appeared before the Board, and was on Oath examined respecting John Laurence, Sen", & his examin- ation set down in Writing.
Gilbert Barton appeared, & was examined under Oath re- specting John Laurence Sen' which Examination was reduced to writing-
Adjourned to Monday Morning 9 O'clock.
Monday, April 7th 1.777
Met pursuant to Adj
Present His Excellency the Governor. M' Symmes, Mr Dick
M' Paterson,
Mr Manning
There not being a Quorum to proceed to Business, adjourned till 3 O'clock P. M.
Present His Excellency the Governor
Mr Symmes Mr Dick
Mr Scudder
M' Manning
Mr Paterson
Isaac Potter & Daniel Griggs appeared and were examined under Oath respecting Joseph Saltar, and their Examination reduced to writing-
John
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John Jones, Samuel Heath, Ephraim Drake Harris, and John Harris, who were apprehended & sent to Philada by Gen1 Putnam, were ordered before the Board, & being examined took the Oaths of abjuration & allegiance as Established by the Legislature of this State; and were thereupon discharged.
Adja till ToMorrow Morn's 9 O'clock.
Tuesday April 8th 1.777
The Council met,
Present-as before,
Joseph Saltar was called before the Board and informed of the Charge exhibited against him under Oath; and being heard respecting the same was ordered to withdraw.
Ordered that Joseph Saltar be committed, whereupon his Mittimus was drawn directed to the Keeper of the Gaol of Burlington.
Samuel Burling & Thomas P. Hewlings appeared before the Board, & informed of the Charges exhibited against them, and being heard respecting the same the further Consideration there- of was deferred till the Afternoon.
Adj'd till 3 o'clock in the Afternoon.
Met accords to Adi't.
Samuel Burling, Thomas P. Hewlings, and Colin Campbell, appeared before the Board, and refusing to take the Oaths to the State, but being willing to be bound with Sureties, for their Appearance at the next Court of Quarter Sessions, of the Peace for the County of Burlington; the Board gave them Time, until Friday next, to procure Sureties for the Purpose aforesaid-
Daniel Ellis, who was summoned to be before the Board, & to take the Oaths to Government, did accordingly appear, and refusing to take the Oaths, was indulged, at his request, until Friday next, in order to provide Sureties for his Appearance at the next Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Burlington.
William Harley, Thomas Pollock, John Mee & John Lee, Persons apprehended & sent to Philada were ordered before the Board, and being examined, took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as established by the Legislature of this State, and were thereupon discharged.
The petition of William & Matthew Paterson was read, setting forth That the Petitioners are Natives of Ireland, in which Kingdom they have considerable Freehold Estates; that they
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they have signed the Association, and been enrolled in Captn Green's Company of Militia, that they should with Cheerful- ness turn out in Defence of the State; provided it would not endanger their Property, or subject it to Forfeiture, and pray- ing that the Board would take their Case into Consideration and afford them Relief in the Premises-
Ordered, That the said Petition lie on the Table.
Nathaniel Lewis appeared before the Board, and was ex- amined touching the Charge exhibited against Thomas Watson, & his Recognizance taken by M' Justice Symmes for his Appearance as a Witness at the next Court of General Gaol Delivery for the County of Burlington.
Adj'd till ToMorrow Morn" 9 O'clock.
Wednesday, April 9th 1.777
The Council met.
Present His Excellency the Governor
M' Symmes. M' Dick
M' Scudder.
M' Manning
M' Paterson
Mr Combes
A Petition from sundry Inhabitants of New Ark in the County of Essex was read, setting forth, That some of the most inveterate Tories remained after the enemy were fled, had been apprehended & sent to Head Quarters; but through Multiplicity of Business or Want of Evidence have been dis- charged, and on returning Home, threaten such as had accused and taken them up ; that some who have fled with the Enemy, have left their Families and Estates, the latter of which is daily conveyed away by the former, for Want of proper Authority to secure them; That many Persons who have re- fused to comply with General Washington's Proclamation, re- main at Home without any Molestation or doing any kind of Duty ; and praying that the Premises may be taken under Con- sideration, and some adequate Remedy applied.
Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Legisla- ture-
Ordered, That Warrts of Commitit be issued agt John Laurence & Tho' Watson, charged with High Treason &e. &
Captain Jacob Oliphan of the 2nd Burlington Regiment of Militia desired Leave to resign his Commission on Account of his
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his Ill State of Health, & the Board accepted his resignation .-
Thomas Reynolds Esq' was appointed by the Board, Col. of the 2nd Battalion of Militia in the County of Burlington.
The Officers of the said Battalion having recommended Joseph Haight as Lieut Col, Thomas Fenimore as 1st Major and Joseph Budd as 2nd Major thereof, their respective Com- missions were accordingly made out & delivered to Col Haight.
David McDonald & Thomas Parent, Persons apprehended & sent to Philada were ordered before the Board, and being examined, took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as established by the Legislature of this State, and were there- upon discharged.
Adjourned till ToMorrow morning, 9 O'clock.
Thursday, April 10th 1.777
The Council met.
Present as before-
Robert Ellison, John Mildrum, Jacob Cummins & Jacob Goodwin, Inhabitants of the County of Sussex, apprehended by order of Gen' Heard, were sent to this Place under Guard, on suspicion of aiding & abetting the Enemy, and conspiring against the Government.
Ordered That Jacob Goodwin, be brought before the Board for Examination.
Gen' Heard's letter respecting the above Persons was read & filed.
Jacob Goodwin appeared, was examined & ordered back to Prison.
M' Muckleroy of Burlington cited to appear before the Board as a Witness against Sam1 Burling.
M' Helm of Burlington cited to appear before the Board without delay.
Ordered, That John Carty of Burlington, be cited to appear before the Board.
William North and John North, two Prisoners who had been confined in the Gaol at Philade appeared before the Board, and were examined; The Decision of their case de- ferred.
Adj'd till 3 O'clock in the afternoon.
Met according to Adj"
The Examination of Abraham Hendricks agst Jesse Wood-
ward
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ward taken and reduced to Writing : Agreed, That M' Justice Symmes take the Recognizance of the said Hendricks for his Appearance as a Witness at the next Court of General Gaol Delivery for the County of Monmouth.
Ordered, That Warrts of Commitment be made out against Francis Jones and Moses Mount, directed to the Keeper of the Gaol for the County of Burlington, charged with being guilty of misdemeanors-
His Excellency laid before the Board a Message from Sam1 Burling informing, That M' Helm was confined to his Chamber being much indisposed, but should wait upon the Council as soon as his Health should permit.
John Jones' examination taken agst Benjamin Helm.
Ordered, That Isaac Imlay and Wm Imlay be cited as Wit- nesses agts Jesse Woodward, now in confinement in this Place.
Adj'd till ToMorrow Morng 9 O'clock.
Friday, April 11th 1.777
The Council met,
Present-as before-
Ordered, That Thomas Fowler be brought before the Board for Examination ; The said Fowler appeared, was examined, and Notes taken thereof.
Capt Webb, who holds an office under the King of Great Britain, appeared pursuant to Citation, and being heard, the Board agreed, That M' Webb be allowed fourteen Days to settle his Affairs, and then to remove to the Enemy with a Flag-
M' Muckleroy appeared and was examined touching the Conduct of Samuel Burling.
William North & John North were again called before the Board, & took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as Established by the Legislature of this State; and were there- upon discharged.
John Carty of Burlington appeared before the Board, agree- able to summons, and refusing to take the Oaths to Government, but being willing to enter into Recognizance, with Surety, for his Appearance at the next Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Burlington ; the said John Carty did accordingly enter into Recognizance with Archibald Muckleroy, his Surety, in £100 Each, before the Governor & Council, for his Appearance at the next Court of General
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Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Burlington, and in the mean time to be of Good Behaviour, and was there- upon dismissed.
Alexander Montgomery appeared before the Board, and his examination, under Oath, respecting Jesse Woodward taken in Writing, M' Montgomery Entered into Recognizance before M' Justice Symmes, for his Appearance as a Witness against the said Woodward at the next Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery to be held for the County of Mon- mouth.
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