Documents relating to the colonial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume II, Part 24

Author: Whitehead, William A. (William Adee), 1810-1884; New Jersey Historical Society
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Newark, N.J. : Daily advertiser printing house
Number of Pages: 600


USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the colonial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 24


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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1 Referred to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, and by them, on the 16th November, sent to the Proprietors, through Wm. Dockwra .- ED


1700]


REMONSTRANCE AGAINST ACTS OF PROPRIETORS. 323


said Proprietors or their Agents, who under pretence and Colour of having bought the Government with the Soile, have distrained from, and Ejected severall Persons for and under pretence of Quitt Rent and Lords Rent, whereby your Matys Liege Subjects have been sued and put to great Trouble and Charges, and have been Compelled to Answer to vexatious Actions and after they have defended their own Rights and obtained Judgement in their favour, could not have their Charges as according to Law they ought to have, but have been forced to sitt down under the loss of sev- erall Hundreds of Pounds sustained by their unjust Molestations.


And further notwitstanding your Matys Liege Sub jects have Purchased their Lands at their own Proper Costs and Charges, by Vertue of the aforesaid Licences; Yet the said Proprietors, Gov's or Agents without any pretended Process of Law have given and Granted Great part of the said Lands by Pattent to severall of the sª Proprietors and others as to them seemed fitt.


And notwithstanding their Pretence to Government, Yet they left us from the latter end of June 1689, till about the latter end of August 1692, without any Gov- ernment, and that too in time of Actual War; so that had the Enemy made a Descent upon Us, wee were without any Military officers to Command or Give Di- rections, in Order to Our Defence, or Magistrates to put the Laws in Execution, and dureing the whole time the said Proprietors have Governed this your Matys Province, they have never taken Care to preserve or Defend us from the Native Pagans or other Enimys, by sending or Providing any Arms, Amunition or Stores, but rather have provoked and Incensed the said Natives to make Warr upon Us by Surveying & Pat- tenting their Lands, contrary to their Liking without purchaseing the same from them, or making any Sat- isfaction in Consideration thereof And sometimes when


324


NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1700


the said Natives have sold & Disposed their Lands as to them seemed meet, they the said Proprietors have disposed of the same to others or else forced them who had the Property in it, to Purchase it of them, upon their own terms, which the said Natives have highly Resented and often complained of and (may justly be feared) waite only for an opportunity to Revenge it upon the Inhabitants of this your Ma's Province.


And further to manifest the Illegall and Arbitrary proceedings of the said Proprietors in Contempt of y! Matys Laws and against their own knowledge signified in a Letter by them (to the Councill here in East New Jersey) wherein they say as followeth: We have been oblidged against our Inclinations to Dismiss Coll: Hamilton from the Government, because of a late Act of Parliament disabling all Scotch Men to serve in places of Publick Trust or Profitt, And obliging all Proprietors of Collonies to present their respective Gov- ernours to the King for his Approbation, So Wee have Appointed our ffriend Jeremiah Basse to Succeed Coll: Hamilton in Government, whom Wee have also pre- sented to the King and he is by him owned and ap- proved off.


Notwithstanding which Letter they have Super- ceeded the said Jeremiah Basse, (whom they wrote was approved by your Mat!) and have Commissionated the said Coll: Hamilton again without your Mtys Royall Approbation, altho' Removed before by them as a Per- son disabled by Law, Who now by Vertue of their the said Proprietors Commission only, would Impose him- self upon Us as Governour. And when in Government before Superceeded by the aforesaid Basse, was by them continued about a Year after the twenty ffifth of March (1697) without taking the Oath Injoyned by Law. And doth now presume to Exercise Government not having Legally taken the said Oath or having your Mats Royal Approbation, The said Proprietors of East


1700]


REMONSTRANCE AGAINST ACTS OF PROPRIETORS. 325


New Jersey have also, in Contempt of your Matys known Laws Commissionated a Native of Scotland to be Sec- retary and Attorney General of this your Matys Province (being both Places of the greatest Trust next the Gov- ernour) and one of the Same Nation to be Clerke of the Supream Court of this your Matys Province, Which may be of Ill Consequence in Relation to the Act of Trade and Navigation, and to the great Hindrance of Your Matys Loyall Subjects (the Power of Government being Cheifly in the Hands of Natives of Scotland) from Informing against any Illegall or Fraudulent Trading by Scotchmen or others in this Province.


Wee your Mat!s Loyall Subjects Labouring under these and many other Greivances and oppressions by the Proprietors of this your Matys Province of East New Jersey, Do in most humble manner Lay Ourselves before Your Maty (the Fountain of Justice) Humbly Imploreing your Maty will be Graciously Pleased ac- cording to your Princely Wisdome to take into Consideration Our Evill Circumstances Under the Present Proprietors, (if the Right of Government is Invested in them) and that your Maty will be Graciously Pleased to give your Royall Orders to the said Proprie- tors, That with your Matys Royall approbation they Commissionate for Governour A fitt Person Quallified according to Law; Who as an Indifferent Judge may decide the Controverseys Arising between the Proprie- tors and the Inhabitants of this your Matys Province; And settle all the Differences which at present they Labour under.


And your Matys Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &cª


John Royse


Andrew Cragge John Willis


Cornelius Hetfield


Sam'll. Walker


Roger Lambert


Vincent Rugnion


Dennis Morris


George Pack


Arie Bennit


John Lambert


Stephen Crane


William Winter


William Brown


Jeremiah Osborn


326


NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1700


John Ruckman


Robert Wooley


Will'm. Wilkeson


Thomas Davis


John Thompson Benjamin Lyon


Lonbert Jonken


Benjamin Wade


William Darby


Walter Herbert


Isaac Whitehead


Isaac Hattfield


James Sirwo Henry Marsh Edward Slater


Joseph Mars John Megie Ephraim Price


The mark of MP Marcilis Pieterse The mark of HR


Benia Hull


Jeremiah Crane


Helemock Roeloste S


Joseph ffitz Randolph


Jonathan Stout


Cornelius Musise


Francis Drake


Daniel Hendrickson


Johanies


Tho: Sutton


David Stoutt


Jan Claten


Rich : Sutton


Samuell Whitehead JunrRoelof Helmighsen


John Ginnins


Richard Clarke


Thomas fredricke


John Wolley


John Miles John Littell


Ma'tys sdmodt Janoes


[Eliazar] Cotarel


Natt: Bonnell


Tho: Laurence


Will'm. Merretd


John Ross


The mark of


EE


James Willson


Jacob Mitcnell


Hendrick Epke


Peter Stoot


Hen : Norris Junr.


John Clarke


Walter Newman


John Alling


John Marsh


John Ruckman


John Winans


Samuel Clerk


Thomas Hartshorne


John Ersken


Joseph Hallsey


Johna Ruckman


Joseph Willson


Henry Norris


Samuell Willit


Benjamin Price Junr.


John Pearce Ephraim Clerke George Thorp


James Laurence


Joseph Meeker


John Woodruff


Ezekell Peregoe


The mark of Capt. gerebrant Claese


M


John Meekat


Andrew Browne


Gerrd Gerrd sen de JongeFrancis Sayro


Mardia Gibbins William Jones


The mark of John Lubertse


Jonathan Ogden Moses Tomson


Jacob du Trudle Benjamin Stout Rich'd. Stoot


The mark of Seba Epke


Benjamin Meeker Joseph Whitehead


Thomas Estell


Cornelis Van de Vorst Robert . . .


ijacop Hendrickse R Van Giesen Dit ist ınerke Jacob Rarlemon 5 The mark of Roeloff Bomgat §



George Drake


Jan [Gerrard ?]


John Drake


John Vahham


Jan -) Bogert


Benjamin Manning


Rich'd : Davis


Laurence Lowrensi


Hugh Dun


Jan : desmarest


Thomas Higgins


Will'm. Dasal John Langstaff Jediah Higgins


David Dessmarest Jacobus Slot


Jacob Sabrengh


Benjamin Hull


Edmond Downham


Thomas Harburt


Joseph Manning


Ruth Van Hooren Samuel des Marest


John Clayton


James Manning


Joan des Marest ·


.


Daniel Harkent


Hendrick Gerrdtsden


Richard James Thomas Cox


Dierck Poulisen


Hartman Michilses


John Drake


John Ogden


Jarad Wall


Jacob Vandorn


1700]


DISORDERS IN NEW JERSEY.


327


·


Samuel Forman


John Manning


de Tonge Heyndrotch


Daniel Harkout


Andr. Wooden


Thomas fforman


Josias Wooden


Joomerijo


John Pars


John Browne


The mark of }


Roberd Hoolman


John Clevenger


John Loade 0


Walter Wall


James Bowne


Reoel of RW


William Purdy


Jeremiah Banet


The marke of


RL


Alexander Forman


Nichollas Stevens


Roul of Vandelinda S


William Wood


Johanes Perterson


The mark of M


William Wite


Abraham Vrelant


Weart Bawta


William Laurence .


John Sharpe


John Worth


The marke of Johanis Poulse S dit ist mark van matheus Cornelison The marke of


Jackor Jarbowsky The marke of I John Conneroson S


Nathaniel Whitehead John Cramer


Will'm: Day W


Martin Poswbelse


Samuel Plum


Johu Edsall


Adriaen Post


John Parker


Francis Moore


Hendrick Klasen


Samuel Whitehead


Jan de grodt


Andryas Preijers


Daniel Price


Pierer da grodt


Thomas Thomasse


William Hill


John Berry Johanies Thomaston


Joseph Lyon


M. Verlant


Joamis McEleson B


John Osborn


Richard Salter Henry Lyon


The mark of John Tep


Samu'l : Pl


William Looker


The marke of WD


William Robinsone John Thomas John Harriman Jun


Isaac Bounell


Samuel Carter


The marke of {I Jane Raleman S


From Messrs Andrew Bowne and Richard Harts- horne, relating to the disorders in New Jersey. [P. R. O. B. T. Proprieties, Vol. 5, C. 43.1 The Disorders in New Jerssy.


EAST JERSIE MIDDLETOWN ye 23ª July 1700


ST.


Yours of the 6th Aprill Last come to our hands itt heing the first we received from you for wch we thanke you but could have wished you had sent us a more cer- taine accot of the Settlement of the Government which never so much as now wants to be settled. Since the


IP


Alberdt Jaborowsky


John Bray John Gould


Robert Morse


John Hinds


Wander Dedras S


328


NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1700


departure of M. Slater Col Hamilton hath put M Morris1 into Commission of his Councill & Justice be- leiving him to be the onely man that can make the province Submit to him as Governor without the King's aprobation & in Order to Effect itt they turned out an Englishman who was Sherif & put in a Scotch- man who they thought would Obey them without Re- serve & itt is saide Morris hath given out that he will carrie his point in makeing the people submit to Coll Hamiltons Goverment or he will Embrue the province in Blood in order to which they seised oppon severall persons intending to force them to Give security for their good behavior which one of them Refused and so Continued in the Sherifs Custody this the people tooke Greaviously itt being Harvest time & they had given outt warrants to seise Richard Salter & Others & the Sherif had like to have taken him wch some of his neighbors onderstanding went & met the Sherif banged him broake his head and sent him packing uppon which as we are informed the people Resolved to meete on Friday the 19th July in order to goe & featch home him that was in the Sherifs hands uppon the which Morris & Leonard dispatched an Express for Coll Ham- ilton who imediately came to them & they pressed about men & came on the 19th July in Armes to Middle Towne & came to the Ordinary And theare In- quired for the said Salter & one Bray. And then marched of the people of Middletown ware Assembled to the number of aboutt an hundred but without armes onely Stickes yet had itt not been for the persuations of some much in the peoples favor theare would have been broaken heads if not further mischeife the saide Justices had perswaded the person in the Sherifs hand to give security for the good behavior the day before this meeteing In this posture things stand in this


1 Lewis Morris.


329


DISTURBANCES IN EAST JERSEY.


1700]


County & we beleive Including the Scotch that through- outt the province theare is six to one against owneing Col Hamilton Governor and almost all biterly against Morris, whome they looked uppon as the first man as Indead he was that opposed Goverment & Signed


ANDREW BROWN [BOWNE] RICH HARTSHORNE one of y: Council


Letter without signature to Jeremiah Basse, giving an account of the disturbances in East Jersey.


[From P. R. O. B. T., Proprieties Vol. 5, F 43.] To Mr. Basse.


You may Remember how you left the afaires of Government in this province we are Sorry to Informe you that they doe. not Continue in so good a Condition we were in hopes things would have Rested quiet on- till we had heard how his Majesty had been pleased to dispose of us & that all people would have Endeavored to keepe the peace ontill such time, but contrary to all Expectation Col Hamilton hath put in Mr Morris pres-


1


Andrew Stown


as President of the Council had been left by Basse in the exercise of the chief authority, but his title thereto was questioned, and hence his hostility


to the administration of Hamilton who succeeded Basse.


Richard HartShower


was of Mon- mouth County and came to the Province from


London in September, 1699. He was a Quaker by profession, of good reputation and benevolent disposition, and soon rose to distinction among the people of the Province. He was one of the Commission appointed in 1676 to lay out West . ersey. See Vol. 1, p 220. East Jersey under the Prop. Gov'ts, 2d Edit, pp 46, 56, 189, 198 &c. 207, 219, 232 &c. Smith's History of New Jersey. "Minutes of Council."-ED.


330


NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1700


ident of the Councill & ordered him by what means he could to Subdue all that oppose his authority & Settle the country in his Obedience oppon which Com- mission & orders M' Morris hath undertaken the worke & threatned that he would Obtain his end (which is to settle Col Hamilton in the Government Notwithstand- ing he is in no wayes qualified for Governor) or he would Embrue the Country in Blood Complaints ware made to Col Hamilton and Captain Leonard against the saide Morris but they were so farr from disowning such inhumane actions that they on the contrary rather justified & ridiculed itt. But it went further then words for just as harvest began Morris & others gave warrants to an Indigent Sherif to Apprehend severall men in Monmoth County who in their owne just defence beate the saide pretended Sherif to the Shedding of blood on boath sides Col Hamilton who re- sides cheifly att Burlington was sent to immediately who came & raised betwixt fourty & fifty men & armed them and marched from Shrewsbury to Middle- towne, to meete the Country who opposed him with one hundred & Seaventy men butt without armes he when he came up to them askedfor t wo men but they not being theare he withdrew his men without further harme butt swore biterly he would have them if above ground left orders with his friend Morris not to dis- perse ontill he had got them and then returned to Bur- lington the Ambition & folly of Morris being known to the people of Monmoth they sent to advise with their neighberring Countys Middlesex & Essex what was best & most convenient to be done who generaly advised to secure themselves & oppose Morris & the rest that assert & would endeavour to set up Col. Hamiltons arbitrary & illegal power & withall have promised assistance if ocation requires Justice Bishop & Dennis utterly disowns their procedings & say they never was att Councill butt once since Hamilton came


.


331


DISTURBANCES IN EAST JERSEY.


1700]


and then gave no such advise to make disturbance in the Country but that all might remaine quite ontill we heard further from England we feare what may be event of these things you know how hot headed Mor- ris & Leonard are & itt may be feared their pride & mallis may cause great trouble if not prevented. It is the generall resolution of the Country that if they make future disturbance to apprehend Hamilton Mor- ris & Leonard & secure them ontill his Majesties pleasure shall be known concerning them in the mean- time the Country desires some care may be taken of them & that some other person may be appointed to keepe the peace ontill his Majestie shall be pleased to send over a Governor or otherwise settle this province at preasant we are in great Confusion their worked in- struments have been so buissie in harraseing of some & haleing others to prisson who have showen their dislike to their arbitrary prosedings And the Country on the other hand are Riseing by whole townes against them Resolveing to putt a Stop to their arbitrary preced- ings although itt be with the hazard of their lives & for- tunes Theise Officers of theirs are so bold as to attempt the drinkeing of Kinge James health Others have given out very suspitious words which makes the Gen- erality of our thinkeing men be of opinion that itt is not for the Kings interest that any of these men should be in Offices we expect you will improve this to the best advantage for the good of the Country.


East Jersie 30th July 1700


332


NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.


[1700


3


Indictment of Sundry Persons by the Grand Jury of Monmouth County.


[From B. T. Proprieties, Vol. 6, G 28.]


AT A COURT of inquirie held at Shrowsberry for the countie of Monmouth this twentie seventh day August one thousand seven hundred.


(Lewis Morris President Samuel Leonard


Present


Jedidiah Allan


Samuel Denis Anthony Pintard .


Esquires Justices


The grand jurie of inquirie for the present service wer thesse


John Reid Alexander Adam


Jeremiah Stilwell


Thomas Webly


John Slocum - Patrick Cannan


Thomas Hewitt James Melven


Abiah Edwards


Petter Emley


John West


Samuel Hopemyre


John Leonard


William Lawtone


William Hoge


And haveing thir ingagment Had the charge given them by the president Withdrew with a constable to attend them.


The said jurie being called againe gave in this fol- lowing presentment


August ye 27th 1700 Wee jurors present Richard Salter John Bray James Stout David Stout Benjamine Stout Cornelius Compton William Boune Thomas Tay- lor Thomas Hankison Jacob Vandorne Arian Bennet Thomas Sharp Benjamine Cook Robert Innes Thomas Estal and Samuel a servant to said Salter ffor Riotously assembling on the 17th day of July and assaulting


333


ESSEX COUNTY COURT.


1700]


John Stewart high Sheriff & Henry Leonard on the path neer to the house of Alex". Adam Beat and greiv- ously wound the said persons tak ther swords from them brak them caryd them away and keept them to the value of ffive pounds money of this province In breach of the peace and terrour of the Kings leidge people Signe in behalfe of the rest by John Reid for man.


Vera Copia. p me GAV: DRUMMOND Clark


Minutes of the Court of Sessions of Essex County' held at Newark.


[From P. R. O. B. T. Proprieties, Vol. 6, G 28.


AT A COURT OF SESSIONS or County Court held at Newark for ye County of Essex on Tuesday ye Tenth day of September 1700


Prsent M! Wm Sandford P'sid


Capt John Curtis M: Elias McKeilson & Juts


M! Theophilus Pearson


THE COURT according to adjourmt being opened, Sam !! Carter appeared & demanded of the Court by virtue of what authority they Satt, The P'sident made answer by the Kings, The Court then proceeding in bissnese as lay before them, called one Sam1! Burwell who was bound over to this Court by Recognizance to answer for his misdemeanor being for begetting a bastard child. Whereupon the Court demanded security of the sd Sam !! for the maintanance of the Child, who Refused to give the same Upon which the Court Re- quired the Constable to take the sd Sam1! into Cusstody The Constable in the Execution of his office was sett upon by Thomas Johnson, Sam! Carter & Jos: Burwell & Severall others, The P'sident W"Sandford pulled of


334


NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1700


the bench by Abra: Hettfield & Daniel Craine & his hatt & wigg halled of his head by the sd Hattfield the Clerke of the Court all soe grosely abused in P'ticuquler by John Luker who struck him with great vilence with his fist, W" Luker Jun". with a Stick & John Clerke tore his wigg from of his head, The P'sident allsoe having had his Sword Taken from him by Daniel Craine & broak in peices by him the sd Daniel The Rest of the Justices grosely abused, some their clothes torn of their backs with many other abusefull words & actions Received from the Rabbell of Elizabeth Towne, The prissoner Sam !! Burwell Resshewed out of the Constable hands made his Escape, the Constable alsoe grosely abused pulled by the haire & his staff Taken from him & Thrown out of doore, the P'sident allsoe being struck Three blows, Two of which ponches in the brest & one in the face, The Rabble Consisted of neere 60 horse, the Names of most of them are as fol- loweth


Imp!


Sam'll. Carter


Benj: Wade


Jos: Meaker


John Clarke


Benj. Wade Junr.


John Meaker


Sam'll. Clerke


Jos. Lyon


Benj. Meaker Junr.


Tho: Clerke


Benj. Lyon


Jonat Ogden Junr.


Wm: Luker Junr.


Ebenez: Lyon


Jeremiah Craine


John Luker


Daniel Price


Daniel Craine


Abra: Hettfield


Cha. Tucker Junr.


Benj Ogden


Isaac Hettfield


Wm. Luker Seinr.


Benj: Ogden Junr.


Cornell's Hettfield


Wm. Browne


Jos. Woodruff Weaver


Jos. Whitehead


Moyses Thomson


Tho: Johnson


Ephram Price


Obad: Sale


John Thomson


Natt Bunell Junr.


Isaac Bunell


Ja. Whithead


Abra. Baker


John Myles


Sam'll. Whithead Junr. John Craine


Barnabest Carter


Sam'll. Little


Ric'd. Miller


Rob: Little


John Ross


John Willes


Geo: Ross Junr. &


Jonat. Haines


John Radler


Sam'll. Potter


ALL which and many more were present in the dis- turbing the said Court, The Sheriffe of The County


335


ESSEX COUNTY COURT.


1700]


Robert Smith allsoe at the same time grosely abused, after all which dissturbance soe done and acted by them, The Court adjourned themselves to the house of M' Theophilus Pearson the next day at 6 a Clock in the morning. The Court allsoe satt according to the time of adjourm' Then was Impanelled a Grand Jury being 18 in Number all of the Towne of Newarke who was sworne accordingly By order of Court


GEO. JEWELL CI


[All the documents are certified to in a similar manner, and one certificate for all is appended, from Thomas Gordon, Dep. Sec'y & Register .- ED.]


Essex in East ) New Jersey


To the Sheriffe of the County abovesaid or his Law- full Deputy or either of them You are hereby Required in the Kings Name that you sumon Twenty foure good & Lawfull men of yo" Bailewick soe that they be & appeare imediatly before his Majesties Justices at the house of M" Theophilus Pearson in Newarke in the County aforesaid this Twelfth day of September 1700 To make a Jury of Inquirey in behalfe of his Majestie our Soveraigne Lord the King for the due presenting hearing & determining of all such matters & things either of yo! owne knowledge or otherwise which to you shall be presented & given in Charge, & have you Then & there the Names of the persons & this receipt, Dated this Twelfth day of this Instant September in the Twelfth yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord William the Third King of England &c. Annº. Domini 1700


By Order of Court


GEO: JEWELL Clerke


336


NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.


[1700


East New ? The Names of an Inquest sumoned To


Jersey appeare before his Majesties Justices This 12th Day of September 1700 as followth Imp!


Jos: Harrison foreman Sam'll Huntington James Nuttman


Anthony Ollive John Balldwin Sinr. John Linsley


Sam'll. Camp Jos. Peck Tho: Hayes.


Seath Tomkins


Daniel Harrisson Amos Williams


Jabez Rogers


Jasper Craine Seinr.


Sam'll. Ward


Rob: Young


John Craine Edw'd. Ball


Sam'll: Harrisson


Thomas Ludington


John Johnson &


Jonat Sargent Seinr. Jos. Johnson


Sam'll: Pearson


By virtue of this writt, Jury sumoned by me


The Jury Called & Sworne JOHN MORRES


& Charge given Dep. Sherif


* * *


John Johnson of Newarke Sein" saith that Jos Lyon Tould him that he knew who took away the Keys of The prisson from the Sheriffe and that another stood by and see it as well as he.


It was done by a parcell of men which came from Elizabeth Towne in a Riottous maner Sept ye 12th 1700 with Clubs in their hands to the house of M' Theophi- lus Pearson and Demanded of him ye prissoner & asking where these pittifull Rasskalls were that putt this man in prisson, & demanded him out of prisson & they was askt by what power they demanded him out of prisson, and they held up their Clubbs and said that was their power, Then they demanded where the Sheriffe was and said they would have him if he was above ground.


The Complainte of the Sheriffe at ye time & day a foresaid That he was satt upon by severall men of Elizabeth Towne & forceablely Robbed of ye Keys of the Prisson, & the prissoner thereupon Imediatly Taken out of his Cusstody.


337


ESSEX COUNTY COURT.


1700]


John Johnson further saith that the aforesaid Riot- tious Company laid hands on the Sheriffe & forceably shoufed him out of doore and demanded the Keyes of him, and he said that he would be torne in peices before he would deliver them, & ye sd John Johnson did assist the Sheriffe till he was by some men Taken from him.


MI. PEARSON sworne ROB: SMITH Sheriffe sworne


NEWARK September ye 12th 1700 The Deposition of Zachery Burwell Jun" aged about Twenty one yeares and The Deposition of Paull Day aged about Thirty one years saith, That they saw the greatest part of the men of Elizabeth Towne here named come to Newarke upon the 12th day of September 1700 and heard them say they would have the prissoner out of prisson or else there would be blood spilt when they came up to John John- sons they Enquired for the Sheriffe, one tould them that he was at John Johnsons & they saw two men have hold of the Sheriffe & bring him from the house of John Johnson and perswaded the Sheriffe to deliver up the Keyes of the prisson, & he Refusing, They gave out threatening words & saying the Devill Take them if they did not take them from him and Imediatly gott about him & held him & said allsoe that they would take him by force, & presently said that they had gott them, and went to the prisson doores & opened them & lett out the prissoner with many threatening words against som of the Justices, & further saith not




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