USA > New Jersey > Minutes of the Council of Safety of the state of New Jersey > Part 15
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The persons above alluded to, are 1 Cooper 1 Commissary, 1 Clerk, 1 Clerk of the Scales, & Superintendent of the Bake- houses & 1 Commissary.
28th Feby 1.778
The Council met at Trenton.
Present His Excellency the Governor
M' Condict M' Crane
Co1 Fleming M' Elmer
M' Cooper Mr Buck
The following persons viz Nathaniel Smith, Thos Watts and Nicholas Rice, subjects of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being brought before the Board upon suspicion of their having been trading with the Enemy & examined relative thereto; The Council were of opinion that the charge was not supported & they were accordingly dismissed.
William Lippincott an inhabitant of Philadelphia appre- hended on his way to the Enemy without a passport is ordered to be committed to Burlington Gaol for trial.
Stacy Atkinson being taken up on his way to Philadelphia with beef destined for that place was ordered to be committed in like manner.
The
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209
The like determination with regard to John Osgood for car- rying flour to the Enemy in Philadelphia.
Agreed that Co' Bowes Reed be directed to send to this place under a proper Gnard, all the prisoners in Burlington Gaol Committed for or charged with trading with the Enemy, or going into their Lines without proper passports, together with their names.
Agreed that the Governor issue his order for impressing a competent number of Waggons for transporting the provisions purchased by the Board of War, of the State of Pennsylvania, to the Gallies who are in Great want of provisions and unable on that account to proceed on their intended cruize from this place towards Philadelphia to prevent the designs of the Enemy up the Delaware.
Sunday, 1st March 1.778
The Council Met.
Present ITis Excellency the Governor M' Condit Mr Manning M' Cooper
M' Elmer
M' Camp
Thos Hand, Patrick MeNelly, & John Baylis deserting from the Enemy were brought before the Board, whose examination being taken, they were sent on to Head Quarters.
2nd March 1.778
The Council met at Trenton
Present. His Excellency the Governor M' Cooper M' Elmer Mr Buck
M' Coudit
M' Crane
Agreed That His Excellency the Governor be desired to write to the person in Fredericktown in Virginia who has the Custody of W" Wooley lately of Monmonth Co and a subject of this State, desiring him to deliver the said Wm Wooley to Richard Bell, he having promised to bring him into this State, and to Enter into Bond for his appearing before the Council of Safety of this State, in a reasonable time after his arrival in it.
L
The
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210
The following persons vizt, Thos Eldridge, John Pearson, Moses pippit, Wu Mattock, Samuel Skill, Tho' Bishop, Peter Becket, Stephen Becket, W" Lippincott, Samt Hackney, Joab Eldridge, Ezekiel Cox, Benjin Nailor, John George, Simeon Collins, Richª MeGennis, George French, John Brock, John Home, John Becket, John Lodge, Andrew Sweeton, and Richard Wright, were sent prisoners from Burlington to the Council of Safety upon suspicion of their having been trading with the Enemy. The former ten, confessing that they had been into the Enemy's lines & had taken provisions with them, & the latter that they had in like manner been into Philadelphia & returned into this State, without the license required by Law.
Ordered That they all be Committed to Burlington Gaol for their trial.
Agreed That the Delinquents abovenamed be tried in the Co of Burlington.
3ª March 1.778
The Council of Safety met at Trenton.
Present His Excellency the Governor. M' Elmer M' Cooper Mr Tallman
Mr Buck
M' Crane.
Agreeable to a recommendation of the Court of Oyer & Terminer, & General Gaol Delivery holden at Freehold in & for the County of Monmouth Jany Ist 1.778.
Agreed that the folls Constables have compensation made them for their extraordinary attendance at said Conrt at the follg rates vizt.
Jas Wilson 12 days c 20|. p day
£12. 0. 0
Joseph Coward 12 66 20. - do-
.
12. 0. 0.
Ja Tapscott 10 -" --- 20. -- do- ·
10 0. 0. Zep". Morris 12 - -"- 20. - do- ·
12. 0. 0
George Harrison Cryer 12 days e 10j.
6.
0. 0
£52. 0. 0
Nathaniel Middleton being called before the Board had the Affirmations to the Effect of the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance tendered to him, which he took & subscribed & was thereupon dismissed.
Agreed
211
Agreed that the Council purchase of Co' Sullivan one ton of Continental powder for the use of the State.
Agreed That 160 Weight of the Said Powder & 1001b of Musket Bullets in the hands of M' Baldwin, in Princeton be delivered to M' Hendrick Van Brunt for the use of the Mon- mouth Militia.
Saturday, 7th March 1.778
The Council met at Trenton.
Present His Excellency the Governor. M' Crane Mr Imlay
Mr Eliner M' Manning
Co1 Fleming.
Elias Marsh, John Thompson, Norris Thorpe, & Matthias Iselstin, were brought before the Board, & having Severally took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance as prescribed by Law, were discharged ; the latter two, at the same time Entered into recognizance in £300 Each, for their re- spective appearances at the Supreme Court to be held in the Co of Middlesex.
Conrad Fredericks being brought before the Board for Going into the Enemy's lines, entered into Bond with Abm W. Depuyster in £300 Each, for his appearance at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer, to be held in & for the Co of Essex.
Gerrit Demarest, Gerrit Van Gieson, John Paulese & John Van Boskirk, who were confined at Morristown, to procure an Exchange of a like number of prisoners in New York, having had permission from this Board, on the 30th Jany last, to return to their respective homes, for one month, to negotiate the Ex- change aforesaid, & were to return to Morristown within that time, if such Exchange was not Effected ; And the Board having received advice that they had respectively returned according to their respective Engagements (except Boskirk who is taken ill) & was desirous of having a further time allowed them for the purpose aforesaid .--
Whereupon Agreed, That they have the same indulgence ex- tended to one month longer, from the date, at the expiration of which, they are to return to Morristown, provided the pro- posed Exchange does not take place. Agreed That Ab" Van Gieson have leave in like manner to go home for a month.
9th March
1
212
9th March 1.778
The Council met at Trenton.
Present. His Excellency the Governor M' Crane M' Elmer
M' Elmer
Col Fleming
Mr Buck
Co' Drake
Agreed That there be purchased from M' Collins half a ream of his printing paper for the use of the Council of Safety & that Col Drake pay for the Same.
Agreed that the powder purchased from Col Sullivan for the use of the State, except the 1601 delivered to Hendrick Van Brunt, and the 180wt thereof to be sent to the Co of Cum- berland, be deposited in Morris County, under the Care of Gen1 Winds, who is to make return thereof to his Excellency the Governor, & the said powder after the same shall be so de- posited is to be delivered by Gen' Winds to the order of Ilis Excelleney for the use of the Militia.
Agreed that the C" of 60 men, one lieut & an Ensign (that Major Goetchius, by an order of the 5th December last, was authorized to raise for the defence of Bergen Co, & which were to continue in Service during 3 months from the date thereof) be continued for 3 months longer from the date hereof unless sooner discharged, or that the like number be raised & con- tinued for that time, & that Major Gootchius be authorized to raise four light Horsemen, out of his said Company of Infantry who are to be allowed the same pay & rations as the other light horsemen of this State.
March 10th 1.778
The Council met at Trenton
Present His Excellency the Governor Mr Buck Mr Camp M' Manning Co' Drake
Col Fleming.
Samuel Titus was called before the Board & it being proved that he had asked for 5's of Butter more than the Law allows, Agreed
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Agreed that he be fined the sum of £6. 0. 0. for the breach of the law in so doing & forfeit the sum of 13|9 the price asked for the butter aforesaid.
Samuel Tucker appeared before the Board & having taken & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance as pre- scribed by Law, was thereupon dismissed.
Ordered that Mr Condit pay to Thos Philipse for the use of Henry Post the sum of £10. 14. 3 for his time & trouble in attending the Council of Safety as a light Horseman from the 22 Feby to the 4 March.
Agreed that a subpoena do issue for the appearance of Joseph Higby before this Board at 7 O'clock, this Evening to give Evidence in behalf of the State against Woolingston Redman, & that a Warrant issue for the appearance of the said Redman at the same time.
A. M.
Present as before.
Woolingston Redman appearing before the Board pursuant to warrant & confessing that he had Sold 200wt of Flour at a higher price than the law directs, Agreed that he be fined the Sum of £6. 0. 0 for the said Offence & also the sum of £3. 6 . being the price demanded for the said 200"t
Agreed that his Excellency publish an advertisement direct- ing the Farmers in the Neighbourhood of this place to bring their provisions into the town, without the fear of having their Waggons, Horses & Cattle taken from them for the Service of the Army.
March 13th 1.778.
The Council met at Trenton.
Present His Excellency the Governor M' Manning M' Tallman M' Condit M' Elmer
Co' Drake,
Ordered That M' Condit pay to Jas Serrings & others the sum of £40. 11. 7 for attending the Council of Safety as Light Horsemen.
Agreed That 200 weight of lead made into Ball & 500 flints be delivered to Newcomb Thomson for the use of the Cumber- land Co Militia.
March
214
March 17th 1.778
The Council met at Trenton.
Present, His Excellency the Governor
Mr Condit . Co1 Fleming
Mr Manning
Mr Camp
M' Buck M' Speaker
Agreed That there be paid to Jonathan Dear for the use of Andrew McMackin, the sum of £6. 16. 6 for casting musket balls for the use of the State & for his expenses attending the Same.
Edward Steward being brought before the Board, upon Sus- picion of coming into this State as a Spy from the Enemy, & there not being Sufficient Evidence to convict him of the Fact,
Agreed that he be remanded, until further testimony be had on the subject.
John Paradise was brought before the Board, for going into the Enemy's lines, & returning into this State, without a pass- port,
Whereupon, Agreed, that he have five days to consider whether he will enlist into one of the Battalions of this State in the Continental Service, & that in the meantime he be com- mitted to the Guard in this place.
Agreed that Col Hathway receive from M' Ogden, at Boon- town, the 20.000 flints sent or to be sent into this State, by Mr Archibald Mercer, from Boston, (first paying to Ogden at Boon- town for the cartage) & to be accountable for them when pro- perly called upon.
Agreed that there be paid to Major Asher Holmes, the sum of £'120-for the use of the Wives, Widows & Children, of such of the Militia inhabitants of Monmouth Cor, who have been Either taken prisoners by the Enemy or Killed in Battle & who are proper objects of public charity, to be distributed among them at discretion.
The prisoners & killed Are; James Hibbits, Peter Yateman, Sam' Hanzey, John Bowes, Abraham Merlat, Nathan Maxin, Joseph Davis, W" Norris, W" Cole, Alex' Clark, Lambert Johnston, & Obadiah Stillwel.
Agreed that there be paid to Major Alfred Holmes for monies expended by him in paying Sundry expresses on the public Service the sum of ₺'1. 9. 9
Agreed That there be paid to M' Manning for the use of Reuben
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Reuben Potter, for his expenses in removing the wife of Ellis Barron, the wife of Samuel Moores, & the wife of Moses Write from Woodbridge to Eliz. Town, to be sent over with a Flag from thence to Staten Island, by order of the Council of Safety the sum of £11. 10/-
Agreed that there be paid to John Buck for the use of New- comb Thompson the Sum of £7. 10|- for Conveying Military Stores from Princeton to Cumberland Coy
Agreed that there be paid to John Hart for the use of the Constables, for their extraordinary Services in attending the Court of Oyer & Terminer, held at Flemingtown for the County of Hunterdon, the sum of £32. 0. 0.
Agreed That there be paid to John Hart Esq' for the use of Elijah Stout, for his Services in attending the Court of Flem- ingtown the sum of £2. 16. 10.
Agreed that there be paid to John Hart Esq' for the use of John Paral, for the expenses attending the Cure of a Wound which he received on the 26 Jany while Engaged in the Militia in Co1 Chambers' Battalion, in an action with the Enemy, the sum of £10. 0. 0.
Agreed that there be paid to John Hart Esq' for the use of James Blooks the amount of monies paid to the Doctor for the Cure of a Wound received from the Enemy while on Military Duty, the sum of £5. 15. 6.
March 18. 1.778
The Council met at Trenton.
Present His Excellency the Governor Mr Tallman M' Manning
Co1 Fleming
M' Buck
M' Speaker
M' Imlay
Agreed that Stephen Burrows, & William Heburn his jour- neyman, (or any journeyman he at present Employs) be ex- empted from Military Duty in the Militia, during the time they shall be Engaged in repairing the Saddles & accoutrements of the First Regiment of Virginia Cavalry, Commanded by Col Bland, & that this exemption continue in force no longer than they are wanted for the business aforesaid.
Agreed that Alexander Edwards Miller, employed at Wm Lewis' Mill & that Joseph Smith & Jacob Davenport, Coopers, engaged at the same place, be excused from serving in the Militia for one month from the date hereof.
Agreed
216
Agreed That Thomas Hunt, John Bellerjan, & Samuel Tucker Jun', employed in making & mending Boots for the Cavalry by Wm Tucker, be excused from doing duty in the Militia, during the time they shall be engaged in that work ; -
Agreed that there be paid to Joseph Holingshead for provid- ing 76 prisoners in Burlington, & the Guard kept over them, with Victuals, Wood & other Necessaries in the Month of September last, & for his time & expenses in attending the same, the sum of £82. 2.
March 20th 1.778
The Council met at Trenton Present, as before.
A Memorial presented to the Treasury board by Thos Leaming, respecting a quantity of Salt taken from him by Commissary Hugg, & by them to the Governor & Executive Council of this State, being read & Mr Leaming having opened the case, The Council thought proper to defer the hearing till depositions were taken on the part of the public, respecting the Matters complained of.
21st March 1.778
The Council met at Princeton.
Present, His Excellency the Governor Mr Buck, Mr Tallman Col Fleming
Mr Manning Co' Drake,
Agreed that his Excellency the Governor be desired to write to the person in Reading in Pennsylvania, who has the Custody of Jacob Bogert lately of Bergen County and a sub- ject of this State desiring him to deliver the said Jacob Bogert to Hendrick Bogert & Samuel Campbell they having promised to bring him into this State, and to enter into Bond in £300- lawful money, of the State aforesaid, for his appearing before the President & Council of Safety thereof, in a reasonable time after his arrival in it.
22nd March 1.778
The Council met,
Present. His Excellency the Governor. Col Fleming Mr Camp Mr Buck
Mr Manning
Co' Drake. Ordered
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Ordered, That in Virtue of a resolution of the Council & Assembly, Watres Smith be appointed to impress Six Strong Waggons ou timber wheels, with six horses Each & 18 waggons with 4 horses Each, & a sufficient number of Drivers for remov- ing Cannon to the neighborhood of Trenton, & removing Stores & Ammunition, to Pittston, & Common Stores, Rigging & Sails to convenient places out of the enemy's reach which common Stores, ammunition, rigging & Sails, belong to the Navy Board, of Pennsylvania, to be continued in Service for any term not exceeding six days, provided that the said Navy Board, Engage to pay the owners of the said Carriages, Wagons & Teams so impressed & the said Drivers, the like Wages, as they are allowed when in the service of the Continent, & also make the said Watres Smith a reasonable Compensation for his trouble as Waggon-Master.
John Paradise was discharged from Custody upon Entering into recognizance with George Anthony in £300 to appear at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer for the County of Hunterdon.
March 24th 1.778
The Council met at Trenton
Present His Excellency the Governor
M' Buck, Col Fleming
Mr Camp,
Mr Condict
M' Crane,
M' Imlay
Agreed that Brigdr Gen' Winds, succeed Co' Scely in the post at Elizabeth Town, & that he be informed thereof by letter from His Excellency.
. Upon the Application of Benjamin Smith, Agreed that Benj" Smith and David Van Corden, his apprentices, and Lott Dunborr & W'n Yard his journeymen, employed in working for the Continental light horse, stationed in this town, be ex- empted from Serving their respective Tours of Duty, in the Militia for the space of two weeks from the date hereof.
Agreed that the Powder purchased by the Council of Safety, for the use of the State, and lodged in this town, be removed into Burlington Cor, & put under the care of M' John Tomkin & that the person who Carries the said powder call at M' Im- lay's, for the lead at his house, to be deposited with the powder at M' Tomkin's, & that Mr Tomkin be desired to make up into Cartridges the said powder as far as the lead will permit ; & to deliver them out as occasion may require, to the Commanding Officer for the time being, in the Western parts of the State. March,
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March, 25th 1778
The Council met at Trenton.
Present,
M' Buck, M' Imlay,
M' Condict
M' Crane
M' Cooper,
M' Tallman,
M' Linn,
Col Drake
Co1 Fleming,
Mr Camp
His Excelleney the Governor being absent, & the Majority of the Council of Safety present, they proceeded (pursuant to the Authority Given in and by the 21st Section of an act en- titled "An Act for constituting a Council of Safety ") to the choice of a president for the time being when the Honble John Stevens Esqr was unanimously appointed to the Chair, who took his seat accordingly.
The following persons, vizt Wa Rawson, Sam1 Courzens, John Sweeton, & Joshua Clever, subjects of this State, Ja* Bes- ley, Michael Mains, & Joseph Dain, Citizens of Delaware State, & Abraham Williams lately of Virginia, were sent from Cum- berland, before the Board; The Council having taken & reduced to writing their respective examinations, & being informed that they had been previously examined by the Atty Gen1,
Agreed That before they Are proceeded against, a letter be written to M' Patterson for information of what he knows' concerning them.
Samuel Davis Jun', Christopher Guron, Seth Brook & Josiah Lawrence, being in like manner brought before the Board in order that they might be disposed of out of the reach of the Enemy, & it appearing that they were under Sentence of the Law for divers crimes & misdemeanors,-The Council thought proper to leave them in the Custody of the Sheriff, until the law has been duly executed upon them.
Agreed that M' Condiet pay to Wu Low, the sum of £6. 16 9. in compensation for his time & expenses in bringing the above persons from Cumberland before the Council of Safety.
26 March 1.778
The Council met at Trenton.
Present His Excelleney the Governor M' Crane Mr Buck M' Cooper Col Fleming
M' Imlay Mr Elmer
M' Condict. The
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The following prisoners from Gloucester, vizt, Jacob Shoulder, Jacob, Mouse, Isaac Zane, Samt & W" Hewling, Thos & Jacob, Jones, W" Davenport, Thos Smith, Gunrod Shoemaker, Daniel Murray, and Blakey Hurltey, and a Negro Man belonging to John Cox, severally appeared before the Board ;- Their several confessions before Justice Hugg having been read, & they ex- amined thereupon & it being too late to Enter upon their re- spective Cases, The Council Adj'd till tomorrow morning 9 O'clock,
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27th March 1.778
The Council met, pursuant to adjt
Present, His Excellency the Governor, M' Elmer, Co1 Fleming Mr Condict, Mr Buck, M' Imlay,
The Council having received the necessary proofs from the Attorneys Gen1 respecting the prisoners who were brought before the Board on the 25th, came to the following determina- tion concerning them; vizt:
That William Rawson & Samuel Cousens for going into the Enemy's lines, & furnishing them with provisions & returning into this State Contrary to Law, have five days to consider whether they will Enlist into the Continental Army or be Committed for their trial.
That Joshua Clever & John Sweeton be dismissed on taking the Oaths or affirmations to Gort And
That Michael Main, James Besley & Joseph Dain, subjects of the Delaware State be sent to Head Quarters to be at the disposal of Gen' Washington.
The Council resumed the Consideration of the prisoners from Gloucester, referred from the last Evening to this Morning, when the following resolutions respecting them were agreed to, vizt
That William Hewling & Thos Jones be committed to Gaol for trial.
That. Jacob Shoulder, Jacob Mouse, Isaac Zane and Sam? Hlewling, have 5 days to determine whether they will enlist into the Continental Service during the War or be committed for their trial, for going into the Enemy's lines & returning into this State contrary to Law.
That Jacob Jones, Gunrod Shoemaker, William Davenport, Tho' Smith and a negro man belonging to John Cox be dis- charged
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charged, the former four on taking the Oaths to Government prescribed by Law.
And That Daniel Murray & Blakey Hurltey, Suspected of being Spies from the Enemy & also for Endeavoring to pass Counterfeit money, found upon them, be sent to Head Quarters.
Joshua Clever, John Sweeton, Jacob Jones, Gunrod Shoe- maker, & Tho" Smith were called in & having taken and sub- scribed the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance as by Law di- rected, were severally discharged.
William Davenport was also called in, Who having taken the Affirmations to the Effect of the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance & was in like manner dismissed.
James Stealman, appeared before the Board & Entered into recognizance in the sum of £100-to appear at the next Court of Over & Terminer to be held in & for the County of Essex, to give Evidence in behalf of the State against Wm Hewling & Thos Jones.
Agreed that M' Condict pay to M' Buck for the use of John Soullard, for the expenses attending the bringing a number of prisoners from Cumberland before the Council of Safety £17. 7.1.
Agreeable to the recommendation of the Justices of the Court of Oyer & Terminer held at Crosswicks, in & for the Co of Burlington, in the Month of March 1.778.
Resolved That the Constables hereafter named, be allowed the several sums annexed to their names, as a compensation for their respective services at said Court, Vizt
John Hodgkinson Constable for attending 9 days £. S. D.
c 121. Each . · 5. 8. 0
To his serving 4 Subpoenas. 14 miles Each 1. 10. 0
Tho* Powell, Constable for attending 9 days c 12|.
Each 5. 8. 0
To his serving 4 subpoenas. 14 miles Each 1. 10. 0 John Smith's attendance as Constable, for 9 days c 12. Each . 5. 8. 0 To his serving 3 Subpoenas 8 miles Each, 0. 15. 0 John Singleton's attendance as Constable, for 9 days c 12|. p day . 5. 8. 0
·
Richard Cox's attendance as Constable, for 9 days c 12. Each 5. 8. 0 Joseph Mingin's attendance as Constable 9 days c 12| Each, . 5. · 8. 0
To his serving 4 subps 14 Miles Each 1. 10. 0
£37. 13.
Agreed
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Agreed that M' Condiet pay to Peter Schenck for the use of Asher Holmes for money paid by him to an Express for going from Morris Town & New German Town to the Speaker of the Assembly, at the request of the Atty Gen' the sum of £6. 8. 2
Agreed that M' Condict pay to Peter Schenck, for the use of Asher Holmes the sum of £5. 8. 9 being Money laid out by him, in bringing Ammunition from Eliz: Town to Freehold for the use of the Monmouth Militia.
Agreed that Bartholomew Fort a Cooper employed at making Casks, at George Bergen's Mill be excused from serving in the Militia for the space of one month from the date hereof.
April, 1st 1.778
The Council met at Trenton.
Present, M' Vice president
M' Imlay M' Buck
M' Elmer M' Cooper
Mr Condict.
William McCollam, Capt" of the "Carolina " Paquet, & Hugh Smith Mate of the Same, together with five Sailors taken by John Brooks Commander of the Sloop "Scorpion," from Salem in New England, were brought before the Board; whereupon agreed,
That Capt McCollam & Hugh Smith be put on parole to re- main in this town until further orders, & that the Sailors be committed to the Guard,
Agreed That the president draw on Capta Tucker for 150 Cartridges for the use of Capt" Quigly's Guard stationed at this place & take his receipt for the same, he promising to return them within a month.
Adja till 3 o'clock P. M.
Met pursuant to adjt
Present His Excellency the Governor Mr Condict Mr Elmer
Mr Manning
M' Buck Co' Fleming
Agreed that there be paid to John Drake for the use of Ben- jamin Blackwell for serving the Council of Safety as a light Horseman
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Horseman from the 2nd March 1.778 to the 1st April the Sum of £17. 2. 0
That there be paid to John Drake for the use of Thos Philipse for the like services from the 22 February to the 1st April 1.778 the sum of £25. 9. 0
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