USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. IV > Part 14
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Mr. John Abeel informs that he hath hyred the hynde Chamber of Philip Schuyler for lodging for Leiv' Charles Congrove, to primo May next ensueing, for £2:14, to be payd by ye Province, if not so then to be payd by ye Citty.
But considering ye sª Congrove not having full bedding ye sd Abeel undertakes to supply ye sª Congrove with a pair of sheets, one pair of Pillows and two Blankets, pro- vided he be freed from ye quartering of any soldiers till such time ye sd Bed Cloaths be returned, and in case they be damnifyed, ye magistrates doe promise to endeavor for satisfaction.
Coll. Peter Schuyler produces a mortgage on ye Land of Shaahkook, signed with ye hand and seale of one In- dian (therein sett forth as right owner to sd land), called taspelalet allias Murhank, for ye quantity of 60} Beaver skins, 20 Otters, 25 Vissers, and 10 Martens, and since [The record is incomplete.]
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Att a Meeting of ye Justices of ye Citty and County of Albany, the 19th of January, 170g. :- Present, Albt Ryckman, Jonn Abeel, Hendek Hanse, Johs. Rose- boom, David Schuyler, Johs. Cuyler, Johs. Mingael, Killiaen van Renselaer.
This day being appointed for ye assessors of ye Citty and County of Albany to give in there Returnes of an Estimation of ye severall Estates within ye Citty and County aforesaid, according to ye severall warrants to them directed, towards ye raising of ye sd Citty and Coun- tyes quota to ye £1800 and £2000 Taxes, whereupon y" following assessors have returned, vizt: [the places for the sums are left blank in the book. ]
Since ye assessors of ye Citty and County doe not agree over ye severall estimations it is resolved by ye sd Justices yt ye sd assessors doe forthwith meet and produce there sd severall estimations to one an other, and to form them in equall proportions, and make returne of ye same to Mr. Mayor tomorrow.
Jan. 20 .- The Assessors of ye Citty and County of Al- bany, aforesaid being as above recommended to a meeting and to produce to onother ye severall estimations, and to form them in equall proportions, have accordingly meet and doe returne as follows, vizt:
The Citty of Albany for . £3190
The Colony of Rensselaerswyk. - 2050
Shennechtady, 2000
Kinderhook, 900
Catskill and Coxhacky, - 1000
Canastageone,
400
The Half Moon, 275
Patkook, -
400
£10215
Att a Mayor's Court held in ye Citty Hall of Albany, ye 16th February, 1703.
Johannis Cuyler, Plentive, Ryer Schermerhoorn, John Baptist van Eps, John Wemp, Defendants. The Plentive demands by Declaration as followeth, vizt :
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City of Albany : To ye worshipfull Mayor and Alder- men of ye Citty of Albany. Johannis Cuyler of ye Citty of Albany, Impowered by his Excellency ye Govenor and Councill of Her Majes. Province of New York, to collect and receive her majes. Quitt Rents of ye County of Albany complains against Ryer Schermerhoorn, Jan Baptist van Eps eldest sonn and heir of John van Epps, deceased, and John Wemp eldest sonn and heir of Myndert Wemp, deceased, Patentics of a Certain Patent dated ye 2 of No- vember, 1684, and saith that whereas ye said Ryer Scher- merhoorn, Jan Baptist van Eps, and John Wemp are indebted unto Her Majes. for ye Quitt Rent of ye Land &c., in sd Patent since ye 25th of March, 1698, untill ye 15th of March, 1702, four years at forty bushels of Wheat per annum, being one hundred and sixty bushels of Wheat, which quantity of Wheat ye sd Johannis Cuyler hath de- manded from ye said Ryer Schermerhoorn, Jan Baptist van Eps, and John Wemp, to wit on ye 9th of December, on ye year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and two, and often afterwards; But ye sd quantity of Wheatt to deliver ye said Ryer Schermerhoorn, Jan Baptist van Eps and John Wemp hath altogether Referred, and as yet doth Referred; Whereupon ye sd Johs. Cuyler says that Her Majes. hath Damage to ye value of 32 Pounds currant money of yª sd Province, &c. Thereof bringeth this sute &c. The Defendants not appearing to defend there cause the Plentive desyres Judgment may passe against ye De- fendants, for y" arrears of Quitt Rent, according his De- claration, the which being taken in consideration by ye mayor and aldermen doe graunt Judgment accordingly with costs of sute; whereupon ye Plentive desyres execu- tion, which is Referred till next Court day.
Att a Common Councill held in ye Citty Hall of Albany ye 23d of Feb'y, 1703.
Mr. Pr. van Brugh appears in Common Councill and gives in ye following Petition, viz' :
To y" worshipfull Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and As- sistants of ye Citty of Albany : The humble Petition of Peter van Brugh of ye said Citty,
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Humbly sheweth :
That your Petitioner hath on ye 11th November last bought y' corner house and lott of grounde formerly be- longing to his father and mother in law, Henry and Anna Cuyler, deceased, situate, lyeing and being here in ye sd Citty of Albany, in ye first warde, on ye south side of ye Jouncker street, towards ye hills, containing in breadth on ye front sixteen foot or thereabouts, wood measure, and whereas your Petitioner doth intend to erect a suffi- cient house thereon. Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays your worshipfull Commonality to sell unto your Petitioner eight foot of ground adjoining to ye west of y" said corner, in length as ye aforesaid lott, if not hindered by ye Rounds passage, and your Citty Stockadoes, where- fore your Petitioner is willing to pay a reasonable Price for ye same, and as in duty bound shall ever pray, &c.
Signed PIETER VAN BRUGH.
Albany ye 23d of February, 170%.
The Commonality, taking ye above Petition into con- sideration, have appointed four out of ye Common Councill to vew sd Ground, who have brought Report that sd Ground is not prejudicial to ye Citty. The Commonality have therefore bargained and sold unto ye sd Peter van Brugh his heirs and assigns forever, cight foot of Ground adjoining to ye west of ye sd Corner House, and in length as ye lott of ye sd Corner House, if not hindered by ye Citty Stockadoes, ye sd van Brugh paying therefore to ye sd Citty Tenn Pounds five shillings Currant Money, and ye Charges for drawing ye Transport, which is ordered to be drawn up.
Mr.Myndert Schuyler, appears in Common Councill and gives in y following Petition, viz :
To the Worshipfull Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and As- sistants of ye Citty of Albany, The humble Petition of Myndert Schuyler of ye sd Citty,
Humbly sheweth :
That heretofore a certain small lane hath been used by ye Public here in ye Citty of Albany, on ye south side of ye Jouncker street, between ye great house and lott for- merly of Gerrit Banker Deceased, now belonging to your
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petitioner, and ye house and lott of Evert Banker, sonne and administrator of ye said deceased, which land stretched from ye front towards Rutten kill, almost to nothing, and is supposed to belong to ye citty aforesd.
Your petitioner therefore humbly prays your worshipfull Mayor, Recorder & Alderman now convened in Common Councill to take ye matter into your serious consideration and to release ye ground between sd house and lott of your Petitioner and ye house and lott of Evert Banker aforesd, unto your Petitioner for ever, he paying what you shall think Reasonable. And your pet'r shall ever pray, &c.
Signed, MYND'T SCHUYLER.
The Mayor. Recorder, Aldermen and Assistance, take- ing yº above Petition into Consideration, have agreed with ye sd Myndert Schuyler to Release ye ground petitioned for, he paying to ye Citty ye summe of three pounds, and oy'r charges, to wit, ye Release, which is ordered to be drawne.
It is Resolved, That a new Bridge be made over Rutten Creek where the old lays, by Coll. Schuyler's house, in all haste, Mr. Mayor having undertaken to see materials procured for ye same, and to agree with workmen to make said, taken to his assistance any aldermen or assistance of this Citty.
Att a Mayor's Court held in ye Citty Hall of Albany, ye 2ª of March, 170%.
David Schuyler & Thomas Williams, administrators of ye Legacys of Abraham Nicols, late deceased intestate, doe appear in Court, giving in an account of there admi- nistration, whereby the sd Legacy, amounting to £6:1, ye charges of his funeral, &c., to £8:16:6, so that there re- mains indebted £2:15:6, wherefore ye Court have drawne assignments to be paid by ye County of Albany.
March 16 .- The humble Petition of Gerrit Luykasse, of ye sd Citty, humbly sheweth : How that your Petitioner understands that your worshipful Commonality hath been pleased to dispose by sail some small matter of ground towards y^ hills, and whereas a little ground thereabouts would bee very convenient to your Petitioner, since
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dwelling near ye same. Your Petitioner doth therefore humbly pray your worshipful Commonality to sell unto your Petitioner eight foot of ground adjoyning to ye west of ye lott of ground lately sold by your worshipful Com- monality to Mr. Peter van Brugh, and in length thirty foot, or as ye sd lott of grounde if not hindered by ye Citty's Stockadoes, wherefore your Petitioner is willing to pay a reasonable price for ye same, and as in duty bound shall ever pray, &c. GERRIT LUYKASSE.
Upon ye above Petition ye Commonality have appointed Mr. Joh's Schuyler, Johan's Mingael, ald'n; Jacob Turk, Ruth Melgertse, assistance, to make a vew if so much grounde can be conveniently spared, who give Report that there lays eight foot of grounde, breadth, and thirty foot grounde length, that without any hindrance to the Rounds passage or the Citty Stockadoes.
Mr. Peter van Brugh appears in Common Councill hum- bly desyreing (that since he is informed that a petition is entered that eight foot of ground and thirty foot length to ye"west of his lott of grounde lately bought of ye Citty may be sold) that he ye sd van Brugh may have ye first priviledge to buy ye same, or else to ye highest Bidder be- tween him and ye Pet'r yt petitions for ye sd grounde.
Whereas Mr. Chas Congroove hath made application to be made a freeman and citizen of this Citty, which ye Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Assistance taking in con- sideration, have granted gratis, provided he pay the clerk's fees.
The Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Assistance, putting to ye vote whether they think convenient to expose said ground as requested to saile, who have resolved to sell ye same, and thereupon called Gerrit Luykasse and Mr. Pr. Brugh, and sold unto said Gerrit Luykasse eight foot of ground to y" west of ye lott of ground lately sold to Mr. Pr. van Brugh from ye Citty, and in length southwarde thirty foot, always provided that now or hereafter it be no hindrance for ye Rounds passage and ye Citty Stockadoes, he y^ sd Gerritt Luykasse paying therefore ye summe of tenn pounds five shillings, currant money, with ye Clark's charges, &c., for drawing a Transport.
[Annals iv.]
16
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Whereupon ye sd Gerrit Luykasse further prays in case hereafter any other ground to ye west of ye said lott be layed out to be sold, that he may be ye first previledge to buy ye same. Which graunted accordingly.
Att a meeting of ye Justices of ye Citty and County of Albany, ye 30th of March, 1703.
Mr. Johannes Abeel produceth an account of what money he hath received from the respective collectors of ye Citty and county of Albany, towards ye quota to ye £1800 tax, vizt.
From ye Col'r of ye first warde, £17:5
ye second warde, - 14:
ye third warde, 10:1:4
from Schinnechtady, . 28 : 8:5 from ye Colony Rensselaerswyk, 29: 5 from Kinderhook, 13:2:91
the Half-moon, 2:15 : 8
Canastagione, 4: 1:1
Patkook, 5:16:8
Catskill and Coxhacky, - · 14: :3
£138:16:2}
Which summes being perrused by ye sd Citty and Countys quota, is wanting 5: 3:91
£ 144
It is by the Justices Resolved that by Mr. Albert Ryk- man yt orders be given to ye collectors forthwith to col- lect ye arrears of there respective wards to sd tax.
Att a Common Councill held in ye Citty Hall of Albany this first of May, 1703.
Itt is resolved that the stockadoes now ridd be sett up by the freeholders and inhabitants, each in his own ward, according to the taxt lists, and those that have not ridd their stockadoes are obliged to ryde their quota upon the mayor's order next winter, that they may be sett accord- ingly, and he that shall neglect or refuse to work upon the mayor's warning, shall forfeit the sum of six shillings currant money for each offence.
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To the Worshipfull the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Commonality of the Citty of Albany.
The humble petition of Gerrit Luykasse Wynegaert, Stephanus Groesbeek, and Evert Wendell Jun'r, humbly sheweth: That your Petitioners being Traders with ye Indians as well as many others whom have convenancies with a house at each gate to accommodate the Indians att their arrivall both on the north and on the west side of · the fort, and that it hath pleased his Excellency my Lord Cornbury to permit a gate on the south side of the fort, towards the Rutten kill, that an Indian house may be build on the south side of sd gate on the hill commonly called or known by the name of the Spring hill, for the accommodation of Indians. Your Petitioners therefore humbly Prayes that your worships will take this into your serious Considerations, and grant that your Peti- tioners may build an Indian house there of three deal boards length, at their own proper cost and charge, and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray. Albany, this 29 of April, 1703. The above petition read and rejected.
May 11 .- William Holey of the Citty of Albany ap- peared before us and produced an order from the Mayes Court, dated the 2d day of January, 1692, for Porter and Town Cryer, and desires a Confirmance, and is granted accordingly.
Evert Ridder of the County of Albany appears before us in Common Councill and desires his freedom in the Citty from Mr. Mayor to be a free citizen; which is granted acoordingly.
Evert Ridder of the Citty of Albany makes his humble application to the Mayor, Aldermen and Assistance to be permitted to teach schoole in the Citty aforesaid, which request is taken into consideration, and granted accordingly.
Jacob Turke Esquire, High Sheriff of the Citty and County of Albany, humbly desires from the Mayor, Alder- men and Assistance that the Regulation made in Common Councill relateing the Indians the 30th May, 1702, may be confirmed for one year after the date of sd Proclama- tion, which is granted accordingly, commencing the 30th of May 1704.
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Itt is ordered by the Mayor, Aldermen and Assistance of the Citty of Albany, that the streets within said Citty be made clean before each inhabitant's door, and all fire wood be removed from the street, and all other timber and stones may be heapt up and layd up close together, out of the way, before the 14th day of this instant month of May, upon pain and penalty of paying a fine of three shillings corrant money for every such ofrence, for the behoofe of the sheriffe.
May 22 .- William Gysbertse appeared in Common Councill and desired that he might infence a certain Piece of Pasture ground in the Corporation of the Citty of Al- bany, on the third kill or creek, commonly called or known by the name of the Fossen kill, and he is ordered to produce sufficient titles at or before the first of Sept'r next ensuing.
Att a Mayor's Court held in the Citty Hall of Albany, this 25th day of May, 1703,
Effie Hansen vs. Melgaert v. d. Poell & Elesibeth his wife.
Jury-Abraham Cuyler, Elbert Gerritse, Joh. Claessen, Tho. Harmensen, Gerrit Luykasse, Anth. Coster, Gerrit Rykese, Ryer Gerritse, Dirk v. d. Heyden, Pieter Mingaell, Gysbert Marselis, Jacob Lansingh.
The Plantive demands by Declaration the sume of twenty three pounds two shillings and seven pence halfe penny, corant money. The Jury finds itt for the Plantive, the verdict being approved by the Court and Judgment passt against ye defendants with costs of shute.
June 8 .- Mr. John Collins, atturney for Melgt van der Poel and Elisabeth his wife, defendants in y" action with Effie Hanse, plentive, appears in court and prays that the execution in that action may be delayed to ye next May- or's Court, or till the Recorder comes home, which is ac- cordingly graunted.
June 22 .- Effie Hansen widow of Hans Hendrikse, deceased, by her petition in dutch being read, she desyres ye honble Mayor and Aldermen in Court, in pursuant of her action with Melgt van der Poel and Elisabeth his wife, to take ye same into their serious consideration, and
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grant her an execution thereon. The Court, takeing ye same petition into their consideration, have referred ye matter untill the Recorder's arrival from New York.
Att a Common Councill held in ye Citty Hall of Albany ye 9th of July, 1703.
It is Resolved by ye Commonality that Billets be stuck up in a Public place, to give notice to all persons who have any account particularly with ye Citty, that they give in ye same to ye Citty Treasurer, before ye 26th instant. And that Mr. Johannis Cuyler, Mr. David Schuyler, ald'n, and Rob Livingston Jun'r, doe convein at ye Citty Treasurers, and there make distinction of the Citty and County's debts, and to see ye same entered in two fair books, and to make return thereof on ye nine- teenth instant.
Att a Mayor's Court held in the Citty Hall of Albany, ye 20th of July, 1703.
Mr. Johannes Cuyler makes application and sets forth how that on the 16th of February last, a Judgment was graunted by this worshipfull Court on his part as Deputy Collector of ye Quit Rents in Je Citty and County of Al- bany, against Ryer Schermerhorn, Jan Baptist van Eps, and John Wemp, Patenties of a certain Patent, for ye town of Shennechtady for ye quantity of one hundred and sixty bushels of wheat, for ye Quit Rent of sd Patent, to- gether with costs of sute, &c., and therefore most humbly prays an Execution against sd persones, which after being taken into consideration, doe graunt an execution upon ye Body of sd Ryer Schermerhoorn, Jan Baptist van Eps, and John Wemp, or their goods and chattels when they shall be found within ye Baylewyk of this Citty.
Att a Common Councill held in ye Citty Hall of Albany the 20th of July, 1703.
Whereas on ye 9th instant, Mr. Johannes Cuyler and Mr. David Schuyler, alden, and Robt Livingston Jun., were appointed to convein at ye Citty Treasurer, there to make a distingtion of ye Citty and County accounts, who
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doe return Report with a book whereby the Citty have considerably disbursed for ye account of ye County, where- upon this meeting have Resolved by ye Justices aforesaid that warning be given to ye Justices of ye County to con- vene here in ye Citty Hall, on ye 10th of August next, there to make up their accounts, in order to take some method to satisfy ye due debts of sd County, and that in ye mean time Billets be sett on ye public places of said County, giving warning to such persons as have any ac- count with said county, that they give in their sd accounts in sd time to ye Citty treasurer.
It is Resolved that warrants be issued to ye assessors of this Citty to make an estimate of ye Estates belonging to ye Inhabitants and other Estates within ye Baylewick of this Citty, and to make a return thereof under hands and seales, in ye space of thrice twenty four hours, to ye end that an assessment of fifty Pounds be layd and as- sessed on the same; which Estimate is to be given to the Mayor.
The Petition of Jochim Lambertse praying a Release may be graunted to his Moy'r Annetje ye wed'w of Lam- bert Volkenburgh, of sd Citty, late deceased, for a certain lott of ground and house thereon erected, which Petition being read as followeth :
The humble Petition of Jochim Volkenburgh of Kin- derhook, of ye County of Albany, humbly sheweth: How that your Petitioner's father, Lamb' Volkenburgh, late of ye Citty of Albany aforesd decd, in his lifetime and at the day of his death was in quiet and peaceable possession of a certain house and lott of ground, situate, lying and be- ing in ye Citty aforesaid, in ye voddemark, haveing to ye west ye burying place, and to ye north and east ye high- way, is yet in ye tenure and occupation of your Petitioner's mother, and ye heirs of sd deceased, containing in length and breadth according to ye annexed note, measured by ye Citty surveyor; and whereas at present noe deeds or writings of ye house and lott can be found, although pub- lickly knowne yt ye same properly did belong to ye sd deceased. Your petitioner therefore humbly prays yt your worships will be pleased to release ye said house and
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lott of ground unto your Petitioner's moeder, Annatie ye widow of sd deceased, and your Petitioner as in duty bound shall for ever pray, &c. JOCHIM LAMBERTZ.
Which petition being taken into consideration, is or- dered that a Release be drawn for said house and lott, breadth and length according to ye surveyor's note, and yt ye same be entered on our Public Records.
Jacob Turke Esq., high sheriffe of Citty and County of Albany aforesd, prays that ye Perquisites contained in ye Proclamation relating ye Indian trade may be wholly graunted to him. Ye Commonality taking ye same into consideration, have graunted ye same Perquisites unto ye sheriffe, and ordered yt said Proclamation be drawne over and to insert ye sd Perquisites wholly for ye Behooffe of ye sd sheriffe, which Proclamation is so confirmed.
July 26, 1703 .- The Estimation of ye Estates belonging to ye Inhabitants and others within ye Baylewyk of this Citty being by ye assessors of s' Citty returned to Mr. Mayor, and layd before ye Common Council amounting to £2774: which assessment being approved of, and laid 43d upon each pound, and concluded that a warrant be forth- with directed to Anthony Bratt to levy ye same, before ye one thirtyeth of this Instant.
A Proclamation by ye Mayor, Aldermen and Commonality.
Whereas complaints are made that several persons within this Citty doe trust strong liquor to Indians upon account of their cloathing, especially of late, when on her Majesties service, to ye great disadvantage of her Majes- ties interest and y good of this Country. These doe therefore in her Maj'es name Publish and Prohibite all Persons within this Citty to give any strong Liquors unto Indian or Indians, directly or indirectly, upon account of their Cloathing or Arms, upon penalty of forfeiting ye summe of six shillings for each offence, and to restore ye sd Cloaths, &c., without any satisfaction, which forfeit shall be for ye Behooffe of ye sheriffe, who is to sue for ye same.
Given in Albany ye day and year first above written.
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Att a Mayor's Court held in the Citty Hall of Albany, ye 3d of August, 1703.
Jacob Turke Esq., high sheriffe by John Collins, his atturney, Plentive, Aryaentie Wendel, Defendant, Evert Wendel, Jun., appears for her. The partyes being asked say they are come, and ready to plead their cause.
The Def'ts atturney producing his power is thought not sufficient whereby an action in Court can be tryed; ye st atturney desyres that his moy'r the Defendant may be asked if she hath impowered him ye sd atturney to plead her action here in Court, whereupon ye Court have sent ye Marshall of ye sd Court with a Constable to ask ye Defendt ye matter, who brings report that ye Deft im- powers ye sd Evert Wendel her atturney to plead her ac- tion now in Court.
The Jury called and sworn: Mynd' Schuyler, Evert Janse, Johan's Hansen. Nicolas Bleeker, Will'm Hogen, Goosen van Schaick, Rynier Myndertse, Johan's Pruyn, Anthony Coster, Abraham Kip, Abraham Cuyler, Dirk vander Heyden.
The Plentives Declaration read as followeth, viz :
Albany County, ss. Jacobus Turke Esq., high sheriffe of ye Citty and County of Albany, in ye Province of New York, complains against Aryantie Wendel, widow, of ye sd Citty, in ye first ward, in an action of trespasse upon ye case, and thereupon ye sd Jacobus Turke saith that whereas there was a Proclamation issued forth by ye Mayor, Re- corder, Aldermen and Assistants of ye sd Citty of Albany, bearing date ye 11th day of May last past in ye present year of our Lord 1703, publishing and declaring amongst other things that no person or persones within ye sd Citty shall presume to take any Indian or Indians (Sachems excepted), with pack or packs of Beavers or peltry into their houses under ye penalty of paying to ye sheriffe of ye sd Citty five pieces of eight for such offence, except Ly- cense given, yet neverthelesse ye sd Aryaentie, not igno- rant of ye premises, on ye 21st of July. 1703, entertained three Indians in her dwelling house, in ye warde and in ye Citty aforesaid, whereupon ye sd Aryaentie is indebted to ye Plentive four pounds ten shillings, whereupon he brings
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this suite and says that he hath dammage eighteen pounds. The Defendt not having entered his plea, ye Plentive's atturney prays a nonsuite for ye costs of suite, and ye Court considering ye Matter, doe accordingly graunt a nonsuite against y Defendt for ye costs of suite.
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