87 ~  [14 March 1693/4]        Court Case

Bryan Snee, Plt                       Somerset.   Robert Pollock of this County Planter otherwise called             

contra                          Robert Polkewas attached to answer unto Bryan Snee of the same

Robert Polke, Dft                    county Planter, of a plea of trespass upon the case.

And whereupon the said Bryan by Sam’l Worthington his attorney complaineth that whereas the said Robert Polke about ye 12th day of October Anno Dom 1693 at Manokin within the Jurisdiction of this Court did several times and at sundry places falsely and maliciously reproach him the aforesaid Bryan Snee (who then being in good fame and credit & of good repute amongst his mat’ies good people of this county and by his labour & industry hath gott a sufficient competency whereby to live credibly on and to pay everyone their just dues and demands) in reporting that he had secretly and feloniously stolen and carried away from him the said Robert four yards of new white Kersey (Cloth) the sd Bryan saith that he never saw, nor did any wayes medle or concern himself with, nor that the said Robert hath any evidence, colour or pretense for his unjust scandals & false accusations, but meerly out of envy and malice premeditated to prejudice him the aforesd Bryan - Whereby he the said Bryan is damnified to the value of 1000 pounds of tobacco & thereupon brings this sute.  Worthington p/ Pltf.

And the Deft. by Robt. Pirrie (his attorney) saith he is not guilty in manner & forme & of this he puts himself upon the Country.  Pirrie p/Deft.

And the Pltf also.  Worthington

Whereupon Command this day was given to the Sheriff of sd County to bring here twelve good and lawfull men of his Balywick that the matter in hand might be the better understood. A list or pannel whereof are returned as followeth (viz.) William Boseman, Thomas Walston, John Jones, James Curtis, Jno. Brown, Sam’l Long, Edward Green, Christopher Snoswell, Jas. Hill, Robert Nearn, George Lane, Archibald Smith (12) Who being duely summoned returned & sworn upon the Holy Evangelists who having heard the foresd Declaration & Evidences sworn & examined received their charge & went forth ~~~ And the same day aforesd the said Jurors aforesd makes their return to the Barr in Court, each man being particularly called being all agreed of their verdict. The Plt & Dft being likewise called the verdict is read as followeth ~ Wee of the Jury do find for the Plt. Which verd’t this Court orders to be entered & confirms same.

And the Court orders the foresd Jury on sd tryall between the sd Bryan Snee & Rob’t Polke to enquire into what damages the sd Snee may have sustained in the sd Accon brought, w’ch sd Jury were then sworn in Court, received their charge & are sent forth ~~~ And being returned doe bring in this following verdict viz. Wee of the Jury doe find that Bryan Snee is damnified to the value of four hundred pounds of tobacco which verd’t the Court confirms according to Act of Assembly.