JUNE COURT 1694

 

97 ~  12 June 1694 Court convenes; Commissioners present: Francis Jenckins, James Round, Edmund Howard, Capt. John King.

 

97 ~  Sheriff’s commission and Writ of Assistance read in court (not in record); rules of the Provicial Court read.

 

97 ~  Proclamation of Thomas Lawrence concerning Act for the Registering of Birth, Marriages and Burials read in Court; requires all births, marriages and deaths to be registered with the County Clerk within two months of occurrence, per Act of Assembly. (See Transcription)

 

97 ~  Two servant boys of Capt. Henry Smith brought into Court by (Sheriff) Ephraim Wilson; Thomas Benson judged to be between 16 and 17; John Browne, judged to be 14; both arrived in country without indentures.

 

97 ~  MAry Cullen brings son Edward Cullen before the Court; will be 6 years old in September; apprenticed to Mary Curtis until age 21; will teach him to read and give him a cow and calf when 18.

 

98 ~  George Betts brings servant boy Samuel Bryce before Court; says he arrived without indenture aboard vessel Mayfloor, commanded by Rowland Jackson; judged to be 14.

 

98 ~  Mary Cullen brings her daughter Mary before Court; asks that she be bound over to Thomas Tull; Tull will teach her to read the Bible, spinning, etc. and give her a heifer at age 10.

 

98 ~  Mary Whireing presents her Indenture to the Court and asks that she be given her freedom; Court so orders.

 

98 ~  John Webb makes probate of Richard Dennis’s bill, per oaths of two witnesses (unnamed).

 

98 ~  Sheriff returns panel of jurors for orphans and apprentices: Capt. William Piper (foreman), Francis Roberts, Nicholas Evins, John White, Samuel Marchment, Henry Ackworth, Jun., John Roach, Jun., William Coulbourne, currier, James Givan, Robert Downs, Henry Leake, John Swain, William Wouldhave, John Patrick, Thomas Gillett, Thomas Smith, William Keens, Sen., Robert Tyra (Tyre), Marsey Fountaine;

 

98 ~  Jurors are sworn, and sent forth; return with following presentment: John Schofield who keeps Robert Houlston, son of Robert Houlston, for depriving orphan of his inheritance; Court orders Schofield to be summoned to next County Court

 

98 ~  Case against Jane Carr, spinster, for fornication and bearing a bastard; Jane admits guilt but refuses to identify the father; Court orders 30 lashes; executed forthwith; Court orders that she give security; Carr makes bond for £60 for her good behavior and pay fees; securities James Knox, John Winsor.

 

99 ~  Case against Anne Langford; accused of beating and abusing Frances Gold, wife of Edward Gold; charges given to Grand Jury which returns ignoramus; case dismissed.

 

99 ~  Petition of George Pheobus asks Court to order estate of Richard Whitty pay him 435 lbs/tbco; presents account; Arnold Elzey, admits debt; Court orders payment, with costs.

 

99 ~  Petition of William, Tabitha and Priscilla White, orphans of John White, Gent; states that they are now all of age and asks the Court to order Lawrence Crawford, now married to White’s widow, to convey their just inheritances to them; Court orders Crawford to appear in Court following day.

 

99 ~  Petition of Maren Smith, widow of James Smith, asks the Court to grant her custody of her two sons, George and James; says she has cared for them since death of her husband, but others are now trying to take them; Court orders they remain with her until age 18.

 

100 ~  Petition of Thomas Williams to be discharged from his bond for good behavior; granted.