238 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1681-85/6.

Lib. R. R. R.

Whereas Anne Tovey widow and Relict of Samuel Tovey
late of Kent County deed: hath by her letter of the 29^th Day
of December last to M^r Robert Carvile, and recorded in our
Office for probate of wills &c^a most grossly abused and scan-
dalized Majr James Ringold of the said County of Kent in his
fame and good name, pretending and alledging that he the
said Ringold contrary to all Law justice and equity had (upon
the decease of her s^d husband) by violent meanes and much
threats extorted from her some papers left by the said Tovey
in her custody, and otherwise endeav^red under hand to debarr
her from her due Admicon of the Estate of her said deed: hus-
band, with intent and designe onely to take the same upon
himself, fraudulently to deceive her and the Children of the s^d
Tovey, and other persons Credito^rs to the said Estate of their
just due right and property as by the Complaint of the said
Ringold wee have received. Wee therefore willing to know
the truth of the premisses, and to doe right as well unto the
said Ringold as all other persons concerned have thought fitt
by these p^rsents to Authorise and empower you the said
Henry Coursey, William Lawrence, and William ffrisby, or
any two of you, whereof you the said Henry Coursey to be

p. 79

One, at some convenient time and place when and where you
shall think fitt to appoint, soe speedily as may be to call and
summons to appeare before you as well the said Anne Tovey,
as the said James Ringold, and make due examination there-
into, both from their owne allegations and from the oathes
and Depositions of what Evidences shall be produced unto
you by either the parties aforementioned, to whom you have
hereby full power and authority given you to administer
oathes to declare and make unto you true Evidence and Tes-
timony to the best of their knowledge, unto what shall be
required of them on part of either the said Tovey or Ringold.
Upon due heareing and mature deliberation whereof you are
to make your report unto us and our Councill at our City of
S^t Maries with all convenient speed: And for soe doeing
this shall be your Sufficient power and Authority. Given
under our hand and Seale at Armes the nine and Twentieth
Day of March in the nineth yeare of our Dominion &c. Annoq
Dmi. One thousand Six hundred Eighty and ffour.