Provincial Court Proceedings, 1674/5. 511




        And the said William by Kenelm Cheseldyn his Attorny Cometh Liber M M
      and defendeth the force and injury when &c and prayeth liberty of
      Speakeing hereunto untill next Provinciall Court the same day is
      given to both parties.
        Now here at this day to wit the fiftenth day of ffebruary in the
      43th yeare of the Dominion of Caecilius &c came the said Anthony
      by his Attorny aforesaid and Offered himself e against the said Wil
      liam in the plea aforesaid But the said William came not but made
      default Therefore it is Considered by the Court here that the said
      Anthony recover against the said William aswell the said Sume of
      foure thousand three hundred pounds of tobacco as also the sume
      of five hundred fifty Six pounds of tobacco costs of Suite.

      Christopher Batson John Stephens of Great Choptanck in the p. 500
        agt County of Dorchester was attached to answer
   John Stephens   Christopher Batson in a plea of trespas upon the
                   case.
        Whereupon the Said Christopher by Vincent his Attorny com
      plaineth that whereas he the said Christopher being imported into
      this Province and Sold to the aforesaid John Stephens as a Servant
      for the Space of foure yeares as doth and may appeare by the In
      denture which he the said Christopher brought in with him and
      haveing well and faithfully Served him the said John according to
      the time Specified and exprest in the aforesaid Indenture he the
      Said Christopher was Sett free at a Provinciall Court held April
      the eighth in the yeare One thousand Six hundred Seventy three
      as doth appeare upon Record Yet notwithstanding the said John
      Stephens well Knowing that he the Said Christopher had well and
      truly Served his time deteines him the said Christopher eight
      months Over & above the time he the said Christopher was to
      Serve according to the aforesaid Indenture and likewise he the said
      John denyes him the said Christopher his freedom Corne and
      Cloathes Vizt three barrells of Come One Suite of Cloathes One
      Shirt One paire of hose One paire of Shoes two hoes One Axe
      though often thereunto required whereupon the Said Christopher
      Saith he is dampnified and hath losse to the value of foure thou
      sand pounds of tobacco And thereupon he brings his suite.
        And the Said John Stephens by Robert Ridgely his Attorny
      cometh and defendeth the force and injury when &c and the said
      John Stephens Saith that he the Said John the said Christopher
      Batson of Abell London Marriner as a Comön Servant bought to
      Serve him the Said John according to the Custome of the Country
      and the Said Christopher the third day of December 1672 peti
      tioned the County Court of Dorchester County for his freedome
      the said Court did adjudge the Said Christopher to Serve five
      yeares And the Said John further Saith that the Said Christopher