Sommersett Ss   Mathew Stevens Commander (of the Little Baltemore of Bristol)

          4			   was summoned to Answer unto ffrancis Jenckins in an

				   Accon of Trespas upon the Case &c. ; / ;

		And whereupon the said ffrancis saith That whereas he bought A Servt:

		woman named Ledia Carter of the said Mathew Stevens for A certaine Sume

		of Tobacco and that since the receipt of the said servant the said Lidia -

		finding her Selfe to be with Chilld made it knowne to yor: plaintiffe who by

		examining her who the father of her Chilld was She the said Lidia did

		Alleadge it to be the above named Mathew Stevens & for the better & more

Intrat agt:Jnr: Cort:ample satisfaccon of the truth thereof yor: plaintiffe hath brought her before

     1674	one of his Lopps: Justices of the peace for this County who administring her

		her oath hath thereupon declared the said Mathew Stevens to be the

		father of her Chilld which he the said Stevens gott upon her in the

		said Shipp  And yor: plaintiffe having Diverst times Civilly desired &

		alsoe required the said Stevens to put yor: plaintiffe in yt: reasonable

		satisfaccon good Securitie to answer the plaintiffes Dammadges wch:

		unavoydably will Accrue pr reason aforesaid but the said Mathew no wayes

		regarding his great Abuse Don sto yor: plaintiffes servant nor Considering

		the great expence Lost of the servants time trouble & Disparagement

		of yor: plaintiffes house nurseing & Clotheing of his the said Stevens

		Chilld &c; peremptorily Denyes the plaintiffe any good Security to

		Defend him  yor: plaintiffe saith he is Damnified & hath Dammadges

		to the vallue of Three Thousand pounds of tobacco & thereupon brings his

		suite &c.   ~          ~          ~          ~           ~          ~            ~           ~          ~

							ffrancis Jenckens

		January Court 1675, p. 434