MARCH, 1696/7 COURT 169

Georges County aforesaid and Exhibited here in Court his Certaine bill of In-
formation against John Stevens of the County aforesaid against whome the Said
William in this behalfe followeth for his Said Majesty that he the Said John the
2d day of August 1695 att Pattuxent hundred within the Jurisdiction of this
Court not haveing the feare of God before [151] his Eyes but Contemning the
Good Lawes of this province Espetially one Act of the Generall Assembly of this
province held at the City of St. Maryes the 21th day of September 1694 Intituled
an Act for the punishment of Blasphemy fornication and Adultery did Act and
perpetrate Fornication with one Susanna Grimes of the County aforesaid against
the tennor of the Same Law aforesaid Whereby Action hath Accrued to his
Majesty etc.

William Bladen Clerk peace.

And the Said John Stevens in Custody of the Sheriffe of Prince Georges County
in his proper person Came into Court before the Justices of our Sovereigne Lord
the King at Charles Towne the 24th day of March 1696/7 And it was demanded
of him how he would Acquitt himselfe of the premises above Imposed upon him
Craveth Liberty of the Court to have An Attorny to plead for him And it was
granted unto him whereupon Came John Meriton his Attorney by the Spetiall
favour of the Court Admitted and defends the force and Injury when etc. and
for a plea Saith that the Said John Stevens is not guilty in manner and forme as
in the Indictment is Set forth against him and of this he puts himselfe upon the
Country. John Meriton.

And his Majesty alsoe. William Bladen.

Therefor Lett a Jury of twelve men Come before the Justices of our Sovereigne
Lord the King imediately here at Charles Towne aforesaid And who etc. to
Recognize etc. Because etc. and the Same Day is given to the Said John Stevens
in Custody of the Sheriffe in the meanetime Committed etc. And now here at this
Day that is to Say the 24th day of March Annoque Domini 1696/7 Came the
Said John Stevens in Custody of the Sheriffe with John Meriton his Attorny by
the Court Admitted as aforesaid And hereupon William Bladen the Attorny of
his Majesty in this behalfe doth procecute Offered himselfe to doe the Same by
which it is proceeded to take the Said Inquest by the Jurors aforesaid by the
Sheriffe Impanelled Now Appeareing (Viz.)

James Stoddart, foreman, John Dunkin, Edward Willett, Henry Guttridge,

William Willson, Hugh Ryley, Samuell Magruder, Charles Haye, John Pot-

tinger, William Mills, Robert Wade, William Clackson. Supoenaed by Thomas

Greenfeild, Sheriffe.

Who to Speake the truth in the premises being Elected tryed and Sworne doe
Say upon their oaths doe Say that the Said John Stevens is guilty of the fornica-
tion aforesaid to him above in forme abovesaid imposed in manner and forme as
by the Information aforesaid above is Supposed against him etc. And hereupon it
is Demanded of him if he hath any thing for himselfe to Say why the Court here
to Judgment Should not preceed upon the premises who Saith nothing but what
before by his Attorny was Said for him.

Whereupon all and singular the premises by the Court here being Scene and
understood etc. It is Considered that the Said John Stevens pay as a fine for his
Said fault aforesaid Either four hundred pounds of tobaccoe or twenty Shillings
Sterling According to Act of Assembly in that Case made and provided etc.
[Fine.] And Likewise that the Said John Stevens Remaine in Custody of the
Sheriffe untill he finds good Securyty for the payment of the Fine aforesaid and
all Officers Fees.