AUGUST, 1696 COURT 27

Lord the King att Charles Towne aforesaid Came the Said Thomas Wells in
Costody of the Sheriffe of Prince Georges County and being brought to barr here
in his propper person presently it is demanded of the Said Thomas Wells how
he would Acquitt himselfe of the premises above Imposed upon him the Said
Thomas Wells desired the Court to Admitt him Councell to plead for him and
it is granted unto him. Whereupon Thomas Hughes one of the Attorneys of the
Said Court by the Spetiall favour of the Court here was Admitted as Counsell for
the Said Thomas Wells and Whereupon the Said Thomas Wells by Thomas
Hughes his Attorney Cometh and defendeth the force and Injury when etc. and
Saith that the Said Thomas Wells is not guilty thereof and thereof for good and
evill putts himself upon the Country. Thomas Hughes.

And his Majesty allsoe. William Bladen.

Therefore Command is given to the Sheriff of Prince Georges County that he
cause to Come here Imediatly twelve good men of his balywick to trye the Issue
Joynd between our Sovereigne Lord the King and Thomas Wells. And hereupon
Came William Bladen Attorny of our Sovereigne Lord the King who for his
Said 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 Said
Sheriffe Impanelled and now Appearing, (viz.)

Thomas Hillory, foreman, Robert Wade, Benjamin Berry, Thomas Plumer,

Thomas Bridges, George Jones, Charles Beall, John Allum, Thomas Vaugne,

Nathaniell Brothers, Phillip Willesey, William Jones, Thomas Greenfeild,

Sheriffe.

Who to Speake the truth in the premises being Elected tryed and Sworne doe
Say upon their oaths that the Said Thomas Wells is Guilty of the breach of the
peace only. Whereupon it is Considered by the Court here that the Said Thomas
Wells pay unto our Soveriegne Lord the King his heires and Successors the Sume
of five [29] Shillings Sterling for the breach of his Majestys peace by the
Jurors aforesaid. Adjudged etc. and the Said Thomas Wells in mercy etc.

And hereupon before the Said Justices here affirmed by Severall persons
worthy of Creditt here in court that the Said Thomas Wells hath been of Ill
behavour and prays that the said Thomas Wells may here in Court be bound
for his good behavour towards our Sovereigne Lord the King and all the good
people of this province. And now here at this Day (to witt) the 26th day of
August Anno Domini 1696 Came the Said Thomas Wells here in Court and
Acknowledged himselfe to be Indebted unto our Sovereigne Lord the King in the
Just Sume of tenn pounds Sterling money of England to be Leavyed on his goods
and Chatties Lands and tenements to his Majestys use if the Said Thomas Wells
Shall not appeare att the next County Court to be held att Charles Towne the
fourth Tuesday in September next and in the meane time be of good behavour
as well towards our Sovereigne Lord the King as all the good people of this
province and Espetially towards Thomas Swareingen.

Steven Smith Came into Court and made oath that hee had Attended as an
Evidence on the behalfe of his Majesty and Thomas Swareingen against Thomas
Wells two dayes.

Whereas there was a venire facias Issued out against Susannah Grimes to
answer unto Such things and matters as on his Majestys behalfe Should be
objected against her upon which Said venire Facias She was brought here in