Tho. Porter plt agt Cor. Anderson Dft                                          ( 60 )             7ber 16^th 1692 .   
Somerset County  Ss.  Cornelius Anderson late of this County Plante^r was attached to answer unto Tho.
Porter of a plea of trespass on the Case &ca. _____ And whereupon the Said Thomas by Peter
Dent his Attorney Saith that the Said Thomas is a good true &  faithfull Subject of o^r Sovereign
Lord the King, & from the time of his Nativity as Such himself hath governed & behaved as one
of Good name, fame, Credit & Estimation amongst his Neighbours & others the good people
of this Province, with whome the Said Thomas hath had any comerse fellowshipp or Conversation
hath been noted reputed & taken without any blott, Spott or even y^e Suspicion of any hogg
Stealing or other hurtfull Crime, unhurt untoucht & unspotted, from y^e time of his birth hitherto
himself hath behaved & governed, whereby he hath not Only Obtained & gotten to himself
the great friendshipp favours & good will of Sundry of the good people of this Province, but
also divers great gains & profitts towards the maintenance of himself & family hath honestly
gained & Obtained, notwithstanding the Said Cornelius well knowing y^e happy Estate of y^e Said
Thomas but minding him the Said Thomas in his good name Credit & Estimation aforesd
greatly to hurt & make worse & to cause him the Said Thomas unto Scandall infamy discredit
& disgrace emongst the good people of this Province to fall, but also the Said Thomas C
undeservedly y^e pains & penalty of the laws of this Province, touching hoggstealing to B
Cause to Suffer y^e 29^th. day of Septem^r in y^e year of o^r Lord 1691. at Wiccocomocoe within
the Jurisdiction of this Court. the said Cornelius having Communication with Sundry of the
good people of this Province of & Concerning the Said Thomas. These false Scandalous &
malitious words following, did relate publish & Say, that he the Said                  was a hogg
Stealer & had Stole Severall of the hoggs of m^r Daniel: Hast, by means of w^ch. speaking
the said Thomas in body & mind is much disquieted & made worse to the damage of
the Said Thomas 20000 Pounds of tobacco & therefore he brings this Suite
Dent p^r Que^r. Pleg^s.     Jn^o Doe
   The Defend^t. defends y^e force &ca & Sayes                                     Rich. Roe
    that the plt Stands upon Record of Evill fame
    both by y^e p^r set Courts record & a former & therepon putts himself upon y^e Court
J. Sa.
The plt by Peter Dent his Atto^rney Saith that he is not of Evill report upon any Record
for y^t a Bill found by a grand Jury, is not a Record, for another Jury is to pass upon y^e Same.
 
The p^rmisses Considered, this Court Orders A Non Suite agt y^e Plt.
 
~        ~       ~        ~         ~       ~        ~        ~        ~        ~        ~        ~        ~         ~       ~
Thomas:  Porter Plt.                                 Wm. Burch late of this County Planter was attached
    agt                                           }              to answer to Thomas Porter of a plea of trespas on y^e Case &ca
Wm:  Burch  Dft