( 61 )    7ber  16^th 1692
And whereupon the said Thomas by Peter Dent his Attorney Saith that y^e Said Thomas
is a good true Credible & faithfull Subject of o^r Soveraign Lord the King & from y^e time of his
Nativity as Saith himself hath governed & behaved as one of good name fame Credit & Estimation
emongst his Neighbours & others the good people of this Province, with whome y^e Said Thomas
hath had any Comerce  fellowship or Conversation; hath been noted reported & taken without any blott
Spott or even the Suspition of any hoggstealing or other hurtfull Crime unhurt untouched and
unspotted from y^e time of his birth hitherto him Self hath behaved & governed, whereby he hath not
Only Obtained & gotten to him Self y^e great friendship favour & goodwill of Sundry of y^e good people
of this Province, but also divers great gains & profitts towards the maintenance of him Self & family
hath honestly gained & Obtained. Notwithstanding y^e sd Wm. well knowing the happy Estate of y^e
Said Thomas but minding him the Said Thomas in his good name Credit & Estimation aforesaid
greatly to hurt & make worse & to cause him the Said Thomas into Scandall infamy discredit and
disgrace emongst all the good people of this Province to fall.but also the Said Thomas undeservedly
the pains and penaltys of the Laws of this Province touching hoggstealing to Cause to Suffer y^e 20^th
day of August in the year of o^r Lord 1691: at Wiccomocoe w^thin y^e Jurisdiction of this Court y^e Said
Wm having Comunication 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 Wm. was a hogg Stealer & had Stole Severall of the hoggs of m^r ffrancis Jenckins by
means of which Speaking the Said Thomas in body & mind is much disquieted & made worse
to the damage of the Said Thomas of 20000 Pounds of tobacco & thereof he brings his suite &ca.
  Jn^o. Doe
Dent p^r Que^r.           Pleg^s            Rich. Roe
The p^remises Considered this Court grants Non Suite agt y^e Plt. - - - - - - - - - -
 
To the wor^ll Com^rs. of Somerset County Court now Sitting.   The humble Petion of John Ellis
Senio^r humbly sheweth _____  That whereas Josias Seaward late of this County deceased doth
Stand indebted unto y^r Petione^r. in the full & just Sum of four hundred pounds of tobaco and
Caske for worke done, which y^r Petione^r humbly Craves Order agt Walter Lane. Adm^r of all
& Singular y^e goods Credits & Chattels of the Said Josias Seaward deceased & y^r Petioner
as in duty bound shall ever pray &ca.
     The Said Lane Adm^r Confest judgm^t in Open Court for y^e foresd  400^lb tob of assetts in his (hands)
Josias: Seaward Dr. to Jn^o. Ellis
   To Service done for him C    400^lb tob.