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William: Bock of Virginia Plt.                            Somerset County Ss

                      Contra                    }                      John: Harris Senio^r of Somerset County Planter was

John: Harris Defend^t                                           Sumoned to answer unto Wm:Bock of Virginia Gentl what [as]

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~                                 well for our Sovereign Lord & Lady y^e King & Queen as for

                                                                                      himself in this behalf Prosecuteth of a plea that he render

                                                                                      unto them the just Sum, Six thousand Pounds of tobacco w^ch from

                                                                                                them he deteineth &ca.

And whereupon the Said Wm: who as well &ca by Peter Dent Attorney saith that whereas by a Certaine

Act of Assembly of this Province made at a General Assembly held at y^e Citty of S^t Maries the 10^th-day of May in the

4^th year of our Sovereign Lord & Lady Wm: & Mary of England Scotland ffrance & Ireland &ca and in the year of our

Lord 1692. it is amongst other things therein Conteined that any person or persons that shall witting or willingly

detein any Such Servant or Servants unlawfully absenting him her of themselves as aforesd Shall be fined five hundred

Pounds of Tobacco, for every night or four and twenty hours that Such p^rson or persons shall give entertainment

to Such Servant or Servants unlawfully absenting him her or them Selves as aforesd, the one half to their Maties for

the Support of the Governm^t. & the other to the informer or him that shall Sue for y^e Same to be (required) in any Court

of this Province, by accon of debt bill Plaint or Informacon, wherein no Essoyn Probation or wager of law to be allowed

Nevertheless the Said John well knowing he Said Act of Assembly to be in force, & unrepealed, but minding the said

Wm: to deceived of Negro Slave belonging to the said Wm. The said John the tenth day of Septem^r in y^e year of our

Lord 1692 at Monacon within the Jurisdiction of this Court the Same did take up & entertaine. Contrary to y^e force

& effect to the Said Act of Assembly, and to y^e damage of the Said Wm.who &ca of tenn thousand pounds of tobacco

and thereof brings their Sute &ca. Dent p^r Que^r Pleg &ca. {Jn^o Doe

                                                                                                    Rich Roe}

   And the Defend^t by Sam:Worthington his Atto^rney Defends the force & injury aforesd and Saith he is not guilty

in manner & forme as is avered by y^e Declaracon & desires it may be enquired into by y^e Country. 

                                                                                                                   Worthington pro Def^t

                                                                                      And the Plt also Dent. - - - - - - - }Attorneys

  Whereupon Comand was given to the Sheriff of sd County to bring here twelve good & Lawfull men of his Baliwick

that the matter in hand might be the better understood a List or panel whereof are returned as follows (viz) Richard

Chambers. Wm:Planner Sen^r Jn^o. Mcknitt. Rob^t. Smith, Wm. Law. Wm:Alexander. Wm Curre; ffr:Joyce.Rich:Holland., Wm.

Lawrence, Jn^o. M^cbride, George:Banam, 12) who being legally Sumoned returned & Sworn upon y^e holy Evangelists =

having heard heard the foresd Declaracon & plea, as also the Oaths of three Evidences, fairly Examined, received their

Charge & are Sent forth in Order to determine the matter - - - - - _______ - - - - - - - - __________ - - - - - - -

And this day (viz) the day & year aforesd Came y^e foresd Juro^rs of sd Jury, each being p^rticularly Calld by his name &

being demanded are all unanimously agreed of their verdict which is read in these express words following (viz)

The Jury finds for the Defend^t Rich: Chambers, foreman

              Which foresd verdict This Court Orders to be entered & Confirms y^e Same

                                             ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

              Mr. Andrew Whittington Innholder assumes in Court to pay Cost of Sute

                                                                                                               vide lett^r Atto^rney fo: 27