16 SEPTEMBER 1692

 

54 ~  Court convenes; Commissioners present: Francis Jenckins, Thomas Newbold, Samuel Hopkins, George Layfield, Capt. John King.

 

54 ~  Case against Capt. Henry Smith, attorney  Henry Lynch, for damaging the public interest by erecting a dam on Manokin River without obtaining any approval; petition protesting Smith’s action presented; signed by Thomas Wilson, Andrew Whittington, Richard Chambers, Samuel Tomlinson, Roger Burkum, William Wilson, Henry Philips; Court asks Henry Lynch how he wishes to be heard; Lynch says he would appeal to Provincial Court; required to post £50 bond to appear at next Provincial Court to prosecute his appeal; securities Stephen Luffe, Teague Riggen, Jun.; note at end :“which sd appeal to said Lynch & securities upon Complaint to Court was dismist”.

 

55 ~  William Beddard, Pltf. vs. John Goddin & Aaron Bishopp, Deft.; no declaration filed; non-suit requested; granted.

 

56 ~  Case against James Berry, tanner of Manokin, for stealing and killing a boar, valued at 200 lbs/tbco; James Sangster Clerk of Indictments, presents £10  bond on Barry, dated 2 June 1692, to appear at June Court and answer complaint of Dennam Olonman; witnesses, John Bennett, Marcy Fountaine;  Barry pleads not guilty; Sheriff summons Jury: Samuel Handy (foreman), John Parsons, William Warwick, James Brattin, Moses Fenton, John Heath, William Beddard, William Dempson, Benjamin Idlett (Idlott), John Renshaw, Richard Tull, Francis Martin; no mention of verdict.

 

57 ~  Bond on Donnum Olonman for £10 to appear against Berry at next Court for charge of hog stealing; witnesses John Bennett, Marsy Fountaine.

 

57 ~  Deposition of Edmund Omalavell(?) who worked with Berry; sworn before Capt. John King on 2 June 1692; recounts events at Berry’s house when hogg was killed; witnesses Jphn Bennett, Marsy Fountaine.

 

57 ~  Deposition of Margarett Tillman; recalls statement by Berry’s daughter on 4 November 1692, when boar was killed, that the boar was her father’s.

 

58 ~  Deposition of Jane Olonman, dated 2 June 1692, recalls statement by Edmund Blayfell that he could prove Berry to be a hog stealer.

 

58 ~  Deposition by Richard Warden, aged 25, dated 2 June 1692, that Edmund Blafell claimed he could prove Berry to be a hog stealer.

 

58 ~  Deposition of Bryan Connoway, aged 28, dated 2 June 1692; recalls conversation with Berry and Blafell about the ear marks of the hog.

 

58 ~  Jury returns verdict of not guilty “upon second inspection having rec’d a greater light”

 

58 ~  John Tayler of Annemssex acknowledges debt of 700 lbs/tbco due to Francis Jenckins.

 

59 ~  Petition of Capt. William Coulbourne, asks Court to order payment of 995 lbs/tbco to him from estate of John Galbraith; account presented; Maj. Robert King, administrator for the estate admits debt.

 

59 ~  Case against Elizabeth Pool for hog stealing; warrant signed by Francis Jenckins and Samuel Hopkins entered on record; instructs Marsy (Masey) Fountaine, Constable of Manokin, to require Elizabeth Pool, Widow, and daughter Elizabeth, James Pool, and Henry, servant of Richard Davis to appear in Court to answer charge of hogstealing brought by Nicholas Carpenter; evidences Bernard Ward, James Barber, John Strawbridge;  Court rules that injured hog of Carpenter be killed, dressed and weighed, brought to the Court Clerk, John Dent, who will pay for the pork in “speties”.

 

60 ~ Thomas Porter, Pltf. vs. Cornelius Anderson, Deft. for defamation; Peter Dent, attorney for Porter, makes case for his good character, which Anderson is said to have impugned on 29 September 1691 in Wicomico by publicly asserting that Porter had stolen hogs of Daniel Haft; asks for damages of 20,000 lbs/tbco against Anderson; James Sangster, attorney for Anderson, claims that Porter “stands upon a record of evill fame”; Dent says the only matter on record against Porter was a bill found by Grand Jury, not a conviction; Court rules a non-suit.

 

60 ~  Thomas Porter, Pltf. vs. William Burch, Deft. for defamation; same as previous case except the offending statements were made on 20 August 1691; same result. 

 

61 ~  Petition of John Ellis asks Court to order payment to him of 400 lbs/tbco from estate of Josias Seaward; Walter Lane, administrator for Seaward’s estate, admits debt.

 

62 ~  James Ingram requests payment for 20 days attendance at Court, trial of Thomas Porter vs. Cornelius Anderson.

 

62 ~  Peter Dent, Pltf. vs. Joseph Bowle, Deft. for 350 lbs/tbco; Dent presents bill signed 20 May 1691 by Bowle promising delivery by 10 October; witnesses John Colhoone, Hannah Emmett; Bowle admits debt.

 

63 ~  Peter Dent, Pltf. vs. Joseph Bowle, blacksmith, Deft. for 16 shillings and 8 pence; Dent presents a bill of debt signed 22 August 1691 by Bowle promising payment to Dent at Rehobeth by 10 November; witnesses, John Colhoone, Hannah Emmett; Bowle admits debt; ordered to pay, with costs.

 

64 ~ Case against Walter Owen; Owen does not appear; his £10 bond to Sheriff Stephen Luffe dated 27 July 1692 for appearance at August Court is entered on record; Sheriff assigned bail bond for Owen.

 

64 ~  Petition of John Bozman asks Court to order William Mason pay him for nine days attendance at Provincial Court to give evidence against Mason for hog stealing; no record of action.

 

64 ~  Court adjourns for the day.