COURT OF ADJOURNMENT - OCTOBER 1692

 

78 ~  18 October 1692. Court convenes; Commissioners present: Francis Jenckins, Capt. John Winder, Mr. Thomas Jones, Mr. James Round, Samuel Hopkins, Capt. John King, Stephen Horsey.

 

78 ~  Letter from Governor Lionel Copley appointing Commissioners for Somerset: Francis Jenckins, John Winder, James Dashiell, Roger Woolford, Thomas Newbold, James Round, Samuel Hopkins, Edmund Howard, Thomas Jones, George Layfield, John King, Stephen Horsey. (See Transcription)

 

80 ~  Letter from Governor Copley appointing Francis Jenckins and John Winder to administer oaths, first to each other then to other commissioners; very specific procedure to be followed. (See Transcription)

 

80 ~     The Commissioners then in Court take the oath of Justice of the Peace.

 

80 ~  Letter dated 10 September 1692 from Governor Copley to the Sheriffs of respective counties commanding them to make public notice of hearings to be conducted on matters of probate by the Commissary General or Chief Judge of Probate at St. Marys after conclusion of the Provincial Assembly in September and October.

 

81 ~  Proclamation of Governor Copley dated 10 September 1692 announcing proroguing of the next Assembly, scheduled for 20 October, until following April since there are “noe urgent affairs of occations now occuring ... which might require the convening & sitting of the sd Assembly”. The Sheriffs of the respective counties are to make the proclamation public and also to have the elected delegates attend the Assembly convening in St. Marys on 6 April 1693. (See Transcription)

 

82 ~  Proclamation of Governor Copley dated 6 October 1692 declaring 27 October to be a day for special observances to honor “a most happy and glorious victory by sea & land lately obtained ag’t the french King”; to be celebrated on  Thursday after 20 October at St Marys and or 27 October in the Counties;  all persons are enjoined from working or having any child, slave or servant work on that day; “God Save King William & Queen Mary”. (See Transcription)

 

83  ~  Letter dated 12 October 1692 from Thomas Lawrence, newly appointed by the King as Secretary of the Province, asking the various counties to nominate a county clerk, “as I am yett a stranger both to the persons and qualifications of such as are fittest to serve in that capacity”; Lawrence reserves the right to make his own choice in the future.

 

84 ~  Court approves payment from next County levy to John Winder, Coroner, for two inquisitions - one for child of Rose Bryant and one for child of Edward Daye.

 

84 ~  Letter of Walter Campbell to Mr. Gilbert Clark, merchant of London, dated 21 July 1691, entered in record; mentions a bill for £71 drawn on Mr. Little(ton) Page to Thomas Jones which may be protested; asks Clark to provide credit for £85/4/0 to avoid legal action.

 

84 ~  Court appoints Peter Dent Clerk of Indictments for current session; Dent takes oath.

 

84 ~  John Kemp asks to be released from bond for good behavior; granted.

 

85 ~  Indenture agreement of George Davis considered; Court directs that cow and calf therein promised be delivered by his master Samuel Johnson to Davis’ mother for keeping.

 

85 ~  George Benson petition to have fines against him from last November Court be remitted; denied.

 

85 ~  Case against Isabel Davison; she and husband Patrick Davison had been taken under Hue and Cry; Isabel accused of theft of property from John Cornish, merchant; items mentioned are 8.5 yards of “flowered stuffe”, a Bible and a gold ring, all valued at 520 lbs/tbco; Isabel confesses and is required to pay four fold, with five lashes on the bare back, administered forthwith; required to make £10 bond of recognizance; security James Round.

 

87 ~  Account of Rowland Beavins for work on Nanswango bridge, dated 9 October 1692; requests 1100 lbs/tbco; granted 1000.

 

87 ~  Order to pay Thomas Oxford and Rose Deaverley for work on Pocomoke bridge; John Goddin and William Wouldhave to review work.

 

87 ~  Order to summon Richard. Smith and wife  Elizabeth to give evidence for Hough Porter vs. (Edward) Lynch.

 

87 ~  Order to summon John Townsend to give evidence for Hough Porter vs. (Edward) Lynch.

 

87 ~  Order to summon George Phebus to give evidence in trial of Thomas Porter

 

87 ~  John Cary appeared as required; his security and recognizance continued until November Court.

 

87 ~  William Layton fined for swearing in court.

 

87 ~  John West, Pltf. vs. Thomas Tull, Deft. for debt of 1948 lbs/tbco; James Sangster attorney for West; account of Thomas Tull entered in record; Court adjourns; Tull admits debt; ordered to pay with costs.

 

88 ~  Court adjourns for the day.