JUNE COURT 1693

 

221 ~  13 June 1693, second Tuesday in June, Court convenes; Commissioners present: Francis Jenckins, Capt. John Winder, James Dashiel, Thomas Newbold, Roger Woolford, James Round, Samuel Hopkins, Capt. William Whittington, Thomas Jones, Capt. John King, Stephen Horsey, Arnold Elzey.

 

221 ~  Court called three times; Dedimus (letter of appointment) from Governor Copley read in Court; appoints following as Justices of the Peace for Somerset: Francis Jenckins, Capt. John Winder, James Dashiel, Roger Woolford, Capt. William Whittington, Thomas Newbold, James Round, Samuel Hopkins, Edmund Howard, Thomas Jones, John King, Stephen Horsey, Arnold Elzey; any four or more of them to constitute a Court, provided at least one of following be included: Jenckins, Winder, Dashiel, Woolford, Whittington; capital cases are reserved for the Provincial Court; John West is appointed as Clerk and Keeper of records.

 

223 ~  Letter from Governor Copley dated 17 April 1693 appointing Francis Jenckins and John Winder to administer the Oath of Justice of the Peace, first to each other, and then to the other Justices; also requires that they certify in writing to the Court of Chancery that they have done so. 

 

223 ~  Commisioners sworn in as instructed, except for Edmund Howard, who was sworn in the following day.

 

223 ~  The Officers of the Court are sworn in - Attorneys: Peter Dent and John Strawbridge; Subsheriffs: Samuel Worthington, Robert Pirrie; also the Clerk & Cryer.

 

224 ~  Letter from Governor Copley dated 10 May 1693 to Stephen Luffe, Sheriff of Somerset, announcing that the Provincial Assembly at St. Marys on 20 May is further prerogued until 20 July since there is no “urgent or emergent occasion at present offering which might require the convening of the same”; Sheriff is to make public announcement.

 

224 ~ Petition of Thomas Porter to have fine for non-appearance at March Court remitted, since sickness had prevented him; granted; no record of the fine could be found.

 

225 ~  Act Concerning Orphants & Probate was read and a Jury for Orphans cases sworn in: William Planner, Sen., Richard Ackworth, John Freeman, Robert Burridge, Lewes Beard, Anthony Jones, Robert Catlin, Henry Hall, William Tompkins, Abraham Emmett, Richard Chambers, Thomas Humphreys.

 

225 ~  James Dashiels brings negro servant Jack before Court; judged to be 13 years of age.

 

225 ~  Sarah Whitty, orphan of Richard Whitty, appears in Court as required in March Court; no action taken.

 

225 ~  Samuel Alexander petition to have his cases continued until next court since “it has pleased God to visit me with an aflicting sickness”; no decision.

 

225 ~  Petition of Mary Noble states that she is of age 16 and wishes to take possession of the estate left by her father, Isaac Noble; Court orders the executor (unnamed) to deliver her inheritance; Benjamin Cottman, William Robinson, and Nicholas Tyler directed to ensure same.

 

225 ~   Petition of Joseph Tayler states that his son who will be 17 in August is deaf and dumb; asks to know if he should be considered a tithable; Court rules that he be taxed.

 

226 ~  Petition of Walter Lane concerning his servant Mary Sulivan who had run away total of 29 days; Lane was charged 200 lbs/tbco by Bernard Ward for returning her; Court rules Sulivan should serve an extra 252 days.

 

226 ~  James Barry ordered to appear in Court next day to answer to Orphans Jury.

 

226 ~  Cornelius Ward ordered to appear at next Court to answer to William Tisdale.

 

226 ~  Petition of William Sedbury to be release from his bond for good behaiour; Court continues bond.

 

226 ~  Case against John Poore for fathering bastard child of Jone Needham; Poore ordered to post security; makes bond of £30 that he will maintain the child and keep the County  indemnified; Henry Hall security for Poore.

 

227 ~  Court remits fees of Thomas Selby, Sen.

 

227 ~  George Noble & John Watt make oath on a bill of Peter Brushars

 

227 ~  Summons for Capt. Coulbourn to appear as evidence for Michael Holland against John Gray.

 

227 ~  Request of J. (Joshua) Barkstead (Barsestead) to be sworn as Surveyor of Somerset, per appointment of the Governor (see f.100); recalls that Commisioners had delayed his installation pending letter to the Governor (see f.115); Barstead asks the result and says he need to begin work; Court acquiesces and Barkstead is sworn in.

 

227 ~  Court adjourns for the day.