(Here is a sample of
1600's law at work and note the “old English”. Replace the “f”
with an “s” and it may be read: se)
"Captaine William Powell prefented to
the Affembly a petition to have juftice againft a lewde and
trecherous servante of his who by falfe accufation given up in
writing to the Governor fought not only to gett him depofed from his
government of James citty and utterly (according to the
Proclamation) to be degraded from the place and title of a Captaine,
but to take his life from him alfo. And fo out of the faid Petition
fprang this order following: Captaine William Powell prefented a
Petition to the generall Affembly againft one Thomas Garnett, a
servant of his, not only for extreame neglect of his bufineff to the
great loft and prejudice of the laid Captaine, and for openly and
impudently abufing his house, in fight both of Mafter and Miftreffe,
through wantonnes with a woman fervant of theirs, a widdowe, but
alfo for falfely accufing him to the Governor both of Drunkenes &
Thefte, and betiides for bringing all his fellow fervants to
teftifie on his side, wherein they juftly failled him. It was
thought fitt by the general affembly (the Governor himfelfe giving
fentence), that he should ftand fower dayes with his eares nayled to
the Pillory, viz: Wednesday, Aug. 4th, and fo likewife Thurfday,
fryday, and Satturday next following, and every of thofe lower dayes
should be publiquely whipped. Now, as touching tim neglecte of his
worke, what fatisfaction ought to be made to his Mr for that is
referred to the Governour and Counfell of Eftate."
And again:
"This day alfo did the Inhabitants of Pafpaheigh, alias Argall's
towne, prefent a petition to the general affembly to give them an
abfo-lute difchardge from certaine bondes wherin they ftand boung to
Captina Samuell Argall for the paymt of 600G, and to Captin William
powell, at Captaine Argall's appointment, for the paymt of 50G more.
To Captaine Argall for 15 fkore acres of wooddy ground, called by
the name of Argal's towne or Pafpaheigh; to Captaine Powell in
respect of his paines in clearing the grounde and building the
houfes, for wch Captaine Argal ought to have given him fatisfaction.
Nowe, the general affembly being coubtful whether they have any
power and authority to difchardge the Faid bondes, doe by there
prefents (at time Inftance of the laid Inhabitants of Pafpaheighs,
alias Martin's hundred people) become molt humble futours to the
Trefurer, Confell and Company in England that they wilbe pleafed to
gett the faid bondes for 600G to be cancelled; forasmuche as in
their great comiffion they have expreffly and by name appointed that
place of Pafpaheigh for parle of the Governor's lande. And wheas
Captain William Powell is payde this 50G wch Captain Argall enjoined
the faide In-habitantes to prefente him with, as parte of the
bargaine, the general affembly, at their intreaty, do become futours
on their behalfe, that Captaine Argall, by the Counfell & Company in
England, may be compelled either to reftore tim laid 50G from
thence, or elfe that reftitu-tion therof be made here out of the
goods of the laid Captaine Argall."
(Note:
Nailing a fellow’s ears to a board for 4-5 days and then whipping
him publicly seems an interesting punishment, but believably must
have worked quite well. se)
"1622 "He (William
Powell) was sent out on an expedition to revenge the massacre of
Governor Nathaniel Powell and his pregnant wife, being killed
himself by Indians in 1623 attempting revenge. At the time he was
acting administrator of Nathaniel's estate (however, William was not
a blood relative), leaving settlement to others.
"
From and after American Journeys |
