and of Understanding consider these things that there may be a restraint of violence and not of virtue but that virtue may be cherished Few minds the sufferings of the Saints and the afflictions of Joseph but the Apostle said Them that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution them that have been our greatest Persecutors have been the greatest in the form of Godlinesse but denyed the power 7. And for not paying Tythes for Conscience sake that bears Testimony to the â—â—erlasting Priesthood that ends the first that takes Tythes who redeems out of the earth have suffered long and tedious Imprisonment besides the losse and spoil of their goods while at the same time their bodies have been kept in prison in those holes and nasty Dungeons 918. and some have suffered as aforesaid for small summs as four pence twelve pence eighteen pence and two shillings and for about 706. pounds 8. shillings and 11 pence demand for Tythes the Priests and others have taken 3000 pound 3 shillings and eight pence and some of them have not been contented with treble damages but some of them have taken ten times more then their pretended due hath been which we never read that so many did suffer in the Apostles and primitive times for not paying tythes to the Jewish priesthood which Christ ended and tythes or to the Gentiles as we have done in our age within this nine or ten years nor in all these heads or particulars above mentioned though many of the Martyrs we believe have suffered for not swearing and not paying Tythes since the Apostles dayes by them who are called Christians as you may read in the book of the Martyrs that suffered and bore their Testimony to the life of Jesus which used the word Thou to a single person and câ—â—ld â—â—t yâ—u off their Hat as we conduct for Conscience sake and cannot give men the honour below and though we would have all men cloathed with that honour which is from above and we have all men in esteem and would have them be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth Imprisoned in the Kings name Because for Conscience sake they cannot swear as Christ commands they should not swear but keep to yea and nay in their Communications 74 persons Hartford-shire Richard Martin Edward Fag Thomas Seâ—et Committed to prison the ninth of the fifth moneth 1660. the cause was they were summoned at a Sessions to appear as Jurors which they did and were willing to serve their Country but because they could not swear the Court fined them sive pound each of them and to lie in prison until they paid it one James Cooper being the chief Judge of the Court. Oxford-shire Thomas Goodaire Benjamin Staples Committed to Prison the fifteenth day of the seventh month 1660. by Sir Wiliam Walter so called and Sir Thomas Pennaston because for conscience they could not swear and the Oath of Allegiance being tendred to them the second time for refusing again to swear the said William Walter being Judge with the rest of the Bench passed this sentence against them following You are out of the Kings protection and all your Lands Goods and Chattels are forfeited and to be seized upon for the use of the King and you are to remain in prison during the Kings pleasure Cheshire Alexander Parker imprisoned in Chester common Goal because for Conscience sake he could not take the Oath of Allegiance c. Twenty of these following were committed to the common Goal in Chester because for Conscience sake they could not take the Oath of Allegiance the eighteenth of the eighth moneth 1660. by Grosvenor and Peter Dutton called Justices William Thomlisson Richard Thomlisson Randle Coxton Randle Hare Thomas Taylor John Madocks Iohn Badly William Hill John Parker Roger Smith Owen Painter John Newton Richard Thomlisson Henry Morcy Ed. Acion White William Lake John Maddock Thomas Probbin Robert Prichard Roger Andrews Iohn ap Vrian Râ—ger ap Vrian William Matthews Glamorgan-shire Twenty of these following were taken out of a peaceable meeting and had before the Governour of Cardiff and the rest of them called Justices who profered them the Oath of Allegiance and because for Conscience sake they could not swear they are committed to prison in Cardiff with the other two and there remains Edward Edwards Iohn Richard Toby Hody Rowland Thomas Matthew Ienkin. Iames Thomas Thomas Isha William David Perc. Robert Jenkin Evan. James Lewis John Mayo Walter William Morgan Harvy John David Thomas Roberts Evan Phillip William Harvy William Moor. Thomas Williams Francis Gauler Richard Adams Wilt-shire Thomas Troud of Dinton being summoned to serve in a Jury at the last Assizes at Sarum he did appear intending to do the said service as truly and justly as the Lord should enable him but refusing to take the Oath was fined ten pounds and committed to prison in Fisherton Anger and there remains Cumberland John Bewly committed to the Goal in Carlisle the nineteenth day of the seventh moneth 1660. by John Eylonly and John Deuton called Justices because for Conscience sake he could not swear James Adamson committed to the aforesaid Goal by him called Sir Francis Samkeld the seventh day of the eighth moneth 1660. because for Conscience sake could not swear William Laithwait committed to the aforesaid Prison by the said Francis Sawkâ—â—â— the same day the cause was there being a great contention about James Adamson words which he had spoke to the Justice between the Justice and the people the said William standing by said take heed of adding to his words at which the Justices Clerk swore so William said to the Justice if justice were rightly executed it would take hold on swearers then said the Justice laughingly well I le take ten groats oâ— him another time then the swearing Clerk spoke to the Justice to proffer William the Oath of Supremacy c. And because he said he could not break the Command of Christ who saith Swear not at all he was committed to Prison as aforesaid and there remains Northampton Daniel Wills George Robinson William Acton All committed to Northampton Goal in the Seventh Month 1660. Because for Conscience sake they could not take the Oath of Allegiance c. Lancashire Iohn Lawson William Gibson James Smith Imprisoned in Lancaster-Castle because for Conscience sake they could not take the Oath of Allegiance Surrey Thomas Patchen and Henry Gill Imprisoned for not swearing by Daniel Harvey Adam Brown and Nicholas Carew Berkshire Henry Hedges John Giles Humphrey Knowles Leonard Cole Andrew Pearson All in Prison in Reading Goal because for Conscience sake they could not take the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy Cornwall John Kirton Edward Angier Imprisoned in Lanceston because for Conscience sake they could not swear Pembrookshire Thomas Barret David Gibbon James Picton Imprisoned by one called Sir William Murton and one Simon Degg because they could not take the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy Thomas Symins Hugh Symins
for tythes Surrey Arthur Standbridge Committed to Prison for tythes at the suit of Henry Hollowel Priest Richard Newman Imprisoned for tythes at the suit of Charles Blackwel Priest Thomas Avery Imprisoned because he could not pay tythes to Leonard Litchford Priest Robert Tribe Imprisoned because he could not pay tythes to George Vauhan George Brickstock committed to prison for Tythes Richard Web John Adams Richard Beard Imprisoned at the Sute of Edward Goring and John Apstle Nottinghamshire William Claytor Imprisoned because for Conscience sake he could not pay Tythes Cornwal Richard Tregenna Imprisoned at Bodmin for Tythes at the Sute of James Forbes Priest John Ellis prisoner at Pensame for Tythes Westmorland Richard Berket Richard Seddal Imprisoned in the eighth Moneth for not swearing in a Sheriffs return Norfolk John Hilton in present sufferings because he could not swear being summoned to serve in a Jury at a Coppy hold Court and therefore John Lovel Lord of the said Court and now Justice of Peace commanded his Bayliffe to seize all the estate of the said John Hinton which is done accordingly to the vallue of about a hundred pound and farther threatens to throw the said John Hinton his Wife and Children out of the possession which he bought and paid for and that for no other cause but because he could not swear though he exprest his willingnesse to serve if he might have been accepted without an Oath Sussex Abraham Chrichenden Nicholas Beard Imprisoned for Tythes this ninth Month 1660. Bucks John Lucas and two more in Alisberry Goal for Tythes Southampton Twenty one taken out of a peaceable Meeting and because they could not promise not to meet any more were kept several dayes prisoners not suffering their food to be brought to them eleven of which were afterwards releast but ten still remains prisoners Wilts Giles Shurmur John Garner And two more commmitted to prison for Tythes Huntingtonshire Francis Lambested of Elton imprisoned the eighth day of the ninth Moneth 1660. for Tythes by John Cooper Priest of Elton aforesaid William Griffin imprisoned for Tythes by the said John Cooper the thirty one day of the sixth Moneth 1660. John Apthorp of Abotsly imprisoned the same day for Tythes by John Luke impropriator York-shire William Overon John Barbar Miles Frankland All imprisoned for Tythes aâ— the Suit of Robert Hitch Priest Matthew Watson imprisoned at the Suit of Robert Ludson Priest William Norrison imprisoned by one called Sir William Cholmly for having a Meeting at his house Dorsetshire Hercules Toby and John Butler imprisoned by Edmund Butler the second day of the sixth Moneth 1660. for not paying him Tythe Robert Ring of Glazen Broadford a man of about fourscore years of age cast into prison for the Tythe of one Acre of Corn by Elias Harvy an Impropriator the seventeenth day of the eighth Month 1660. Elizabeth Masters Widdow cast into Prison for Tythe by Elias Harvy the seventeenth of the eighth Moneth 1660. whose husband hath already suffered imprisonment until death because he could not for Conscience sake pay him Tythe to satisfie his covetous desire John Gillet cast into prison by John Hodder Priest the ninteenth of the eighth Moneth 1660. for not paying Tythe to satisfie the greedy desire of that covetous hireling that never hath enough These following are fined and imprisoned for not putting off their Hats and not giving men the honour below and some for meeting together in the fear of the Lord in their several houses as the Saints did in the primitive times and for not paying Clerks wages UPon the sixteenth day of the 7th Month 1660. there being a meeting of the Lords people who in scorn are called Quakers in the Town of Sherborn consisting of about thirty persons inhabitants of the same Town and the Parishes adjacent who being met together to wait upon the Lord and worship him having no other end nor purpose in their thus assembling together There came into their meeting one Bestel a Schoolemaster of the same Town with a Constable and others who did wickedly blaspheme Gods Truth and commanded them of the meeting to go with them to the Justices whereupon one asked if they had an Order either from Judge or Justices they answered That for Order they had none but the Constable was a Warrant of himself but they said nay and refused to go with them Then Bestel commanded the Constable to do his Office whereupon they pulled and haled them out of the house where they were peacably met and the said Bestel commanded the Constable to set one man to each of them and so to hale and drive them along to the Justice and after they had haled and beaten them along some part of the way they left them Then one demanded their Order for their thus laying violent hands on them So one put his hand on his sword and said That was thâ—ir Order many of them having swords and staves Then Bestel with the Constable commanded the Tithing-man to have them back again while they themselves went to the justices to fetch a Warrant So they were brought to the Bayliffs house of the Town where they were kept all night with watchmen to guard them and the neâ—t day were had before Winston Churchel called a Justice and others who demanded of them Whether they did not know of an Order againâ—t their meeting together in a riotous manner thus they demanded of them though they were peaceably met together to wait upon the Lord as the Lords people use to do and with some other words asked them if they would give sureties which thing they could not do being peaceable men and having not broken any just or known Law but onely were met together to wait on the Lord in his fear having the word of a King That none should be wronged for Religion as long as they live peaceably So the Constable was commanded to take them away a Mitimus was made by which nine of them were sent to the County Prison at Dorchester and five more passed their words to appear at the Sessions which was about two weeks after where they did all appear who being brought before the Court of which John Davis sat as Judge and with him sat Winstone Churchel Giles Strangeways George Fulford and Thomas Baynard c. called Justices their accusation was read wherein was many false and wicked things charged against them which by them were never done nor spoken Then they were called over and the Schoolmaster likewise who was the causer of their imprisonment but he being not present nor any other to prove what was charged against them the aforesaid Iohn Davis Judge of the Court questioned Winstone Churchel who committed them for not binding over the said Schoolmaster to prosecute against them Then George Fulford one of them that should have done Justice and have freed the innocent when none appeared to accuse them of any evil or the breach of any known Law stood up and said There need no
Imprisoned in York Castle for tythes the nineteenth of the ninth Moneth 1659. By Thomâ—â— Jackson impropiator William Peart and Richard Smith of Crake Imprisoned in York Castle for Tythes the fourth day of the first Moneth 1659. By John Humes Priest of the same Town and yet remains Prisoners Richard Arnel Richard Parker and Thomas Clark of Snaith Parish Imprisoned in Pontefract Goale for Tythes the nineteenth of the first Moneth 1659 by John Ludley Priest of Sâ—aith Cumberland Anthony Patinson of the Abba imprisoned the eighteenth day of October 1659. by Thomas Craster and Cuthbert Studholm called Justices for following his calling being a Weaver in a Corporation Town as they call it although he had served four years to the trade and nine years in the Army Nottingham shire William Smith Imprisoned for not paying tythes by William Packlington of North Collingham Edward Laford Imprisoned for tythes by Richard Godsane and Richard Lamb of Collingham Robert Morefen Imprisoned at the suit of Thomas Huit called Knight for tythes and after the said Robert had suffered a years imprisonment the said Huit died and though no man prosecuted the said Robert yet he is kept in bonds by the Sheriff Edward Langford Imprisoned for tythes at the suit of Richard Godsaue and Richard Lamb aforesaid and he hath suffered eleven Months this eighteenth day of the eight Month 1660. Thomas Elsam imprisoned for tythes by William Pocklington aforesaid and hath suffered above five Months Roger Storrs imprisoned for tythes by Richard Standfield and hath suffered fifteen weeks Lincolne shire Robert Whitman now a Prisoner in Lincoln for Tythes at the suit of John Coale who hires the tythes of the priest he hath been prisoner ever since the twenty one of the ninth Month 1659. Vincent Frotheringham imprisoned the twenty third day of the first Month 1659. for tythes in the aforesaid Goale at the suit of Lawrance Sandon Priest Lincoln Edward Walley now a prisoner for tythes at the suit of Henry Wames and James Green hath been prisoner ever since the fourteen of the second Month 1660. Richard Frothingham now a prisoner for tythes at the suit of Lawrence Sandon a Priest he hath been a prisoner ever since the twenty one of the second Month 1660. This Richard is Father to the above named Vincet Forthingham and the Priest imprisons the Father because he cannot satisfie for the Sons tythes though the old man hath no interest in any Tythable goods where this priest can claim any property Northamptonshire A poor widdow woman who hath two children committed to Northampton Goal near a year since there remains still for Tythes of about five shillings vallue at the Suit of one Robert Wilds Priest William Vincent committed to the aforesaid Goal about ten Moneths since where he yet remains because he could not swear to his answer to one Priest Andrews Bill Lancashire Richard Myers Alexander Rigby imprisoned in Lancaster Castle for not paying Tythes Suffolk Richard White Imprisoned in that County at the Suit of Priest Vsher because for Conscience sake he could not pay him Tythes Thomas Burchham Prisoner in Bliborough Goal for Tythes Barbary Jarmine Imprisoned in Ipswitch Goal for speaking to a Priest John Easeling in Ipswitch Goal for Tythes Glocestershire the 11th of the 9th Moneth 1659. Thomas Hapcot Imprisoned at the Suit of Richard Bislon Priest of Breedon in Worcestershire for Tythes Ann Web Widow imprisoned the twenty fourth of the ninth Moneth 1659. upon a Capias at the Suit of Anthony Hungerford Impropriator for Tythes In the County of the City of Gloucester Thomas White imprisoned the eighth of the eighth Moneth 1659. upon a Capiaâ— at the suit of Thomas Bishop Impropriator for Tythes Norfolk John Goddard Henry Goddard Abraham Howes imprisoned in Norwich Castle for Tythes at the Suit of Thomas Theodoreth the twenty seventh day of the second Moneth 1660. notwithstanding the said Thomas Theodoreth had not long before taken away several loads of Corn from two of the aforesaid parties and of A. Howe 's he took for the Tythes accounted to be five pound odd mony Cattel worth eleven pound and keeps them in prison besides Matthew King of Northwalsham in Norfolk imprisoned the nineteenth day of the second Moneth 1660. at the Suit of Thomas Simmons Priest in Suffeild for Tythes and yet remains Prisoner Bedfordshire John Apthorp Dorothy Neal John Samn Elizabeth Brace Imprisoned in Bedford Goal because for Conscience sake they could not pay Tythes Dorsetshire Roger Coward cast into prison by Benjamin Maber Priest the twenty fourth day of the ninth Moneth 1659. for not paying him Tythe Here followeth a short Relation of some few of the cruel and inhumane usages which have reached unto blood which many of the People of the Lord have met with and under-gone at their meeting together in the fear of the Lord as the saints did in the primitive times in their several houses which cruelty if it be not restrained will bring upon this present power and Authority the guilt of the inocent blood of many righteous souls Westminster IOhn Scafe Edward Bylling Thomas Matthews and about three or four score Persons more being at the house of Stephen Heart in new Palace yard at Westminster where on the seventh day of the twelfth month called February 1659. they were peacably met together in the fear of the Lord Some of the rude Souldiers and others the Inhabitants of VVestminster came in great rage and violently pulled many of them out of their meeting room and did sorely beat and bruise many and draged some on the ground by the hair of their heads others had their clothes rent and scarffs taken away and some were knockt down And one Woman with child was so abused and hurt that she said she was undone And after this and other mischief by them and some of the Inhabitants of Westminster was done they rifled the house and broke the glasse-windows and threatened more mischief for the future and some were heard to say they had taken an Oath to that purpose And at another meeting afterwards some of the rude Souldiers and others came again and did much abuse Friends and beat them and pulled the said Stephen Heart out of his house and knockt him down and beat him so that his senses were astonished Middle-sex John Wooldrige and others being on the first day of the week peacably met together to wait on the Lord in his own hired house at Brainford there came into the house two men who said they were Constables and without any warrant or Legal Authority they violently pulled him out of his house in which action they wrincht his wrist and had him before James Hawley called Justice who without the breach of any Law of God or man forthwith commanded a Warrant to be made and sent him to prison Surry As the people of God were peacably met together to wait on the Lord at Mitcham in Surry on the third day of the fifth month 1659. the rude
teared us out of their Town would not suffer us to stay in the common street or rest but haled us on a long lane and shoved us toward a common far from the Town and would not by any word was spoken keep themselves in peace towards us who offered harm to none Now in this manner and many several waies are we by Magistrates priests and rude people who are incouraged and by their leaders caused to err persecuted in pretence of warrant from the King and power given from him and as it was in Olivers time done by them unto us so is it now and our sufferings in many places greater and the hand of the evil doers more strenghthened against us who since we were a people have not persecuted any or sought revenge against our persecutors in the least manner but with patience have suffered what hath been done unto us knowing that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution and be hated of all men for his Names sake and do rejoyce that we are counted worthy These Friends of the truth whose Names are under written who do give their Testimony of the truth and of Things herein mentioned who were present at the time of this persecution Nicolas Rawson John Jackson Michael Renold Anthony West William Overhead John Barber with many more Friends Darlington the eighteenth of the ninth Month 1660. This day week our meeting was broken and some had before one called a Justice who theatened if we met again to send us to prison South-hampton Friends being met together in the fear of the Lord in Portsmouth videlicet On the twenty one day of the eight Month last past they met together in silence at a Friends house where as they were waiting upon the Lord there came a guard of Souldiers and beset the house and some they hailed out of the meeting and dragged the man out of the house down the street to the main guard and then brought him up to his house again and shut him with the rest in the house until the secon◠day about the seventh hour at night and then turned them forth and withdre◠their guard then upon the next first day being the twenty eight day of the eigh◠Month as Friends were met together there was likewise a guard of Souldiers beset the house and kept about twenty and one persons close prisoners in the Friends house which was all that were then gathered together and there kept them not suffering any provision to come to them but 〈…〉 they kept them all there until about the sixth day of the week following and then came and haled forth such as was not of the Town and set them at liberty but the rest being about ten Friends they keep still prisoners in the house then the last first day those that were not Imprisoned met together in another place at a Friends house and them they haled forth of their meeting and committed the men to a prison it the Town called Felltons hole where they stil remain and all this is as they say because Friends will not promise them not to meet any more in Town as the baptists hath done This is a short relation of their cruelty in that place towards Friends Monmouth-shire David Jones Imprisoned in that County for not coming to the steeple-house wh◠if he would pay 1. s. per week for 12. Moneths past all which time he hath not been there which comes to 2. pounds 12. s. he might be releast Fleet London John Pollard and Joseph Pollard imprisoned first in Colchester Castle 13. Moneths and 2. weeks then returned from Colchester to the upper Bench prison and there kept prisoner five Moneths and a week and is since committed to the Fleet Prison at the suit of Mathias Armiger Farmer of Tythes who with Benjamin Maddock for less then 2. years Tythes valued to be worth about 35. pound have taken 57. Cows and Bullocks with one Bull in all worth about 12 score pounds from the said John and Joseph Pollard and returned nothing again and is kept a Prisoner besides York-shire Samuel Thornton being in a Meeting at Leeds with many more of the Lords people though he be a free man of the same Town was taken violently out of the Meeting by Martin Iles and John Dawson Alderman and hailed to Prison and there detained 5. dayes with several others which was also haled forth of the same Meeting which were Inhabitants within the said Borrough and the said Samuel Thornton by the said Alderman was ordered to be whipt and sent from Constable to Constable which was done accordingly though the place of his natural birth was but three miles from thence and he well known in the said Town Also Samuel Thornton was taken forth of a peaceable Meeting of the people of God at Holbeck by order of the Priest there and haled to Leeds before the said Alderman with two more who caused a Mittemus to be made and sent him to the Correction-house at Wakefield for a Vagrant where he was detained three Moneths and he had been an Apprentice in the same Town and after was called to the Sessions and there fined 10. pounds and sent to Prison again though he had broken no known Law nor for any other thing but for being in a peaceable Meeting amongst Gods People Dudly Templer of Wethersfield in Essex sent William Allen to Prison for no other cause but for coming to the Town of Wethersfield to a Meeting there and since from time to time his Clerk with many of the Town in a violent manner have pulled us out of our Meetings and not suffered us to be at quiet but sometime set guards of men in several places to keep us from meeting and sometime fined several for coming to our meeting and from John Child by a warrant from him or by his Order they pretending a warrant they took a horse Sadle and Pillion and what belonged to him and kept him three weeks but one day and then sent him home without sadle bridle pillion and the rest which they keep to this day notwithstanding have been oft demanded of them And they beat many friends much for coming to the Town and suffered rude boyes and others without reproof to abuse sober people to the shame of Justice and the possession of their Town and this hath been done in the presence and hearing of him the said Dudly Templer and not reproved And he himself hath scoffed at Friends and evil intreated many and set the rude people on to hale us out of the Town when if any thing could have been charged against us he being a Justice and a Commander of a Troop of Horse might have brought any of us to tryal and not in such a manner contrary to Law and Justice have abused us and broken the peace of this Nation and so rendred himself uncapable to to Rule and is to be ruled by Justice himself And of this his proceedings hundreds can
being contrary to Christs Command amounting to about a Thousand pounds besides what they have done since that we have not heard of many families in which there are many children are almost ruined by these unmerciful proceedings Five kept 15. dayes in all without food and 58. dayes shut up close by the Jaylor and had none that he knew of and from some of them he stopt up the windows hindering them from convenient aire One laid neck and heels in Irons for sixteen hours One very deeply burnt in the right hand with the letter H. after he had been whipt with above 30. stripes One chained the most part of twenty dayes to a log of Wood in an open Prison in the Winter time Five appeals to England denied at Boston Three had their right Ears cut by the Hangman in the Prison the door being barred and not a Friend suffered to be present while it was doing though some much desired it One of the Inhabitants of Salem who since is banished upon pain of death had one half of his House and Land ceized on while he was in Prison a month before he knew of it At a general Court in Boston they made an Order that those who had not wherewithal to answer the fines that were laid upon them for their Consciences should be sold for Bond-men and Bond-women to Barbados Virginia or any of the English Plantations Eighteen of the People of God were at several times banished upon pain of death six of them were their own Inhabitants two of which being very aged people and well known among their Neighbours to be of honest conversations being banished from their Houses and Families and put upon traveling and other hardships soon ended their dayes whose death we can do no less then charge upon the Rulers of Boston they being the occasion of it Also three of the Servants of the Lord they put to death one of them they caused to be Executed in 24. hours after they had taken her And when we heard from thence last there was four more in prison who according to their Law were to be banished upon pain of death and twenty four of the Inhabitants of Salem were presented and more fines called for These things O friends from time to time have we patiently suffered and not for the transgression of any Just or Righteous Law either pertaining to the Worship of God or the civil Government of England but simply and barely for our consciences to God of which we can more at large give you or whom you may order a full account if you will let us have admission to you who are banished upon pain of death and have had our ears cut who are in England attending upon you both of the causes of our sufferings and the manner of their disorderly and illegal proceeding against us Who begun with Immodesty went on in Inhumanity and Cruelty and were not satisfied untill they had the blood of three of the Martyrs of Jesus Revenge for all which we do not seek but lay them before you considering you have been well acquainted with sufferings and so may the better consider them that suffer and may for the future restrain the violence of these Rulers of New Egland you having power in your hands they being but the children of the family of which you are chief Rulers who have in divers of their proceedings forfeited their Patent as upon a strict enquiry in many particulars will appear And this O King and you of his Counsel we are assured of that in time to come it will not repent you if by a close rebuke you stop the bloody proceedings of these bloody persecutors for in so doing you will engage the hearts of many honest People unto you both there and here and for such works of mercy the blessing is obtained and shewing it is the way to prosper We are witnesses of these things Who besides long Imprisonments and many cruel whippings had our Ears cut John Rous John Copland Who besides many long Imprisonments divers cruel whippings with the seizing on our Goods are banished upon pain of Death and waite here in England and desire that we may have an Order to return in peace to our Families Samuel Shattock Josiah Southick Nicholas Phelps A Declaration of the Sufferings of the Inhabitants of the Province of Mariland in Virginia as followeth WIlliam Fuller and Thomas Homwood had taken from them because they could not be conformable to the unrighteous Orders of Court made by the Officers of Cicilia Baltamore in Mariland to the value in goods eight pounds five shillings and eight pence Taken from Richard Keen for not training the sum of six pounds fifteen shillings by the Shireff and his Servants have received much abuse The Sheriff drew his Cutlash and with the point made a thrust at his Breast and struck him over the shouldiers and said you Rogue I could find in my heart to split your brains The Sheriffs name is William Coursey there be several Witnesses to testifie the Truth of this thing Again this Captain of the Souldiers whose name is John Odbor with Justice Askam with a rude crew drank out certain Casks of Wine bought of Justice Askham for which Wine they came to Richard Keen and to other mens houses to take away their Goods to make payment for that which they had idlely spent Justice Askham so called coming to Richard Keens house was taxed by the wife of Richard Keen for being drunk at one of their Randivous He replyed he was not drunk for said he a man is never drunk if he can go out of the Carts way when it is coming towards him William Muffet fined for not training to the value of six pounds fifteen shillings one John Bogge an Officer of Captain Thomas Brook gave order to the Sheriff that if he could not take his goods to take his Chest if not his Chest his Shirts John Knap had taken from him for not training goods to the value of seven pounds ten shillings with a Chest and fined to the value of three pounds ten shillings for not swearing he being an antient man about sixty years of age and hath laboured hard in the strength of his dayes and years to get those goods together William Berry was fined to the value of three pounds fifteen shillings for entertaining Thomas Thurston into his house one night Michael Brooks fined seven pounds ten shillings because he could not swear and four pounds ten shillings because he could not train under the command of John Odbor Captain who declared in the presence of many that they were not fit to be Souldiers that could not swear be drunk and whore it Edward Keen fined for not training to the value of four pounds ten shillings under the said Odbor Captain Edward Hinkesman fined to the value of four pounds ten shillings for not training under the said J. Odbor Henry Osborn fined to the value of three pounds fifteen shillings because he
entertained Thomas Thurston one night and to the value of four pounds ten shillings for not Training under John Odbor captain John Day fined to the value of three pounds fifteen shillings for entertaining Thomas Thurston and to the value of four pounds ten shillings for not Training Woodman Stocley fined to the value of three pounds fifteen shillings for not taking the oath of a Constable Richard Preston was fined to the value of three pounds fifteen shillings for entertaining Thomas Thurston one night into his house Taken from John Baldwin to the value of five pounds five shillings for not Training Taken from Thomas Cole to the value of forty eight pounds because he could not swear Thomas Mears was fined to the value of eight pounds five shillings because he could not swear Likewise John Norwood Sheriff took away in goods from the said Mears to the value of five pounds because his Son could not Train Taken from Robert Clerkeson to the value of five pounds because he could not swear and for not Training to the value of forty shillings Taken from Henry Woolchurch because he could not Train to the value of five pounds five shillings Taken from Edmond Burton because he could not swear to the value of eight pounds he being a poor man Taken from Susan Eliot to the value of sixteen shillings for her man missing once Training Taken from John Larking to the value of fifteen pounds because he could not swear Taken from Robert Harwood to the value of eleven pounds because he could not swear Taken from John Homwood to the value of seven pounds ten shillings because he could not Train Taken from Thomas Vnderwood because he could not swear to the value of seven pounds ten shillings he being a very poor lame man and not the use of his Limbs to labor and hath a Wife and four smal Children James Pascal a poor man having a wife and two smal children and his wife big with another John Norwood Sheriff took from him for the value of three pence three farthings to the value of three shillings three half-pence in meat that was provided for his wife and children and said that the Court had lent it him for the imprisoning of Tho. Thurston Jonathan Neale had taken from him because he could not train to the value of fourty five shillings Hugh Drue fined to the value of four pounds ten shillings he being a very poor man and in debt sold his Cow to satisfie part of his debts Baltomores Officers having knowledg of it seized upon that he sold his Cow for which was to the value of five pounds five shillings because he could not train William Davis for not training fined to the value of four pounds ten shillings and had taken from him in Goods to the value of five pounds eleven shillings he being a very poor man William Cole had taken from him one Servant valued to be worth sixteen pounds which was his Apprentice bound for seven years valued to be worth by them five pounds five shillings taken from him because he could not Train John Norwood Sheriff came and demanded of Samuel Chew to the value of eighteen pence for the Imprisonment of Tho. Thurston he denying to pay it took from him to the value of three shillings Taken from Richard F nsal upon the same Demand for Imprisonment of Thomas Thurston for four pence halfpenny taken from him to the value of twenty pence halfpenny Thomas Turner was in Court having business there and Coming with his Hat on before the Court where was present Edward Lloyd and Samuel Withers they caused his Hat to be taken from him and never returned it again Again the said Tho. Turner was before the Court where was present Samuel Withers and Thomas Todd and Thomas Bâ—sson and because he could not bow to them they caused his hat to be taken away and never returned it again Ralph Hawkings because he could not swear had taken from him to the value of ten pounds five shillings he being but a poor man and it is likely it is more than one third of his Estate Robert Dun had taken from him because he could not Train to the value of eight pounds five shillings Francis Barnes had taken from him because he could not Train to the value of six pounds five shillings John Ellis for not Training had taken from him to the value of six pounds five shillings Henry Carline had taken from him because he could not put off his Hat in Court to the value of three pounds fifteen shillings Taken from William Eliott because he could not Train to the value of four pounds seventeen shillings six pence Edward Coppedg because he could not Train had to the value of five pounds seven shillings six pence taken from him and suffered punishment by whipping on the bare Back a very poor man having a Wife and two smal children More taken from Henry Carline for not Training one Cow one Calf one yearling Heifer prized by them but at the value of five pounds thirteen shillings six pence John Woollcott had taken from him by John Norwood Sheriff because he could not Train to the value of five pounds five shillings VVilliam Read because he could not Train had taken from him one Servant valued at four pounds ten shillings by them which had about a year to serve he being a very poor man and his servant was accounted to be worth seven pound ten shillings Ishmael Rite and VVilliam Stockden and Guy White for not Training the Sheriff VVilliam Coursey by order from Captain John Obdor hath violently taken from them to the value of seven pounds and the Sheriff threatned to turn us out of our house and Plantation John Askham Justice of Peace being by at that time And further they arrested Ishmael Rite to the Court and would have him to take the oath of a Constable he refused to take the oath but told them he would perform the office faithfully so far as his conscience was clear but that would not satisfie them they threatned to fine him to the value of seven pounds ten shillings the Sheriff took away for fees to the value of forty five shillings John Holladay for not Training had taken from him the vaâ—â—â— in goods five pounds six shillings and three pence Again for not assisting the Sheriff John Norwood to take Thomas Thurston was whipt severely These are not all the sufferings by much which this poor people have undergone and not for evil doing but for keeping Faith and a good Conscience which many hath put away and made shipwrack of else all these inhumane barbarous cruel works of darkness could never have been brought forth which hath shamed their Government and their Profession Friend and friends we having the word of a King and again renewed by a Declaration that we should not suffer upon the account of Religion and being given forth by you that have suffered for your Religion and beyond the Sea had more