B. to the value of _____ And for want thereof you are to take the Body of the said J. N. if he may be found in your Precincts and him safely keep so that he may be had before J. E. Esq one of the Justices of the said County on _____ being the _____ day of _____ at _____ of the Clock in the Forenoon to Answer L. M. of _____ in a Plea of _____ to the value of _____ as shall then and there appear with all due Damages making true Return of this Writ as the Law directs Dated at B _____ the _____ day of _____ In the _____ Year of Their Majesties Reign Execution Granted by a Justice of Peace Suffolk ss WILLIAM and MARY c. To the Sheriff or Marshal of our said County his Deputy or Deputies or Constables of the Town of _____ or to any or either of them We Command you that without any delay you Levy of the Money or Estate of J. N. of B. _____ if it may be found in your Precincts the Sum of _____ with _____ Shillings more for this Writ and deliver the same unto L. M. of _____ to Satisfie a Judgement obtained against the aforesaid J. M. for _____ with his Costs and Damages occasioned and accruing by a Suit Commenced against him before J. E. Esq one of our Justices Assigned to keep our Peace in our said County the _____ day of _____ and in want of the said Money or other Estate to the said L. M. his Satisfaction We Command you to take the Person of the said J. N. and him Commit to the Custody of the Keeper of our Prison in B. _____ where he is to continue until the said Debt is satisfied or that he be Discharged by the Creditor or otherwise by Order of Law Hereof fail not at your peril making true Return of this our Writ as the Law directs Witness our said Justice at _____ this _____ day of _____ In the _____ Year of our Reign Attachment to the Superiour or Inferiour Court Suffolk ss WILLIAM and MARY c. To the Sheriff or Marshal of our said County or either of their Deputies Greeting We Command you to Attach the Goods or Estate of D. T. of _____ to the value of _____ and for want thereof to take the Body of the said D. T. if he may be found in your Precinct and _____ safely keep so that you have _____ before our Justices at our next _____ Court of _____ to be Holden at _____ within or for our said County on the _____ day of _____ next then and there to Answer to C. L. _____ in an Action of _____ as shall then and there appear with Damages and have you there this Writ Witness VV. S. Esq At B _____ this _____ day of _____ In the _____ Year of our Reign J. W. â—ummons Appearance upon Goods Attached WILLIAM and MARY c. To A. B. of C. 〈…〉 Greeting We Command you That you appear at our _____ Court of _____ to be Held at B. for or within the County of S. on the _____ Tuesday in _____ next to Answer unto C. D. of _____ in an Action of _____ to the value of _____ which the said C. D. hath Commenced to be then and there Heard and Determined to Respond which Action your Goods or Estate are Attached to the value of Hereof fail not at your Peril Witness W. S. Esq At B. the _____ day of _____ In the _____ Year of our Reign J. VV Writ of Facias Habere Possessionem and Writ of Fieri Facias for Damages and Costs WILLIAM and MARY c. To our Sheriff or Marshal of our County of E. or either of their Deputies Greeting Whereas A. B. of C. Yeoman before our Justices of our _____ Court of _____ Held for or within our said County of E. at S upon the _____ Tuesday in N past by the Consideration of our said Court Recovered his Term yet to come of and in _____ Messuage or Tenement with the Appurtenances or _____ Acres of Land Pasture or Meadow lying in the _____ of D. within your Precincts against E. F. of G. Carpenter who had unjustly put out and Amoved the said A. B. from his Possession thereof and also there Recovered _____ Pounds _____ and _____ Pence for Costs and Damages which he has Sustained by reason of the said Offence and Ejectment and Expended for the Removal thereof as to us has been made to appear of Record We Command you therefore that without delay you cause the said A B of and in the aforesaid Tenement with the Appurtenances or Land to have Possession of his Term yet to come We also Command you that of the Goods Chattels or Lands of the said E. F. within your Precinct at the value thereof in Money you cause the said A. B. to be paid and satisfied the aforesaid Sum of _____ Pounds _____ Shillings _____ Pence which to the said A. B. in the said Court was adjudged for his Costs Damages with _____ Shillings more for this Writ and thereof also to satisfie your Self for your own Fees And for want of such Goods Chattels or Land of the said E. F ' s to be by him shewn unto you or found within your Precinct to satisfie the aforesaid Sums We then Command you to take the Body of the said E. F. and him Commit unto the Keeper of your Goal in S. within our said Prison whom we likewise Command to receive him the said E. F. and him safely to keep until he pay unto the said A. B. the full Sum above-mentioned and be by him Released and also satisfie your Fees And this Writ with your doings therein you are to Return unto our said _____ Court of _____ to be Holden at S. upon the _____ Tuesday in â— next Witness W. S. Esq in S. the _____ day of _____ In the _____ Year of our Reign T. H. Execution WILLIAM and MARY c. To our Sheriff or Marshal of our County of S. or either of their Deputies Greeting Whereas A. B. of C. Yeoman Recovered Judgment against D. E. of F. Carpenter before our Justices of our _____ Court _____ Holden for or within our said County of S. on the last Tuesday in _____ Moneth past for the Sum of _____ Pounds _____ Shillings and _____ Pence in Money Debt or Damage and _____ Pounds _____ Shillings and _____ Pence for Costs of Suit as to us appears of Record whereof Execution remains to be done We Command you therefore That of the Goods Chattels or Lands of the said D. E. within your Precinct you cause to be paid and satisfied at the value thereof in Money the aforesaid Sum of _____ Pounds _____ Shillings and _____ Pence with _____ Shillings more for this Writ and thereof also to satisfie your self for your own Fees and for want of such Goods Chattels or Lands of the said D. E's to be by him shewn unto you or found within your Precinct to satisfie the
ACTS AND LAWS Passed by the Great and General Court or Assembly of Their Majesties Province of the Massachusets-Bay in New-England Begun at Boston the Eighth Day of June 1692. And Continued by Adjournment unto Wednesday the Twelfth Day of October following Being the Second Sessions Anno Regni Gulielmi et Mariae Regis et Reginae Angliae Scotiae Francioe et Hibernioe Quarto BOSTON Printed by Benjamin Harris Printer to His Excellency the Governour and Council 1692. By His Excellency I Order Benjamin Harris to Print the Acts and Laws made by the Great and General Court or Assembly of this Their Majesties Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England that so the People may be Informed thereof Boston December 16th 1692. William Phips The Contents AN Act setting forth General Priviledges ' Page 1 An Act For the Quieting of Possessions and Setling of Titles pag. 2 An Act For Building with Stone or Brick in the Town of Boston and preventing Fire pag. 4 An Act For the Settling and Distribution of the Estates of Intestates pag. 6 An Act For prevention of Frauds and Perjuries pag. 9 An Act For the Equal Distribution of Insolvent Estates pag. 12 An Act For Regulating the Assize of Cask and preventing Deceit in Packing of Fish Beef and Pork for Sale pag. 13. An Act For Punishing of Criminal Offenders pag. 16 An Act For the Punishing of Capital Offenders pag. 21. An Act For the Suppressing of Unlicensed Houses and the due Regulation of such as are or shall be Licensed pag. 26 An Act For Impost and Excise pag. 28 An Act For the better Observation and keeping the Lords Day ibid. An Act For Prevention of Common Nusances arising by Slaughter-Houses Still-Houses c. Tallow Chandlers and Curriers pag. 30 An Act For Affirming of Former Judgments and providing for Executions pag. 31 An Act For the orderly Consumating of Marriages pag. 33 An Act For the Settlement and Support of Ministers and School-Masters pag. 34 An Act For the Settlement of the Bounds and defraying of the Publick and Necessary Charges arising within each Respective County in this Province pag. 36 An Act For Regulating of Townships Choice of Town Officers and setting forth their Power pag. 37 An Act For making of Lands and Tenements liable to the payment of Debts pag. 43 An Act For due Regulation of weights and Measures pag. 45 An Act Against the Counterfeiting Clipping Rounding Filing or impairing of Coyns pag. 47. An Act For the Regulating and Encouragement of Fishery pag. 48 An Act For the Establishing of Judicatories and Courts of Justice within this Province pag. 49 An Act Requiring the Taking the Oaths appointed to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy pag. 56 An Act For the establishing of Form's of Oaths pag. 58 An Act For the Establishing of Presidents and Forms of Writts and Processes pag. 61 An Act For regulating Fees pag. 69 An Act For ascertaining the number and regulating the House of Representatives pag. 75. An Act For the Prevention of Danger by the French residing within this Province pag. 78 An Act against Conjuration Witchcraft and dealing with evil and wicked Spirits pag. 79 An Act For regulating the former assessment and for granting an additional Supply of Money pag. 80 An Act For the better securing the liberty of the subject and for prevention of illegal imprisonment pag. 85 An Act for the reviving of an act for continuing of the Local Laws And one other Act for sending of Souldiers to the relief of the Neighbouring Provinces and Colonies pag. 90 Acts and Laws Passed by the Great and General Court or Assembly of Their Majesties Province of the Massachusets-Bay in New-England c. An Act Setting forth General Priveledges BE it Declared and Enacted by the Governour Council and Representatives of Their Majesties Province of the Massachusets Bay in New England in General Court Assembled and by the Authority of the same That all and every the Rights and Liberties of the People in this present Act mentioned shall be Firmly and Strictly holden and Observed That is to say THat no Freeman shall be taken and Imprisoned or be Disseized of his Freehold or Libertys or his Free Customes or be Outlawed or Exiled or in any manner Destroyed Nor shall be Passed upon Adjudged or Condemned but by the Lawful Judgment of his Peers or the Law of this Province Justice nor Right shall be neither sold denied or deferred to any Man within this Province No Man shall be twice Sentenced for one and the same Crime Offence or Trespass No Aid Tax Tallage Assessment Custome Loan Benevolence or Imposition whatsoever shall be Laid Assessed Imposed or Levied on any of Their Majesties Subjects or their Estates on any Colour or Pretence whatsoever but by the Act and Consent of the Governour Council and Representatives of the People Assembled in General Court No Man of what State or Condition soever shall be put out of his Lands or Tenements nor be taken nor Imprisoned nor Disherited nor Banished nor any ways Destroyed without being brought to answer by due process of Law All Trials shall be by the Verdict of Twelve Men Peers or Equals and of the Neighbourhood and in the County or Shire where the Fact shall arise or grow Whither the same be by Indictment Information or otherwise against the Person Offending except in Cases where the Law of the Province shall otherwise provide In all Capital Cases there shall be a Grand Inquest who shall first present the Offence and then Twelve Men of the Neighbourhood to Try the Offender who after his Plea to the Indictment shall be allowed his Reasonable Challenges In all Cases whatsoever Bail by sufficient Sureties shall be Allowed and taken Unless for Treason or Felony plainly and especially expressed and mentioned in the Warrant of Commitment Provided always that nothing herein contained shall be understood to Extend to Discharge out of Prison upon Bail any Person taken in Execution for Debt or otherwise Legally Sentenced by the Judgment of any of the Courts of record within this Province All Lands and Heritages within this Province shall be free from Year Day and Wast Escheats and Forfeitures upon the Death of Parents or Ancestors Natural Casual or Judicial and that for ever Except in cases of High Treason An Act For the Quieting of Possessions and Setling of Titles WHEREAS for the Preventing of Contests and Law-Suits referring to Housing and Lands there having been a Neglect in many Persons in the Infancy of these Plantations to Observe a Legal Course and Method for the Passing and Confirmation of Sales and Alienations It was Ordered and Enacted by the Late Governour and Company of the Massachusets-Bay in the Year 1657. That any Person or Persons ten years quiet Possession to give a Title who either by Themselves or by their Grantees or Assigns before the Law made for direction about Inheritances Bearing Date October the Nineteenth One Thousand Six Hundred Fifty Two
have Possessed and Occupied as his or their own Proper Right in Fee Simple any Houses or Lands within this Jurisdiction and shall so continue whether in their own Persons their Heirs or Assigns or by any other Person or Persons from by or under them without Disturbance Lâ—… Suit or Denial Legally made by having the Claim of any Person thereto Entred with the Recorder of the County where such Houses or Lands ly with the Names of the Persons so Claiming and the Quantity and Bounds of the Lands and Houses Claimed And such Claim prosecuted to Elect within the Term of Five Years next after the Twentieth of May One Thousand Six Hundred Fifty and Seven Every such Proprietor His or Her Heirs and Assigns by Virtue of such Possession shall for ever after enjoy the same without any Lawful Let Suit Disturbance or Denial by any after-Claim of any Person or Persons whatsoever any Law or Custome to the Contrary Notwithstanding Which before Recited Law referring to Possession having seen found by long Experience to be of great Benefit and Service unto Their Majesties Subjects within this Their Province It is Enacted and Ordained by the Governour Council and Representatives in General Court Assembled And by the Authority of the same That the said Law be and hereby is Ratifyed and Confirmed And to Continue and Remain in Full Force as Formerly And for the further Quieting of Possessions and Setling of Titles It is also Enacted and Ordained by the Authority aforesaid That every Person and Persons for the Future shall have the like benefit of Possession who by Him or Themselves Grantees Three Years Quiet Possession to make a Title or Assigns were Possessed of any Houses or Lands within this Province in His or Their own proper right upon the First Day of this Instant Month October And shall continue in such Possession for the Space of Three Years next after without Disturbance or Action brought against them Provided this Act shall not be understood to Barr the Title of any Infant Savings Feme Covert or Person Non Compos Mentis Imprisoned or in Captivity who shall have the like time of Three Years next after such Imperfection Removed to pursue their Challenge to any Houses or Lands wherein they have Interest on Title And for all Persons beyond Sea the Time of Seven Years from the Date hereof shall be allowed them to pursue their Challenge as aforesaid An Act For Building with Stone or Brick in the Town of Boston and preventing Fire VVHEREAS Great Desolations and Ruines have sundry times happened by Fire breaking out in the Town of Boston principally occasioned by reason of the joyning and nearness of the Buildings being mostly of Timber and covered with Shingle For the better preventing of such Accidents for the future and Damage and Loss thereby Be it Ordained and Enacted by the Governour-Council and Representatives Convened in General Court or Assembly And it is Enacted by the Authority of the same That henceforth no Dwelling House Buildings in Boston to be of Brick or Stone and covered with Slate Shop Warehouse Barn Stable or any other Housing of more than Eight Feet in Length or Breadth and Seven Feet in Heighth shall be Erected and Set up in Boston but of Stone or Brick and covered with Slate or Tyle unless in particular cases where necessity requires being so judged and signified in writing under the Hands of the Justices and Select-men of the said Town or major part of both the Governour with the Advice and Consent of the Council shall see cause to Grant Licence unto any person to build with Timber Governour Council to grant Licence to build with Timber in Case or cover with Shingle And if any person shall presume to Erect or cause to be Erected any Frame or Building contrary hereto upon Conviction thereof before two Justices of Peace Quorune Unus such Building shall be deemed a common Nusance and the Owner of such Frame or Building shall enter into a Recognizance to Demolish the same and in Default of Entring into such Recognizance shall be Committed to Prison until he do cause the same to be Demolished or else such Building shall be Demolished by Order of the Quarter Sessions of the Peace within the said County Penalty for transgressing this Act. and the Charge thereof to be Levied by Distress and Sale of such Offenders Goods by Warrant from the Court of Quarter Sessions And it is further Ordered and Enacted That in all Void and Unbuilt Places which shall hereafter be improved for Building or when at any time any total Consumption or Desolation shall happen in any Street or Lane within the said Town it shall be in the power of the Justices of the Peace of said Town then in being together with the Select Men or the major part of both to State and Lay out such Streets Ways and Passages Justices and Select men to lay out Steets c. as may be most for the Conveniency and Accommodation of the Place As also where any Desolation has happened to Regulate and Enlarge other narrow and crooked Lanes or Passages AND where any particular persons shall have their Land taken away or lessened thereby a Jury of Twelve Men shall be appointed by two Justices of the Peace and Sworn to Ascertain the value thereof to be paid by the person A Jury to Asscertain the Value of any Persons Land laid to any Street to whose Land the same shall be added or by the Neighbourhood or Town in proportion to the benefit or conveniency any shall have thereby And every person Building as aforesaid with Brick or Stone shall have liberty to Set half his Partition Wall in his Neighbours Ground so that he leave Toothing in the Corners of such Walls for his Neighbour to adjoyn unto who when he shall Build such Neighbour adjoyning shall pay for one half of the said Partition Wall so far as it shall be Built against Party Wall to stand half in the Neighbours ground And in case of any Difference arising the Select men shall have power to appoint meet persons to value the same or lay out the Line between such Neighbours AND whereas several Houses and other Buildings have been Erected and Set up since the year 1688 contrary to the Law made by the General Court of the Massachusetts Colony It is hereby Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That every Owner of such House or Buildings so Set up contrary to said Law shall cause the same to be Covered with Slate or Tyle or otherwise such Houses or Buildings shall be deemed a common Nusance and the Ownter thereof Proceeded against accordingly And be it further Enacted and Declared by the Authority aforesaid Two or 3 of the chief Military Officers to Order the pulling down or blowing up of Houses to stop Fire That when any Fire shall happen to break out either in Boston or any other
annually to Choose Select-men or Townsmen for the ordering and managing of the prudential Affairs of such Town and other Town-Officers for the Executing of other matters and things in the Laws appointed by them to be done and performed Be it further Ordained and Enacted by the authority aforesaid Qualification of Voters in Town-Meetings That the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of each Town Ratable at Twenty Pounds Estate to one single Rate besides the Poll shall some time in the Month of March annually meet and convene together upon Notice given by the Constable or Constables of such Town or such others as the Select-men or Towns-men shall appoint to give Notice of such Meeting and the time and place for the same Select-men Constables and other Town-Officers to be annually Chosen in March Town Clerk to be under Oath And by the Major Vote of such Assembly then and there shall Choose Three Five Seven or Nine Persons Able and Discreet of good Conversation Inhabiting within such Town to be Select-men or Townsmen and Overseers of the Poor where other persons shall not be particularly Chosen to that Office which any Town may do as they shall find it necessary and convenient as also to Nominate and Choose a Town-Clerk who shall be Sworn truly to Enter and Record all Town-Votes Orders Grants and Divisions of Land made by such Town and Orders made by the Select-men a Commissioner for Assessments Constables Surveyers of High-ways Tything-men Fence-viewers Clerks of the Market Sealers of Leather and other ordinary Town Officers And the Town Clark or two of the Select-men shall forthwith make and give out unto the Constable or Constables of such Town a List of the Names of those that shall be then Chosen to the Office of Town Clerk Constables Tything-men Clerks of the Market Sealers of Leather and other Officers of whom an Oath is by Law required Constables to Summon Town Officers to be Sworn under a penalty which Constable or Constables within the space of six days at furthest shall Summon each of them respectively to appear before the Quarter Sessions if then Sitting or one of the next Justices of the Peace to be Sworn to the faithful Discharge of their Respective Offices and Trust on penalty of Twenty Shillings to the use of the Poor of the Town to be paid by each Constable neglecting of his Duty in that behalf upon Conviction thereof before one Justice of the Peace and upon Non Payment to be Levied by Distress PROVIDED That no Person in Commission for any Office Persons exempted from Serving as Constables Civil or Military Church-Officer or Member of the House of Representatives for the time being nor any other who has Served as Constable within the space of seven years before shall be Chosen to the Office of Constable It is further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid Towns or Select-men having Instructions to make Orders By-Laws That the Freeholders and Inhabitants qualified as in this Act is mentioned in each Respective Town in any Town-Meeting orderly warned according to the Usage in such Town or the major part so Assembled or the Select-men having Instructions given them in Writing by the Town for that purpose Be and hereby are Impowred from time to time to make and agree upon such necessary Rules Orders and By-Laws for the directing managing and ordering the Prudential Affairs of such Town as they shall judge most Conducing to the Peace Orders and By-Laws in Towns to be approved by the Quarter Sessions Penalty to be Levied by Warrant from a Justice Welfare and good Order thereof and to anner Penalties for the observance of the same not exceeding Twenty Shillings for one Offence Provided that they be not repugnant to the General Laws of the Province And such Orders and By-Laws being presented unto the Justices in Quarter Sessions and approved of by them shall be Established and Binding to all the Inhabitants of such Town and the penalty for breach of any of them by any of the Inhabitants to be Levied by Warrant of Distress from any Justice of the Peace before whom such Offender shall be Convicted to the use of the Poor of such Town And further it is Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Select-men or Townsmen Chosen as aforesaid Select-men to make Assessment for County and Town Charges in each Town respectively Be and hereby are Impowred to assess the Inhabitants and others Resident within such Town and the Precincts thereof and the Lands and Estates lying within the Bounds of such Town in just and equal proportion as near as may be unto the County Charges according as they shall receive order from the Court of Quarter Sessions to be held for the same County and to all Town Charges each particular person according to his known Ability and Estate such Sum and Sums as hath or shall be ordered granted and agreed upon from time to time by the Inhabitants in any Town-Meeting regularly Assembled or the major part of those present at such Meeting for the Maintainance and Support of the Ministry Schools the Poor and for the defraying of other necessary Charges arising within the said Town Assessors or Town Clerk to make out a Warrant for Levying the same and thereof to make distinct and perfect Lists under their Hands or the major part of them setting down every persons Name and several proportion and shall thereupon make out a Warrant to be Signed by the said Assessors or the Town Clerk by their Order who are hereby respectively Impowred thereto directed unto the Constable or Constables of the said Town for the speedy Levying and Collecting of such Assessments and to pay in the same unto the Select-men or to such person as they shall appoint for Receiver Distress to be made on Delinquents within the time thereby prefixt And to make Distress upon all such who shall neglect or refuse to make payment And for want of Goods or Chattels whereon to make Distress to Seiz the person and Commit him to the Common Goal of the County there to remain until he pay the Sum upon him Assessed as aforesaid unless the same or any part thereof upon application made unto the Quarter Sessions shall be Abated Persons Over-rated to be Eased And if any person think himself Over-rated and make it so appear unto the Assessors he shall be Eased And if they refuse such person agrieved may make his Application unto the Justices in Quarter Sessions who are hereby Impowred to Rectifie the same And all Constables having any such Assessment committed unto them shall Settle and Issue their Accompts thereof with the Select-men or Receiver appointed by them Constables to Settle and Issue their Accompts with in 3 months after the Expiration of their year within three months after their time or year is Expired on pain of Forfeiting the Sum of Twenty Shillings per Month for each Months Neglect afterward to the
Order in each Respective Town within this Province shall warn a Meeting of such Town having order for the same in Writing on pain that every Constable neglecting his Duty in that respect and being thereof Convicted before one Justice of the Peace shall Forfeit the Sum of Twenty Shillings Penalty for Neglect to the Use of the Poor of such Town and to be Levied by Distress and Sale of such Offenders Good by Warrant from such Justice of the Peace upon Neglect or Refusal of payment And in case the Select men in any Town shall unreasonably deny to call a Meeting of the Inhabitants of such Town Justice to give Warrant for Town-Meeting in case upon any Publick Occasion thereof the same being Complained of and made to appear to one of the next Justices of the Peace within the same County such Justice by his Warrant directed to the Constable or Constables may order a Meeting of the Inhabitants of such Town therein signifying the occasion thereof An Act For making of Lands and Tenements liable to the Payment of Debts VVHEREAS the Estates of Persons within this Province do chiefly consist of Houses and Lands which give them Credit some being remiss in paying of their just Debts others happening to Dye before they have discharged the same It is therefore Ordained and Enacted by the Governour Council and Representatives Convened in General Court and by the Authority of the same That all Lands or Tenements belonging to any person in his own proper right in Fee Simple shall stand charged with the payment of all just Debts owing by such person as well as his personal Estate and shall be liable to be taken in Execution for satisfaction of the same where the Debtor or his Attourney shall not Expose to view and Tender to the Officer Personal Estate sufficient to answer the Sum mentioned in the Execution with the Charges And all Executions duly Served upon any such Houses and Lands being Returned into the Clerk's Office of the Court out of which the same Issued and there Recorded shall make a good Title to the Party for whom they are so taken his Heirs and Assigns for ever Superiour Court may Impower Executors Administrators to Sell Land for payment of Debts Also where the Goods and Moveables of any person Deceased shall not be sufficient to answer the just Debts which the Deceased owed Upon Representation thereof and making the same to appear unto the Superiour Court within the County where such Deceased Person last Dwelt the said Court are hereby Impowred to Licence and Authorize the Executor or Administrator of such Person Deceased to make Sale of all or any part of the Houses and Lands of the Deceased so far as shall be necessary to satisfie the just Debts which the Deceased Owed at the time of his Death And every Executor or Administrator being so Licenced and Authorized shall and may by virtue of such Authority Make and Execute Deeds or Conveyances in due Form for such Houses and Lands as they shall so Sell which Instruments shall be a good Title to the Purchaser And further it is Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That where any person shall make Sale or other Alienation of any Lands or Tenements to him of right belonging with Intent to Defeat and Defraud his Creditors of their just Debs not Bona Fide for good and valuable consideration paid All such Sales and Alienations are to be deemed Covenous and Fraudulent and shall be of none Effect to Bar any Creditor from such Debt as is to him Owing An Act For due Regulation of Weights and Measures TO the end that Weights and Measures may be one and the same throughout this Their Majesties Province BE it Enacted and Ordained by the Governour Council and Representatives in General Court Assembled and by the Authority of the same That the Brass and Copper Weights and Measures formerly sent out of England with Certificate out of Their Majesties Exchequer to be approved Winchester Measure according to the Standard in the Exchequer be the publick allowed Standard throughout this Their Majesties Province for the Proving and Sealing all Weights and Measures thereby And the Constables of every Town throughout this Province not already Supplied shall within three Months next coming provide upon the Towns Charge One Bushel one half Bushel one Peck one Half Peck one Ale Quart one Wine-pint and Half-pint One Ell one Yard one Sett of Brass Weights to Four Pounds after sixteen Ounces to the Pound with fit Scales and Steel Beam tried and proved by the aforesaid Standard and Sealed by the Treasurer or his Deputy in his Presence which shall be kept and used only for Standards in the several Towns who is hereby Authorized to do the same for which he shall receive from the Constables of each Town Two-pence for every Weight and Measure so Tried and Proved and Sealed And the Constables of every Town shall Commit those Weights and Measures unto the Custody of the Select-men of their Towns for the time being who with the Constables are hereby Enjoyned to Choose one Able Man for Sealer of all Weights and Measures for their Town from time to time and till another be Chose who shall be presented unto the next Court of Sessions and there Sworn to the faithful Discharge of his Duty And shall have power to send forth his Warrants by the Constable to all the Inhabitants of such Town to bring in all such Weights and Measures as they make use of in the Month of April from year to year at such time and place as he shall appoint and make Return to the Sealer in Writing of all persons so Summoned That then and there all such Weights and Measures may be Proved and Sealed with the Town Seal which is likewise to be provided by the Constables at each Towns Charge who shall have for every Weight and Measure so Sealed one penny from the Owner thereof at the first Sealing And all such Weights and Measures as cannot be brought to their just Standard he shall Deface and Destroy and after the first Sealing shall have nothing so long as they continue just with the Standard And it is further Enacted by the authority aforesaid That if any Constable Select man or Sealer do not duly Execute this Law so far as to each every of them appertains they each of them shall Forfeit to Their Majesties for every such Neglect by the space of one Month the Sum of Forty Shillings towards the Support of their Government here And every person Neglecting to bring in their Weight Measures at the time and place appointed being duly warned thereto shall likewise Forfeit Three Shillings and Four-pence the one half whereof to be to Their Majesties as aforesaid the other half to the Sealer aforesaid And the penalty herein mentioned to be Levied by Distress by Warrant from any Justice of the Peace And it is further Enacted by the authority aforesaid That