Kingsberry, Ephraim (fl. 1750) [Legal documents relating to the arrest of Ruth, an Indian Woman]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03002.02 Author/Creator: Kingsberry, Ephraim (fl. 1750) Place Written: Norwich, Connecticut Type: Document signed Date: 5 October 1750 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 20 x 32 cm Order a Copy
Two documents with legal dockets on verso. The two documents relate to the arrest of an Indian woman named Ruth, with a deposition against Ruth, an order for her arrest, a record of her arrest, and the facts of confession. The deposition is from Ephriam Kingsberry, who claims Ruth stole a pair of woman's shoes from his house. The arrest order was issued by Isaac Huntington, the Justice of the Peace. The record of the arrest is from constable Joseph Tracy. In the last document Ruth confesses to the crime, and is sentenced to work for Kingsberry for ten weeks.
To Isaac Huntington of Norwich in New london County one of his Majesties Justices of ye Peace for Sd. County Courts Ephraim Kingsbery of sd. Norwich and Complains and Informs That he had in his Possession in his own Dwelling house in Sd. Norwich, of his own proper Estate Some time in the [struck: Beginnin] first part of ye month of September Last Past a pair good Shoes made for a woman's foot of of Purple Buck Skin Leather, with [w]Hoal [illegible] of Calf Skin Leather well worth Thirty five Shillings in Bills of Credit of ye old Tenor, and a pair of [illegible] Shoe Buckles well worth Three Shillings in Bills as aforsd. and at ye time aforsd. and at this time aforsd. one Ruth a Transient Indian Woman Now Residing in Sd. Norwich Being in Sd. house, Did in a Felonious and privet [inserted: manor] with a wicked and Thievish Intent Stoal & Take & Carry away the aforsd Shoes and Shoe Buckles out of sd. house & possession of the Complainent and Convoyed them to a place unknown to ye Complainant, all which Doings of ye sd Ruth are [against] the power of our Sovereign Lord & King, his Crown and Dignity & ye Laws of this Colony and to ye Damage of ye Complainent. Thirty Eight Shillings in bills of credt. of ye old tenor, wherefore the Complainent prays of our Lord ye King to Search After and Seize sd. Goods and apprehend said Ruth & her Bring with sd. Goods [illegible] [strikeout] your Selfe to be delt with as ye Law Directs & also in Norwich, the 5th day of October 1750.
Ephraim Kingsbery
To the Constable of Norwich in ye County of New london Greeting in his Majesties Names you are hereby Commanded forthwith on Sight hereof to seize the body of ye sd. Ruth if to be found in your precincts and her Being before other subscribers to be Delt with as to Law and Justice shall apportain (and with the Direction of ye above named Ephraim Kingsbery you are to [strikeout] make Diligent Search after the above sd Shoes & Buckles and then being before me with the sd. Ruth & you are to take with you Sufficient aide and assisstance and force your way through all opposition. Bond for prosecution is Given as ye Law Directs, hereof fail not and make Return according to Law Dated in Norwich October 5th 1750.
Isaac Huntington Justice of Peace
[2] At Court held in Norwich [inserted: in Sd Newlondon County] Octor 5th: 1750. Present Isaac Huntington Justice of Peace for sd. County Ruth within named Being apprehended by a writt of our Lord ye King, on ye within complaint, the Sd. Ruth Pleads guilty and confesed [inserted: opinion] that She Stole ye sd shoes & buckles at time and place as is Complained, [inserted: Gulty] Judgement to pay to ye Complaint. yt of £3.14.0 old Tenor, it being the [illegible] the values of ye Goods Stolen, and also [60 whipt] [inserted: sd ye [strikeout]] on ye [inserted: stripped] naked Body, and pay the Cost of her proscution, and Stand Comted. &c: Costs allowed is £3.13.4 old Tenor and ye said Ruth Declaring in Court that she had no money or Estate to make Restitution or Satisfy Cost Therefore this Court order that ye sd Ruth shall Satisfie by Service and [illegible] upon order that ye sd Ruth from ye sd Kingsbery [strikeout] or his assigns from ye Day of this Date for the Time of [struck: Ten] [inserted: illegible] Weeks - ye sd Kingsbury his heirs & assigns To provid[e] meat Drink washing and Lodging Sutable
[illegible] Presented octor 5th 1750
5.14.0
3.13.4
______
9.11.4
1.5.0
1.15.4
[3] Norwich October ye 5th Day 1750
By Virtue of ye William Warrant I have arrested ye Body of ye Woman Named Ruth and have her Brought this [inserted: Day] Before Isaac Huntington Esqr one of his Majesties Justices of ye peace for ye County of New London at his Dwelling house in Norwich and I have also seized ye [illegible] Buckel, within [strikeout] [inserted: mentioned] Being delivered to me by ye within named Ruth and have them Brought with sd Ruth Before ye athority above mentinend.
Pr Joseph Tracy Jr Constable
To ye Complaint & Writt £0.10 .0
To arresting 4/ To Two miles Travel 4/ 0.8.0
To Keeping of ye professor 0.17.0
To the Constable Pending Court 0.8.0
To one Days Pending Court 0.12.0
To Seven miles Travel to Court 0.9.4
To Court fees 0.8.0
[illegible]
Pr I Huntington Justs Peace
[docket]
Kingsbery
Ruth Indian
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