[This record contains many entries on the Reeves family living in West Jersey. Only those cases were copied.]
[The record retained the original spelling and grammar, as does this copy. Text is condensed.]
American legal records - Volume 5
THE
BURLINGTON COURT BOOK
A RECORD OF QUAKER JURISPRUDENCE
IN WEST JERSEY
1680 - 1709
EDITED BY
H. CLAY REED
ASSOCIATE PROFFESOR OF HISTORY
UNIVERSITY OF DELEWARE
AND
GEORGE J. MILLER
COUNSELLOR AT LAW
PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
WASHINGTON, D. C.
1944
[Found in Micro Fiche file: LH 1410, Broward Co., FL, Main Library]
Note:
Because the calendars have changed since then (From Julian to Gregorian), what would be the 1st month back then, would be March on Our calendars today. In the first item below, the ‘12th moneth’(month) would be the equivalent of February. All the dates recorded below are in Old Style (O. S.), which was the Julian calendar.
The boxes, [##, ####], are the years of the events preceded by, I assume, the Entry Number of the Proceeding or Court Meeting into the Record.
Í Í Í Í Í Í Í Í Í Í Í Í Í Í Í Í Í Í Í Í
[16, 1683] Burlington at the Court held the 20th of the 12th Moneth 1683. Present there Samuell Jenings Governour , Justices [Six Named], The Jury [Twelve Named].
Thomas Wright Plaintiff Walter Reeves Defendant Declaration and Coppy Continued.
The Court order that the Defendant shall pay to the Plaintiff his necessary Charges for Attending the Action, And grant a Reference untill next Court in regard the said Walter the Defendant is not able to appeare by Reason of a wound hee hath received.
Walter Reeves Plaintiff Thomas Wright Defendant Continued. The Court upon the same Accompt above written grant a Reference till next Court.1
[35, 1685] Att the Court held 26th 3d Mo. 1685.
John Reeves and Thomas Cleverley upon Indictment on the Complaynt of Governour Ollive. Grand Jury [Thirteen Named]. The Bill of Indictment not found. The said Reeves and Cleverley Continue bound to next Court.
[36, 1685] Burlington Court 8th 6th Moneth 1685.
Walter Reeves Complaynes on Summones against Thomas Howell, Plaintiff appears not, and therefore at the request of the defendant a Non suite is granted against the Plaintiff.
John Haynes Attested at this Court sayth, That on the 6th Instant hee being neare the house of Walter Reeves sawe an Indian goe into the said Reeves house with an Empty Bottle and that he sawe the same Indian returne from thence an halfe a quarter of an Hower with the same Bottle filled with Rum: And further that hee hath heard that the said Walter Reeves hath threatned such as should discover him for selling Rum to the Indians.
Bernard Devonish alsoe Attested sayth That an Indian went with an Empty Bottle from his House and said hee could have Rum at Walter Reeves house, and that the same Indian presently returned back againe with the Bottle filled with Rum (as said Bernard perceived by his smelling thereat) and that the said Indian at his return had Walter Reeves wife hatt on his head and her Coat on his Shoulder in regard it rayned.
Walter Reeves called to Answer and give Accompt why the boards hee cutt on the Publick Land and which are seized on shall not be Condemned to the Publick Use. To all which premisses the Court order said Walter to be Summoned to appear next Court.
[55, 1686]
Susanna Reeves brought into Court on the Complaynt of John Woolston junr. John Woolston verbally Complaynes that the said Susanna hath slandered him and his wife in these following words. Vizt, upon the examination of said Susanna taken the 15th of the 12th Moneth 1686. Shee the said Susanna sayd that her Dame Alice Huggins told her on fryday about 2 clock in the afternoone about a moneth past, that John Woolston junr. had turned away his wife, and that shee had beene at her Mothers a weeke, and the cause was because hee found her naught with an East Jersey man, ant that shee had taken one of the Children, and that John might take the other two:
The said Susanna Came into Court and there Testifyed the same againe And afterwards came into Court againe, And there openly declared that what she had before spoken and Testifyed against the said John Woolston and his wife is utterly false, and that shee hath therein wronged them, and that the other things shee hath declared Concerning Branford being burnt is alsoe false.
John Woolston junr. upon his Attestation averrs that Walter Reeve about eight dayes agoe in the jurisdiction of this Court Swore Seaven oaths, Vizt, (by God) Seaven tymes over.
The Grand Jurys verdict in the Case of Susanna Reeve; They having noe Indictment they find themselves concerned to medle further in the matter, seeing it appears to their Judgments to be rather a matter of slander than any other matter wherein they ought to medle; And therefore they referre it to the Bench.
[56, 1686]
In the Case of Susanna Reeve The Bench give Judgment That tomorrow being the 22d of the 12th Moneth instant betweene the howers of Nine and Tenne in the forenoone the said Susanna shall be sett in the Pillory in this Towne, and there to stand not exceeding one hower.
[Order of Court] Order by the Court that Thomas Hardings Eare marks for Hoggs etc. may be altered according as hee hath ever marked his Hoggs, the former marke appeareing to be mistaken in the entring thereof, which is to be the Left Eare a Cropp and the Right whole.
[Grand Juries Presentments] Alsoe wee present Walter Reeves for marking his Swyne with another mans marke which is recorded before.
[103, 1691] Att the Court Sessions held November 3th 1691.
Grand Jury [Walter Reeves on Jury].
[104, 1691] New Constables returned and chosen.
Northampton --- Walter Reeves
[115, 1692/93] New Constables for the yeare Ensueing.
Northampton --- Walter Reeves, instead of him Isaac Horner.4
[118, 1693]
Walter Reeves Plaintiff John Payne Defendant Action Trespasse Tryed. Jury Called: [Twelve Named].
The Plaintiffs Declaration Read. The Plaintiff not proving his Tytle where the Trespasse is by the Declaration sett forth to be made, but it appearing that the Defendant had the first Survey thereof. The Jury find for the Defendant.
Evidences for Walter Reeves, Henry Morley and Thomas Cleverley, Attested: See their Depositions below thus marked.5
Alsoe Walter Reeves Plaintiff Joshua Humphries Defendant An Action of Trespasse.
The Plaintiff not goeing on with his Action against the Defendant suffers a non Suite, which is granted and called upon the Defendants request And judgment for the defendants Cost awarded.
[121, 1693]
Walter Reeves Plaintiff William Biddle Defendant By Consent of Plaintiff and Defendant Jury before Attested. William Biddle comes of the Bench.
The Declaration Read. The Plaintiffs Deed Read. The Plaintiffs deed is not Recorded. Noe Returne of the Survey of Land which the Plaintiff Complaynes for as his right by the Deed is upon Record.
[Attested] Anthony Elton Attested upon Plaintiffs Accompt But can say nothing for the Plaintiff.
[Attested] Daniell Wills came of the Bench and is Attested. And Deposeth that the Plaintiff was advised not to Survey the Land in question for that it was laid forth before.
[Verdict] Jury are agreed of their Verdict and find for the Defendant. The Court give Judgment against the Plaintiff for Costs of suite.
[1693/94]
John Tonkan brought his Complaynt against Susanna Reeves for Scandalizeing him which is offered to the Grand Jury Whereupon Joseph Stockton and John Stockton are sworne and Isaac Marriott Attested Evidences and sent to the Grand Jury.
And the Court Adjourne for 2 howers.
Grand Jury returne, And they Find the Bill or Complaynt of John Tonkan against Susanna Reeves. Whereupon Susanna Reeves is called for and appears. And being asked whether shee will Traverse or Submitt to the Bench, Shee saith shee submitts to the Bench.
Joseph Stockton and John Stockton being againe both Sworne to give their Evidence to the Bench, Depose that the same Night the said Susanna Reeves layes the Scandall upon John Tonkan, that hee lay with her at John Gardners barne, they came out of Burlington in Company with John Tonkan, and the said Susanna Reeves parted from them at Yorkshire Bridge. And the said Deponents and said John Tonkan Rode togeather untill they came to Mattacopenney Bridge and then John Tonkan Rode before them to his owne house to make a Fyre against the said Stocktons should come. And that they the said Deponents stept in to Samuell Ogbournes house and warmed themselves a while and then Rode on to John Tonkans House where they found him, and hee made up a good fyre.
Isaac Marriott Attested, Deposeth that whereas the said Susanna Reeves (the same day before that night in which shee reports the Scandall abovesaid) was drinking together at said Isaac Marriotts house. The said Deponent Deposes that hee saw noe such thing.
Benjamin Moore Attested, Deposeth, that the said Susanna Reeves said to him, That it was not her that slandered said Tonkan, but it was her Mothers wicked lyes.
[Judgment and Sentence of the Bench] Susanna Reeves having submitted her selfe to the Bench as above, The Bench order, That the said Susanna Reeves for her Scandalizing the said John Tonkan, shall tomorrow betweene the howers of 12 and 2 be whipt betweene the Court house and the River not exceeding Forty Lashes well laid on. And shall pay Court Charges. And order her to be secured in Prison until the tyme of her whipping, and after until the Court Charges be paid or secured to be paid.
Adjourned to 8 in the morning.
February 21th. Jane the wife of Samuell Ogbourne was sent for to Court and Deposed that the two Stocktons abovesaid came to her house. And as they since told her that it was the same night that the Slander abovesaid was raised upon. But said John Tonkan came not in with them and that the said 2 Stocktons stayed and warmed themselves a while and rode away.
Ordered per Court that a warrant be drawne and given for Execution of the Sentence abovesaid which was done. And the said Susanna was accordingly whipt.
[123, 1693/94]
Sheriffs returne of Executione against Walter Reeves not Served.
[124, 1693/94]
[Ordered Court] Ordered that Susanna Reeves shall Serve John Antram for one yeare to Commence from this day 21st February 1693/4 in Consideration That the said John Antram hath payd downe the Charges of Court on her behalf being 44s. And also in Consideration that John pay to said Susanna 16s more; Provided Shee serve him the said one whole yeare, which said Susanna promises to doe.
(After other cases) And the Court adjourne to the 8th hower next morning.
November 10th 1694, The Court appeare and is called, The Jury called and appeare.
Jeremiah Basse Attourney for John Reeve versus William Righton Defendant. Entred by Consent to come to tryall next Court, declaration drawne, and Copy sent and fyling the same. But the Plaintiff orders it to be put by.
Court Dissolved.
[138, 1696]
John Tatham Plaintiff Walter Reeves Defendant Continued.
[154, 1698]
Anne Reeves the Wife of John Reeves bound by Recognisance to this sessions. A Bill Against the said Anne sent to the Grand Jury they returne the same Billa vera.
The Prisoner Arraigned and upon her Arraignment pleads nott guilty, and refers her self to God and the Country for tryall.
The Jury Called, the Prisoner required to view them as they are Called and make her Exceptions Against them, if she please; She make no Exceptions of any. The Jury Attested. The Indictment Reade.
Thomas Billingham an Evidence for the King Attested and deposeth that on the day mentioned in the Indictment he the said deponent was in the field and the said Anne coming home haled him, but the deponent not coming immediately She the said Anne went and putt up her horse. And when she came backe the deponent mett her at the doore and went into the house with her, and after a little time the said Anne desired the deponent to goe and give the horse some Meate, which the deponent did, and afterwards Came into the house againe. And the said Anne Asked him whether there was any Rumme in the house, the deponent replyed there was. Then the said Anne Askt the deponent to milk the Cow and she would make some milk punch, and Accordingly the deponent did. And when the deponent came in the said Anne Askt him for the Broome he replyed twas in the Chamber she bid me fetch it. So he went to goe up Staires and hee see the doore only fast with a bolt went up two or three Stepps, and the said Anne Seeing him goe up readily Askt
[155, 1698]
the deponent whether they left the doore soe. The Deponent replyed he thought it was as John Powell left he thought. Then the said Anne replyed said I,le warrant the Indians have been here and broke open the doore (which was before She came to the doore). And afterwards she Cryed I,le warrant John Powells Money is gone, and she and the deponent went into the Chamber and she bid him to looke into the Chest and see whether the Money was there, and shee bid him pull out the drawers in the Chest and see for itt. But when the deponent and Anne Saw noe Money, she said againe that I,le warrant John Powells money is gone. And further the deponent saith he believes the doore of the Chamber was broken open, and further saith nott.
The Jury receive the Charge and goe out togeather. The Jury returne, the said Anne the Prisoner Sett to the Barr, the Jury being Askt whether they were Agreed of theire verdict they replyed yes, and by theire Foreman Thomas Eeves say they find the said Anne Reeves not guilty.
[1707]
7ber 24th The Court meet according to Adjournment Present [Nine Attorneys Named] Esqrs. Justices of the Peace.
Proclamation made. The Court opened in forme.
[Dom. Reg. Versus John Reevs] The Grand Jury returned gave in a presentment against John Reeves, Ignoramus.
[245, 1707]
(After hearing other cases) The Grand Jury is Discharged with thanks for their good Service etc.
Dom. Reg. Versus John Reeves. Ordered That John Reeves doe give in Security for his good behaviour.
[247, 1707]
At A Court of Sessions held for the County of Burlington at Burlington on Tuesday the 23th day of March 1708. Present Thomas Revell Esqr. President. [Four Attorneys Named] Esqrs. Justices of the Peace.
Proclamation made. The Court opened in forme.
The names of the Constables Chosen for the Ensueing year as follows—
Northampton Walter Reeves6, Sworen.
END
Transcribed by Todd Reeves, 1996.
Endnotes
1. No entry showing the continuance of the case. This is an occasional occurrence throughout
the document.
2. Believe John Reeves to be the first son of Walter Reeve by his first wife, Susannah.
Believe Susanna Reeves to be second child of Walter Reeve by his first wife, Susannah.
3. It appears that Walter Reeves declined to continue as Constable for Northampton.
4. These Depositions were not recorded in this book.
5. This is Walter Reeves Junior. His father's will was proven June 18, 1698.
I include the following for those interested in understanding how to figure the calendar change mentioned at the beginning. The text is taken from the 1993 World Almanac.
The Gregorian calendar was created in 1582. The British Govt. imposed the Gregorian calendar on all its possessions, including the American colonies, in 1752. They decreed that the day following Sept. 2, 1752, should be called Sept. 14, a loss of 11 days. All dates preceding were marked O. S., for Old Style. In addition New Year’s Day was moved to Jan. 1 from Mar. 25 (e.g., under the old reckoning, Mar. 24, 1700 had been followed by Mar.25, 1701.) George Washington’s birth date, which was Feb. 11, 1731, O. S., became Feb. 22, 1732, N. S. (New Style.)
To change from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, add 10 days to dates Oct. 5, 1582, through Feb. 28, 1700; after that date add 11 days through Feb. 28, 1800; 12 days through Feb. 28, 1900; and 13 days through Feb. 28, 2100.
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