I do Swear and protest before God Allmighty and by the holy contents of this Book to be a faithfull Servant and Councellor unto Sir Ferdinando Gorges Knight my Lord of the Province of Mayne, and to his heirs and assigns, to do and perform to the utmost of my power all dutifull respects to him or them belonging, concealing their Councells, and without respect of persons to do, perform and give my opinion in all causes according to my conscience, and best understanding both as I am a Councellor for hearing of causes, and otherwise freely to give him or them my opinion as I am a Councellor for matters of State or Commonwealths, and that I will not conceal from him or them and their Councell any matter of conspiracy or mutinous practice against my said Lord and his heirs but will instantly after my knowledge thereof discover the same, and prosecute the authors thereof with all diligence and severity according to Justice, and thereupon do humbly kiss the Book.

25th March 1636 the Comis'rs met at Saco at the house of Cap. Richard Bonithon, present

8th Sep., 1640, General Court at Saco. Before Thos. Gorges, Leaf 28. Richard Vines, Richard Bonighton, Henry Josselin, and Edmund

Godfrey.

Mary, the wife of George Puddington, of Agamenticus, is here Indicted by the whole Bench for often frequenting the

House and company of Mr. George Burdett, minister of Agamenticus aforesaid, privately in his bed chamber, and elsewhere in a very suspicious manner, notwithstanding the said Mary was often forewarned thereof, by her said Husband, and the Constable of the said Plantation with divers others; and for abusing her said Husband, to the great disturbance and scandall of the said plantation, contrary to the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King. This Enquest find Billa vera.

Whereupon the Court enjoyneth the said Mary to make this publick confession, here in this Court, and likewise at Agamenticus aforesaid, when she shall be thereto called by the Worship'l Thomas Gorges and Edmund Godfrey, two of the Councellors of this Province. Her confessions followeth :

I, Mary Puddington, do hereby acknowledge that I have dishonoured God, the place where I live, and wronged my Husband by my disobedience and light carriage, for which I am heartily sorry, and desire forgiveness of this Court, and of my Husband, and do promise amendment of life and manners henceforth; and having made this confession, to ask her husband forgiveness on her knees.

A 28.

Mr. George Burdett, minister of Agamenticus, is Indicted by the whole Bench for a man of ill name and fame, Infamous for incontinency, a Publisher and Broacher of divers dangerous speeches, the better to seduce that weak sex of women to his Incontinent practices contrary to the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King, as by Depositions and Evidences. This Enquest find Billa vera.

Whereupon the said George Burdett is fined by the Bench for this his offence ten pounds sterling to our Sovereign Lord ye King.

Mr. George Burdett is also Indicted by the whole Bench for Deflowering Ruth, the wife of John Gouch, of Agamenticus aforesaid, as by depositions and evidence appeareth, contrary to the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King. This Enquest find Billa vera.

Whereupon the said George Burdett is fined by the bench for this his offence Twenty Pounds Sterling to our Sovereign Lord the King.

Mr. George Burdett, being found guilty by the grand Enquest for entertaining Mary, the wife of George Puddington, in his House, as by the first Indictment against the said George Burdett appeareth, is therefore fined by this Bench Ten Pounds Sterling to the said George Puddington for those his wrongs and Damage sustained by the said George Burdett. Page 29.

Ruth, the wife of John Gouch, being found guilty by the grand Inquest of Adultery with Mr. George Burdett, is therefore censured by this Court, that six weeks after she is delivered of child, she shall stand in a white sheet publickly in the Congregation at Agamenticus two several Sabbath Days, and likewise one day at this General Court when she shall be thereunto called by the Councellors of this Province, according to his majesty's laws in that case provided.

At a General Court held at Saco, September, 17th, 1640. It is ordered by this Court, that in regard of the great Damage the Inhabitants of this Province do sustain thro' the loss of their cattle by the devouring Wolves, that from henceforth if any one shall kill any wolf between Pascattaqua and Kenebunk, the partie so killing them shall have Twelve pence for every wolf so killed from every Family between Kennebunk and Sagadahock, for every Wolf so killed within those limits, and that the partie killing any Wolves (repairing to the next Councellor of this Province within said Limits,) shall have order for the taking up of the said money.

It is ordered by this Court that the Worshipfull Thos. Gorges and Edward Godfrey, Councellors of this Province, shall order all the Inhabitants from Piscatiqua to Kennebunk, which have any children unbaptized, that as soon as a minister is settled in any of their plantations, they bring their said children to Baptism, and if any shall refuse to submit to the said order, that then the partie so refusing shall be summoned to answer this their contempt at the next General Court to be holden in this province.

At ye first General Court held at Saco June 25th 1640. Before Richard Vines, Richard Bonighton, Henry Josselin, Esq'rs., and Edward Godfrey, Gent., Councellors to Sr. Ferdinando Gorges.

Roger Garde, Register. Robert Sankey, provost Marshall.

Memorandum. That here is a matter depending in this Leaf 16. Court between Mr. Edward Godfrey and Mr. George Cleaves, concerning twenty pounds, which the said. Edward Godfrey doth demand of the said George Cleaves by virtue of an Order out of the high Court of Starrchamber, for costs in that Court by a Special Writ.

Leaf 19. Whereas divers priveledges have heretofore bin granted to the Patentees and Inhabitants of Agamenticus as by several pattents doth and may appear, we whose names are here subscribed being deputed for and in behalf of the said Inhabitants, do in the behalf of ourselves, and those we are deputed for, protest as followeth. That our appearance at this Court, shall be no prejudice to any Grants or priveledges which we now enjoy or ought to enjoy by Virtue of the said Pattents or otherwise, and that whatsoever we shall do or transact in this Court shall be, saving this Protestation. Notwithstanding we do humbly acknowledge his Majesty's Grant of the Provincial Pattent to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and humbly submit ourselves thereunto so far as by law we are bound. We also desire that a copy of this Protestation may be taken by some Notary or other officer of this Court, here to be recorded.

Edw. Johnson, Geo. Puddington,
John Baker, Bartho'w Barnes,

Deputies for the Inhabitants of Agamenticus.

It was ordered at this Court by Richard Vines, Richard Bonithon, Henry Joslin, and Edward Godfrey, Esq'rs., Councellors for this Province, that the Government now established in Agamenticus shall so remain, untill such time as the said Councellors have certifyed the Lord of the Province thereof, and heard again from him concerning his further pleasure therein. At a General Court holden at Saco October 21, 1645. Before

Richard Vines, Deputy,
Richard Bonithon, Esq'rs.
Henry Joselin,

Francis Robinson,
Arthur Mackworth,
Edward Small,

Abraham Prebble,

Magis

trates.

Ordered by the General' Court, that whereas we have Leaf 33. not heard of late from the Hon. Sir Ferdinando Gorges, knight, lord proprietor for this province of Mayne, for a full establishment of Government within the said Province for our peace and safety, this 21st of October, 1645, have chosen for

our Deputy Governour, Richard Vines, Esq., for one whole year, and also order yearly to choose a Deputy Governor, and further order that in case the said Richard Vines, Esq., should depart the country before the year be expired, Then we nominate and choose Henry Joselin, Esq., Deputy Governour in his place and stead.

William Waldern, Recorder of the province of Mayne, chosen and sworn for one year.

At a General Court held at Wells, July 6th, 1646.

Henry Joselin, Esq., Deputy Gov.,

Richard Bonithon, Esq.

Edward Godfrey, Esq.,

Comm'rs.

Henry Bode,

Bazil Parker,
Abraham Preble,

Assis

tants.

Ordered that whereas John

21st October, 1645, at Saco. Bonithon, of Saco, in the Province of Mayne, hath been summoned divers times in his Majesty's name to appear at our Courts, and hath refused, threatening to kill and slay any person that should lay hands on him, whereupon the law hath had its due proceedings to an outlawry; and divers Judgments, executions and warrants of the good behaviour against him. We therefore, at a General Court assembled, adjudge the said John. Bonighton outlawed and incapable of any of his majesty's laws, and proclaim him a Rebell.

Ordered by concent of the Court, that if Mr. John Bonithon be taken, that he be sent forthwith to Boston to answer such things as there shall be brought against him. p. 33.

Ordered for the charges of the General Court at Saco Leaf 34. for the Province of Maine, 21st of October, 1645. Saco to pay 10s. Casco 10s. Georgiana £1. Piscataqua Total £4 10s.

£2 10s.

June 30, 1647. The Indictment of Charles Frost.

Whereas there was slain Warwick Heard of Sturgeon Creek, by Charles Frost doth stand here presented and Indicted, that he Feloniously contrary to the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King, his Crown and Dignity, did the 23d day of March last, with a fowling piece, murder the said Warwick Heard; having not the fear of God before his eyes, You are therefore to inquire whether it was wilfully done with malice pretence, quarrell, or by accident or unawares or misadventure.