Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 06.pdf/541

 502

he let s'd Indian have some cider and I do therefore sentence s'd Bliss to pay ye fine of 20s. for ye transgression of the law, one-half to ye town and one-half to complainant." Justice Bushnell was no more strict in his rulings than was his neighbor, Justice Isaac Huntington, among whose records appear the following: "1738, July 12, John Downer and Solomon Hambleton for profaning the Sabbath day by oystering, fined 5 shillings and costs." And again : "2nd day of November, 1738, Mary Leffingwell, on ye 24th day of September last, it being the Saboth or Lord's day (and not being neces sarily detained) did not duly attend ye public worship shall pay as fine to ye treasury of ye town of Norwich the sum of 5 shillings and cost of suit." In 1749 Mr. Huntington fined a person twenty shillings for playing cards, and an other five shillings for laughing in meet ing. Justice Richard Hide was another strict administrator of the laws, as is evidenced by his record of findings between the years 1760 and 1780. A man presented for profane swearing, having been heard to say at the public house — "damn me." Sentenced to pay 6 shillings 3 pence. Another, for a similar offense, the culprit using the words — "go to the Devil!' Fined 8 shillings 10 pence. A breach of peace by tumultuous behav ior, 18 shillings 8 pence. 1 77 1. A young woman presented for laughing in a meeting for public worship at Mr. Grover's, Sabbath evening — two fe

males for witnesses — culprit dismissed with a reprimand. 1774. Eben'r Waterman, Jr., presented by a grand juror, for profaning the Sabbath in the gallery of the meeting-house in West Society, by talking in the time of divine service, in a merry manner, to make sport. Plead guilty — fine 10 shillings. Paul Davenport of Canterbury, appeared and acknowledged himself guilty of a breach of law by riding from Providence to Canter bury on the Sabbath Day — paid the fine of 20 shillings. In 172 1, Henry Holland of Plainfield was brought before Justice Bushnell and bound over to appear at the next county court and answer for breaking the peace and the law, by saying, " in a tumultuous violent threatening manner, yt he would take the head of Jona'n Tracy off his shoulders." Two young men and two young maids, presuming to " meet and convene to gether and walk in the street in company, upon no religious occasion," were fined 3 shillings each. Justice Bushnell lived to the age of 75 to preside over the administering of law in his native town. His tombstone bore the fol lowing record : — Here Lies ye Body of Capt. Richard BVSHNELL ESQVIRE Who Died AVGVST ye 27. . 1727 . . and in ye 75th year of His Age. As you are So Was We But as We Are You Shall Be.