Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1SS 6. 139
;,abden Goody Colton Goody Morgan Goody Barnard Mercy «& Hephzibod Jones
lunters wife & Daughter & Abell Wrights wife, & warned to this Courte the
ix former app''ing in Courte they were adraonisht of their extravagancyes &
lismist.
The Good}^ Morgan referred to was Mrs. David Morgan. Three
^ears later the following persons were "presented by y"^ Grandjury
o y^ Courte at Northampton March 26 1G76 some for wearing of silk
is y' in a flonting manner & attire for Long haire & other extravegau-
ies, Contrary to honest & Labor Order & Demeanor not Becoming
.Wilderness State at Least y*" Profession of Christianity & Religion."
n the list of offenders were the following from this village : " Wife
if Henry Rogers, Lidia Exile, Hauali Morgan, Sarah Gilburt,
lanah Leonard, Nath" Bliss, Thos Stebbins & his wife, John Bakers
nfe, Jonth Stebbins, Henry Chapin, Corporal Holyoke, Mary &
jarah Colton, Sarah Coole}', Meriam Mervicke, Sarah & Mary
)umbleton."
Warrants arrived in Springfield in 1061, from the Bay, for the
irrest of the regicides Goffe and Walle^^, but it may be inferred that
LS both fugitives passed through the town, the vigilance of the author-
ties was not of a remarkable order.
Before following the course of legislation and administration of
ustice during this period, we will dispose of the numerous offences
gainst private morals by saying that the records show that for many
^ears, indeed, until the eighteenth centurjs the local authorities
ind the country magistrates had as nmch trouble in enforcing the
aws in this regard as those of theft and of assault and battery
ogether. All that need be attempted here is the quotation of speci-
nen cases. We find the following in the court record, under date of
September, 1660, at the Springfield session —
:
John Stebbins of Northampton beinge bound to presente Robert Lyman of the
ame Towne for misdeameaninge himselfe towards his, the said John Stebbins
vife : he
the said .John Stebbins complaines to this courte that the said Robert