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

186 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886.
In Sept Court 1091 at Springfield Miehal Towsley & Mary his Wife & their
(laughter Mary being all presented to this Courte for diverse missdemeanors &
all appearing and each of them haveing beene examined before the Worship"
Coll" Pynchon & the diverss examinations, witnessess & testimonys being read in
Courte, the Courte doe judge them all to be guiltie accordding to y*" Respective
testimonys of the crimes witnessed against them viz of lying of stealing & of
killing creatures or some creatures of some Neighbors & of threatening some
of tlieir neighbors or expressing such things as that their Neighbors are afraide
of grievious Mischiefs to be done to y'" by ye s'' presented partys. This Courte
there fore to Beare due Witness against such Spiteful!, dangerous & to be ab-
horred practices due ajudge as ffolloweth, & first since they finde y' y'^ Daughter
named Mary is guiltie of lying especially in that she charged her father before
authoritie as killing & stealing & teaching her to steale & againe denying her
confession before this Courte, the Courte do adjudge her to be well whipt on
y'^ Naked Body with eight lashes well laid on & otherwise the Courte doe order
yt the Selectmen of Suflfield doe take effectaal care to have s^' Mary put out to
some meete person to service with whome she may be well educated the child
herself saying that she cant doe better or reform while she continues with her
parents or father ; & as to y