History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

CHAPTER XXXVI.
FEDERAL CONSTITUTION—MANUFACTURES—CHURCH MUSIC.
JoHN C. WiLLiAMS of Hadley was Register
Probate Office Conducted
in Jail. Qf Probate, having been appointed in 1776.
During the latter part of his term of office
he became intemperate and for nearly a year was in
jail. All the business of the court was of course transacted
at the new place of residence, adopted perforce by
the Register. High Sheriff Eleazar Porter of Hadley
favored Williams and kept him in office. He was in jail
for debt, took the poor man's oath, and was supported there
by one of his creditors. A petition was forwarded to the
Governor in 178G, asking for his removal. In it is recited
the fact that he had practiced marrying people without the
publication of banns required by law ; that he had been
brought before the court, and on. promise of reformation
let off with a fine of £5 ; and that he had resumed this
practice after his confinement in jail. The name of Mr.
Samuel Hinckley was proposed as his successor and the following
year he was appointed, holding the office for thirty
years, when he was promoted to the judgeship.
No Disgrace to be People Were sent to jail for very trivial
i'" Ja'ii- offences. Persons unable to pay their debts,
those suspected of being tories, parties
arrested for participation in the rebellion, all found accommodations
there, and plenty of men from all parts of
the county had tasted the good cheer of the Northampton
goal. While there the prisoners enjoyed themselves as best
they might. If they had money or friends outside of its
walls, they did not go without such creature comforts as
were then in fashion. They were supplied with good things