Report of the Archaeological Investigations of the New Castle Court ...

1676 September 28 Rules of Government for the Delaware Settlements, from
Governor Andros (20:98)
“2. That there bee three Courts held in the severall parts of the River and Bay as formerly To witt
one in the Towne, one above at Uplands another below at the Whorekill.”
“3. That the said Courts consist of Justices of the Peace, whereof three to make a Coram
[quorum], and to have the Power of a Court of Sessions and decide all matters under twenty
pounds without Appeale, in which Court the eldest Justice to preside, unlesse otherwise agreed
amongst themselves, above twenty pounds and for crime Extending to life, Limbe or Bansihment,
to admit appeale to the Court of Assizes.”
“4. That all small matters under the value of five pounds may be determined by the Court without
a Jury unlesse desired by the Partyes as also Matters of Equity.”
“5. That the Court for Newcastle bee held once a Month, To begin the first Tuesday in each
Moneth, And the Court for Uplands and the Whorekill Quarterly and to begin the second Tuesday
of the Moneth.” (Gehring 1977:120).
1676 November 8 The Magistrates of New Castle to Governor Andros about
Municipal affairs (20:100)
“4. There being no prison for the securing of debtors, fugitieves and malefactors, who often make
theire Escape for want of the same, Wee therefore desiere his honors order for the Errecting of a
prison, which wee Immadgine woulld bee Convinientt to stand in the forth [fort], and that your
Honor will Lykewyse prescriybe what allowance prisoners shall have, and by whome to be paid,
also that the Sherrife may bee Responsible in Case of Escapes” (Gehring 1977:123-24).
1677 February 7 Record of Court
“According to his honor the Governor order, itt was this day Resolved and concluded by the
Commander and Court, that a prison with a dungeon under itt bee built in the forte with all
expedition, also a weigh-house to bee built, with the Lyke Expedition, in some convenient place
neare the waterside, manner of building the same is Left to the Contryvance & ordering of
Captain John Collier & Mr. Moll” (Scharf 1888).
1677 October 3 Order of the Court
“It is this day resolved and Mr. John Moll desired by ye court wee would Reimburse so mutch as
for ye mutcheing upp of ye Court Roome, in ye forte, fitt for ye Court to sitt in ye winter tyme,
and yt the same reimboursement bee paid him out of ye Levy to be paid. The Court doe allow to
ye measons to finish ye chimney in ye forte as it might bee 250 guilders” (Scharf 1888).
1678 March 8 Complaints brought before the New Castle Court regarding the
actions of Captain Billop
[During the winter of 1677-78] “That for the whole winter and now he makes use of ye Towne
forte where the watch on occasion is kept, for a stable to put his horses. That he keeps the Court
Roome above in the Fort filled with hay and fother [fodder], that he keeps hoghs [hogs] within
the forte walls and by that means keeps ye gates continually lockt up. That he hath and doth still
debar this Court from sitting in their usual place in the forte. That he makes use of ye soldiers