According to Stafford County, VA Order Book Page 131, Court held March 1690/91 Item 36. Capt. GEORGE BRENT Attorney of NICHOS. GOODRIDGE Mariner and Master of the good ship Spencer of London sheweth that Nicholas Goodridge the plt [plaintiff] in or about the month of may last came with his ship the Spencer into this country and brought a very considerable cargoe of goods to TRADE and merchandize with the Inhabitants of the County and for their supply which goods he on board of his ship and on board of divers of his sloops he exposed to sale to any fair and honest purchaser of which many came and amongst the rest one DAVID DARNELL of freestone point within this County who dealt with the plt for a sum of Tobacco of his own particular crop at freestone point where the Tobacco he dealt for was showne to the plts receiver NATHANIEL WEBSTER who took the same and marked it for the plt vizt 2 hhds No. 222 and the other 303 and soe the said Darnell had the goods he Liked for pay but soe it is may it please your worships the Tobacco being left at Darnells house as the custom here is for some time and then being brought on board in order to be bulked the plt caused the Nailing and Lining to be broken and opening the caskes instead of good Tobacco found nothing but rotten Dungie Stuff god knows how old and that commixt with great Quant. of Ashes dust and sand soe that the plt caused the 2 hhds to be throwne overboard as being in no measure merchantable so that he doth in fact say David Darnell either before or after the receipt of the Tobacco as a false cheat hath cheated the plt to his damage two thousand pounds of tobacco and cask for which he brings his suit as alsoe prays David Darnell may be punished for the credit of your country and benefit of commerce which by such odious and detestable practices is much Injured and that Darnell pay costs And David Darnell by MARGARET his wife came into Court and for plea saith not guilty and for Tryal puts himself upon the Country and the plt likewise Therefore tis ordered that the Jury Enquire the Fact JONATHAN MOTTERSHED, ROBERT STREET, DAVID STRAHAN, JOSEPH EYRES, CHRISTOPHER BUTLER, JOHN TONEY, JOHN CARR, HENRY MEREST, LAW. SUDWORTH, WILLIAM BURTON, JOHN STOREY, WILLIAM BOWRNE which said Jurors Elected Tryed and Sworn to the Truth of the premises say upon their Oaths We find for the plt twelve hundred pounds of tobacco and caske for damages Therefore tis ordered that Judgement shall be Entered on the Verdict of the Jury and that David Darnell shall make present payment of the sum of twelve hundred pounds of tobacco and cask unto Capt. Nicholas Goodridge with costs. Order that Capt. Nicholas Goodridge pay the Jury seventy two pounds of tobacco with costs. Whereas Capt. Nicholas Goodridge brought his action into this Court against David Darnell for his false cheat and did fully and legally prove David Darnell to be a Notorious knave and false cheat Therefore tis ordered that the sherif shall Immediately repair to the house of David Darnell and take him into his Custody there to remain and abide till the next Court and that the sherif shall bring him to the next Court there to be Punished as Law directs for such notorious cheats and cozenage also tis ordered that the sherif shall cause the pillory to be repaired against the next Court to the intent that David Darnell may be put therein and to stay and abide there for the Space of one hour and that the Clerk shall then fix upon his breast the true accompt of his wicked and notorious fact in Capitol Letters as the Law in such cases directs and Enjoyns and that the said Darnell pay the cost