In a recent Journal of the Chesterfield County Historical Society, I saw this heading: "A Sampling of Criminal Causes from the County Court of Chesterfield 1752-1806." One of the cases listed was: "1767 - The King vs. Matthew Turpin for assault and battery against Mary Elam." Looked it up in the VA State Archives and found not one, but two separate cases involving Mary Elam. The record of court proceedings apparently no longer exist, and there is nothing in the court order books. These "loose papers" were found in the Chesterfield (VA) County Clerk's office and microfilmed a few years ago. They consist mainly of warrents and bail bonds written on small pieces of paper in beautiful Victorian script. Hard to read, though! Anyone know what this case was about or which of the several Mary Elams was involved? Case #1 (Document 1) Chesterfield County to wit The Sworn for our lord the King on their oaths present That Matthew Turpin on the ___ day of Aug't in the Year of our lord one Thousand Seven hundred and Sixty five at the parish of Dale in the County aforesaid with Force and Arms to wit Swords and Staves an assault upon Mary Elam then & there being he the said Matthew Turpin did make and harm the said Mary Elam did then & there beat & wound & wil'fy treat against the Peace of our Said lord the King his Crown & Dignity. Mary Elam Sworn in Court. [Signed] B Watkins (Document 2) George the third by the grace of god of great Britain, france and Ireland King Defender of the faith, etc. To the Sherif of Chesterfield County: greeting. We command you to Summon Mary Elam and Obedience Elam to appear before our Justices of our Said County at the Court house on the first friday in October next to testafie and the Truth to Say on behalf of [long blank space] in a certain Matter of Controversy in our said Court before our Said Justices Depending and Undetermined between Us, Plt'f and Matthew Turpin, Def. and this they Shall in no wise omit under the penelty of Law. Witness Ben. Watkins, Clark of our Said Court at the Court houses the fourth Day of September in seventh year of our reign. [Signed] B Watkins (Document 3) George the Third, etc. To the Sherif of Chesterfield County: greeting. We command you that you take Matthew Turpin & him keep & that you have his Body before our Court of the said County on the first friday in April next to answer us of those Things so hear of he stands indited and have them there this Writ witnesseth B Watkins Clk of our said Court this March 5 in the vii year of our Reign. [Signed] B Watkins (Document 4) George the third, etc. To the Sherif of Chesterfield County, greeting: We command you that you sumon Matthew Turpin to appear before our Court of the said County on the first friday in December next to answer us of those things whereof he stands indited and have then there this Writ. Witnesseth B. Watkins, Clk of our said Court the Seventh day of Nov in the vii year of our Reign. [Signed] B Watkins (On the reverse of Document 4) The King vs. Turpin Indictment for T. A. B. 1767 March ACap July Cont Aug't Notify Sep Cont Oct Judgm We find the within a True Bill. Jacob Ashurst Wit. Mary Elam & Ob. Newby 50.00 Case #2 (Document 1) George the Third, etc. To the Sherif of Chesterfield County, greeting. We command you that you take Abram Pucket if he be found, etc. & him [?infiily] keep so that you have his Body before our Court of the said County at the Court House on the first friday in April next To answer us & etc. concerning those Things whereof he stands indited and have then there this Writ. Witness B Watkins Clk of our said Court the 5th day of March in the vii year of our Reign. [Signed] B Watkins (on the reverse) Rex vs. Puckett Executed John Cogbill (document 2) George the third by the grace of god of Great Britain france and Ireland King Defender of the faith, etc. To the Sherif of Chesterfield County Greeting: We command you to Summon Mary Elam and Obedience Elam to appear before our Justices of our said County at the Court House on the first friday in October next to Testify and the truth to say on behalf of Us in a certain matter of Controversy in our said Court before our said Justices depending and undetermined between Us Plt's and Abraham Puckett, Def. and this they shall in no wise omit under the penalty of 100 pounds. Witnesseth Ben Watkins, Clerk of our said Court at the said Court House the fourth day of Sept in the seventh year of our reign. [Signed] B. Watkins (on the reverse) The King agn. Pucket. Cap. 1767 March A.C. July P.C. Aug't Notify Sep Cont Oct'r Judge'm Wit. Mary Elam 50 Wit. Obedience Newbye 50 Copy Left. Jn. Smith (document 3) Chesterfield County to wit: The Jurors for our lord the King upon Their Oaths present That Abram Pucket on the ___ day of October 1766 at the Parish of Dale & County aforsaid with force & arms to wit Swords & Staves an assault upon Mary Elam then & there being he the said Abram Pucket did make & her the said Mary Elam did then and there beat and wound & willy treat against the Peace of our said Lord the King, etc. (on the reverse) Rex vs. Pucket Mary Elam sworn in Court. B. Watkins We the Jurors do find the within a True Bill. Jacob Ashurst ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]