Greetings to all, I thought I would post the court appearances of Garret Sipple since everyone seems to have interesting ancestors. I have cited a recent series of books which is available for interlibrary loan from the Library of Virginia in Richmond. I am waiting for volume 7 to be returned so I can see if Garrett's escapades continue. Enjoy... Warren 27 May 1667: Because they came without indentures, four servants to Mrs. Anne Toft had their ages judged by the court: Patrick Easton, 13 years; Owin Murphy, 15 years; Garret Supple, 17 years; and John Murfee, 15 years. The servants themselves acknowledged their ages. They were to serve till attaining the age of 24 years. <1> 16 MAR 1668/9: Certificate granted to Mrs. Ann Toft for 2000 acres for transporting: Robert Katcher, Andrew Stopp, Abraham, Garret Supple, William Davis, Mary Hues, Sisly Birke, Thomas, Isaac Culler, Andrew Hutton, Jno Groves, Edw: Robinson, John Tizard, Hugh Bowin", Tho: Edrington, William Wait, John Wells, Jno Hepworth, Butcher, John Salter, Tho: Williams, Eliza. Cutler, Hanah Leech, Robt Loe, Rich Elks, Alice Roberts, Roger Macan, Jno Fletcher, Edw: Banbury, Humphry Davis, John, Jno Murphey, John Bull, Susan Fletcher, James Price, Joseph Thorne, William Tate, Samuell Ellis, Edw: Boller, Isaac Braily. <2> The voyage from England to Virginia was not taken lightly, but some colonists made the trip repeatedly. Robt. Watson received the rights to 400 acres for transporting himself eight times. He and others like him followed the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law that granted 50 acres for each person transported in the labor-hungry colony. Curiously, John Custis received land for transporting Indians into the county; no mention was made of their homeland. The frequent voyages may have been unpleasant for the wealthy class but they must have been almost unbearable for incoming servants. The case of Garrot Suple gives a glimpse of conditions on the ship Dove as it sailed toward Virginia; while aboard ship Suple often showed his indenture and offered to sell it for water. <3> 18 Nov 1671: Ambrose White swore that Garret Seple's indenture was only for four years; ordered that the administrators of Col. Scarburgh pay Seple 200 lbs tobacco, this year's taxes, corn, clothes, and court costs. <4> 18 Nov 1671: Deposition of Ambrose White aged 36 years, 18 November 1671: White was certain that when Garrot Suple arrived aboard the ship Dove, he had an indenture for four years signed by John Boyse. "Garrett Suple did often show it and proffer it to sell on board ship for water, by which means [I] came to take notice of it." Signed Ambrose White. <5> On 19 December 1671, judgment was considered before Mr. John Michaell and Mr. John Wise for payment of 4000 lbs tobacco by Andrew Price and Garret Seple to Mr. Ambrose White, due by a bill dated 11 December 1671. <6> 19 Jan 1672: The administrators of Col. Scarburgh sued Garret Seple (whose attorney was Mr. Tankard). Since Scarburgh's administrators failed to file their petition, the suit was dismissed, with them paying court cost. <7> 6 Mar 1672: Deposition of Ambrose White aged about 37 years: To his "certain knowledge" Garret Seple had been given in Dublin, Ireland, an indenture to serve Capt. Pitts for four years after his arrival in Virginia, which was on 23 April 1667. Signed 6 March 1671/72, Ambrose White. Deposition of Vincent Oliver aged about 30 years: Vincent swore that Garret Seple had a 4-year indenture to serve Capt. Pitts; Seple arrived 23 April 1667. Signed 6 March 1671/72, Vincent Oliver. <8> The Tavern The court sessions brought a good deal of business to John Coale's tavern, and his customers, in turn, supplied the court with cases involving disorderly conduct and insolence. Garrett Supple was fined 100 lbs tobacco for rioting, drinking, and behaving insolently in the presence of the court;... <9> Marriage For seventeenth century Virginians, some marriages were a little too late; from a modern perspective, others seemed a little too soon. Bridgett Clare and Henry Belcher got married, but the nuptials occurred too late for them to avoid a charge of fornication. The widow of Thomas Booth married William Walton so soon after Booth's death that the second husband became the administrator of the first husband's estate. Miles Gray, who six years before had disowned his wife Ann for adultery,[4] posted a notice in 1674, stating that he would not pay his wife's debts. When he sold land, he had to oblige himself for 10,000 lbs tobacco to guarantee that the new owner would not be troubled by any claims made by Ann. After previous marital troubles,[5] Mary, the wife of Roger Mikeel, left home, taking several articles with her. Roger warned that anyone bargaining with her would do so at peril of the law. Ignoring this warning, Phil Quinton had just brought his business with Mary "to a head" when she abruptly returned to her husband. Perhaps the "business" was an indenture for a term of service; at any rate, Quinton was angry enough to threaten putting Mikeel in prison as revenge. Thomas Taylor, Quinton's more philosophical companion, had a comment: "That should be a warning for him for meddling betwixt a man and his wife." Certain individuals surfaced and resurfaced as they wove their way through these court records, and the fabric of their personalities took shape. With his transportation to Accomack County paid by Mrs. Ann Toft, Garret Supple was taken by her to the court session that met on 27 May 1667; then he claimed to be 17 years old. The court concurred, stated that he had no indenture, and ordered him to serve his mistress until he reached the age of 24 years [6]. Unable to read or write, Garret may not have understood the proceedings; probably happy just to be alive, he failed to show the court the four-year indenture he carried with him when he arrived in Virginia. The next four years of service gave Garret time enough to realize the value of that document, which by then he had unfortunately lost. In November of 1671, Ambrose White rescued Garret from three more years of service by swearing that "Garrot Suple" had come to Virginia with a four year indenture. White remembered it quite well, he said, for he had traveled on the ship Dove with Supple, who had often shown the indenture and offered "it to sell on board ship for water."[7] Now, with his torturous passage and four years of servitude behind him, Garret was on his own at the age of 21. Two years later he was in trouble for rioting, drinking and insolent behavior; he was also in love with Mary Calvert. Although she had been given land by her father, Mary was now Florence Parker's servant, and as such was not allowed to marry. Unwilling to let this obstacle stand in the way, Garret and Mary managed a clandestine wedding; whoever performed the ceremony must have been unaware of Mary's servant status. Given what we know, it is doubtful that the newlyweds guarded their secret very carefully. At any rate, the news got out, and at the court held in January 1674/75, Garret was ordered to pay Florence Parker 1500 lbs tobacco or become her servant for a year. Mary, too, was ordered to return to the service of her mistress. The next month, when Garret's appeal was rejected by the court, he lost his temper, refused to obey the high sheriff and committed an unspecified "misdemeanor" in open court. He immediately received 39 lashes and was ordered to post a bond for his good behavior. The stripes may have marked his back, but his determination was unscathed. It seems that Garret and his bride found another way. One month later; in March, they sold 200 acres of Mary's land, making their marks on the deed as husband and wife. While the records do not say so, the proceeds must have ensured a future of freedom and love. Introduction Notes [4]Accomack County Orders, 1666-1670, Microfilm Reel 78 in the Virginia State Library and Archives, p. 60b. Abstracted in: JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack County, Virginia Court Order Abstacts, 1666-1670, Vol. 2, (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1996), p. 96. [5]Accomack County [Deeds] Orders and Wills [of Upper Northampton], 1671-1673, Microfilm Reel 2 in the Virginia State Library and Archives, pp. 11, 84. Abstracted in: JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack County, Virginia Court Order Abstacts, 1671-1673, Vol. 3, (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1996), pp. 5, 59. [6]Accomack County Orders, 1666-1670,p. 21b. Abstracted in McKey, Vol. 2, p. 33. [7]Accomack County [Deeds] Orders and Wills [of Upper Northampton], 1671-1673, p.33. Abstracted in McKey, Vol. 3, p. 26. 10 19 Feb 1674: Garrett Sapple (attorney: Mr. Jno. Tankard), by "rioting and drinking insolently behaved himself in the presence of the court." Ordered that he be fined 100 lbs tobacco and that the sheriff keep him in custody till he posted a bond for his good behavior and paid all court charges. <11> 20 Apr 1674: John Tankard was granted a judgment for 1000 lbs tobacco and court costs againest Roger Mikeel as bail for Garrett Sepple. It was to be paid after the next court if Mikeell or Sepple did not appear to show cause to the contrary. <12> 19 May 1674: Garrett Supple petitioned to be released from his bond for good behavior. Proclamation was made three times with no objections, so he was discharged from the bond and paid court charges. <13> 11 Nov 1674: The suit of Mrs. Florence Parker, executrix of Maj. Geo. Parker, deceased, againest Garrett Sepple (attorney: Mr. Jno. Tankard) was referred to the next court at Sepple's request. <14> 26 Jan 1675: Garret Supple (attorney: Mr. John Tankard) clandestinely married Mary Colvert, servant to Mrs. Florence Parker. Ordered that Supple pay Mrs. Parker 1500 lbs tobacco or serve one whole year; Mary was to return to the service of her mistress. <15> 16 Feb 1675: At the last court a judgment had been granted to Mrs Florence Parker, widow, againest Garret Supple, who now petitioned to appeal. The request was granted with Supple giving security. <16> 17 Mar 1675: Garrot Supple refused obedience to the high sheriff and committed a misdemeanor in open court; at the sheriff's petition, it was ordered that Supple immediately receive 39 lashes upon his bare back "well laid on" and that he remain in the sheriff's custody till posting bond for his good behavior and keeping of the peace.<17> 17 Mar 1675: Deed: Garret Supple and his wife Mary sold to Thomas Fookes 200 acres, part of 800 acres granted by the governor to Christopher Calvert and assigned to Charles and Mary Calvert; it was on a neck of land by Onancoke Creek bordered by John Jenkinds. Supple has since married Mary Calvert. Signed 17 March 1674/75, Garret (X) Suffill and Mary (squiggle) Suffill. Witnesses: Jno. Stratton and Charles Holden. <18> 17 Jul 1675: Mr. Wm. Whittington impleaded Garret Supple (attorney: Mr. White) to this court, but failed to file his petition; a nonsuit with court costs was granted to Supple. <19> 18 Sep 1675: The court found no cause of action in the suit of Jno. Savage against Garret Supple for assault and battery; the suit was dismissed. 20 List of Accomack County tithables for 1676: Garet Supple 2. <21> Accomack County tithables for 1677: Garret Supple 1. <22> 20 Dec 1677: Maj. John West's suit against Garret Supple was referred to the next court.<23> 17 Jan 1678: Garatt Sepell assigned power of attorney to Walter Taylor to acknowledge a judgment of 1037 lbs tobacco due to John West. Signed 17 January 1677/78. Garatt (X) Sepell. Witnesses: Wm. (W) Waite and Tho. (B) Barnet. <24> 20 Feb 1678: John Cole sued Garret Supple for 359 lbs tobacco, but Supple failed to appear. If he did not appear at the next court, the judgment was to pass against the sheriff. <25> 16 Apr 1678 Mr. Garrt. Supple was member of grand jury sworn for the following year. <26> Accomack County tithables for 1679: Garret Sipple 1. <27> 1 Mar 1680: Several women were asked to view the body of the dead child born to Mary the daughter of Sarah Carter; it was taken from the ground in the garden where "it was very shallow put in. Then we caused Sarah the wife of Paul Carter and mother of the said Mary to touch, handle and stroke the child in which time we saw no alteration in the body of the child. Afterwards we called for Paul Carter to touch the child and immediately [while] he was stroking the child the black and settled places about the body of the child grew fresh and red. so that the blood was ready to come through the skin of the child. We also observed the countenance of the said Paul Carter to alter into very much paleness. The child also appearing to us to be very much neglected in several respects as to the preservation of such an infant, and we do conclude if the child had any violence, it was by the throat which was very black and continued so, though other places which were black altered to red and fresh colered." Signed 1 March 1679/80, by Mary (M) Wats, Elizabeth (*) Cutler, Jone (O) Taylor, Mary Hill, Margret (m) Jenkins, Matilda West, Mary Mikell, Mary (m) Anderson, Amev Parker, Mary (X) Sipple, Elenor (s) Calvert, Ann (AF) Fenn, and Wm. Custis, Coroner. <28> 18 May 1681: Garret Supple claimed he owed Richd. Marriner 600 lbs tobacco and that Joseph Browne owed Supple 800 lbs tobacco. Browne promised to pay Supple 200 lbs tobacco; it appeared to the court by the depositions of Jno. Bagwell and Xopher. Colvert that Marriner accepted the conditions, so it was ordered that Marriner pay the 200 lbs tobacco and court costs. Deposition of John Bagwell aged about 42 years: At the last February court, Garret Supple and Joseph Browne came and asked if Bagwell would pay Supple in corn, which he would not. Bagwell, however, would pay 200 lbs tobacco. Richard Marriner later came to Bagwell's house and said he recommended that Browne's arrest for the 800 lb debt be delayed. Signed and sworn in open court 16 May 1681, by John Bagwell. Deposition of Christopher Calverd, Sr., aged about 81 years; Garrat Sipel admitted owing Richard Marriner 600 lbs tobacco and asked him if he would accept the 800 lbs that Joseph Browne owed Garrat, saying "If you will not, I will arrest him." Marriner said not to-he would accept it. When Garrat said he thought he would lose 200 lbs, Marriner said not to worry, "I will stop it in my hands." Signed and sworn in open court 18 May 1681, by Chris. (X) Colverd. <29> 18 Aug 1681: Deposition of Mary Seple aged about 25 years: When Mary was in labor about last 7 September, "Margaret Pickering was at [my] labor very well in health to [my] thinking." The next Sunday Margaret visited Mary's house "very well in health." Later Mary washed Margaret's linen "some several times [and] did never see no more by her than might be seen by any other woman not being with child at that time." Signed and sworn in open court by Mary (X) Seple. <30> ENDNOTES <1> JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co., Virginia Court Order Abstacts, (Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD, 1996), Vol. 2, p. 33. <2> Ibid., p. 146. <3> JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co., Virginia Court Order Abstacts, (Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD, 1996), Vol. 3, p. xvii. <4> Ibid., p. 21. <5> Ibid., p. 26. <6> Ibid., p. 28. <7> Ibid., p. 39. <8> Ibid., p. 47. <9> JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co., Virginia Court Order Abstacts, (Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD, 1996), Vol. 4, p. viii. <10> Ibid., pp. xiv, xv. <11> JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co., Virginia Court Order Abstacts, (Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD, 1996), Vol. 3, p. 22. <12> JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co., Virginia Court Order Abstacts, (Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD, 1997), Vol. 4, p. 42. <13> Ibid., p. 49. <14> Ibid., p. 78. <15> Ibid., p. 88. <16> Ibid., p. 96. <17> Ibid., p. 102. <18> Ibid., p. 108. <19> Ibid., p. 126. <20> Ibid., p. 138. <21> JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co., Virginia Court Order Abstacts,(Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD, 1997), Vol. 5, p. 29. <22> Ibid., p. 47. <23> Ibid., p. 75. <24> Ibid., p. 79. <25> Ibid., p. 89. <26> Ibid., p. 95. <27> JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co., Virginia Court Order Abstacts,(Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD, 1997), Vol. 6, p. 67. <28> Ibid., p. 104. <29> Ibid., p. 157. <30> Ibid., p. 179.