Winthrop, James, 1752-1821. Papers of James Winthrop, 1765-1826. Notes about cases heard as Justice of the Peace, 1784-1795. HUM 69 Box 1, Folder 2, Harvard University Archives.

Middlesex [Se?]. Be it remembered, that on the Second day of July 1786, in the County aforesaid is brought before one James Winthrop [?], one of the Justices assigned to keep the peace in & for said County, by William Watson one of the constables of the town of Cambridge, by warrant issued by me the said Justice on this day 28th day of June last, Joseph Jefferds of Cambridge aforesaid in the County of aforesaid mariner, for that he the said Joseph did on the 26th day of June last, willfully & with force & arms, at Cambridge aforesaid, assault, beat, & grievously wound [Cato?] Bordman a negro man, resident in said Cambridge being in the peace of the Commonwealth which said assault, battery, & wounding

4. are against the peace of the said Commonwealth, & the dignity thereof, & against the form of the Law in that case made & provided. Wherefore I the said Justice demanding of the said Joseph Jefferds now present before me, whether he is guilty or not guilty of the charge contained in said warrant now read to him, to which he the said Joseph replies & pleads that he is not guilty. But after hearing & examining divers witnesses sworn to testify the whole truth relating to said charge, & fully hearing the defence of the said Joseph it appears to me the said Justice that the said Joseph is guilty as before charged. Wherefore

it is considered by me the said Justice, that the said Joseph Jeffords pay a fine to of five shillings to the use of the Commonwealth to be disposed of as the law directs, that he pay the cost of prosecution taxed at sixteen shillings & ten pence, & that he recognize for the peace & his good behavior until the next court of sessions to be held at Concord within & for said county of Middlesex, on the second Tuesday in September next, more particularly reflecting the complainant, said Joseph to recognize in the sum of Six Pounds, & two sureties in the sum of three Pounds each: But the And to stand committed till sentence be performed. But the said Cato prays that this recognizance…

6. may not be demanded, as he has received satisfaction for his private injury. That part of the sentence is therefore remitted.

James Winthrop Just. Peace

_________________________________ Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex. Be it remembered that on the twelfth day of November 1785, Joseph Jefferds of Cambridge in the said County mariner is brought before me, James Winthrop of Esq, one of the Justices asigned by said Commonwealth to keep the peace in & for said county, by William Watson, one of the constables of the town of Cambridge aforesaid, by virtue of a warrant isued by me the said Justice, against the said Joseph, for that on this said twelfth

day of November 1785, for that he the said Joseph did wilfully & by force & arms, on this said twelfth day of November, by firing a musket at Cambridge aforesaid, kill a cow of the value of six pounds being the goods & property of John Kidder of Cambridge aforesaid, tailor, against the peace & dignity of the said Commonwealth & the law in that case provided. Wherefore I the said Justice demand of the said Joseph Jefferds now present before me whether he is guilty or not guilty of the charge contained in said warrant now read to him, to which he the said Joseph replies & pleads that he is not guilty. But after hearing & examining divers witnesses sworn to testify the whole truth relating to said charge, & hearing