Papers of George Godfrey, 1739-1792

The bulk of this collection consists of brief records of civil actions heard by George Godfrey as a justice of the peace for Bristol County, Massachusetts. With only a few interruptions, these records run from February 1754 through the early 1780s. The other documents include several small volumes and loose pages of household accounts, as well as a handful of pages of court records and marriages heard by George Godfrey and his father, John Godfrey.

Docket book, 1774-1800

Contains list of names of parties in legal disputes arranged chronologically. Little information is given about the nature of disputes.

Notes on cases in Barnstable County, 1791

Pamphlet containing notes on various cases, including a case "for not delivering goods put on board the defendant's vessel" and another "for concealing a pregnancy."

Testimony, 1733

Young's testimony regarding an altercation he witnessed between Israel Chittenden, Benjamin House, John Hyland, and John Lindsey in or near the town of Scituate in September 1732. Heard before justice of the peace John Cushing in September 1732, and before John Winslow in Plymouth County Court of Assize, April 28, 1733. Signed by both.

Notes on cases in Plymouth, Barnstable and Duke Counties, 1785

Includes notes on cases of property law, and assault and battery.

Book of record for actions under $4.00. 1790-1799

Contains a record of cases which came before Egleston in his capacity as a justice of the peace for Berkshire County. The court was held in his home at Lenox.

Judge's notes on cases heard in Lincoln County (Maine), 1788-1789?

Includes notes and summaries of witnesses' testimony on cases involving contracts and land disputes. One pamphlet bears note "Lincolns. July 7th 1789. Pownalboro. Supreme Court." Pownalborough Court House is in Dresden, Maine, which succeded from Pownalborough. In 1804, the town Pownalborough was renamed Wiscasset.

[ Order to the sheriff of Bucks County], 1731

An order to the sheriff of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, for twelve men to serve on a jury in the trial of John Borrowes, for an unspecified crime. Signed: Jeremiah Langhorne (justice of the peace); dated 14 June 1731. With seal. With this document (originally attached) is the list of jurors chosen to serve at the trial.

Letter to John Worthington: 13 August 1791

Letter to Worhtington, a Springfield, Massachusetts lawyer, regarding tax on a meeting house near Pittsfield, Massachusetts and public support for ministers.

Notes on cases in Great Barrington, 1783

Athead of first page "Great Barrington Oct. term 1783". Notes on various cases, including cases of trespass, assault and battery, debt, and attempt to prevent the service of a warrant.

The testimony of Seth Parsons, 1703

Title from verso.

The examination of John Owen late of New Jersey brought before me Jeremiah Langhorne ..., 1725

Title from first line of text.

Summons, 1763

Summons for Mahlon Kirkbride to appear before the justices of the peace of Bucks County on 13 December 1763, to testify against William McIlvaine, indicted for an unspecified crime. Signed: Lawr[ence] Growdon.

[ Bond of Edward Williams and John Black], 1764

Williams was accused of assault and battery against John Black. Bond signed by Joseph Hartz, (justice of the peace for Bucks County, Pennsylvania); dated 30 October 1764.

[ Complaint against John Praul, et al. for trespass.], 1787

Praul and seven others were accused of trespassing on the land of Daniel Larrew.