Punishment for Runaway Servants
Whereas Hugh Gwyn
hath by order from this Board Brought back from Maryland three servants
formerly run away from the said Gwyn, the court doth therefore order that the
said three servants shall receive the punishment of whipping and to have thirty
stripes apiece one called Victor, a dutchman, the other a Scotchman called
James Gregory, shall first serve out their times with their master according to
their Indentures, and one whole year apiece after the time of their service is
Expired. By their said Indentures in recompense of his Loss sustained by their
absence and after that service to their said master is Expired to serve the
colony for three whole years apiece, and that the third being a negro named
John Punch shall serve his said master or his assigns for the time of his
natural Life here or elsewhere.