Punishment for Will

June 1673

Whereas Will a Runaway Negroe Suspected to have Lett out of Prison a Negroe Condemned the last Court and Confesseth that he did See the Negroe breake Loose out of irons and did Attempt to breake out of the fore Doore of the Prison and that he see a Negroe Breake Open the back doore and Lett the said Negroe out of Prison and further that he hath beene Twice in the Condemned Negroes Company. It is therefore orderd by this Court that the said Negroe be Comitted to the Comon Prison of James Citty till further order & if the sherriffe thinke fitt to take the said Negroe Will along wth him for the better Discovery for finding the said Condemned Negroe, but the sherriffe to keepe him in prison till further order It is orderd that Will a Negroe Slave to Mr Robt Bryan of Gloster County who the 9th of June Last was Comitted to the sherriffs Custody as A Runaway Rogue and one that Confessed to have Seene the Late Condemned Negroe breake his Irons and Prison and that after he See breaking Prison to have bene Severall times in the said Condemned Negroes Company it is therefore ordrd he Discharge his prison and have to morrow morning A Good and well laid on whipping, and putt into the Constables hands of James Citty who is to Convey him to the Next Constable and Soe from Constable to Constable till he be Delivred to his said master Mr Bryan, And it is further orderd that the said Bryan pay unto ffra: Kirkman high Sherriff of this County One Thousand pound of tobacco and Caske for Charges & fees als ex.