Description:

Colonial Massachusetts
Bristol County, MA, ca. 1717/1779
Colonial-Era Legal Documents Charging "Fornication" a Crime in 18th Century Massachusetts
Archive

A group of three documents relating to charges of fornication in Colonial Massachusetts:

1.) Manuscript Document Signed, "EBrenton," as clerk, 1p, on watermarked laid paper measuring 6" x 8.25", Dartmouth, July 15, 1717. Mostly intact red wax seal at top left. Docketing at verso. Flattened folds and creases. Minor toning. In near fine condition.

The warrant reads, in part: "To ye Sherriff of ye County of Bristol, his under Sherriff or Deputy or either of ye Constables of Dartmouth...Whereas Ebenezer Tabor and Abigail His wife stand presented (upon file) for Committing fornication, these are therefore in his Majesties name so will & require you or either of you to Summon ye said Ebenezer Tabor and Abigail His wife that they appear at an adjournment of ye Court...to answer unto said Presentment..."

2.) Manuscript Document Signed by Samuel Tobey as justice of the peace, 1p, on watermarked laid paper measuring 7.75" x 5.5", Bristol, November 10, 1779. Docketing at verso shows through to recto. Flattened folds and creases with very minor loss and separation, some of which appears to have been repaired. Ink ghosting. Toning and scattered light foxing. In very good condition.

This "Voluntary Examination of Sarah Read of Freetown" is a list of four questions and answers taken on oath before Samuel Tobey. In part: "1st Quest. are you with Child by fornication, answ. yes...2d Quest. who begot you with Child, answ. James Barnaba of Freetown a miner and aprintice to James Winslow of said Freetown...3d Quest. when did he begit you with Child, answ. sum time in the month of April Last...4th Quest. where were you when he begat you with Child, answ. at Freetown..."

3.) Partially Printed Document Signed by Samuel Tobey as justice of the peace, 1p, on watermarked laid paper measuring 7.5" x 5.25", Bristol, November 10, 1779. Docketing at verso. Faintly rusted paper clip stain at top left. Flattened folds and creases with tiny loss at fold intersection. Light toning. In very good plus condition.

Memorandum recording that Sarah Read and her father, Benjamin Read, are each fine 100 pounds for "things as shall then be aledged against her but more especially for that of fornication..." Interestingly, the printed text "in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Kind, defender of the faith" is heavily crossed out and replaced simply with "AD" before the year.

In the 1700s, fornication was considered a crime in many colonial and early American states, with punishments often including fines, whippings, or even public shaming. Fornication laws were often connected to the institution of marriage, with premarital sex seen as a violation of societal norms and a threat to the family unit. However, there were significant shifts in how these laws were enforced, particularly regarding men's culpability. During the 18th century, white women became the main targets of fornication charges in the Massachusetts judicial system.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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