Description:

CT. Colonial Teen Pleads for Pardon for "Swearing, Cursing, & especially assaulting"

Abiel Pettis filed this confession and plea for pardon with the court in Lebanon, Connecticut. He apologized for his behavior, promised to be "a good Member of Society" thenceforward, and pleaded for a pardon from the court.

[LAW.] Abiel Pettis, Manuscript Document Signed, Petition for Pardon, January 17, 1770, Lebanon, Connecticut. 1 p., 7.75" x 7.375". Expected folds; general toning; very good.

Complete Transcript
I Abial Pettis of Norwich do humbly offer to this honble Court, my sincere Confession of the Crimes laid against in the Grand Juror's Information now lying before sd Court, and do acknowlege that I was highly guilty in the Sight of God & Man, by my outrageous& vile Behaviour in Swearing, Cursing, & especially, assaulting sundry of his Majesty's good Subjects, at ye House of Capt Barnes as set forth in sd Complaint, with sharp & drawn Weapons, thereby breaking the Peace of God & ye King & abusing my Fellow Creatures, as well as violating ye Duties I owed myself: Sensible of my Sin & Wickedness therein I humbly beg Pardon of God & Man & particularly crave the Mercy of this Honble Court especially as this was ye first I was ever guilty of such Crimes; & promise that for the Rest of my Life I will endeavour to demean myself in all things as becomes a good Member of Society; & do freely Subscribe this Confession that it may remain as a Testimony against me if I am ever hereafter guilty of the like Crimes.
Abiel Pettis
Lebanon 17th Janry 1770

Abiel Pettis (1751-1818) was born in Norwich, Connecticut. During the Revolutionary War, he served as a private in Jedidiah Huntington's Regiment in 1776, which became the 17th Continental Regiment. He married Eunice Allen (1759-1843) around 1779, and they had thirteen children between 1780 and 1798.

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