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1731 Ads Arrest For "night Walking" In Connecticut Colony For Sale
1 pg. autograph document signed, July 19, 1731, Killingworth, Ct. [now Clinton, Ct.] by John Shethar (1685-1751) as constable of Killingworth. The document is a contemporaneous (i.e., made the same time) true copy of the original signed by Abraham Pierson (1680-1752) son of Abraham Pierson the younger (1641-1707) the founder of what became Yale University, ordering the constables of Killingworth (one of whom was Shether) to arrest Benjamin and David Wright for tearing down James Wright's fence (pigs invaded his Indian corn) and also for violating a law enacted to prevent "unseasonable night walking." [Certain colonies, like Connecticut, had a statute against "unseasonable night walking." Basically, if any person was under the guardianship of another (i.e., parent, master, etc.) and were out after 9 p.m. (hence the term unseasonable) without the consent of their guardian, and they committed any disorder, then they would be fined unless they could prove they were not out- hence the burden of proof was on the accused]. The document provides, in part: " To either of the Constables of Killingworth in N(ew) London County greeting whereas complain hath been made unto the subscriber one of his Majesties justices of the peace for the County of New London by James Wright of Saybrook in the County aforesaid that he hath had a certain parcel of fence thrown down some time in the night next after July [17th] which fence was a part of the fence which enclosed the said Wright's farm commonly called the hundred and twenty acres and was two lengths of rail fence thereof which stood against a field of Indian Corn thrown down to the ground and let into it a parcel of swine into said corn field which the complainant saith is contrary to the form and effect of one Law of this Government... in addition to the law Instituted [is also] an Act to prevent unseasonable night walking (page 166/7) and... damages [to] the Complainant [being] five shillings and that he vehemently suspects Benjamin Wright and David Wright, son of said Benjamin Wright, both of said Killingworth to be guilty of the aforesaid damages & Insolency-- these are therefore In his Majesties name to require you ... upon sight ... to arrest the bodies of the said Benj. and David Wright if they may be found in your precincts and bring them before me at my dwelling house in Killingworth to answer the aforesaid complaint... Sufficient Bond of prosecution being given according to law.... Abrah(am) Pierson, Justice of Pace. A true copy Test John Shethar Constable of Kill__"
John Shethar was the grandson of John Shethar, one of the first settlers in Killingworth, CT. when it was ordered to be settled by the General Court in 1663. He was a constable in Killingworth as early as 1728. In May of 1731 he was commissioned by the General Assembly at Hartford an Ensign of the first company or trainband in the town of Killingworth (this is an early militia unit). At this time, constables were generally the most respected persons in the town and the Governor's advisors for the town.
The Wrights were early settlers in Connecticut, the founder of the family, Benjamin Wright, settling in Guilford, CT in 1639. To be frank, the Wright's were very "independent" minded, especially to the crown, the law, and to each other. While in Guilford, Benjamin the founder was once arraigned before the Guilford authorities for being a "pestilent fellow." For over a century court documents attest that the Wright descendants squabbled with others and each other. Apparently, they sometimes resorted to physical violence to make their point. The Benjamin Wright referenced here was probably Benjamin Wright (1670-1751) the son of James Wright (1643-1719) and a cousin of the James Wright who filed this complaint. Benjamin's son, David Wright (1716-61) also named in this complaint, died of small pox. Among Benjamin and David's descendents is William Wright, Governor of New Jersey and US Senator. The James who brought this complaint was a cousin and is sometimes referred to as James Wright of Saybrook. Benjamin and James had running battles over disputed land. In 1730, the year before this document, Benjamin had written the town clerk at Killingworth stating that James (the complainant here) had sold 20 acres of land that belonged to him (Benjamin) to an unrelated person and he cautioned the clerk not to record the sale. Perhaps this complaint was retaliation for this early land challenge.
Abraham Pierson, who signed the original of this document upon which this true copy was taken (and he may have also written this true copy) was a colonial magistrate in Connecticut "of great learning and usefulness, and a pillar in the church and state." His father, Reverend Abraham Pierson (1646–1707) pastor the Congregational Church in Killingworth, led a group of Connecticut ministers who founded the Collegiate School in October 1701. The first classes were actually taught in Pierson's parsonage (home). Pierson was named one of the 10 original trustees, and in 1701 he was elected the first rector. The School was subsequently moved to New Haven and renamed Yale College in 1718 after a primary benefactor, Elihu Yale. Today Pierson is remembered as the first President of Yale College, and his statue is on the grounds of Yale.
Some faults and middle folds, old archival tape on reverse which makes the middle compressed, o/w very good condition. Buyer pays $2.25 shipping.
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1731 Ads Arrest For "night Walking" In Connecticut Colony: $23
