Description:

APOLOGETIC COLONIAL ADDRESSES THE COURT
Fine content A..D.S. of one 'William Lad', 1p. 10 x 12 in., Bristol, Ma., April, 1697. Lad pleas for understanding from the court, apparently after having had carnal knowledge with a local 'damsel'. He writes (not corrected): '...I Cannot Well come to this Court by Reason of sickness & a fall I lately had of my horse...I am an Elitorate man & if I have broke any law I am sorry for it & I did it through Ignnorance...I have heard that ye Laws of this Province are grounded upon ye Laws of god which is as I am informed that if any such fact be comited ye monney is due to ye father of ye damsel...by ye Laws of England ye penalty is ten shillings or to stand in ye Church with a white sheet about them three sabath days & they must be prosecuted within ye year & day after ye fact...' He then seems to further obfuscate his tale of woe by hinting that people may have confused his wife for the victim! He signed with his mark at bottom. Loss at three blank corners and a few letters of text at right, else very good.

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April 2, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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