Note 470 — Chapter XII · OBLIGATORY CIVIL MARRIAGE IN THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES
Reading edition
The selectmen of "Billerica" thus "strove to free themselves of all blame":
"To the Honrd Court....
"Whereas Aaron Jaquese, a single prson liuing in our towne, who hath for sometime liued from vnder family gouernment contrary to Court Order, being su[=m]uned by ye Constable to appear before this Honored Court: These are to enforme ... that ... Aaron Jaquese hath bin much complained of by seuerall of our inhabitants, for negligence in his calling, hauing obserued him much giuen to idleness; also shifting from house to house, & vnfaithfull to his Couenants & promises with such prsons, with whom he has engaged service, vpon which Complaints the selectmen haue endeauered acording to law, to place him foorth in service, but ca[=n]ot effect it. Our Humble request to this Hon'd Court is, that they would please to despose of ... Aaron to service, or otherwise to order something concering the same as may be effectuall to render him to a more regular Course of life, as ye wisdome of this Court shall judg best. So shall we pray &c.
Your humble seruants."
The MSS. Files of the County Court for Middlesex, April, 1669, also contain a certificate of the selectmen of Charlestown to the effect that John Swain had given satisfaction for orderly behavior.