(From PANB records RS148A1/1 - Charlotte County Council Records (Minute Book 1785-1815, page 53))
53 April 1791 General Sessions
Sundry Bills and presentments found by the Grand Jury –
To wit –
Dominus Rex
Indictment for petit Larceny
vs
William Wirmull
Witness
for the Crown Jona. Robinson
True
Bill
Dominus Rex
Indictment Petit Larceny
vs
Saml Chaney
Witness for the Crown John Robinson
True
Bill
Dominus Rex
Recognozanze
(sic)
vs
Saml Chaney
Moses
Gerrish & Waldo Dickie Sureties
True
Bill
Lewdness. Several persons presented for County of Charlotte.
The Jurors of our Sovereign Lord the King upon their oaths and
affirmations present. That for some time past divers
persons have been and still continue to be in the practice of
Committing Fornication with Lewd & Infamous Women kept by
them for that purpose, within the said County, Whereby bad
example is held up to the Community in general, and the peace of
His Majesty’s good subjects greatly disturbed, as well by
occasion of said unlawful practice as from an apprehension of
being burdened with the support and maintenance of the children
thereby produced –
Wherefore the Jurors aforesaid, to prevent the Evil Consequences
which may probably ensue unless the offenders are brought to
condign punishment – Present Firstly – That Peter
Clinch now or late of the said County Esquire at Saint George in
the said County hath lived and still lives in the Habits of
Lewdness and Fornication with one Lucretia Handy, who since her
being Kept by him and has been Delivered of two Bastard Children
– Secondly that James McNabb now or late of the said County
Gentleman, at Saint Georges aforesaid has lived and still lives
in the Habits of Lewdness & Fornication with one Catherine
Scully who since her being kept by him has been delivered of two
Bastard Children. Thirdly Donald McDougall now or late of
the said County Gentleman at Saint Georges aforesaid has lived
and now lives in habits of Lewdness and Fornication with one
Elizabeth Maloney, who since her being kept by him has been
delivered of one Bastard Child. Fourthly: That Alexander
McTavish now or late of said County, yeoman, at St.
Patrick’s in the said County has lived and still lives in
habits of Lewdness & Fornication with one Elizabeth Sinclair,
who since her being kept by him has been delivered of one Bastard
child. And Fifthly, That Andrew Martin now or late of the
said County Innholder at Saint Andrews in the said County has
lived and still lives in habits of Lewdness and Fornication with
one Charity Tibbits, who since her being kept by him has been
delivered of one Bastard Child. Also Sixthly – Thomas
McIntosh, now or late of the said County, Shoemaker, at St
Andrews in the said County has lived and still lives in the
habits of Lewdness and Adultery with one Mary Bowling, since her
being kept by him has been delivered one Bastard Child.
Evidence in behalf of the King –
Justice
Seely
against
Peter
Clinch
of
Penfield
James
McNabb
Donald
McDougall