EARLY PUNISHMENTS IN MASSACHUSETTS.
From the early records of Massachusetts we learn that the following singular punishments were inflicted in that colony two hundred years ago:—
Sir Richard Salstonstall, fined four bushels of malt for his absence from the court.
Josias Plaistowe, for stealing four baskets of corn from the Indians, to return them eight baskets again, to be fined £5, and hereafter to be called Josias, not Mr. as he used to be.
Thomas Peter, for suspicions of slander, idleness, and stubbornness, is to be severely whipped and kept in hold.
Capt. Stone, for abusing Mr. Ludlow by calling him justass, fined £100, and prohibited coming within the patent.
Joyce Dradwick to give unto Alexander Becks 20s., for promising him marriage without her friends’ consent, and now refusing to perform the same.
Richard Turner, for being notoriously drunk, fined £2.
Edward Palmer, for his extortion in taking 32s. 7d. for the plank and work of Boston stocks, fined £5, and sentenced to sit one hour in the stocks.
John White bound in £10 to good behavior, and not come into the company of his neighbor Thomas Bell’s wife alone.