It is ordered that the Secretary, at the request of all such as are admitted to the freedome of this Colony or any in their behalf, give a true copy out of this Courts Records, of their names, by them to be delivered to the clerks or recorders of those Courts in the severall Counties to which they do belong, with a copy of the Oath of Freemen as it is now stated, that they may there take their Oathes &c. [1666.]
At the General Court of 15 October, 1673:
As an addition to the Law, title Freemen, section the third, it is ordered by this Court and the authority thereof that henceforth the names of such as desire to be admitted to the freedome of this Com̄on-wealth, not being members of churches in full comunion, shall be entred wth the secretary, from tjme to tjme, at the Court of election, and read ouer before the whole Court sometime that sessions and shall not be put to vote in the Court till the Court of election next followg. [1673.]
This order of Court was repealed 9 February 1682/3.
Att a Generall Court, held at Boston, 10th of October, 1677.
Whereas many secret attempts haue binn lately made by euil minded persons to set fire in the toune of Boston and other places, tending to the destruction of the whole, this Court doeth account it their duty to vse all lawfull meanes to discouer such persons and prevent the like for time to come.
Bee it therefore ordered & enacted by this Court and the Authority thereof, That the Law, title Oathes and Subscriptions, page 120 sect. 2., requiring all persons, as well inhabitants as strangers, (that have not taken it) to take the Oath of Fidelity to the Country, be revived and put in practice through this Jurisdiction. And for the more effectual execution thereof, It is ordered by this Court; That the select men, Constables, and Tithing-men, in every town do, once every quarter of a year so proportion and divide the precincts of each town, and go from house to house, and take an exact list of the Names, quality and callings of every person, whether Inhabitant or Stranger, that have not taken the said Oath, and cannot make due proof thereof; and the Officers aforesaid are hereby required forthwith to return the names of such persons unto the next magistrate, or County Court, or chief military officer in the town where no Magistrate is, who are required to give such persons the said Oath prescribed in the Law, wherein not only Fidelity to the Country, but Allegiance to our King, is required; And all such as take the said oath shall be Recorded and Enrolled in the County Records by the clerk of each County Court. And all such as refuse to take the said Oath, they shall be proceeded against as the said Law directs. And further, this Court doth Declare; That all such refusers to take the said Oath shall not have the benefit of our Laws to Implead, Sue, or recover any Debt in any Court or Courts within this Jurisdiction, nor have protection from this Government whilest they continue in such obstinate refusal.
And furthermore, It is Ordered; That if any Officer intrusted with the Execution of this Order, do, neglect, or omit his or their duty therein, they shall be fined according to their demerits, not exceeding five pounds for one offence, being complained of, or presented to the County Courts or Court of Assistants, And this Law to be forthwith Printed and Published, and effectually executed from and after the last of November next. And that all persons that administer the Oath abovesaid, shall in like manner make return of the Names of such persons so sworn to the respective Clerks of the County Courts. Made October 10, 1677.