... When J came againe [to Boston] with other ffreinds, the Kings Comissionʳˢ being in the Towne, they tooke away my horse J rodd on to cary away the Kings Comissionʳˢ on forth of the Towne, into the Country, soe J was necessitated to goe three score Miles through the woods a foote among the wild beasts with a woman freind that was bigg with Child, who was to goe to Barbadoes soe for want of my horse was our Lives hazarded and coming back againe myselfe through the woods, and yᵉ snow pretty deep, a Company of woalves had gon before mee and made a path J having noe Company with mee. Soe gott J back againe to Boston, and after seaven dayes the Comissionʳˢ sent mee my horse, and told them it was a quakers horse, saying J know noe Evill by them, and rid not back on the horse, had not the Comissionʳˢ been in the Towne, the Magistrates of Boston purposed to have put me to death and never to have restored my horse againe....
There is another letter to the Lord Chamberlain again recounting her services to the King’s Commissioners and on the strength of those services pleading for justice to herself. The letter is endorsed:[87]
This was deliuered to the Lord Chamberlaine by my selfe upon the 21ᵗʰ day of the 4ᵗʰ month 1667.
It is especially interesting on account of the following certificate which is attached to it and was delivered with it:
These are humbly to certifie that this woman Elizabeth Hooton was very serviceable to his Majestyes Com̄issioners in new England
Giuen vnder my hand the 6ˣᵗ Decembʳ 1666.
George Cartwright.
Whilst E. Hooton was in New England some controversy arose respecting Samuel Shattuck, the King’s messenger to the authorities of Boston, the echoes of which may be heard in letters of the period. In March, 1664/5, Shattuck is addressed by Ann Richardson[88] in no measured terms[89]; and at the same time she reports the case to George Fox:[90]
... deare Jane Nicholson[91] a trew harted freind with me was at Salem & deare Elesebeth Hooton who truly gaue her testimony for yᵉ truth & against the deceit which was there gotten vp.... They reported that I was there greatest troubler And writ papers to them & made E H set her hand to it which was false for I writ for her when it lay on her & could frely own what I writ for her.