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Richard Hildreth was born about the year 1605, according to his age at the time of his death on February 23, 1692/3 VI21.
He was the father of Jane Hildreth, whose birth record has not been located and whose mother is uncertain. Jane Hildreth married Robert Procter on the last day of the 10th month, 1645, according to the records of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA47. Jane was said to have married Robert Proctor; a notation by Reverend Fiske dated the 28th day of the 2nd month, 1661 stated that Robert Proctor’s brother-in-law was John Hildreth FI10. Another notation made by Reverend Fiske on the 3rd day of the 7th month, 1673 referred to the disagreement between Richard Hildrich and “his son [Robert] Proctor” FI10. Jane and Robert Procter were the parents of three children whose births were recorded in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. These were Sarath, born on the 12th day of the 8th month, 1646, Gurshum, born on the 13th day of the 3rd month, 1648, and Mary, born on the 8th day of the 2nd month, 1650 MA26. Jane and Roberd (or Robertt) Proctor were the parents of five children whose births were recorded in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, probably in addition to two children whose birth records stated their parents were “Roberd and Sarah”, rather than Jane VI21. These seven children were Elizabeth, born on December 16, 1656 (or January 21), James, born on January 8, 1658, Lideah, born perhaps on February 19, 1660, John, born on August 17, 1663, Samuell, born on September 15, 1665, Israell, born on April 29, 1668, and Thomas, born on April 30, 1671 VI21. Robert Procter of Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts wrote his will on March 10, 1695/6 which named his wife, Jane, who he made his sole executor, and his children, Gershom Procter, Peter Procter, James Procter, John Procter, Samuell Procter, Israell Procter, Thomas Procter (who was away at sea), Dorothy Barrett, Elizabeth Procter, Sarah Chamberlin, Mary Bourne, and his brother, Jacob Warren, Sr. AM1.
James Hildreth was called Richard’s eldest son AM1 who was born about 1631 MI28. In an undated depostion at the Middlesex Court before Thomas Danforth regarding his father’s case against Samuell Eldrid which occurred in 1651, James Hildreth stated that he was twenty years old, indicating that he was born about 1631 MI28. James Heldereth married Marget Ward on June 1, 1659 at Dorchester, according to the records of Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21. James and Margret (or Margrit, Margarett, Margreatt, Margratt, or Margreat) Hilldereth (or Hildreth) were the parents of eight children whose births were recorded in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21. These were Margret, born on May 22, 1660, Sarah, born on February 22, 1661, James, born on April 9, 1664, twins Elisabeth and Mare, born on March 28, 1666, Thomas, born on August 12, 1668, Hanah, born on October 2, 1670, and Abigaill, born on October 3, 1672 VI21. They were also said to have been the parents of Dorothy, born about 1674, Richard, born about 1677, and Ephraim, born on June 9, 1680 DA21. Elisabeth Hilldereth, the daughter of James and Margret, died on June 27, 1666 VI21. Lieutenant James Hildreth died on April 14, 1695, according to the records of Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21.
Richard may have been the man named Richard Hildreth who married Sara Edwards on August 1, 1639 in Norton, Derbyshire, England PH4. “Rich: Hildrick” was admitted as a freeman of the Massachusetts Bay Colony on May 10, 1643 SH18. Sarah Hildreth, the wife of Richard, died on June 15, 1644, according to the records of Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. Richard Hildreth, Herbert Pelham, Esquire, Roger Shaw, Edward Oakes, and Thomas Beale were chosen as townsmen or selectmen for Cambridge, Middlesex County at a town meeting held on the 12th day of the 9th month, 1645 TH44. Richard was remarried by the year 1646 to Elizabeth, whose maiden surname may have been “Hinchman” TO1.
In a town meeting for Cambridge held on the 4th day of the 9th month, 1646, several men were listed as men who were fined for reasons generally concerning a “breach of the orders concerning oxen & hogs”, and Richard Hildreth and Thomas Danforth were ordered by the townsmen to gather up those fines for the present year TH44. The following day, Richard Hildreth was listed amongst the townsmen in an order to pay fifty shillings to Thomas Longhorne for his services “in beating ye Drum this two years laſt paſt” TH44. On the 8th day of the 3rd month, 1647, “Bro Hildreth” was appointed to ensure that the cow common “be kept Clear of any steeres or any dry Beaſts”; owners of those animals found in the cow common were to be fined three pence per animal TH44. He and three other men were mentioned in a town meeting held on the 9th day of the 2nd month, 1648 which offered them a farm at “Shawshine” if he would buy a house in the town TH44. He and Edward Winship were appointed by the townsmen of Cambridge on the 12th day of the 1st month, 1648/9 to attend to, maintain, or repair the fences of the “menottime” field; they were given that same task again on the 13th day of the 11th month, 1650 TH44. “Menottime” field was probably Menotomy Fields, which is now called Arlington.
He was appointed as a surveyor of the highways for Cambridge on the 11th day of the 9th month, 1650 and again on the 8th day of the 9th month, 1652 TH44. During a Cambridge town meeting held on the 10th day of the 1st month, 1650/51, the townsmen determined that Richard Hildreth’s farm located at Shawshine which was granted to him by the town should be two hundred acres and should adjoin to other farms which were already laid out TH44. Shawshine, which has also been spelled Shawshin or Shawsheen, is now called Billerica. On the 14th day of the 2nd month, 1651, the Cambridge townsmen ordered “Ric Hildreth”, Mr. Boman, Richard Hassull, and William Hamlet to “looke to the Cow com[m]on, that no cattle trespasse uppon the ſame to the damage of the Cow heard” TH44. In response to individuals cutting down trees in the town commons, the Cambridge townsmen enacted an order on the 13th day of the 12th month, 1653 which stated that “no man ſhall cutt of the boughes of any tree, nor fell any tree uppon the Com[m]on for fier wood (excepting only Such as are dead and fare); uppon penalty of fiue ſhillings forfeiture for eurie tree ſo felled… Richard Hildreth and Tho: ffox are desired to ſee this order executed, and are to haue the one fourth part of the fines for their Labour” TH44. He and Thomas Hall were appointed by the selectmen of Cambridge to view the fences around “Winottime ffeild” (probably Menotime field) on the 13th day of the 1st month, 1653 and he and Ensign Winship had that task assigned again on the 12th day of the 1st month, 1654/5 (in which he was referred to as Sergeant Hildreth) and on the 10th day of the 12th month, 1655 TH44.
Richard Hildreth was the plaintiff in a case against Samuell Eldrid in a Middlesex County Court which was held at Cambridge on the 7th day of the 8th month, 1651 PU7:
Richard Hildreth plant. agst Samll. Eldrid Defft. in an action of the case for trespasse done by his swine in his Indian corne, The Jury found for the plantiffe, forty five bushels marchantable Indian corne damage. one pound eighten shillings ten pence cost.
Richard Hildreth and William Hartwell were amongst the twenty-nine signers of a petition to the General Court for a grant of land which was six miles square sometime prior to May 19, 1653 WA41. The petition stated that they had done as the court had previously suggested and viewed the undisposed and unimproved land that was on the other side of Concord river WA41, AL8. They requested the court grant them six miles of upland and meadow which would begin at the Merimack River at a neck of land next to the Concord River WA41, AL8. This land grant became Chelmsford, Massachusetts. A transcription of this petition was provided by both Wilson Waters WA41 and Wilkes Allen AL8. A copy of Reverend Wilson Waters’ transcription has been provided WA41:
To the honourd John Endicot Esqr. Gouvnr: with the reste: of the honord Magistrats and deputies at the Generall Courte now at Boston Assembled: humbly Sheweth: That whereas we your humble petitioners: who made bould the last Court Assembled to present a petition: to the Vew of this honoured Courte which was eccepted and Granted to Vs: for which we giue the Courte hmbl thankes and beinge jncoraged by this Courte to Vew the Land that Lyeth yet Vndisposed of and Vnimprooued: on the other side Concord Riuer acordingly we haue by a Comity taken care and paynes to doe, with seuerall others: that by the prouidenc of god: are now joyned petitioners: with us: who Vpon our Vewinge the lands as abousaid doe find a tracke of land: which bordereth Vpon the Riuer Merimake: nere to paatooket, which we doe find: a Very Comfortable place to acomidate A company of gods people Vpon: that may with gods blessinge and Asistance Liue Comfortably Vpon: and doe good in or places for church and Comon wealth, which many of Vs your petitioners are throw our nesisitys for wante of acomidationes some neuer haueing any and some others: but Very Litle a Comidation soe yt we canot subsiste excepte we doo take some care to Looke out in away or god for our Comfortable Subsistance, and now we yr humble petitioners doe intreate this honoured Courte for our Comfortable Suply: would please to grante to Vs soe much land: as may be Comfortable for a plantatione: which we conceiue may there be Layed out to the quantity of six myles Square of Vpland and medow: which parcell of land: we doe intreate may be gin at merimacke Riuer at a necke of land nere to Concord riuer: and soe run Vp by Concord: riuer. South and west into the Contrie, to make Vp that sircomferenc or quantity of land as is aboue expresed: and for as much as many of yr petitioners are in greate nesesity haueinge no setled place to abide in and we all in Generall beinge desirous to proseed as one man together to cary on that worke the lord shall call Vs to and this honered Courte shall in ther cristian wisdom Directe Vs in Tharefore we humbly entreate this honord Courte to Gratifie yr humble petitioners with a speedy and expresed anser so shall you euer bind Vs to Serue you wherein you shall command
Your humble Seruantes,
Benjamin Butterfeilde Richard Griffin
John Parker James Blood
Isac Lerned: John Smedley
James Parker Roger Draper
George ffarley William ffletcher
Thomas Chamberlin Thomas Adams
Joseph Parker William Hartwell
John Sternes Robert Proctor
Jacob Parker William Butricke
Henery Foster Babtis Smedley
William Chamberlin Richard Hildreth
John Nutinge: Thomas Briggam
Edmonde Chamberlin Daniell Bloggett
John Baldinge John Hall
William Hall
The magists Desier theire bretheren the Deputs to Consider of this peticon @ retourne theire thoughts first about it 19 may (53).
Edward Rawson Sec
At a Middlesex County Court held at Cambridge on April 1, 1662, Richard Hildreth took the oath of the three commissioners for ending small causes in Chelmsford for the following year PU7. He petitioned the General Court for a land grant on the 24th day of the 3rd month, 1663, in which he stated that he was a husbandman with a “wife and many small children” and was “greatly disadvantaged, partly by ye hand of the Lord depriving mee some few years since of the use of my right hand, whereby I am wholly disabled to labor” RE27. At a General Court for Elections which was held at Boston on May 18, 1664, the court answered the petition of Richard Heildrich of Chelmsford which had requested that they “consider his necessitous condicon [condition] & grant him some lands”; the court granted him 150 acres of upland and meadow “where it may conveniently be found” SH21. On October 12, 1669, the court records indicated that the 150 acres of “wast land” which were granted to Richard Heildreth of Chelmsford were laid out by the surveyor, David Fiske, and were bounded “wth Concord lyne on the south east, Capt Daniel Gookins farme northerly, & the wildernes elsewhere surrounding” SH21.
Reverend John Fiske documented “the case or matter of controversy between Richard Hildrich and Robert Proctor concerning the bounding of the meadow between them” in his journal on the 27th day of the 5th month, 1673 FI10. Reverend Fiske seems to have believed that Richard unjustly accused Robert Proctor of “breach of promise or covenant” which he also believed was a sin which required Richard to answer to the church’s inquiries FI10. This issue was unresolved, and notations made on the 3rd day of the 7th month, 1673 and the 30th day of the 6th month, 1673 by Reverend Fiske state FI10:
Brother Hildrich… acknowledged his infirmity and the rashness of his act in being instrumental of hindering his son Proctor from the sacrament and that himself is a man of much weakness and that he hopes it shall be a warning to him for the future. But he looks at naught else that he is to speak to, though he hears of many things to be laid to his charge which he is not now fit to speak to and objected the offended brethren had not orderly dealt with him yet about these things.
So Richard Hildrich called upon to make his acknowledgement of his evil in the unjust charge of Robert Proctor as said used these expressions: he was sorry for it and desired to be humbled for it; hoped it would be a warning for him; and that it was no small trouble to him that he had troubled the church &c. Objection being made against the shortness and leanness of this confession and the former matters about the civil interest and the contest about it, being objected I dismissed the congregation and had the brethren to my house where after some agitation we brought it to this vote. That considering these matters as circumstanced we do rest in this acknowledgement and do leave the matter further to God and to our Brother Hildrich’s own conscience and himself to the liberty of communicating with us as of old until further light does appear.
Richard Hildreth was fined one shilling “for felling a green walnut tree upon the Rockes” at a Cambridge town meeting held on May 11, 1674 TH44. Richard Hildereth and his wife, Elizabeth, gave their houselot of twenty acres and several other parcels of land in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts to their son, Ephraim Hildereth, on February 9, 1686/7 MI29.
Richard Hildereth of Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts wrote his will on February 11, 1686/7 AM1. It mentioned his wife, Elisabeth, his eldest son, James, and named his “naturall son”, Ephraim Hildereth, as his executor AM1. On May 26, 1693, John Butterick, Sarah Stevens, and Ely Foster appeared before James Russell, Esquire, the judge of probate in Charlestown, and swore an oath that they were present and saw Richard Hildereth sign and seal his last will and testament AM1. Within the original will there is a portion of a word followed by a space which follows the word “astat” (estate) AM1. It appears that several words have been (probably unintentionally) rubbed away; remnants of parts of letters exist but they are indecipherable. An imperfectly transcribed copy of his will was made for the probate record volumes for Middlesex County which does contain the obscured or obliterated words, and the missing phrase was “Estate that Remaineth to be my own to dispose” MA64. A transcription of the original will, with the assistance of the previously transcribed copy, has been provided below AM1:
Know ye that I Richard Hildereth of the town of Chelmsford in ye county of midlesex in the Massachusets Coliny in New England being aged sick and weakly in body though sound in mind judgment and understanding taking into consideration my own mortality Doe herein make known my mind and will in the desposall of my self and the astat that ram [“Estate that Remaineth to be my own to dispose” MA64; see above for explanation]… First, I bequeath my ..cas [“precious” MA64] and immor tall Soul unto Christ that hath redeamed it and my body to the grave till christ shall raise it: and for my beloved wife Elisabeth I have obliged my naturall son Ephraime Hildereth for her maintainance in all respects so long as shee remaineth with him: and as for my Sons and Daughters Childran god hath given to me I have discharged my Duty in som measure in all respects so that they are disposed in mariage and I have been dooing for them all as I could but now my hand is as cut of becaus of inpotency and infirmyty I have been constrained to make use of what I hade for the relef of my self and my wife so that I have neither house nor Lands to bequeath to them but after my desease credetors being payed and debts discharged what so ever shall bee fond to be my astat I will that it be aqually davided to all my children that each one may have a token of their fathers Love after his death they or theirs and after my desease my Son Ephraim shall pay or caus to be payed to my Eldest Son James Hildreth out of his own astat the sume of twenty Shillings or one pound as a full fee and part or portion mor then [“than”] the rest of my children I have betrusted my Son Ephraim with the use of my astat whilst I live and after my death to Execut this my last w[ill] and Tastament In W[itness] her of I the said Richard Hildreth have set to my hand and Seale this Elaventh day of Fabarary in the year of our lord 1686/7 Signe and Sealed in presence of us as witnesas to this will
Peeter talbott
John Butterick
Sarah Steevens
Ely Fostare
Richard Hildreth died at age eighty-eight on February 23, 1692/3, according to the records of Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21. A gravestone which appears modern is located at the Forefathers Buryal Ground in Chelmsford; a photo can be viewed on the Find a Grave website. The inventory and valuation of his estate was conducted by Ephraim Hildereth, Samuell Foster, and Eliazar Brown on May 19, 1693 and included AM1:
one Cow at four pounds… one Cow at three pounds… one Calf at twelve shillings… one fether bed & one straw Bed at two pound & ten shillings… one fether boulster & two pillows at eight teen shiling… Two ould boulsters at four shilings… one ould pillow & three curtains at Four shiling… one Coat & one hatt twellve shilings… one payr of briches six shillings… Two peuter platers & one candel stick at ten shilings… one Iron morter & Iron pestel at six shilings… Two Cleavers & A flesh Hook at Nine Shillings… Two Leaden weights & seven trenchers two shilings… one Ax & two peas hooks five Shillings… one tramel four shillings… one churn at four shillings… one Iron gridiron at one shiling… one wicker baskitt one Shilling… one ould gun barrel at ten shillings… A wainscot chest at ten shillings… one Cubert & one Chest at ten shillings… one ould bedsted at two shillings… one Table chait [the preceding word is unclear] at four shillings… Three cheirs & Alittle form at Eight shillings… one dough trough & one ould chist at three shillings… Two trays & An ould payll Eightteen penc… one Jarr & Chees tungs at one shillings… four Books at five shillings… A dry Cask one shilling
Elizabeth was born about the year 1625; her maiden surname may have been “Hinchman” TO1. Elizabeth Hildreth, the wife of Richard, died at age sixty-eight on August 3, 1693, according to the records of Malden, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26.
Elisabeth Hildred, the daughter of Richard and Elisabeth, was born on September 21, 1646, according to the Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records MA26. Elisabeth Hilldereth married John Stephens on December 15, 1664, according to the Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records VI21. Elisabeth and John Stephens (or Stevens) were the parents of three children whose births were recorded in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21. These were Elisabeth, born on February 1, 1665, Mary, born perhaps in 1672, and Richard, born on September 26, 1674 VI21. Another child, Joseph, was born to John Stevens on March 24, 1679 VI21. Elizabeth Stevens, a widow, died on January 19, 1717/18, according to the records of Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21.
Sarah Hildereth, the daughter of Richard and Elisabeth, was born on August 8, 1648, according to the Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records MA26. Sarah Hildreth married David Stone on December 31, 1674, according to the Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records MA26. Sarah and David Stone were the parents of Sarah, born on March 6, 1676/7, and Elizabeth, born on February 6, 1678/9, according to the Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records MA26. David Stone died at age twenty-nine on August 21, 1679 MA26.
Mary Hilldereth married Jacob Warrin on June 21, 1667, according to the Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records VI21. Mary was said to have been the daughter of Richard and Elisabeth Hildreth who was born about 1650 and who relocated to Canterbury, Connecticut in about 1690 with her husband, Jacob Warren DA21. Mary and Jacob Warren were the parents of three children whose births were recorded in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21. These were Joseph, born on the 25th day of the 8th month, 1670, Jacob, baptized on the 8th day of the 12th month, 1673, and Elisabeth, born on March 3, 1674 VI21. Efraime Warren was called the son of Jacob; he was born on the 24th day of the 4th month, 1680 VI21. Sarah Warin may have been their daughter; she was born on March 3, 1689 to Jacob and Marah Warin VI21. Mary Warren died as a widow on December 17, 1730, according to the records of Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21.
Ephraim Hildreth was called the natural son of Richard in his will, dated February 11, 1686 AM1.
Joseph Hildreth, the son of Richard and Elisabeth, was born on April 16, 1658, according to the Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records VI21. Joseph Hildreth married Abigaill Willson at Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts on the 25th day of the 12th month, 1683, according to the Chelmsford records VI21. Joseph and Abigaill (or Abigall, Abegale, Abigal, or Abbigall) Hildreth (or Heldreth) were the parents of ten children whose births were recorded in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21. These were Hannah, born on January 19, 1684, twins Joseph and Richard, born on May 18, 1686, Abigail, born on March 8, 1687/8, Abigall, born on October 20, 1691, Elisabeth, born on October 14, 1693/4, Joseph, born on November 30, 1695, John, born on June 9, 1698, Ephraim, born on August 25, 1700, and Elesibeth, born on July 29, 1703 VI21. Elizabeth Hilldreath, the daughter of Joseph and Abigail, died at age fourteen on September 4, 1716, according to the records of Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21. Joseph Heldreth died on January 28, 1706, according to the Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records VI21.
Persis Hildereth, the daughter of Richard and Elisabeth, was born on February 8, 1659, according to the Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records VI21. Perses Hildreth, the daughter of Richard Hildreth, married married Samuell Cleveland on May 23, 1682, according to the Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records VI21. Persis (or Pearsis) and Samuell (or Samuel or Semeuell) Cleveland (or Cleaveland or Clevland) were the parents of four children whose births were recorded in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21. These were Persis Clevland, born on April 21, 1683, Samuell Cleveland, born on January 12, 1684, Ephraim Cleveland, born on April 10, 1687, and Josiph Cleaveland, born on July 18, 1689/90 VI21. Samuel Cleveland were the parents of Mary, born on June 14, 1696 in Canterbury, Windham County, Connecticut WH12. Percis Cleveland, the wife of Samuel, died on February 22, 1698 in Canterbury, Windham County, Connecticut WH12.
Thomas Hilldereth, the son of Richard and Elisabeth, was born on February 1, 1661, according to the Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records VI21. Thomas Hilldereth, the son of Richard and Elisabeth, died on May 28, 1662, according to the records of Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21.
Isake Hilldereth, the son of Richard and Elisabeth, was born on July 20, 1661 or 1663, according to the Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records VI21. Isack Hildreth married Elisabeth Willson of Woburn on July 24 or November 12, 1685, according to the Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records VI21. Isaac and Elizabeth Heldereth were the parents of Elizabeth, born on June 14, 1687, according to the records of Stow, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. They were also said to have been the parents of Persis, born in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts in 1691 DA21. They were the parents of two children whose births were recorded in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; Isack and Elesabath Heldreth were the parents of Isack, born on August 1, 1698, and Isaac and Elesibeth Hildreth were the parents of Sarah, born on November 21, 1700 VI21. Isaac Hildreth, Sr. died on April 15, 1730, according to the records of Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21.
Abigaill Hildreth, the daughter of Richard Hildreth, married Moses Parker on June 19, 1684, according to the Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts records VI21. Abigail and Moses (or Mosis) Parker were the parents of seven children whose births were recorded in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts VI21. In the birth records of her children, Abigail’s name was recorded as Abigaill, Abigail, Abigall, Abigell, and Abegall VI21. Their children were Abigaile, born on May 8, 1685, Moses, born on November 24, 1686, Arone, born on April 9, 1689, Elisabeth, born on December 26, 1691, Josip, born on March 25, 1693/4, Benjamin, born on April 14, 1696, and Mary, born on September 6, 1698 VI21. Moses Parker, Jr. may have died during a lightning strike; his death record stated that he was “kild wt thunder” on July 28, 1702 VI21. Moses Parker died on October 12, 1732 VI21.
Both Elizabeth and Richard Hildreth testified at a County Court held at Cambridge, Massachusetts on the 3rd day of the 8th month, 1654 in a case in which Richard French whipped and sexually assaulted Elizabeth’s maid, Jane Evens PU7. Richard French was bound over to the Middlesex County Court to to answer for his “uncivill Cariadge and abuse offered to the body of Jane Evens” PU7:
Elizabeth the wife of Richard Hildreth testified upon oath that her mayd Jane Evens, when shee came in to her house complained of Richard ffrench, saying he hath p[ro]ved himselfe a dishonest man, I feare I shalbe the worse for him while I live, and was not willing to speake in what respect, but sayd it might be seene what he had done, and tho shee was very unwilling, yet being there was no body within. this Deponent was resolved to see, & shee saw the lashes very faire on her breech. & this Deponent asked her where Richrd ffrench was, & shee tould this Deponent that He left her in the woodes, and Martha the wife of Willm Russell testifieth upon oath to the same, also the maid, & further attesteth upon oath, that it was in the woodes as shee was comeing downe behind him on horsebacke & he caried her out of the path to a desolate place, & that he told her that if shee would take up her coates her selfe shee should have the lesse, otherwise he would fetch bloud, & further saith that he did turne her upon her backe & discover her secret parts. & kneeled on her side to keep her downe w[hile] shee lay on her backe, & further that shee is affrayd to go out least this ffrench should kill her, & that since that time shee hath bin troubled with very sad fitts, like unto the ffalling sicknes, & Goode Hildreth sayth when she is quite senceles [senseless] in her fits then she cries out of this ffrench, & sayth oh this ffrench will kill me.
Richard ffrench confesseth that his wife & he whipt her the Day before in the Cellar.
Jno. Goble testifieth that one evening being at a house hard by [probably meaning adjacent or next to] Richard ffrenches house, the sd Richrd being from Home the said Jane Evenes did shrike [shriek] & came running to the dore, & he saw Goode ffrench strike her 3. or 4: strokes on the shoulder wth a hogs yoake & the wench went about to hould the yoake.
Richard Hildreth sayth he nevr tooke the sd Jane Evens in a ly since shee came to his house [this seems to state that Richard Hildreth never heard Jane Evens tell a lie].
Richard ffrench being converted to this Court & legally convicted of shamefull abuse offered to the body of Jane Evens is fined by this Court, to the County three pounds, to Jane Evens 40s. & to pay Richard Hildreth costs 6s. & to stand bound to his good behavior untill the next County Court…