Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
Timo. Fales of Taunton Esqr. makes Compt. that on Tuesday night Last past he had his Stable broke open and a large bay mair Stolen and that he Greatly Suspects one John Ingham1a Vagrant fellow to have Committed Said fact. Prays your worship to Grant him a warrt. of Search for the Said mare and for apprehending sd. John. And your Compt. as in Duty bound &c.
John Ingham, a clothier from Solesbury, Bucks Co., Penna., had settled in Taunton the previous year. He wrote on "speculative theology," heretical doctrines which his father used as proofs of a disordered mind to have him confined to an asylum (William Armstrong Ingham, Samuel Delucenna Ingham [n.p., 1910], 3–4).
Bristol Ss: The Examination of John Ingham Clothier late of Pensylvania held before me Robert Treat Paine Esq. one of his Majestys Justices of the Peace for the County of Bristol1on the seventh day of June AD 1765.
Q: Did you steal the mare of Timo. Fales Esqr. or not?
A: I look'd upon it I was not guilty of the Crime of Theft.
Q: Did you take the mare you are charg'd with Stealing out of Mr. Fales Stable.
A: Yes, I won't deny facts.
Q: Did any Body give you leave to take her.
A: I had no express leave for I ask'd none. I took Mr. Fales at his Word who sd. he would not have any thing to do with me.
Q: What pretence had you for taking the mare.
A: I looked upon it I had a plea of damage agt. Mr. Robt. Crosman for false Imprisonment, & being inform'd that Mr. Fales was the proper person to grant a Writ I went to Mr. Fales for a Writ, who sd. he would have nothing to do with me, & so I took the mare as my right.
Q: Where was you born.
343A: In Pennsylvania Government the town of Solebury in Bucks County where I was settled.
Q: Have you a Father living there & what is his name & Business.
Ans: Yes: Jonathan Ingham Esqr. Clother.2
Adjudged to find Surety Recognize to stealing forty pounds Principal Suretys 20£ each to Timo. Fales Esqr. three times the price of the mare being 16£ or forty eight pounds surety 24 each.
Mr. Jacob Gould, gentleman Recognizd. 10£ to appear next session in August.
RTP had been appointed a justice of the peace for Bristol County on Sept. 7, 1763 (Whitmore, Mass. Civil List, 144).
Jonathan Ingham, of Bucks Co., Penna., was a clothier by trade and served as a justice of the peace and was a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly (Ingham, Samuel Delucenna Ingham, 3).