June 7, 1765

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.

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A: 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.

Capt. JAMES WHITE ISAAC TIRELL LUKE LAMBERT

FC ; endorsed: "Inghams Examination &c."

1.

RTP had been appointed a justice of the peace for Bristol County on Sept. 7, 1763 (Whitmore, Mass. Civil List, 144).

2.

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).

Taunton June 12. 1765 Sr.,

I am informed you1are acquainted with the father of person to whom the inclos'd is directed. I mean to write to the Father of a young man named John Ingham who saith he was the Author of a little book intitled the little Book opned &c.,2 & I think printed by yr. self. If you know the person & it is not directd right please to alter it as the inclos'd is of some importance to Mr. Ingham. I make bold to send it to your Care Not knowing how to send it more directly, hoping you'll excuse this freedom which Necessity put me upon, I subscribe yr. freind & hble sert.,

RTP

P:S. Said John Ingham saith his Father hath represented the Town of Solebury & is a Clothier.

Dft ; addressed: "To Mr. David Hall Printer at Philadelphia." Enclosed is a letter to be forwarded to Jonathan Ingham of Solebury, Pennsylvania dated June 12, 1765.

1.

David Hall (1714–1772), printer, who was persuaded by Benjamin Franklin to leave London for Philadelphia to carry on his trade. He was a partner of Franklin's from 1748 until 1766 (DAB)

2.

The little book open. A prophecy: or, Prophetical dissertation. Predicting and declaring the coming of 244 the expected Redeemer, in the character of Lord and King; the setting up of a national theocracy, in the calling of the Jews, and redemption of the Gentile church. Part I. Consisting of an astro-theological unfolding of certain formerly obscure, but highly-interesting and capital points of doctrine. Adapted to the present crisis of affairs, by J.I. (Philadelphia, 1763). On the reattribution of authorship, see Edward W. Hanson, "J.I.'s The Little Book Open," in ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes, and Reviews, new series, 5(1992): 19–20.