Sarah Tailer Charges Captain and Mrs. Thomas Bradnox with Abuse, 1659

A Court holden on Kent the first day of October 1659

Sarah Tailer Complaineth to the Majestrate mr Joseph [W]ickes of divers wronges & abuses given her by her Master and Mrs, Capt Thomas Bradnox & Mary his wife. . . .

John Jenkins sworne in Court Examined saith That he never saw Capt Bradnox or his wife strike his Servant Sarah Tailer with either Bulls pisle [whip] or Rope but he saw the said Sarah have a blacke place crosse one of her shoulders & this Deponent heard her Mrs give her som bad words. . . .

Tobias [W]ells on oath saith that he saw Sarah Tailer Stript & on her backe he saw severall blacke spotts and on her Arme a great black spott about as broad as his hand. . . .

Mr Joseph [W]ickes doth Informe the Court that Mrs Mary Bradnox broake the peace in strikeinge her Sarvant before him beinge a Majestrate, And on the time when the said Sarvant was there to make her Complaint which the said [M]r [W]ickes could not in Justice passe by or suffer, which was one blow or stroke with a Ropes ende.

Source: J. Hall Pleasants, ed., Archives of Maryland, vol. 54, Proceedings of the County Courts of Kent, 1648–1676 (Baltimore: Maryland Historical Society, 1937), 167–69.