THE LAWS OF NEW ENGLAND 1700
Adapted from Laws of New England to the Year 1700
Carrollton Press, 1991
When they set sail for America, our Pilgrim forefathers were seeking the freedom to worship as Puritans in Plymouth. While we tend to think of them as stern and intolerant—in Colonial New England they certainly were not teetotalers.
“No Jesuit or Priest to abide in the Jurisdiction… Whatever Priest residing there, did not depart before November 1700, he was to be imprison’d for Life, and to die if he broke Prison… Whoever concealed such, to be Pillory’d, or pay 200 L. {pounds}, half to the Informer…”
“Whoever knowingly brings a Quaker or Heretick, is imprison’d till he pays or gives Security for 100 L., and carrying him away again… Whoever goes to a Quaker’s Meeting, pays 10 S. {shillings|, and 5 L. if he preaches… Quakers not Inhabitants, to be imprisoned till the Court of Assistants, and then banish’d; not to return upon Pain of Death… If Inhabitants, they are to give Security for appearing next General Court, and to be banish’d if they don’t recant… “
By 1700, the Plymouth Colonie had become part of the Colonie of Massachusetts Bay, when there were only four colonies in New England. Maine was privately chartered, and Vermont had yet to begin thinking about establishing the Republic of North Connecticut. An estimated forty families had settled in Truro, but the township was a work in progress. There was no separation between church and state; in order to vote, you needed to be a member in good standing of your local congregation. Snitching on the misbehavior of your fellow inhabitants was not only encouraged, but also rewarded. In Truro there was no church, and no one to snitch to. Many inhabitants were earning their livelihood harvesting the bounty in Cape Cod Bay.
“BREWERS. None may brew for sale or Shipping, but such as are known to be skillful in that Art. If the beer they sell for Sea proves unfit for Use, through their Fault, Damages may be recover’d of them by Action.”
“FISH. Fishermen disobeying Orders, or getting drunk, to pay for the first Offence 20 S. for the second 40 S. and to be imprisoned for three Months for the third.”
“IMPOSTS. (Taxes) Publick Houses to pay 2 S. 6 D. {pennies} per Hogshead for Syder, Ale, or beer, and 5 S. for Mum {strong ale} to the Treasurer, before whom he is to swear to what he sells, or pay treble duty, or lose his license…”
“INDIANS. Whoever sells them and Strong liquors, pays 40 S. a pint; a third to the informer… Indians not to profane the Sabbath, or to have strong Liquors… If drunk, they must pay 10 S. or be whipp’d with Ten Stripes, confess where they had the Liquor, or stay in the House of Correction, till they pay the Fine of the Liquor they drank…”
“INNKEEPERS. None to keep a Publick House without License from the County Court… Merchants not to Retail under Three Gallons of Wine or Syder, and a Quart of Strong Waters… And sell beer at 2 D. a quart… They must suffer none to be drunk, or have above half a pint of wine, or to sit above half an hour, or after Nine at Night, on penalty of 5 S. Whoever is drunk, pays 3 S. 4 P. for drinking too much, 2 S. 6D. for staying more than half an hour, and 5 S. for sitting after Nine at Night; to be imprison’d till he pays, or sit in the stocks 3 Hours…” Private persons pay 20 S. or sit in the stocks for the first Offence, in permitting people to tipple in their Houses; 5 S. for the second; to be bound for better Behavior or committed for the third… Drunkards forfeit double for the second Offence; and treble for the third; if not able to pay it, they must be whipp’d with ten Stripes…
Those who are addicted to Tippling, and warn’d by Select Men not to frequent Taverns, shall pay 5 S. if found in a Publick House…”
