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Show "In 1721 a fellow named Henry Holland Hol-land appeared to be the 'rought-neck' of the town. He was hailed before the justice charged with 'a tumultous violent, threatening manner' or saying say-ing that he would take the head of Jonatt Tracy off his shoulders. Holland Hol-land was also charged by the town constable with 'profane swearing.' He; was found guilty, and for the first charge he was ordered to 'provide sufficient surety for his peaceable and good behavior until the next county coun-ty court in New London, or be committed com-mitted to jail.' The punishment for the profane swearing was 'a fine for his transgression of the law of ten shillings, or to sit in the stocks two hours, and pay for the charge of prosecution.' pro-secution.' ''In the 'good old days' they didn't temporize with either sellers or buyers buy-ers of strong drink. The old record of a drunken case reads: 'Apennanuc-suck 'Apennanuc-suck being drunk was by the constable const-able brought to me to be dealt with as the law directs. I do sentence said Apenanucsuck to pay a fine of ten shillings or to be whipt ten lashes on the naked body and to pay the cost of prosecution. Cost allowed is six shillings and six pence.' " |