Colonial Fornication Results in a Bastard Child

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

January 13, 1761, Fair Copy of a Court Complaint Alleging Fornication and Impregnation, Choice Fine. 10.25" x 7.5", light age toning and a fold split or two. In this complaint, filed in the town of Kittery, in the county of York, Maine, a single woman, Mehetable Ferguson alleged that "...about the Middle of the Month of June last past John Emery...came to your Complaint. and by Flattery & fond & lewd actions tempted your Complaint. to commit the Act of Fornication with him, and then & there the said John had carnal Knowledge of your Complaints. Body, and did then and there beget her the Complaint. with Child, with which She now goeth, and which when Born will be a Bastard. Which is contrary to the Laws in such Case, Provided..." Amazing, isn't it, how a couple of hundred years can change our views of such things?!

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