Robert Adams in Jamestown November 4, 2010

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November 4, 2010

Robert Adams of Jamestown continued

The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography

Volume XXIII page 11

Minutes of the Council and General Court

A courte helde the 19^th day of April, 1625

Whereas Robert Adams and Mrs. Alice Procter have been accused by Edward Smith for the killing of a hog of George Graves, for two years and a half ago, And Whereas there is not evidence brought in but only of the said Edward Smith who hath been found in diverse contrary tales, And by many stronge presumptions is conceaved to have done it in malice act also for yet the said Addams hath heretofore had his trial and the law past upon him for killing of certain hogs about the same time and it is no way appearing to be any other but those which he received his censure.

The judgment of the Courte is the said Mr. Adams and Mrs. Proctor be acquitted forever of and from the accusations of the said Edward Smith for which specified, and the said Edward Smith shall be whipped, and receive thirty stripes for his offence.

When I read the above it seems to me that Mr. Adams had already been accused of stealing hogs before and Mr. Smith was looking to do further damage.  It would be very interesting to read the testimony in this case.  Surely other people testified for Robert Adams and Alice Proctor and why Edward Smith wanted to hurt them. And another thing, he was accusing them of stealing hogs 2 1/2 years ago.  Why wait so long?  It is all very strange.  Now you may say, "All this over a hog."  Well, if you were starving like so many of the people of Jamestown, you will be upset over a hog too.  In any case Edward Smith paid the price with thirty stripes. If there was no love lost between Mr. Smith and Mr. Adams before, I am sure that it was stretched to the limit after the whipping.  This may warrant more research.  Next, I will report where Robert Adams was fined for drunkenness.