Essex Quarter Sessions Order Book 1652-1661

Stanford Rivers
Whereas it appeareth unto this Court, upon Complaint made by the Inhabitants of Stamford Rivers in this County, That Susan Hamond, spinster, Covenant servant with Thomas Simonds [th]e younger of that parish, is lately delivered of a bastard child likely to become a charge to that parrish, And upon examinac[i]on shee accuseing the said Thomas Simonds her Master to been the Father thereof, The said Thomas is thereupon fled in token of his guilt and conveyed away by Thomas Simonds the elder his Father, who in his absence takes upon him the disposic[i]on of the goodes of his said Sonne to prevent the execuc[i[on of Justice. It is thereupon Ordered by this Court that the Constables of Stanford Rivers aforesaid or any other parish in this County Doe forthwith apprehend the said Thomas Simonds the elder and carry him before some one of the Justices of the peace of this County, to be bound over to the next Quarter Sessions of the Peace for this County, there to produce his said Sonne or to be dealt withal as the Court shall then thinke fitting.