Hampshire ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

To the Sheriff of the County of Hampshire his Under-Sheriff, or Deputy, or
either of the Constables of the Town of Conway

Greeting.

BECAUSE Able Densmore of Conway in
our County of Hampshire ~~yeoman~~ Gentleman
on the Fourteenth Day of April in the Year of our
Lord, 1787 before me David Sexton Esq. one of the Justices
of the Peace for the County of Hampshire Acknowledged by non
appearance that he was indebted to Amasa Smith
of Deerfield in the County of Hampshire yeoman
in the Sum of Thirty Seven Pounds Nine Shillings
which he ought to have paid on the Fourteenth Day of April And
there now appears to be due the same sum

£ 37
9

12

38
0

2

£ 38
2

We command you therefore, that of the Goods, Chattels, or real Estate of ~~Abel~~ the said Abel within your Precinct, you cause to be paid, and satisfied unto the
said Amasa, at the Value thereof, in Money, the aforesaid Sum of
£ 37” 9
together with Eleven Shillings Costs of Process, and Two Shillings
more for this Writ, and there also satisfy yourself your own lawful Fees. And for
warnt of Goods, Chattles, or real Estate of the said Abel- within your
Precinct, to satisfy the Sums aforesaid, and your said Fees: WE command you to take
the Body of the said Abel-- and him commit unto our Gaol in
our County of Hampshire- aforesaid, there to be detained in the said Gaol
until he pay the full Sums above-said, with your said Fees, or that the said Abel--
be discharged by the said Amasa the Credi-
tors, or otherwise by order of Law. Hereof fail not, and make return of this Writ with
your Doings thereon, unto the above-said Justice within
ninety Days from the Date hereof. Witness the said Justice
at Deerfield—the Seventh Day of April
in the Year of our Lord, 1788.

David Sexton Just Paeis.

Attst. Stebbins.

Smith
vs
Densmore }Exeon

Comisary[?]

Rec^d July 4^th 1788
fees charg^d

Hampshire Ss Deerfield July 4^th 1788. Rec^d and
Recorded Lib^o 1. of Exeon Fol^o 52 & Examined,
M^r. John Williams Reg^r Northern District
(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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label levels:

There is currently no available "Beginner" label. The following is the default level label: Amasa Smith had a hatter's shop facing the common in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Abel Densmore ran up a total of more than 37 pounds debt to Smith and Smith wants his money. The court determined that if Densmore cannot pay he shall be put in jail [gaol] until he does pay or until the debt is forgiven by Smith. One year later, in April 1788, the debt has not been paid so Densmore's farmstead, appraised at 29 pounds, 11 shillings, 8 pence is confiscated. Although it does not fully satisfy the debt, Smith is probably willing to accept this amount. Financial problems plagued farmers due to high taxes and scarcity of currency.

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