Finishing up with the testimonies about another incident at Quartermaster John Perkins' tavern. The conclusion seems to have been that Obediah Bridges and John Clarke were fine fellows but Andrew Peters, ummm...not so much.:
Edward Chapman, constable, deposed that sometime the last winter Obadiah Bridges came to his house and asked him to go to the quartermaster's, where they found many persons in a hubbub, blood being drawn and the peace broken. Deponent called for silence and some then said that Bridges held Perkins while Peeters beat him or cuffed him and pulled his hair. The quartermaster said "carry Goodman Peeters to the stocks," and among them it was said if it had not been for John Clark, Perkins would have been injured. Deponent went with Peeters to the Major, but he was not at home, so he charged them to appear before Mr. Symonds in the morning, which they did, having Josiah Linden and Sander as witnesses. Sworn in court.
Andrew Peters and Obadiah Bridges affirmed that the quartermaster agreed to bear John Clarke harmless, and so the latter had reason to speak well of him.
Obadiah Bridges testified that he had some business with Goodman Peters at his house, and after they had finished, the latter invited him to drink part of a pint of wine and they went to the quartermaster's, etc.
Martha Huggins, aged sixteen years, deposed that the evening that the trouble between her master, Quartermaster John Perkins and the others took place, they were all "in the new chamber which wee commonly call the Kings nrmes." Mr. Matoone and Samll. Clarke of Portsmouth, and Serg. Thomas Waite being present with them were "in the lower roome where the family commonly keepeth." Deponent drew two pots of beer for them in the lower room. Sworn, May 2, 1672, before Daniel Denison.*
Thomas Smith, aged about twenty-four years, deposed that the quartermaster told him that Bridges was not to blame and did all he could for peace, and that he was as good a conditioned man as ever came to his house.
Saml. Smith, aged about twenty-three years, deposed concerning hearing the quarrel from the highway as he was going out of town, etc. *-pp 34-35
Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts: Volume V 1672-1674 Essex Institute, Salem Ma. 1916
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