"...SPEAKEING SLITELY AND SCORNEFULL OF MR. WALTON..."

My ancestor William Walton served Marblehead, Ma. for thirty years as minister and according to the town histories was a leader and well respected. But there were a few of his fellow citizens who held a different opinion about that. Two of those people were John Legg and his wife Elizabeth. It should be noted that the Leggs seemed to be in some conflict or another with the other townsfolk and frequently were in the Essex Quarterly Court on charges. Such was the case in the court session held in Salem, Ma. on 6Jul 1647  which has this notation

Mr. Moses Maverick v. John Legg and wife Elizabeth. Defamation.
Mr. Wm. Walton v. John Legg and wife Elizabeth. Defamation.=p115 

Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, Volume1 1636-1656 Essex Institute, Salem, Ma 1911

There are no details given about the cases so I don't know if they were settled or dismissed. But apparently there was some ill will afterwards, because there was this seven years later at another Salem court session on 30Nov 1654

Elizabeth, wife of John Legg, to confess her sin of slighting and reproaching Mr. Walton and of disorderly carriage in the meeting house on the Lord's day, or to sit one hour in the stocks. Wit: Mr. Johnson, Will. Beale and Ric. Rouland, constable. The constable of Marblehead to see it performed. The confession was as follows : " I Elizabeth Legg doe acknowledg that I did euell & Sinfull in Speakeing Slitely and scornefull of Mr. Walton, & In perticuler In Saying I Could haue a boy from the Colledg that would preach better then Mr. Walton for half ye wages."- ibid p378

I found one more case involving a complaint against Rev. Walton in the court session of 26Nov 1667. This one seems to be more a matter of theology than preaching style: 

Henry Coomes, for abusing Mr. Walton, saying that he preached nothing but lies, was fined or to be whipped-p461

Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, Volume 3 1662-1667  Essex Institute, Salem, Ma. 1913

But those who didn't care for Rev. Walton and wanted him replaced were about to get their wish either because of illness or old age, for in the same court session there is this entry:

Court considering the petition from several inhabitants of Marblehead, in reference to the calling and settling of a meet person to join with Mr. Walton for carrying on the work of the ministry among them, approved of the course and Mr. Walton also approving, court appointed Major Hathorne and Mr. Higgesson to •assist the people with their advice and counsel.- ibid.p462

William Walton died a year later on 6 Nov 1668.