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A. E. Verrill— The Bermuda Islands. 
At the Assizes held 17-19th July, 1627, the following sentences 
were imposed for theft : 
“* Richard Stroud late of Smiths Tribe, labourer, Indicted for that hee, the said 
Richard, about the second day of may last past, 1627, by force and arms into 
the House or Cabben of Richard Huet of Smiths Tribe aforesaid did enter, and 
then and there beeing did felloniously take, steale and carrie awaie 6 lb of corne, 
price 12d, of the goods and chattels of Richard Huet aforesaid, contrary to the 
peace of our soveraign Lord the king his crowne and dignitie. 
Of weh indictment The said Richard Stroud confessed himselfe guiltie, for 
weh he was adjudged to receive 20 lashes upon his naked backe, which was per- 
formed the 20 July, 1627.” 
‘* Jerome Edes received the like sentence and punishment for stealing three 
shirts price xiid, off a Pumpian vine, the goods and chattels of John Birch.” 
‘* William Hingson, alias fatt, was convicted of stealing from a cabin 1 pair 
of shoes price five shillings, upon which he having beene so oft pardoned before, 
did now receive the sentance of death which was executed upon him the 21st 
July, 1627.” 
Blasphemy or swearing appears to have been very prevalent among 
fo) d S 
the early settlers, and, in extreme cases, was sometimes punished, but 
b] > 9 b] 
probably only a few of the convictions are recorded : 
Thus in July, 1627: 
**Robert Newman being complayned of and presented for an horrible swearer 
and curser and having no meanes to pay the fine according to the statute in that 
case provided, was adjudged to receive 20 lashes upon the naked backe as pun- 
ishment for his said offence, which hee suffered accordingly.” 
‘Extract from a Presentment of the Grand Jury to a Court of Assizes held in 
St. Georges, November, 1659. 
The Grand Inquest did present John Morgan, Chirurgian, for speaking of 
most Blasphemous words against Almighty God as per the attestations of Eliza- 
beth, the wife of Josias Newman, Samuel Dunscome, Thomas Hartlan, and 
Louis his wife, and Francis Welch do more at large appear, for which Blasphe- 
mous words he was censured. 
By the Secretary and the major part of the Council, to lie in prison, according 
to the Statute, three months, or to give 10lb Sterl: for the public works. 
Mr Richard Norwood’s censure, that he shall stand upon the Pillory, and be 
burned through the tongue with an hot iron, and to practice no more in this 
Island. Capt. Tho. Richards that he shall be forthwith banished.” 
In many trials different persons were allowed to express their 
opinions as to the punishment, as in the above instance. Frequently 
the punishments suggested were extremely cruel and barbarous. 
Mr. Norwood was probably the best educated man on the islands at 
this time. He was the distinguised engineer or surveyor of the 
islands and taught the principal school for many years. But he was 
a very religious man and a zealous churchman, to whom blasphemy 
was one of the worst of crimes. 
