The Case of the Piglet’s Paternity: Trials from the New Haven Colony, 1639–1663 (The Driftless Connecticut Series & Garnet Books)

A vivid series of trials from America's earliest days In the middle of the seventeenth century, judges in the short-lived New Haven Colony presided over a remarkable series of trials ranging from murder and bestiality, to drunken sailors, frisky couples, faulty shoes, and shipwrecks. The cases were reported in an unusually vivid manner, allowing readers to witness the twists and turns of fortune as the participants battled with life and liberty at stake. When the records were eventually published in the 1850s, they were both difficult to read and heavily edited to delete sexual matters. Rendered here in modernized English and with insightful commentary by eminent Judge Jon C. Blue, the New Haven trials allow readers to immerse themselves in the exciting legal battles of America's earliest days. The Case of the Piglet's Paternity assembles thirty-three of the most significant and intriguing trials of the period. As a book that examines a distinctive judicial system from a modern legal perspective, it is sure to be of interest to readers in law and legal history. For less litigious readers, Blue offers a worm's eye view of the full spectrum of early colonial societypolitical leaders and religious dissidents, farmhands and apprentices, women and children. “Incomparable insight into an early colonial legal system thoroughly influenced by Biblical interpretations... sure to appeal.” —Harvard Law Review In the mid-seventeenth century, judges in the short-lived New Haven Colony presided over a remarkable series of trials ranging from murder and bestiality, to drunken sailors, frisky couples, faulty shoes, and shipwrecks. The cases were reported in an unusually vivid manner, allowing readers to witness the twists and turns of fortune as the participants battled with life and liberty at stake. When the records were eventually published in the 1850s, they were both difficult to read and heavily edited to delete sexual matters. Rendered here in modernized English and with insightful commentary by eminent judge Jon C. Blue, the New Haven trials allow readers to immerse themselves in the exciting legal battles of America's earliest days.The Case of the Piglet's Paternity assembles thirty-three of the most significant and intriguing trials of the period. As a book that examines a distinctive judicial system from a modern legal perspective, it is sure to be of interest to readers in law and legal history. For less litigious readers, Blue offers a worm's-eye view of the full spectrum of early colonial society—political leaders and religious dissidents, farmhands and apprentices, women and children.“An engaging and intelligent microhistory of this time period and colony that nonlegal scholars can understand” —Journal of American Culture Cover 1 THE CASE OF THE PIGLET’S PATERNITY 2 Title 6 Copyright 7 Dedication 8 CONTENTS 10 Introduction The New Haven Trials 14 1 The Indian’s Name 39 2 The Piglet’s Paternity 46 3 The Exploding Gun 53 4 The “Billingsgate Slut” 58 5 New Haven’s Watergate 62 6 The Sexual Harassment Case 67 7 The Women Dissidents 75 8 The Shipwreck 86 9 The Faulty Shoes 97 10 The Drunken Sailors 109 11 The Competing Claimants 114 12 The Frisky Couple 120 13 The Rhode Island Privateer 124 14 The Reputed Witch 130 15 The Milford Bestiality Case 141 16 The Boat Sex Case 145 17 The Youth Sex Cases 151 18 The Disputed Will 162 19 The Farmhand Arsonist 166 20 The Stolen Silverware 171 21 The Vanished Husband 176 22 The Attempted Bestiality Case 180 23 The Clamorous Quaker 185 24 The Currier’s Apprentice 192 25 The Milford Paternity Case 198 26 The Brickmaker’s Apprentice 208 27 The Horse-Trading Case 214 28 The Milford Arson Case 220 29 The Southold Slander 227 30 The Bigamist’s Wife 232 31 The Stamford Murder Mystery 235 32 The Lecherous Swineherd 244 33 The Burning Barn 254 Acknowledgments 266 Notes 268 Index 288 "In the middle of the seventeenth century, judges in the short-lived New Haven Colony presided over a remarkable series of trials ranging from murder and bestiality, to drunken sailors, frisky couples, faulty shoes, and shipwrecks. The cases were reported in an unusually vivid manner, allowing readers to witness the twists and turns of fortune as the participants battled with life and liberty at stake. When the records were eventually published in the 1850s, they were both difficult to read and heavily edited to delete sexual matters. Rendered here in modernized English and with insightful commentary by eminent Judge Jon C. Blue, the New Haven trials allow readers to immerse themselves in the exciting legal battles of America's earliest days. The Case of the Piglet's Paternity assembles thirty-three of the most significant and intriguing trials of the period"--Publisher's description "In the middle of the seventeenth century, judges in the short-lived New Haven Colony presided over a remarkable series of trials ranging from murder and bestiality, to drunken sailors, frisky couples, faulty shoes, and shipwrecks. The cases were reported in an unusually vivid manner, allowing readers to witness the twists and turns of fortune as the participants battled with life and liberty at stake. When the records were eventually published in the 1850s, they were both difficult to read and heavily edited to delete sexual matters. Rendered here in modernized English and with insightful commentary by eminent Judge Jon C. Blue, the New Haven trials allow readers to immerse themselves in the exciting legal battles of America's earliest days. The Case of the Piglet's Paternity assembles thirty-three of the most significant and intriguing trials of the period"--4e de couv The Case Of The Piglet's Paternity Assembles Thirty-three Of The Most Significant And Intriguing Trials From The Records Of The New Haven Colony.--provided By Publisher. Jon C. Blue. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.