John Pell Takes Oath of John Clarke of West Chester on May 15, 1676

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During the 1670s, John Pell served as a Justice in Westchester.  Among his duties was the taking of oaths.  Such an occasion occurred on May 15, 1676 when John Clarke "of West Chester" appeared before him to swear an oath regarding something that was said to him by Thomas Seabrook before his death.  The entire oath is quoted below, followed by a citation to its source.

"Testimony of John Clarke, of West Chester, (concerning Thomas Seabrook) aged 29 years:

This deponent saith That when there was an Alarm of Indyans being at Castle Hill, Loaden with Ammunition last summer, this deponent was then a sojourner in the house of Thomas Seabrooke, was commanded (among others) to go to Captain Osborne's housse.  And at his going away, he, the said Thomas Seabrook, took his wife (the now present widow Seabrook) by the hand in the Door as he was going out and said, 'Wife, I am going out, I know not but I may be knockt on the head.  If I never come again I give all that I have to thee' (meaning his wife).  And farther said to this deponent, 'Pray, take notice what I say,' and further saith not.

May 15, 1776.  Sworn before me, JOHN PELL."

Salter, Edwin, A History of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Embracing a Genealogical Record of Earliest Settlers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties and Their Descendants.  The Indians:  Their Language, Manners and Customs, Important Historical Events.  The Revolutionary War, Battle of Monmouth, The War of the Rebellion.  Names of Officers and Men of Monmouth and Ocean Counties Engaged in It, etc., etc., p. lii (Bayonne, NJ:  F. Gardner & Son, 1890).

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