Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1854-08-19
4 Few or the Ancient Blue Laws.

The following were some of the "Blue
Laws" of Connecticut, which we here III
,ert. They may be quite curiosity TO
many of our readers.
The governor and magistrates convened
in general assembly, are the supreme
power under God, Of this independent
dominion. From the determination OF
the assembly no appeal shall be made.
Whoever says there is power and
Jurisdiction over this dominion, shall sut-
fer death and loss Of property.
No man shall he . freeman or give
vote unless he be member in full COM
muniOn with one Of Tie churches allowed
in this dominion.
No one shall hold an office who is not
sound in The faith, and faithful TO his de-
nomination, pay fine of $50 Cor the first
offence and for the second shall be dis
ranchised.
Each freeman shall swear by the bles-
scd God to true allegiance to this domin-
ION. and that Jesus is the only King.
No lodging or food shall be offered to
a Quaker, Adamite or other hereto.
Il any person turns Quaker, he shall
be banished and suffer death on his return.
No priest shall abide in the dominion,
he shall be banshed on his return.
Priests may be seized by any person
without warrant
No one shall cross a ferry but with an
authorized ferrymen.
No one shall run on the Sabbath day,
or walk in the garden or elsewhere, ex-
cepl reverendy to and from meeting.
No person shall travel, cook victuals,
make beds, sweep house, shave or cut
hair on the Sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her children on
the Sabbath or Fasting day.
The Sabbath shall begin at sunset on
Saturday.
TO pick an ear Of corn growing in
a neighbor'S garden shall be deemed theft.
A person accused with trespass in The
night shall be Judged gully unless he
clears himself by his oath.
When it appears that an accused has
confcderates and refuses to disclose them,
he may be racked.
None shall buy or sell lands without
permission Of The secctman.
A drunkard shall have master appoin-
ted by selectmen, who are 10 debar him
from the liberty Of buying and selling.
Whoever shall publish a lie 10 The pre-
Judlce fbis ncighbor, shall sit in the stocks
or be whipped fifteen stripes.
Whoever brings cards or dice in this do.
mnion shall pay fine Of 4s.
Every raIeable person who refuses 10
pay hls proportion 10 support the minis
Ter of the town or parish shall be fined by
the Court 42, and "a every quarter until
he or she shall pay the rate TO the minis
Ter.
Whoever wears clothes trimmed with
gold, silver or bone lace, above two shil-
lngs yard shall be presented by the
5rand jurors; and the selectmen shall tax
he offender at three hundred pounds
,siatc.
No one shall read common prayer,
'eep Christmas or Saints day, mako
nInce pies, play cards, dance, or play
ny instrument of music, except the drum
iuHPcI or JeWshaTp.
No minister shall Join people in mar
Iage-the magistrate only shall join peo-
le IN marriage, they may do ii with much
ssS scandLe 10 Chrsls church.
When parents refuse their children a
onvenient marriage, the magistrate is to
ctermlne the point.
The se!ectmeu, on finding children
5noranl, may take them away from their
arenis and put them IN better hands at the
Expense Of the parents.
Forncallon shall be published by com
cling marriage, or as the court shall
ink proper.
AduITy shall be punished with death.
4 man that strikes his wife shall pay
ne ol ten pounds.
a woman that strikes her husband shall
punished a. he court directs.
a wlie shall be deemed good evidence
ajnst her husband.
No man shall court maid in person
by Ief'er without first oblaIuug tie con-
II! Of her parents, GJ penalty Tor the first
.ence, Lij for tie second, and for the
ira Imprisonment during the pleasure Of
z court.
Married persons must live together or
Imprisoned.
Every maid shall have her hair cut ac-
rlrHg 10 a cap.
Nnie-'The above laws were originally
inled on blue paper. on which account
ey were called Tie Blue Laws Of New
gland.
4 rnnnr L,i.h,nnn who had married