The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-03-04
The Blue Laws"


we publish them below in full. In early
times statute books containing hundreds OF
pages Of law were not deemed necessary to
keep the feet of the people on the straight
and marrow path that leads to salvation
The laws. though few. were to the point,
and were not so liable as at the present
time to be twisted by lawyers to suit the
exigencies of any case that might arise
They are so plain that "he who runs may
read" The laws of Virginia were almost
identical with those of Connecticut. The
following are the Connecticut laws:
The governor and magistrates convened
in general assembly ARE the supreme pow
er under God of this indepeddent domin-
ion.
no appeal shall be made.
The governor is amenabe to the voice
of the people.
The governor shall not have a single
vote in determining any question, except a
casting vote, on which the assembly shall
be equally divided.
If any person turn Quaker, he shall be
banished, and not suffered to return but on
pain of death.
No Catholic priest shall abide id this
dominion; he shall be banished, and suffer
death on his return.
Priests may be seized by any one with
out warrant.
No one to cross river, but with an au-
thorized Ferryman.
No one shall run on the Sabbath day, ar
walk in. his garden, or elsewhere, except
reverently to and from meeting.
No one shall travel, cook vituals, make
beds, sweep house, cut hair or shave on the
Sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her chilnren on the
Sabbath or on fasting days.
To pick an ear of corn growing in a
neighbor's garden shall be deemed theft.
A person accused of trespass in the night
shall be judged guilty, unless he clear
himself by his oath.
No one shall buy or sell land without
permission of the selectmen.
The assembly of the people shall not be
dismissed by the governor, but shall dis
miss itself.
be punished with death.
Whosoever says there is power and ju-
risdiction above and over this dominion
shall be punished with death.
The judges shall determine all controver
sizes WITHOUT jury.
No one shall be a freeman or give a vote
unless he be converted and a member in
| full communion of one Of the churches al.
lowed in state.
| Each freeman shall swear by the blessed
| God to bear true allegience to this domin
ion, and that Jesus ia the only king.
No Quaker, or dissenter from the estab.
lished worship of this dominion, shall BE-
allowed to give vote for the election o
magistrates, or any officer.
No food or lodging shall be offered TO q
Quaker, Adamite, or other heretics.
A drunkard shall have a master ap
pointed by the selectmen, who are to debal
him from the liberty of buying and selling
Whosoever publishes lie to the preju
dice of his neighbor, shall be Set in thu
stocks or whipped ten stripes.
No minister shall keep school.
Every ratable persons who refuses to pa,
| bia portiop 70 opprort the ", IN; star &c II,
town or parish, snail be fined by the cour
e2 and "a every quarter, until he or sh,
pay rate Of the minister.
Men-stealers shall suffer death.
Whosever wears clothes trimmed will
gold, silver, or bone lace above 2s. per yart
shall be presented by the grand jurors, anC
the selectmen shall tax the offender 930C
estate.
A debtor in prison, swearing he has NJ
estate, shall be let and sold to make salts
faction.
Whosoever sets a fire in the woods, anc
it burns house, shall suffer death; and
persons suspected of this crime shall bt
imprisoned without ball.
Whosoever brings cards or dice into thii
dominion shall pay fine of e55.
/ No one shall read a common prayerbook
keep Christmas or set days, eat mince pies
dance, play cards, or play on any instru
ments of music except the drum, trump
or jewsharp.
No gospel minister shall join people il
marriage. The magistrates only shall joir
them in marriage, as they may do it with
less acaDdal to Christ's Church.
When parents refuse their children con
yenient marriages, the magistrate shal
determine the point.
: The selectmen, on finding children ig
norant, may take them away from thei
parents and put them in the better hand,