Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-03-15
The Blue Laws.
A COMPLETE COPY OF THIS FAMOUS
COLONIAL CODE.


the state of Connecticut was former
~ two coloDies-Connecticut and |
New Haven. The colony of Connec
ticut was planted at Windsor, in |
1888, by emigrants from Massachu
sets, at Hartford in 1886, and Weth-
ersfield in 1886. The other colony
was settled by emigrants from Eng
land in 1888, and was called the Do
minion of New Haven. The two
colonies were united in 1865. The
famous Blue laws, of which full
copy is given below, were enacted
by the people Of the Dominion of
New Haven:
The governor and magistrates,
convened in general assembly, are
the supreme power, under God, OF
this independent dominion.
From the determination of the as
sembly no appeal shall be made.
Conspiracy against the dominion
shall be punished with death.
Whosoever says there is power
and jurisdiction above and over this
dominion shall suffer death and loss
of his property.
Whoever attempts to change or
overturn this dominion shall suffer
death.
No one shall be freeman or given
vote unless he be converted and a
member in full communion in one Of
the churches allowed in this domin-
ion.
Each freeman shall swear by the
blessed God to bear true allegiance
to this dominion, and that Jesus is
the only king.
No Quaker or dissenter from the
established worship of this dominion
shall be allowed to give vote for
the election Of magistrates or any
officer.
No food or lodging shall be offered
to Quaker, Adamite or other her
etc.
IT any person turn Quaker he shall
be banished and not suffered to re-
turn, but on pain of death.
No Quaker priest shall abide in
the dominion; he shall be banished,
and suffer death on his return.
Priests may be seized by any one
without warrant.
No one shall run on the Sabbath
day, or walk in his garden, or else
where, except reverently to and
from meeting.
No one shall travel, cook victuals,
make beds, sweep house, cut hair or |
shave 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 neighbors garden shall be deemed
theft.
A person accused of trespass in
the night shall be judged guilty, un-
less he clears himself by his oath.
When it appears that an accused
has confederates, and he refuses to
discover them, he may be racked.
None shall buy or sell land with
out permission of the selectmen.
A drunkard shall have a master
appointed by the selectmen, who are
to debar him from liberty of buying
and selling.
Whoever publishes lie to the pre-
JUDGE of his neighbor shall be set in
the stock or receive ten stripes.
No minister shall keep school.
Men stealers shall suffer death.
whatsoever wears clothes trimmed
with gold, silver or bone lace, above
IS. per yard shall be presented by
the grand jurors, and the selectmen
shall tax the offender e3O0 estate.
A debtor in prisen, swearing he
has no estate, shall be lead out and
sold to make satisfaction.
whatsoever sets fire in the woods
and it burns house, shall suffer
death; and persons suspected of this
crime shall be imprisoned without
benefit of bail.
Whosoever brings cards or dice in
to this dominion shall pay fine of
e5