Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-10-17
COnnecticuf's Blue LAWS.

The people of Connecticut must have
had lively times in the old days, when
the famous blue laws were IL force. Here
is compendium of the Puritan rcgula
tions which were in force in the early
part of the last century. 1t must have
been cheerful task to live up to them.
The governor and magistrates con-
vened in general assembly are the SUI
preme power under God of the indie
pendent dominion. From the determ-
nation of the assembly no appeal shall
be made.
Whosoevcr says there is power and
jurisdiction above and over this dOmin.
ion shall suffer death and loss of prop
erty.
Conspirators, attempting to change m
overturn this dominion shall suffer death.
The judges shall determine controversy
without jury.
No one shall be freeman and give o
Ber in f4 communiCn Gf he TGsf6 wif6 one of the
churches allowed in this community.
No man shall hold any Office who ie
not sound in the faith and faithful to
this dominion and whoever gives vote
to such person shall pay fine of twenty
shilings for the first offense, and for the
second he shall be disfranchised.
Each freeman shall swear by the bless.
ing of God to bear true allegiance to
this dominion, and that Jesus is the only
king.
No Quaker or dissenter from the wor
ship of the established dominion shall be
allowed to give a vote for the election OF
magistrates or any officer.
No food or lodgings shall be afforded
a Quaker Adamite, or heretick.
If any person turns Quaker he shall Ds
banished and not suffered to return but
upon pain of death.
No priest shall abide in this dominion
he shall be banished, and suffer death or
his return. Priests may be seized by any
one without warrant.
No one is to cross ferry but with al
authorized ferryman.
No one shall run on the Sabbath da!
or walk in his garden or elsewhere, ex
cept reverently to and from meeting.
. No one shall travel, cook victuals
make beds, sweep house, cut hair, o
shave on the Sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her child on tn
, Sabbath or fasting day.
, The Sabbath shall begin at sunset ol
Saturday.
To pick an ear of corn growing in
neighbours garden shall be deemed theft
t A person accused of trespass in tn
, night shall be judged guilty, unless h
clear himself by his oath.
> When it appears that an accused ha
confederates, and he refuses to discove
, them, he may be racked.
@ No one shall buy or sell lands withou
' permission of the selectmen.
Whosoever publishes lye to the pre-
udice of his neighbor shall sit in th
l stocks or be whipped fifteen stripes.
. No minister shall keep school.
Whoever brings cards or dice into th
l dominion shall pay fine of 95.
7 Whoever wears clothes trimmed wit
, gold, silver OF bone lace above two shi
q lngs by the yard shall be presented
n the grand jurors, and the selectmen sha
tax the offender at e300 estate.
It A debtor in prison swearing he has I
estate shall be let out and sold to max
satisfaction,
) Whoever sets fire in the woods and
d burns house shall suffer death; and Il
persons suspected of this crime shall
IL imprisoned without benefit of bail.
d No one shall read common praye
o. keep Christmas or saints days, NAL
/, minced pies, play cards, or play on al
at instrument of musick, except the drum
N trumpet and Jews harp.
" No gospel minister shall join people
# marriage, the magistrates only shall jo
in marriage, as they may do it with lie
scandal to Christ's church.
,e When parents refuse their childr'
convenient marriages the magistrat
W shall determine the point.
" A man that strikes his wife shall p'
ID a fine of G10; woman that strikes h
lr husband shall be punished at the di
IN cretion of the court.
xs@ A wife shall be deemed good eviden
le against her husband.
a No man shall court maid in perst
I'd or by letter without first obtaining Il
ne consent of her parents. Five poun
al penalty for the first ofense; e10 for t
second, and for the third imprisonme
during pleasure
sc Married persons must live together
he be imprisoned.
k Every male shall have his hair c
round, according TO cap,