New-York tribune., 1908-01-26
QUEER CASE OF T. CASE.
Recorded IN Court 1rchices of 232
Years Ago.


| The queer case of Thomas Case is perhaps the
most interesting OF all the quaint records and
documents of Colonial times that were discov-
cred and published by Hugh Hastings, until re-
Gently the New York State Historian, in his an
nual reports.
Case and his wife, it seems. were Quakers. and
he was accused of many evil practices While
his wife was charged with creating a disturb
ance in the "congregacon of Mr.. Leverich- Ihe
charges were tried before the Court of General
Sessions in New York in 1919 Witnesses were
sworn and testimony was taken. One of the wit
nesses. James Way, testified that Case had said
.hee was Of Cod" and the court clerk in record
ing the testimony adds "and soc must hee bee.
or bee of the Devil"
Both Thomas Case and his wife were found
guilty and fined. In the testimony are many
quaint phrases and sayings The record of the
trial is an interesting one, and until found by
Nj Hastings had it is said, never before been
recorded 1t is given mere just as it writ
ten over two hundred and thirty years ago
As recorded by the clerk Of the court, the case
is as follows:
Mr. Cornell Sworne: Saith. that yesterday
was three weekcs, hee saw Tho. Case at flush
Ing a John Buono's or before his Doore and did
sec him make great disturbance there; And
bade him go away. and not make such dis
turbance. to the w'ch hee Answered. hee would
not goe till he saw his owne time.
''Mr Wandal Sworne. Saith, That hee hath
known Tho; Case seura1 times since his being
bound to the Good Behavior. Preaching and de-
nouncing Judgm't against ye People; And hav-
ina, severau rp.opIe from oyster Bay and other
Places at his House. Some Singing. and others
in other Pastures with seurall Tones: In Par
tcular Of SamT scudders strange Actinss. and
others in Cases House. lying like Dogs. Hoggs
and Cowes: Thorn: Wandan Acts Some. 1t was
done before Case
John WoQstoncraft}
"Woostoncraft Saith, That Tho: Case told him
at particular time there was a great smell
Of Birthstone. hee replyed. hee afraid Case
was going that way
Another time. that David Jennings fell
downe. as If dead and Case undertooke TO bring
him to life tho: WandaH was also present the
same time.
Jennings formerly one of the Congregacon
Relates that hee II We're, sniitten dead
at the time Spoken of by We Lord. as hee thinks.
''Hee Saith. when hee was one of them. hee
did at first Shake of his owne accord but af-
terwards it tooke him, at unawars. when others
cid the like.
"Hee Confesses that Case hath Preached to
him seurall times.
Mr. Cornell Saith, he hath with drawne sew
eralI from their ffamyes. particularly one Ed
ward Banbury of Mad-Nans Neck who neg
Iected his family SO that hee and his family.
were ready to Starve
THAT one of the Cases Crew PRETENDED to
have the gift of languages at times.
Thomas Wandall Saith, that there
meeting at his House. for IA dayes together, and
Kecpes many poore People from their ffamilyes
and bysinesse.
In particular CIeares wife and Applebyes
wife (the woman Committed on Saturday,
James Way Declares upon Oath
Tho Morrelli 4 Quak RS
James Way. Saith, that about yeare and
But afterwards hee said hee of God, and so
must hee bee, or bee Of thee Devill.
'Morrell Relates Cases Cathecising of a
woman beginning. who made thee &c.
"Hee saith the same James Way about God
William Wyatt, Saith, that going once to
heare Tho Case preach hee heard him say that
when hee should dye, hee should rise againe the
third day
Tho: Case being asked the truth of this
saith, 1t was reveled to him. that hee should
rise againe. Wyatt Saith That Case pronounced
Judgm't against him.
Mary the wife of Tho: Case
'Jondtnan Hazard, SWOfne, Satin. hee
and heard her say looking up to We Minister
Come thee downe, thou that freedest thyseIfe
and Starvest thy flock.
"She pretends she went in obedience TO the
Lord to declare against Mr. Leveriches Doc
trlne.
The Constable Relates, upon the disturbance
his leading her out of the Meeting. and per-
suadiag her to bee quiet.
THE Court adjourned till tomorrow morning
October 13, 1915.
Persons in Prison.
William Graues Tho: Case and Mary his
wife, Samuel Scudder.
Thomas Case the Quaker. his case taken into
The Judgm't of the Court is. that
hee bee fined 20.l and bee bound for the good
until the next Court of Assizes In the
Penalty of 40l
And in the Case of his pursuing his evil
practices. to the disturbance of the Government
DR. bee found amongst any Concourse OF those
which do the like. either at home or abroad
Proofe being made thereof before the next JUS
tice of the Peace. the said Justice is to send