Year: 1871


the State of Connecticut was formerly two
colonies-Connecticu and New Haven The
colony of Connecticut was planted by emf
grants from Massachusetts, at Windsor, in
1893, and at Hartford and Wethersfeld, in
1886 and 1885, The other colony, styled by
it's founders the Dominion of New Haven, was
settled by emigrants from England in 1888
The two colonies were united in 1865.


The statutes copied below, from an ancient
volume relating to the history of the American
colonies, were enacted by the people of the
"DominiOn of New Haven:''
The Governor and magistrates, convened in
general assembly, are the Supreme power un-
der God of this Independent dominion


From the determination of the assembly no
appeal shall be made.


The Governor shall have single vote in de-
termining any question, except casting vote
when the assembly shall be equally divided.


The assembly of the people shall not be dis
missed by the Governor, but shall dismiss itself


Conspiracy against this Dominion shall be
punished by death.


Whosoever says, there is a power and juris-
diction above and over this Dominion shall suf.
fer death and loss of property.


Whoever attempts to change or 0verturn
this Dominion shall suffer death


The judge shall determine controversies
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 allowed in
this Dominion.


Each freeman shall swear by the blessed
God 10 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 n vote for the election of magistrate or
any officer.


No food or lodging shall be offered to Qua
ker, Adamite or other hereto.


If any person turns Quaker he shall be ban
ished and not suffered to return, but on pain of
death


No 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 cross river but with an au-
thorized terryman.


No one shall run on the Sabbath day. or
walk in his garden or elsewhere, except rev.
erently 10 and from meeting.


No one shattrayel. cook victuals, make beds,
sweep houses, cut hair or shave on the Sabbath
day.


No woman shall kiss her children on the Sab
bath or fasting day


The Sabbath shall begin at sunset on Satur
day.


To pick an ear of corn growing in a neigh
boris garden shall be deemed theft.


person accused of trespass in the night
shall be judged guilty, unless he clear himself
by his oath.


When it appears that an accused has con-
Il i @l.S,,H h.
may be racked.


No one shall buy or sell lands without per-
mission of the selectmeD.


A drunkard shall have master appointed
by the selectmen, who are to debar him from
the liberty of buying and selling.


Whoever publishes a lie to the prejudice of
his neighbor shall be set in the stocks, or be
whipped ten stripes.


No minister shall keep school.


Every rateable person who refuses to pay
his proportion to support the minister of the
town or parish, shall be fined by the court 2 |.
and !. every quarter, until he or she pay the
rate to the minister.


Men stealers shall suffer death.


Whosoever wears clothes trimmed with gold,
silver or bone lace above 2s. per yard shall be
presented by the grand jurors, and the select
men shall tax the offender 300 |. estate.


A debtor in prison, swearing he has no es
tate shall be let out and sold to make satisfac-
ton.


Whoever sets fire in the woods and it
burns house shall suffer death; and persons
of this crime shall be imprisoned
without benefit of bail.


Whosoever brings cards or dice into this do
minion shall pay fine of five pounds.


No one shall read common prayerbooks
keep Christmas or set days, eat minced pies,
Dance play cards, or play on any instrument
of music, except the drum, trumpet and Jews.
harp.


No gospel minister shall join people in mar
riage. The magistrates alone shall join them
in marriage, as they may do it with less scandal
to Christ's Church.


When parents refuse their children convent
ent marriage, the magistrates shall determine
the point t


The seectmen, on finding children ignorant,
may take them away from their parents, and
put them in better hands, at the expense of
their parents.


Fornication shall be punished by compelling
or as the court shall think proper.
Adulterers shall be punished with DEATH


A man that strikes his wife shall pay O fine
Of ten pounds.


A woman that strikes her husband shall be
punished as the court Directs


A wife shall be deemed good evidence against
her husband


No man shall court maid in person or by
letter without first obtaining the consent of her
parents; 5 |. penalty for the first offense; 10l.
for the second; and for the third imprisonment
during the pleasure of the court


Married persons must live together or be