For the Prosecutors

The King
agt:
John Pugett< no role > }
On an Indictment for Deft refusing to execute
the office of Constable

London
Bill found in Aprill Sessions
1741

Indictment Sets forth, That the City of London is an Antient City and that according to the Custom thereof
used time out of Mind at a Court of Wardmote held for the Ward of Bishopsgate London to Wit in the parish of Saint Helen in sd
Ward on 22d: December in the 14th-year of King George the 2d. & before Sir Robert Godschall< no role > Knt . then & now one of the Aldren of
said City & then & yet Aldran of said Ward The Deft late of the parish of St. Botolph Bishopsgate Mercht . then and long before being an
Inhabitant within same parish and Ward, and fitt person to execute the Office of Constable within the same Ward, was lawfully &
according to Custom Etc elected one of the Constables Etc for one year then next ensuing by the Men inhabiting and resiant paying
Scott & bearing Lett within-the same Ward Whereof Deft on said 22d. Decd. & at divers other Days & times at London Etc. had notice
Nevertheless Deft not regarding his duty but endeavouring to retard the Execucon of Justice from said 22d. December Untill
the day of the taking this Inquisition at the same parish and Ward Etc Voluntarily obstinately & contemptuously refused denied and
neglected to take upon himself & execute said office of Constable agt. his said duty Etc To the bad Example Etc and agt. the peace Etc

2d

Court to be held on St. Thos.
Inhits payg. Scot & not [..]
Constitute & such eligible

Sod to take ye Oath on Monday after
Epiphany

At a Court held 22d Decr. was duly
[..]

Indictment also setts forth, That Deft on same 22d. December in said 14th.. year & long before and always after untill the
day of taking this Inquisition was inhabiting and resiant paying Scott and bearing Lett within said parish of St: Botolph
Bishopsgate in said Ward and that within the same there is and from time whereof Etc hat been a Court of the King & his
Predecessors called a Wardmote held and to be held every year upon the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle unless it happened
on a Sunday & then upon the day following before the Aldran of said Ward or his Deputy In wch Court according to the
Custom within said Ward to wit in said parish of St. Helen , All the men inhabiting & paying Scott & Lott Etc have been
accustomed to appear & do Suit And yearly to appoint & choose divers persons inhabiting Etc Constables in & for said Ward
for preserving the peace & apprehending Regues Etc within said Ward for the publick good which persons so appointed
and chosen were used to hold said office for the year ensuing and until another should be elected And also were used
on the Monday next after Epiphany after their Eleccon to take their Oath for the execucon of said office at Guildhall before
the Mayor and Aldren of said City, And that Deft 22d. December in said 14th. year being the day next following the Feast
of Saint Thomas wch said Feast that year happened on a Sunday in said Court of Wardmore for said Ward in said parish
of St. Helen before Sir Robert Godschall< no role > Knight then and yet Etc was duly elected Constable for one year and untill Etc
And that Deft said 22d. December had notice there of and was required to appear before the Mayor and Aldren on the
Monday next after Epiphany to take his oath for the Execution of his said Office Nevertheless Deft not regarding
his duty Etc tho' requested hath refused to take his Oath or execute said office In Contempt Etc and agt the peace Etc

3d:

elected by ye Inhitants

Indictment father sets forth That Deft on said 22d. December in said 14th: year & long before and always after
untill taking this Inquisition was inhabiting Etc within said parish of Saint Botolph Bpgate in said Ward, And that
of Saint Thomas the Apostle unless it happened on a Sunday & then on the day following before the Aldran of said
Ward or his Deputy In wch Court to Wit in the parish of Saint Helen All the men inhabiting Etc were bound to
appear and do suit And yearly were used to appoint & chose divers persons then inhabiting Etc to be Constables for
the severall precincts of said Ward for preserving the peace Etc who ought to hold said office for the year ensuing &
untill Etc And were used on the Monday next after Epiphany after their said Eleccon to take their Oath for the due
execucon of said office at Guildhall before the Mayor and Aldren-And Deft on said twenty second December in
said 14: year that day being the day following the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle wch happened that year to be
on a Sunday in said Court then held before Sir Robert Godschall< no role > Knight then and yet Aldran of said Ward, was by
the men Inhabiting Etc duly elected into ye office of Constable for the precinct of St: Botolph without Bpgate being
one of the Precincts of said Ward for one whole year then next ensuing & untill Etc, for preserving the peace Etc And
that Deft on said 22d. December Etc had notice thereof and was required to appear befroe the Mayor and Aldren at
Guild hall on ye Monday next after Epiphany to take his Oath Etc & to execute his office Nevertheless Deft not