Courts of Oyer and Terminer, 1757-1787, Minutes, Cumberland County

Courts of Oyer and Terminer, 1757-1787, Minutes, Cumberland County

Bunting, Elizabeth B.

Ann Mease was convicted in December 1779 of being a "common scold" and disturbing the peace in Philadelphia. She was sentenced to be publicly ducked in the Delaware River and held in custody until the sentence was carried out and prosecution costs were paid.
In her petition to the Executive Council, Ann Mease claimed she was provoked and argued that the punishment was scandalous. She requested that, upon providing security to leave the neighborhood and paying costs, her corporal punishment be remitted. Several community members supported her plea. The petition was successful: in January 1780, the authorities remitted her punishment and released her, provided she left the city and paid the prosecution costs.

eng

Pennsylvania--Philadelphia

Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania

GSP-201754

Ann Mease

1700s

Members

PGM_Vol45_No4_331-348

2008