"28 May 1675. It appeareing to this Cort: that James Burges, late hired Servant to William Norton late of this County (deced), was by virtue of a warrant from Mr. Brian Stott, committed to the Sheriffe of this County upon suspicion of the wilfull murdereing of the saide William Norton till the further order of this Cort. It is therefore ordered by this Cort: that the saide Burges doe remaine in the Custody of the saide Sheriffe wth:out bayle or mainprize till the nexte Genll. Cort. helde at James Citty, whither the saide Sheriffe is then to convey the saide Burges with sufficient guard to answer the pr:misses before the Right Honorable Governor and Councell of State ye fourth day of the saide Genll. Cort: accordinge to Acte in yt: case made & p:vided." (1)
Allegedly murdered his master. The clerk described James as a "hired servant." This case went to trial in James City.
(1) Ruth Sparacio & Sam Sparacio, Order Book Abstracts of Lancaster County, Virginia 1674-1678 (McLean, Virginia: The Antient Press, 1993), 30, 37-38, quoting Lancaster County, Virginia Order Book 1666-1680, 323, 334.