Essex County, Virginia, Court of 14 January 1714/15:
In the Suit in plead brot. by ffrancis Pierce agt. John Pickett the deft by his Attry mov’d that the Complts. Attory might not further prosecute the sd Suit unless he would give security for the paymt. of Costs in Case the complt. Should be Cast the Complt. being unlawfully abscounded out of the County which the Complts. Attry refused to do It is therefore ordered tha tthe sd Suit be dismist.
On the mocon of Henry Boughan to have Wm Pierce an Infant the Son of ffrancis Pierce late of this County to be bound an apprentice to him to the trade of a Carpenter untill the sd ffrancis Pierce Shall return again into the County or untill the sd Wm Pierce Shall attaine the age of twenty one years which shall first happen which is ordered by the Court accordingly & also that the sd Boughan Learn the sd Wm Pierce the trade of a Carpenter according to the best of his Skill & find & provide the sd Wm good & Sufficient meat Drink washing Lodging & apparell during the sd Term & Cause him to be taught to read & write and also that the sd Boughan Shall & may dureing the sd time make use of & Occupy the plantacon whereon the sd ffrancis Pierce late dwelt doing no willfull Spoile & it is further ordered that the sd Boughan pay to Tho: Evans Eight Shill or Eighty pounds of Tobo. which the sd Evans hath Expended for Cloaths for the sd Wm Pierce
[Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 4, pages 622–623.]