At the April term of Court in Ipswich, 1683, a committee of the parish petitioned for relief, stating that Mr. Burroughs had left them, and that they had been without services in their meeting-house for four sabbaths.  They pray the Court, that “they be pleased to write to Mr. Burroughs, requiring him to attend an orderly hearing and clearing up the case,” and “to come to account” with them.  The Court accordingly directed a meeting of the inhabitants to be held, and wrote to Mr. Burroughs to attend it.  When the day came, the Court sent a letter to be read at the meeting, directing the parties to “reckon,” and settle their accounts.  What transpired at this curious meeting is best given by presenting the documents on file in a case that went into Court.  They show the proceedings that interrupted the “reckoning” at the meeting in a most extraordinary manner:—­

[COUNTY COURT, June, 1683.—­Lieutenant John Putnam versus Mr. George Burroughs.  Action of debt for two gallons of Canary wine, and cloth, &c., bought of Mr. Gedney on John Putnam’s account, for the funeral of Mrs. Burroughs.]

     “Deposition.

“We, whose names are underwritten, testify and say, that at a public meeting of the people of Salem Farms, April 24, 1683, we heard a letter read, which letter was sent from the Court.  After the said letter was read, Mr. Burroughs came in.  After the said Burroughs had been a while in, he asked ’whether they took up with the advice of the Court, given in the letter, or whether they rejected it.’  The moderator made answer, ‘Yes, we take up with it;’ and not a man contradicted it to any of our hearing.  After this was passed, was a discourse of settling accounts between the said Burroughs and the inhabitants, and issuing things in peace, and parting in love, as they came together in love.  Further, we say that the second, third, and fourth days of the following week were agreed upon by Mr. Burroughs and the people to be the days for every man to come in and to reckon with the said Burroughs; and so they adjourned the meeting to the last of the aforesaid three days, in the afternoon, then to make up the whole account in public.

“We further testify and say, that, May the second, 1683, Mr. Burroughs and the inhabitants met at the meeting-house to make up accounts in public, according to their agreement the meeting before; and, just as the said Burroughs began to give in his accounts, the marshal came in, and, after a while, went up to John Putnam, Sr., and whispered to him, and said Putnam said to him, ’You know what you have to do:  do your office.’  Then the marshal came to Mr. Burroughs, and said, ‘Sir, I have a writing to read to you.’  Then he read the attachment, and demanded goods.  Mr. Burroughs answered, ’that he had no goods to show, and that he was now reckoning with the inhabitants, for we know not yet who is in debt, but there was his body.’  As we were ready to go out