Disagreement between two justices, May 22, 1773. In August and again in November 1773 Sampson and George Matthews were in Richmond, where they placed ads for convict servants they had purchased

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At a Court Continued and held for Augusta County May the Twenty Second one thousand seven hundred seventy three

Present Abraham Smith John Trogg
Michael Bowyer and James Craig
Gentlemen Justices

Sampson Mathews Gent. being Summoned to shew Cause why he doth not swear into the Commission of the Peace, Accordingly came into Court and give the following reasons, That he was Joined in a Complaint which was laid in before his Excellency the Governor and the Honourable the Council of Virginia against Mr Michael Bowyer for acting contrary to his duty in several instances in the Execution of his Office as under Sheriff notwithstanding the enmitty which may reasonably be supposed subsists between him and the said Michael Bowyer by Reason of the aforsd. Complaint, he appears to be forward in Causes wherewith the said Mathews is concerned which he Humbly presumes must appear to every unprejudiced person and that common prudence would point out the Contrary behaviour, and as he the said Mathews is of opinion that Justice cannot be equally distributted whilst a Person accused of such Offences as is sett forth in the said Complaint, sitts on the seat of Justices. That he is determined not to swear in until the event of the Indictment for the said Offences are determined and altho at present he is removed out of the County, his Large Connections in this County in the Merchantable business will oblidge him to attend constantly every Court when he was resolved to Act as a Magistrate in the same Manner he did before he removed if the above reasons did not prevent him.

Ad #1: Virginia Gazette (Purdie & Dixon

THIRTY POUNDS REWARD. RUN away from the Subscribers, three Convict Servant Men. JOHN RICHARDSON, a House Carpenter and Joiner, 5 Feet 5 or 6 Inches high, about 28 Years old, of a light brown Complexion, speaks pretty quick, and had on a brown short Coat. JOSEPH KEEVES, a Bricklayer and Plasterer, 5 Feet 8 or 9 Inches high, about 22 Years of Age, of a fair Complexion, and has been lately sick, which makes him look badly. RICHARD BENNETT, a jobbing Blacksmith, 5 Feet 2 or 3 Inches high, about eighteen Years old, is very pert, somewhat sly, and had on a very dark brown long skirted Coat. They all had on, and took with them, Osnabrug Shirts and Trousers, some Check Shirts, and old and new Hats. It is supposed they are all gone for North Carolina, where it is supposed three other Servants, that ran away about the Middle of May last, went likewise. Their Names are, JOHN EATON, a Ship Carpenter, 5 Feet 6 or 7 Inches high, about 25 Years old; he had on a blue Cloth Coat and Breeches, and a Silk Damascus Waistcoat. WILLIAM STEEL, a Cabinet Maker, 5 Feet 6 or 7 Inches high, about 17 Years old, and of a fair Complexion; he had on a light coloured Cloth Coat and Breeches. ALICE WALKER, thick and stout made, of a red Complexion, and passes for John Eaton's Wife. They were imported last March into Rappahannock, in the Justitia, from London, and are all English People. For the first three a Reward of 40s. will be given for each, if taken in Virginia; if in any other Province, 5l. For the last three, a reward of 5l. will be allowed for each, on delivering them to us in Richmond Town, Falls of James River; or if secured in any Jail, so that we get them, 20s. for each of the first three, and 40s. a Piece for the other three. All Masters of Vessels are forewarned from harbouring, employing, or carrying them out of the Country, at their Peril. SAMPSON & GEORGE MATTHEWS. RICHMOND, August 2, 1773.

Ad #2: Virginia Gazette (Purdie & Dixon

RUN away from the Subscribers, at Mr. Lewis Ball's, the 14th of October, at Night, five Convict Servant Men, who were taken the Day before from on Board the Taylor, at Four Mile Creek, viz. OLIVER MARTIN, 22 Years of Age, five Feet ten Inches high, of a brown Complexion, born in Ireland, is pert and looks well, and by Trade a House Carpenter and Joiner; he had on an old brown Coat, and red Waistcoat and Trousers. JONATHAN BOOTHMAN, an Englishman, 23 Years of Age, five Feet five Inches high, of a dark brown Complexion, and a thievish Look; he had on a white Cotton Waistcoat, and Trousers. PAUL PRESTON, a Pennsylvanian, thirty Years of Age, five Feet high, of a sandy Complexion, and good Countenance; he had on a blue Waistcoat, and black Everlasting Breeches. JOHN THOMPSON, born in New England, 35 Years of Age, five Feet four Inches high, of a black Complexion and surly Look; he had on a blue Waistcoat, another of Cotton, black Breeches, and Trousers. JOHN GAGAHAGAN, an Irishman, five Feet four Inches high, 43 Years of Age, of a black Complexion, is a well looking Man, and by trade a Grocer; he had on a light coloured Coat, blue Waistcoat, and Leather Breeches. The four first are Seamen. Whoever takes up and secures them, or any of them, so that we may get them again, shall have TWENTY SHILLINGS Reward for each, if taken within twenty Miles of Richmond, and if farther, FORTY SHILLINGS for each. SAMPSON & GEORGE MATHEWS. N.B. All Masters of Vessels are hereby forewarned from harbouring or carrying either of the said Convicts out of the Colony, at their Peril.

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