[Excerpts from Somerset County Judicial Records 1687-1689, Maryland Archives]
[posted 3 May 2004]

 Volume 91, Page 48
 The humble peticon of Wm: ONorton praieth that he might be paid out of the estate of John
Murphy deced for his worke don & performed to the said Murphey in his life time as pr account
appeares as alsoe for keeping the said Murpheys Child & servt: boy vizt
Jno: Murphey Dr: to Wm: ONorton for 28 daies worke: Wm: Onorton
for keeping of the Child & Servt: boy from January till June
Whereupon it was ordered the same Day that Thomas Morris admr: of the goods Chattles &
Creditts of the aforesaid John Murphey deced pay unto the aforesaid Wm: Onorton ffour hundred
pounds of Tobo: & Casque &a The same Day
The humble peticon of Thomas Morris in the behalfe of the Childrin of Jno: Murphey & -
Bridgett his wife late of this County deced who left a will dated the 3rd: of September 1687 but
not proved by his widdow who is Since dead & left noe will your peticoner haveing a letter of
Administracon to admr: on the goods chattels & creditts of the said Jno: Murphey & Bridgitt
his wife being informed of one James Drake that did of right belong to the estate of
the said John Murphey deced is now with William ONorton of this County who pretends he
bought him of the widdow for a hhd of Tobo: being informed that shee could not make sale
of him according to Law not haveing proved the will your peticoner being to returne an Accot:
of the estate by the 23th: day of August to the Office for probate of wills & knowing the
said ONorton to be a vexatious man at Law your peticoner canded in his indeavor: for
The good of the Chilldrin Now under his care there being one Child of Jno: Murpheys at
Nurse with the said ONortons wife at present Your peticoner humbly Craves an Order for
his pay that he may be discharged from that as alsoe from the said James Drake
who as I am credibly informed hath dealt very hard by the said James Drake causing
him to worke Naked at a New designe Some distance from his house haveing taken his Shirt
from him lets him ffare hard Soe that by the voague of his neighbours the boys life may
be rendered very uncomfortable to him May yor: worships Act for the Glory of God & the good
of the Children & your peticoner shall pray &a: Upon perusall of the foregoing peticon by
this Court & haveing well examined the same they have thought fitt and doe therefore

49
 Order that the aforesaid Wm: ONorton imediatly deliver unto the aforesaid Thomas Moris
the Child of the said John Murphey deced as alsoe the boy belonging to the estate of the said
Deced called James Drake with what goods the said ONorton had with the Child of the sd:deced
delivered him by mr: James Round the particullars being as followeth vizt:
1 Small painted petticoate 1 blew frock 1 coate 1 hood 3 Caps 3 neck Cloaths 2 shifts 1 laced Cap
1 bib 1 pre of cuffs 2 white Aprons 1 pre small olde gloves 1 La: girdle Ribben 3 ear knotts 17=
Roes of pinns 1 pre of stockins 1 pc of Linin of an Apron 2 old blancoates besides what was on
the said Child when taken Thomas Murphey had at the said time 1 shirt 2 neck Cloathes
1 hatt Jno: Murphey ditto 2 Shirtes 1 pre: of drawers besides what they had on their backs
The same Day taken pr me James Round
The peticon of Peter Adams to the Court That yor: peticoner Shewing (how that he is)
otherwise how that Samuell haydon detaines from him a Cow with her increase which to him
belongeth & unjustly kept from him Upon which it was Ordered that the said Samuell -
hayden appeare next Court to Show Cause (if any he have) why the said Peter Adams Should
not have the said Cow which to him of right belongeth as alsoe her increase &a:=
The Same Day
The peticon of Miles Harrison to the Court desireing that he might have Thomas Murphey one of
the Chilldren of Jno: Murphey & Bridgett his wife deced untill he came of age wch: wd: not be granted 
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Somerset Judicial Records 1692-96
Volume 535, Page 114
12 SEPTMBER 1695

40 ~  Thomas Williams, of  Saint Maries County, Pltf. vs. Michael Murphey, Deft. for debt of 300 lbs/tbco; 
Peter Dent, attorney for Williams, presents note signed 8 June 1694 by Murphey promising payment in St. 
Maries by 10 October following; Court rules for Williams as declared.

41 ~  Thomas Williams, Pltf. vs. Michael Murphey, Deft; declaration improperly stated Murphey’s name as
 Thomas; Court rules a non-suit.
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Volume 535, Page 95 
31 JANUARY 1694/5
162 ~  Writs Returnable 2nd Tuesday in March 1694/5:
Michael Murphey, answer to Thomas Williams
Michael Murphey, answer to Thomas Williams, Admn of Francis Decost