A First Roman Catholic Priest; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 1, No. 1, 1892

Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project

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A First Roman Catholic Priest

   William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Papers, Vol. 1, No. 1.
   (Jul., 1892), pp. 46-47.

                 A FIRST ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST.

   The following extracts, furnished by Mr. Edward W. James of Norfolk from the
Norfolk County Records, are interesting for throwing light upon the introduction
of Roman Catholicism into the colony:

           At a court held 15th of Sept 1687
                   CAPT WM ROBINSON

Present Capt Wm Crafford  mr Beno burrough
   Majr Jno Nicholls  mr Tho Butt Justices  Upon the Information of Hugh Campbell
against one Edmonds who pretends himself a papist priest and goeth by the name of
father Edmonds who hath lately maryed one Jno brockwell of nanzemond County to
mary bustian of this County wido contrary to law  It is ord that they the sd
Edmonds brockwell and bustian be somoned to the next court to ansr the Information
and what Else shall bee objected agt them and give good security for their
appearance and that William Lester and Melthen his wife be somd as Evidences
agt them.

                                          16th November 1687

Present Capt Wm Robinson  Capt Jno Hattone
   Lt Col Lawson mr Benony Burrougyh and mr patrick White Justices.

   Whereas upon Complaint of Hugh Campbell in the behalf of our Souverigne Lord
the King one Raymond who pretends himself a papist priest was Sumoned to this
Court for the Illegall marriage of Mary Bustian wido of this county to one John

Page 47.

brockwell of Nanzemond County without License or banes acting contrary to the
12th act of asembly int he printed book and he the sd Raymond now apearing In
court acording to his soms and owned that hee maryed the sd Brockwell and 
bustian butt produced a certificatt from the clerk of Eliz River psh that the
banes were there published butt the court nott being well satisfied whether hee
the sd Raymond bee qualified thereunto and conceave It to bee a Cause proper
for an Eclesiasticall Court hath therefore in all humility Represented the same
to his Excelency consideracon, and ordered that the Clerke of this Court send
a Cope of this ord and all other papers concerning It to the Secrytarys office
by the 6th day of the next gen Court.


   Mr Geo Newton security for the sd Campbell And whereas the sd Raymond
Rufuseth to give Security  It is further ard that hee make his apearance before
his Excelency the day aforsd or hee will ansr the contempt hereof.

   Ord that one Raymond a papist priest did publiquely in Court declare according
to his Mgs Proclamation for Liberty of Conscience(1) that he Intended the house
of mr Charles Egerton the house of Capt Robt Jordan and the house of Henry
usdick to meete at there Celebrate the mass and other Rights of their Church.
___________________

   (1) By King James II.