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It was a bad year for Thomas, 1723. He seems to have run afoul of the law a few times. But then we don’t know the notorious swearer’s side of the stories.
1723 – Peter Beams, servant to Thomas Draper, “did fugitively absent himself from his master’sservice for the space of three days and that [Thomas] expended seven hundred fifty pounds of tobacco in procuring him again.” The court ordered that Peter Beams serve his master, or his assigns, six days for the three days absence and eleven months and one half for the seven hundred fifty pounds of tobacco after his time by indenture.
1723 - William Bockenbrough’s action against Thomas Draper was dismissed, the Plaintiff not prosecuting.
4 March 1723 - Thomas Draper of North Farnham Parish was summoned to answer the presentment of the Grand Jury against him as being “a common and notorious swearer to the dishonor of Almighty God contrary to law, and the civil example of others, and this day appearing but offering nothing material to excuse himself.” The court ordered that Thomas give good and sufficient security for his good behavior during the term of one year, and Thomas, together with William Brockenough, acknowledged themselves indebted in the sum of 20 Lbs. sterling. But if Thomas behaved “towards his said magistrate and all his leige people” then the fine would be void. 6
4 March 1723 - John Buxton filed a Chancery suit against Thomas Draper, who had been paid one thousand eight hundred forty-four pounds of tobacco to build a house for Buxton. By consent of both parties, Anthony Sidner and William Hamock were appointed by the court in January to view the work already done by Thomas, and report in their opinion how much the work is worth in proportion to the one thousand eight hundred forty-four pounds of tobacco. Their opinion was that the work already done by Thomas was worth five hundred pounds of tobacco, so it was ordered that Thomas pay Buxton the balance of thirteen hundred forty-four pounds of tobacco, which included costs of the suit.
March 1723 – That same month Bartholomew Richard Dodson and Thomas Draper appeared in court to answer the complaint of Christopher Pridham that they came to his ordinary at the court house on Thursday, 13 February, and without any provocation assaulted Pridham, Robert Mathews, and William Rust, and then “did beat wound and pursue with staves, clubbs, stones, and chaires: that the said Pridham and his family being in danger of their lives barred themselves up in his house which the said Draper and Dodson with force and armes attempted diverse times to break open contrary to the King’s peace, etc.” Bartholomew Richard Dodson and Thomas Draper appeared in court and “severall evidences being examined who fully proved the facts laid to their charge”, they were both fined “tenn pounds current money, and [ordered to] provide twenty pounds sterling each before being released by the sheriff.”
Again, Thomas Draper, along with Hugh Harris and Henry Fann, is hauled into court and fined accordingly: “Thomas Draper in the sume of forty pounds sterling and the said Hugh Harris and Henry Fann, each of them in the sume of twenty pounds sterling to be levied on their lands and tenements, goods, and chattles, upon condition that if the said Thomas Draper shall pay ten pounds current money when ordered it being a fine laid upon him by this court and shall keep the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King towards his said majesty and all his leige people, and especially towards the said Christopher Pridham, Robert Mathews and William Rust, that then this recognizance to be void and of none effect or else to remain in full force and virtue.” 7
14 May 1726 – Thomas is surety on a bond for the estate of Henry Miskell. 8
5 July 1726 - From Mary Dalton, widow, leaves to Henry Miskell and his wife Winifred “for the natural love which she has for Henry Miskell and Winifred, his wife, her daughter,” the plantation and tract of land where Henry Miskell lives, containing about 100 acres, “the same being part of Miskell Sr.’s 656 acre plantation. The land is bounded by Mr. Thomas Griffin, Mr. Thomas Dew, William Brockenbrough, and Thomas Draper. Signed Mary (O her mark) Dalton. Witness: Thomas Draper. 9
6 April 1732 - Thomas Draper was plaintiff in an action of trespass against Thomas Curtis, defendant. At the defendant’s motion a special “imparlance” is granted until the next court. The action of trespass against Thomas Curtis is dismissed on 7 November 1732, the plaintiff not prosecuting.
3 May 1732 - Thomas Draper purchased a mill from William Stone. 10
3 May 1732 - The Sheriff was ordered to summon Thomas Draper to the next court to answer the presentment of the Grand Jury against him for swearing one oath on the 27 October 1731.
1721-1732 – The court ordered the Sheriff to summon Thomas Draper to next court to answer the complaint of his servant, Richard Cornelius, and also ordered that Bartholomew Richard Dodson appear at next Court, and “bring with him the indentures he has in keeping between Thomas Draper and Richard Cornelius.” The order was dismissed, with no prosecution.
1721-1732 - An attachment was obtained by Christopher Petty against Thomas Draper for thirty pounds of tobacco and four bushels of Indian Corn, but it was dismissed.
3 February 1734 - Bond of 50 lbs recorded. Principal, Henry Miskell (identified elsewhere as an attorney); Obligee: Richmond County JPs; Securities: John Williams and Thomas Draper. Acts to be performed: Henry Miskell is administrator of estate of Mary Dalton, dec’d.
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