Isaac Berry

Isaac Berry

1780-12-06

[T]he deposition of Isaac Berry of Lawful age who Testifieth & Saith that I the deponant being Bound for a certain sum of money for the Estate of John Wilkins late of Middleton in the the County of Essex gentleman Deceasd asked John Peters, who now lives on the said farm Estate (Previous to the disputes respecting the said Estate) to give me Security, but he refused, saying that if he gave me Security, he must give others security also, and he did not know how it would be, therefore and he would give none security. And further But the widow Wilkins told me, she would give me timely notice if she saw any Danger. Some time after, I went to her again and she told me to take Care of my Selfe – and I have lately heard the abovesaid John Peters say that he would spend all the Estate before he would Knuckle to Maj. Putnam – and further saith not. [signature, Isaac Berry]
Middleton December the 6th, 1780 —
[Verso] Essex Ss. Middleton December the 6th 1780. Then Personally appeared the within Isaac Berry, and after being Carefully examined & cautioned to tell the the whole truth: made solem[n] oath to the within written Deposition by him Subscribed. Taken at the request of Ezra Putnam of said Middleton Esq.} of Benjamin Wilkins Jr. Administrator on the Estate of John Wilkins Deceased -- to be used in a cause where to be heard & Tryed, at the Supreem Court of Probate for the Commonwealth of Massachusets to be held at Boston in the County of Suffolk on Thurdsday the 14th day of December Instant, wherein John Peters of said Middleton Husbandman is Petitioner & the said Benjamin Wilkins respondent, the said Isaac Berry Liveing more than 30 miles from the place of tryal is the cause of this Caption. The said John Peters was Notified & present at the takeing this Caption before me

Amos Putnam, Jus[tice of the] pais