59 Testimony of David Dunster and Daniel Henshaw

    [ca. September 16 1657]

    The testimony of David Dunster and Daniell Hinshew he saith that upon the 16th day of September last, I riding to the towne with my mothers servant behind me with a bundell, Thomas Wasing coming behind the horse, it being a Meet Day, he not being willing to goe on fout, poynted att a stumpe of a tre saing I will gett up and ride. David said you shall gett up by and by and Daniell shall goe on foote. Then he lifting up both his hands scared the horse that he rund a way with us both and we being in great danger both to be throwne and maimed. Then he said I wish Daniell had fallen and broke his necke. Then after this as we were all most at notimy bridge the girth of the horse came losse, yet because he scared the horse I coulld not houlld him to get of to fasten it. Then Daniell scipt of as the horse went and toke houlld on the bridell to houlld him till I was gott of to fasten it, and when I was goeing of, the sadell fell of the horse under his belly with me and when I had fastened it I got on agine. And Daniell goeing to the next stump of a tre to get on Thomas Wassing clapt both his hands up on the horse behind and skipt on to the horse behind me and said, let the horse be goeing as fast as he will if I have but my hands atop of him I can hope up. Then I going to the stump of a tre to take Daniell up he put out his hand and said I vowe thou shalt not come up heare. Then Daniel geting on ride all 3 to misticke gatte. And upon the lords day was a fortnight as we were both riding to metting the same Thomas Wasing mett us and toke us by the feet and said I can throw you both of now if I please and noe body be the wiser. Then he toke the horse by the bridell and got on at a stumpe. Then as we came to notomy Bridge David said I will ride throw to watter the horse. Then Thomas skipt of and said on my conscience I will not rid for it will [tayre?] my Britches. These things we are able to testify if called to it.

    David Dunster

    the mark

    of Daniel Henshaw

    Henry Dunster Papers. Although the year of this document is not given, it seems reasonable to place it about 1657, when David Dunster was twelve years old.