Can anyone tell me what a "covenant" servant was?  Was it the
same as an indentured servant?  Could it have been someone
who had been free, but, because of a lot of debt, he sold HIMSELF into servitude?

Also, what does "non est Inventus" mean?



---

This is sequence of events of life of John Bayly as I much as I can determine:


> 1675,  4 Oct. [ PB 6:564] - Patent to  MR. THO. COCK,  3,087 acres., 3 rods, Henrico Co, N. side
James Riv. Beg. on S. side Chickahominy Sw, at land taken up by Mr. Beachamp.  Trans. of  62
persons:  Included  JNO. BAYLY   & Godfrey Bayly.
[NOTE: It seems likely this is the John who patented land in 1687 in Henrico Co on Gillies Cr.]
---

>1679.  John Bayly was listed with one tithe in the 1679 TITHABLE LIST OF HENRICO COUNTY.  I think
he would NOT have been listed under his own name--but only as a number under whomever he was a
servant--had he been indentured at that time?
---

>1683.
Henrico Co Deeds 1677-1705.  Benj B. Weisiger III.  1986.  pg. 24.
Pg 262 of Deed Bk.  Power of Atty Thomas Cocke to Wm Randolph to demand of John Bayly a bill of
2,500 lbs tobacco.  27 Nov 1683.  Red: 1 Feb 1683/4.  Wit: Charles Blanchevill, Richard Cocke, Sr.
Signed: Tho. Cocke.
---

>1687, 20 Apr.  Patent Bk 7, p 560.  JOHN BAYLY, 736 a - Henrico Co. Virina Par; N side James R.
Beg at Henry Pruett & John Field; to Gylles Cr; adj Samuel Bridgwater.
---

>1688 - Patent Bk 7, p 691 - ALEXANDER MACKENNY of Henrico Co patented land which was adj to MR.
THO. COCK and MR. JNO. WATSON; White Oak Br, near New Kent Road]
---

 Virginia State Library: Henrico County Reel #53 - Henrico County Order Book 1678-1693.
     p. 324 - 1688.  THOMAS COCKE pltf vs JOHN BAYLY - 432 lbs tobo. Bayly returned nonent Inventus.
Ordered an attachment on Bayly's est.
     p. 326 - 1688.  JOHN BAILEY having in ct arrested Thomas Cardwell & entered no petition.  At
request of Thomas, a non suit is ordered.
     p. 408 - Feb 1689.   JOHN BAYLY being returned non est Inventus by sheriff, action entered
against
him by THOS CARDWELL for 800 lbs tobo by bill dated Feb 1689.  Attachment on his estate.
     p. 361 - Apr 1691.  " Wm Beets petitioning that JOHN BAYLY is indebted to him on ye balance of
a bill some[?] work   [T]o which  Ed Chilton in behalf of Alex Mckenny objecting that ye sd Bayly is
a  COVENt.
SERVANt, also that no action is brought agt ye sd Bayly the court have therefore dismissed ye sd
petition with costs.  Apr 1691.
[NOTE: The 1679 Tithable Lists of Henrico Co prove he was in Virginia by 1679, so he had been here
for at least twelve years.  Indentures were usually for no more than 7 years, I believe, unless they
were for a child and in three depositions he stated that he was born circa 1650 / 1651 /1652--so he
was no child.]
     p. 429 - 10 July 1691.  Judgment awarded  JNO WATSON plt against JOHN BAYLY, deft for 500 lbs
tob.
---

>1693.  JOHN BAYLY sold the 736 acres he had patented in 1687 to Giles Webb.  Giles Webb sold 100
acres "on account of Thomas Cardwell" evidently due from the court order above.

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html