The Life Of George Holcomb – In Court With Joshua Crocker

It is the Fall of 1821. In the last episode, Holcomb got into a fight with a man that owed him some work, and it ended with him serving papers on the fellow, one Joshua Crocker, for assault.
Nov. 30, Friday:  Today I tended still some.  I took the sleigh and rode to Hancock to try to market my port, but not certain.  I returned and stopped to my farm and took on a load of wood and fetched it to Wm’s door.  This evening I took the sleigh and carried Eber Moffit and John Sackett and Benj. Sackett and Brother John Wylie all over to Nancy Griggs Inn to Joshua Crocker on assault and battery court that I complained in behalf of the people.  I was sworn as follows as the circumstances took place.  I went to the house of Caleb Chapman’s where said Crocker lived.  I knocked and was bid come in.  I entered the house and was asked to sit down.  I took a chair and after said Crocker had finished his supper and sat around to the fire, I then told him I came after him to go to my house and shoemake.  He told me he could not go.  I told him that he had promised to come and work when ever I called likewise if I gave off five dollars off the rent and let him move he would come anytime and shoemake any time, but he told me he would not come, for he had his father Chapman’s cattle to fodder.  I then told him that I would sue him if he did not pay me.  I would carry him to jail and would keep him there six months.  He then rose out of his chair and ordered me out of the house.  He took up his chair and threatened of beating while I was making my escape out of the house.  By the time that I had got about one rod from the door, he seized me and fetched me to the ground and put a number of blows onto my head, and took me by the throat, threatening that he would whop me unless I would give in his rent.  I scuffled and got away from him.  He then came at me the second time and collared me and struck me a number of times and pushed me about.  I then got away from him and got onto my horse and came home, without striking him or hurting him in the least bit.  The Court saw fit to fine said Crocker seven dollars.  Said Crocker swore out a warrant against me.  I came forward and was tried, and was cleared.  Said Crocker came forward and swore to positive falsehood.  He swore that I waylaid him as he stepped onto his stepping stone, I took him by the throat and beat him and scratched him and tore his clothes and he fought his way and got out of reach.
I paid 69 cents this evening for liquor to the Widow Griggs.