Gunston Hall 17th. Febry. 1771.
There has been such shameful Havock made of the Deer during this Snow, when the poor Creatures cou'd not get out of any Body's Way, that I hope the Magistrates & Gentlemen of the County will think it their Duty to make an Example of the Offenders; and as I understand many of them intend to avoid half the Penalty by informing against each other I now make [an] Information to you against such Offenders as have come to my Knowledge; a List of which with the Number of Deer kill'd by each Person, you have on the other side; so that if any of them shou'd inform agst. their Comrades, their Scheme will be disappointed by my prior Information.
If the Magistrates will exert themselves properly, I think the Fines to this Parish will be upwards of £ 2oo—for if the Informations are made by Gentlemen 'tis probable they will give their Part of the Fines to the Parish after indemnifying themselves for their Expences. I am Dr Sir Yr. most Hble. Sert
Information made by George Mason Gentm. 17th. Febry. 1771. to Mr Alexander Henderson one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for Fairfax County against the several Persons whose Names are underwritten, Inhabitants of Truro Parish in the sd. County, for hunting & killing Deer in the said Parish since the first Day of January last past, contrary to Law
vizt. against
William Reredon for killing.... 3. Deer
John Reredon.... Do..... 4. Do.
Robt. Boggess Senr.... Do.... 2. Do.
Samuel Beach.... Do.... 2. Do.
James Hardwick Lane.... Do.... 2 Do.
Thomas Brookbank.... Do.... 3. Do.
John West.... Do.... [4?] Do.
Robert Church.... Do.... 5. Do.
Joseph Ransom.... Do.... 7. Do.
William Western.... Do.... 5. Do.
Joseph Bailey.... Do.... 4. Do.
Thomas Molan.... Do.... 1. Do.
List continued on the other [s]ide
List of Persons inform'd against for hunting & killing Deer contrary to Law, continued from the other Side— against
William Douglass, Son of Robt. Douglass, for killing.... 1. Deer
Thomas Athie, Son of Walter Athie.... Do.... 1. Do.
William Simpson (at Belmont) Do.... 2. Do.
Walter Athie.... Do.... 6. Do.