1693 Signed by Pirate Captain Kidd’s Attorney Who Prosecuted Jacob Leisler and Files Complaint for Brutal Assault on Andrew Grove

[NEW YORK.] James Emott, Autograph Document Signed, April 1, 1693, New York, New York. 1 p., 7.75" x 12.25". Also includes two letters, 1942-1943, related to the document. Some tears on folds, but no loss of text; general toning

Prominent attorney James Emott filed this bill of complaint to initiate a lawsuit against Lowry Coleman for an assault upon Andrew Grove in New York City.

Excerpts
"Citty of New York
"Andrew Grove Complains against Lowry Coleman of the said Citty [?] of a plea of Trespasse and assault [?] and [?] the said Andrew Grove by James Emott his Attorney saith that he said Lowry Coleman the thirtyeth day of March in the fifth year of the Reigne of our [most?] Sovereigne Lord & Lady William and Mary [?] England as King and Queen at the said Citty of New Yorke in the ward of the said Citty with force and armes made an assault and affray upon him the said Andrew Grove and did [?] [?] strike beate wound and evill intreat him, so that he did dispaire of his life and [?] [?] harme to him did to the great Losse of him the said Andrew and against the peace of our said Lord and Lady for by reason whereof the said Andrew Grove say to his worse and have damage to the value of [?] pounds and upon this he brings this suite for.
"James Emott"

James Emott (ca. 1650-1713) was born in England and arrived in British North America in 1682. He settled in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he practiced law. In 1682, he also married Mary Lawrence, with whom he had at least four children. He was one of the witnesses to the will of East New Jersey Governor Phillip Carteret (1639-1682) in December 1682. He became clerk of Essex County in 1683 and moved to Perth Amboy, the new provincial capital, in 1685. In 1686, Governor Robert Barclay appointed Emott as Provincial Secretary. In August 1688, Governor Edmund Andros admitted Emott to practice law in any of the courts of the Dominion of New England, and Emott moved his practice to New York City. He opposed Jacob Leisler's takeover of New York City and moved to New Jersey until Governor Henry Sloughter arrived in New York in 1690. Emott served as one of the prosecuting attorneys in Jacob Leisler's treason trial. His law practice thrived, and he frequently advised the Governor's Council, represented the City of New York, and even represented the privateers/pirates William Kidd (ca. 1654-1701) and Giles Shelley (ca. 1645-1710). In 1702, he defended Nicholas Bayard in his treason trial under the provisions of an act Bayard had sponsored in 1691. Although the jury found Bayard guilty and the court sentenced him to death, the new royal governor Lord Cornbury reversed the sentence and restored Bayard's estate and reputation.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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