At a counsell held in the Sessions House September ye 22nd 1687.

Present:

Captain Thomas Richards Chief Justice was sworne upon the comition of Oyer & Terminer as also the Assistants vizt. Capt William Peniston, Mr Arthur Jones, Mr John Jansey, & Mr Joseph Darrell were sworne in like manner. After which the GovernE & Councell withdrew. And proclamacon was made by the Cryer for all persons that have had warning to appeare here this day to come into Court and answer to their names at their perills. The grand inquest and Jury for life or death were called and the Court being filled the aforesaid comition of Oyer & Terminer was publiquely read and the Grand Inquest sworne. The bill of enquiry in behalf of our Sovereigne Lord the King read vizt whether John Melton were guilty of killing or murthering Gillian Abbit or not guilty. The Grand Inquest withdrew and the evidence in behalf of the King were sworne and sent to the Grand Inquest to give in their evidence. And the Court ajiornd. Friday the 23rd Inst the Court being sat vizt. Captain Thomas Richards, and the Assistance, the Jury of Inquest came in and the Bill of Inquiry read and found a true bill upon which the Jury for life and death was called and sworne and the Indictment read to which the said John Melton pleaded not guilty and for his Tryal put himself upon God & his Country. The evisence was called & sworne and his defence made. The Judge gave the Jury their charge. And the Jury went out and in foure hours they returned, the Jury was called and the man arraigned and the Indictment read whereunto he pleaded not guilty. The foreman by appointment of the Jury delivered their verdict and found him guilty.

And the sentence of death was by the Judge pronounced against him vizt John Melton thou hast been arraigned and indicted and to the indictment thee hast pleaded not guilty and hast putt thy self on God and the Country which Country is a Jury of twelve sworne men who have found thee guilty. Thou shalt therefore depart from hense to the prison from whence thou camest and thou shalt remaine during the pleasure of the GovernE and from thense shalt be carried to the place of Execution. And shall be hanged by the Neck untill thou ar Dead, Dead, Dead.

He accordingly suffered on the Fifth of October 1687.