Voices of the People

Nova Scotia House of Assembly Petitions and Correspondence

30 December 1806

Petition of Elizabeth Brenton, widow of the late Hon. James, Puisne justice and Councillor. Lowness of Judge Brenton’s salary had been intensified by the fact that "owing to the state of embarrassment in which the public treasury was for a long time involved" …the warrants were not negotiable except at a discount of 25 or 25%. "That, being by these unfortunate circumstances deprived of upwards of one fourth of his small income for several successive years, he unavoidable contracted many heavy debts, which remained unpaid until he was appointed Judge of the Court of Vice-Admiralty in this Province which office he held for a short time, and by the emoluments of it was enabled to extricate himself from his difficulties. Illness of his daughter and himself have used up all his money and put him in debt, and his widow is left with the hosue, which will probably be seized by the creditors, and four fatherless daughters. She asks for relief. (Recommended by Lt.-Governor).

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 13 number 119