Shubael2 Painter (Thomas1) resided at Westerly and Newport, R. I. … He was deputy, 1670-1672. On 12 May 1679 he was tried for contempt of authority, owned himself guilty, and was fined and bound to peace and good behavior. On 10 May 1880 "An Indictment by the Atorny Genii agnst Shuball panter of Newport for Indeavoring Contrary to law to publish Marriage in two publick meetings about the month of March last in the Yeare 1679 : 80 unto Hannah the wife of Thomas Martin, and for keeping Company with said Hannah after being forbiden & forwarned by Authorety he being bound to this Court and in Court Called, Appeared pleads not guilty and Refers himselfe for Tryall to God and the Cuntry The Jurry Verdict Guilty: By the court Comitted to the Genll serjts Custody till called for. The Sentence of the Court is That Shubal painter either be sett in the stockes for a six howers time or pay twenty shillings to the Genl Treasury in mony betwixt this & Next Thursday twelve of the clock and that his bond be continued while next court and alsoe pay officers fees." (R. I. Court of Trials, vol. A, p. 51.) He was indicted, 27 Mar. 1683, for living with Hannah, the wife of Thom. Martin, contrary to law, was found guilty, and was sentenced to forfeit bonds and pay fee. As Shubael's wife Mercy was then dead and as he "published marriage" with Mrs. Martin, it seems probable that her husband had deserted or divorced her, and that only some legal quibble stood in the way of her remarriage. On 27 Mar. 1683 he was also prosecuted by John Williams for "takeing Sheep ffeloniously"; and he immediately commenced action against said John for "Sclaunder and Defamation." He was acquitted on the sheep charge, and was awarded £3 damages and costs of court on his counter suit. The case was referred to the next Assembly because Shubael was absent, being employed about the country's service. In 1688 he was appointed constable. In 1677 he sold to his brother-in-law, William Trowbridge, the share of the Lamberton estate to which his wife Mercy was heir; but in 1685 the sale was declared void, and the lands were resold to Samuel Smith. Probably it was held that this sale did not include undivided lands, for Shubael's son Thomas and daughter Margaret both disposed of land inherited from George Lamberton. His daughter Mercy seems never to have possessed any of this property; at least she did not assign her right in any deed on record at New Haven.
