The criminal transported

Several postings ago is Priscilla's great-grandfather-times-five, Martin Johnston, Revolutionary War soldier. Here is an ancestor of mine:

“To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting I James Waller Esq.r Clerk of the Peace for the County of Midd(lesex) do hereby Certify that at the General Sessions of the Peace and Sessions of Gaol Delivery of Newgate holden for the County of Midd in the Month of Febry last and at Several Preceeding Sessions … Thomas Merriman the Younger ... (was) for several Offences and Felonies whereof … stand(s) Convicted Ordered and directed to be Transported to some of his Majesties Colonies and Plantations in America for the following Terms to wit … for the Term of Seven Years And I do further Certify that all the said Persons above named were by the said Court Conveyed Transferred and made over to Andrew Reid and James Armour of London Merch.ts and their Assigns or the Assigns of one of them for the Respective Terms aforesaid in order to … being Transported accordingly Given under my hand the tenth day of March 1749

“Ja.s Waller”

http://aomol.net/000001/000701/html/am701--65.html

(The document lists about 40 English subjects, many of whom -- or their descendents -- became American citizens. In a book of passenger manifests until 1775, Thomas Merriman and Thomas Merriman Jr. are listed as having been delivered for servitude in Virginia in 1750.)