The first case of litigation in the colony of which we have a record was that upon the petition of John Norton and Originall Jackson against Mr. Maurice Mathews, Mr. Thomas Gray, and Mr. William Owen. On August 28, 1671, it was ordered that the petitioners should appear before the Governor and Council upon Saturday, September 9, peremptorily to prosecute the complaint against the defendants. When that day came, upon hearing the petition, both parties having referred themselves to the determination of the Governor and Council, it was decided that the said John Norton and Originall Jackson should have sixteen pieces of cedar timber desired and one piece of cedar timber more claimed by the defendants.