WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE QUARTERLY HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. Vol. VI APRIL, 1898. NO. 4 
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF ISLE OF WIGHT. 
BY R. S. THOMAS. 

On the 13th of January, 1775, the Committee of Safety consisted of John Scarsbrook Wills (chairman), Josiah Parker, Brewer Godwin, Arthur Smith, the Rev. Henry John Burgess, John Mallory, Tristam Norsworthy, Jr., William Davis, Goodrich Wilson, and Nathaniel Burwell; Francis Young (clerk). 

On the 17th of January there also appeared Richard Hardy, Thomas Pierce, John Day, and Timothy Tynes. 

On the 15th of May there was added John Driver, Joshua Council, Thomas Fearne, Mills Wilkinson, Edmund Godwin, Joseph Cutchin, Henry Pitt, Jethro Gale, William Jordan, and Thomas Smith. 

July 27, 1775, "George Purdie, merchant of the town of Smith- field, charged at a former meeting with violating the Continental Association, and being summoned to appear here this day to answer the said charge, he informed the committee he would appear, but that he had been informed that he was to be tarred and feathered, guilty or not guilty." 
     I was surprised to find that the only charges against him were "for selling three or four yards of crown rolls for 1 shilling per yard current money"; also two yards of do. for 1 shilling, three scanes of thread for ------, some pins for 1s, 6d., and some needles at double price; and "that he had told William Flake that every- body who signed the association would be sent to England to be hanged."
      There were witnesses against him as to these charges. The committee thought they ought to be inquired into, and so again summoned him to appear, and assured him that the threat he mentioned had not been entered against him. Robert Tynes and John Sym were also ordered to appear at the next meeting of the committee. John Armstrong seconded expressions "inimical to the interests of North America." There were no further proceedings against any of the parties mentioned, or any others at any time, from which I conclude the country was "solid" in its patriotism.