Rats forborn?

Question

Had to do a double take on this one, from the New Haven Town Records, 20 Jun 1698

"''Rats forborn''. The town Remited at Least untill the next town meeting the town Rats of widdow Bech, widow Benham, and widow Humerston."

ie.RATES

SRC: Powers, Zara Jones (ed.) Ancient Town Records Volume III New Haven Town Records 1684-1769. (New Haven: New Haven Colony Historical Society 1962.) https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.aa0009880568;view=1up;seq=9 p. 145

Comments

I imagine that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals would be pleased by forbearance toward rats.    :-D

Answer 1

As approved by the Comitty !!

Comments

and we all know the convoluted definition of "committee" …

A camel is a horse that was designed by a committee.