Q: "by will and doom" (1672)

[Charles Doyle]

Seems to me the phrase would mean something like "freely or by compulsion."  Would that make sense?

--Charlie
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---- Original message ----

>Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:08:36 -0500
>From: "Joel S. Berson" <Berson at ATT.NET>
>Subject: Q:  "by will and doom" (1672)
>
>What about the phrase "by will and doom"?  It is not in OED3, but appears to have been used with some understood meaning (but mysterious to me!) in legal documents in Massachusetts.  (The phrase shows up, but only a small number of times, via Google.)
>
>If any Invoyce or Bill of Parcels shall be falsified, concealed, or not produced ... it shall be lawful for the Treasurer or Collector ... to Rate all such Goods, or the Owner, or other Agent for the same, by Will and Doom, according to their best discretion.
>
>Thanks,
>Joel

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