I found this intriguing report.
JOHN WATTS – KIDNAPPING MAIDENS
The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Published Quartely by The Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Va. Volume VI - No. 1 July 1898, p. 230
Title of Article: Kidnapping Maidens, to be Sold in Virginia, 1618
(Abstract, from English Pub. Record Office, by W. N. Sainsbury.)
Inclosure.
1618, Nov. 13.
Examinations of Francis Prewe, of Ottery, Thomas Crocker, William Mitchell and JOHN WATTS, taken before Sire Edward Hext of Somerton on the 16th and 31st of October 1618. In reference to the proceedings of Owen Evans in endeavoring to press Maidens to be sent to the Bermudas and Virginia -- that same bred such terror as above forty young women fled out of the parish of Ottery and were not yet to be found : That he threatened Prewe should answer his conduct in another place, if he failed, that Thomas Crocker should be hanged in the morning if he failed to press him some maidens, that Michell compounded with Evans for ten shillings to be free : and that Evans gave JOHN WATTS four shillings to press him four maidens and bring them to him at Sherborne Co., Dorset, and twelve pence to one Jacob Crystel to press Evans his [Cryste's] daughter.
