We have this image of black-hatted buckle-shoed God-fearing Puritans, well....

Governor William Bradford recorded this about a 16 year old boy, dated Sept. 8, 1642:

"Thomas Granger was detected of buggery... with a mare, a cow, two goats, five sheep, two calves, and a turkey. Horrible it is to mention but the truth of history requires it."

Since law at Plymouth--which relied heavily on the Bible (Leviticus 20:15)--called for the execution of the animals as well as the perpetrator, the authorities made him reveal his partners.

"And whereas some of the sheep could not be so well known by his description of them, others with them were brought before him and he declared which they were and which they were not."

While most history books prefer to dwell on phony Thanksgiving stories, "History Laid Bare" (HarperPerennial) will go for a good sheep lineup any day.

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