Worcestershire Quarter Sessions: 1680s

The minister, churchwardens and other inhabitants of Tenbury. Ref.110 BA1/1/136/24 (1680)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace at a sessions holden at
Worcester the fifth day of October, one thousand six hundred and eighty

Whereas your worships have been pleased at some former sessions
to grant an order that the overseers of the poor of the town of Tenbury
should pay weekly a pension of eightpence, unto one Nathaniell Maund
of the same town, mason, and likewise at the last sessions, you were
pleased to grant unto him the said Maund, an augmentation of
eightpence by the week more, to the great prejudice of the said town and parish
therefore we the minister and church wardens, with severall others the
inhabitants of the said town, do make bold to certifie unto your good
worships, that the said Maund hath for these many years wholely
declined his trade, giving himself alltogether to begging, both in the town
and country, comitting what he gains thereby, to sale; and the money he
very often converts to drunkenesse and he is a common drunkard;
a railer, and will abuse any of the town or parish with most base and
opprobrious language. In brief, he is of the most vicious life and conversation
of any person in the countrey. The premises considered, we humbly
pray that both the said pensions may by your good worships be taken of,
and your petitioners shall pray etc.

• Thomas Cornewall
• Edmund Edwards
• Thomas Noblett
• Richard Dawker
• William Lane
• Thomas Hill
• John Gent
• John Angoll
• William Richards
• Thomas Coundley
• Thomas Marsh


• John Smyth minister
• William Holland
• John Noblett
• Edmond Lane church wardens
• Edward Walker
• John Ward
• Richard Tomlins constables
• Richard Smyth
• Richard Waldron
• John Langford
• Edward [illegible]
• Thomas [illegible]
• Richard [illegible]

John Plebey, Jobe Pengory and others on behalf of William Taylar. Ref.110 BA1/1/136/25 (1680)

Wigorn

To the right worshipfull the Kinges majesties justices
of the peace at this present seacions here
asembled for the cownty aforesaid

Humbly sheweth
whereas William Taylar of Acton Beachamp in the
cownty aforesaid beeing acused for takeing the goodes of
Elizabeth Hadley of the parrish aforesaid and that the said
Elizabeth Hadley haveing taken her corporall oath that
shee upon search by warrant did find certaine goodes [which?]
shee lost in the dwelling howse of the said William
Taylar and that the question beeing asked by severall
persons how shee cowld knowe her goodes from others shee
replied and said that shee knew them by the feele

Wee whose names are hereunto subscribed doe hereby
[illegible] your good worships that the said Elizabeth
[illegible] for many yeares proclaimed her selfe to bee
blind [illegible] whose names are hereunto subscribed
who were [lat...?] [illegible] the aforesaid parrishe this last
yeare in [1679?] [illegible] unto the said Elizabeth Hadley
weekely tax [at...?] [illegible] of beeing blinde beeing
led by a boy to [g...?] [illegible] and wee most humbly
desire your worships to take the premises [into?] your serious
consideracions that the said William [Taylar?] may not
suffer wrong by the deboysnes of such [illegible]
for the which wee [as?] in duty bownd shall ever [re...?]
Your most humble servantes in all humillity

• John Plebey
• Jobe Pengory
• [illegible]

Ralph Russell and others. Ref.110 BA1/1/136/26 (1680)

Most worthy Sir

Upon the occasion of bringing by virtue of
a warrant one John Hudson in your presence
for acts of misdemeanor wee whose
names are hereunto subscribed (being all of
the town of Upton upon Seaverne) have
thought it most convenient at this time to make
our humble addresses unto your worshipp as not
knowing how elsewhere to be relieved, but before
your worshipp or such like that is to say the
aforesaid John Hudson is a most monstrous blasphe
ming person commonly most dreadfull in his oaths
and imprecacions, most turbulent to his neighbours
insoemuch that at one time he plagued eight or
nine honest men with us in the crown office, [not?]
knowing a cause thereof, till it had cost them
eighteen or nineteen pounds, some of them be=
ing not able to bear the burden and sometimes
[he threat...?] this way att other times he has been
[heard?] [illegible] to threaten to fire his own houseing and
[consequ...?] [illegible] effect ours, still reviling and
[slandering?] [illegible] and soe troublesome at night
seasons (by [illegible] those of his own family cry
out murder [illegible] are alwayes possessed
with fear by means of the aforesaid person in
hopes your worshipps [will?] credit what is here re=
lated and afford us some [illegible] [...if?] possible
wee humbly take our leaves [being?] your
worships most humble [illegible]

• Ralph Russell
• [Zecharie?] [illegible]
• John Price
• John Shipman
• Thomas Selfe


• Samuel [Lynton?]
• Phillip [Ban...?]
• Christopher [Wr...?]
• William [Bound?]
• William [Cha...?]
• Thomas Allen

John Lampett of Great Hampton by Evesham. Ref.110 BA1/1/136/27-28 (1680)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of
the peace for the county of Worcester

The humble petition of John Lampett of Great Hampton
by Evesham

Humbly sheweth
That your petitioner being informed that he was presented the last quarter sessions for
having a newerected tenement in Great Hampton by Evesham, doth humbly represent to
your worships. That the said tenement so pretended to be new=erected, was a tenement long
before the memory of man, and before the statute of tricesimo primo of Queen Elizabeth
and was demised togeather with severall parcells of land thereto belonging, to one
John Barnes in the 21th yeare of King James, and hath no way been encreased since,
but rather lessened, your poore petitioner by reason of his poverty having been forced to
[sell?] the land once belonging to it and of the truth of this he is ready to produce a
[certificate?] under the handes of severall of the said parish.

[illegible] [petitioner?] humbly adresseth himselfe to your worships as his
[illegible] [...tice?], good [...and?] [illegible] assured, humbly
[illegible]
[illegible] [...wers?], or [illegible] of
[illegible] [...nce?]
[illegible] poore
[illegible] as may be

[illegible] ever pray for your worships

Wee, whose names are under written, parishoners of Great Hampton
by Evesham, do certifie to all whome it may concerne; that the house
of John Lampett in Great Hampton aforsaid, in which he now dwelles (said
to be presented as a new erected tenement) hath been longer built
then any of us remember, and had once severall parcelles of land
belonging to it, and was togeather with the said land demised, in
the 21th yeare of King James, to one John Barnes, as by the said
demise (to us showne) appeareth.

• William Johns curate


• John Clarke
• Edward Callowe
• Thomas Harborne
• William Style
• Henry Shreeve
• Thomas Emes

John Pearkes. Ref.110 BA1/1/136/29 (1680)

The humble peteecion of John Pearks

Whereas a court leet and court baron
was houlden at Stoake Prior upon the 30th
day of September 1680 there was mencioned
to serve for constable John Pearkes whom
wee of the jury whose names are hereunto
subscribed doe certifie, that wee did not
consent and aprove of by reason that the
house wherein hee now dwelleth served
that office so lately, therefore the
complaynant doth humbly beseech you that
hee may bee excused of that office, and that
some other that is more fit may bee
nominated to serve it, by reason that there
bee suffeecient men that have bin housholders
this 20 or 30 yeares that have never served
it as yet.

• William Porter
• John Chellingworth
• [illegible] Bell
• the mark of Thomas Carpenter
• Richard Peyton
• William Cookes
• William Knight
• John Lilly
• Stephan Smith

Mary Knowles of Worcester, St Andrew. Ref.110 BA1/1/137/107 (1680)

To the Kings majesties justices of the peace at the quarter
sessions holden for the county of the cittie of Worcester the humble peticion
of Margarett Knowles of the parish of Saint Andrew within the cittie of Worcester

Humbly sheweth unto your good worships that whereas your petitioners sonne was borne
in Bewdley towne and your petitioner since that time by consent hath inhabited
in the parish of Ombersley and the officers of the said towne or burrough of
Bewdley did seale a bond of fifty pounds to save the said parish of Ombersly
harmeless from the said child and have paid 10 pence per weeke towards the reliefe
of your petitioners sonne since that time now your petitioners sonne being attained unto ten yeares
of age the said officers of the said towne of Bewdly doe refuse to pay the said
weekly allowance as they have donne heretofore your petitioner and her husband being
exeeding poore and having five small children are utterly unable to mainteyn
the said child humbly craves your good worships to take into your judicious consideracion the
deplorable condicion of your poore petitioners sonne and graunt that the said officers of
Bewdly may continue the said allowance for the relief of your poore petitioners sonne
or take some care to put your petitioners sonne an apprentice which may be donne
for forty shillings that your petitioners sonne goe not a begging about the country
and your petitioner shall as in duty bound pray etc

Joan Lovegrove of Claines. Ref.110 BA1/1/137/109 (1680)

To the worshipfull the justices of peace
of the county of the citty of Worcester
the humble petion of Jone Lovegrove
of the parrish of Claynes

Humbly sheweth
That your petioner beeing very poore and
in sad condition having lost her frindes
and husband and is now turnd ought of dores
her and her childe and hath not a place to putt
her head in beesheeching your worships to tacke
it in to consideration that shee may have
sum releefe her and her childe

• Thomas Vernon

Roger Bundy of St Johns in Bedwardine, labourer. Ref.110 BA1/1/139/32 (1681)

To the worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace for
the county of Worcester

The humble petition of Roger Bundy of the
parish of Saint Johns in Bedwardine in the county
of Worcester labourer

Humbly sheweth
that your petitioner hath in much faithfullnes served his
late majestie of blessed memory and our present sovereigne in the
unhappy warrs and hath hetherto in honest labour kept
himself without any charge to the parish wherein hee now inhabites
but now may it pleas your worships your poore petitioner by
reason of the impairing of his sight and by great age is brought
very low and poore, and haveing not abillitie to worke for his
mainetenance is in all likelyhood and dainger of perishing if
not prevented by your worships appointment

Your poore petitioner in all humillity
prostrates himself to your worships consideracion
humbly hopeing your worships will resent
your petitioners condition and hee as in duty
bound will constantly pray

• [T:Lanis?]

Arthur Bagshawe of Feckenham, tailor. Ref.110 BA1/1/139/33 (1681)

To the right worshipfull the justices of [the?] peace assembled in
sessions

The humble peticion of Arthur Bagshawe of Feckenham in the county
of Worcester taylor

Humbly sheweth
That your peticioner is very aged and decayed in his labour and not
able to gett his liveing by reason of severall shottes and woundes received in
the late warrs in his majesties service your petnoure haveing ever been
a loyall and a faithfull subject to his late majesty and to his present
majesty that nowe is. Particulerly [the?] your peticioner received one shott in
the hand and another in the throate, your peticioner never yett [peticioned?]
for any pencion whilst hee was able otherwise to subsist because
hee was not willing to bee troublesome to your worshipps or
burthensome to the country butt his necessities now pressing

Hee humbly prayes your worshipps consideracion
of the premisses and to take his lamentable condicion
into your consideracion and to make him some
allowance out of the county stock if nott a yearly
pencion and hee shall ever pray etc

• Henry Townshend

Thomas Woosall, a prisoner in the castle of Worcester. Ref.110 BA1/1/139/34 (1681)

To the worshippfulls his majesties
justices of the peace att the generall
quarter sessions to be holden for
the county of Worcester the 12th day
of Aprill anno domini 1681

The humble petition of Thomas Woosall
a prisoner in the castle of Worcester

Sheweth
That your petitioner about halfe a yeare last past
was comitted to this goale for the feloniousley
takeing away of one pigg, and your petitioner had
his triall thereupon the last quarter sessions held
for this county, and your petitioner was then
discharged of his fact by due course of law, and
since your petitioner hath not had any friend to supply
him with money to pay his fees whereby your
petitioner may have his liberty, and since your
petitioner hath not had any allowance or any
imployment whereby to relieve your petitioner in his
greate distresse and want, where your petitioner
is like to perish unlesse your worshipps will
out of your charity releive your poore petitioner
according to justice and equity

And your petitioner shall ever pray etc

• Thomas Woosall

Henry Dyson of Areley Kings, a soldier. Ref.110 BA1/1/139/35 (1681)

To the right worshipfull the justices of the
peace for the county of Worcester
the humble petition of Henry
Dyson of the parish of Arely Kings
in the same county sheweth

That whereas your poore petitioner hath beene
in service under King Charles the first and
King Charles the 2d and receved many wounds
and hurts whereby hee hath beene much disabled
for the worke of his calling litle thinking
to better his condition by way of addresse
to your worships, yet seing that him selfe and
wife have beene visited with sicknesse for above
a yeares space last past and had perished had they
not beene releeved by the charitie of good neighbours
(as is well knowne to the subscribers) and is still in
a very low estate theerfore hee humbly beseec=
heth your worships to commiserate him by allowing
him some competent pension, and hee and his
will bee engaged to pray ever for you.

• Gilding Wotton
• Thomas Crane
• Walter [Walshe?]
• Thomas Gegg


• J Baily rector


• John Stretch
• Thomas Portman
• John Mitchell
• Thomas Pooller
• Walter Pooller
• Walter Wildsmith
• Henrie Cowell
• Joseph Hare
• John Martine
• William Terrill

Lewis William of Claines. Ref.110 BA1/1/139/36 (1681)

To the right worshipfull the Kinges majesties justices of the peace
at the quarter sessions houlden for the county of the cittie
of Worcester the humble petition of Lewis Williams of
the parish of Claines in the said county of Worcester

Humbly sheweth unto your good worships that in consideracion of
my exeeding poverty and great age and weakness and my wifes age
and impotency and for my service unto his majestie your worshipfull
bench were graciously pleased to grant unto me your poore petitioner a
sessions order that your poore petitioner should receive eight pence
by the weeke to be paid by the churchwardens of the said parish
of Claines whereas your poore petitioner never received but one eight
pence and that the churchwardens refuse to obey your worships
order your petitioner and his wife being not able to subsist your petitioner
having lived in the said parish of Claines forty and two yeares
humbly craves that your good worships would be pleased to
comisserate the necessity of your poore petitioner and further order
reliefe for your poore petitioner and your petitioner shall as in duty
bound pray etc.

• [T:Lanis?]

The overseers of Malvern. Ref.110 BA1/1/139/56 (1681)

To the honourable justises the humble
petition of John Burd and John Neede
overseers of the poore of Greate Malvorn
d that an order may be granted that
Edman Cother of Newland hee haveing
a suffishent estate in our parish shall
take Margorit Dunn an aprentis shee
being fit and of age to be placed

• Richard Dowdeswell

The parishioners of Hartlebury. Ref.110 BA1/1/139/57 (1681)

To the right worshipfull his majesties
justices of the peace at the generall
sessions of the peace for the sayd
county of Worcester the humble
petition of the parishioners of Hartlebury
in the sayd county humbly
sheweth to your worships

That one Thomas Foley esquire deceased formerly owner of Wildon forge
in our said parish did alwayes in his life time take care to secure our
said parish from any charge that might have hapned to our said parish by
reason of his bringing workmen into our said parish to work at his said
forge at Wildon, but hee beinge dead his sonn as wee heare hath set
the said forge to tenantes videlicet Master Richard Avenant and Master John
Wheeler who doe not only refuse to take care of the children of
one Thomas Lavender deceased but alsoe will against our consentes bringe
in John Leanord senior and John Leanord junior and severall other workemen
under them with greate charges of children into our parish without [giving?]
us any securety to indempnefie our said parish, wee in prevention [thereof?]
have had the said persons before the worshipfull Henry Townsend esquire
a justice of the peace of this county who ordered them to apeare
and abide your worships order of this sessions, wee therefore [humbly?]
pray that thay may either give us good securety to indemnefie our
said parrish or that your worships will graunt an order in default
thereof to send them to Knivar in Staffordsheire from whence
they came and we shall bee bound to pray for your worships etc.

• [T:Lanis?]

James Wilmott of Hartlebury. Ref.110 BA1/1/139/58 (1681)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace att the generall sessions
for the peace houlden the 12th daye of July 1681 for the county of Worcester the humble
petition of Caines Wilmott of Hartlebury of Hartlebury in the said county humbly sheweth

That your petitionours predicessors tennantes to the predicessors of the reverend father in God James nowe Lord Bishopp
of Worcester did heartofore severall hundred of yeares agoe erect on the land belongine to the said former Lord Bishopp and nowe
to the present Lord Bishop five fulling milles and a corne mill and did then cutt a trench through the same downe to the
roade way leadinge betwixt Worcester and Bewdly and did by the said cutt make the said cutt footeway enpassable for foote persones so
that they did (for the use of foote persones only) erect and sett a bridge of single plankes with small charge to serve att
reasonable waters for the passage [illegible] of the foote passengers which continued for seaverall hundred yeares and soe that att
high waters all horsemen were forced to goe to the mills next above which were the free hould and inheritance of your petitioners
ansestours and there besides goeinge a mile out of theire waye, were forced to pay by reason of theire goeinge over the said frehold
one penny for every horseman untill about sixty yeares agoe in the time of the Lord Bishop Thornburys whoe liveinge att
Hartlebury Castle and takeinge notice of the greate conveniency that a horse bridge would bee to the country did purchase
as your petitioner hath heard to have built one there at his owne charge but at that very time whilst the buildinge
of the said bridge was in consultation, one Phillip Jolly of the said parrish of Hartlebury yeoman was summoned unto
the spirituall courte for begettinge a bastard childe and did confesse the same and for a commutation and to prevent his corporall
pennance, did (haveinge some timber allowed by the said Lord Bishop) at his charge erect and set upp a very good horse
bridge, which hath served to the greate advantage of the country, in generall ever since, but nowe soe it is, maye
it please your worships that the same is fallen to decaye, which as timber and workemens wages now is will cost
above 25 pounds to make it as the said Tolly did make it but not above 40 shillings to make it as it was before that time only
for foote persones, which your petitioner humbly conceives is as much as hee by his tenure or in the judgment of any
juditious man one the sight of the place wilbee concluded fitt for him to doe your petitioner therfore prayes
that this honourable bench will assigne some one of the neigh neybour justices or sume other discreet person
to veiw the place and heare what evidence shalbee given in the premisses, that this honourable court maye att the
next generall sessions order what they thinke fitt to bee done in the premisses which order your petitioner will readily
obeye performe one his parte and in the meane time will laye a planke for foote persones to pass a heartofore
beffore the makeinge of the said horse bridge by the said Tolly.

The named inhabitants of Rushock. Ref.110 BA1/1/140/28 (1682)

Whereas John Ingram, alias England of the parish
of Elmley Lovett in the county of Worcester taylor,
and Judith his wife, have taken to farme and doe rent
of Alice Tanner of the parish of Hampton Lovett
widow a certaine small tenement and land thereunto
belonginge, lyinge and beinge in the parish of Rushocke
in the county aforesayd; and whereas the overseers
of the poore of the sayd parish of Rushocke and the parisho=
ners there have given disturbance to the sayd John and
his wife, and doe oppose theyr settlement with them,
fearinge and pretendinge that they may become burden
=some and chargeable to them: wee therefore whose
names are hereunto subscribed, beinge inhabitants and
parishoners of Elmley, doe request and desire our lovinge
neighbours, the inhabitants and parishoners of Rushocke
to permit and suffer the sayd John and his wife quietly
and peaceably to dwell and inhabit in the house they have
taken: and we doe promise, and hereby oblige our
selves, that if they should fall into poverty or want,
we will either receive them into our parish againe,
or relieve and support them, as need shall require,
soe that they shall not in any manner be charge
=able to the parishoners of Rushocke

Elmley Lovett
April 22th 1682

• Henry Townshend
• Edward Best rector
• Robert Townshend
• William Hill
• John Bird
• William Robbyns churchwardens and overseers of the poore.
• William Best his marke

The overseers of the poor and other inhabitants of Whistones. Ref.110 BA1/1/152/120 (1683)

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace
of the county of Worcester assembled
in sessions

The humble petition of the overseers of the poore
and other the inhabitantes of the townshipp of Whistans

Most humbly sheweth
That by reason of the late contagious diseases
and sicknesses within the said townshipp many of
the sayd inhabitantes that had great charges of children
are lately dead to wit eight children of one Hughes
a taylor 3 children of one Nicholas 5 of one
Jackson's and one of a certeyne woman called
Black Besse, all lately deceassed and these
17 children are all fallen uppon the said townshipp
which with the poore they allready had is become
soe exceedingly increased that they are not able
with their former allowance to subsist

Therefore they humbly pray releiff in the premisses
and that they will pleas to [illegible] enlarge their present
allowance of the hundred that theis persones may have
some charitable releiffe
and your peticioners shall
dayly pray

• Thomas Vernon

The inhabitants of Eckington. Ref.110 BA1/1/152/122 (1683)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace of the county of Worcester

The humble peticion of the parishoners and inhabitantes
of Eckington in the said countie of Worcester

Sheweth
that whereas there hath been an ancient tymber bridge consistinge of seaven arches over the river of Avon in the
parish of Eckington fitt and convenient for all his majesties leidge people to passe and repasse from the northerne partes of this
kingdome southwardes with carts waggons and other carriages, the which said bridge hath tyme out of [mind?]
yearely and as often as neede required hath been repaired at the sole chardge of your peticioners the inhabitantes of Eckington
aforesaid, but by reason of the great frosts and the great waters and ice, the mayne tymber of the said bridge is
become soe farr decaied and ruynous that it is dangerous for his majesties subjects to pass over the said [bridge?] [illegible] uppon
the view of able and sufficient workemen it is thought the tymber worke cannot be repayred without the [build...?] [illegible]
stone pier the which your peticioners are unable to doe without the assistance of the county or well disposed [persons?]

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that your worshipps will take
the premisses into your consideracion and to give and allow them such summe
or summes of money out of the surplusage of the county stocke as in your
wisedome you shall thinke convenient for and towardes the buildinge of the
said peir and repaire of the said bridge and your peticioners as in duety bound
shall ever pray for worshipps happines and prosperity

The lord of the manor and inhabitants of Shrawley. Ref.110 BA1/1/152/59 (1683)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace
for the county of Worcester at the sessions holden there October the
[illegible]th 1686

The humble petition and request of the lord of the mannor and other
the inhabitants of the parish of Shrawley whose names are hereunto
subscribed humbly sheweth

That your petitioners the inhabitants of Shrawley aforesaid lye
under a very great trouble and discontent by reason of Thomas
Boyce James Powell the younger and Margarett [illegible] and other that have latly brewed of
our parish of Shrawley aforesaid who keep petty alehouses selling ale
without lycence in despight of your petitioners, to the very great
dishonour of God and prophanation of the sabbath, they being all of
them lusty people and fitt for any other imployment, and non of
them sufficient to accommodate a travellor one his journey, not with
standing our officers have taken all the care and paines possible
for the suppressing of them, but they are now growne soe high
and insolent that they contemne and despise our officers giveing
them ill words and threatening language, whereupon your
petitioners have thought good to make our humble addresses
to your worships in this case humbly praying your worships
to assist us, and that some order may be issued out for the
speedy suppressing of them not doubting but it will much tend
to the glory of God and the satisfaction of your petitioners and your
petitioners shall ever pray for your worships fillicsity

• Bryan Seaverne senior
• Thomas Weaver constable
• Edward Holder
• John Hopkine
• Walter Cooke
• Thomas Smyth
• Simon Hopkins overseres
• Thomas Hamton
• Thomas Weaver wardens


• Allane [Chifte?]
• Bryan Seaverne junior
• Edward Burlton rector
• Thomas Hopkins
• Thomas Seaverne senior
• John Seaverne
• Thomas Stone
• Richard Smyth
• Thomas Seaverne junior
• William Tone senior

John Morley and Thomas Browne. Ref.110 BA1/1/145/14 (1684)

[illegible] [worshipfull?] the justices of peace of
[illegible] [Worcester?] assembled att the
[illegible] [sessions?] of the peace holden for
[illegible] county

[illegible] [John?] Morley and Thomas [Brown?]
[illegible] chirurgeons
[That one?] [illegible] of Upton upon Seaverne a very
[poore?] man by a late misfortune of a fall broke his arme
putt out his hipp bone and exceedingly bruised his whole
body and being in that sadd condicion procured your peticioner
Morely to come t goe to him and did sett his arme and
applyed cure to all his hurtes and bruises and goeing afterwardes
to vissitt him and to prosecute his cure had a fall from
his horse and broke his owne arme and then was forced
to procure your peticioner Browne to administer to the sayd
Huntley in his absence and by their assistanc and the
blessing of God allmighty the said Huntly is in a fair way of recovery
butt hee being poore and nott able to make any recompenc
to your peticioners they applyed them selves to the churchardenes
and overseers of the poore for recompenc whoe utterly
refuse to give them any thing att all whereupon your
peticioners gave them notic to attend your worshipps this sessions

Your peticioners pray your consideracion and examinacion
of the premisses and to make such order for your
petitioners releiff in the premisses as you shall [illegible]
agreeable to justice and equity

And your petitioner shall pray etc.

John Morrice of Severn Stoke, labourer. Ref.110 BA1/1/145/15 (1684)

To the honourable and worshipfull the justices
of the peace for the county of Worcester in
their courtt of sessions assembled:

The humble peticion of John Morrice of the parishe of
Severn Stoke in the foresaid county laborer

Humbly sheweth that your peticioner abowt five yeares last
past was charged by one Isbell Osborne of the parishe
[illegible] Pershore foer getting of a bastard childe and
[illegible] upon your peticioner was ordered by the said courtt to
[illegible] one shilling a weeke towardes the mainetainance
[illegible] said childe; and since that your peticioner moveing this
[illegible] was ordered to paye 8 pence per weeke till further order

Now may itt please your worshipes your peticioner is
reduct to a very lowe condicion: and last winter did
receive greate losse: and his wife a very infirme
and sickley woman and his wife and children
now sicke and your peticioner hath little or noe worke
haveing nothing to mainetaine them butt by his
hard labor: and is nott able to paye any longer

Your peteicioner therefore humblely prayes
that this courtt will be pleased to discharge
him from payeing the foresaid 8 pence
a weeke, otherwise your poore peticioner
will be forct to leave his countrey
and his wife and children will inevitably
be rueind: unless pyttyed by your worshipes

And your peticioner shall
ever pray:

Inhabitants of South Littleton. Ref.110 BA1/1/145/65 (1685)

Worcester sessions

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace
at the generall sessions after Epiphany anno domini
1684.

The humble peticion of us whose names are
subscribed inhabitantes in South Littleton.

Sheweth
That one Richard Ayres of the said towne tayler
haveinge formerly a licence from some of the justices
of the peace of the said county to sell ale in the said towne
hee the said Richard Ayres hath of late kept very ill
orderes in his said house by sufferinge our servantes
and otheres to tipple there in the night tyme and especially
on the Lordes dayes to the great disturbance of the
peace and the damage of the neighbourhood.

Wherefore, and forasmuch as the said Richard Ayres
hath a good trade of which he may live very well (hee
being accounted a curious workman) your peticioners
humbly pray that he may be suppressed
for keeping an alehouse for the time to come

And your peticioners shall ever praye

• John Simons
• Thomas Waubling
• William Colman
• John Walford
• William Handy
• William Marshall

Gilbert Hutton of Claines. Ref.110 BA1/1/148/50 (1685)

To the worshipfull the Kinges majesties justices of
the peace for the county of Worcester

The humble petition of Gilbert Hutton
of the parish of Claynes

Humbly sheweth
That your petitioner beeing a very weake and
infirme man and hee haveing three very weake small
children of his owne and one other sonne (by marriing
of a widdow) called Ralph Braddock who was borne in
the said parrish beeing fitt to goe to bee an apprentice
your petitioner makeing his application to the churchwardens
and others of the parish they ordered your petitioner to finde out
a master for him and they would give the usuall allowance
which was 4 pounds. Soe your petitioner did place him with
theire approbacion to William Jones of Whistones tytheing
a tayler, and now beeing denyed the money promised
the lad is like to bee turned home againe upon your petitioner
whoe is noe way able to provide for him

Doth therefore humbly pray the order
of this worshipfull court for the money promised
or that the lad may bee placed some other way
and this master sattisfied for his dyett and your petitioner
shall ever pray etc

Francis Warner of Worcester, silkweaver. Ref.110 BA1/1/148/56 (1685)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace for
the county of Worcester

The humble petition of Francis Warner of the
citty of Worcester silkweaver

Humbly sheweth
That your petitioner haveing a desire to see his parentes
inhabitantes in Bewdly in this county did undertake a journey
for that purpose and falling into some company in Bewdly
being heated with travelling [illegible] occasioned your petitioner
to drink more then usuall and being asked for news your petitioner
to his great sorrow is charged for relateing some unhappy wordes
which he said he had heard for which he is now confined in the county
goale your petitioner never before had the least suspision of being any
way disloyall his father a known person that hath served his
majestie King Charles the 1st and King Charles the 2d of happy memory
for many years actually and with all fidellitie

Your petitioner in much humillitie implores your
your worships to consider that being a poor person his wife
and small children that dependes upon his labour
should he be restrained in the goale must perish which
your petitioner humbly hopes you will prevent and he
for your worships will pray

James Marshall and four others of Scotland, chapmen. Ref.110 BA1/1/148/57 (1685)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace for the county
of Worcester

The humble petition of James Marshall Jeremiah Jack
William Doller John Yooll and Alexander Maknor of his majesties
kingdome of Scotland chapmen

Humbly sheweth
that your petitioners being comitted to the castle [illegible] prison for the county of
Worcester have laine there this considerable time in a very poore and miserable
condition being restrained from their imployment and now have not any way to
releive or support themselves in this their calamities and are in great likelyhood
of being utterly ruined if not prevented by your worships charitable assisting
them out of this confinement your petitioners haveing some occasion
to draw them into the said citty did suppose they might so do behaveing
themselves civilly and not abuseing his majesties laws. Your petitioneres
did not come into the said citty to use any sorte of dealing injurious to the law or
prejudiciall to the custome and constitutions of this worthy citty but to [as...?]
themselves with some necessaries for their monies as their respective
occasions required

So that your petitioneres in most humble manner implore your
worships favor to be released being respectively reddy in
to obey your worships command and for your worships
will constantly pray

Sarah wife of Meredyth Jones of Saint Clement. Ref.110 BA1/1/151/18 (1686)

To the right worshipfull the Kinges majesties justices of
the peace for the county of Worcester

The humble peticion of Sarah wife of Meredyth Jones of the
parrishe of Saint Clement in the county of Worcester

Sheweth to your good worshippes that your peticionors saide
husband Meredyth Jones was formerly a tenant to Edward
Cookesey gentleman and was somewhat beehind of rent, and the
saied Master Cookesey his sued your peticionors saied husband and
layed him in the castle of Worcester prisonor, and your poore
peticionor haveinge sixe small children to mainetaine
and her husband a prisoner, her saied children are like to
perishe for want and your peticionor hath complayned to the
highe churchwarden of our saied parrishe, whoe receaves and
payes, for this yeare, and hee hath denyed to yeelde unto your
peticionor any releife.

Shee humbly beeseecheth your good worshipps
to take her sadd condicion into consideracion and to
graunt your order to the churchwardens and overseers
of the poore of our saied parrishe that they allowe
unto your peticionor such weekely releife as to your good
[illegible] meete untill her saied husbandes

Elizabeth Cowell, widow. Ref.110 BA1/1/151/39 (1686)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace for
the county of Worcester the humble petishon of Elizabeth
Cowell humbly sheweth

That wheras your poore petishoner is left a widow having foure children
two of which are small not able for any imployment hath beene tost
about from place to place for convenience of her late husbandes
imployment who was a carpenter, and was some yeares agoe an
inhabitant in the burrough of Droit=wich whoe at his
first removall thence because parishes might not scruple
his entartainment, severall of the inhabitantes then in office
and yet living, gave a certifficate to John Cowell late husband
to your petishoner, that they would owne them as parishoneres, and receive
them when neede should soe require, the said John Cowell by
reason of some worke he had in Worcester brought his wife
and children into the tyething of Whistones for his and theire bettar
accomodation where they have had residence for about the space
of whole yeares where the said John Cowell departed this life
the sad effectes of whose death hath, hath brought your poore
petishoner into a comfortless, and destressed condition, being unable
to provide foode for her selfe and children, and pay houserent

Your poore petishoner humbly implores your worships serious consideration
of the sadness of her condition, and ernestly beggs that she may
by your worships order have a peaceable reception againe into
Wich, where she hath some friendes and relationes that will be
a comfort and reliefe to her and her children, or that some
assistance may be graunted her in the tyething of Whistones
and your petishoner as in duty bound will ever pray for your worships
posperity, and felicyty

John Grubb of Acton Beauchamp. Ref.110 BA1/1/153/1 (1686)

To the worshipfull the justices of the
bench for the county of Worcester

The humble petition of John Grubb of the
parish of Acton Beachamp in the county aforsaid

Humbly sheweth
Whereas your poore petitioner being an aged man
of above forscore yeares of age and not able to
work and have spent the best of my dayes in the
Kings service Charles the first of blessed memory
and haveing no habitation humbly crave that your
worships will be pleased to alott me a house in the
waste for my support in my old age and your poor
pettitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray.

Thomas Vernon

Elizabeth Symmons, widow, of Holdfast. Ref.110 BA1/1/153/69 (1686)

To the right worshipfull his majesties
justices of the peace of this county

The humble petition of Elizabeth Symmons [widow?]
of the parish of Houldfast in the county of Worcester

Most humbly sheweth that your poore petitioner is above sixty
yeares of age and a lamness in her limbs not capable but
of very little laboure and hath noe house but what is
upon sufference by Master Letchmore and yt is soe ould and
rotten redy to fall on her head and raines in that your petitioner
cant lye dry in her bed and the parisheners are very sencible
of her great indigency but will not provide her a house unless
shee brings an order soe that shee doth most humbly begs your
good worships to grant an order that shee may have some poore
habitation to lye dry in that shee might not perish and your poore
petitioner shall as in all duty be ever bound
to pray

Joane Langley, widow of Claines. Ref.110 BA1/1/153/70 (1686)

To the right worshipful his majesties justices of the peace
at the general quarter sessions holden for the county of Worcester

The humble petition of Joane Langley widow of the
parish of Claines in the said county

In most lamentable wise sheweth unto your worships that your
petitioners son William Langley lived above the space of one
year a servant to Master Hyam Cooks of Suckley in the county
aforesaid and there he had his last legal settlement where it
pleased God to visit him with grievous sickness and the paine in
his head was so violent that he lost his eye sight in which
affliction he continued and your petitioner was constrained to
seek relief from the parish of Suckley aforesaid and because of the
natural affection which your petitioner doth bear unto her son she did
accept of fifteen pence by the week from the overseers of the poor
of Suckley to keep her said son at her house in Claines where
after many remedies used he remaineth yet blind and he is besides
very weake and troubled with such fits that your petitioner dare not
leave him without one to attend on him. The said overseers
have lately refused to pay the said fifteen pence which is too little
and incompetent to maintaine a man in the condition her son is
in and your petitioner is a very poor woman

May it therefore please your worships of your accustomed
goodness alwaies to povertie extended to afford your petitioner
your charitable favour and succour in this behalf and to
grant an order that the overseers of the poor of Suckley
aforesaid may pay such a competent weekly allowance
as to your worships shall seem meet for the maintenance
of your said petitioners said son

And your said petitioner and her said son shall
ever rest bound to pray etc.

Thomas Vernon

Katherine Jones of Holt. Ref.110 BA1/1/155/86 (1688)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the pease for
this county the humble peticion of Katharin Jones of the parish
of Holt in the county of Worcester humly sheweth

That your poore peticioners husband is imprisoned for rent and hath
bene detained there for a long time by William White of the parish
of Holt aforesaid by reason whereof your poore peticioner is brought to great
poverty having three small children and great of the fourth which
caused your poore peticioner to make hur humble adrese to your worships
who were pleased to [grant?] me som relif out of Holt parrish which
[illegible] the parishners would alow but twelve pence the weeke wherby your
peticioner is brought very lowe and now of late hath taken that of
and will give no more by reason wherof your poore peticioner and children
are like to perish having nither foode nor fire nor clothes to keep
us [alieve?] the premises concidered your poore piticioner humbly
prayeth your worships to take hur deplorable condition into
your merscifull consideration and grant your poore piticioner some
order wherby she and hur children may be releived who shall
ever pray for your worships felicity

John Russell

John Harcott of Stoke Prior. Ref.110 BA1/1/155/87 (1688)

To the right worshipfule his majesties justices of the
peace of the county of Worcester

The humble peticion of John Harcott of Stoke Prior
in the said county

Humbly sheweth that your peticioner is a very poore man
and hath three smale children and his wife very greate
of another, and without some speedy course be taken
for mayntenance for them they are like to perish,

We whose names are subscribed inhabitantes,
of the said parish doe certifie the the trueth
of the peticion etc

• Richard Knight
• Thomas Lillye
• John Lillye
• James Hartott
• Bridget Hill


• Thomas Vernon

Susanna Rose of Bromsgrove. Ref.110 BA1/1/155/88 (1688)

To the worshipfull justices of the beanch for the countie of
the cittie of Worcester

The humble peticion of Susanna Rose
in the parrish of Bromsgrove in the
said countie

Most humblie aquainteinge your worships, that your
poor peticioners brother George Gilburt, was a
hierried searvant to William Hornnyblow
blacke smyth in Strurbridge in Old Swinverd
parrish, and was his servant for a yeare and
a halfe, tell it pleased God that by accident
his hammer fell upon his foot and bruised on
of his toes, the which did soe much disable
him, that he hath not binn able to doe any worke
for a livelywhood, and affter a longe tym of suffer
ferenc, he was perswaded it was gon to the Kings
evell, then went to London and was tuched by his
majestie, and affter, was forced to goe to
a sirjant at Rushucke under care above
halfe a yeare, and affter the sirjants left him
off, and would not let him bee entertained in the
parrish any longer, soe that hee cam isterday to your
peticioners, and shee gave him one nightes lodgeinge
and your poor suppliant haveinge a husband and two
small children, and noethinge but what their poore labour
brings in to maintaine theme with, soe that your poor suppli
ant, doth most humblie aquaint your worships that the said
George Gilburt was borne in Bell Broughton and searved
a prenticship there, now your suppliant doth in all
humylytie beege your worships to graunt her an order
for the seatlment of this poor creatur, that hee
might not bee lost for want of one, where your
worships shall be pleased to thinke most fit, and
your pooer peticionour shall be ever bound to
pray

Inhabitants of Suckley. Ref.110 BA1/1/157/101 (1689)

[illegible]

Whereas there are no lesse then five ale houses
in the small township of Suckley, which tend much
to the detriment of the inhabitantes of the said township,
att one of which above the rest videlicet: Anne Gowers or
Happes, there are frequently great disorders, swearing
and blaspheming, drunkenesse and revelling, day and
night, att the most unseasonable times, and this too
as well on the Sunday or Lords day, as one the week dayes
by which God is dishonourd the sabbath lamentably prophand
abuses daily offer'd etc and which is more servants and
poor labourers inveigled, seduced, wheedeld to expend
their money to the impoverishment of the people of
the said township

We the minister, churchewardens and other inhabitantes
of the said township doe most humbly desire that the
foresaid Anne Gower alias Happ may be [suppressed?]
and utterly debarr'd of keeping a publick house
that so those enormities may cease, and sobryety
and good order take place.

• John Thronburgh
• Thomas Hallward
• John Eddwardes Benjamin Herbert rector
• Edward Hinton Heigam Coke
• Francis Hide John Palmer
• William Johnsons William Rummey
• Roger Hay George Crumpe [Church wardens?]

The inhabitants of Lindridge. Ref.110 BA1/1/161/63 (1689)

To the reverend the dean and chapter of the cathedrall
church of Worcester lord of the mannour of Lindridge in
the county of Worcester

The humble peticion of the inhabitants of the
parish of Lindridge

Sheweth
That one William Grove a poore inhabitant of the said parish of
Lindridge haveing a wife and two small children and being destitute
of an habitacion the present overseer of the poore hath beene
necessitated to find them lodgeing in his owne house to preserve them
from perishing, and in regard there is noe house [voyd?] in the
said parish nor any almes house to put them into wee make it our
humble request that you will please to give us leave to erect a
cottage upon a certen waste ground within the said mannour called
the Fryth on the north part of the said waste, and that you will
signify your consent herein by writeing under this our peticion
to the end wee procure an order of the sessions for the doeing
thereof: which being an act of charity wee hope you will please
to graunt and your peticioners shall ever pray etc

• John Soley
• Thomas Bodenham
• Richard Symondes
• William Mounde
• John Mounde
• Anne Crundall vidua
• William Southall
• Edward Hardman
• Arther Pitt
• Roger Turner
• Edward Bodenham
• Thomas Munn