Staffordshire Quarter Sessions: 1619

The inhabitants of Routon and adjoining towns. Q/SR/150/8 (1619)

Stafford SS

To the Honorable and worshipfull his
majesties Justices of Peace, and Quorum
within the Countie aforeseid

The Humble Peticion of thenhabitantes of Routon
and dyverse other townes adjoyning agaynst
Edmund Bagnald alias Gardner of Routon
aforeseid

Showing that whearas the samne Bagnald hath
manye yeres lyved amongest your poore oratores and to
theire great disquyett hurt and impoverishing, for that he
is not onlie a breaker of his Majesties peace a breeder
of sutes and discencions amongest us, a sower of sedicion, and one that lyveth onlie by shyftes, and cosinage, and
to coloure all his wicked and unconscionable dealinges and
to terrifye simple poore men, he sometymes professeth to
be a baylie errant, and sometymes a parrettor, and sometymes
an attorney in the Countie Court, by reason whereof,
he keepeth poore men in such awe and feare as that fewe
or non dare offend him, hee receaveth money on both sydes
and enters not the causes in the countie, and so wrongeth
the sheriffes and cosineth the poore men, he lyveth not
in the true feare of god, the kinge or his lawes
for beying arrested with a warrant of the good behavior
he teeareth a warraunt with his teeth in peices, in contempt
of his Majestie and his lawes, and beying afterwardes arrested
with an other warraunt of the good behaviour, he verie
cunnynglie escaped from the officear in such a disobedient
manner, as gyveth evill example to manye he causeth
men fyned with proces, without warrantie from the sheriffe
or from any lawfull deputie neither writt to warrant
the same, with a great sort of of other his lewde and
wicked unlawfull actes which would be verie tediouse
to particulate unto this honorable court, So that iff somme
speedie and good order be not presentlie herein provyded:
Manye his Majesties poore subjectes shalbe by him utteire
impoverished

May yt therefore please you for godes cause and justice sake
to move the right woorshipful Sir Edard Littleton & Sir Walter
Chetwynd that they wilbe pleased to heare the cause and
to examyne such sufficient wittenesse as your oratores
will produce, and to order it as in theire good wisdoms shalbe
shalbe thought fytt and also to graunt the good behavioure
agaynst him, and herein they shall pray god for your long continuance

William Hardeing, prisoner. Q/SR/150/9 (1619)

To the right worshipfull the Kinges Majesties Justices of peace
and Quorum for the County of Stafford.

The humble peticion of Richard
William Hardeing prisoner.

Humblie showeth unto Your Worshipps that your poore
suppliant hath beene comitted to the Comon
gaole for the County aforsaied uppon a warrant
of the good behaviour graunted by the right worshipfull
Sir William Boyer knight and Mr Raphe Snead
esquire retornable this present sessions in which place he
hath remayned for the space of xii weekes in great
misserie having noe allowance as other prisoner have
being almost utterlie famished this your peticioners restraynt
being as he conceaveth rather wrought uppon malice
then just cause by such as have informed against
him or for anie reformation thoughe he doth nothing re
pine against the worshipfull Justices that comitted him
but praieth for their healthes

Forasmuch as by this greevose imprisonment your poore pe
ticioner his wyfe and children are like to be utterlie
undoen unlesse unlesse your worshipps doe take com-
passion uppon him having had noe allowance of all
the space as aforsaied and having almost spent all
the meanes he hath or had to releeve his chardge being
not culpable in those pointes that manie wayes
hath beene objected against him by such that have of long
carried an envious conceapt against him as by theare
information he so conceaveth.

In tender consideration of the premises he humblie beseecheth
your good worships to take compassion uppon him and to
graunt him releasment out of the prisson. and he will
albeit he thinketh he hath not deserved [fe?] that he hath beene
chardged with all not onlie endeavor him selfe to live in as
good sort as God will give him leave but will ever paye
for your worships prosperitie and happines long to continew

Richard Strickland, prisoner. Q/SR/150/10 (1619)

To the right Worshipfull the Kinges Majesties Justices of
peace and Quorum for the County of Stafford.

The humble peticion of Richard
Strickland prisoner

Humblie showeth unto your good worshipps that your poore
distressed peticioner was comitted unto his Majesties
Comon gaole for the County affoirsaied by a war
rant from the Baylies of Tamworth uppon suspicion
of felonious taking awaye of foure shipskins in
which gaole he hath sithence the tyme of his comitt
ment remayned in the saied gaole in greevose
want having had noe allowance to live uppon
him selfe poore wyfe and 4 childeren beinge all
most pined for want of releefe the havinge
had noe meanes to live but uppon the labors
of your poore peticioner and beinge like all
all utterlie to perishe unlesse your worshipps
doe take pittie upoon him and his chardge
unto which he hopeth God will moove you
havinge had on of his childeren latelie dead
for want of foode.

Your poore supliant this his lamentable case considered
humblie beseech your worships for Christ sakes sake to take compassion uppon him and his
great chardge and soe that he is like and his
chardge utterlie to pine if he still remayn
in prisson That your good worships will bee
pleased ether to grant him bayle or his tryall att this
present sessions and he will by Godes grace
take paynes to live in truth and honestie and will
with his poore wyfe and children ever praye for your
worshipps health and happines

Humfry Blakemore of Brockhurst, yeoman. Q/SR/150/12 (1619)

To the right worshipfull his majesties Justices of Peace and
Quorum for this county of Stafford

The humble peticion of Humfry Blakemore of Brockhurst
in the parish of Blymhill and county aforesaid yoman

Most humbly shewing unto your good worships, that whereas about sixteene yeares agoe or there-
aboutes, it was ordred by this worshipfull Court, that the inhabitantes of the said parishe of
Blymhill, should erect and build a cottage within the same parish for one Alice
Hoggins, a poore widdow, then and as yett inhabiting within the same parish: And being
so ordered, one Thomas Parrand then one of the churchwardens, and one John
Turner, then one of the overseers for the poore of the same parish with the consent of
the rest of the inhabitantes, entreated your now suppliant, to suffer the said Alice Hoggins
to inhabite in a sheepecoate of his, for a moneth or sixe weekes, untill such tyme as they
had erected her a cottage, which during the space of sixteene yeares aforesaid, they
never would doe, being thereunto divers and sundry tymes required by your said suppliant,
he never receaving any rent for the same from the said Alice: And whereas the
said Alice now hath a daughter married into the same cottage, the said Inhabitantes
do find themselves greived at the same, fearing they should be charged with any
of their children, and are dailie in hand with your said suppliant to cast them out of
his cottage, which he your said suppliant of himselfe will not doe, without the aide and helpe
of the said inhabitantes, they being placed theares at their request: And yesterday
last being the xith. of this instant January 1618, a cottage in the said parish
(having stood by the space of foure score yeares at least) being pulled downe
the said inhabitantes or some of them, brought the goodes therein found to your said
suppliantes cottage aforesaid, and whether the said goodes or any of them are feloniously
stolne (by reason suspected people did inhabite in the same) your said suppliant is doubfull, fearing to come into any trouble, by reason any stolne goodes should be found in
any cottage or coate of his.

May it therefore please your good worships to sett downe such order as
hath bene heretofore, that the inhabitantes of the aforesaid parish may
erect some place for the said Alice to inhabite in, and that they
may be aiding and assisting to your said suppliant to cast her and
her children of out of his said cottage, so that your suppliant may be
freed from them, being content to loose the proffitt of the same
all thaforesaid terme, and then he shall live without feare of any
bad company to resort thither: And your said suppliant (as nevertheles)
shalbe bound to pray for your worships in h all health and happines
ever to endue.

Your worships humble suppliant

Humfry Blakemore

Elizabeth Woodnett, widow. Q/SR/150/14 (1619)

To the honorable and worshipfull his majesties justices of peace
and quorum within the countie of Stafford

The humble peticion of Elizabeth Woodnett
widowe

Humblie shewinge that whereas one Charles Swanne late
of Hartley Grene and now prisoner in the gaole was for
some notorious misdemeanors latelie comitted to the said
gaole by the warraunt and direction of Sir Walter Chetwind
knight and Walter Bagott esquier And whereas the good
behavior is now graunted against him, whereof at this
sessions he geveth out and hopeth to be released.

And whereas both before the said behavior and good
sithens the same graunted against him he hath in most
terrible manner with aswell with his sworde drawne
as otherwise threatned this deponent and Issabell Swanne
his wife to kill them as also threatned to f burne
this peticioners house if he were at libertie

She humblie therefore desireth your Honours and Worships for godes
cause aswell for the preservacion of this peticoner as
of the said Issabell wh and for theire safetie who
otherwise if the said Swanne be at libertie are like
and in great daunger to be spoiled and murdered and
for that the lewde life and conversacion of the said
Swanne is well knowne to divers of his Majesties
justices here present to take some such course for theire
preservacion and safetie is to your Honours and Worships shall seeme
expedient And she shall be daylie bounden to
praie for your Honours and Worships

Thomas Burne. Q/SR/150/15 (1619)

To the right worshipfull his Majesties Justices of peace and
quorum of the county of Stafford

The humble peticion of Thomas Burne

Whereas your peticioner was named and sworne to execute thoffice of
constable for the towneship of Great Saredon,for this present
yeare, hee your peticioner did repayre to the howse of one William
Walhowse dwellinge within the same constablewicke and demaunded
parte of a lewne which the said Walhowse ought to have paid, But
the said Walhowse not only refused to paie the same, but
alsoe misused your peticioner with termes

And your peticioner (gevinge warninge to the said Walhowse
to warde) hee the said Walhowse did neglecte his service
therein, and beinge alsoe (by your peticoner) warned to
watche, the said Walhowse answeared that hee would
watche your peticioner to bed and would then goe to
bed himselfe.

For which causes humble suite is made that your
worships wilbe pleased to graunte the good
behaviour against the said William
Walhowse

The churchwardens and overseers of the poor for the parish of Trentham. Q/SR/150/17 (1619)

Stafford

To the Right worshipfull his majesties Justices of the
peace and quorum within the Countie

Tomorrowe

The humble petition of the Churchwardens and overeseers of
the poore for the parishe of Trentham

Wee your suppliants beinge assigned aboute Aprill laste to take
care for the poore of our parishe for this presente yeare did aboute
Micallmas laste, with the assistance of sixe other of the parishoners cominge
out of severall parts of the said parishe, laye a taxation for the raisinge
of a certayne sume of money to releeve the lame and impotente poore
to provyde for divers poore children and to performe such other duties as by
lawe we are injoyned, and by a warrante under the hands and seales
of three of his majesties Justices wee were required and inabled, which taxation
was made by us, accordinge to equity and good conscience as wee are verily
perswaded, havinge had speciall respecte to the wealth and ability of our
severall parishoners, all which notwithstandinge divers of the richest parishoners
doe utterly refuse to paye the said taxation, to the maniffest contempt
of authority, to the utter [illegible] neclect of the poore and impotente of our parishe, and to the
greate discouragment of us that for the presente be in office, some of theym
utterly refusinge either to paye the money, or to suffer us the officers to take
take any distresses, others though not denyinge us to distrayne, yet
threatinge if wee sell the distresses they will put us to further trouble by
sute of lawe, In tender consideracion whereof maye it please this
Corte to whome the orderinge hereof is by lawe referred, to give
such order ayde and direccions herein, as that the poore of our parishe maye
bee provyded for, and that wee and all such as shall succeed us in this
service, maye not bee discoraged from the due execution of
our office

• Richard Hassells}
• John Braffall } overseers


• Richard Bould }
• Thomas Amison } churchwardens

John Aldred, constable, and Edward Burde, of Streetey. Q/SR/150/21 (1619)

To the worshipfull his majesties Justices of Peace for
the countie of Stafford etc.

The humble peticion of John Aldred constable of
Streetey in the countye of Stafford tayler and
Edward Burde of the same towne in the sayd
countie tayler.

Humbly sheweth into your worshipps that wheras one
Henry Clare of Streetey in the Countye of Stafford yeoman
latelye impounded certayne sheepe of the goodes and cattells of
one Mathew Smythe of the Cittye of Leichfield sherman
for traspassynge in the common fieldes of Streetey. So yt is
may yt please your worshipps notwithstandynge his many and
often traspasses with sixe or seven score sheepe uppon
the same comon field aforesayd where he hathe no righte
nor tytle to the great greevans of the inhabitantes their
came to the pounde with two more with him with bills
hatchetts and other unlawfull weapons not onely by force
takinge parte of his sheepe forthe of the sayd pounde but
also did cutt and breake downe the same pounde to the
great losse and hindrans of the inhabitantes their
albeyt John Aldred constable and Edward Burde with
others were called thether for the keepinge of his
majesties peace and defence of the same pound with very much
danger of their lyves In tender consideracion hereof
your poore supppliantes humbly praye the good behavior
and they shalbe bound to praye for all your worshipps
healthe to the plesure of god longe to contynewe etc

Mathewe Smithe of Lichfield, clothworker. Q/SR/150/22 (1619)

Stafford SS

To the Honorable and Worshipfull the kinges Majesties Justices of Peace of the said
County of Stafford.

The humble Peticion of Mathewe Smithe of the
Citie of Lichfield clotheworker.

Sheweth: That whereas he for many yeres past was and is yet seized of and in common
of pasture to him and his heires for ever lieing in Nether Bridge feild Morfall Streethey
and Fulfen within the said County of Stafford And ought to have and enjoye the same
without interrupcion So it is, that your said petitioner for three or fower yeres
last past hath bene so vexed and disquyeted by one Henry Clare of Streethey
aforesaid and of late tyme hath beene as that he dareth not to putt his
cattell upon his commons in the said fealdes for feare of his cattell
being utterly lamed hurt or kylled, or him self or servantes to bee sore
beaten or wounded or else slayne, as most lately to your Petitioner his great
daunger of lyfe and his sonnes, as also the spoyle and sore hurt of many his
cattell he hath tasted of. For which specyall causes your Petitioner humbly
praieth his Majesties wrytt of good haberinge to be graunted against the said
Henry Clare to aunswer the premisses, And your Petitioner shall dayly prey to
god for your preservacions in all health and felicitye.

Articles against the said Henry Clare

1. Mathew Smyth
First the said Henry Clare did take and ympound in the common pound att
Streethey aforesaid fower sheepe of the said Mathewe Smythes about 3 yeres
synce in a great snowe tyme that then was, and deteyned the sheepe
aforesaid in the pounde there so longe, without anie notyce geven therof
either to the said Smithe or his servantes, That within a very short space
all dyed.

2. Mathew Smyth
Item about Michaelmas was twoe yeres, The said Smithe having a black mare
in his owne pasture adjoynyng to a pasture of the said Henry Clares in
Streethey aforesaid was cutt into into the shoulder necke with a sworde by the said
Henry Clare or some other by his procurement, whereby the said mare was
very hardly recovered

3. Geoffrey Byll
Item about Michaelmas was twelve moneth, the said Clare did take 30 sheepe of
the said Smythes out of Bridgfeild wherein he had common of pasture, and,br> would have ympounded theym at Streethay aforesaid, And bycause the said Smithe would not suffer him to have theym to the pound, Therefore the said Clare did
most violently thrust at the said Smythe with a pike staffe and with such force
so bare him upp, that the said Smythe thereby for 3 monethes next after dyd
spytt nothing but bludd and was most greatly endaungered of his lyfe.

4. Mathew Smyth
Item about Michaelmas last the said Smyth having an oxe in his owne ground adjoynyng to
the said Clares ground was cutt in the shoulder with a bill or sworde, to the great
daunger and losse of his saide oxe, and done by the said Clare or some one of his servantes, or by his
procurement.

5. Mathew Smith Humfrey Smith William Ryall
Lastly, the xxiith of December last past in the night tyme the said Clare took 149 sheepe of the said Smithes
out of Morfall Streethey and Foofen Common where the said Smithe had common of pasture And
ympounded theym at Streethey by the space of 2 nightes and a day untill they were almost
perished, and some of theym dyed, And by cause the said Smithe offred to have saved one of his
sheepe that was almost dead, Therefore he did sore beate the said Smithe and his sonne.

Jone Sheafe, widow. Q/SR/150/23 (1619)

To the Honorable and Worshipful his majesties justices of peace and
quorum within the countie of Stafford

The humble peticion of Jone Sheafe widowe

Humblie shewinge that whereas her husband now
latelie deceased did heretofore take a watercorne
mill in Tittensor of one John Mill Wilkes for
sixe yeares whereof there is three yeares and a
halfe or thereaboutes unexpired for which lease her said
husband paide tenne pounds for a fyne or income
and the yerelie rent of sixe poundes was besides
the said rent fyne reserved to be paid.

And whereas her said husband beinge latelie
deade and your peticoner beinge lefte voide of
freindes and in great povertie the said Wilkes
hath without anie color of right or tytle
by stronge hand throwne your poore peticoners
goods out of the said mill and put her out of
the possession of the same by meanes whereof
she havinge no meanes to relieve herselfe
against the said wronge and oppression hath
doth at this present lye lodge and repose her
selfe and her said goodes in a barne to her great
griefe and discomfort

She humblie desireth your honours and worships for
gods cause to take some course for her
reliefe in the premisses who otherwise is
like to perishe for wante of meanes to
relieve herselfe against the said
wrongfull oppressions And she shall daylie
praie to god for your honours and worships

The inhabitants of the parish of Leighe. Q/SR/150/24 (1619)

To the righte worshipfull his Majesties Justices of
peace within the Countye of Stafford.

The humble Peticion of the Inhabitantes of the
parishe of Leighe within the said County of Stafford

Maye yt please your Worships to be informed that one Marye Barker, is lately
fallen lame and impotente amoungst us, and hath for the space of three monthes
beene relieved and well kepte at the Charges of the parishioners of Leighe, both shee
and a bastard childe of hers: Shee is of the age of thirtye yeares, borne
in the parishe of Stoke upon Trent, and there contynued untill the age of
foure and twentye yeares, since which tyme shee hath very ofte chaunged her
place of aboade, and as a spinster hath wandred up and downe to seeke worke,
and for the space of two yeares and sixe monthes hath beene sett on worke
within this our parishe: her bastard childe is of the age of three yeares, be-
-gotten (as she affirmeth) by one Statham a lewde person, who longe since for
many faultes and feare of punnishment is runne the countrye, and (as is repor-
-ted) is hanged: this bastard childe was borne in the said parishe of Stoke also
as the mother was. Maye yt please your Worships therfore to graunt reliefe
unto us the said Inhabitantes of Leighe, who are much charged with the reliefe
of manye poore people borne in our said parishe, and to graunt your order and
warrant that the said parishe of Stoke upon Trent maye receyve and relieve
her the said Mary CBarker and her said bastard childe, for that both shee and her
said childe were there borne.

Richard Gratwood of Stone, labourer. Q/SR/150/25 (1619)

To the Right worshipfull his majesties Justices of the peace and quorum within the Countie of Stafford.

The humble Peticion of Richard Gratwood of Stone labourer

Humblie complayninge sheweth unto your good Worshipps your said daylye poore orator
that wheras by proces forth of his majesties highnes Court of Exchequer there was
an imposition layd of the whole parish of Stone, of xxs for not reparinge
of Walton Bridge, And Mr Under Sheryffe havinge delyvered warrant
unto Hugh Tyll bayliffe of the hundred of Pyrehill to distrayne for the
same. He uppon the vth daye of November last cominge to Stone there
most unconcionablye tooke my mare, for the same distres, (beinge all the meanes
I had wherby to lyve), and brought her to Stafford wherby I was inforced
to borrow all the money to paye unto the baylyffe and to follow him to Stafford
to have my mare againe which was to my great hinderance. unlesse by your worshipps
good meanes I maye be releeved.

I humblie beseeke your good worshipps for gods cause, that
uppon your accustomed pittey, you would be pleased to graunt
me your warrant under your handes unto the Churchwardens
of the same parishe or to whover els you please therby
commaundinge them that forth of some lune layde in the
parishe I may be repayd the money I layd forth for them
And in soe doinge I shall daylye pray to god for your good
worshipps in all happines with increase of worshippe longe
to continue.

Humfrey Jones and four others of Eccleshall. Q/SR/150/26 (1619)

To the right Worshipfull his Majesties Justices of Peace and
Gaole delivery for this County of Stafford

The humble Peticion of Humfrey Jones, Richard Harvey Symon Arooll
Thomas Boughey and Thomas Howell in inhabitants of the
towne of Eccleshall

Sheweth unto yours worships That wheras Robert Rushton and Thomas Bagnold
constables of the said towne of Eccleshall [illegible] about the moneth of
July in the xvth yere of his highnes raigne pretendinge to have
authority to take upp mault for his majesties provision in his highnes
progresse through this County of Stafford dyd forciblie enter into
most or somme of the peticioners howses and brake upen their doores
and dyd take out mault from your said peticioners (that is to saye) from the said peticioner Humfrey Jones tenne strikes from Richard Harvie
thirtie strikes from Symon Arooll twentie strikes from Thomas
Baughey tenne strikes and from Thomas Howell tenne strikes, And
they the said constables themn procured payment of the sayd severall
parcells of mault accordinge to the markett prices. And albeit
some or most part of the said peticioners dyd buy the sayd mault
for their owne uses and thereby were unprovided of mault for
their owne necessary uses. Yett the sayd constables have denyed
and yett doe deny to pay to your sayd peticoners or any of them for the
sayd severall parcells of mault or any of them Albeit the Kinges
majestie out of his gratious care to his pro poore subjectes had
given order for satisfieing of every of his subjects in the
behalfe, In tender consideracion whereof and for that
your poore peticioners have labored often to this worshipfull benche and
sued for remedy in this behalfe for their wrongs, herein susteyned
May it therefore please your g good worships, (for godes cause) to
order the sayd constables to give satisfaccion to the sayd peticioners
And your sayd peticoners accordinge to their bounden duetie shall
dayly pray for your good worshipps health longe to continue.

Robert Cowper of Handford. Q/SR/150/30 (1619)

To the Right Worshipfull his Majesties Justices of peace
within the county of Stafford

The informacion and humble peticion of Robert Cowper of Handford
in the said county of Stafford against one John Johnson of Handford

In most humble wise sheweth That whereas the said John Johnson hath accused your
the said suppliant to be the reputed father of a child begotten of a notorious leawd wo-
man one Isable Wright whoe hath dwelled with the said Johnson for the most parte
the space of eight yeeres with whome the said Johnson is vehemently suspected to
live an incontinent life, In respect that the said Isable hath formerly bene supposed
to have had two bastardes already begotten in the house of the said Johnson and
thought to be borne in Wales and noe other reputed father named or knowne but the said
Johnson by the most parte of his neighbours greevouslie suspected to be the same. In
that the said Johnson both times after her beinge in Wales [illegible receaved her into
his service againe, And now haveinge this third tyme soe viciously demeaned
herselfe, doth soe retaine her still both both now and heretofore she beareinge t rule in his
house, over and before his wife beinge a waged woman and by whome he had and hath his
meanes of maintenance. And for that alsoe the said Johnson hath formerly affirmed
this said woman to be married to a Welchman the said Isable likewise affirminge
to one Widdow Wray of Trentham since she was knowne to be now with child that
she was marryed to a husband whoe over runne her And the said Johnsons
wife also affirmed the same to one Joane Dickinson the which wife of William Dick-
inson and divers others all which premises with divers other misdemeanors against him the said
Johnson your said suppliant is able to prove And alsoe we the inhabitantes of Handford
and others whose names are hereunder subscribed know for the most parte to be trueth and
lastly in regard of the honest and orderly carriage that the said Robert Cowper hath
ever beene noted and esteemed to be of we alsoe thinke him to be free from this [criminous?]
imputacion and the same to be rather meerely malicious then otherwise Wherefore th[e]
premises considered your said suppliant humbly craveth his Majesties warrant of the good
behaviour against the said Johnson

Righte worshipfull may it please you of this worthie Benche
in consideracion of the premisses and further presumptions
against the said John Johnson, which hath bene allready proved, and
then more at large nowe shalbe proved by your said suppliant
to take suche course as in equitie and justice shell seeme
good to your grave discretions for clearinge your said poore
suppliante bothe of the false imputacion by meanes of
the said Johnson, layd upon him, and the further charge
of keepinge the said bastard, which may otherwise thereupon
ensue, whereby as his good name hath allreadie receaved
impaire and impoverishement allreadie and soe forever
binde him to become your worships [illegible]

• Hugh Doody Thomas [illegible]
• Andrew Corbet John Dalt[illegible]
• Richard Heane William Clo[illegible]
• Roger Boulton Lawrence B[illegible]
• Thomas Cocks Rondoll A[illegible]
• John Fisher Richard [illegible]
• Thomas Bloore John [illegible]
• John Cleaton Thomas [illegible]
• Nicolas Townson John [illegible]
• John Heely
• William Bayly

Nicholas Howes of Oulton, warrener. Q/SR/150/33 (1619)

The humble Peticion of Nicholas Howes of Oulton in the parish of Stone in this countie of Stafford warrener

To the Right worshipfull his majesties Justices of peace and quorum for the countie abovsaid

br> Humblie shewing unto your good worshipps that wheras I now being possessed of a lodge and warren of conies
at Oulton aforsaid by graunt from the Right worshipfull Sir Edward Stanley knight lord of the same. And havinge
sustayned divers injuryes by the inhabitantes of the said townshipp for that I would willinglye lyve in good fassion
and able to paye such rentes and dueties as by my said graunt I am injoyned to doe by the increase and well lookinge
to of my game, as hereby it maye evidentlye appeare. Fyrst by Mr Camull high constable who with the consent
of his neighbours (uppon the late progresse of his majestie) I cominge from the towne of Newcastle where I
had continuall busines both for sellinge of my conies and for makinge my provision, meetinge with me as I came
homewardes uppon the Mundaye, being markett daye there, he charged me to light of my mare.and tooke her
from me. And rode her untill Frydaye night after. uppon what busines I knowe not, where other his neighbours
might better have furnished him I the least able of all to be chargable for such service: besydes I havinge
taken some groundes in Oulton Feild to keepe my mare withall of one John Mills ther, which I quyetlye enjoyed
for a tyme. And my selfe not suspectinge or knowinge of any wronge donne by me, or trespas whatsoever
all the neighbours in Oulton (as it proveth) consented together, tooke my mare from of my ground where she
was fast tyed and impounded her, from Thursdaye morninge till Sunday night after And I could by no meanes
borrow her of them, proferinge any satisfaccion unto them for whatsoever trespas I had made. but was
inforced to loosse her by replevin. And now they are all in sute of lawe with me, for what I knowe not
And Sampson Shelley one of my utter adversaires made report abroad that if any good felowes would come to my
warren and bringe with them a nett or twoo he would bringe them to a place in my warren where the should
loade a horse at one piche. And theruppon I had my groundes robbed and my goodes carried awaye. Also I
found the said Sampson Shelley uppon my warren in the night accompanied with his man with staves of 26
or 18 foote longe. which might I certaynelye persuade myselfe that they had piched some nettes in my groundes
for that the next morninge I found some 10 or 11 haye stave holes neire unto the place where I found them
and they meetinge with my man before about a flight shoote from that place would not speake to him. The
said Shelley keepeth twoo or three dogges that lye continually uppon my groundes spoylinge my game. And when
I tell him of them in good sort, wishinge him to keepe them at home, he in most sornefull manner aunswered
me that my conies ran into his dogges mouthes. And when I threat to kill his dogges, the he with most vile
wordes tould me that I were as good to eate there tayles. Also wheras my wyffe kept a couple of pigges
they by chaunce goinge into the towne. the one was thrust thorow with a pichforke, and the other had his
tayle pulled of. One other of the neighbours ther John Emerey having ii or iii sonnes talle felowes
who with others continuallye sett wyers and snares about my groundes to distroye my game and digg downe
my trapps And yf either I or my people comme and tell them of yt, they abuse us all with most bitter speiches
And besydes I can make noe cabben uppon my grounde to shroude us in the night. but I have them burnt
downe.

I humblye beseeke your good worshipps for godes cause that it would please you to releeve me
in settinge downe such good order amongest us as lawe and equitie doth require, And that
I may not be wronged by them. consideringe my landlord is soe farr of whom I doubt
not but would right me. And in soe doinge I shall daylye pray to god for your worshipps
in all happines with increase of worshippe longe to continue.

The inhabitants of Tettnall. Q/SR/151/16 (1619)

To the Right wurshipfull his Majesties
Justices of the peace for the county
of Stafford

The humble peticion of the
Inhabitants of Tettnall
in the same county

Humblie sheweinge that whereas it
was ordered that one Thomas Hardwicke
of the More in the parishe of Patingham
should keepe a bastard child whereof
he was and is reputed father and discharge
the parishe of Tettnall thereof as by
an order under the hands and seales of
James Skrymshare Thomas Skrimshere
and John Fowke Esquires Justices of the peace
in the said county may appere and is
redye here to be shewed uponn which
order the child was brought him
which he refussed to take with thesse words
better the Justices and parishe doe what the
could he would nott take it, with
dyvers other such like speekches.

May it therefore plese your good
wurships to graunte warrante
of good behavior agaynste the
Thomas Hardwicke or otherwyse
to take such course herein as to
your peticionors shalbe bounde to
praye for your wurships.

The inhabitants of Stoke upon Trent. Q/SR/151/21 (1619)

To the Right Honorable his Majesties Justices of the generall Sessions or
great Assises holden for the county of Stafford

The humble peticion of the parishnores and inhabitores of the
parishe of Stoke upon Trent in the said county of Stafford

In most humblewise sheweth and complayneth unto your good Lordships That whereas one Marie Bar-
ker whoe as it is said was borne within the said parish of Stoke upon Trent and there brought up and maintay-
ned untill she was able to doe service and maintayne herself with her labour since which tyme the said
Marie dwelled and lived a servant and received wages whereby she maintayned herselfe within the parish
of Leighe in the said county for the space of foure yeeres together And then the said Marie miscaryinge
herselfe and beinge gotten with child in the time that she dwelled in the said parishe of Leighe by one Statham
whoe then likewise these dwelled in the same parishe of Leigh which Statham the said parishnores of Leighe
suffered to rune away not causeinge him to take order for the bringinge up of the child the said paris your said
suppliantes not knowinge whoe he was or where he had lived untill after the child was borne and the said
Statham fled his contrie And alsoe further when the said parishnores of Leighe perceaved and knew that the
tyme that the said Marie should be delivered of her child drew neare the said parishnores of Leighe caused served
the said Marie to go out of the said parish of Leighe into the said parishe of Stoke to a poore uncle that she had
there whoe refused to entertayne the said Marie but that onely presently upon her cominge she fell into travell
of childbirth by reason wherof it chanced the child to be borne in the said parishe of Stoke the said Marie then
not stayinge in the said parishe of Stoke not above seaven dayes but presently the said Marie together with her
child returned unto the said parishe of Leighe And there have remained since for the space of three
yeeres or thereaboutes which tyme the said Marie with her child lived as parishnores in the said parishe of Leighe
untill aboute Michaelmas last that it pleased God to visite the said Marie with lamenes of her limmes that she
is not able to labour neither to maintayne herselfe nor her child Now soe it is That at the last generall Sessi-
ons of the peace of our soveraigne lord the Kinge holden at Stafford aforesaid throughe misinformacion made by
the said parishnores of Leighe to his Majesties Justices of peace it was there ordered by his Majesties said Justices That
the said child should be conveyed and brought into the said parishe of Stoke there to be kept at the charges of the
same parishe contrarie as your said suppliantes take it to equitie and justice that the child should be sent from the
mother beinge but three yeeres ould the said parishnores of Leighe sufferinge the said Statham to runne a-
way And the said mother and the child haveinge lived soe longe forth of the said parishe of Stoke and never re-
puted nor taken as vagrantes In tender consideracion wherof the premises considered your said suppliantes humblie
desired your Lordships to take such order therein as accordinge to equitie and justice to your Lordships shall seeme meete
The said parishe of Stoke beinge alreadie charged almost with twentie poundes a yeere to the poore within the
same parish besides many other poore within the said parishe of Stoke that are relived by the said parish otherwise

Roger Boulton and William Clowes of Hanford. Q/SR/151/22 (1619)

The humble Petition of Roger Boulton and William Clowes of Hanford
to the Righte worshipfull his Majesties Justices of the Peace and Quorum of the quarters
Sessions houlden at Stafford the sixte day of Aprill 1619

Righte worshipfull may it please you, whereas John Johnson of Hanford in the parish of Trentham and
countie of Stafford well knowne to be a man of a turbulente and contentious spirit, hath of meere
mallice and withoute any juste cause by him proved procured warrantes of peace againste your humble
petitioners Roger Boulton and William Clowes, of Hanford aforesaid and by the said warrantes bound
your said petitioners over to these present Sessions, Only for that said your said petitioner William Clowes and his
wife, wittnessed the truthe in certein particulars propounded unto them, concerninge a bastard latelie
begotten and borne in his the said Johnsons house, of a notorious strumpet, whome hee yet there keepeth, and by whome
(as shee hath confessed hee hath had a former bastard, concerninge his beinge the reputed father of this said
latter bastard, beinge therunto compelled by precepte, by some of this worshipfull benche, and for that your said
petitioner Roger Boulton desired that some suche course mighte be taken accordinge to lawe as that
the said bastard mighte not be chargeable to the parishe, Nowe therefore your said petitioners humble
request is, that in consideracion of the truthe of these premises, which these our neighbours, whose names are
hereunto subscribed) doe testifie, and conjoyne with us in these ensueinge requests, would be pleased not
only to release them from their said bondes, and take suche course, as equitie and justice shall permitt and require
for restraininge the violent course of his turbulent disposition, (whereunto if passage may be given, greate
disquiett, daunger, and disproffitt, are like to redound unto all his neighbours) but alsoe, for keepinge
of the said bastard soe as it may not be chargeable to the parishe, which, by suche meanes and the
greate nomber of poore therein, is allreadie overcharged, And soe leavinge and commendinge it
unto your worshipfull, and wise consideracion, wee humblie crave pardon for this our bouldnes, and rest

Your worshipps humble petitioners,

• Roger Boulton
• William Clowes


• Arthure Brathwaite minister


• John: Boulton
• Thomas: Morton
• William: Martin
• William Swinerton seni
• Andrew Corbett
• Larrance Bradwall
• Samson Bowlton
• James Shaw
• John Fisher
• John Heeley
• Thomas Cradwell


• Peeter Turner
• William Beyly
• Anthony Greene
• John Taylor
• Robert Taylor William Dickinson John Kendricke William Barnes
• Nicholas Townsend Hughe Benson John Whythurst Rauffe Hatton
• Richard Heane John Dalton George Colcloughe William Stemar
• Peeter Stringer Robert Palin Roger Fodon Thomas Bagnold
• John Astburye Thomas Hassells John Bradwall
• Rondle Astburye John Collyer Roger Lowe
• Richard Hart Walter Collyer Thomas Wood
• Edward Talbott Hughe Doodye Thomas Middleton
• Roger Townsend

Robert Leacrofte, Thomas Francis and John Goodale. Q/SR/152/26 (1619)

To the right honorable and right worshipfull his
Majesties Justices of peace and quorum of
the County of Stafford

The humble peticion of Robert Leacrofte
Thomas Francis and John Goodale.

Whereas at the assizes holden for the said countie
xxiii die Marcii Anno xv R Regis Jacobi Angliae etc there
was an amerciament of xxs laid upon the parishioners of
Stone, and at thassizes there holden the xxviith
day of Julie then next followinge there was an other
amerciamant of xxs. laid upon the said parishioners, for not
repayringe of a certeyne bridge there

And whereas your peticioners had theire cattell
destreyned for the said severall amerciamentes And
were thereupon compelled to paie the same severall
sommes of xxs. apeece.

Nowe humble suite is that you wilbe pleased that
there may be a generall colleccion within the said parishe
of Stone for the same And that your peticioners may
have soe much thereof as to them apperteyneth in
consciens

And your peticioners shall daylie praie unto god
for your Honours happines.

George Bate of Huntington, yeoman. Q/SR/152/29 (1619)

To the Right worshippfull the Kings majesties Justices
of peace for the county of Stafford etc

The humble peticion of George Bate of Huntington
in the County of Stafford yeoman

Humbly Sheoweth That wheras your poor suppliant possessed
of certayne acres of land in Tedseley Heye by graunt
from Sir Edward Littleton knight to plowe and to
sowe. Nowe may yt please your good worshippes So yt
is that Walter Walehouse of Hatherton in the counti[e]
of Stafford gentleman John Alporte of Blocksewich in the sayd
county gentleman John Mills of Hatherton in the sayd
county yeoman have not onely plucked and broken
downe hedges and dyches their to the nomber of
two or three hundred acres yards or thereaboute
aboute Trynitie Sondaye last at which tyme your
poore suppliant had a greate deale of corne uppon
the ground then groynge which by their meanes of
mysdemenor was utterly lost to the greate impoverysh[ing?]
of your poore suppliant and still contynew in their greate
t[illegible]hreatoninge words to contynewe the same misdemenor
agaynst your poor suppliant to his utter undoynge for
ever.In tender consideracon hereof your poore suppliant
humbly beseecheth all your worshippes to take some good
order for your poore suppliants peaceable enjoynge of the
same withoute any further danger And your poore suppliant
shalbe ever bound to pray for all your worshipps healths
to the plesure of god longe to contynewe etc.

John Horrobyn. Q/SR/152/31 (1619)

To the worshipfull his Majesties Justices of Peace and
Quorum for this County of Stafford

The humble peticion of John Horrobyn

Humbly shewinge that whereas your worshipps poore peticioner
was lately robbed and suspectinge the one Roger Beelinch of
Booseley Slacke in the parish of [Ausecfeld?] to bee a common retayner of
suspected persons, and keepinge ale without licence wold desire
that the said Beelinch might be suppressed for sellinge any
more for that his honest neighbors are greatly molested and in
daunger of much harme through his dissolutenes, for that hee doth
contynually harbour and retaine most vile and leud persons into
his howse and doth buy suspected goodes of them to the inrichinge
of himself most unjustly and unlawfullie, but to the indangeringe
of his honest neighbors that cannot peaceably enjoy theire
owne goodes for feare of such vile and wicked persons as doe
dailie resort to his howse, hee himself beinge a badd man
and divers times bound over to the Assizes

Maie it therefore please your good worships to
give such order that the said Beelinch
maie bee suppressed, for sellinge ale
that his neighbors may live in peace
about him and both your peticioner and
the rest of his neighbors shall praie for
your worshipps health and happines longe
to contynue

Margery Smith, widow, and Eves Fletcher of Winington. Q/SR/152/38 (1619)

To the Honorable and worshipfull his Majesties Justices
of the Peace and Quorum for this County of Stafford

The humble peticion of Margery Smith widdowe
and Eves Fletcher of Winington

Humbly complayninge unto your good worshippes that Richard
Kellett of Winyngton aforesaid beinge a most dissolute
and desperate fellowe did beate your poore peticioner Margery
Smith at two severall times and att the last time did
drawe blood on your peticioner And upon Sundaie night
last the said Kellett stood in the waie with a staffe in
his hand as your peticioners were goinge homewardes
they not knowinge what his intent was, but hee gave
them most filthie speeches and calling your peticioner
Margery Smith a witch and said that shee hadd
bewitched his father in lawe and that hee wold stand
to yt, and that he wold putt it up to the Justices
And moreover your peticioner Eves Fletcher cominge from
his landlordes one night the with his wife and his wife
goeinge before him the said Kellett mett her and sett
upon her and did beate her, and when your peticioner mett
hee cominge behinde hee asked him whie hee did beate his
wife, and hee asked whether shee was his wife or concubine. who said that hee tooke her for an honest woman, but hee
answered I will neither take her for an honest woman
nor him thee for an honest man and thereupon did sett upon him
and beate him; And then the said Kellett left your peticioner
and went a little waie from him, and returned againe and ran full
upon him with his staffe and then did beate him againe
Maie it therefore please your worships to graunte
a warrant of the good behavior against the said Kellett
and his wife for that they dare not walke abroad for
feare of their lives And they will ever praie for your
worships health and happines longe to continue.

Richard Mason and Anne Bowen, widow. Q/SR/152/39 (1619)

To the Honorable and worshipfull his Majesties Justices of peace and Quorum for this County of Stafford

The humble peticion of Richard Mason
and Anne Bowen widdowe

Humblie shewinge unto your worshipps that whereas there
was much wronge offered unto your peticioner Richard Mason
upon Midsomer even last by one Richard Kellett of Winington
as alsoe att divers and sundrie times before but more especiall
upon the said Midsommer Even (upon some speciall occasion)
hee did run at your peticioner with a staffe of 3 yardes
longe with a javellyn pike in it which hees did confesse that
hee made for your peticioner, And alsoe his wife at
the same time threw stones violentlie at your peticoner
and with one of the said stones smote your peticioner
upon the backe And upon the daie next followinge
beinge Midsommer daie (as it maie seeme by all conjecture)
the said Kellett and his wife combyned togeather to laie a
plott to doe your peticioner some mischiefe: for as hee was cominge alonge
the streete to goe to his owne howse the said Kelletts wife
stood at a pale with stones in her armes, which shee threw
att him (thinkinge to have mischeived him) and when they
were all spent, shee ran upon your peticioner to hold him and
her husband beinge readye with a staffe to have sett upon
him, soe that if hee had not bin prevented by people that stood
by hee had mischeived your petitioner But when shee cold not
come to lay hold on your peticioner shee used most opprobrious
speeches against him, and they said Anne Bowen hearinge such
speeches, asked the said Kelletts wife whie shee did call any
honest man soe, And thereupon she turned to the said Anne
Bowen and pulled her cloathes off her head, and said further
that she wold bee revenged upon your peticioner Anne Bowen
if shee did walke the streetes And upon the next daie the said
Kellett and his wife whent to Mr Sneyde and procured a warrant
against your said peticioners, whereupon the said Anne was bound
over to the Sessions

Maie it therefore please your worshippes to appoint that the
poore widdowe may have her charges and be released and that
your peticioners maie have the good behavior graunted against the
said Kellett and his wife livinge in feare and contynuall daunger
of bodilie harme And soe they will pray for your worshippes
longe life and happines to continue.

William Morrys and John Lees of Alveton. Q/SR/152/44 (1619)

Staff ss

To the Honorable and Woorshipful his Majesties Justices
of Peace and Quorum within the countie
aforesaid

The humble peticion of William Morrys
and John Lees of Alveton in the same
countie.

Shewing and humblie beseeching you That
whereas Mr Undersheriffe that nowe ys
in September last did distreyne your oratores
beyng verie poore men for defaultes commytted
by the habitauntes of Alveton aforesaid because
the did not appeare before the kynges majesties
Justices of Gaole deliverie holden at at Stafford
the xxviiith daye of Marche in the xvth yere
of His majesties reygne as maye appeare by
a note hereunto annexed under Mr Undersheriffes
owne hand And in discharge of theire seid goodes
receaved of your poore oratores fortie two shillinges

And forasmuch as your poore oratores are
verye poore men and unable to discharge the
same, And the rest of the townshippe
unwilling to contribute unto them for that
they are no freeholders neither cann
imagyn howe this imposicion should be
leid upon them:

Maye it therefore please your honors and
woorships to call theire cause in question before
you. And iff it prove due to be peid that
then you wilbe further pleassed to graunt
warrant to your poore oraators, from this
honorable bench for alowance or ceasment
to be made for contribucion unto them wherein wherein they shall daylie pray god for your
longe contynuance:

Thomas Ford. Q/SR/152/47 (1619)

To the right worshipfull his majesties Justices of peece,
and corum for the county of Stafforde.

The humble peticion of Thomas Ford

Humbly sheweth unto your good worshipps, that whereas
your poore peticioner was servant to on John Wilkes of
Burcoote yeoman in the County of Worcester yeman
And his said master sent him up into a chamber within a
coffer to fetch money to pay to on where he appoynted
him to paye it. And your poore peticioner tooke to the value
of xxxviiis. xlviiis. forth of the sayd coffer. And for that
was apprehended and taken of felonious, and commytted to the gaole.
And his sayd master having his money agayne, And your
poore peticioner is allmost pyned, for want of foode,is like
to be famished,unles it may so farr forth, stand with your
worships pleasures, in commisseracion of his misery, to axcept
of such baile, as he can procure, for his personall appearance
at the next Assise, And he according to his bounden duty
will ever praye for your worshipps long to contynue to
in all happines.

John Coxe of Elford, milner. Q/SR/152/51 (1619)

To the right worshipfull his Majesties Justices of the Peace
and quorum assembled in his Highness Courte of quarter
Cessions for the county of Stafford

The humble Peticion of John Coxe of Elford
in the countie aforesaid milner

Humblie sheweth unto your worshipps that wheras your poore peticioner
was lawfullie possessed of three melche kyne which weare the onelie
helpe he had to mayntaine and succour his poore weife and children
the which kyne the undershirriffe of this countie distrayned this
last monthe for a fyne of vli. imposed uppon the whole countie
and drove the said three kyne xviiiteen myles an end and would
not in any sorte deliver them to your poore peticioner untill I payd unto
him the said fyne of v li. as by his acquittance more fullie it
appereth by reason of which payment and of the greate chardge and
hinderance your peticioner was at, with followinge the undershirriffe
for my kyne your poore peticioner is so muche impoverished that he is
not able to reliefe his poore famylie; My humble suyte unto your
worshipps is that in commiseracion of my poore estate yow would
be pleased accordinge unto your mercifull course of proceedinges to
take suche good order eyther with the undershirriffe or otherwayes
as yo in your judgmentes yow know most fitt that I may have my vli. repayd unto me and my charges which doth account to ten shillinges for which I shalbe ever bound to pray for the longe
continuance of your worshipps in all healthe and prosperity

John Boden, Richard Venibles, John Hareley and Thomas Stevenson. Q/SR/152/53 (1619)

Staff ss

To the honorable and woorshipfull his
majesties Justices of Peace & Quorum
within the Countie aforesaid

The humble peticion of John Boden of
Woodeaton, Richard Venibles of Knightley
John Hareley of the Hollies, and Thomas
Stevenson of Gnosall:

Shewing and humblie beseeching you That
whereas your seid oratores have latelie had
there severall cattell taken and dryven aweye
by the servantes and officers of Mr Sheriffe, And
your oratores cannot comme to the knowledge of
the truthe for what cause yt is, but alledge
yt is for a generall imposicion upon the whole
countie out of somme of his majesties courtes above
But your oratores were forced to pey to Mr High
Sheriffe severall sommes of money for the redelivering
of their seid cattell, besydes good consideracion
to the same syrvanutes or officers,

For remedie wherein your oratores appeale
unto this honorable benche most humblie
praying, That you wilbe pleased to call
the matter in question before you, And
thereupon to yelde them such releeffe
herein as the cause requyreth who will
willinglie obey your censure herein, And
readie to paye theire partes, of any generall
imposicon, equallie with others of theire
calling within theire devision And shall, daylie pray god for your longe contynuance