Staffordshire Quarter Sessions: 1639

Lawrence Padmore of Eccleshall. Q/SR/236/3 (1639)

To the right Honorable and Worshipfull his Majesties
Justices of the Peace for the Countie
of Stafford

The humble petition of Lawrence Padmore
one of the inhabitantes of the parish
of Eccleshall:

Humbly shewinge unto your good honors and worshipps that whereas
your poore petitioner havinge but one horse and noe other cattle
wherewith his paines takinge getteth parte of his liveinge, and on the
xiith daie of October last his horse was taken from him for a
distresse for and in the behalfe of all the inhabitantes of the parish
of Eccleshall by an order graunted the last Sessions against the
parish concerninge Brownes Bridge, thereuppon your petitioner
was constrayned to paie the summe of iiili. xs. for and in behalfe
of the parish before he could obtayne his horse againe, Your poore
petitioner makinge his complaynt unto the Reverant father in
god Robert Wright Lord Bishopp of Coventry and Leifhfield and allso
to the worshipfull Edward Manwaringe Esquire two of his Majesties Justices of
the Peace for the Countie aforesaid did require and order
under theire handes to the churchwardens constables and other
officers within the parish of Eccleshall to collect and gather in
the said parish the some of three poundes and ten shillinges
and paye it to your poore petitioner, the said officers nothinge
regarding the said order nor the distresse of your petitioner
hath necklected nor hath done anie thinge concerninge the
premises.

Therefore he humbly intreateth this honorable and worshipfull bench to
whei weigh his cause in the balence of equitie soe that he maie
have his money againe by your order to be collected in a generall
waie through the whole parish, he being a poore man desireth to be
pettied, or further order as your honours and worshipps in your grave wisdoms
shall thinke most fittest, and that he maie have his expence herein,

And your honours and worshipps goodnesse
shewed to your poore petitioner herein
shall ever as he is in dutie bownde
to praie for all your healths ever
to continewe

The inhabitants of Drayton in Hales. Q/SR/236/4 (1639)

To the Righte worshipfull the Kinges Majesties Justices of the
peace and Quorum within this Countie of Stafford

May it please you to be adver[t]ized that we the inhabitantes and
parishoners of Drayton in Hales within the Countie of Salopp beinge
already much trowbled with the multitude of poore people imposed
upon us doe humbly intreate your worships to be pleased to take into your
consideracon that one William Calcott and Margery his wyffe
being very poore and have haveinge one only childe of the age of 4 yeres
or thereaboutes at the tyme of there deathe did lyve and inhabitt
for about 3 yeres before there deathes in the townshipp of Almington
within this Countie and about half a yere last past both of them
dyed in one day howebeyt the said Margery in the tyme of her
sicknes a little before her death came with her said childe to the
dwelling howse of one Elizabeth Whittingham her mother in the
townshipp of Little Drayton and into the Countie of Salopp where
the said Margery shortely after to wit about midsomer last past
dyed leaveing the said childe in the custody of the said Elizabeth
Whittingham where the same hath remayned ever since her
death notwithstanding the said Elizabeth hath don her uttermost
indevor to be releeved therein.

Nowe Righte worshipfull soe it is that the said Elizabeth
Whittingham is a very poore woman aged fowerscore yeres or
thereaboutes and not able to maynteyne herself but is like to
have the most parte of her releefe amongest us. We have therefore
made bowlde to comend to your consideracion the poore womans
disabylitie humbly intreateing that such course may be taken
by your worshipes that the childe may be provyded for within the
Lordshipp of Tirley where the parentes lyved for the space of about
3 yeres before there deathes accordinge to his majesties lawes in that
case provyded And your peticioners will ever rest

Your worshipes in all humble dutie
at Comaund

• Thomas Cooke, Vicar Draiton
• John Wetherill } Church
• George Steventon} wardens
• Thomas Nayler }
• Thomas Underwood} Constables
• Daniell Bradley}
• Thomas Frend }Overseyers
• Thomas James

6 January 1638

John Richardson of Oakeley, wheelwright. Q/SR/236/5 (1639)

Com Staff
To the Right honorable and worshipful his Majesties
Justices of peace and Quorum for this Countie
of Stafford

The humble peticion of John Richardson of Oakeley
wheleright

Humbly sheweth that whereas his master John
Chitwood of Oakley esquire placed in a parte of your
peticoners house one Joan Saundeles widow, soe
lounge as shee should remaine widowe but shee
not lounge after maried with the said Mr
Chetwood milner contrary to his knowledge
and thereuppon your poore peticoner being his
tennaunt, was charged by his said landlord Mr Chetwood
to remove the said Joan Saundles widowe partely because your peticoner had use of that
parte of the house and partely because they were
affrayd shee and her husband would bee
chargable to the parishe to which purpose
hee your peticoner repayred to the lord bishop and Mr Mainwaringe
who ordered that the said Joan Saundles [illegible]
now called Aldridge should remove by saidSaynt
Andrewes day last past and take her goodes
with her but shee contenued the same, and
although shee bee gone away yet shee hath
left her goodes behinde her and will not
fetch them but threateneth to come in
againe contrary to Mr Chetwoods ruine
and to the great prejudice of your poore
peticoner shee and her husband threateing to troble your
peticoner at London etc:

br> The premises being considered his
humble request to your good honours
and worships is that you would bee
pleased to take somne course for him or
that confirme the said order
by the lord bishop and Mr Mainwaring
or direct him what course hee may
take for his one saftie soe shall
hee ever pray for your honours health
and happinesse

George Fletcher of Eccleshall, shoemaker. Q/SR/236/6 (1639)

To the right worshipfull his Majesties Justices of peace and Quorum
for the Countie of Stafford

The humble peticion of George Fletcher of Eccleshall
in the Countie aforsaid shoomaker

Humbly sheweth That whereas one Thomas Salte of Eccleshall aforsaid
mason, and by profession aparattor, hath procured the good behavior
against your peticioner onely upon malice, and not upon any proofe, or
just occacion at all, whereby the peticioner hath bin putt both to great
charges and trouble, that he cannot attend his callinge, and other his
occasions to mayntaine himselfe and familie as hee ought, but is dailie
provoked by the said Thomas Salte to breake his recognizance whereby hee
intends to take further advantage against the peticoner. The cariage
and behaviour of the said Salte throughout the parish beinge well knowne
to bee very dissolute, which the peticioner here is not willinglie in particular
to expresse. And for the cariage and behaviour of the peticioner (havinge
lyved most time of his lyfe in Eccleshall aforsaid) that hee never was
taynted with any such matters as are unjustly alleadged against him
by the said Thomas Salte and other his confederates, hee hopes that the
testimony of these that have hereunto subscribed their names, will give
your worshipps sufficient satisfaccion

Whereupon the peticioner humbly desireth to bee released
from his said recognizance And hee shalbe bound to pray etc.

• Thomas Mosse
• Thomas Howell
• William Snow John Brockhurst
• Roger Smith D David Falkner his marke and name


• Thomas Milward
• Robarte Winingeton
• Richard Bushopp

Thomas Parker and Jane his wife. Q/SR/236/7 (1639)

To right Honorable and right Worshipfull
his majestyes Justices of the
peace for the County
of Stafford

The humble peticion of Thomas Parker and Jane
his wife

Humbly shewing to your good worshipps that Walter Holt
cunstable of Walton and Anthony Bradbury thyrdbearer doe
say that Jane my wife is a perjured person, and hath
forsworne her selfe, my wife and I coming by, went into
John Atherleys house to buy some candells, and wee
beeing dry called for a quarte of ale, the now I had
not sitten halfe and howre but the sayd Walter Holt
cam in and pulled mee and haled mee to put mee in the stockes
and did the same to my wife and sayd he would put her
necke in the stockes till my Lord of Essex came to
fetch her out: And the next day at Mr Thorleys
hee called her a perjured quene, and that hee would
have her stand one the pillary with her armes spread
and her fact written over her head and when shee
was takeinge her leave hee wished the people of
the house to looke that shee stole nothing.
this Mr Thorley cann wittnesse

Humbly beseeching your good worshipps that
my wife may passe quietly throwe the towne
for the cunstable told her at her owne dore
that if he could take her there, hee would
put her necke in the stockes till my Lord
of Essex did fetch her out beeseeching
your worshipps to order it that shee may goe
safly and wee shall ever bee bound to
pray for your good worshipps healt and
prosperity.

Robeart Plevin of Chebsey. Q/SR/236/12 (1639)

Staffs ff
Pyrelles

To the right worshipfull Sir Robeart Gresley Wolsley Baronet
Thomas Crompton and George Digbie Esquires
his Majesties Justices of the peace, and quorum etc.

The humble peticion of Robeart Plevin of Chebsey
in the County afforesaid Mettleman:

Sheweth

That whereas your pore peticioner hath beene a constant
inhabitant, and resident in the said parish of Chebsey
and county afforesaid for the space of twelve yeares last
past, and hath had foure children borne in the said parish,
and hath hitherto maintained himself, his wife, and chil-
dren, without any trouble or charge to the said parish, and
was never questioned, or interrupted, by any of the said
parish untill now, and by whom now he cannot tell, have
-inge in most humble mnanner, requested the parishoners
after such interruption, to allott him a habitation for
his rentt, he endeavouringe to give them all the contentt
might be: And further he hath constantly every yeare
receaved the Sacrament at the said parish church, he hath
paid his rent yearely for his habitation, and hath keept
a fier solely by himself: And paid smoke money yearely
for the same And hath keept wach and ward, and other
duties, and services for the kinge (accordinge to house
-rowe) when he was thereunto commanded by the kinges
majesties officers.

His humble peticion is

The premisses considered, that your good worshipps would
be pleased to take into your judicious consideracion his
most distressed and lamentable estate and to allott him
a habitation (within the said parish) for himself, his
wife, and children he labouringe, and endeavouringe
as farr forth as his power will extend, to pay rentt
for the same, and to defray the said parish, from
all other charges which may accrue by reason of
him or his charge, and performeinge all other farther
duties and services, as shalbe imposed upon him. And in soe
doeinge he his wiffe and children will ever pray
for the prosperity of you and yours:

Brinepitts Sandon the xxxth of November

Raph Hatfeild, prisoner in Stafford gaol. Q/SR/236/14 (1639)

Stafford ss

To the Right worshipfull Mr Doctor Twysden
Chauncelor of the Dyoces of Coventry et
Litchfeild & on of his majesties Justices of
the Peace and Quorum for this Countie

The humble peticion of Raph Hatfeild now prisoner in
His Majesties Gaole at Stafford.

Whereas your poore peticioner being chardged to be father of a bastard child
begotten uppon the bodie of one Alice Wheeldon of the parish of Rushall in
this countie about two monethes since was brought before your worship, and
being a meere strainger in the cuntrey and not being able to putt in suerties
to dischardg the parish (according to lawe) your worship committed him to
prison where hee hath layen ever since in great want and misery and had
(before this tyme) perished with want of food, had hee not byne releived by
the charitie of his keeper and a worthy gentleman in the howse

Now forasmuch as hee hath endured this long imprisonment (not haveing
a penny to releiv him) beinge forsaken of his frendes. And for that he is
hartely sory for his offence and is willing to make the best satisfaccion
hee is able either in marrying the said Alice or undergoeing anie
further pennace or punishment that your good worship in your wisdome shall
thincke fitt That your worship wilbe pleased to graunt him his enlardgment
whereby he may (as heretofore) labour in his vocacion to gett his lyveing

And your poore distressed peticoner shaall (as he is bounden daily
praye for your worships good health with much increase of happines
long to contynue

Alice Pratt and Johane Greene, prisoners in Stafford gaol. Q/SR/236/15 (1639)

Stafford ss

To the right worshipfull Walter Wrottesley
Esquier one of his majesties Justices of
the peace for his heighnes County of Stafford
and the rest of the Justices of the honorable Bench

The humble peticion of Alice Pratt and Johane Greene
now prisoners in the Gaole of Stafford

Whereas your poore peticoners (uppon suspition of stealinge a peece
of woollen cloath) were apprehended and brought before your worshipp
at Woolverhampton, where (for want of suerties according to law)
your worshipp committed them to prison where they have layen a longe
tyme in great misery And are lyklie to lye and contynue here
untill Lent assises if they be not (by your mercifull goodnes) taken
pittie of

Now forasmuch as they can very well cheere them-
selves of the fact for which they are accused of and forther
they have suerties now read which wilbe bound for
their appearance at the next assises That your worshipp
wilbe pleased to accept of their bayle and graunt them
their libertie that they may labour to gett their liveinges
otherwise they are like to perish here for want of sustenanc
or starved with cold

And your poore distressed peticoners shall (as they are bounden)
paye for your good worshipps good health and prosperous estate with
much increase of happines longe to contynue

William Rabone. Q/SR/236/16 (1639)

To the Right worshipfull Sir William Bowyer knight, Raphe
Sneayd & Edward Manwayring Esquires Justices of peace
for the Countye of Stafford and in commission for his Majesties
mounthly mettings and to the worshipfull his Majesties Justices
at this present quarter Sessions

The humble peticion of William Rabone

Most humbly sheweth unto your good worshipps that whereas your poore
peticoner being breed and borne within the parish of Stone, and his auncestors
before him, and come of honest parentage, and he himselfe lyving in good
credit and reputacion, and bearing divers offices in the place of his
abode, (for the good of his country) untill of late yeares, he is now
growen into great poverty, what by suertyeshipe and other great
losses, that he is not any wise able to mayntayne himselfe as
formerly he hath done, and now also is and hath beene for a long tyme
by visited with a hanging disease, who hath brought him very
weake that he is not able to work, and having no place to inhabite
in so that he your poore peticoner is like to perish for want of sustaynanc
and habitacion, if some course be not taken for his present releiffe.

Now his humble request unto your good worshipps is, the premisses
being considered that your worshipps would be pleased in pittie
and commisseracion of his poore estate and poverty and sicknes, and
in regard of his breiding and former lyving, to grant your good
worshipps assistance, that he your poore peticioner may have some
little cottage built him within the said parish of Stone, where he
was breid and borne, and some releiffe in this tyme of his lingring
sicknes,

And hee your poore peticioner as he is bound in all dewtye
shall dayly pray for your worshipps health wealth
and prosperitye long to continue

Lawrence Mills. Q/SR/236/18 (1639)

To the most honorable and
worshipfull the Justices of the
benche

Your humble and pore peticioner Lawrence
Mills who hath lived in the townshipe of
Horsley in the parishe of Eccleshall for dyvers
yeres beinge knowne by his neighbours to be
an honeste laboryous painfull man to maintaine
his wife and a charge of childrene who beinge
wronged by one George Flechehere of Eccleshall
and by his meines chaused to spend his money
without anye cause to the pore mans greete
hinderance and trouble

Desieringe your worshipes favore and assistance
in this behalfe and your pore peticiuonere wilbe
evere bounde to pray for your worshipes longe
happines

• Thomas Skrymsher
• John Bleste
• Thomas Blest
• George Rocke
• Charles Pershall
• John Millward
• Richard Hill
• William Yardley
• William Windsor

John Offley of Bryneton. Q/SR/236/20 (1639)

To the right worshipfull his majesties Justices of Peace and Quorum for the County of Stafford.

The humble peticion of John Offley of Bryneton in the same County.

Humbly

Shewing that whereas your Peticioner liveing with his sister Margarett Offley in Bryneton
one Frauncis Addams then and now Constable of Bryneton came to your peticioner and
enquired where his sisters servant William Addams Phillips was, who presently answered
that he thought he was in the house demaunding of the said constable what he
would with him, who said none harme And thereupon went both into the house
of your peticioners sister where they found the said Phillips, whome the said constable
presentlie served with warrant from the worshipfull Mathew Moreton Esquire one of the Justices of
the Peace of this county to appeare before him the next morning to answere for
the supposed getting with child the servant of one John Maddoxe of Weston under
Liziard in the county aforesaid.

Which your said peticioner seeing (the said Phillips being his sisters servant) assumed
and promised to the said constable that he should be furthcomeing the next morning to
aunswere the said warrant and that he your peticioner would either bring or send
the said Phillips early the following morning to the said constable to his house
in Bryneton, which he did accordingly and the said constable had him at his bedd
side and talked with him and soe was lefte in the constables custody according
to his assumpcion whereupon your peticioner thought himselfe discharged.

And the said Phillips being soe in the constables custody (without knowledge of your
peticioner (as is reported) escaped) whereupon the said constable and others procured
warrant from the said Mr Moreton to call bring before him your peticioner for the
bringing in the said Phillips (being soe escaped) who was there bound an upon
his behaviour and to aunswere at this Sessions.

May it therefore please your good worships (the premisses considered) in that your
peticioner did but promise to deliver or cause to be delivered to the said
constables custody the body of the said William Phillips to aunswere the
warrant brought against him) which your peticioner did accordingly) as he is able
to prove by sufficient witnesse present that your peticioner may be freed
from his bondes of good abearing and discharged being a man not able to
travell and willing to live in god and the kinges majesties peace, And your
peticioner shalbe ever bound to pray for your worships in all health and happines
long to endure.

Francis Cutter of the parish of Colwich. Q/SR/236/21 (1639)

To the right honorable and worshipfull his Majesties Justices of the peace for
the Countie of Stafford.

The humble petition of Francis Cutter of the
parish of Colwich and countie aforesaid

Sheweth
That whereas your poore petitioner being borne in Shutburro within
the saide county and is now of the age of [blank] yeares and hath lived
within the said parish all his life time as servant to Edward
Hill decessed and synce to his wyfe untill about [blank] years
last past being then growne into yeares and besides by
reason of sicknes and other infirmities fallen into
great weaknes and lamenes insomuch as he hath lived
for many yeares last past upon the devotion of
charitable people within the said parish and hath had much
releife at Mr Ansons But now so it is that the said Mr
Anson being inforced to take a prentice doth thereupon withdraw
his former benevolence to this petitioner so as he is now
in great want and necessity both of necessary clothes to keepe
him from starving, as allso of foode to preserve his
life And whereas your petioner being thus impoverished
did complaine to Mr Digby and Mr Crompton at the last month
-ly meeting who then seeing his nakednes for want of clothes
did then so farr compassionate him as to comand and order
the overseers to provide him such necessary clothes for the
present and at the next meeting further consideracion
should be hadd of him for further wickly allowens
but so it is that the overseers refuse to performe that order
and have provided neither clothes nor other provision so as he is in
verry poore and miserable estate and like to pearish unles this cort
will presently take some order theirin

Roger Dios of Bagnold, shoemaker. Q/SR/236/22 (1639)

To the Right honorable and worshipfule
his majesties Justices of peace and quorum
fro for this countie of Stafford

The humble peticion of Roger Dios of Bagnold
shoomaker

Humbly sheweth your good honours and worships
that whereas your poore peticoner placed his
daughter Joyce Dios with Samson Till of
Shawforde and Anne his wife alehouskeepers,
and hyred her with them for the space of one
yeare, for sixeteene shillings per annum with
certaine apparell more to be aded which was delivered her
in parte of wages but the said Anne
takeing occasion against your peticoners
be [illegible] she [illegible] partly because shee would
not intice younge people to her house, and
partly because shee would not put in
a certaine powder in the drinke which as the said Anne
her dame tould her would make guest[?]
madd in the head and soe they would spend
theire money the more and because her
peticoners daughter would not doe soe
the said Till and Anne his wife turned
your peticoners daughter away taking from
her the apparell they had given her in
parte of payment: and detaine her wages
contrary to law in that case provided

The premises being considered
his humble request is that your honors
and worships would consider your poore peticoner
whose daughter is turned uppon him
without her wages and hee having a
great charge of smale children
soe shall hee ever pray for your
honor helt etc

William Chatterley, John Boone, Thomas Ives, Ann Barlowe and Thomas Persall. Q/SR/237/2 (1639)

To the Right Honerable and Right Worshipfull
his majestes Justices of the peace at
this Sessiones for the Countye of Stafford

The humble peticion of William
Chatterley John Boone Thomas
Ives Ann Barlowe widdowe
and Thomas Persall

Seweth that whereas youre poore peticioneres havinge lived
the space of seven or eighte yeares last past in the parish of
Carswall maintayninge our selves and famylies with our
labowre and beinge destitute of houses, have hadd libertye
of Mr Coyney of Weston Coyney to erecte us cottages in his
libertye one the wast of Weklye More and hath layde us fore
aceres apeece to our houses, and wee not beinge able as yett
to inclose all the sayde fore aceres, Mr Corney is daylye
presented and indited for erectinge of cottages, wherebye
hee thretneth to plucke downe our houses, or throwe us out by
lawe, because of the daylye charge hee is putt unto, unles
wee free him of the sayde charge

Maye it there fore please you to take it to youre considerationes
that our houses soe erected may stande, and wee live in quiete
to follow our laboures, for the mayntayninge of our selves and
familyes which wilbe a greate reliefe unto us, and youre poore
peticioneres shalbe daylye bounde to praye

Roger Marshe of Ober Penn. Q/SR/237/4 (1639)

To the right Honorable and Worshipfull his Majesties
Justices of the peace for the Countie of
Stafford.

The humble peticion of Roger
Marshe of Ober Penn in this countie
of Stafford.

Humblie sheweth this honorable courte that upon the
thirteenth daie of May last past there happened
a sudden fire upon the dwellinge house of your poore
peticioner and burned it downe to the ground with
all your peticioners substance, the house contayned
three bayes of buildinge verie lately builded. his
substance consumed by the said fire amounteth to the
summe of threescore poundes at the least to the
utter undoinge of your poore peticioner his wife and
foure small children as may appeare to your worships by a
certificate under the handes of your peticioners neighbors
of the parish of Ober Penn aforesaid. May it
therfore please your honors and worships to consider your
poore peticioners distresse and to certifie the truth
hereof, and to commend his case to the charitie of
weldisposed people of this countie of Stafford. And
your poore peticioner, his wife, and children shall
ever pray to god for your prosperities and happinesse

Mary Jumpe, prisoner in the Dungeon in Stafford. Q/SR/237/6 (1639)

Stafford

To the Right honorable and Right worshipfull
his majesties Justices of the Peace and Quorum
at the Sessions holden 23 Aprilis 1639
for his heighnes sayd countie

The humble peticion of Mary Jumpe
now prisoner in the Dungeon in Stafford

Whereas about 5 weeks since your poore peticoner was arrested with
uppon a latitat for at the suite of one William Creswell of Bilbrooke
upon an accion of the case for wordes, and thereuppon presentlie sent
to the Gaole where shee lyeth in great misery. And whereas
since your peticoners arrest her husband was prest and is gone
as a souldier this peticoner is now like to starve there in respect shee
is not able to putt in bayle to the sheriff

Soe it is may it please this honorable Bench that before the goeinge of
her said husband the said William Cresswell one Thomas Tommes
John Turnor John Latham Richard Mott Richard Traunter John Hill
and others of the said town of Bilbrooke (of purpose to famish your poore
peticioner) have gotten into their possessions all the goodes and [instore?]
which was your peticoners before shee married with the said Jumpe
and by her given to her children (beinge to a good valew) rportinge
they bought them of her said husband who had noe power to sell one
pennyworth of them

Your peticioner humblie beescheth this honorable bench that they wilbe
pleased to referr the examinacon thereof the Right worshipfull Walter Wrottosley
esquier beinge neare neighbour to Bylbrooke and to order the same that your poore
petoner and her children be not starved for want of their goodes (beinge soe wrongefully
taken from them

And youre poore peticoner shal as shee is bounden
pray for the good estate of this honorable Court long
to continue

Robert Dodd of High Offley. Q/SR/237/8 (1639)

To the rigt honorable and worshipfull his majesties Justices
of the Peace for the County of Stafford.

The humble peticion of Robert Dodd of High Offley
a very poor man, his wyfe a blynd woman, with his two poor children

Sheweth unto your honours That whereas your sayd peticoner is fallen
into extreame want and poverty by reason of longe sicknes
whereby hee hath byn a longe to tyme soe weake that hee hath
byn unable to labour, as hee was wont, for maynteyninge
of hymselfe and his poor children. And whereas alsoe his sayd
children are nowe growen able to gett their owne livings in
some reasonable sort, if if they could be intertayned into some
place for followinge of husbandry labor or any other science

And now soe it is the two greatest farmors in the sayd parish of of
High Offley aforesayd, whoe may best intertayne into their
services the sayd children and bringe them upp in the
labor of husbandry doe utterly refuse to intertayne them or
give them releefe att all for the succoringe of them

May it therefore please your honours for gods cause, to take order for the
puttinge forth of the sayd children to some trade, or labor
in husbandry, for the gettinge of their livinge

And the said petitioner accordinge to his bounden duty shall daylie pray
to god for your honours and worshipps good health longe to
continue

The Inhabitants of Heigh Offley. Q/SR/237/9 (1639)

To the Right Honourable and worshipfule his Majesties
Justices of peace and Quorum for this Countie of
Stafford

The humble peticion of the Inhabitants of the Parishe
of Heigh Offley

Humbly shew to this honourable Courte that one
Robert Dod of our parishe being a man of ill
behaviour and able to worke as alsoe having
meanes yearely to maintaine himselfe and
his familie to the value of sixe pound per
annum, hath formerly gone about and still doth
to put his children uppon the parishe and
to that purpose hath repaired to his Majesties
Justices at Newcastle to there monethly meeting
there but they being informed of his abilitee
refused to make any order in that his behalfe,
and yet not being satisfied sueth to your worships
here without any cause as yett

The premisses being considered
our descire is that your good honours
and worships would bee pleased to
grant noe order in his behalfe
wee having poore many more
besides him to maintaine soe
shall wee etc pray etc

• Richard Bullann cler
• Raffe Greene
• John Greene
• Robrt: Thornton
• George Hill
• William Woldridge

Arthur Dunne, prisoner in the dungeon. Q/SR/237/13 (1639)

Stafford ss

To the Right Honorable and Right worships
his majesties Justices of the Peace and Quorum for his heighnes Countie of Stafford

The humble peticion of Arthur Dunne
now prisoner in the dungeon

Whereas your poore peticioner (the last assises) was
indicted and convicted for the felonious takeinge of
six sheepe of the goods and chattells of one John Jackson
for which hee had his booke and was burned in the hand
But to remayne in prison untill hee could putt in
suerties for his good behavyour and haveinge noe suerties
att Wolverhampton hath layen ever since in great misery
and distresse

Now for asmuch as your poore distressed peticoner
hath provided sufficient suerties humblie beseecheth
the honorable bench to accept of them for his
bayle and sett him at libertie (who will by godes
assistance) worke hard for his lyveinge, this offence
beinge the first that ever he comitted

And hee shall daylye praye for the good
estate of this honorable Courte longe to continue.

Joyce Janam of Ridglie. Q/SR/237/16 (1639)

To the right honorable and worshipfull his majesties
Justices for the yeare for the Countie of Stafford

The humble petition of Joyce
Janam of Ridglie

Whereas youre poore petitioner, humbly, sheweth unto youre
good worships, that she hath for the space of three yeares,
lived in the towne of Ridglie: without any trouble unto
any of the parish; your poore petitioner, her father lived
in the same towne of Ridglie six yeares, and keept
the paper mill under the right worshipfull, Sir Richard
Weston and by reason of too great a rent, and the
decaying of this paper mill; he was forced to seeke
for the bettering of his estate elsewhere and lefte
youre poore petitioner behinde him in Ridglie, and
some eight weeckes after, Sir Richard Weston caused
your poore petitioner to be cast out of doores and she
was forced to lye in the street and she is destitute
of a house: Therefore youre poore petitioner doth humbly
besceech youre good honors and worships to be pleased
to set downe some order for her to have a house
for her mony: for she will not be troublous to the parish
in anything, for she is able to get her owne liveing
by her industrie otherwayes she is like to perish
with a littell chyld and her goods allso and youre
poore petitioner shall ever be bound to pray for
youre honors, and worships longe lifes and
happinesses

Robert Watson. Q/SR/237/17 (1639)

To the right honorable and Reverend Father in god Robert Lord Bishopp
of Coventrey and Lytchfeild, William Lord Pagett Hervie Bagott
Baronett Edward Littleton Baronett Richard Dyott knight Charles
Twisden and Edward Manwaringe Esquires and to the rest of his
Majesties Justices of peace of this Countie

The humble peticion of Robert Watson

Sheweth unto your good Lordshipps and the rest of the Justices that whereas
your peticioner at Epiphanie Sessions was three yeares did rashly and
unadvisedly undertake to serve his Majesties provision for this countie for
the terme of seaven yeares and did become bound with Edward Manley
John Byrchenhead and Thomas Orrell gentlemen unto your Lordships and the rest of the gentlemen
abovenamed in a bond of sixe hundred poundes for the performance thereof and
did likewise enter into greate engagementes for the securinge of his suertyes
and did take the contreyes word, that the money formerly paid unto other
purveiors should have bene paid unto him for the servinge of the same
That he to his great losse and hindrance did serve the same for two
yeares followeinge and that the first yeare he wanted eight pounds of the
contreyes payment and the second yeare fowre poundes, and that he made this
knowne to the Bench at severall sessions And humbly praid theire aide
for the gettinge of the same And likewise praid to be dischardged of his
further service therein, and from his bondes, which he was in good hope of, in
respect it pleased the Justices uppon his humble peticion and mocion to take
the same into theire consideracion, And heard nothinge theireof untill Michaelmas
Sessions last at which tyme there was demaunded of your peticioner one hundred and tenne
poundes for the dischardginge of his service alledgeinge the damadge of the
impoverishment and undoeinge of your peticioner his wife and famylie he have-
inge already susteyned above 200li. losse by the performeinge of the said
purveiorshipp of the said contrey and is forced to make sale of his landes for
the payment of the same And further your peticioner sheweth that the contrey
hath synce that tyme paid the saide two hundred and tenne poundes And yet not
withstandinge your peticioners bondes are putt in suite

Humbly prayeth that he may be dischardged of his bondes and that he
may have his arerages paid him. And your peticioner shall ever pray for etc.

Michael Shenton of Little Pipe. Q/SR/237/19 (1639)

To the honorable his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Stafford

The humble peticion of Michael Shenton of
Little Pipe a poore lame man

Humbly sheweth, that your peticioner having dwelt by the space of
14 yeares or thereaboutes at Longdon, was perswaded about 3
yeares agoe to remove to Little Pipe, and was there placed in
a cottage as tenant from yeare to yeare under John Hill gentleman,
whoe about the beginning of May last, upon a causelesse displeasure,
did cast your peticioner his wife and children, together with his household
goodes, out of doores, And caused your peticioners cowe, being his
cheife releife, to be soe vyolently chased by a man on horseback
to the pound, that she was swelted and presently after dyed.
By which cruel course your peticioner his wife and children, for want of
house roome and necessaries, have suffred such misery, and are now
growne soe sickly, that they are likely this winter to perish, unlesse
by the justice and favour of this honorable Court they be some way
releived.

Now forasmuch as your poore peticioner and his wife have in most
humble manner, upon their knees with weeping eyes, submitted
themselves to the said John Hill, and thoug besaught his favour
and compassion, yet he is not pleased to relent, but giveth harsh
wordes to your peticioner and his wife, saying, their wordes are venome
to his eares; And for that your peticioner is an impotent lame man,
and his life, together with his wives and children, in great danger
to be lost, in extremity of weather this winter, if they be not
provided of some houseing:

May it therefore please your honours, in the tender bowels of
compassion, to consider of your peticioners miserable estate, and take
order, that the said John Hill may allow unto your peticioner houseroome
during this winter, And he his wife and children be saved
from starving and perishing, And they shal dayly
pray etc.

Joan Sutton, semster, of Norton in the Moores. Q/SR/237/21 (1639)

Stafford
To the Right Honorable and right Worshipfull his Majesties Justices
of the Peace, att the Quarter Sessions assembled
for the sayd County

The informacion and humble petition of Joan Sutton semster, in the parish
of Norton in the Moores, Humbly shewing that your petitioner
was borne in the aforesayd parish, in the Towne of Norton, in the
dwelling house of John Meare deceased, and tennant to William
Meare of the said Hall houses, and hath for the greatest part of her
life beene resident and livinge, within the sayd parish havinge
maynteyned her selfe in fashionable sort and manner, and gayned
the good will and favour of all her neighbores, And likewise that
to the sayd house (where the petitioner was borne) there is belonging
a kitchin neerly situate, and I for conveniency sake to the church
was repayred for the minister of the sayd parish to dwell in,
who shortly after was preferred to a better place: (the house
then being voyd) Your humble petitioner was his successour,
and for an yearly rent hath lived in the same these many yeares,
But now so it is that the above sayd William Meare dare
not (in regard of the statute made against cottagers) permitt
your petitioner to continewue her dwelling any longer where shee
doth, not in any dislike of her, but to prevent any danger to I may bee indi-
gent to himselfe: In respect therffore your petitioner is
aged and destitute of any other place of abode, or meanes to build
any habitacion for himerselfe, The sayd William Meare pittying
your petitioners case, is content for his part that shee shall
there continue for the payment of her usuall rent.

Insomuch this Honourable Bench would bee pleased to
compassionate your petitioners estate, as to decree by your order
sett downe in open Sessions, That your petitioner may still there
continue without any damage, or els to tak some other order for her
releefe as in your wisdomes, shall seeme expedient, and your petitioner
as duty bindeth her, will dayly pray for your prosperityes.

For the truth of this informacion wee the parishioners
of Norton have subscribed our names.

• John Rowley
• Hugh Ford
• William Forde thelder William Meareof Norton landlord Walter Rowley
• William Sherratt John Godwine
• William Meare John Sherratt
• Thomas Knight Willm Edge
• John Meare spraghouse Hughe Moore
• Willam Thursfilde Roger Potter

Robeart Plevin of Chebsey, mettleman. Q/SR/237/23 (1639)

To the kings majesties Justices of the peace, at the
honorable Bench at Stafford at the generall
Sessions of the peace there etc.

The humble peticion of Robeart Plevin of
Chebsey mettleman

Sheweth

That whereas your poor peticioner haveinge
lived within the said Towne of Chebsey for the
space of Twelve yeares and upwardes last past,
and haveinge had foure children borne in the
said parish and towne, and haveinge observed and
kept wach and ward, and other such duties as
have beene imposed upon him, for the said house
and haveing receaved the Communion in the said
parish church, all the said tearme, and never
beene interrupted but now of late, and haveinge
still keept the said house in sufficient repaire
and paid 4d: yearely to the Vicar of the said
parrish: And I haveinge beene at sundrie times
before this honorable Bench, to make complainte
of the Overseers of the pore of the said parish
for releife in some reasonable manner, which
Overseers have neglected. Two severall orders
and one warrant granted from this honorable
Bench (for the maintaynance of my family)
they haveinge donne very little at all in the premisses
in the observeing the said command allthough
laborious and painefull to releive my great charge
till of now of late

His humble petition is

The premisses considered, that this honorable Bench,
would be pleased to allowe [aswure and?] such maintaynance
as you in your discretions shall thinke requisite,
and that your pleasures herein may be better
performed then formerly they have beene: And
in soe doinge I, my wiffe, and children will ever
pray for all your prosperities longe to continue.

Staff:
ff:

Inhabitants of Bishbury. Q/SR/237/24 (1639)

Staff ss

To the Right Honorable and Worshipfull his Majesties Justices of the Peace: assembled
at the Generall Sessions of the Peace, held at Stafford the 23th day
of Aprill: Anno Domini 1639. The humble peticion of the
Inhabitantes of Bishbury in the Countie aforesayd whose names are subscribed.

Humblie complayninge: Do shew to this Honorable Bench: That whereas we have bin of longe tyme
accustomed to be assessed, and lewned, everie man accordinge to the true value of his landes, or
tenementes, for any levye for the Kinges most excellent Majestie and for the Church.

But now we are oppressed, by unequall dealinge, the assesment of the said lewnes, or
levyes. The assessors more regardinge, their owne pryvate endes then just and true dealinge
in that case.

Humblie desyringe this Honorable Bench: That yt may be now ordered
that these fower gentlemen beinge our borderinge neighbours (that ys to saye)
Walter Fowler of Herford esquire. Alexander Wightwicke, of Wightwicke
gentleman. William Oliver of Aspley gentleman. And Edward Wakeringe of Black-
Huve gentleman: first havinge true intelligence of everie mans estate in landes or
tenementes may set downe in writinge, (to be kept upon record) as assesment, what everie man
shall paye for his Majesties use and the Church as aforesayd. And we shall praye
for your Honors health and happinesse

• Walter Grosvenor: Thomas Egginton
• Thomas Moseley:
• John: Asteley
• William Forster

William Chatterley of Careswell, plasterer. Q/SR/239/6-7 (1639)

To the right honorable and right worshipfull the Justices of
the peace for the County of Stafford.

The humble peticion of William Chatterley of
Careswell plasterer

Humbly sheweth

That upon St Thomas Daye last by reason of a most lamentable fire
hapening in the night tyme your peticoners howse was burned containeing
two baies of buildinge, with his outhowses and the greatest part of
his substance to the value of 30li. and upwardes to his utter ruyn
hee haveing a wiffe and three small children

Most humbly prayeth your good honours and worshipps to take itt into your
charitable consideracions and that your honours and worshipps wilbe
pleased to comiserate the peticioners lamentable case, And
make a certificate thereof to the right honourable the Lord
Keeper of the Great Seal of England that the peticoners
maye obtaine his Majesties letters Pattentes for his releiffe in
the premisses

And hee will pray etc

• Thomas Beech} James Austen Thomas Coyne
• Rogger Morris}wardines Willm Cookes George Parker
• Thomas Austen John Watson Sampson Cheyney
• Robert Elkes Thomas Vardon Ed: Kynnersley
• Thomas Kilvard Robert Parker
• William Allen Thomas Fox Raphe Browne
• Thomas Cookes Robeart Ouldnes John Smith:
• Thomas Allen Richard Tooth Fra: Creswell his marke
• George Walle Robert Cooper John Rawlyn
• James Willson
• Robert Marchenton Curat: George Brassinton John Willatt
• Richard Elston
• Raphe Wilson Ed Morgin Phillipp Fernihealgh
• Thomas Brassington Randle Fisher John Vise
• Thomas Lowe William Meare John Haton
• Thomas Cooper James Corden John Cinder
• Richard Cooper Robbert Steele Raphe Spooner
• John Walter Willam Harvie

Robert Parkes of Pellsall and the Inhabitants of Pelsall. Q/SR/239/9 (1639)

June the 12th 1639

The humble peticion of Robert Parkes of Pellsall in the County of Stafford
blacksmyth and the Inhabitants of Pelsall whose names are here
under written to his majestyes Justices at the generall Sessions of Staffordshire

May it please your worships that whereas the sayd Robert Parkes
blacksmyth by his industry and paynes taking in his occupacion
had newly built him one house and barne conteyning three bayes
of building and a shopp at the end thereof and haveing no meanes to
mayntayne himselfe but his handy labor mayntayned himselfe his wyfe and six
small children in good orderly manner and good reputation amongst his
neighbors, unto this tyme And now by reason of a soddaine accident
by fyer which happened on Fryday last in the shopp of your sayd petitioner and consumed
the sayd shoppe with the house and barne and most part of their houshold
goods and somme people were sore scorched with the flame which losses
amounteth to the valeue of forty pounds and upwards to the utter undoing
of your poore peticioner his wyfe and six small children unles somme charitable
course bee speedily taken therein, Wherefore your petitioner and the Inhabitants
here under written doe humbly intreate your worships to commiserate his
lamentable estate and to grant unto him your lycence request to the inhabitantes of this countie, so far as may bee
lawfully graunted whereby hee may bee better enabled to collect in all
churches and chappells within this County of Stafford the charitable
benevolence of well disposed people towards the reedifing of his house
recovery of his losses and mayntenance of his wyfe and children, And wee all
shalbe bound to pray for your welfares of body and soule And likewyse bee
ready, uppon the like occasion, at your requests to doe the like

• James Fowke
• James Perkin minister
• John Hill }
• Richard Asson} wardens
• Henry Dickinson
• William Proude
• Henry Seddon
• Thomas Harrison
• George Allsopp
• William Chapman
• William Hollmer
• Edward Widgin
• John Parkes

Thomas Hanson and John Harrison of Willenhall. Q/SR/239/10 (1639)

To the Right Honorable and Right Worshipfull the King's Majesties
Justices of the Peace for the County of Stafford

The humble petition of Thomas Hanson and John
Harrison of Willenhall within the County aforesaid

Humbly sheweth that upon Friday the last day of May last past in this present yeare
1639 about foure of clock in the afternoone there happened a sodaine and fearfull
fire in the barne of your said poore petitioner John Harrison (caused, as is verily) supposed, by some sparke from his shop neere adjoyning) which in the space of one
houre or little more, being increased through the vehemency of the winde, consumed
and burnt downe to the ground the said barne together with his dwelling-house and shop,
as also the dwelling-house of the said Thomas Hanson and his barne and other out-houses
adjoyning, conteining in the whole about eleven bayes of building, besides threescore
strikes of corne, three wayne-load of strawe, some hay and allmost all their houshold
goods; And did also damnify three other poore neighbours next adjoyning in their houses
and goods: The whole losse amounting to the value of fourscore and fifteene pounds at the least,
to the utter undoing of the petitioners abovenamed, their wives and children, unles some
charitable course bee speedily taken for their reliefe and maintenance.

Wherfore the poore petitioners most humbly beseech your Lordships and Worshipps
that you would bee pleased in commiseration of their great losses, to commend
them and their poore estate to the charitable consideration of all well disposed
inhabitants of this County, hoping that by a collection within the Countie
their present great necessity may bee relieved and their losses repaired.
For which gracious favour, the poore petitioners, their wives and fourteene
children between them both, whereof tenne cannot helpe themselves, shall
ever pray etc

Thomas Hanson

Wee whose names are underwritten Inhabitants of Bentley and Willenhall doe humbly
certify your Honors and Worshipps in the behalfe of our poore neighbours above mentioned,
that upon a diligent and particular inquiry and examination of the losses of the said parties
sustained by the fire aforesaid, wee have found them to amount to the said summe of
fourscore and fifteen pounds at the least. In witnes whereof wee have hereunto subscribed our
names this tenth day of June 1639

• Thomas Rune
• Andrew Gyffard
• James Peers Minister of Willenhall


• John Stone
• Richard Wilks
• Thomas Brinley
• John Hawkins
• Richard Padmore
• William Prestwood

John Birchenhead gentleman. Q/SR/239/12 (1639)

To the Right Honorable and right worshipfull his Majesties Justices of the Peace
for the County of Stafford

The humble peticion of John Birchenhead gentleman

Sheweth

That your peticioner about 3 yeares since entred into one obligacion
in 600li. together with Robert Watson, Edward Manley, and Thomas Orrell
gentlemen, at the request and for the proper duty of the said Robert Watson with
condicion that if the said Watson did furnish his Majestie with a certaine
number of beeves and muttons charged upon the said county, and free
and discharge it of any charge by reason of purveiance, that then the said
bond to be voyd, or else to be in full force, as by the said obligacion and the
condicion thereof more at large it may appeare. Wherein the said
Watson failing, a charge was laid upon the county by the Lordes and
others of the Greene Cloth, and thereupon after long patience and forbearance
the bond put in suit; And Mr Manley one of the obligors being atturney
for the rest hath suffred a judgement to passe against your peticioner
and delivered to to the Sheriff to doe execucion; Although the said Mr Manley
was atturney for yor peticioner strucke his son and faithfully
promised to doe for your peticioner as for himselfe and the other
in the suit. And hath as your peticioner is informed neere 1100li. of the
principall Watsons money in his hand for landes purchased.

His humble peticion therefore is, That forasmuch as your peticoner
is but a surety and Watson for whome he was bound is able
to discharge and make satisfaccion to the County, That this
honorable Court would be pleased to take some course as in your
wisdomes shaall be thought meet that the said Watson (as in
conscience and right he ought) being the principall and true debtor
may discharge the said debt, Or otherwise that the said Mr Manley and
Mr. Orrell may be contributory with your peticioner in equall proporcion,
And afterwardes joyne in a course against the principall
Watson for reparacion

And your peticoner shal dayly pray etc

William Moulde of Drayton Bassett. Q/SR/239/13 (1639)

To the right Reverend, right Honorable and the rest of his Majesties
Justices at the generall Sessions of the peace holden at
Stafford the xith day of June Anno R Regis Caroli xvto, 1639

The peticion of William Moulde of Drayton Bassett

Humbly sheweth that your petitioner served in Ireland and other partes in the tyme of the
right honorable the late Earle of Essex and beinge there wounded, did repayre to
Drayton aforesaid, where he was borne and his parentes did there dwell and decease,
your petitioner hath ever sithence beene resident in the said Lordship of Drayton and hath desired
by his industry to maynetayne himselfe his wife and family without becomminge
anyway chargeable to the parish, but nowe beinge become old and poore
and his labour thereby fallinge short to maynetayne him, it hath beene and is
thought fit by the collectors for the poore there, to distribute some allowance forth
of the towne stocke quarterly to your petitioner, and the more to aggravate your petitioners
misery to the utter ruyne of himselfe and family some evill disposed persons
have caused some indictment or prosecucion against your petitioner at the sessions past
whereuppon your petitioner is nowe summoned to appeare by the bayliffe of that hundred

Your petitioner (the premisses considered) beinge farre disable eyther to try suytes in
lawe, or traverse indictementes, or yet to pay the fees of the Court, doth
humbly pray that he may be discharged of all, and that he may be
ordered to returne to his poore house with the allowance of some
satisfaccion in respect of his costes and charges in this his present
journey beinge soe unjustly vexed, And your petitioner as in duty bound will
dayly pray for your Lordships increase of honours.

Robert Deakin of Maveson Ridware. Q/SR/239/16 (1639)

Staff Ss

To the Right Honorable and right worshipfull his Majesties Justices
of peace and Coram for this County.

The humble peticion of Robert Deakin of Maveson-
Ridware in this said County.

In must humble manner sheweth unto this honorable Bench, that
wheras your peticioner is (by the right reverent Father in god
Robert Lorde Bushoppe of Coventrie and Lichfeild, and the right
worshipfull Charles Twisden Doctor of Lawes, and Sir Richard Dyott knight)
ordered to pay xiid. weekely towards the keeping of a bastard
child which hee is charged to have begott upon the body of Jane
Deakin Balden of Maveson Ridware aforesaid and county aforesaid
spinster, which said order your said peticioner is willing
(according to his bounden duety) to submitt himself unto, but
that hee doth find it too greivous for his weake estate, and that
Thomas Balden father of the said Jane, is a freeholder of good
estate in land, and very rich in money and goods, in regard wherof
his doughter is well able to undergoe and endure a greater
charge that then is yet imposed upon her towards the keeping
of the said child. And wheras the said Balden affirmeth
that the charge of keeping the said child is xviiid. a weeke
which may be as well, or better, kept for xiid. and further your petitioner
is readye at her to give a reasonable somme for the setting forth and keep-
-inge of the said child: the weekely allewance being withdrawen.

May it therfore please this honorable Bench soe farr
to cummiserate the case of your peticioner, and that the
said weekely payment may be reduced to viiid. or that the
said Balden may either give a somme of money or receive
a summe and towardes the
meatenance of the
said child
which being done, your peticioner is not onely ready [illegible]
tendred to performe the same, but alsoe to pray for
the continuance and preservacion of your healths, honours
and worshipps in this world, and eternall felicity in the
world to come.

Thomas Brekles, prisoner in the Dungeon in Stafford. Q/SR/239/17 (1639)

Staff ss

To the honorable Right worshipfull and worshipfull his
Majesties Justices of the peace and Quorum for
this his heighnes Countie of Stafford

The humble peticon of Thomas Brekles
now prisoner in the Dungeon in Stafford

Humblie sheweth unto this honorable Bench your poore peticoner being
a weaver borne and manie yeres lyveing in Chesheire and haveing a wife and two
small children grewe into want soe that hee was forced to travell abroad to
gett worke, and coming by chaunce into a towne in this countie called Bushopps
Offley by chaunce mett with a woman in that town who proffered to this poore petico-
ner (hereing he was a weaver) fowr slippinges of hempen yarne, which afterwardes
proved to be stolne from one Henry Freeman of that town, Now forasmuch as
the said Freeman knoweth by the said woman (being his neighbour) to bee one that
hath bene heretofore detected for felony, and that your peticoner hath nothing
to maynteyne himself his wife and his poore children but by his labour,

That this honorable Bench wilbe pleased to call the said Freeman and that
hee may prosecut your peticoner at theise sessions for the same, otherwise
hee and his children wilbe in great dainger of perishing with want
of foode before the assises

And your poore peticioner shall (as hee is bounden) daylye praye
for the good and prosperous estate of this honorable Bench
longe to contynue

Henry Prescote of Coulton. Q/SR/239/22 (1639)

To the right worshipfull his Majesties Justices of the Peace
for the Countie of Stafford

The humble petition of Henry Prescote
of Coulton

Humbly shewinge unto your worshipps that whereas your petitioners sonne beinge
suspected for the stealeinge of a sheepe from Sir Harvie Bagott knight and barronett
and being brought before Sir Harvie Bagott, Sir Robert Wolsley, George Digbie esquire
and Thomas Crompton esquire to be examyned, nothinge was proved againste
him, but beinge otherwaise challenged for some other misdemeanors was comitted to the house of correccion
by the aforesaid Justices: which your petitioner thinkes will doe him a greate deale of
good, for he is very much reformed and very sorryfull for his former folly, and
ill carriage

Therefore your poore petitioner humbly prayethe your good worshipps
to be pleased to graunt your worshipps release for the delivery of his
sonne forth of the house of correction, and he wilbe bound for his
good carriage and behavyour hereafter;

And your worshipps goodnes shewed to your poore
petitioner herein shall ever be bound as in dutie
he is bound to praie for your worshipps healthes and
happines to continew for ever

The inhabitants of Uttoxetor Woodland. Q/SR/239/23 (1639)

Staff ss

To the Right Honorable and Worshipfull his Majesties
Justices of Peace and Quorum within the Countie
aforesaid

The humble peticion of the inhabitantes of
Uttoxetor Woodland within the parishe of Uttoxetor

Humblie

Shewing unto your good worshipps that whereas formerlie
there hath a presentment or indictement beeinge founde
against the inhabitantes of Uttoxetor; for decay
of a way leadinge from Uttoxetor to Bromeley
Whereuppon severall processes have yssued against
theym and greate yssues retorned; and nowe
levyed by the bayliffe of that hundred: uppon
the goodes of your peticioners, where in truth
the wayes are nowe in verye good repayre; and
likewise your peticioners never had notice there
of to moove this Honorable Courte for the
takeing of the said presentment.

May it therefore please this Honorable Courte the
premisses considered to order that the severall
yssues, levyed against your peticioners may
bee retorned; and they shall not onelie heere:
after bee carefull in repayreing the said
heighwayes; but also bee ever bounden to pray to
god for your Honours and Worshipps good healthes and
happines longe to continue.

The churchwardens and overseers of the poore of Stoke upon Trent. Q/SR/239/25 (1639)

Staff ss

To the righte honorable and righte worshipfull his Majesties Justices of
peace for the County aforesaid.

The humble peticion of the churchwardens and overseers of the
poore of the parishe of Stoke uppon Trent in the said County

Humbly

Sheweinge that William Allen of Bucknall in the said parishe hath for these 3
yeares last past beene very troublesome unto the overseers of the poore
of the said parishe and doth soe continewe and hath put the said parishe to great
chardges and expences for the obteyninge of lewnes due from him to
the poore of the said parishe pretendinge himselfe at the first to bee oppressed
in his said lewnes and hee havinge severall tymes shewed his greevances
in open Sessions before this Bench whoe have referred the same
to the hearinge and determininge of the Justices of peace in that
parte of the said County and the Lord Bishoppe of the diocesse to asist
them therein whoe ordered the said Allen to pay his lewnes
imposed uppon him, with an increase of viiid more thereunto
Synce which tyme the said Allen hath refused to pay his lewnes
or the money increased by the said Justices althoughe he hath beene
oftentymes by your peticoners in the presence of Sir Richard Leveson and
Mr Manwaringe offered the lewne booke and penn and inck to
assesse himselfe at soe much as uppon his honestie and creditt hee
should thinck himselfe worthy to pay which hee hath refused to
the greate trouble of the said overseers and the damage of the poore
of the said parishe.

Humbly pray your good honours and worshipps (to bee pleased) to take some
such order with the said Allen aswell for his lewnes behind
as alsoe for 3li costs formerly expended whereby hee may
not bee prejudiciall to the poore of the said parishe nor offensive
by his evill example to the rest of the parishioners And they
shall (as in duety ever bound) daylie pray for your healthes
and happines longe to continewe

John Cooke of the parish of Shenston. Q/SR/239/26 (1639)

To the right honorable the Lordes and others his
majesties Justices of peace within the County of Stafford

The humble peticion of John Cooke of the
parishe of Shenston

Shewinge that aboute two yeares past one Croe [illegible] informer of
this Courte, served the peticoner with proces to appeare at the quarter
Sessions at Stafford to aunswere an informacion for buyinge and
sellinge of cattell, And although the peticoner had not offended
therein yet beinge fearefull of suytes he compounded with the
said informer and gave him xiiis iiiid and he promised to discharg
the peticioner of the suyte and from further charge and trouble
Yet notwithstandinge the peticioners cattell are now distrayned
for a fyne to his majestie and they remayne in the handes of the
undersheriffe.

The peticoner is a poore man and hath but
little to mayntayne his famylie, and his
aged father and mother but by his daye
laboure That for the wronge and abuse
done unto him he maye have some
satisfaccion.

He most humbley beseecheth your Lordships and this Courte to
commaund the said Crue the informer, who tooke the
peticioners money to procure the peticioners cattell to be
delyvered to him againe without any more payment
And he shall ever pray for your health and prosperitye

William Bacher of the parish of Armitage, labourer. Q/SR/240/3 (1639)

To the right Worshipfull Humfrey Wirley esquire
and Matthew Moreton esquire two of his Majesties Justices of
peace within the county of Stafford

The humble petition of William Bacher of the
parish of Armitage in the said county labourer

Sheweth.

That whereas your said poore peticioner, for the space of fifteene
yeares last past hath inhabited and dwelt within the parish of Armitage
aforesaid, and having marryed a wife who for certaine yeares last past
hath lived as a servauntt within the parish of Rugeley in the said county.
The parishioners of both the said parishes, notwithstanding that your petitioner
hath tendered them sufficient security for theire discharge, do refuse to
suffer him and his said wife there to dwell. May it therefore please your
good Worships to order and appoint within which of the said parishes your
said peticoner and his wife may quietly inhabite and follow theire
ordinary and honest calling for theire maintenance and for the same
your said peticoner shall as in duty he is bound humbly pray for your
good Worshipps healthes and prosperity.

John Whitehurst and Roger Foden, overseers for Trentham Bridge. Q/SR/240/4 (1639)

To the honorable and right worshipfull the Kings majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Stafford

The humble peticion of John Whitehurst and Roger Foden overseers for Trentham Bridge

Humbly sheweth that about five yeares since this Court of Sessions ordered a
contribucion of money to be levyed through this wholle county towardes the reparacion
and new makeing of Trentham Bridge, And your peticioners (together with one George Coclough
lately deceased) were then likewise appointed overseers to receive the said money
and cause the worke accordingly to be performed; for which purpose divers warrants were directed
to the high constables, for assessing and collecting the said summe, most whereof were
presently executed, and much mony received by the high and petty constables, and some part
thereof repayed to your peticioners, who thereupon confident of the residue, procured
masons, provided materialls, beganne the worke, and halfe finished it, wherein
they disbursed more then they received by above threescore poundes, but were compelled
to leave the worke imperfect, for want of money to proceede further, though some
officers reteyne more which they have already collected, then they will pay over to us,
and others refuse to gather the remainder: for redresse whereof, upon complaint
of your peticioners, nyne or tenne severall orders have issued out of this Court, confirmed
also twice or thrice, by the honorable Judges of Assize, importing their approbacion of the said
worke, and requiring to have the rest of the mony levyed for finishing thereof: In which
negociacion, your peticioners are daily opposed with such difficulties, as unlesse this honorable
Court compassionate our pressures, wee are in danger to beare a costlye losse in our
private estates as a recompense of our service undertaken by publike authoritie
and for the publike benefitt.

Wee therefore once againe most humbly desire from this honorable Court to
receive such indifferent distribucion of Justice,as either may enable us to
end as well as wee beganne, or otherwise to take our undeserved sufferings
into their serious consideracions, that some reasonable compensacion may be
rendred us, for what wee in our voluntary obedience to their commands
have disbursed more than our receiptes, Soe shall we have just cause to pray etc.

The Churchwardens, overseers of the poor and other inhabitants of Duddeley, co. Worcs. Q/SR/240/6 (1639)

To the Right Honorable and worshippfull his Majesties
Justices of peace for the Countie of Stafford

The humble petition of the Churchwardens
overseers of the poore and other the
inhabitantes of Duddeley in the County of Wigorn

Sheweth that one Elenor Baylies hath of late charged one John Jevon of the
parish of Sedgley and Countie of Stafford aforesaid with the begettinge
of a bastard childe borne of her bodie And delivered the said childe into
his hands and hee most unnaturaly left the said childe in the parishe of
Duddeley aforesaid where itt nowe remayneth the mother beeinge fled and the
reputed father refusinge to keepe the same childe.

In consideration of the premisses and for the love of Justice the peticioners
humblie pray that you will bee pleased to order that the said John
Jevon shall keepe the said childe untill such time as hee shall
discharge him selfe thereof by cource of Lawe and Justice

And the peticioners as in dutie bound shall praye etc

Robert Butterton of Longton, yeoman. Q/SR/240/10 (1639)

To the Right honorable and worshipfule his Majesties
Justices of peace for this Countie of Stafford

The humble peticion of Robert Butterton
of Longton yeoman

Humbly sheweth to your good honors
and worships the said as a poore peticioner that whereas one Mary Ranshawe
of Ashley spinster hath lately fathered
a bastard child uppon your peticoner
and is by order of his majesties Justices
to pay sixe pence weekly towards
the maintenance of the said childe

His humble peticion to your good worships
is that your peticoner may have that somewhat
deminished in regard your peticoner is a
poore servant and by reason of that
unfortunate act hath lost his service
being the best helpe hee had to live
upon if not that hee might not pay
any more, soe will hee bee bound to
discharge the parishe were it was borne
and put in securitie for the performance
thereof and will ever pray for your honours
and worships heath and hapines

Marie Ranshawe. Q/SR/240/11 (1639)

To the right worshipfull his Majesties Justices of the Peace
for the Countie of Stafford

The humble petition of Marie Ranshawe

Humblye shewinge unto your good worshipps that whereas your poore
petitioner havinge a bastard child begott by one Robert Butterton
and by the order of Raphe Snead and Edward Manwaringe
Esquires his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Stafford
that the said Butterton shgould give to your poore petitioner
vid. weekelie which allowance she is not able to undergoe by
reason of her great povertie, for maie it please your good worshipps
the said Butterton when the child was borne of his owne accord
was contented to allowe your poore petitioner viid. weekelie for
and toward the maintenance of her child, promisinge her marriage
saying his estate was worth 80li. and if her freinds would
make a sume of money he would performe his promise, she havinge
noe freinds to doe the same hath sithence refused to doe anie
thinge for her toward the childs maintenance, for maie it
please your worshipps further to understand that before the aforesaid
Justices there was an informacion that he had brethren and
sisters to looke after to mayntaine, which informacion was not soe
for the father of them dyed of a good estate and leafte good
meanes for them to live uppon, the said Butterton keepinge
your petitioner companie duringe the tyme of seaven yeares.

Therefore she humbly prayeth for god sake your good honors worshipps
to be pleased to consider of the premises and to order
that the said Butterton maie paye her viiid. a weeke
for alreadie she hath beene inforced to pawne her cloaths
for her releefe to her utter undoeinge, Or further
order and determine as your good worshipps in your
grave wisdomes shall thinke most fittest.

And your good worshipps goodnes
shewed to your poore petitioner
herein she as in duetie she is bownd
to praie for your good worshipps
healthes and happines to continew for
ever.

Randle Padmore of Newcastle. Q/SR/240/12 (1639)

To the Right worshipfull his Majesties Justices of
Peace for the Countie of Stafford

The humble petition of Randle Padmore
of Newcastle in the Countie aforesaid

Humbly shewing unto your poore petitioner your good worshipps that whereas
there is one Edward Lowe a verie lewd fellowe and being
an excommunicate persons doth threaten your poore petitioner
to indite yo him here this day he having noe just cause to
doe the same but he beinge soe wicked and lewd careth not
what he swareth beinge and hone that goeth up and downe the cuntry
to wronge his Majesties leige people pretendinge he cometh with
authoritie from the Sherrife and hath none, getteth monye
of divers and sundrie people puttinge them in feare that he
would distraine theire goods soe that thereby he wrongfullie
gayneth theire money to the great abuse of the cuntrie which
your poore petitioner is readie by his oath to make good and
verefie before this worshipfull bench.

Therefore your poore petitioner humbly praieth
Your Worshipps to be pleased to condes consider
of the premisses, and be pleased to order that his
oath to the bench maie not passe he beinge
an excommunycate and soe lewd a person as a
foresaid. And alsoe your poore petitioner doth
humbly beseech your good worshipps to graunt
the good behaviour against the said Lowe
for his soe wicked and ill behaviour or further
order and determine as your grave wisedomes
shall thinke most fittest and convenienst

And your worshipps goodnes
shewed to your petitioner herein
he shall ever as in dutie he
is bownd to praie for all your
worshipps healthes and happines
to continew for ever.

Johane Godfrey the wife of Thomas Godfreye of Barton and de Needwood. Q/SR/240/13 (1639)

The humble petition of Johane Godfrey
the wiffe of Thomas Godfreye: of Barton
and de Needwood.

Most humbly beseecheth your Worships That wheras William
Godfrey the yonger for divers misdemeanors by him
committed against the said Johane, as hath bin veryfyed
upon her oathe before the right worshipfull Mr
Chancelor and therupon recognizance beinge taken to
his Majesties behooffe, and hee beinge bounde for the carriage
of himself well and quietly towardes his majestye and all
his leige people: yet late hath gyven out speeches
that yf hee were sett att libertie she should see what he
would doe to her: Therfore shee humly desyreth that
hee may stand bounde as before, that she may lyve
peaceably, without danger of hurt done to her by him
and shee shalbe bounde to pray god for your preservations

Yours in all humblenes

Johane Godfrey

John Bearum. Q/SR/240/14 (1639)

Staff: ss
1 die Octob:
1639

To the Honerable and Right Worshipfull his Majesties
Justices of Peace and Quorum for this his
highnes County att this present Sessions

The humble petition of
John Bearum

Honerable and Right Worshipfull in most humble manner
complayninge, your poore petitioner sheweth that
Thomas Braughton meet of the parishe of Rowley meetinge
your petitioners daughter comeinge from Bromsgrove
markett did forcibly and violently take her mare of
from her and gett up uppon her and tooke another
petitioners mare and brake her hipps besides divers
others abuses done unto her, by him, soe that by
his abuseinge of her your petitioner lost his mare
which was the greatest part of his livinge hee
beinge old and his worke begininge to decay, and
nowe haveinge made hard meanes to procure another
mare to gett somethinge to maineteine himn dare not
send his daughter to followe her uppon his occasions
for feare of the said Thomas Braughton abuseinge
her in the like manner againe.

May it therfore please your honerable and Right
Worshipfull, to graunt an order that the said Thomas
Braughton may give satisfaction unto your poore petitioner
for the wronges done unto him by the in killinge of his
mare and abusinge his daughter, and alsoe that
your petitioner and his people may goe peaceably and
quietly about their lawfull affayres without beinge
molested by the said Thomas Braughton, and your
poore petitioner and his family shalbe dailey bound
to pray for your honors and worships.

Anthony son of Raphael Hunt of Coultow. Q/SR/240/17 (1639)

Staff ss

To the Right worshipfull his Majesties Justices of the peace
for this County of Stafford.

The humble peticion of Anthony sonne of
Raphael Hunt of Coultow.

Whereas your poore peticioner, havinge not the feare of God before
his eyes, did fraudulently convey out of the shoppe of William
Launder of Ridgley, certaine money to the value of 9s, for which
evill act he was comitted to the common goale where hee still
remaines to his owne great discreditt, and not without much
griefe to his parentts and friendes:

May it nowe please your good worshipps to shewe some pitie
in this his distresse, and take him into your favourable
consideracions, that hee may have his freedome out of
prison (this beinge the first fault that ever hee
committed in such a kind) that so hereafter hee may
labor to gett his livinge with truth and honestie,
And your miserable peticioner doth hereby promise
and will faithfully performe a due reformacion
of his misdemeanor for the time to come, and also wee
his neighbors (whose names are subscribed) together
with his parentts and himselfe, shall daily pray for your
good worshipps in all blessed prosperitie longe to continue,
and will ever rest

your worshipps to be commaunded

• Sampson Boughey
• Robert Pegge Richard Bearddall
• Thomas Butler George Jefferys
• Simon Pedley Edwarde Povere
• Thomas Middleton Humfrey Webbe
• Thomas Yeates
• Richard Butler
• Edward Robinson
• Robort Teler

Thomas Moor of Colwich, gunsmith. Q/SR/240/18 (1639)

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

The humble peticion of Thomas Moor of Colwich in
the said Countie gunsmith

Humblie sheweth that upon Frydaie the nyneteenth daie of October last past aboute
twoe of the clocke in the afternoone hee being at worke in his shop, and diverse customers
and neighbours with him, there happened in the chamber over his house a sudden and fearefull fire
(which in a moment did soe rage that noe man durst advanture upstaires to save anie goodes
there) and in lesse then one houre did consume and burne downe to the ground, your peticioners house
consistinge of two baies and one outhoue of buildinge (one of which baies he had newlie built) togither
with his beddinge, brasse, pewter, houshold goodes and provision, six strikes of corne, seaven and twenty pystols
readie made and packed up in a box in the said chamber to bee sent to London, diverse other wares
in his shop, and good store of walnut tree sawed and prepared for gunstockes, all his workinge
tooles, excepte a paire of bellowes and an anveil, all his owne, his wives and four childrens
cloathes, save such as were on their backes, amountinge in the whole to the value of fortye
poundes and upwardes, besides manie goodes of other mens being in his house and shop.

But now soe it is maie it please your good honours and worships that your peticioner with the expence of three quarteres
a yeares time; and the aide of diverse of his worshipful and other frendes and benefactors hath rebuilte
his said house, and haveing soe done, yet notwithstandinge hee is soe much impoverished
by losse of his time and expences aboute the same buildinge that hee is growne into diverse
debts, and noe waie able either to paie the same, or to make provision of stocke and tooles
whereupon to sett himselfe to worke for the maintenance of himselfe his wife and said four
children as formerlie hee hath done, without being chardgeable to anie one, and hopeth
still to doe by his said trade, if he had some smale stocke under his handes to worke
on.

And therefore humblie prayeth that your good honours and worships wold be pleased to
recommend his wantes unto the charitable consideracion of the inhabitantes
of the said Countye, by which meanes he doubteth not but he shall be able
to recover part of his said losses and followe his vocacion without anie
further trouble. And your peticioner as in dutie bounden shall ever
pray to god for youre honors and worships health and happines longe to continue.

Thomas Barnes, baker. Q/SR/240/19 (1639)

Staff

Unto the right worshipfull the Justices of the
peace for the Sessions now being

The humble peticion of Thomas Barnes
baker

Humbly sheweth unto your Worshipps that Thomas Barnes of Brom
ley Hurst was put an apprentize by the right Honorable the Lord Lady
Paggett thelder unto Christopher Meale of Colbrooke in the Countie
of Midlesex baker, under whome hee served the most parte of his
time, And was thence translated unto the right Honorable Lord
Paggetts deceased where hee served the rest of his apprentiship
out, And after that ime expired, was baker unto his said
Lordshipp, for the space of eighteene yeares, since which
time hee hath exersised his traide of baking within the
parish of Bromley-Paggetts for the space of tenn yeares
or upwardes, baking none but browne breade, keeping noe
marketes but venting it amongst his neighbors, neither
being molested by any in this soe long space,

Wherefore his humble peticion unto your Worshipp is that
hee may still peaceably goe on in the exercsise of his
said traide to the daylie livelyhood, and maintenance
of himselfe, his wife, and children. And you shall
forever bunde your humble peticioner to pray for your
Worshipps prosperitie.

Wee whose names are underwritten are bould to signifie unto your Worships that if the said
Thomas Barnes should be suppressed from baking in his old age, haveinge
beene brought up noe other waise and haveing noe other maintenance
for his livelyhoode, it would prove to his utter undoeing, and impoverishing
whereby the parishioners should heareafter be charged to make provicion
for him, his wife, and fowre children, whereas now by his honest labour hee provideth for them all without any charge to the parish
This wee thought meete (hoping your Worships will consider of the premises) to
sett downe under our names handes

Peter Buckeland his marke

Overseers of the poore

Richard Mason, William Hadley and Thomas Hadleye of Wolverhampton, prisoners. Q/SR/240/21 (1639)

Staffs ss
Primo die Octo-
bris 1639

To the Honorable and Right worshipfull his majesties
Justices of the Peace and Quorum for this
Sessions for his heighnes County of Stafford

The humble peticion of Richard Mason
William Hadley and Thomas Hadleye
of the town of Wolverhampton labourers
now prisoners in the Gaole

Humblie shewe unto this honorable Benche that about
two monethes since your peticoners (together with three others
at lardg uppon bayle) were according to the custome of the
said town comaunded to watch which they willinglie obeyed. (And being walkeing in the said towne to performe their
duetie and service accordinglie) about twelve of the clocke
in the night came diverse disordered fellowes to the nomber of
seaven and vyolentlie (with unlawfull weapons) sett uppon us
Whereuppon not knowing who they were nor what they
intended, wee stood uppon our defence, and that by misfortune
one of them received a wound whereuppon hee dyed soe that
wee must be contented to undergoe the censure of the lawe for that
which wee trust wilbe favourable in regard wee were in his
majesties and his cuntreyes service, Wee have endured vii weekes
imprisonment which hath beene soe chardgeable to us that wee
have bene fayne to sell part of our goodes allready to mainteyne us

Nowe forasmuch as the whole town of Wolverhampton will wittnes with us that are all
poore day labourers haveing every of us wife and children which wee mainteyned with our hand labours
And that if wee should lye here untill Lent assises wee shall perish with want of foode and leave
all our wives and children uppon the parish, That the honorable Bench (in tender comissera
cion thereof) wilbe pleased uppon bayle to graunt them their liberties unto [illegible]
next assises to answere the same

And your peticoners their wives and children shall (as [illegible]
bounden) daylaye praye for the florishinge and pro[illigible]
estate of this honorable Bench longe to contynue.

Inhabitants of the parish of Biddulphe in support of John Lees. Q/SR/240/22 (1639)

To the honorable and right worshipfull his majesties Justices
of Peace for the Countye of Stafford

Wee whose names are subscribed inhabitantes of the parish
of Biddulphe in the countye aforesaid do certifye att the request
of John Lees by occupation a burner, an honest poore
man, a painefull labourer, and charged with a wiffe and
five small children and an ancient inhabitant within
the said parish, is That he the said John Lees is now destitute
of a dwelling place; and therefore wee, to whom the trueth
of the premises is well knowne doe with him and in his
behalfe humbly request you will please to grant your order
that he may have with consent of the lords, libertye to erect
a cottage upon some convenient place on the comons within
the said parish To which our certificate and request
wee subscribe our names, this 22d day of September 1639.

• John Bowyer
• John Bowyer vicar of Biddulphe John Biddulpe
• Church Richard Beylie John Thorley
• Wardenes John Gesslinge John Bayley
• John Winckle Will Stomyer
• John Warralowe Will Muchell
• Raphe Porter Will Cheylinge
• overseers of the poore{Gabriell Keeling
• {William Boulton Richard Stomyer
• William Winkle William Cooke
• Thomas Damport
• Thomas Gibbson
• Raphe Cleaton
• John Boulton
• William Meare