Worcestershire Quarter Sessions: 1670s

Inhabitants of Bretforton. Ref.110 BA1/1/115/27 (1671)

Wigorn [com?]

To the right worshippfull his majesties justices of
the peace for the said county in quarter sessions
assembled, and to all others whom it shall
or may concerne

Wee whose handes are hereunto subscribed inhabitantes of Bratforton
in the said county, doe certifie by these presentes, that
whereas at Michaelmas sessions last, a certaine matter
was heard in court, betweene the said inhabitantes and one Richard
Grimell, concerninge the keepinge of a bastard childe
whereof the said Richard is the putative father; and
whereas the said Richard hath since the said sessions, made
very good provision for the nursinge and maitaininge of
the said childe wee are fully satisfide and contented with the
same; desiringe, that if anythinge remaine against him
in the court, anyway relating to the premises, hee
may bee discharged thereof with as much expedicion, and as
little expences as may bee possible.

• Master Thomas Crompe
• Anthony Crompe
• John White vicar
• Thomas [Huis?]
• Samuel Hunt overseers of the pore
• John Aishnin
• Thomas Byrd church wardens


• Giles Keighley


• Robert Loggin

Henry Pritchett of Old Swinford. Ref.110 BA1/1/119/24 (1673)

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

The humble peticion of Henry Pritchett of the parishe of
Oldswinford in this county

Humbly sheweth
That your peticioner by reason of his great age and hard
[labour?] (being 78 years of age) is become utterly
uncapable of helping himselfe and nott able to gett a farthing
towards his maintenance neyther is hee able to
rise from his bedd or chaire if hee lye or sitt downe
without helpe and when hee is upp hee cannott stand
without helpe and hath noe estate neyther reall nor
personall only twelve pence a week from the
parishe.

Your peticioner humbly prayes your worshipps
to consider his poore condition and encrease
his pay according to your worshipps discretion
and your oratour shall dayly pray

Inhabitants of Kings Norton. Ref.110 BA1/1/119/38 (1673)

[illegible] [whose?] names are subscribed doe humbly certify
[illegible] [worshipfull?] bench that whereas at the court att Kingsnorton
[illegible] [...th?] of October that William Freith was then and there
[illegible] the custume of the manour elected constable
[illegible] said parish for the yeare ensuinge and after the
[illegible] part of the free tenauntes of the said manor were
[illegible] from the said court the steward and [illegible] others with
[illegible] [...ld?] contrary to our votes election put downe Richard
[illegible] cunstable quite contrary to the custume
[illegible] manour notwithstanding it was made apeare that
[illegible] [Gilbert?] is at this time overseer of the
[illegible] this yeare untell Easter: therefore
[illegible] humbly desire you to releve the said Richard
[illegible] [order?] the said William Freith to serve

• [illegible] [...dlemore?]
• [illegible] [...lemore?]
• [illegible] Palmer


• William [Curthie?]
• Henerey Grene
• Thomas Raynoldes
• Humphrey Sergent


paratext[illegible] [...blesome?] office
[illegible] [...de?] I concur?
[illegible] [...nable?] to impose
[illegible] [...ou?] him for this



• Edward [illegible]

John Langford of Kyrewood, husbandman. Ref.110 BA1/1/119/55 (1674)

To the right [illegible] [his majesties?]
justices of the peace for the county aforesaid

The humble peticion of John Langford of Kirewood
Kyrewood in the parish of [Tembury?] in the county
aforesaid husbandman

[Humbly?] sheweth unto your good worshipps that whereas your petitioner
[illegible] he lived in Tembury parish hath paid a racke rent
to Captayne Cornewall and is but tenant at will not
[knoweinge?] howe soone [he?] may goe to live els where
That there are some of the said parish that beare
causles displeasure against your petitioner would willingly
charge the petitioner with an apprentice the daughter of
one Thomas Bishopp of the old wood in the said parish of
Tembury which said Bishop and his wife are reputed of evill
name and fame and that there are many freeholders and
lease tenantes that are very sufficient that are not
charged with the keepeinge of any apprentice within
the said parish, and therefore your petitioner desires your good
worshipps for that your petitioner is but tenant at will and not of
abillity as others are that are free holders and lease holders
that hee may be freed and discharged from the said
apprentice [illegible] (the petitioner not intendinge not to contynue
but a shorte tyme within the said parish haveinge susteyned
much damadge there since he come beinge much disabled by
meanes whereof all which your petitioner referres to your good worshipps
consideracion as to your worshipps shall seeme meete and expedient and
your petitioner will ever praye etc.

Inhabitants of Shrawley. Ref.110 BA1/1/171/102 (1675)

[illegible] we the inhabitants [and parishners?]
of Shrawley whose names are hereunto subscribed
[illegible] Jams Jones of our parish may come out
of prison upon his pettition and promis of reforma
=tion and working to mainetaine his wife and children
and therefore have humbly desired your note to [the?]
keeper of the goale to lett him come out [paying?]
[his?] charges

• [...hn Heavern?]


• Edward Burlton rector
• Thomas Seaverne
• Thomas Smyth constable
• Anthony Thrapp churchwarden

Inhabitants of Shrawley. Ref.110 BA1/1/123/28 (1675)

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

The humble supplication and petition of the inhabitants of the parish of
Shrawley in the county aforesaid humbly sheweth

That your petitioners for many yeares past have beene very great sufferers by
reason of many young people now inhabiting within our parish aforesaid, who
live at their owne hands and refuse to goe to service, whose names are here sett
downe in this warrant hereunto anexed and your petitioners had a warrant from
Mr Pytts and Mr Jeffreyes two of his majesties justices of the peace for to give them
warning to provide themselves services within a moneth, and the constable
gave them warning accordingly, but those persons have both contemned their warrant
and derided your petitioners, whereupon your petitioners are constrained to maek our
humble redresses unto this honourable court humbly craveing your help and
assistance that some speedy course may be taken herein, and those persons may be
either compelled to go to service or else be proceeded against as contemners of
the law and your petitioners shall ever pray

• Edward Burlton rector
• Henry Cliffe
• Richard Smyth
• Bryan Seaverne
• William Hill constable
• Thomas Weaver
• William Jones
• Thomas Seaverne

James Arnold of Upton upon Severn. Ref.110 BA1/1/123/29 (1675)

Wigorn

To the honorable and worshipfull his majestys justices of the
peace at the general sessions holden for this county
at the citty of Worcester July the 12th 1675

The humble petition of James Arnold
native of Upton Upon Seavern in this County.

Humbly sheweth that whereas your poor petitioner being press'd
for his majesties service at Upton Upon Severn in the year 1666,
which is made evident by a certificate signed by a worthy justice
of the peace in this county. In order whereunto he was sent with
many other to his majesties garrison of Tanger, where he
continued for the space of seaven years and eleaven
moneths; which is also manifested by two other certificates,
one subscribed by his excellency John Earle of Middleton
governor of the said castle and citty; the other by his com=
mission officers, together with testimonials of his loyalty and
behaviour, whose discharge was granted principally because of his great
indisposition of body, contracted by long lying out at sea in a very sickly
ship about one year before his departure, which so farr prevailed upon
him that he was given for dead by the physitians there; and by their
mediation to his officers had leave to return home, hoping that his
countrey air might be more prevalent for his recovery, than any
means possibly they might prescribe. As having also recieved som
deperat wounds, which are visibly apparent upon his macerated body.
And above all his continued weakness, or the heat of the clymat, hath caused
a very great dimness in his sight, which is extremely prejudicial to him, he
being by trade a tayler.

Your humble petitioner having labourer under those pressing infirmityes
so long, (it being more than a year since his arrival in England) that he
in order to his recover hath bestowed upon physitians all his arrears he brought
over with him (which were considerable) together with what his poor
relations could scant themselves off in those hard times. And now being (by gods
blessing) in some measure towards recovery, yet utterly destitute of any [illegible]
subsisting, having spent his strength and flower of his dayes in the service of his
countrey, having been never as yet chargeable to the publick, humbly prostrating
(although a skeliton) the best body god hath left him, before the honourable bench
with all submission imporing your charitable consideration [illegible]
it may be allowable by law or equity, in this his craving [illegible]
what proportion and after [illegible] manner your worships [illegible]
poor petitioner shall as [illegible] duty pray for you.

[illegible] [illegible]

Walter Morice, clothier of Saint Martins. Ref.110 BA1/1/171/5 (1676)

To the worshipfull the justices of the peace for the county quarter sessions.

The humble peticion of Walter Morice Walker clothier of the parish of Saint Martins in the [illegible]

Who truely sheweth unto your worships
That he hath been a faithfull souldier unto King Charles the First of blessed memory first
against the Scots, next in Ireland, after in his own nation and cuntry here in England and
after to his majestie, that now is, untill the last fight in this citie being then a lieutenant [he was?]
taken prisoner, and sold for 14 shillings, but was bought off by a friend at [Bristoll?] for two
pounds, having received severall wounds in the said service and hath lived in good fashion [illegible]
since, till of late, that he is grown into decay by reason of bad trading and his [small?] [illegible]
and is at present in the town hall prison for debt, which is 8 pounds, he having [illegible]
about 11 weeks, and now his creditor would willingly accept of 6 pound, but [illegible]
all the friends he hath can or will pay it, during his time of his imprisonment, his [W...?] [illegible]
and pawned [almost?] all his poor houshold stuff to relieve him, her selfe [illegible]
children, having peticioned the mayor, but as yet he hath no weekly [illegible]
him, he being now in a very poor distressed condition, being aged [sixty?] [illegible]
very loth to make his case known, but that his sad extremity [dr...?] [illegible]
become an object of pitty, he therefore humbly intreats your [worships?] [illegible]
some yearly pension on him for the remainder of his dayes, which [illegible]
the course of nature, and if your worships cannot graunt him any [illegible]
that you will be pleased out of your [illegible]
and charity to bestowe some thing on him to helpe him for the [present?] [illegible]
petitioner his wife and children, will be ever obliged to pray for [illegible]
your wellfares here, and eternall happiness hereafter

• Thomas Vernon

John Cooke, a poor distressed soldier. Ref.110 BA1/1/128/7 (1677)

Wigorn sessions

To the right worshipfull the Kinges majesties justices of the
peace for the generall quarter sessions holden
for the county of Worcester.

The humble peticion of John Cooke of the a poor
distressed souldier

Humbly sheweth
unto your worshipps that your peticioner hath inhabited in Alfricketh within this
county for the space of three years or thereabouts and
since hath bin in his majesties service for the space of five
years last past wherein he was wounded in his right
legge to his great prejudice soe that thereby he is not
able to gett his liveing to maintein his wife and
children

His humble peticion therefore is
that your worshipps would be pleased
to [illegible]
allow him a weekly pension
towards his necessary releife and
maintenance as a distressed and
maimed souldier which will engage
your peticioner to pray for your
worshipps etc

Thomas Harvey of Leigh, mason. Ref.110 BA1/1/128/75 (1677)

To the right honourable and right worshipfull his majestyes
justices of the peace for the county of Worcester
at their quarter sessions holden at Worcester
for the said county the 3d day of October
in the yeare 1677

The humble petition of Thomas Harvey of the parish of
Leigh in the county of Worcester mason.

Humbly sheweth that wheras the said Thomas Harvy a poore inhabitant of the
parish of Leigh liveing in a cottage upon the wast land, hath for
many yeares lived in honest repute amongst his neiboures and by his
industry and care mainetained his wife and children suiteable to
his capacity without the use of any unlawfull or indirect meanes.
He the said Thomas Harvey by the false accusation of one Elizabeth Cotton of
the hamlett of Alfrick in the parish of Suckley (and impudent and
debauched woeman) charging him as the father of a bastard child
begotten of her body; is by this honourable bench ordered to pay towards
the mainetenance of the said child 4 pence by the week which 4 pence being deducted
out of his weekly wages, and the affection of people in other places
whre he had good work much declineing upon this scandall: your
poore petitioner with his family (his wife being old and almost
disabled through age and this trouble to doe any thing towardes
her mainetenance) are hereby likely to be reduced to extreame
penury and want. We therefore the inhabitantes of Leigh aforesaid
upon his request have consented to become joynt petitioners
with the said Harvy to the honourable bench for the takeing off the said charg to
which we have the more readily yeilded, being convinced by all
probable reason that your poore petitioner has been much abused. This
Cotton being since married to one Baker a man of ill report, and
long suspected as guilty in this nature with the said Cotton, who has had
severall other bastard children; and allwayes entertained at his house
in her extremity. And that we doe farther conceive the reason why the
officers of the aforesaid hamlett of Alfrick doe keep this child is
onely to continue [the charg?] upon Harvy; which unreasonable
severity we [humbly?] [illegible] your serious consideration and due
correction and [illegible] your humble petitioners and servants

• William Johnson
• Thomas Morton
• Richard Chrispe


• Samuel Birchett rector
• Edward Kinge
• [Flurris?] Furman church [wardens?]
• Matthew Martin
• Lawncellot Browninge


• John Pennell overseers
• Thomas Winsemore

Samuel Wood and John Wood of Wick juxta Pershore. Ref.110 BA1/1/128/76 (1677)

Wigorn sessions

To the right worshippfull and worshippfull his majesties
justices of the peace for the county
aforesaid at the generall sessions of the
peace held for the said county

The humble peticion of Samuel Wood of
and John Wood of Wick juxta Parshore
in this county husbandmen.

Shewing that your worshipps poore peticioners being bound by
two severall recognizances to appeare at the
last Christmas sessions held for this county for
an offence comitted by your peticioners against
Thomas Streete esquire and some other gentlemen
when your peticioners were overtaken in drinke
and knew not what they did, for which offence
your peticioners are heartily sorry, and were and are ready
and willing to make such submission and
satisfaccion both to the court and the
gentlemen for theire offence; as this court or
the gentlemen shall think meete but in regard
your peticioners did onely appere at the said
sessions and not stay to abide the judgment of
the court theire recognizances were forfeited
which if extracted into the exchequer wilbe the
ruine of your poore petitioners theire father (who
is likewise bound in the said recognizances and
all theire familyes

Wherefore your poore petitioners humbly pray
that your worshipps wilbe pleased to suspend
extraction of the said recognizances out
of this court into the exchequer untill you
[illegible] shall thinke meete to order
it othewise

And your poore petitioners shall [ever?] [illegible]
for your worshipps etc

Elizabeth Evans, of Tenbury parish. Ref.110 BA1/1/128/77 (1677)

To the worshipfull the justices of the peace
at the quarter sessions for the county of Worcester

The humble petition of Elizabeth Evans, of Tenbury parish

Humbly sheweth that she hath ben seduced by her fellow
servant man, who upon promise of marriage, hath gotten her
with childe, and now he is run the country, whereupon she
is left in a very sad condition, haveing neither father or
mother or any other friend to goe to, and the officers of
the parish of Tenbury aforesaid do threaten to turne out
thence, she having lived in service there almost three [years?]
she therefore humbly beceecheth your worships, to consider her [distressed?]
condition and to be pleased to graunt her some competent
reliefe out of the said parish, and a place there to live
till a fortnight after candlemas, (and after that time
she hopes to maintain her selfe,) and your poor
petitioner shall humbly pray [etc?]

Thomas Fletcher, prisoner at Worcester. Ref.110 BA1/1/128/78 (1677)

To all his majesties justices of peace for the county
of Worcester October 2d 77

Being the humble petition of Thomas Fletcher
prisoner in the castle and goale of Worcester

Humbly sheweth that your poore petitioner hath beene a prisoner for
this five yeares and a halfe in great misery but now in very great
want haveing my estate seized on by his brother, Richard Fletcher
and forced to sell all my goodes sence for to releive me my wiefe
and children whereof I haveing nothing leaft to releive me and
my family which hoping your worshipps will be pleased to take in
consideration my poore distressed and deploreable condicion to
grant a weekely allowance of bread either from the parish of
Blockley from whence I came or county to your poore petitioner
as he in duty bound shall ever pray

• Thomas Fletcher

The inhabitants of Norton juxta Kempsey. Ref.110 BA1/1/128/79 (1677)

To the right worshippfull the justices of the peace at the
generall sessions of the peace holden for the countie
of Worcester

The humble petition of the inhabitants of Norton juxta Kempsey
whose names are hereunto subscribed humblie sheweth

That there is one Richard Lemmington and Anne his now wife
hath and now doth keepe a constant and publike alehouse in our
parrish and doth keepe verie ill orders in their house and one
the saboth day there was one Richard Dyer was allmost killed
and sithens that tyme they entertained certaine theives in their
house whereof one Joseph Cowell a theife was taken there and the
rest fleed which put the parrish to great charges and sithens
that tyme they have entained certaine susspected persons and
beinge by the officers admonished to the contrarie the said
Anne Lemmington told the said officers the they did and would
entertaine them to the great dammage of the said inhabitants
and wee supposse it is an unlicenced alehouse and we can prove
that they still doe entertaine the afforesaid susspected persons
and we the said inhabitants doe humbly intreate your the worship=
full bench to take it into your consideration that punishment
according to law may be inflicted upon them and that we the said
inhabitantes will for ever pray for your worshipfull benches
preservation

• Edward Fox and
• paratext[jur?] Thomas Murrall church wardens
• George Sermon one of the overseers of the poore
• John Mascall
• paratext[jur?] Robert Deanes
• paratext[jur?] Thomas Thacher
• John Hurdman

Daniel Hemmin of Shreeves Lench. Ref.110 BA1/1/128/8 (1677)

The humble petition of Daniel Hemmin of Shreeves Lench
To the right worshipfull the justices of the peace for the
county of Worcester at their generall quarter sessions held
the 24th day of Aprill anno domini 1677

Humbly sheweth that your petitioner being a poore man, about December
last had stollen from him two horses by James Shufley and William
Willis alias Brookes who had commonly sollen horses out
of the said county, and your petitioner following them many hundred
miles did take them in the county of Salop, where after they were
comitted to goale they broak the said goale, and afterwards he
took them in the county of Glocester, whom he caused to
be committed to the goale at Glocester, whence they were
removed to Salop and by the evidence of your petitioner were
hanged for the said fact: your petitioner being but a poore man
and having nothing but what he gets by his hard labour did
expend out of purse above eight pounds to hang the said persons
and singly out of his own costs and to his loss when Doctor
Sutton who had a horse stollen from him by them and Master
Sargeant who had alsoe four horses stollen from him did
refuse to assist your poore petitioner in his great expense, all
which he reserves to your clemency

An shall ever pray etc

Edward Dineley

Edward Phillipps, prisoner. Ref.110 BA1/1/128/80 (1677)

October 2d 77

To his majesties justices of peace for this county of
Worcester

The humble petition of Edward Phillipps
prisoner [in the?] castle and goale of Worcester

Humbly seweth
That your poore petitioner being cast in prison
and haveing a wiefe and two smale children and haveing noe
allowance whereby he is very like to perish if in case that
he should be continued therefore your poore petitioner doth
humbly begge your worshipps to except of bayle whereby he may
have his liberty to relieve himselfe his wiefe and children other=
wise itt will be their utter ruine therefore he hopes your worshipps
will be pleased to take in serious consideracion his deploreable
condicion and bayle him.

And your poore petitioner as in duty
bound shall dayly pray

• Edward Phillipps

Richard Hall of Kemsey. Ref.110 BA1/1/128/103 (1678)

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

The humble petition of Richard Hall of
the parish of Kemsey in the said countie

Humbly sheweth
That your petitioner was many yeares a soldier
in the late warrs in the Kings armie, and therein
was sorely wounded, by which wounds hee is much
disabled in his body, and haveing had many crosses
and afflictions whereby hee is brought into a very
lowe condicion, and beeing now neere threescore
yeares of age, and in noe capacitie of getting
any parte of a lively hood.

The premises considered your petitioner humbly
prayes the favoure of your worships that
you will please to contribute some what
to his present releife out of the pention
money, and your petitioner wilbee the
more obliged [illegible]
Ever to pray etc

• Thomas Harris

The overseers of the parish of Hanley Castle. Ref.110 BA1/1/130/13 (1678)

The humble petistion of the overseers of the
parish of Hanley Cassell in the county of
the citty of Worcester

Most humbley prayeth for the same seting out of the
same parish severall persones poore bayes and gearles and
such as are a burden to the parish aforesaid and their parence
to bee setteled one such an a state as the overseers doe see
conveniant in the said parish that is Richard Kings
Richard Addyes overseers of the poore of the parish

• Thomas Harwell esquire
• Edman Letchmore esquire
• Master Thomas Hanfan
• Master Anthony Young
• Mistris Badger widdow
• Master Thomas Harbar
• Master William Suffile
• Mistress Letchmore widdow for Hanley Hall
• Mistress Hasgill widdow of London
• Edward Watton
• John Matty
• Elizabeth Keent
• Hannah Webley
• Frances Hatton
• Danel Aullard
• Jonathan Guilames
• Mary Stanton
• William Caradine
• Radger Guilames

Thomas Jones, overseer of Astley. Ref.110 BA1/1/133/42 (1679)

That Master Robert Viccaris and Thomas Jones were overseers
of the poore for the parish of Astley anno 1677

That Master Portman being an inhabitant of that parish payed eleaven
shillinges and six pence to Master Viccaris for his first halfe yeares
lewne. But Thomas Jones disbursed money to the poore of
the parish for the last halfe yeare being thother overseer of
the poore and that Master Portmans lewne cam to the like somme
of 11 shillings which the said Jones neglected to demaund and receive
of the said Portman untill he was gone out of his said office

Now the said Portman refuseth to pay the said money the said Jones sued the said Portman for the same in the hundred
court whereunto the said Portman waged his lawe.

The said Jones humbly prayeth the direccion and assistance of
this honourable court, that the said Portman may be compelled to
pay his levie to the him the said Jones. And he shall
humbly pray etc.