Sessions Books: 1696

Sessions Book 527—January, 1696.

Jury panels (p. 1)

Miscellaneous memoranda: the writs, indictments, acquittals, commitments, &c.; the name of Titus Oates, of Westminster, clerk, appears on p. 16 (pp. 2–17)

[Pages 18, 19 blank.]

Order that the Lord Chief Justice Holt be desired to grant a writ to remove a recognizance and order against Robert Feilding, esquire, for not paying the wages due to his servant, Mary Philips (p. 20)

Proceedings upon the complaint of Robert Holmes, apprentice to John Hopman, carver. Upon proof that the said Robert has been ill-treated and neglected by his said master, it is ordered that he be discharged (ibid.)

Proceedings upon the petition of the churchwardens and surveyors of the highways in the parish of St. James', within the liberty of Westminster, which shows that the highways and pavements in the said parish are so much in need of repair that they cannot be put in order for less than £120, and prays an order for an assessment to meet the expense of the same. Ordered accordingly, upon the condition that the highways and pavements in the said parish "lying in the common street there leading from Pickadillyto High (sic) Parke Corner, over against the church and the churchyard of the said parish, containing from east to west, on and adjoining to the north side of the said churchyard, in length forty-seven feet, and in breadth thirty-two feet; and in Jermin Street, from west to the east corner of the churchyard wall, one hundred and fifty-nine feet, and in breadth soe farre twenty feet, and further eastward along the south front of the church, to the channel running at the east end of the said church, one hundred feet, and in breadth from the wall of the church to the denter or middle of the street there one-and-thirty feet, and again from without the pale at the east end and south-east corner of the said church, up northwards to the rector's house, ninety-nine feet in length, and six feet in breadth," be repaired by the inhabitants of the said parish as often as it shall be needful. [Vide Sessions Book 498, p. 36] (p. 21)

Proceedings upon the petition of the churchwardens and surveyors of the highways in the parish of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, which shows that the highways and pavements are so much in need of repair that they cannot be put in order for less than £230, and prays the order of the Court for an assessment to meet the expense thereof. Ordered accordingly. It is further ordered that 1,205 yards of the highways and pavements in the said parish be repaired with paviour's work, viz.: "Before the old churchyard in St. Martin's Lane, two hundred and fifty yards; in Church Lane, three hundred twenty and six yards; in and belonging to the new churchyard, sixty-nine yards; at the watch-house, upper end of Hedge Lane, four hundred forty and four yards; and at the almshouses in the parish of St. Anne, one hundred and sixteen yards; and with mason's work three thousand two hundred forty and six feet of the highways and pavements in the said parish, viz.: in Church Lane, broad stone paving, seven hundred eighty and five feet; at the two doors at the east end of the church, one hundred and ninety feet; the pavement in the old churchyard leading from the schoolhouse to the north end of the rails at the steeple, and from thence towards St Martin's Lane, nine hundred and sixty feet; the pavement along by the stone stumps on the west side of the old churchyard, and the pavement leading from thence towards the middle door at the west end of the church, nine hundred thirty and five feet; the stone steps descending from the old churchyard into St. Martin's Lane, two hundred and seventy feet; and the pavement and steps going up to the Lords'gallery on the south side of the church, one hundred and six feet"; which respective parcels of highways, pavements, and broad stone paving are to be repaired by the inhabitants of the said parish as often as it shall be needful (p. 22)

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Miscellaneous memoranda as to recognizances, commitments, &c. (pp. 34, 35)

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Alphabetical list of names headed Indictments (p. 37)

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Sessions Book 528—January, 1696.

Jury panel (p. 5)

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Indictments, acquittals, recognizances, committals (pp. 7–23)

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Order that no Justice shall receive any dividend for the renewing of victuallers' licenses, except in the division in which he lives (p. 31)

Petition of Thomas Ashman, a fatherless child, showing that in November, 1691, he was apprenticed to John Stanley, then of the parish of St. Ann, within the liberty of Westminster, surgeon, to learn the said art, and that his friends gave with him £20 in money and double apparel; that the said Stanley did not instruct him in the said art, but carried him to sea and made him a cabin boy, that Stanley is now in "the Streights beyond the seas," and has taken no care to provide for the said Ashman. Order made to cancel indentures of apprenticeship (ibid.)

Order to grant a warrant of distress upon those inhabitants of Wellclose whose houses are within the bounds of the parish of St. John, Wapping, and hamlet of Wapping, Stepney, who refuse to pay the poor rate to the overseers of St. John, Wapping, upon pretence that Wellclose is within the liberty of the Tower of London, and exempt from the jurisdiction of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for this county by virtue of letters patent granted 12 June, 3 James II [1687] (p. 32)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of Hanworth and Feltham concerning the settlement of Robert Weatherhead (p. 34)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of the hamlet of Spitalfields and St. Mary Matfellon, alias Whitechapel, concerning the settlement of Mary Willis and her child, Richard (ibid.)

Petition of William Gonson, high constable of Finsbury Division, in the hundred of Ossulton, and the churchwardens, overseers, headboroughs, and inhabitants of the parish of St. Sepulchre, showing that they have no watchhouse in the said parish, and that the want thereof has occasioned the death of several of the constables and watchmen through cold, and the present officers and watchmen are not able to do their duty without hazard of their lives. They, therefore, pray that they may erect a watch-house at Cowcross, near the whipping post there, to be built with a flat roof and not to exceed 5 feet above the ground. Ordered accordingly. [Vide Sessions Books 471, p. 44; 481, p. 61; and 482, p. 25] (p. 36)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of Hendon and Harrow-on-theHill concerning the settlement of John Edlin and Mary, his wife (p. 37)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of Samborne (county Essex) and Enfield, concerning the settlement of Mary, wife of Samuel Burton, with her child (ibid.)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of Westham, in the county of Essex, and the hamlet of Bow, in the parish of Stepney, concerning the settlement of Margaret Thomas, wife of Richard Thomas, and her three children (p. 38)

Proceedings in the matter in dispute between the parishes of Eastwood Hay, in the county of Southampton, and Ealing, in this county, concerning the settlement of Millicent Goodluck, wife of David Goodluck, and her two small children, adjourned to next Sessions (p. 39)

Order for the inhabitants of St. Clement Danes to pay the whole sum assessed on them for the repair of Chertsey Bridge (p. 40)

Whereas by an order, dated 11 October last [vide Sessions Book No. 525, p. 58], Thomas Chambers, late treasurer for maimed soldiers, paid to Sir John Smyth, baronet, present treasurer, £34 19s. 7d., to balance accounts, the said order is now discharged, and no further demand is to be made on Mr. Chambers for the said sum (p. 41)

Order for certain Justices to inspect the receipts and disbursements of Henry Hawley, esquire, treasurer for the moneys raised and collected in this county for the repair of Chertsey Bridge and other bridges in this county and to report a true state thereof (p. 42)

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Indictments, committals, recognizances, names of persons taking oaths, &c. (pp. 57–60)

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List of names of those in the New Prison and House of Correction. (p. 64)

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Alphabetical list of recognizances (pp. 66, 67)

Alphabetical list of indictments (pp. 68, 69)

Sessions Book 529—February, 1696.

Jury panels (p. 3)

Miscellaneous memoranda as to acquittals, indictments, &c. (pp. 5–24)

[Pages 25, 26 blank.]

"Whereas there has been a horrid and detestable conspiracy formed and carried on by papists and other wicked and traitorous persons for assassinating his Majesty's royal person, in order to encourage an invasion from France, to subvert our religion, laws, and liberty," the Justices of this county enter into an "Association" professing their allegiance to the King's throne and person. (p. 27)

An address, dated 26 February, 1696, from the Justices of the Peace and the Grand Jury of Middlesex, to the King, expressing their congratulations upon his escape from the "barbarous and horrid conspiracy," and assuring him that they "have with all cheerfulness entered into and signed the same Association that the Commons, now assembled in Parliament, have done." (p. 28)

Presentment of the Grand Jury recommending all the inhabitants of this county to enter into the Association on account of the "danger the nation lies under from an intended assassination of his present Majesty King William, and an invasion from France, carried on by the late King James and others" (ibid.)

Order concerning the speedy entering into the Association of all the parishes in this county, and for a return to be made of the names of those who refuse (p. 29)

Proceedings in a dispute between George Caple, of Hungerford Market, in the parish of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, paviour, and Thomas Long and Hugh Jones, his servants, concerning the wages due to the said servants. Ordered that Caple pay the same (p. 30)

Proceedings in a dispute between John Braconrigg, gentleman, and Edward Barry and Joseph Manning, his servants, concerning the wages due to the said servants. Ordered that Braconrigg pay the sums due (ibid.)

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Letter from the Lords of the Council requiring that strict orders may be given to constables and other officers within this county to endeavour "to take up for the fleet all seafaring men who abscond or cannot give a good account of themselves"; and for an encouragement in this service, each constable or other officer shall have an allowance of 10/- for each man, to be paid by the Navy Board, providing the offenders be put on board any of his Majesty's ships or tenders by the 10th of April next (p. 33)

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Order of Council, dated Whitehall, 7 March, 1696, that a return be made of all French papists and suspected persons residing within this county, with particulars of the length of time of their residence in England, and if they be denizens or naturalised. Order that the oath be administered to such papists (p. 35)

Warrant, dated 18 March, 1696, for instructions to be issued to the petty constables and headboroughs to go from house to house in the several districts and make a return of French papists. It is further ordered that the said papists be commanded to present themselves at the Court House, Bloomsbury, "on Friday next," at 8 a.m. (ibid.)

A letter on the same subject from William, Duke of Bedford, Keeper of the Rolls for this county, to the Justices of the Peace, dated Bedford House, 18 March, 1696. [Vide Sessions Book, 532, p. 33] (p. 36)

Upon the complaint of the churchwardens of St. James's Parish, within the liberty of Westminster, that Walter Cantwell, "now a deputy provost marshall in the Savoy, in the Strand," has left his wife, Ann, and one child, whom he refuses to maintain, it is ordered that the said Walter provide for his family (p. 37)

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Richard Burke is convicted for forging a receipt, pretended to be under the hand of Peirce Butler, for £20 received from the Earl of Ranelagh, Paymaster-General of His Majesty's Forces. He is fined 40 marks and ordered to be put in and upon the pillory near Charing Cross for one hour, between 10 a.m. and 12 o'clock noon, on such day as the sheriff shall appoint. He is committed to Newgate until he pay the fine, and undergo the punishment, then to be delivered, paying his fees, 17/6.

"21 March, 1696.—Afterwards, corporal punishment remitted and fine reduced to 40/-, which was paid to the sheriff in Court. Fees are paid." (p. 49)

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Miscellaneous memoranda as to appearances, indictments, acquittals, &c. (pp. 53–55)

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Lists of names headed "New Prison" and "House of Correction." (p. 57)

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Account of the number of the "Associations" delivered to the several high constables of this county. Total 327 (p. 59)

Alphabetical lists of names headed "Calendar of Indictments" and "Calendar of Recognizances" (pp. 60–63)

Memorandum of an appearance (p. 64)

Sessions Book 530—April, 1696.

Jury panel (p. 1)

Writ and miscellaneous memoranda as to recognizances, appearances, acquittals, recusants, indictments, &c. (pp. 2–32)

[Page 33 blank.]

Petition of the churchwardens and others of St. Margaret's Parish, Westminster, showing the great increase of the poor, and that the said parish has been obliged to borrow over £1,000 for their relief, and praying that a rate may be made for this present year, as it was for 1695. It is ordered accordingly (p. 34)

Proceedings upon the dispute between Edward Mortimer, William Gulliver, Henry Hathwell, and John Maitland, who (with others) were overseers in the parish of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, in 1693, and the present churchwardens of the said parish, concerning certain sums expended by the former overseers. Upon proof that their accounts are correct, it is ordered that they be paid by the churchwardens now in office (p. 34)

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Miscellaneous memoranda as to the taking of oaths, recognizances, commitments, &c. (pp. 42–44)

Alphabetical list of names, headed Indictments (p. 45)

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Memoranda of an acquittal, and of the appointment of Thomas Morisby, of Tuttle Street, "milliner," as high constable (p. 47)

Sessions Book 531—April, 1696.

Jury panel (p. 5)

Appointment of Joseph Offley, esquire, as treasurer for the maimed soldiers in the hundreds of Ossulston, Edmonton, and Gore. The said treasurer is to take over the accounts of Sir James Smyth, knight, who held the appointment during last year.

The like appointment of Sir John Clark for the hundreds of Elthorne, Spelthorne, and Isleworth. He is to take over the accounts of Sir John Smith, baronet, former treasurer.

Appointment of Mr. Benjamin Noble, as treasurer for the Marshalsea, King's Bench, and Hospitals within the hundreds of Ossulston, Edmonton, and Gore, in the place of Edmund Yeomans, gentleman, former treasurer.

The like appointment of Mr. William James for the hundreds of Elthorne, Spelthorne, and Isleworth, in the place of John Turner, gentleman (p. 6)

Order concerning the wages of labourers, servants, &c., and the assize of bread (ibid.)

Miscellaneous memoranda as to acquittals, indictments, appearances, &c. (pp. 7–37)

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Order of the King in Council, dated Kensington, 30 April, 1696. That the Justices transmit to the Board a list of the names of such French papists residing in this county who are not naturalised or made denizens. Particulars "of their qualities and professions" to be stated (p. 41)

Warrant for instructions to be issued to the several petty constables to go from house to house in their respective parishes and to make diligent enquiries as to the French papists [vide Sessions Book No. 529, p. 35]. (ibid.)

Order that certain Justices (named) do examine the accounts of Henry Hawley, esquire, treasurer of the money raised for the repair of Chertsey and other bridges (p. 42)

Proceedings upon the petition of Robert Messenden and Joseph Grant, of Harefield Parish, in this county, yeomen, which shows that they have served as constables during the past year, and that there has not been any court leet at the usual time for the election of new constables, and prays that they may be discharged. Ordered accordingly. Matthew Nelham and Richard Lewes, of Harefield, yeomen, are appointed constables, and Edward Carwell and Thomas Cooke, of the said parish, husbandmen, headboroughs (p. 43)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of Eastwoodhay, county Southampton, and Ealing, in this county, as to the settlement of Millicent, wife of David Goodluck, and her two children (ibid.)

Order that William Bradshaw, constable of Harrow Town, in the parish of Harrow-on-the-Hill, and John Child, constable of Sudbury Hamlet, be reimbursed the money expended by them for relieving and passing cripples and vagrants (p. 44)

Order that William Davis, of Harrow Town, yeoman, be appointed constable of the said town, in the room of William Bradshaw (p. 45)

The like order for Richard Street, junior, to be constable of Sudbury, in Harrow Parish, in the room of John Child (ibid.)

Edmund Emperor, of London, wine merchant, "discharged from being the reputed father of Ann Harrison's male child," who was born in the parish of St. James's, liberty of Westminster, on the 11th of January last (ibid.)

Order for the discharge of William, son of Robert Burchell, apprenticed to John Nicholson, of St. Andrew's Parish, Holborn, barber surgeon (p. 46)

Petition of John White, of Kensington Parish, yeoman, showing that he served as scavenger last year, when he expended over £17, and praying to be reimbursed. Order for the inspection of the said White's account (p. 47)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of Ruislipp and Harrow-on-theHill, as to the settlement of John Edlin, and Mary, his wife (p. 48)

Order for the discharge of Henry Adeane, apprenticed to Thomas Finch, of Hillingdon, watchmaker (ibid.)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of Allhallows, Barking, and the hamlet of Wapping, Stepney, as to the settlement of John Deale, the illegitimate son of John Teas (p. 49)

Proceedings upon the petition of John Driver and John Burchett, of Chelsey Parish, yeoman, which shows that they served as surveyors of the highways in the said parish during last year, and prays that they may be reimbursed the money expended by them during that time. Ordered accordingly (p. 50)

Petition of the surveyors of the highways, and others, the inhabitants of Bethnal Green Hamlet, Stepney Parish. Shows that the said parish is very large, and is divided into several hamlets, most of which are paved "and are very little burthened in the charge of repair of the highways," except the great road leading from Bow to London, and the repair of that costs every hamlet very little in proportion to the amount paid by the petitioners for the repairs of the highways in their said hamlet, the petitioners being responsible for the common and great road from Shoreditch Church to Stonebridge, the said great road from Bow to London, and another highway leading to Hackney, the cost being over £200 yearly, and the extent upwards of a mile and threequarters. There are not more than 200 inhabitants in Bethnal Green Hamlet who are able to pay towards the same, and the petitioners pray that the inhabitants of Spittlefields Hamlet, who are very numerous, and have only a small part of the said great road to repair, may be ordered to contribute to the repair of the highways in Bethnal Green Hamlet. Referred to certain Justices, who are to enquire into the complaint (p. 51)

Proceedings upon the complaint of the churchwardens and other inhabitants of St. Clement Danes Parish, which shows that the said parish, lying partly in the county at large and partly in the liberty of Westminster, is assessed at a double rate towards the repair of Chertsey and other bridges, and prays for relief. Ordered accordingly (p. 52)

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Miscellaneous memoranda, names of those taking the oath of fidelity, recognizances, indictments, &c. (pp. 71–73)

Walter Cantwell is committed to New Prison for contempt in refusing to maintain Ann, his wife, and one child (pursuant to the order of this Court). He is to remain in custody until he find sureties to indemnify the inhabitants of St. James's Parish from the charge of maintaining his family, then to be delivered, paying his fees, 2/4. [Vide Sessions Book, 529, p. 37] (p. 74)

Robert Dale is "convicted of a trespass and false imprisonment." He is fined 3/4, and is to be put in and upon the pillory in "Blomsbury Market" in the parish of St. Giles'-in-the-Fields for an hour between 9 a.m. and 12 o'clock noon, of such day as the sheriff of this county shall appoint; with a paper on his head, showing his offence. He is to be imprisoned for a month after he has undergone his punishment, "unless he shall, in the meantime, voluntarily list himself to serve His Majesty as a soldier." He is remanded to New Prison until he undergo his punishment, then to be delivered, paying his fees, 17/6 (p. 74)

Lists of names headed "New Prison" and "House of Correction." (p. 75)

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Alphabetical lists of names headed Indictments and Calendar of Recognizances (pp. 82–85)

Memorandum of appearances (p. 88)

Sessions Book 532—May, 1696.

Jury panels (p. 5)

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Indictments, committals, recognizances, appearances, acquittals, &c. (pp. 7–26)

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Letter from the Council, dated 30 April, 1696, to the Duke of Bedford, requesting him to give directions to his deputy lieutenants and Justices of the Peace to inform themselves as to the names of such persons as have refused or neglected to take the oath, and to distinguish which of them are protestants and which are papists, and to report thereon, with an account of the names of such of the deputy lieutenants, militia officers, and Justices of the Peace who refused to sign the voluntary association (p. 33)

Letter from the Council, dated 14 May, 1696, to the Duke of Bedford, containing instructions as to the discharge or detention of subjects committed to custody upon the occasion of the late conspiracy against his Majesty's royal person and government (p. 34)

Order in pursuance of the two foregoing letters for the Justices to deliver their report, on or before the 3rd of June next, to Martin Ryder, esquire, present Chairman of this Court, at his house in Red Lion Street, Holborn (p. 35)

Letter, dated 24 May, 1696, from the Council to the Duke of Bedford, concerning the disarming of papists, and the seizing of their horses above the value of £5 (p. 36)

Admission of Captain Abel Weeks, gentleman, as the keeper of the New Prison in the room of Captain Thomas Jones, deceased (p. 37)

Order for the high constables to return the names of all drovers, badgers, laders, kidders, carriers, buyers and sellers of corn, grain, butter, cheese, and other dead victuals, the Court having been informed that great numbers of persons do assume the trades aforesaid without being thereto licensed. (p. 38)

Order to Justices to view the lodge or keeper's study in the New Prison at Clerkenwell, and to consider what moneys Captain Weeks, the present keeper, shall pay to Martha Jones, widow of Thomas Jones, gentleman, late keeper, for the goods therein, and what are fixed to the freehold, and what the said Martha Jones may take away (p. 39)

Order to Mr. Wainwright, housekeeper of Hicks Hall, to cause convenient presses to be erected in the Grand Jury room there, for the keeping of the records of the Sessions (p. 40)

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Order to certain Justices to inspect the condition of the prison and House of Correction at Clerkenwell, and to report as to what it will cost to put the said prisons into good and sufficient repair (p. 43)

The like order to inspect deeds and writings, leases, agreements, &c., granted to Thomas Jones, the late keeper (ibid.)

In the proceedings between Charles Manners, esquire, of the parish of St. Ann, within the liberty of Westminster, and George Machell, his late servant, concerning payment of wages, it is ordered that the said Manners pay the sum of £20 due to the said Machell (p. 44)

Order to commit Charles Manners, esquire, for contempt of Court in refusing to obey an order to pay George Machell, his servant, £20 (p. 45)

Order for a double watch of able men at the usual places during Whitsuntide week (p. 45)

Order for Mary Francklyn, convicted of petty larceny, to be whipped at a cart's tail from the house of Walter Hopley in St. John Street, near Hicks Hall, to the pound at the upper end of John Street, and to be committed to New Prison till she undergo the said punishment, and pay a fine of 4/8 (p. 46)

Order to appoint a committee to confirm the admission of Abel Weeks, gentleman, to be keeper of the New Prison at Clerkenwell, in the room of Thomas Jones, deceased.

Receipt for 40/- from William Percevall for beating and wounding Elizabeth Elburne, servant to Robert Skinner (ibid.)

Indictments, recognizances, &c. (p. 47–50)

List of names of those in the New Prison (p. 51)

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Alphabetical lists of indictments (p. 54)

Alphabetical list of recognizances (p. 56)

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Memoranda as to two appearances (p. 60)

Sessions Book 533—July 1696.

Jury panels (p. 2)

Writ and miscellaneous memoranda as to appearances, indictments, acquittals, &c. (pp. 3–27)

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Order that John Smith, gentleman, Clerk of the Peace, do deliver at the Old Bailey all indictments for felony and murder "found" at the Sessions held at Westminster (p. 29)

Petition of the churchwardens and surveyors of the highways of St. Anne's Parish, within the liberty of Westminster, showing that the highways and pavements in the said parish are so much in need of repair that they cannot be made good for less than £80, and praying that a rate may be assessed to meet this expense. Ordered accordingly. Full instructions concerning the said assessment (ibid.)

Statement of a case which it is desired by the Justices that Sir Henry Dutton Colt will present to the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Steward of the Household, as to the execution of warrants within the verge:—Elizabeth, wife of Richard Elmes, of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, stands indicted at Sessions for keeping a disorderly house. A Bench warrant was issued for her arrest. The constables of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, arrested her in Spring Gardens, St. Martin's. Richard Elmes, husband of the said Elizabeth, "with a drawn sword," rescued her. Her prosecutor told Mr. Roe, "at the Greencloth," that the Sessions Court was then sitting, and he answered that it was agreed by the Board of Greencloth that no Bench warrants, should be served within the verge; that she should be prosecuted within the verge, and that if any constable or jury came within the verge, one of the Marshal's Court men would take them into the lodge and whip them. The constables have often had to come within the said verge, and when indicted for so doing the matter was referred to Lord Chief Justice Treby, then Attorney-General, who declared that the constables ought to execute their office within the verge, and granted a nolle prosequi (p. 31)

Order for the discharge of John Osbourne, of St. Anne's Parish, apprenticed to Edward Cooke, of the same parish, basket maker (p. 32)

Order confirming an order for the former surveyors of the highways within the parish of St. Margaret's, Westminster, to pay to the present surveyors certain moneys, being part of a rate collected for the repairs of the said highways (p. 33)

Order that an abatement be made upon the assessment of Abraham Michell, a poor man, "who receiveth not alms" [parish not given] (p. 34)

Order of reference to two Justices, concerning the disposal of the arms and weapons taken from papists and reputed papists (ibid.)

Warrant to Anthony Church, gentleman, keeper of the Gatehouse Prison, to discharge Richard Marshall, charged at the suit of John Rockett, on a plea of trespass, &c. (ibid.)

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Miscellaneous memoranda as to recognizances, indictments, &c. (pp. 39–41)

Alphabetical lists of names headed indictments (pp. 42, 43)

Memoranda of two appearances (p. 44)

Sessions Book 534—July, 1696.

Jury panel (p. 5)

Writ (p. 7)

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Indictments, recognizances, acquittals, &c. (pp. 13–39)

Order for collecting moneys remaining in arrear in the Tower Division for the repair of Chertsey Bridge. Schedule of parishes, with the sums in arrear (p. 40)

Order for the continuation of William Dawson in his apprenticeship to Mark Mackartey, snuff-box maker (p. 41)

Order for the reduced assessment upon the Duchy Liberty, and residue of the parish of St. Clement Danes, for the repairing of Chertsey Bridge, to be paid to Henry Hawley, treasurer (p. 42)

Order for the admission of Richard Parrott as governor of the House of Correction at Clerkenwell, in the room of Captain Thomas Jones, deceased. (ibid.)

Order to deprive Daniel Roome, labourer, of the parish of Hendon, of his license for victualling, which he had obtained by fraud (ibid.)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of St. Lawrence, Jewry, and Wapping, Stepney, concerning the settlement of John Teas, an infant. [Vide Sessions Book 531, p. 49] (p. 43)

Order for certain Justices to inspect the deeds and writings relating to the New Prison and House of Correction at Clerkenwell (p. 44)

Order for certain Justices to examine the accounts of Richard Field, constable, of Bullcrosse Quarter, in the parish of Endfield, and if thought fit, to order immediate payment thereof (ibid.)

Order for the high constable of the Tower Division to return an account as to what moneys have been collected in the said division upon the rate for the repair of Chertsey Bridge, and other bridges in the division, and for the relief of maimed soldiers and mariners (p. 45)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of Camberwell, in the county of Surrey, and Stepney, in this parish, concerning the settlement of Edmund Barrett (ibid.)

Order for the discharge of Elizabeth White from her apprenticeship to Mary Balderstone, of the parish of St. Paul, Shadwell, " mantua-maker." (p. 46)

Order for an assessment to be made for the repair of the highways of St. Mary, Islington (ibid.)

Order for certain Justices to inspect the New Prison and House of Correction at Clerkenwell, and report as to the cost of necessary repairs. (p. 47)

Order confirming the appointment of Abel Weeks, gentleman, as keeper of the New Prison at Clerkenwell, in the place of Captain Thomas Jones, deceased. The said Weeks is to pay £25 quarterly towards the repairing and maintaining of the said New Prison (p. 48)

Whereas by an order dated 16 July, the overseers and churchwardens of St. John, Wapping, were ordered to appear before certain Justices, at the Blue Anchor Tavern, in the said parish, and produce their accounts. That order is now discharged, and the matter referred to certain Justices in the Tower Division, to make a report thereon (p. 49)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of the Liberty-above-the-Bars and the Liberty-below-the-Bars, St. Andrew's, Holborn, concerning the settlement of Elizabeth Haldron, who lived as servant for six months with Mr. Humfry in the Liberty-below-the-Bars (p. 50)

List of names of persons discharged for debt (p. 51)

Order for reimbursing William Davis and others, late surveyors of the highways of the parish of St. Mary, Islington, money expended by them in repairing the said highways (p. 53)

Order to reduce the assessment for poor rate made upon Thomas Whiteing, of the parish of St. Mary, Whitechapel, upon proof that he has no personal estate except his household goods (p. 55)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of Chesham, county Bucks., and Harrow, in this county, concerning the settlement of John Keane, his wife, and three children (ibid.)

Lists of persons taking the oath, indictments, recognizances, &c. (pp. 57–62)

Order for Matthew Powell, now convicted for speaking seditious words, to pay a fine of 3/4, and to be put in the pillory at the end of Stanhope Street, in Prince's Street, near Clare Market; to stand with his face fronting into Prince's Street, between the hours of 10 and 12 in the forenoon, with a paper over his head expressing his offence, and to remain in Newgate Gaol till he undergo his punishment, and to pay the fees, 17/6 (p. 63)

Order to the churchwardens of Wapping, Stepney, to allow Dorothy Levinz 2/- weekly (ibid.)

Mr. Hawley's accounts relating to Chertsey Bridge respited till next Sessions (ibid.)

Price of salt as settled by Lord Mayor (ibid.)

Mr. Johnson's rent to be received for the use of this county (ibid.)

Mr. Parrott to pay the matron of the House of Correction the salary due to her (ibid.)

Lists of names of those in the New Prison and House of Correction. (p. 64)

Order for a committee to inspect the accounts of the late churchwarden and overseers of the parish of St. Andrew, Holborn above the Bars, and to report as to the necessity of an additional rate (p. 65)

Order for holding Petty Sessions monthly to consult how the poor may be relieved, and how to suppress unlawful meetings of numbers of persons which may be dangerous to the public peace (ibid.)

Order for the executors and administrators of Sir Thomas Rowe, knight, deceased, to pay the rent in arrear for that part of the corporation workhouse at Clerkenwell let to the said Sir Thomas Rowe. [Vide Sessions Book 474, p. 55] (p. 66)

Order for the churchwardens of the several parishes, hamlets, and precincts, named, to pay the respective sums assessed upon them for the costs recovered against the inhabitants of the hundred of Ossulton by Richard Norton for a robbery committed upon him in the said hundred. [Schedule of the parishes and the sums assessed follows] (p. 67)

Orders in a dispute between the parishes of Hendon, Harrow, and Ruislipp, concerning the settlement of John Edlyn. It is alleged that the said Edlyn had a freehold estate of two acres in the parish of Hendon, left to him by his father. [Vide Sessions Book 531, p. 48] (p. 68)

Order for Mary Franks, apprenticed to Mary Comfort, of the hamlet of Wapping, Stepney, mantua-maker, to continue her apprenticeship (p. 69)

Order for the discharge of Christopher Forster, the younger, apprenticed to James Chevallier, of Gray's Inn Lane, in the parish of St. Andrew's, Holborn, barber and periwig-maker, upon proof that the said Chevallier had absconded to Flanders, being much in debt (p. 70)

Indenture of apprenticeship of William Beverley, son of James Beverley, of the parish of St. Botolph, Aldgate, deceased, shoemaker, to William Phillipps, of Harwich, county Essex, fisherman and mariner.

Alphabetical list, calendar of recognizances (pp. 72–75)

Sessions Book 535—September, 1696.

Jury panel (p. 5)

[Page 6 blank.]

Miscellaneous memoranda as to indictments, acquittals, &c. (pp. 7–40)

[Pages 41–44 blank.]

Order that William Davis, Stephen Chambers, John Sutton and George Westbrook, former surveyors of the highways of St. Mary's Parish, Islington, be paid by the present surveyors the money expended by them when in office (p. 45)

Order for the dismissal of the petition of Francis Woodhouse, George Howard, John Cox, Henry Goodchild, and others, the headboroughs of the parish of St. Mary Matfellon, otherwise Whitechapel, which shows that they have heretofore collected money in the said parish to maintain a sufficient watch, and that Robert Bowes, the present constable, has now deprived the petitioners of the work of collecting, which he has undertaken to do, and that the watch appointed by the said Bowes is insufficient, and his transactions unsatisfactory (ibid).

Proceedings upon the complaint of Mary, wife of Joseph Staples, of Limehouse Hamlet, Stepney Parish, butcher, which shows that the said Mary has been inhumanly neglected and ill-treated by her husband. Order that the said Joseph do allow his wife a certain weekly pension, and that, for the future, he do behave peaceably towards her (p. 46)

Order of reference to two Justices (named) upon the matters in dispute between William Gorton, of St. Giles'-in-the-Fields, gentleman, and Elizabeth, his wife, on the one part, and John Falkingham, of St. John's, Wapping, vintner, and Anne, his wife, and George Sutton, Henry Eustace, and Elizabeth Grimes, on the other part, concerning a quarrel which lately happened between the said parties, at the house of the said Falkingham, and several cross indictments which have been depending, for assaults and riots, alleged to have been committed by the said parties against each other upon the said occasion (p. 47)

Order of reference to certain Justices (named) of the question of fees and profits of the New Prison and the House of Correction, from the date of the death of Captain Thomas Jones, late keeper of the same, until the election of the present keeper (p. 48)

Order that certain Justices (named) do view the repairs lately done by Thomas Little and others, in and about the House of Correction, and report upon the same (ibid).

Order for Richard Parrott, Governor of the House of Correction, to make a "calendar in parchment" of the names of all persons committed, with full particulars as to their commitment and discharge (p. 49)

Upon the information that there is a balance still due to John Driver, and John Burchett, former surveyors of the highways of Chelsey Parish, and that several of the inhabitants have not performed their statute work, nor contributed to the repair, it is recommended to certain Justices to direct the former surveyors in the collection of the moneys charged on the said defaulters. [Vide Sessions Book 531, p. 50] (ibid).

Order that the fine of £300 which was levied upon the inhabitants of St. Mary's Parish, Islington, for the repair of the highways in the said parish, be respited until further order, so that the surveyors may proceed to collect the said sum. The former surveyors (named) are to receive the balance of their accounts out of the same (p. 50)

[Pages 52–56, 60–62 blank.]

Miscellaneous memoranda as to indictments, acquittals, &c. (pp. 57–59)

Lists of names headed "New Prison" and "House of Correction " (p. 63)

[Pages 64, 65 blank.]

Alphabetical lists of names headed calendar of recognizances and indictments (pp. 66–69)

[Pages 70, 71 blank.]

Memoranda as to a fine, collector's money, &c. (p. 72)

Sessions Book 536—October, 1696.

Jury list (p. 2)

Memoranda relating to recognizances, &c. (pp. 3–20)

[Pages 21–24 blank.]

Order to John Turner, late constable of St. Margaret's, Westminster, and John Cock, of Hedge Lane, to deliver to the high bailiff, Richard Knipe, two pieces of silk, measuring in all 16 yards, and worth about 40/- a yard, being felons'goods, and the owners not yet known (p. 25)

Order for the churchwardens, &c., of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields to pay one-half of £8 13s. 10d., due to Joseph Milward, late constable of Hyde Park Ward, for passing vagrants, &c., and the churchwardens, &c., of St. James', Westminster, to pay the other half (p. 25)

A similar order to the churchwardens, &c., of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields to pay to Jonathan Palmer the half of £8 7s. 9d., due to him for passing vagrants, &c., and the churchwardens, &c., of St. James', Westminster, to pay the other half (p. 26)

Order for William Scott, late one of the surveyors of St. Anne's, Westminster, to pay £5 to the present surveyors of the highways, and to submit his accounts to three of the Justices, that they may be satisfied as to the payment of £8 7s. 0d., said to have been received by George Gregory, deceased, another of the surveyors (ibid.)

[Pages 28–38 blank.]

Rough memoranda relating to recognizances, &c. (pp. 29–31)

Alphabetical list of indictments (p. 32)

Sessions Book 537—October, 1696.

Jury panels (p. 5)

[Page 6 blank.]

Miscellaneous memoranda as to acquittals, indictments, &c. (pp. 7–29)

[Pages 30–32 blank.]

Proceedings upon the petition of the churchwardens and others (named), inhabitants of East Smithfield Liberty, in the parish of St. Buttolph Without, Aldgate, which shows that several of the petitioners have been appointed to audit the accounts of Francis Whitehurst, former churchwarden of the said liberty, and that they find flagrant errors in the said accounts, and that he withholds his books. The petition prays that the said Francis may be ordered to deliver up the same. Ordered accordingly (p. 33)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of Wyrardesbury, county Bucks., and West Drayton, county Middlesex, as to the settlement of Mary, widow of John Barringer, and Mary and John, her two children (p. 34)

[Page 36 blank.]

Order that the high constables obtain, by the 30th of November, true lists of the names and abodes of all persons between the ages of 21 and 70 within their respective parishes and places who have, in their own name or in trust for them, within this county, £10 yearly, at least, above reprizes, of freehold or copyhold lands or tenements, or of lands and tenements of ancient demesne, or in rents, or in all or any of the said lands, tenements, or rents in fee simple, or fee tail, for their life or that of some other person, to serve upon juries (p. 37)

Order for the discharge of Hannah, daughter of John Wilkins, apprenticed to Henry Smart and his wife, of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, sempstress. (p. 38)

Upon the information of the present surveyors (named) of the highways of Hornsey Parish, showing that the inhabitants of the said parish have performed their statute work in the repairs of the highways, and that the surveyors have expended several sums on the same, and that the said highways are yet very much out of repair, and praying that a rate may be made for their reimbursement and for the aforesaid repairs, it is ordered accordingly. [Vide Sessions Book 506, p. 53] (p. 39)

Petition of Thomas Bowles, of Norton Folgate Liberty, basket maker, showing that he is nominated headborough, and, setting forth his age and infirmities, prays to be discharged. Ordered accordingly (p. 40)

Order in a dispute between the churchwardens and overseers of the poor of the hamlet of Wapping, Stepney, in the parish of Stepney, and that of St. John, of Wapping, as to the settlement of Margaret, wife of John Ovey, a soldier now serving in Flanders, and Jane and Charles, their children. The said John was formerly an apprentice with Alice White, a watchman's widow, in the said hamlet of Wapping, Stepney (p. 41)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of Isleworth, in this county, and St. Ann's, within the liberty of Westminster, as to the settlement of Margaret Marloe, an impotent woman (p. 42)

Order for Martha, widow of Captain Thomas Jones, late keeper of the New Prison and governor of the House of Correction, to repay £2 2s. 0d. to John Geery, received by her after the death of her husband, for fees and profits of the New Prison. [Note.—"Afterwards this order was altered to 34/- by the direction of Mr. Offley"] (ibid).

Order for Mr. James Tyton to prosecute Richard Latchfield for misdemeanours and frauds, of which he stands accused. Tyton is to be reimbursed all his expenses in the said prosecution (p. 43)

Order in a dispute between the parishes of Mitcham, county Surrey, and Fulham, in this county, as to the settlement of Ann Chamberlaine. The said Ann was last legally settled as a "hired servant by the year" to Peter George, of Fulham Parish (ibid).

Petition of William Gunson, gentleman, high constable of Finsbury Division, in the hundred of Ossulston, and others, inhabitants of Whitecrosse Street Liberty, in the parish of St. Giles' Without, Cripplegate, showing that some of the inhabitants of the said liberty have caused a watch-house to be built in Playhouse Yard, in the said liberty, and that Thomas Woollaston, constable, has removed the watch from its ancient place, called the Whitecrosse, in Whitecrosse Street, near Chiswell Street, to the said new erected watch-house, which is very inconvenient, and that since the removal of the watch from the said old watch-house a burglary has been committed, and a certain person (unnamed) robbed of about £60. Prays that the watch may, for the future, be kept at "the old accustomed place." The matter is referred to certain Justices (named) (p. 44)

Order for the discharge of Sarah, daughter of Frances Hall, apprenticed to Rebecca Osmond, of the parish of St. Giles' Without, Cripplegate, "fishwoman" (p. 45)

The inhabitants of Heston Parish, in this county, having agreed to an assessment for the repair of the highways in the said parish, it is prayed that the said rate may be ratified and confirmed. Ordered accordingly. Instructions concerning the collection of the same (p. 45)

Upon the report concerning the repairs lately done by Thomas Little, and others, in and about the dwelling-house, belonging to the House of Correction [vide Sessions Book No. 535, p. 48], it appears that the work is well done, and that there is money due to the plumber and painter. Order that the report be confirmed, and the money paid out of the public stock. (p. 46)

Confirmation of the report of certain Justices (named) to whom was referred the examination of fees and profits received, at the New Prison and the House of Correction, from the date of the death of Captain Thomas Jones, late governor of the same, until the election of the present keeper (Captain Abel Weeks), and also of all money due to John Gery [Geery?] and Mrs. Wilson, for bread, &c., provided for the poor in Bridewell, before the appointment of Richard Parrott as governor (p. 47)

Order for the discharge of Ann, grand-daughter of Ann Jackson, widow, apprenticed to William Wood, of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields (p. 49)

Order to discharge an order adjudging James Levack, of Spittlefields Hamlet, foreign weaver, to be the father of Margaret Lemare's female child, it having been proved that Thomas Lemare, her husband, has not been absent in parts beyond the seas for more than 20 months, as was previously stated (p. 50)

Confirmation of the report of certain Justices (named) concerning the accounts of Henry Hawley, esquire, treasurer for the repairs of parts of Chertsey and other bridges (p. 52)

Whereas Sir John Baber, of St. Paul's Parish, Covent Garden, knight, appealed against an assessment of £25 10s. 0d. for the burial of the Lady Bridget, his late wife (who had been formerly the wife of the late Lord Viscount Kilmurray), and prayed the reduction of the same, on the plea that "the said Lady ought to have been rated as the wife of a knight and not as the widow of a viscount." It appears that the said "Sir John Baber did not, within 10 days after notice of the assessment, given by reading it in the church of the said parish, appeal to the Justices who signed the said rate" according to the direction of the Act for granting to His Majesty certain rates and duties upon marriages, births, and burials; wherefore the said Justices, having no power to relieve the said Sir John, recommend it to . . . the Court of Exchequer to levy what is justly due (p 53)

Miscellaneous memoranda as to recognizances, indictments, acquittals, &c. (pp. 54–57)

Joseph Staples is committed to New Prison, without bail, for contempt in refusing to obey an order to pay to the churchwardens of Limehouse Hamlet, Stepney Parish, 3/- weekly towards the maintenance of Mary, his wife, whom he has "barbarously" misused, and turned out of doors. [Vide Sessions Book 535, p. 46] (p. 58)

Names of those taking the oath, acquittals, &c. (ibid.)

Lists of names headed "New Prison" and "House of Correction.' (pp. 59, 60)

[Pages 61–63 blank.]

Alphabetical lists of names headed Indictments (pp. 64–68)

Sessions Book 538—December, 1696.

Jury list (p. 5)

Memoranda relating to recognizances (pp. 7–36)

[Pages 37–40 blank.]

Order that Phoebe Rawbone, widow, matron of the House of Correction, Clerkenwell, is to have her salary of £15 and the use of two rooms, but from henceforth she is not to intermeddle or concern herself with the locking up or lodging of any of the prisoners (p. 41)

Order referring the claim of John Driver and John Burchett, surveyors of the highways for the parish of Chelsea, for £31 17s. 2d., to four of the Justices living in the parish, for settlement—Sir John Elwes, Richard Woodward, Thomas Alston, and Dr. Edward Chamberlaine. [Vide Sessions Book 535, p. 49] (ibid.)

Order to Henry Slett, constable of Hampton Wick, to deliver to Gabriel Wells, John Thompson, and Charles Harding, £7, three gold rings, and a silver tobacco box, which he lately took from them (p. 43)

The Court, on the report of two of the Justices, Colonel Pery and Mr. Underhill, is satisfied that the newly erected watch-house in Playhouse Yard, Whitecross Street, St. Giles', Cripplegate, is in the most convenient place, that it was erected by the inhabitants, and orders that eight watchmen be kept instead of six as heretofore. [Vide Sessions Book 537, p. 44] (p. 45)

[Pages 46–54 blank.]

Rough memoranda, relating chiefly to recognizances. (pp. 55–58, 61)

List of persons in the New Prison and in the House of Correction, (p. 63)

[Pages 64–67 blank.]

Alphabetical list of indictments (pp. 68,69)

Ditto of recognizances (pp. 70, 71)

Rough memoranda.

Mr. Hawley to pay 35/- to the Clerk of the Peace for several copies of orders relating to the repair of Chertsey Bridge, and other bridges in the county (p. 72)