Sessions Books: 1692

Sessions Book 492—January, 1692.

Jury panel (p. 2)

Miscellaneous memoranda as to recognizances, appearances, acquittals, &c. (pp. 3–17)

Order for the conveyance of Joseph Dixon, his wife, and two children to the parish of St. Giles'-in-the-Fields, from that of St. James's, within the liberty of Westminster (p. 18)

John White, convicted for stealing lead from a "dwelling house," is fined 13/4, and to be stripped naked from the middle upwards, on Wednesday next, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and then "openly whipped on his back at the hinder part of a cart from Drury Lane to the House of Correction at Tuttlefields within this Liberty, until his body be bloody"; he is committed to the Gatehouse prison until he undergoes the punishment, and pays his fine, then to be delivered paying his fee, 6/8 (p. 19)

Order that the churchwardens and overseers of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, do pay Johannah Ludland 20/- for her care in "time past" of Joane Edmonds, "a crackbrained poor woman," and an inhabitant in the said Johanna's house (p. 19)

Proceedings upon the petition of the churchwardens and surveyors of the highways of the parish of St. James's, Westminster. Shows that the highways belonging to the said parish are so decayed that they cannot be sufficiently repaired for less than the sum of £100, and prays an order for an assessment to meet the expenses of the same; it is ordered that the sum of £115 be assessed for the reparation of the said highways for this year. Instructions to the collectors of this rate.

Note in Margin. This order is set aside, superseded and stayed by an order of Sessions, 23 June, 1692 (ibid.)

Proceedings upon the certificate of two Justices (named), dated the 5th instant, and showing that there is a new way called Brydall Lane, in the parish of St. James's, Westminster, extending from Brewer Street south to the further corner of Mr. Burgess Hutchinson's stable wall, north, containing 11½ rods in length, and 18 feet in breadth, and which, upon inspection, they consider requires paving; it is ordered that all owners and inhabitants of the houses in the said lane be required to pave the parts before their respective properties, by or before the 25th of March next, on penalty of a fine of 40/- for every offence (p. 21)

Proceedings upon the certificate of certain Justices (named), dated the 5th instant. Shows that there is a new street or way, called Peter Street, in the parish of St. James's, Westminster, which said street extends from "Mr. Aires his garden pales east to Brydall Lane west," in length containing about 16½ rods, and in breadth about 24 feet; and that, upon inspection, they consider the same requires paving. It is ordered accordingly, and the said paving is to be completed by or before the 25th of March next, on penalty (as above) (p. 22)

[Pages 24–28 blank.]

Miscellaneous memoranda as to recognizances, acquittals, indictments, &c. (pp. 29, 30)

[Pages 31–33 blank.]

Alphabetical list of names, headed Indictments (p. 34)

[Page 35 blank.]

Sessions Book 493—January, 1692.

Memoranda relating to recognizances (pp. 7–23, 31)

Names of those in the New Prison and House of Correction (p. 29)

A list headed "St. Katherine's" Prison (p. 37)

Similar, but longer, list headed Finsbury Prison (p. 38)

Similar, headed Hackney Prison and Stepney Prison (p. 41)

Order discharging Thomas Collett of London, merchant, from being surveyor of the highways of Bromley. Collett states that he has a country house at Bromley "which he took for his wive's takeing the air in the summer time"; he is deputy of the Ward of Bridge, a Commissioner, and one of the committee for assessing the taxes in the City of London, and "very seldom lieth out of the City," and prays to be excused from serving the office of surveyor of the highways at Bromley. The Court discharges Collett, and orders the inhabitants to elect another surveyor (p. 47)

Order for Richard Wilson to serve the remainder of his apprenticehood with Zachariah Coates. It appears he was apprenticed for seven years to Coates, of the parish of Stebunheath, otherwise Stepney, "linespinner." The Court discharged the petition of Winifred Jones, mother to Richard Wilson, and ordered him to serve the residue of his term (ibid.)

Order for discharging John Roberts from his indentures of apprenticehood with Anthony English, gardener, of the parish of Stebunheath, otherwise Stepney. Roberts had complained that his master had misused him, and neglected to provide him with clothes and other necessaries, and Thomas Johnson, one of the Justices, had ordered English to provide wholesome and necessary diet and clothes for his apprentice. Roberts complains to the Court that no notice had been taken of this order, whereby he "was become lame in his limbs." English did not appear, and the Court, having taken the evidence of Joyce Roberts, discharged Roberts from his indentures (p. 48)

Gertrude Kirby, who had been apprenticed for five years to Angellat Patella, wife of John Patella, of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, to learn the art of washing point lace, complained that John Patella and his wife had cruelly beat and misused her, neglected to provide her with clothes, &c.; and that Angellat had not instructed her in the art of washing point lace. She prays that the £6 which had been given to apprentice her might be returned. The Court, having heard Angellat Patella, and also the evidence of Ann Hill, Ann Cuthbert, and others, ordered Gertrude Kirby to be discharged from her indenture of apprenticehood, and directed that £3 should be returned to her by John Patella within the space of one week, for placing out the said Gertrude Kirby to some other fit person to be instructed in the said art (p. 49)

The Court ordered the discharge of John Carvath from his indenture of apprenticehood. John Carvath had been bound apprentice to Thomas Glover, mariner, of Stepney, about a year and a quarter previously, for the term of three years only, and the indenture was not "inrolled," so that it was void in law (p. 50)

Order for discharging Mary Ellitt from her indenture of apprenticehood, with William Morris, barber, of St. James's, Clerkenwell. The apprentice complained that her master had beaten, abused, and turned her out of doors (p. 51)

Order for raising money for the repair of the highway in the parish of St. Giles'-in-the-Fields. The chief inhabitants state to the Court that an assessment has usually been made every year for the repair of the highway, but that many persons refuse to pay the money (ibid.)

Thomas Hariot, one of the Justices, complained that the highways of the parish of St. Mary, Islington, were much out of repair. The Court ordered the churchwardens, &c., to make and collect a rate for the amendment, repair, and support of the highways, such rate not to exceed 4d. in the £ on lands and houses, and 8d. in the £ for every £20 personal estate (p. 53)

A dispute between Samuel Mercer, headborough of Stanwell, and the constable of Bedfont, was referred to the Justices in or near the Brentford Division, as the constable of Bedfont was not, at the present Court, fully prepared to set out his complaint. The constable of Bedfont complained that Samuel Mercer refused to pass and convey several cripples and impotent persons through the parish of Stanwell. The Justices are to report their opinion at the next Court of Quarter Sessions (p. 54)

The constables and other ancient inhabitants of the liberty of Norton Folgate complain that the watch-house belonging to the liberty is very much out of repair and likely to fall down, and pray the Court to order an assessment of the liberty to defray the charge of repairing and amending it. The Court desire the Justices of the Tower Division to deal with the matter at their next Petty Sessions, and give to the petitioners such relief as shall seem meet upon hearing of all parties (p. 54)

Order for George Waters to be continued an inhabitant at South Mymms. George Waters, on the 9th of January, had been passed to the parish of Stepney from South Mymms; but Thomas Austin, of South Mymms, informs the Court that Waters had been employed by him for several years in that parish as a day labourer, and that his last legal settlement was at South Mymms. The Court ordered that the warrant of the Justices who passed him on to Stepney be discharged (p. 55)

The Grand Jury presented to the Court "that most of the carters, carmen, and draymen that pass and repass with their several carts, carriages, and drays through the public streets, lanes and places . . . . make it their common and usual practice and custom to ride negligently on their several carts . . . without having any person to guide their horses, so that oftentimes their horses, carts, carriages, and drays run over young children and other their Majesties' subjects, passing in the streets about their lawful occasions, whereby many lose their lives." The Court ordered the high constables in the hundred of Ossulton to issue warrants to the petty constables requiring them to give notice to all carters, carmen, and draymen, that from henceforth "they carefully lead and guide their horses by the rains in their passage through the said streets . . . and forbear riding upon their respective carts . . ." Offenders are to be dealt with at Quarter Sessions (p. 56)

Order for suppressing the profanation of the Lord's Day. Reference is made to the Queen's letter of 9 July urging the Justices to put the laws into force against profanation of the Lord's Day, drunkenness, swearing, and cursing, and to the order made by the Court on the 10th of July, whereby it was hoped that "from thence our endeavours would have had a good effect, But since that, by the rash and unadvised actings of several persons, pretending great zeal, many illegal and irregular warrants of conviction have been issued out against a multitude of innocent persons for suffering tipling in their houses, and exercising their ordinary callings on the Lord's Day, without summoning or hearing their defences, whereby it might appear whether they were works of charity or necessity . . . and condemning the guiltless with the guilty . . . This Court hath from time to time received many repeated complaints from divers innholders, victuallers, and others, who have greatly suffered . . . This Court, for the remedy of the said mischief, and to the end that so religious an intention may not miscarry, doth resolve to encourage all manner of legal information . . . pursuant to their former order . . . Convictions ought not to be made . . . before a warrant or a summons from a Justice of the Peace . . . be first had and served on the person accused . . . And for a due encouragement of all such informers . . . this Court agrees to deliver all such summonses . . . gratis to any persons requiring the same . . . And for the better encouragement of the Churchwardens . . . &c., in searching for, and observing such prophanation of the Lord's Day, we, the . . . Justices of the Peace . . . further resolve that in our several and respective divisions, we will, from time to time, on request, or as we see occasion, go along with them in person in our several parishes . . . and search the several alehouses and other places suspected . . ." Informers shall receive due encouragement . . . Keepers of alehouses, &c., convicted shall be not only fined 10/- but their licenses shall be suppressed for three years. The Clerk of the Peace is to cause this Order to be printed and sent to the petty constables, &c., of each parish. (p. 57)

Order concerning "Robbery Money." John Halton recovered from the inhabitants of Ossulton Hundred in Michaelmas term the sum of £870 damages for a robbery committed upon him. Complaints had been made from various parts of the hundred to several Justices that great and excessive sums had been assessed on the inhabitants, and much greater sums collected than would have satisfied the damages. The Court orders that the collectors of the assessment from every part of the hundred shall submit their assessment books, and give an account of the moneys collected and expended to the Justices in their respective divisions, and the said Justices are to report to the next Court of Quarter Sessions upon the matter (p. 60)

Order for respiting the forfeited recognizances of Henry Clarke, Robert Rawson, John Hand, Samuel Watson, George Bonnyman, Thomas Lea, Benjamin Denicour, John Darnall, Elizabeth Hey, Susannah Stanley, and Mary Morris (p. 61)

[Pages 62–74 blank.]

Indenture of apprenticeship of James Barnard [son] of Richard Barnard, of the parish of St. John's, Glastonbury, to Anthony Brunton, blacksmith, of Wapping, in the parish of Stepney, for seven years. 18 January, 1692 (p. 75)

Alphabetical list of indictments (p. 76)

Alphabetical list of recognizances (p. 78)

Memoranda, various, recognizances, &c. (pp. 79, 80)

Sessions Book 494—February, 1692.

Jury panels (p. 5)

Miscellaneous memoranda as to recognizances, appearances, committals, acquittals, &c. (pp. 7–24)

[Pages 25, 26 blank.]

List of names under headings "New Prison and House of Correction" (p. 27)

[Pages 28–32 blank.]

Order for the sheriff of this county to pay two constables (named) of the parishes of St. Mary, Islington, and of St. James's, Clerkenwell, £6 17s. 0d., which they expended in the apprehension and prosecution of Thomas Brickill, Ann, his wife, and Mary Hemingway, for clipping the current coin, for which offence the said Thomas has been attainted and executed (p. 33)

Proceedings upon the petition of Lawrence Crosse and Thomas Blay. Show that they each hold about 30 acres of land in St. Pancras Parish, and that upon the 19th of October last the said Crosse paid William Child, overseer of the said parish, £1 1s. 4d. assessed upon him as the poor rate for the year commencing at Easter; and that in October the sum of 10/8 was demanded, upon the pretence that there was another half year's rate due for the relief of the poor, and that a warrant has been issued against the petitioners and others compelling them to pay the said rate. They pray that the churchwardens may be ordered to show reason for the same. Ordered that certain Justices (named) do enquire into this matter (p. 33)

Proceedings upon the complaint of the chapelwarden and other inhabitants of Wapping Hamlet, Whitechapel, . . . that Jane, the wife of Anthony Couch, in the absence of the said Anthony, who is a seafaring man, keeps a disorderly alehouse, and the complainants pray . . . an order may be issued for the suppression of the license granted to the said Anthony. Ordered that certain Justices (named) do enquire into the truth of this complaint, and that they make such order as they shall consider meet (p. 34)

Upon the complaint of Owen Mackarty, apprentice to Thomas Nash, of St. Clement Danes, cabinet-maker, of the cruel treatment received from the said Nash, who has, several times, beaten his apprentice "with a large cane and an iron rasp of near three pound weight," and praying he may be discharged from his apprenticehood. Ordered accordingly (p. 35)

Appointment of a committee, who are ordered to meet on Wednesday, the 9th of March next, at 9 a.m., and to examine the accounts of Simon Harcourt, Clerk of the Peace, and find what is due to the trustees of this county from Sir Thomas Rowe, knight, for rent of that part of the corporation workhouse which he holds, what has been expended for the repairs of Hickshall, and the pavement belonging thereto, and the New Prison, and the House of Correction. The said committee are to report their opinion as to how the sum of £115 5s. 4d., due to Captain Jones, and the money for the said repairs, may be raised (p. 37)

Order for respiting certain recognizances (p. 38)

[Pages 39–53 blank.]

Alphabetical lists of names, headed, calendar of indictments for trespass, and calendar of recognizances (pp. 54–57)

[Page 58 blank.]

Memoranda dated 22–27 February, 1691, concerning the appointment of Mr. Fox as Clerk of the Peace, by the Earl of Bedford, Custos Rotulorum. The Court decides that Mr. Harcourt already holds that office and that there is no reason for his removal from the same (p. 59)

George Porter, of the parish of St. Giles', Cripplegate Without, is a dissenting minister. Presbyterian meeting houses recorded:—Francis Mint's house in Meeting House Alley, in Wapping, Stepney, and at his dwelling house in Broad Street, Stepney (p. 60)

Order dated 26 February concerning the days for the trial of traverses. (ibid.)

Sessions Book 495—March, 1692.

Jury panel (p. 2)

Miscellaneous memoranda as to appearances, acquittals, &c. (pp. 3–13)

[Page 14 blank.]

Order for the churchwardens and overseers of St. Clement Danes to pay Sara Greenbury 50/- due to her for her care of Margaret Jemmett and her child, security for the amount having been taken from Ezekiel Cozens, gentleman, the reputed father of the child (p. 15)

Proceedings upon the oath of John Smith, constable of Hyde Park Ward, in the parish of St. Martin's-in-the-Field, that, since the 12th of April last, he has expended £11 0s. 8d. for passing, relieving, and lodging vagrants and cripples. It is ordered that the churchwardens of St. Martin's aforesaid do pay the said Smith £5 10s. 4d., and 2/6 more for the moiety of this "order," and that the churchwardens of St. James's, Westminster, do pay the like amounts to the said constable (ibid.)

Upon the petition of the churchwardens of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, showing that the inhabitants have contracted to pay Robert Meades £150 for the repair of the highways belonging to the said parish, for this year, and that there remains due to him on the same amount for last year £20, and praying an order for an assessment to be made to enable them to perform the contract, it is accordingly ordered that an assessment be made to meet the sum of £200 (ibid.)

Upon the petition of the burgesses and others, inhabitants of St. Margaret's, Westminster, exhibited at the last April Sessions, showing the great increase of poor, particularly of Dutch women and children, within the said parish, it was ordered that an equal rate be assessed for their relief, for the year 1691, and that it should be one-half more than that of the year previous. The petitioners pray that a like rate may be assessed for this year. Ordered that an assessment be made as certain Justices (named) shall consider necessary (p. 17)

Proceedings upon the petition of Anne Dyott. Shows she was bound an apprentice to Mary Kent and Barsheba Dynes, of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, sempstresses, for five years, dating from the 29th of September, 1688, and that they received £30 with her, and that her said mistresses have severely beaten and dragged her by the hair. She prays to be discharged, and to receive back £15. It appearing that the said Anne has received very good usage from her said mistresses, to whom she has proved unfaithful, and her said mistresses desiring she may be discharged without their returning any of the said money, it is ordered accordingly (p. 18)

[Pages 19, 20 blank.]

Memorandum—"John Chase, of Vine Street, Westminster, licensed a badger for one year next after 30th March, 1692." (p. 21)

[Page 22 blank.]

Miscellaneous memoranda as to recognizances, committals, appearances, &c. (p. 23)

[Pages 24, 25 blank.]

Alphabetical list headed "Indictments" (p. 26)

[Pages 27, 28 blank.]

Sessions Book 496—April, 1692.

Jury panels (p. 5)

Appointment of Ambrose Isted, of St. James's, Clerkenwell, esquire, as treasurer for the maimed soldiers within the hundreds of Ossulston, Edmonton, and Gore for 1692. The said Isted is ordered to take over the accounts of Robert Bird, gentleman, the treasurer during 1691.

The like appointment of Christopher Clitheroe, esquire, for the hundreds of Elthorn, Spelthorn, and Isleworth, in the room of Thomas Arundell, gentleman, and similar order concerning the accounts.

Appointment of William Gunson, gentleman, as treasurer for the Marshalsea, King's Bench, and Hospitals, within the hundreds of Ossulston, Edmonton, and Gore for 1692, in the place of John Evans, gentleman.

The like appointment of Richard Gray, of Twittenham, gentleman, within the hundreds of Elthorne, Spelthorn, and Isleworth (p. 6)

Order concerning the prices and rates of beer, the assize of bread, &c. [Vide Sessions Book 484, p. 7.]

The rates of servants', labourers', and artificers' wages to stand as they were at the Sessions held "after the close of Easter, 1691" (p. 6)

Miscellaneous memoranda as to recognizances, indictments, acquittals, &c. (pp. 7–24)

[Pages 25, 26 blank.]

List of names headed New Prison and House of Correction (p. 27)

[Pages 28–30 blank.]

Memoranda relating to Hackney Prison; list of names, apparently of prisoners (p. 31)

The like of Finsbury, Stepney, and St. Katherine's Prisons (pp. 32–34)

Miscellaneous memoranda as to committals, acquitments, the appointment of John Fox as Clerk of the Peace, &c. (pp. 35, 36)

Upon the report of two Justices (named), it is ordered that the high constables of Ossulston, and Thomas Saunders, late high constable of Finsbury, do pay to Simon Harcourt, Clerk of the Peace, the money received by them for robberies committed within the said hundred, and that the petty constables be summoned to bring in their books for inspection (p. 37)

It is ordered that Robert Hardisty, an attorney at the Court of King's Bench, do appear for the inhabitants of Ossulston Hundred, at the suit of Ward Drakes, for a robbery committed upon him in the said hundred (p. 37)

Order for Henry Johnson, his wife and four children, to be removed from the parish of St. Paul, Shadwell, to the hamlet of Wapping, Stepney, it having been proved that the said Henry was last legally settled in the said hamlet (p. 38)

Upon the petition of Thomas Gibbons, constable of Ickenham, showing that he has served the office for the past year, and that there was no court leet held for the said parish (sic) last Easter, and praying that he might be discharged from serving the said office, and that John Turner, of Ickenham, aforesaid, gentleman, might be elected in his place, it is ordered accordingly (p. 39)

Upon the petition of Andrew Ward, late constable of Finchley Parish, showing that he served the said office last year, and expended, in passing cripples and vagabonds through the said parish, together with other incident charges, £13 14s. 7d., and praying that a rate may be assessed for the reimbursement of the same, it is ordered that two Justices (named) do examine the accounts of the said petitioner, and do levy a rate for the settlement of the same (p. 40)

Whereas by an order of the 26th of October last, it was referred to two Justices (named) to give Mathew Davis, of St. Olave's, Southwark, county Surrey, gentleman, such further time as they should consider meet for paving the street, before his houses, in a certain street called Ayloffe Street, in Goodman's Fields, in the parish of St. Mary, Whitechapel, whereupon the said Justices fixed the date until the 1st of May next. Now, upon the petition of the said Davis, showing his possession of the said houses to be but for a short term, and that Sir William Leman, baronet, is the ground landlord, and praying that the Court would proportion the charge of paving before the said houses, between the said Sir William and the petitioner, it is ordered to be referred to the aforesaid Justices to examine what interests the said Sir William and the petitioner severally have in the said premises, to ascertain what proportion they ought to bear towards the paving of the said street, and to give such order for the same as they shall consider meet (ibid.)

Upon the petition of John Sheppard, constable of New Town, Mile End Hamlet, Stepney, showing that, during his term of office, he has expended £15 2s. 1d. in the passing of cripples and vagabonds through the said hamlet, and for other incident charges, and that he has not received more than £7 in payment thereof, and praying his successor might be allowed to collect the assessment for the petitioner's reimbursement, it is accordingly ordered that he be assisted in the collection of the same (p. 41)

Whereas by an order of the 15th of July, 1690, it was ordered that the inhabitants of Red Lion Square, in the parish of St. Andrew's, Holborn above bars, from the following Michaelmas, should have liberty to place and maintain a sufficient watch and ward, and convenient stands for the watchmen, at their charge, and that in consideration the said inhabitants should be exempted from payment towards the said constables' watch until further order. [Vide Sessions Book, No. 475, p. 50.] Now, upon the petition of the churchwardens and other inhabitants of the said parish, showing that the said order was obtained by the instigation of some particular inhabitants in the said square, without the knowledge of the major part of the inhabitants, and that their watch was much weakened in consequence, and praying that the said order for a separate watch might be discharged, and upon hearing what could be alleged by those who "insisted to have the said order continued," it is ordered "that so much of the said recited order as directs a separate watch to be kept" is hereby vacated. Further order to the constables concerning the appointment of a sufficient watch (p. 42)

Order for Susanna Singleton, otherwise Potter, Mary Steward, and Rebecca Turner to be continued and settled in the parish of St. Ann's, Westminster, they having been passed from the parish of St. Giles-in-theFields to that of St. Ann's as their last legal settlement (p. 43)

Order of reference to certain Justices to appoint auditors to examine the accounts of the churchwardens of St. Leonard's Parish, Shoreditch, for the year 1691; the inhabitants of the said parish having complained of undue oppression from the said churchwardens by "an assessment of twelve quarters besides moneys received for fines" (p. 44)

Order for the churchwardens and overseers of St. James's, Clerkenwell, to pay Joanna Cooke 36/- for nursing a child, in case she be not paid the same in a month by some other person (p. 45)

Upon the report of two Justices (named), to whom it was referred by an order of the 22nd of February last [vide Sessions Book, No. 490, p. 45], to view . . . a certain lane, called Church Lane, part of which is in Wapping Hamlet, Stepney Parish, and part in that of St. Mary, Whitechapel, it is ordered that the said lane be repaired at "a parish charge," and that the surveyors of the highways of Wapping Hamlet, and those of St. Mary, Whitechapel, do repair the parts lying in their respective parishes (p. 46)

Order for Joseph Dixon, his wife and children, lately passed from the parish of St. Giles'-in-the-Fields, to that of St. James's, Westminster, to be settled in the latter parish, that being the place of their last legal settlement. [Vide Sessions Book 492, p. 18] (ibid.)

Whereas William Peake, a prisoner in the custody of John Philpott, gentleman, gaoler of Hackney Manor Prison, upon the 28th of November, 1690, petitioned to be discharged, but Charles Yates, one of the creditors of the said William, insisting that the said William be continued in prison upon such weekly maintenance as the Court should appoint, it is ordered that the said William be remanded, and that Yates do pay 1/6 per week for the said prisoner's maintenance (p. 47)

A similar order concerning the prisoner, Robert Mynns, in the custody of William Penn, gaoler of Finsbury Prison; Robert Bowles, one of the creditors of the said Mynns, being ordered to pay 1/6 weekly for the maintenance of the said prisoner (p. 48)

Upon the complaint of William, son of William Drakely, and apprentice to Francis Lowe, of St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, victualler, of ill-treatment received from his said master, and praying to be discharged from his apprenticehood, it is ordered accordingly (p. 40)

Order for John Sharpe, and his wife, lately passed from Idlestry Parish, within the liberty of St. Albans, Herts, to the parish of South Mymms, to remain in the latter place, where they were last legally settled (p. 50)

Order for Beziah Amsworth to be passed to Mile End Hamlet, in the parish of Stepney, it having been proved that his father, Henry Amsworth, was last legally settled there, and not in Bow Hamlet, as at first alleged (p. 51)

Order for respiting several recognizances entered into by four persons (named), and their sureties, until further order (p. 52)

Whereas by an order of Saturday, the 9th of April last, Henry Staffe, of St. Andrew's, Holborn, surgeon, was ordered to attend and show cause why he should not serve the office of scavenger of the said parish, for the liberty above bars, for the ensuing year, and the said Henry not having attended, it is ordered that he shall continue in the said office of scavenger for the said parish for this year (p. 53)

Order for hearing an appeal concerning the settlement of Christian, wife of William Mackedavy, and her child, upon the first day of the next Sessions, a dispute having arisen between the churchwardens and overseers of the parish of St. Dunstan's-in-the-West, and those of St. Giles'-in-the-Fields, as to their last legal settlement (p. 53)

Upon the report of certain Justices (named), dated the 28th of April last, that they had inspected a certain street or lane, called Church Lane, in the parish of St. Mary, Whitechapel, in the hamlet of Wapping, Stepney, and that they were of opinion the said street or lane is a new one, and that a great part being already paved the remainder ought speedily to be paved to the middle of the said street from the houses of John Rooks and William Buxton, "at the grate," as far as those of Thomas Hart and Oliver Ashwith, being about thirty rods in length, at the expense of the owners and inhabitants, none of whom opposed the same, save Elizabeth Welsh, "who ought to pave as the rest have done," it is ordered that the said new street be paved by the 30th of July next, according to the judgment of the said Justices. [Vide Sessions Book 490, p. 45] (p. 54)

Warrant to the gaoler of the prison of the liberty of the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's, to discharge Robert Mynns, a prisoner in his custody for debt, charged at the suit of Nicholas Phillips. Names and addresses of other creditors follow:—Messrs. Gimball and Meakins, in Long Lane; Burt, in Blackman's Street, Southwark; King, Crowne Alley, Moorfields; Blackgrove, Goswell Street; Rallins, Fetter Lane; Hartopp, Thavies Inn, Holborn; James, in Bridgwater Gardens; Woolbridg, Gravell Lane, Wapping; Jenings, in Wapping, near the Anchor Tavern; Foulkes, Salisbury Court; Shelcrosse, Holborn; Knapp, at the Gun, at Billingsgate; Cademan, in Knight Ryder Street; Ambrose, in Whitecrosse Street; Chamber, in the Hospital; Baden, "Blewe Bladder" Street; Bowes, Chiswell Street; Parker, at the Roman's Gate, in Kent; Clarke, at Oxford; Clanfeild, at Yardington, in Oxfordshire; Burrowes, at Thame, in Oxfordshire; Leverat, at Thame; Stookes, at Melton "Mobra," in Leicestershire; Conners, at Thame; Stubbs, Maudlin College, Oxford; Folwell, at Wansor, in Surrey; and Adams, at Northbrooke, in Oxfordshire (p. 55)

Memorandum headed Tuesday, 10 May, 1692; names of victuallers. (p. 59)

Alphabetical list of names, headed Calendar of recognizances, indictments for trespass (pp. 60–63)

The Earl of Bedford, on his appointment as Keeper of the Rolls of this county, informed the Court that he had appointed Mr. John Fox to be his Clerk of the Peace, to which office the said Mr. Fox prayed to be admitted. This request was opposed by the counsel for Simon Harcourt, whom they considered entitled to retain the said office of Clerk of the Peace, so long as he "well demeans himself"; the counsel for Mr. Fox disputing Mr. Harcourt's right, it was agreed to be put to the vote whether the office be vacant by the appointment of a new Keeper of the Rolls or not. . . . Determined in the negative by a majority of 15 (p. 64)

Miscellaneous memoranda as to the discharge of Edmund Farrington, elected constable for Islington. George Waters to be continued at South Mymms. Squire Gollop, of Islington, apothecary, committed to New Prison for "contempt to take on him the office of constable" for Islington. Fined 5/-, and committed until payment thereof.

Upon a report of two Justices, it is ordered that all high constables of Ossulston Hundred, and Mr, Saunders, late high constable of Finsbury Division, do pay in all money received by them on any assessment on the inhabitants of the said hundred for robberies committed there. It is further ordered that the said high constables do summon the petty constables to attend the Petty Sessions after next term.

Appointment of a committee to attend Lord Lucas, concerning the money assessed on the Tower Liberty, in this county, for robberies committed within the hundred of Ossulston, which are uncollected, owing to the inhabitants insisting on privilege and saying they are not obliged to pay.

Order for a Newgate prisoner to be brought up; swearing in of certain persons as constables, &c. (p. 65)

Names of several persons who took the oath at these Sessions (p. 66)

Notification of a meeting place for the religious worship of protestant dissenters, at the dwelling house of Isaack Honywood, esquire, situated in Hampstead, and registered according to an Act of Parliament (ibid.)

Indenture of apprenticeship of John, son of Robert Prince, of St. Paul's, Shadwell, ropemaker, to Thomas Hill, of the said parish, ropemaker, to serve for seven years from the 1st of January, 1691 (p. 67)

[Page 68 blank.]

Sessions Book 497—May, 1692.

Jury list (p. 5)

Memorandum relating to recognizances (pp. 7–20)

[Pages 21–28 blank.]

Order for discharging Henry Wilson, of the parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, from being scavenger of the liberty of Holliwell Street. Wilson represents to the Court that for some months before his election at Easter last "he was and still is very much indisposed in his health, and that he hath for eleven days now last been constrained through weakness and sickness to keep his bed." Another scavenger is to be chosen in his place (p. 29)

Order suppressing the license of Stephen Chipps, blacksmith, of Hayes. Chipps had been refused a license by the Justices sitting at Uxbridge for divers reasons, but he had "surreptitiously," at London, obtained a license. The Court, in suppressing the license, directs the Justices of the division in which Hayes is situated to allow him "such reasonable time to draw off the drink he may pretend to have by him as the said Justices shall think fit," so that he does not henceforward brew or take in more drink to sell (ibid.)

Order to the ancient inhabitants of the liberties of Hogsden, Haggerstone and Church End in the parish of St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, to make a rate for the cleansing of the streets there, on the complaint of Ralph Nicholson and John Bond, the scavengers, that the said inhabitants had not made, and refused to make, a rate for that purpose (p. 30)

A complaint from the inhabitants of Church Lane in the hamlet of Wapping, that though they had, at Easter, 1690, elected scavengers for Church Lane, these scavengers had not at any time agreed with "any raker to cleanse the said Church Lane," although a great part of it was paved; nor had the scavengers during their term of office demanded any money "until after they were out of office, since which time they have distrained the petitioners' goods under pretence of reimbursing themselves" for their outlay in cleansing the lane. The Court referred the matter to Colonel Johnson and Mr. Bohun, with other Justices in the Tower Division, to deal with the matter in dispute, and report thereon at the next Quarter Sessions (p. 31)

Order of the Court for Nathaniel Hunton, of the parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, to serve the office of overseer of the poor for the present year, the reasons suggested and alleged by him for being excused from serving not being deemed sufficient (p. 32)

Complaint made by Thomas Savory, of Whitechapel, that he was employed by John Brittain, John Tissick and Edward Bentley, the scavengers of the hamlet of Wapping, Stepney, to be raker, to cleanse and carry away the dirt out of the streets of the hamlet, and that these scavengers refused to pay the £40 due to him for this work. The Court ordered Colonel Johnson and Mr. Bohun, and the other Justices in that neighbourhood, to enquire into and settle the dispute, or to report the matter to the next Court of Quarter Sessions (ibid.)

Complaint of Richard Silver and Richard Price, labourers, of the hamlet of Wapping, Stepney, that they were employed by John Brittain, John Tissick and Edward Bentley, scavengers of the said hamlet, to be rakers, to cleanse and carry away the dirt and soil out of the streets, who refuse to pay them the sum of £28 5s. 0d. due to them for this work. The Court ordered the Justices in the Tower Division to examine the said matter, to "compose" the same if they think meet, or to report thereon to the next Court of Quarter Sessions (p. 33)

Stephen Wiggins, apprenticed to William Bloxham, haberdasher, of the parish of St. Clement Danes, petitioned to be discharged from his indenture of apprenticehood; but the Court, finding the suggestions therein contained not sufficiently proved, discharged the petition, and ordered Wiggins to serve the remainder of his apprenticehood with William Bloxham (p. 33)

Order that Robert Child, yeoman, of the parish of Hornsey, execute the office of surveyor of the highways, to which he has been duly elected for the present year (p. 34)

Order made for enlarging the time for paving the "great street in Whitechapel." At the Sessions in August last the Court had ordered that a certain street or way in the parish of St. Mary, Whitechapel, from the end of the pavement near the church, to the house called the Artichoake, near a certain place called the Mount, should be paved on both sides of the way before the next 29th of September. On the 7th of September the time was extended by the Court to 1 May of the present year. The churchwardens, &c., now represent "that they had consulted with several paviors, who had informed the petitioners that there is not so many stones to be bought in or about the city of London and suburbs as will pave the said street; and that those that are to be had are above double the price, and that several of the houses fronting the street are very small and not above £3 per annum; and that some of them belonging to fatherless children and widdows, and that seven years' rent of the said houses will not pay the charge of the pavement and keep it in repair." The time was extended to 20 August "and no longer." [Vide Sessions Book 488, p. 69] (ibid.)

Order made for suppressing the license of — Jackett of Greenford to keep an alehouse. The Brentford Justices had for divers reasons refused Jackett a license, but since then he had obtained one "surreptitiously" from two of the Justices outside that division. Roger Jenings and Nicholas Grice, two of the Justices of the Brentford Division, are to allow him reasonable time to draw off the drink he may pretend to have by him (p. 35)

At the February Quarter Sessions a committee of the Justices was nominated to examine what was due to the trustees of the county from Sir Thomas Rowe, knight, for rent of that part of the corporation workhouse which he holds of the county and to report at the next Quarter Sessions. No report having been made by the committee, several names are added to it, with a further instruction to the committee to see "what bedding and other matters there is remaining in the said place which were bought at the charges of this Court," and to see what orders have been made by this Court to the said Sir Thomas Rowe in converting the part of the corporation workhouse "for a nursery of infants, and which of them are fit to be revived," and to report in writing at the next Court of Quarter Sessions (p. 36)

Order appointing a committee of the Justices to meet at Hicks Hall in St. John Street, to "view the said Hall, and to see the defects and want of repair thereof;" to examine "who ought to be at the charge of repairing the same, and to see where a press may be set up . . . for keeping the records of this Court;" and to examine what right the inhabitants of the parish of St. Sepulchre's . . . "have to the great chest standing in the dineing roome of the said Hall;" and if they find the said chest belongs to the said inhabitants, then to enquire the reasons of their placing the said chest there. The committee is to report in writing to the next Court of Quarter Sessions (p. 37)

Order that Simon Harcourt, late Clerk of the Peace of this county, deliver up forthwith to the present Clerk of the Peace "all the writings that are in his hands, which were procured before divers of their Majesties' Justices . . . nominated by this Court to enquire what rent was due to the trustees of the county from Sir Thomas Rowe for part of the corporation workhouse at Clerkenwell, together with the report made by the said Justices" (p. 37)

Order that Simon Harcourt, late Clerk of the Peace, do deliver up to the present Clerk of the Peace all the licenses of victuallers in this county which were taken in the several divisions of the county at the last Court of Quarter Sessions (p. 38)

Order for respiting the recognizances of Thomas Stowman, Sarah Emanuel, Henry Baxter, Jonas Gilbert, Peter Clarke, Henry Newberry, James Rooks, Edward Quarterman, Roger Downes, John Wiggens, George Applehy, Moses Sedgwick, Katherine Lambert, James Samuell, William Baxter, and Elizabeth Zelby [Selby?] alias Phipps, till further order of the Court (ibid.)

Memoranda, recognizances, &c. (pp. 47, 49, 53)

"All the Hackney coachmen that have been taken up since the committee waited on my Lord Mayor to make their affidavit of their abuses before the Justices of the Peace at Petty Sessions, and that Sir Charles Lee, Mr. Bestt (?), Mr. Bucknall, Mr. Owen, Sir E. Munday, Mr. Underhill, or any of the appointed committee to attend the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen" (p. 50)

Names of those in the New Prison and in the House of Correction (p. 55)

Indenture of apprenticehood of William Lindsey, of the parish of St. Mary, Whitechapel, son of William Lindsey, deceased, to Reynolds Forniser, weaver, 18 April, 1692 (ibid.)

Calendar of recognizances (p. 56)

Memoranda of certain fees received (p. 58)

Sessions Book 498—June, 1692.

Jury list (pp. 1, 2)

Memoranda of recognizances (pp. 3–31)

William Jencks, Henry Chanell, Thomas Hilliard, John Roberts, Richard Cornforth, Richard Foresight, and Andrew Kemp, for refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance to the King and Queen, or to pay each a fine of 40/-, were committed to the Gatehouse Prison for three months (p. 32)

The inhabitants of Park Prospect, Dartmouth Street, and the adjacent streets in the parish of St. Margaret's, Westminster, represent "that there is very great want of watchmen and stands to be set and placed at or about Park Prospect . . . for the apprehension of felons and night-walkers, and security of the inhabitants," who, dwelling somewhat remote and out of call from the Grand Watch, are much exposed to burglars and other dangerous persons. The Court ordered the constables of St. Margaret's to carefully and constantly hereafter, from time to time, set at Park Prospect two able watchmen, to stand and watch there duly every night, from 9 of the clock in the evening until 6 of the clock in the morning (p. 32)

Order of the Court for making an assessment to raise £56 for the repair of the highways in the parish of St. Anne's, Westminster (ibid.)

Dispute between the churchwardens, &c., of St. Margaret's and St. Martin's-in-the-Fields as to the legal settlement of Mary Wilson and her child. The Court found that she was legally settled in St. Martin's Parish, and ordered her removal there forthwith (p. 33)

Dispute between the churchwardens, &c., of St. Margaret's and St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, as to the legal settlement of Elizabeth Clare, aged five years, and Mary Clare, aged three years. The Court ordered that the St. Martin's churchwardens, &c., should provide for Mary Clare, and the St. Margaret's churchwardens, &c., provide for Elizabeth Clare (p. 34)

Order to the churchwardens of St. James's, Westminster, to raise by rate £115 for the repair of the highways (ibid.)

The churchwardens of St. James's, John Outing and Robert Johnson, represent to the Court that the highways and pavements in the common street "leading from Pickadilly to High (sic) Parke Corner, over against the church and churchyard of the said parish, containing from east to west, on and adjoining the north side of the said churchyard, in length forty-seven feet, and in breadth thirty-two feet; and in Jermine Street, from west to the east corner of the churchyard wall, one hundred and fifty-nine feet, and in breadth so far twenty feet; and further eastwards 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, are out of repair; and that there is some doubt who ought to pave and amend the same." The Court ordered the inhabitants to repair these pavements out of the £115 authorised in the preceding order, and "from time to time, and at all times hereafter, when and as often as need shall require" (p. 36)

Order to suppress the license of Samuel Wood, of the Horseferry, in the parish of St. Margaret's, because "he doth keep a disorderly victualling house there" (ibid.)

"The names of the reputed papists last inhabiting in this parish of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, who at this Quarter Sessions, the 27th day of June, 1692, refused to take the Oaths of Fidelity as are now appointed to be taken, and the several sums they paid down for such their refusal, to the use of the poor of the said parish ":—

Henry Bryarly, of St. Martin's Lane, dyer.

Francis Pilate, of Church Lane, silversmith.

John Jesson, of Hay Hill, gardener.

Francis Carthbry, of Bennett Street.

Michael le Duke, of Long Acre, dancing-master.

William Raymond, of Oxenden Street.

John Blanvillon, of Long Acre, vintner.

Vincent Bush, of Duke Street, York Buildings, confect[ioner].

James Bonner, of Phenix Alley.

George Fitzgerald, of Panton Street, periwig-maker.

William Austin, of Panton Street.

Thomas Caser, of Long Acre, frame-maker.

Richard Yates, of Long Acre, joiner.

Robert Bennett, of the Strand, vintner.

John Daniel, of Long Acre, "japanner."

William Quin, baker.

Patrick Conyers, of Brewers' Yard, Strand.

Jervice Rous, St. Martin's Lane.

Charles Country, Castle Street, Leicester Fields, turner.

John Gwyzine, St. Martin's Lane, the elder.

Francis Hater, of Duke Street, periwig-maker.

James Murley, of Bedfordbury, tailor.

Peter Hazard, of Long Acre, cabinet-maker.

William Groves, of Drury Lane, distiller.

John Grigson, of Drury Lane.

Walter Shea, of Marygold Alley, tailor.

Merenius Emery, of Denmark Court, Strand.

Giles Pyron, of Long Acre, embroiderer.

Richard Glaspoole, of Arlington Street, carpenter.

Lawrence Courtney, of Charing Cross, vintner.

James Owyn (?), of Charing Cross.

John Watkins, of Haymarket, surgeon.

Bryan Batson, of Strand, haberdasher.

James Langhorne, apprentice.

Henry Roberts, singing-master.

Francis Underwood, Charing Cross.

Robert St. George, Spring Gardens.

Robert Gilstrop, Charing Cross, gentleman.

Henry Lyon, of Burleigh Street, St. Martin's Fields.

Anthony Dufroney, of Bennetts Court, fringemaker.

Edmund Gwyn, of Strand.

Francis Johnson, of Long Acre, cabinet-maker.

Edward Simpson, of the Strand.

Andrew Quino, of Russell Street, apothecary.

John Calloway, of Drury Lane, chairman.

John Gresham, of Miggs Court, painter.

(Sum total, £25 12s. 6d.)

Reputed papists of the parish of St. James's, Westminster (same form as above):—

Darby Levin, of St. James's, victualler.

John Haddock, of Sherwood Street, victualler.

Thomas Clifton, of Queen's Street, gentleman.

James Ragould, of Charles Street, gentleman.

John Begg, of St. James's Street, victualler.

William Ayrey, of Rider Street, glazier.

Nicholas Mullinux, of Barry Street, tailor.

James Morray, of Pall Mall, gentleman.

John Cukus (?), of Pall Mall, goldsmith.

Andrew Prescott, of Portugal Street, baker.

John Carter, of King Street, shoemaker.

Francis Comings, of James Street, shoemaker.

Andrew Roch, of Berry Street.

Knevet Hastings, esquire, second refusal, fined £5.

(Total sum, £19 0s. 0d.)

Reputed papists in the parish of St. Clement Danes (same form as above):—

Peter Painter, of Maypole Alley, joiner.

Valentine Fowles, of "Witch" Street.

Patrick Braynon, of Blackmore Street, victualler.

John Smallwood, of the same.

John Smith, of Duke Street, chandler.

Clement Wytheborn, victualler.

William Dunton.

Peter Michells, of Horton Street.

(Sum total, £5 10s. 0d.)

Reputed papists of the parish of St. Anne's, Westminster:—

John Miles, of Cranborne Street, cordwainer.

Raymond Surrovile, of Newport Street, vintner.

Francis Walgrave, of Compton Street, doctor in physic.

John Williams, of the same, tobacconist.

Joseph Berry, of King Street, casemaker.

Martin Carbinel, otherwise Beauleau, of Porter Street, gentleman.

Mr. Thomas Champion, leather seller.

(Total sum, £5 15s. 0d.)

Reputed papists in the parish of St. Paul, Covent Garden (form as above):—

Joseph Palmer, of Russell Street, dyer.

John Weldon, servant of Dr. Conquest.

Timothy Bourne, of Hart Street, barber.

Patrick Mooney, of Hart Street, baker.

Joseph Knights, of Russell Street, goldsmith.

Andrew Renoc, of Bedford Street, tailor.

Edward Penruddock, of James Street, esquire.

Charles Conquest, of Bow Street, doctor in physic.

(Sum total, £8 17s. 6d.)

Reputed papists in the parish of St. Mary-le-Savoy (same form as above):—

Richard Harris, of "Witch Street," upholsterer.

John Burchell, of Swan Yard, victualler.

William Curies, of Swan Yard, engraver.

(Sum total, £4 5s. 0d.) (pp. 39–43)

Receipt for 5/- paid into Court by Robert Rusholme, of the Physic Garden, in the parish of St. Margaret's, for refusing to take the Oath of Fidelity, &c. (p. 43)

Similar receipt of fine from John Driver, gilder, of Jerman Street, in the parish of St. James's, for the like offence (p. 43)

[Pages 44–50 blank.]

Note of the oath taken by John Smith as Clerk of the Peace (p. 51)

Various memoranda relating to convictions and recognizances (ibid.)

Calendar of indictments (p. 54)

Sessions Book 499—August & September, 1692.

Memoranda relating to recognizances, &c. (pp. 7–44)

[Pages 45–48 blank.]

Two of the Justices, William Withers and William Underhill, appointed to examine into the case of Isabella Hubbert, recently delivered of a female bastard in the parish ot St. Leonard, Shoreditch, and to take such action as shall seem fit. In one affidavit she had named John Jenkins as the reputed father, and in another Leonard Pierson (p. 49)

At the June Quarter Sessions a complaint had been made by several of the inhabitants of the parish of St. Mary, Islington, suggesting that William Duncomb, surveyor of the highways for the year 1691 "had clandestinely and by some foul practice got his accounts audited"; that several of those appointed to audit them had had no notice of the audit, and the Court had then ordered that "it should be referred to the auditors of the parish and Mr. Strowde, an able inhabitant there, to re-examine the said accounts. William Duncomb now states that all the auditors appointed to take his accounts, eleven in number, had had due notice of the audit; that they were audited by eight of them, and had been inspected and allowed by two of the Justices; and that the order had been obtained at the last Sessions by surprise, and without his knowledge. The Court ordered that the order made at the last Sessions for re-auditing the accounts be discharged, and that the inhabitants forthwith pay to Duncomb £42 1s. 7d. due to him (ibid.)

On the complaint of Thomas Larke and Gerrard Selby, scavengers for the lower hamlet of Wapping, Whitechapel, for the year last past, that the inhabitants refuse to pay to them the sum of £14 12s. due for the work of cleansing the street, &c., the Court referred the matter to three of the Justices—Mr. Thomas Johnson, Mr. Bohun, and Mr. Ford—for enquiry and settlement (p. 50)

The churchwardens, &c., of St. Giles Without, Cripplegate apply for powers to make a rate for the relief of the casual poor "who daily increase," as they have expended about £30, and have no income sufficient to meet it. The Court refers the matter to Colonel Pery, Mr. Withers, and Mr. Underhill, three of the Justices, to be dealt with for the relief of the churchwardens (p. 51)

It is ordered that Mr. Wainwright do forthwith set workmen to work in and about the repairing of Hicks Hall. A committee is nominated consisting of Sir Charles Lee, Thomas Rowe, Mr. Buck, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Heriot, Mr. —, Mr. Smith, Mr. Underhill, and Mr. Withers, Justices, to see that the Hall be well and substantially repaired; they are to decide what rent Mr. Wainwright ought to pay for . . . since his coming to be "cryer." Document decayed. [Vide Sessions Book 497, p. 37] (p. 51)

Order for discharging Francis Fisher from his indenture of apprenticehood to William Brittaine, of Limehouse, in the parish of Stepney. Fisher had complained that his master had "inhumanly beat and abused" him, and the Justice to whom the complaint was originally made being unable to "compound and agree" the difference, the Court, on investigation, found that the indenture had been antedated two years, so that Francis had but five years to serve, "which is contrary to the Act, and that upon the oath of William Fisher and other witnesses they found that he had cruelly beat, &c., his apprentice" (p. 52)

Order to the churchwardens, &c., of the hamlet of Ratcliffe, in the parish of Stepney, to pay to Bridgett Harman, "a poor person" of that hamlet, the sum of 2/-weekly (ibid.)

John Walters, apprentice to Thomas Batt, tailor, of the parish of St. Clement Danes, was charged by his master "with embezilling and purloining his goods, and deserting his service, and was committed to the House of Correction at Tuttle Fields, Westminster, but was immediately illegally discharged from custody. The apprentice acknowledges to the Court his offence and prays that his master may be ordered to receive him into his service. Batt attended and informed the Court that Walters was apprenticed to him for five years, but that the indenture was not enrolled; that "Walters is a very disorderly and pilfering person, and had attempted to debauch his daughter," and hath deserted his service for a fortnight, for which causes Batt alleges he "could not safely entertain" him in his service any longer. The Court ordered Walters to be discharged from his apprenticehood and committed him to the House of Correction, and to be "kept to labour" until further order from the Court (p. 53)

On the complaint of Thomas Adlam, George Powell and Richard Smyth, late overseers of the parish of St. Giles' Without, Cripplegate, that they had spent about £23 12s. more on the relief of the poor than they had received, three of the Justices—Colonel Peiry, Mr. Withers, and Mr. Underhill—were directed to examine the accounts, and make such order for reimbursing them as they should see fit (p. 54)

Upon complaint on oath of divers of the chief inhabitants of the parish of Stoke Newington, that Francis Harding of that parish, victualler, "keepeth a very disorderly house, as well on the Lord's Days as on the week days, and entertaineth beggars, vagrants, and thieves, who rob" the inhabitants of their goods, to the great damage and terror of the said inhabitants, the Court ordered that the license of Thomas Harding be suppressed from the 6th of October following (ibid.)

On the complaint of Edward Bentley, John Brittin, and John Tyzach, scavengers of the hamlet of Wapping, Stepney, that for the last year past they have disbursed to the rakers £21 more than they have received, the Court ordered that this £21 should be paid to them as follows: £10 at Michaelmas, £5 at Christmas, and £6 at Lady Day (p. 55)

Henry Dix, carman, of the liberty of Norton Folgate, shows that he is nominated and appointed constable of the liberty, and asks the Court to discharge him from serving, on the plea that "he is sixty-four years of age, and that he is very infirm, and altogether illiterate." The Court accordingly discharges him, and orders the inhabitants to elect another constable (p. 55)

At the June Quarter Sessions the license of Daniel Ellis, victualler, of Milford Lane, in the Duchy Liberty in the Strand, had been suppressed, but on the application of the said Ellis at the adjourned Quarter Sessions in July, on the evidence of several officers and inhabitants that he kept good rule and order in his house, Ellis was allowed, till the present Quarter Sessions, "to draw and sell such beer and ale as he should have in store," provided he did not suffer any evil rule or order to be kept in his house. At this present Court Ellis prays for the restoration of his license, and Hugh Chamberlaine and Leonard Hancock, two of the Justices residing in the liberty, are appointed to deal with the matter, and to make order for the issue of a license or continue the suppression, as they shall see fit (p. 56)

The petition of the surveyors of the highways of the parish of St. Pancras (names not recorded) for an order to the inhabitants to raise the sum of £70 and upwards, due to them for the repair of the highways, was referred to one of the Justices, Sir James Smyth, to make the requisite order, or to report to the next Court of Quarter Sessions (p. 57)

Order to the churchwardens, &c., for the north end of Finchley to make a rate to repay Henry Whitchcott, constable for the previous year, the sum of £8 18s. 3d., which he had expended in relieving and conveying cripples, &c., through the Parish (ibid.)

Complaint of Joseph Allen, of the hamlet of Ratcliffe, in the parish of Stepney, showing that he was raker to the hamlet in 1690, "before there was any Act of Parliament to compell the inhabitants" to pay for the work done; that the hamlet owed him £20; and asking that the examination of the matter might be referred to the Justices of the Tower Division for examination. The Court granted an order accordingly, instructing Colonel Johnson and Mr. J. Bohun to deal with the matter (p. 58)

It is ordered by this Court that Richard Tusk in, constable of the parish of St. Pancras, do forthwith seize and take into his custody three cows now in the possession of Robert Harris, or some other person for his use, by the said Robert Harris lately feloniously taken from Joane Collins, widow. The constable is to permit Joane Collins to take the milk of the three cows until the next goal delivery, if she pay for the pasturage of the said cows (ibid.)

Order for the appearance of Christopher Clitheroe, treasurer for maimed soldiers (ibid.)

Katherine Cole, widow, represented to the Court that about a year ago she apprenticed her daughter Katherine to Bridgett Lazenby, milliner, of the parish of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, for seven years, and paid £20; on Tuesday last Bridgett Lazenby absconded, "carrying away all her goods privately, and is gone into the Fryers for refuge," and hath left the petitioner's child unprovided for, and refuses to return any part of the £20, or to release Katherine Cole from her apprenticeship. The Court, since Bridgett Lazenby did not appear, ordered the discharge of Katherine Cole the younger from her apprenticehood (p. 59)

Order for respiting the recognizances of Dorothy Colby, Clement Beron, John Johnson, John Hutchinson, John Mannowry, Daniel Jones, Lawrence Crosse, Richard Wallis, George Power, Jane Propp, Ann Wallis, otherwise Halford, John Rowe, Leonard Scott and Mary, his wife, Katherine Swaine, William Ellis, Anne Blake, Jane Padge, Katherine Barber, Robert Broadwater, Francis Gunn and Frances, his wife, Peter Barnsly, John Blake, Richard Wray, John Seacraft, Thomas Walter, Richard Williams, James Murtree, Thomas Davis, Mary Harvey, William Perrey, Mary Ladyman, and Margaret Jackson, till further order of the Court (p. 60)

[Pages 61–73 blank.]

Names of victuallers admitted (p. 74)

[Pages 75–76 blank.]

Rough memoranda, relating mainly to recognizances and indictments (pp. 77–80)

"John Piggott, Anabaptist preacher, teaches a congregation in Covent Garden, at the Two Blue Balls" (p. 78)

[Pages 81–86 blank.]

Lists headed New Prison and House of Correction (p. 87)

Alphabetical lists of indictments and recognizances (pp. 88–92)

Sessions Book 500—October, 1692.

Jury panels (p. 5)

[Page 6 blank.]

Miscellaneous memoranda as to indictments and recognizances (pp. 7–31)

[Pages 32–40 blank.]

Proceedings upon the petition of Joseph Allen, of Ratcliffe Hamlet, Stepney Parish, showing that he was raker for the said hamlet in 1690, before the Act of Parliament was issued, to compel the inhabitants to pay for the said work, and that there is due to him £20 for his labour, and praying that his complaint may be referred to the Justices residing within the Tower Division. It is accordingly referred to certain Justices, who are to make such order for the assessment and collection of the said sum as they shall consider meet (p. 41)

Petition of James Seamour, a constable of Rislipp, showing that William Fenn, the other constable, is lately dead, and that the petitioner is unable to perform the duty of constable to the whole parish, it being very large, and praying that James Atley, of Rislipp, aforesaid, yeoman, may be appointed to the office, in the room of the said William; it is ordered accordingly (ibid.)

Order for the removal of Elizabeth, daughter of John Phillips, from the parish of Ippolittes to that of South Mymms (p. 42)

Order for the removal of Ann, daughter of John Phillips, from the parish of Aston, county Herts., to that of South Mymms (p. 43)

Order for the removal of Ann, William, and Robert, the children of John Blowe, from the parish of St. Bridgett's, otherwise Bride's, to that of St. Andrew's, Holborn (ibid.)

Order for the removal of Hannah Gives and her two children from the parish of St. Margaret's, Westminster, to that of St. Andrew's, Holborn (p. 44)

Dispute between the inhabitants of the liberty of Whitecross Street, in the parish of St. Giles's Without, Cripplegate, and William Cranfeild. of the said liberty, silver spinner, concerning the election of the said William as constable for the year ensuing. It is ordered that he . . . be discharged from serving in the said office, on account of his age and infirmities (p. 45)

Proceedings upon the dispute between the inhabitants of the liberty or Golding Lane in the parish of St. Giles' Without, Cripplegate, and John Goreing of the said liberty, glover, concerning the election of the said Goreing as constable for the ensuing year. Upon proof of the age and infirmity of the candidate elected it is ordered that he be discharged from serving the said office, and that the inhabitants appoint some other person (p. 46)

Proceedings upon the complaint or John Gillingham, apprenticed to George Felster, of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, joiner. Upon proof that Felster has not instructed the said apprentice, it is ordered that he be discharged; and it is further ordered that the said Felster do return to the said John's father, £3 10s. of the money paid with the said apprentice (ibid.)

Proceedings upon the dispute between Edith Sullivan, of Stebunheath, otherwise Stepney, widow of Laurence Sullivan, mariner, and Joseph White, apprentice to the said Laurence. White desires, his said master being deceased, that the said Edith shall pass him over to some fit person skilled in the said art for the remainder of the term of his apprenticehood, or that he may be discharged. Upon hearing the said Edith, who offers to provide a master forthwith for the said apprentice, it is ordered that the said White be passed over to some fit person at or before the next Sessions (p. 47)

Dispute between the churchwardens and overseers of the parish of St. Sepulchre's, and those of St. Ann's, Westminster, concerning the last legal settlement of John Browne, Elizabeth, his wife, and Isaac, his child. Upon certain evidence given it is ordered that they be removed from the parish of St. Sepulchre's and conveyed to that of St. Ann's (p. 48)

Proceedings upon an appeal between the churchwardens of the hamlet of Mile End Old Town, Stepney Parish, and those of St. Paul's, Shadwell, concerning the last legal settlement of Ann Cullum. Upon proof that the said Ann has no legal settlement in the said hamlet, it is ordered that she be forthwith removed from Mile End Old Town to the parish of St. Paul's, Shadwell (p. 49)

Upon the information of Nicholas Grice, J.P., that the highways in the parish of Heston are in need of repair, and that the churchwardens and others, inhabitants of the said parish, have made an assessment for the year ensuing for the repairing of the same. The Court ratifies and confirms the said rate, and orders that the assessment be collected accordingly (p. 49)

Proceedings upon the petition of Henry Harwood, former constable of the liberty of Hollywell Street, in the parish of St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, and of Daniel Taylor, Robert Ashworth, William Steed, and William Newman, former headboroughs of the said liberty, showing that they served the said offices for 1690, and that an agreement was then made by the inhabitants of the Tower Hamlets for the suppression of all "suspicious" houses, and for the prosecution of all persons suspected of having any connection therewith, and that the agreement being approved by the Justices "in open Sessions," it was by them ordered to be carried out, and that the inhabitants of St. [Leonard's] Shoreditch, refused to join with those of the Tower Hamlets towards defrayment of the charge for the suppression and prosecution above stated, and that the petitioners disbursed £24 and more in prosecuting and convicting one Frances Hinton, otherwise West, and in defending an action brought by the said Frances, wherein the petitioners obtained a verdict against her, but cannot recover their costs, and praying to be relieved in the premises; it is ordered to be referred to certain Justices (named) to examine into the truth of the said complaint, and to give such order for the reimbursement of the said petitioners as they shall consider meet (p. 50)

Proceedings upon the petition of William Miller and Joseph Taylor, former scavengers of the liberty of Hollowell Street, in the parish of St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, showing that they have disbursed to the raker £7 6s. more than they have received, which the present scavengers and inhabitants refuse to pay, and praying to be reimbursed, it is ordered to be referred to certain Justices (named), who are to examine the petitioners' accounts, and to allow them what they consider right. Instructions concerning the raising of an assessment for the same (p. 52)

Order for the discharge of all issues returned by the Sheriff of this county, against the inhabitants of the parish of St. Mary's, Islington, for not repairing the highways, it being certified that the said ways are well repaired (ibid.)

Order for the confirmation of an order adjudging John Jenkins, of St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, cheesemonger, to be the father of the child of Isabella Hubbard, of the said parish (p. 53)

Upon the petition of James May, showing that he was apprenticed by the churchwardens of Limehouse Hamlet, in the parish of Stepney, to Jonas May, of the said hamlet, mariner, and that the said Jonas has absconded, and that his wife is in Newgate, whereby the petitioner is left destitute, and praying to be discharged, it is ordered accordingly (p. 54)

Whereas on the 20th of April, 1691, the inhabitants of Kensington Parish were ordered to pave with stone the common highway in the said parish "on both sides the way," on or before the 24th of June following [vide Sessions Book, No. 484, p. 81], which the said inhabitants, for good reasons shown, were unable to get done by the time limited, and therefore they obtained several orders for an enlargement of the time until the 24th of June last [vide Sessions Book, No. 490, p. 58]. Upon the petition of the said inhabitants, showing that they could not procure sufficient stones and gravel, and that the summer proved so wet, and the highway so dirty, that it was impossible to perform the said order at a reasonable expense, and praying a further indulgence of time, it is ordered that further time be allowed, viz., until the 1st of May next, and that in the meantime a sufficient quantity of gravel be laid in the said highway to make the same passable (p. 55)

Upon the certificate of certain Justices (named) that they have viewed a certain street leading from Clerkenwell Green to St. John Street, and that they adjudge the said street fit to be paved with stone on both sides the way from the house of Mr. Todd on the north side, and from the St. John of Jerusalem Tavern on the south side to St. John Street aforesaid, it is ordered that the same be carried out before the first day of the next Sessions (ibid.)

Proceedings upon the petition of Richard Browne, John Beacham, William Salmon, and others, inhabitants of the parish of St. Mary's, Islington, showing that by virtue of an estreat made on the 27th of June last against the inhabitants of the said parish for neglect in repairing the highways, there had been levied on the petitioners the sum of £400, and that they have not had any contribution from the other inhabitants, and praying that an assessment may be made [for the benefit of] the petitioners, it is ordered accordingly (p. 56)

An order to prevent carters, carmen, and draymen riding in their carts, cars, and drays through the public streets, lanes, and places on account of the common practice of driving furiously to the danger of young children and others, their Majesties' subjects (p. 58)

Upon information that Benjamin Beckett of Whitechapel, Henry Rogers of Chiswell Street, Henry Quintin and Humfry Morris of Cowcrosse, Andrew Vaughan of Saffron Hill, George Constable of Holborn Bars, Thomas Bryan of Boswell Court, John Thornton of Witch Street, John Browne of Soho, Greek Street, Charles Whitehead of St. Giles, and William Meachin of St. Andrew's, Holborn, the sheriff's bailiffs, do keep common "spunging houses" and detain their prisoners for several days contrary to the law; it is ordered that the said bailiffs shall have their licenses suppressed, and that from and after the 2nd of February next they shall not sell any beer or ale (p. 59)

Proceedings upon the petition of the surveyors of the highways of St. Giles's Parish and those of St. Pancras, showing that one side of the road leading from St. Giles's Pound to Hampstead is in the said parish of St. Pancras, and that 150 poles of the said way "or thereabouts" is in the said parish of St. Giles'-in-the-Fields, and that, notwithstanding great sums have yearly been laid out by the authorities of both parishes, the road is not kept in such good repair as it should be, owing to the fact that the surveyors of the said parishes do not work at the same time in the repair of the said road, and that at a meeting of the inhabitants of the said parish, on the 27th of July, 1691, it was agreed that the highway "leading from the end of Great Russell Street over against the sign of the old Crab-tree on St. Giles's side, and from the said sign of the Crabtree (sic) in St. Pancras side as far as the said parish of St. Pancras doth extend towards St. Giles's Pound," should be raised and sufficiently repaired at the equal charge of each parish, and that the common sewer in St. Pancras Parish should be cleansed and repaired likewise at the charge of both parishes, and that for the future (after 1691) the expenses for all repairs should be so equally divided, except they should be otherwise ordered by the Justices, and praying the Court will confirm the said agreement; it is [confirmed] accordingly (p. 60)

A receipt, signed by Isaac Lodgson, churchwarden, and Christopher Bateman, overseer, of the parish of St. Andrew's, Holborn, for the sum of £4; Henry Oldham and Thomas Potter having paid 40/- each for refusing to take the oaths tendered to them (p. 61)

Names of five victuallers (p. 62)

Miscellaneous memoranda as to appearances, indictments, recognizances, &c. (pp. 63–68)

[Page 69 blank.]

List of names headed "New Prison" and "House of Correction" (p. 70)

Indenture of apprenticeship of John, son of John Brand, formerly of Stebunheath, otherwise Stepney, to Thomas Claydon, of St. Paul's, Shadwell, ''house carpenter." To serve for seven years (p 71)

The like of Moses, son of Philip Sawyer, formerly of St. Mary's Parish, in the village of Bedford, country Bedford, tobacco pipe maker, to Lawrence Nott, of St. James's, Westminster, tobacco pipe maker. To serve seven years. Dated 29 September, 1692 (ibid.)

The like of Joseph, son of Joseph Standley, formerly of Cerricott (sic), county Herts, husbandman, to John Osland, of St. Paul's, Shadwell, joiner. To serve seven years. Dated 6 September, 1692 (ibid.)

Note of an apprentice (unnamed) to Samuel Corbet (ibid.)

Alphabetical lists of names headed "Indictments and Calendar of Recognizances" (pp. 72–75)

Sessions Book 501—December, 1692.

Jury list (p. 5)

Memoranda relating to recognizances (pp. 7–32)

[Pages 33–36 blank.]

Order to the constables and headboroughs of Hillingdon, complaints having been made of robberies and burglaries, to "place and set a sufficient watch, to consist of one constable or headborough, and three able men at the house of Roger West, in Cowley Street, till the 1st of March next"; and that they do continue to keep their watch at the Red Lion in Hillingdon, to consist of the like or a greater number of persons as heretofore. The inhabitants of Cowley are to contribute to the watch kept in Cowley Street by sending one sufficient person one night in every week to be on the watch (p. 37)

Order for respiting the fines against the inhabitants of the parish of Isleworth for not repairing the highways (p. 37)

James Downes, John Cornell, Abraham Frim and Jonathan Markham, surveyors of the highways of St. Mary Maifellon (Whitechapel), state that, in accordance with an Order of the Court, they have repaired and amended Church Lane in that parish, and have disbursed £44 3s. 9d. of their own money, together with £9 since their accounts were made up at the vestry. The Court orders the churchwardens, &c, to make a rate to repay this sum, not to exceed 4d. in the pound for tenements, &c., and 8d. for every £20 of personal estate. Two of the Justices, George Bohun and Robert Constable, to allow the assessment (p. 38)

Complaint made of divers robberies and burglaries lately committed in or near the parish of Chelsey "for want of strict, able and sufficient watches and wards being kept there." The Court orders the constables and headboroughs of the parish, from the time of notice given to the 10th of March, to set such sufficient watches and wards at such places in the parish as shall be thought most convenient for the safety of the inhabitants and their Majesties' subjects passing through the parish about their lawful business (p. 39)

Information is given to the Court by the chief inhabitants of the hamlet of Wapping, Stepney, that Thomas Gatehouse, late churchwarden, had received several considerable sums of money "given by his present Majesty for the relief of the poor." amounting to £145 and upwards, and had distributed only a small part of it in relief, and had given a false and imperfect account of the distribution. The Court having heard both parties ordered Thomas Gatehouse to deliver to the inhabitants a true report of all such moneys by him received and expended, to whom paid, and where the said persons did then and do now inhabit. The present churchwardens, one of those who audited the accounts, and the beadle are to go from house to house in the said hamlet with Thomas Gatehouse to examine what moneys were paid by him to such poor persons now living in the hamlet. Report to be made to the next Court (p. 40)

Thomas Clarke, surveyor of the highways for the liberty of Saffron Hill and Hatton Garden, represents that the Court ordered in December, 1691 [vide Sessions Book 491, p. 52], that a way leading from the north end of Hatton Garden, down towards Hockley Hole, should be amended with gravel at the charge of the inhabitants of the liberty. He shows that he ought not to repair the said way with gravel at the charge of the liberty, and prays the appointment of two Justices to review the way and report whether it ought to be repaired by the liberty or by the occupiers of the adjacent houses. Ordered accordingly (p. 41)

Order made for Elizabeth Parry to serve the rest of her term of five years' apprenticeship with John Appleby and Mary, his wife, in learning the art of "washing point and gauze" (p. 42)

Order to Hugh Goddard, late constable of Spittlefields, to pay the sum of £13 11s. 2d to the present churchwarden (ibid.)

Order to the constables of the liberty of the Strand to place a watch of four able warders in the high street between Temple Bar and Salisbury House every night until the watches are set at 10 o'clock (p. 43)

Order for the committal of Thomas Griffith, of St. Pancras, to the New Prison for non-payment of poor rate (p. 43)

Order to the churchwardens, &c., of St. Clement Danes to pay to Susanna Matson, widow, £8 a year in quarterly payments (ibid.)

Order to Mr. Reynolds, Deputy Clerk of the Peace, to pay Captain Thomas Jones, keeper of the New Prison, and governor of the House of Correction, £20 in part payment of money due to him for repairs to the prison and House of Correction (p. 44)

Order suppressing for three years the license of Daniel Smith, victualler, of Hampton, for suffering disorders, &c. (ibid.)

Order suppressing the license of Henry Slade, victualler, of Hampton, for a similar period (ibid.)

Order for Humphrey Turner to serve the rest of his eight years' apprenticeship with John Denton, mariner, of Stepney (p. 45)

Order for certain Justices—Lancelot Johnson, Sir Charles Lee, James Cardrow, Thomas Owen, Thomas Hariot, Ralph Bucknall, Theophilus Eyton, and John Herbert—to inspect and examine the workmen's bills for the repairs at Hick's Hall, and to report to the next Court (p. 46)

[Pages 47–50 blank.]

Rough memoranda relating mainly to recognizances, &c.

A meeting of Quakers is certified to be at Mill Hill, in Hendon Parish, and is registered accordingly (pp. 51, 52)

[Pages 53–56 blank.]

A receipt from the surveyors of the highways of Stepney, of 18/- for the default of John Stayley and Thomas Betts, in not working for six days a year towards the repair of the highways in Stepney (p. 57)

Lists of those in New Prison and House of Correction (p. 59)

Alphabetical lists of indictments and recognizances (pp. 60–63)