Petitions to the Westminster Quarter Sessions: 1630s

John Thorney butcher. WJ/SR/NS/028/98 (1630)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of peace for the cittie and liberty of Westminster
now assembled.

The humble peticion John Thorney butcher.

Humby sheweth.

That the Tewsday before Whitsuntide last your petitioner accompanying with on William Brackston
butcher to buy cattell in the country the said Brackston falling out with the hedburrow
of Fulham and your petitioner takeing his part had his head broken and sett in the stockes 3
houres with the said Brackston, for which the said headburrow gave the said Brackston
xx shillings and bound your petitioner to the peace: since which time the said Brackston and his
wife for no cause beate your petitioner and his wife, insomuch that they were not able
to follow their calling in a fortnight to his greate losse and hindrance, that upon
Whitson Eve the said Brackston arrested your petitioner into the Kinges Bench in the midst
of his markett and deteined him 3 houres prisoner thoughe hee had sufficient surities
ready for his appearance, which arrest and fees cost him iiii shillings besides his hinderance
upon which arrest your petitioner appered the first daie of this last terme which cost him v shillings
and yet the said Brackston never retained his attorney nor yet declared against him.
After that he arrested your petitioner and his wife into the Marshallseas where it
cost them in fees and other chardges vi shillings vi pence and their appeareance the first courte
daie v shillings ii pence the second courte day iiii shillings and the third court day being this presente
Friday iii shillings viii pence and moved the Marshalls man to arrest them severally whereby
to put them to double fees and chardges soe that his whole chardge comes to, with taking
the peace of him at Fulham, xxxiii shillings and iiii pence besides his losse and hindreance in his
calling.

Therefore his most humble suite is that your worships wilbe pleased to take
the busines into your worships consideracion and examine the same and thereupon
to afford him such lawfull favour for his redresse herein as in equitie
your worships shall thincke meete for that hee is apoore man haveing a charge
of wife and children to mainteine upon his owne labour and he shall etc

Ro: Rogers. WJ/SR/NS/036/4 (1633)

Noble gentlemen

Allthough it was [my?] ill fortune to be brought fore you
at the [tri...?] yet under favour I hope my offence was
not such that of necessitye I must be pulled and hailed
a longe the streete and used worse then a theife or
cuttpurse I did not denye to give what soeever
you gentlemen of the bench did a warde but onlye
intreated for a mittigation, which if you will be [illegible]
pleased to take yt into your consideratione I
shall accknowledge my thankfullnes, (if not) I must
and will paye yt allthough Master [Rea?] hath not
dealte well with me, I was not suffered to
paye not tell I could paye yt, but thrust
into a prisson and used with such reprochfull
speches that it was unpossible for any man to
suffer it they durst not have donne yt unles
some greater then themselfes set them one [to?]
some other ends I vowe to God I gave them
not a beseminge worde, wherfore lett me
intreate that they maye give an accoumpte
for yt, upon what ground they doe yt

I am assured it was not my Lord of [Lyn...?]
desire I should be used with such rigor
but patience

Make me your humble
servant

Ro: Rogers

Jane Huett, wife of Paule Huett. WJ/SR/NS/038/7 (1634)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace
assembled in this sessions for the cittie and liberties of Westminster

The humle peticion of Jane Huett the wife of
Paule Huett.

Humblie sheweth: that where your petitioner is bownd over to appeare
this sessions by a French woman the wife of one Harris whoe
hath left and forsaken her, for her ill course of life which the said
French woman more of malice then of anie just cause into doth prosecute
your petitioner therefore humblie giveth your worshipfull bench to understand
that your petitioners husband, all that he can reape and runne from your petitioner
he bringeth to this French woman to mainteine her: her ringes
money, or whatsoever elles. This French woman hath noe meanes,
but what she getteth, by uttering counterfeite jewelles, and other
toyes. Your petitioner [illegible] therefore humblie beseecheth you of your
goodnes, that some order maie be taken with this woman the
rather because your petitioner goeth in dread of her life, both in respect
of this woman, and alsoe of your petitioners husband, whoe hath almost
cripled your petitioner; and hath had a bastard by her lyving, and doth
mainteyne them to this daie. And your petitioner shall have
right good cause to pray etc.

Thomas Palmer, a very poor man. WJ/SR/NS/039/39 (1634)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the
peace for the cittie and libertie of Westminster
and countie of Middlesex now present

The humble supplication of Thomas Palmer
a very poore man

Humbly shewinge that James Parteredge a barber
in Westminster begatt a base child of the body of one
Alice Baylee which in her greatest extremitie and
payne before her delivery affirmed and vowed in the
presence of the midwife and others that Parteredge
the barber and non other was father of the said child
and by recognizance he is to appeare this quarter
sessions to answere his offence

Now so it is right worshipfull the parents of the
said Parteredge have taken away the child from the
parish and the peticioner being a cooke, hath laid
out his stocke he used to imploye for meat for his
shopp, to provid food and necessarys for the said Alice
att and since her beinge in child bed, and the said
James Parteredge and his parents that taketh part
in the cause doe intend not to pay the peticioner
his disbursements nor allowe him for the great
hinderance and damage he hath susteyned for want
of the use of the roome where the said woeman
lyeth in so that it is most apparant unles your
worshipps be good unto the peticioner himselfe wife and
3 children are utterly undone for ever and shalbe
cast into the street for want of money to pay his
rent and hee and his shall starve for want of food
havinge not any meanes to live upon but what he
is to have from the said Parteredge who hath latlie
married a wife with a good estate

The poore peticioner beseecheth your worshipps for
Gods cause to be pleased to order and
enjoyne the said James Parteredge to give
the petitioner such present satisfaccion your worshipp
in your grave wisdomes shall conceive fitting

And the peticioner shall pray

John Thompson. WJ/SR/NS/040/24 (1634)

Good Master Haward

I must soe (without flatterie) intitle you, for I find all your proceedinges (which
come at any tyme within my cognizance) to be soe warrented; all which let
me tell you (though our church holds not the point of meritt with God)
yet it may certainely, and does meritt amoungst men, the approba=
tion (I meane) of a good man, the dearest and choysest portion I
hold bequeathed unto the sonns of men; thus much (without the
least tange I profess of any desire I have to flatter you) I prefix
as a preamble to my followinge suite unto you in the behalfe of
this poore widow Susan Price, whoe informes me that havinge
noe other means to maintayne her live-hood then sellinge of
beere, which course of life by her unkind starrs, she hath beene
longe destined unto, beinge borne under a happier planett, a
gentle woeman of good parentage (as I am informed) and well
educated; and that in this course of life she proceeds fayre
and regularly, not suffringe any disorder to be in her house,
the prime commendation, and which is seldome or rarely found
in houses of that constitution; admittinge all this to be true,
which in charitie (especiallie receivinge it from warrantable mouths)
I must give my share of beleife unto it; howsoever she informes
me that you onely amoungst the rest of the justices of Midlesex
have taken exception against her as holdinge her not fitt to
continue any longer that course of life; Sir I dare not be
soe bold as to entertaine soe much as a wry-thought, much
more a word, in tellinge you that this is a course of some extre=
mitie as I conceive, my conceipt of you beinge (as I began)
cleare, and without any such cloud or surmise of jealousie;
you standinge at a neerer distance and havinge the truth
appearinge unto you in its proper cullors, which may be brought
unto me onely in false and fained; and therefore (not to be
further troublesome unto you or my selfe my request is, that if you upon
examination shall find her to deserve favor you would not
denie it her in continuinge her licence still in this poore
way of livehood, with out which (I am given to understand)
she can noe way subsist; her husband havinge left her much in debt and the more for my sake whoe
tender much her [distressed?] condition, and [illegible] for it shall you
make my score the greater with you, but if she deserves none,
my debt unto you shall be the same, not heerein to shew [her?]
any; thus tempered is the request of your very assured

• John Thompson
  Canbury 3 October 1634
  

Bowland Hodgton. WJ/SR/NS/040/25 (1634)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the
peace for the citty and liberties of Westminster

The humble peticion of Bowland Hodgton.

Humbly sheweth

That your petitioner living at the signe of the Grashopper, tenant (unto one Thomas
Happer a joyner who for 30tie yeares past hath lived in good name and fame at
Longe Acre in the parish of Saint Martins) for that house of the said Happers there,
in which your petitioner hath lived for the space of two yeares past and victualled in the
same, by licence graunted, by your good worships to the said Happer.

Now, that your worships or some of yow takeing consideracion, and hearing that
Happer was a joyner did latelie call in the said licence, although the
same house continued an auncyent victualling house, for
16 yeares last past.

And your petitioner further sheweth that the said Happer is a man aged 68 yeares
and past his trade and the rent of the said house the onlie maintenance hee
hath left him. And your petitioner is one that hath been bredd up in victualling
and hath no trade at all; but hath lately laid out his whole estate in the
said house, and hath allwaies hitherto demeaned himselfe well and honestlie

May it therefore please your worships to take the premisses into
your consideracion and to graunt a licence to your petitioner for victualling
in the said house, that thereby old Happer may the better bee
susteyned, and your petitioner be alwaies bound (as in dutie bound
hee is) to pray for all your worships healths and happines.

[pro...?] Bowland Hodgton de Longeacre in parochia Sancti Martini in Campis [illegible] xx libris
Willelmus Avery de parochia Sancti [Bartholomaei?] Magni [Lond?] [illegible] x libris
Thomas Gibbes de Westminster [glover?] [illegible] x libris

Per [illegible] Willelmum Griffith armiger

Ad [requisicionem Master Phillipps?]

Symon Davis. WJ/SR/NS/040/26 (1634)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace
for the citty and liberties of Westminster.

The humble peticion of Symon Davis.

Sheweth that a gentlewoman belonging to the Queenes majestie gave 10 pounds with your peticioner
and 3 suites of apparell and a cloake and bound him apprentice with one Duncan Manto
cordweyner now dwelling in the Covent Garden for the terme of 7 yeares whereof 5
yeares and a halfe were expired at Michaelmas. And in all that time the said Manto your
petitioners maister never taught your petitioner his trade, but continually kept him back from the same
alleadging that hee was uncapeable thereof. And about Whistontide last turnd your petitioner
out of his service without either money in his purse or clothes to his back, and soe hee was and
is exposed to much distresse and misery.

Forasmuch as your petitioner is capeable to learne the said trade as will sufficiently be
proved to your worships and for that his said master hath unjustly turned him out of his service
neither intending to teach him his trade, or to restore any of the said 10 pounds soe by him received
which is like to tend to your petitioners utter undoing: hee being a poore young man and destitute both of
meanes and freindes.

Your petitioners humble suite therefore is that your worships wilbe pleased to send
for his said master Manto before you, and either enjoyne him to take
your petitioner againe and teach him his trade, or to restore soe much of
the said 10 pounds to another who will undertake to performe the same as
your worships in your grave wisdomes shall think requisit

And hee shalbe daily bound to pray for your worships

The waits appointed for the city of Westminster. WJ/SR/NS/041/19 (1635)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace
for the cittie and liberties of Westminster.

The humble peticion of the loud musique called the waytes appointed for the
cittie and liberties of Westminster.

Humblie shewing, that James Angell a musitian with some companie as
hee gathers together; doe without anie authoritie plaie at on the lowde
instrumentes and are taken for the waytes of this libertie whereby they
gett the rewardes and gratuities which is intended to your petitioners for theire
great paines and service especially in the night time and so delude and deceive your petitioners to
theire great prejudice and wrong; and albeit hee the said Angell hath
bin bound over to the sessions for the same; hee saith he doth and
will plaie.

Your petitioners doe therefore humbly beseech your worshipps to vouchsafe
to order the said Angell to give bond not to offend in
this kind; or elles to contynue him bound to the next
sessions that he transgresse not the priviledges
of this jurisdicton

And the petitioners shall ever praie etc.

John Phillips, prisoner in the house of correction. WJ/SR/NS/041/20 (1635)

To the right worshipfull and others the justices of peace within
the citty of Westminster and liberties thereof

The humble petition of John Phillips prisoner in
the house of correction for the said liberty

Most humblie shewing that having indured long and hard imprisonment
in other places, hathe lastly remayned in this place a yeare
in hard and sore labour and had before this time been famished
with hunger and colde [illegible] had not the master of this house relieved him. Hee
having no meanes nor freinds that are able to help or succour
him in this his lamentable and distressed estate; and being
committed hither by justice Griffith and no proofe to bee
duely made for what hee is accused for. And therefore
most humblie prayeth

That yt may please your worships (in Christian pitty) to
take some order for his discharge and liberty
that hee may in his vocation and calling, being
a seafaring man live in the feare of God
as hee ought to doe, or at least to allowe
him some maynteynance to keep him like a
Christian. And hee will dayly pray etc

Nathaniell Adcock, constable of St Martins. WJ/SR/NS/041/21 (1635)

To the right worshipful the justices of peace for
the citty and liberties of Westminster.

The humble peticion of Nathaniell Adcock
constable of Saint Martins.

Sheweth: that it pleased the right honourable the Lord Keeper at
the instance of the whole neighbourhood in and about the burse
to graunt forth a speciall supplicavit against one Frauncis Floyd
whereupon a warrant was graunted by Master Jones for apprehending
of the said Floyd which miscarried in the handes of a constable.
Since which tyme (may it please your worships) the said Floyd came
with a woman into the house of Master Hutchinson, (the Lyon
taverne) and there committed such outrages and misdemenours
as your petitioner was sent for to preserve the peace, and being
carryed by him, before Master Dickson he tooke Clarke a marshalls
man and one other to be bound for Floyds appearance this
sessions.

And whereas Floyds sword upon the said misdemenor was by
your petitioner taken from him and left in the Lyon taverne with direccion
that if Floyd came after for it in person it should be delivered
him, which Floyd never did; yet (by Clark the marshalls
man) arrested your petitioner for his sword and there stands
nonsuited.

Your petitioner most humbly beseecheth your worships to be
pleased to certefy this behaviour of Floyds to
the Lord Keeper, who thereupon may be (as in
justice he will) renewe the supplicavit

And your petitioner will ever pray etc

John Thompson. WJ/SR/NS/041/22 (1635)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace
for the cittie of Westminster and liberties thereof.

The humble peticion of John Thompson.

Humblie shewing. That your peticioner hath lived in this
cittie of Westminster about two yeres at Michalmas last, and
at his first comeing did paie to the poore ii shillings per annum according
to the rate his predecessor in the same howse was assessed.

That the next assessment following your petitioner was raised to
iiii shillings per annum which hee willing paid and was and is very
well contented to contynue the same: but this last
assessment hee was raised to viii shillings a yeare, being arate above
his abilitie to pay, and above the rate his neighbours
of his ranck and qualitie are assessed to pay

That inasmuch as hee is soe much taxed beyond his
neighbours and his abilitie, your worships wilbe pleased
to give order that the booke of assessment maie be perused
and that hee maie not suffer and pay more then
such as be of his condicion estate and qualitie and
he shall not onely contynue the same most willingly
but ever pray for your worships.

Jane Dowton. WJ/SR/NS/041/23 (1635)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace
for the citty and liberties of Westminster

The humble peticion of Jane Dowton.

Sheweth. That your petitioner being servant with one Master Garland in the parish of Saint
Martin in Feilds within this liberty. One Edward Atkinson liveing in the house
with her, upon promise of marriage, had the use of her body, and shee is now great
with childe by him: and hee refuseing to performe his promise of marriage: alledged
that hee hath another wife which caused her to convent him before Sir William Ashton
who hath bound over the said Atkinson with two suerties to answeare the same
this sessions.

Now forasmuch as your petitioner is utterly undone by the promises and inticementes of
the said Atkinson, by whome shee is great with childe, and utterly destitute
of any place wherein to harbour her, or any sustenance wherewith to releive her in
this her extremity soe that shee is like most miserably to perish and starve in the streetes

Your petitioner therefore humbly beseecheth your good worships that you wilbe
pleased to enjoyne the said Atkinson to allow her some present
maintenance, and to provide her lying in, and to give security to
the parish where shee shalbe delivered for the discharge thereof.

And shee (as in duty bound) shall daily pray for your worships

Leonard Braford, victualler. WJ/SR/NS/041/24 (1635)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace
for the cittie and liberties of Westminster assembled
to this present quarter sessions

The humble peticion of Leonard Braford victualler

Humblie shewing that your peticioner hath been a licensed victualler
in this parish the space of 22 yeares, where hee hath bourne
many offices and done asmuch service to the towne for his time
as any other.

That your petitioner in all this time could never be taxed with the least
disorder in his howse, hee haveing verie little utterance for his
beere, other then that which he selleth within doores unto those that
resort to his howse to eate fish; where alsoe poore labouring men
and others upon fish daies have fish readie dressed at as reasonable
rates as in any other place whatsoever

The premisses considered, the petitioners humble suite is
that your worships would be pleased still to continue
him a licenced victualler; otherwise he shalbe
unable to continue his trade of selling fish, wherein hee
cheifely tradeth for the maintenance of himselfe and
charge.

And your petitioner shall daily pray for your worshipps

Edmund Grove, joiner, of St Martin in the Fields. WJ/SR/NS/041/25 (1635)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace of
the cittie and libertie of Westminster assembled at quarter session

The humble peticion of Edmund Grove joyner late
servant to Jeremy Kellett of Saint Martin in the Fields joyner.

Humbly sheweth,
that your petitioner in anno domini 1630 (being then well entred into the trade
of a joyner) contracted with the said Jeremy Kellet to serve and dwell with him
the terme of 4 yeares and an half yeare, from Midsomer in the said yeare;
but the said Jeremy Kellett caused indentures of apprenticehood to bee
drawne for the terme of seaven yeares, which your petitioner yielded to seale, upon
condicion (as was agreed betweene them) that he might serve him no longer
then the said 4 yeares and a halfe, and then bee free from his service;
that the same day of sealing the said indentures, the said Jeremy Kellett
by a writing under his hand and seale (extant) covenanted with your petitioner
that your petitioner should, at the end of the said 4 yeares and an halfe, bee free
from his service, to dispose of himselfe at his pleasure, without his lett or
hindrance.

So it is nevertheless (may it please your worshipps) that your petitioner having truly
and faithfully served the said Jeremy Kellett the said terme of 4 yeares
and an halfe, expired at Christmas last; the said Jeremy Kellet most
injuriously, and contrary to his said covenant under his hand and seale,
denied to lett your petitioner goe free from his service, and threatneth to make
him serve the rest of the said terme of seaven yeares, or to make him
serve it in Bridewell, and hath abused and offered violence to your
poore petitioner his wife, his father and mother, without any just cause, and
hath arrested your petitioner and his said father unjustly; and threatneth
to lay 100 pounds to your petitioners charge for his book of accomptes, which your petitioner never
had in his custody, but was kept by the said Jeremy Kellett under lock
and key.

Forasmuch as these proceedings against your petitioner are of meere
spleene and revenge, for that the said Master Kellet cannot
have longer service of your petitioner and for that your petitioner
is and ought to bee free from the service of the said Jeremy
Kellett, by force of his said covenant, both in justice and equity,

Hee most humbly prayeth that the said Master Kellett
may bee by your worships compelled to desist from his
said troublesome and litigious courses, and make a
generall release unto your petitioner of all right of service
and other demands whatsoever;

And your petitioner shall pray for your worships

John Cleeves of St Clement Danes. WJ/SR/NS/041/26 (1635)

To the honourable his majesties justices of the peace
within the citie and liberties of Westminster.

The humble peticion of John Cleeves within the
parish of Saint Clements Danes.

Shewinge
that the house wherein your peticioner now liveth, beinge a large and faire
house, and havinge constantlie for these thirtie yeares past bin kept by the
inhabitantes thereof for enterteynement of dyett in the terme tymes aswell
for such gentlemen that came usuallie to London and had their chambers
still reserved for them in the house, as for others of verie worthie ranck
and quallitie that resorted thither for their conveniencie; and your
peticioner havinge married an ancient maid servant out of that house,
did afterwardes (when the same house fell to bee lett) paie a great
fine for a lease of 21 yeares therein, and laid out all or the greatest
part of his estate in furniture and convenient necessaries for the
enterteynement of persons of soe civill and worthie a condicion as lodge
and resort thither; your said peticioner is now bound over to this
sessions upon pretence that hee is a common victualler without licence,
whereas he never uttered or sold one penniworth of beere out of his
house, or to anie other then his lodgers and such countrie gentlemen
as resort thither in the terme tymes and att meale tymes onlie
as aforesaid;

Hee humbly prayes that, in consideracion
thereof, hee may bee discharged from his said
recognizance, and receave the direccion of
the court for prevencion of anie further charge
and trouble hereafter.

And hee shall ever pray etc.

George Cole. WJ/SR/NS/041/27 (1635)

To the right honorable Sir Thomas Richardson, knight
Lord Cheife Justice of the Kings Bench.

The humble peticion of George Cole.

Most humbly sheweth that your petitioners kinswoman Anne Twyne about a twelvemonth since
a servant in howse unto one Thomas Willis a scrivener dwelling in Westminster, was in the time
of her service there gotten with child by one Rowland Williams then likewise a servant in howse
unto the said Willis; Williams for this offence was by warrant brought before Master Heywood
one of the justices of peace for Westminster and by him upon examinacion of the cause, lefte in the
custodie of Percivall a constable with a mittimus to carry the said Williams to the prison of
the Gatehowse.

Willis prevailed with the constable not to carry him to prison but lefte him at libertie and by
practise betweene them common baile were [hired?] for 5 shillings a peece, and by Percivall the constable
the baile and the said Williams were brought before Master Griffith another justice of peace for
Westminster the said constable having no warrant so to doe, and by Willis his meanes the said bayle
were taken before Master Justice Griffith for Williams his appearance at the next sessions
for Westminster which was about January last.

The said Anne being neere her time of delivery and ready to perish in the streetes, your petitioner then being
a constable did (by direction of some of the justices) procure her a lodging at one Alice Clarks a
widdow in Westminster where the said Anne was delivered of the said child; and your petitioner by the churche=
=wardens of the parrish most unjustly constrained to secure the parrish from the charge of the said
child, Williams did not appeare at the sessions, but was by the said Willis his master conveyed away
or by him suffered to departe out of his service, being his apprentice, into remote parts unknowne to your petitioner

Willis was thereupon at the sessions 4o Aprilis last by order of the bench bound to appeare at the then
next sessions because hee suffred the said Williams to depart his service, being charged with the
begetting of the said bastard child, as by the [order?] annexed appeareth.

But may it please your lordship, so it is, that the said Willis is discharged of his recognizance, and your
petitioner compelled to pay for the childs nursing, [and?] is likely to continew to bee charged with the
bringing up of the said child, contrary to all equity and good conscience, unles your good lordship
wilbe pleased, to take some course for the relefe of your petitioner therein, being a poore man, and hath
no meanes to susteine him and his family but his handie labour.

May it therefore please your good lordship, in your honourable clemency to your oppressed petitioner, to
give direction unto the justices of the said libertie, to take into theire due consideracions
at the next sessions, your petitioners greivance herein, and to examine the truth of this
cause, and upon their due examinacion to make such order herein, as to justice and equity
shall apperteine, or otherwise to certifie your good lordship of the truth in this cause and theire
proceedings therein:

And your poore petitioner (as in duty bounden) shall alwaies pray
for your good lordship etc:

Decimo die Novembris
1634
I desire the justices to take it into theire con
sideration it is a proper case for them
Thomas Richardson

Thomas Jenkinson. WJ/SR/NS/041/37 (1635)

To the right worshipfull the Kinges majesties justices of peace
within the cittie of Westminster and the liberties thereof

The humble peticion of Thomas Jenkinson

Sheweth
that whereas your petitioner about November last was twelvemoneth did
marry one Elizabeth Roper the relict of one Robert Roper cittizen and
free cooke of London who kept victualing att the signe of the
Flower de Luce in Sheere Lane untill he dyed

After whose decease she the said Elizabeth in her widdowhood was duly
licenced to victuall in the said howse as by the coppie of the
recognizances hereunto annexed appeare.

Now forasmuch as your petitioner of meere ignorance did neglect to renew
the said licence since his intermarriage with the said Elizabeth and
thereby hath incurred the penalty of thereof lawe in that case
provided.

May it please your worships the rather because of the certificate hereunto
annexed and for that your said petitioner and wife are charged with
children and have not byn bredd in any other course then
that of victuallinge and have inhabited for divers yeares in one
of the auncientes victualling howses within the said lane the
premisses considered it is most humbly desired by your petitioner that
he may be licenced to victuall in the said place and for
his former errour in not becominge a suiter to your worships until
now he most humbly submitteth himself unto your worships mercy
and favour.

And as duty bindes him shall dayly
pray etc.

Roger Flower of St Giles in the Fields, white baker. WJ/SR/NS/045/1 (1635)

To the right worshipfull his majesties commicioners
for the libertie of Westminster.

The humble peticion of Roger Flower of Saint Gyles in
the Feilds white baker.

Humbly sheweth your worships that by the complaint of John
Owen baker your peticioner is by 3: severall recog=
nizaunces bound to appeare at the next sessions
holden at Westminster which is onely done in malice and
to undoe your peticioner beinge a yonge man and to hinder
[him?] of his trade under the pretence that your peticioner maketh
French breade liter then other

Humbly craveth your worships to take your peticioners cause
into your grave consideracions and to [reliuefe?] your
peticioner from the malice of his adversary who
seeketh his ruin and he as in duty bound
shall dayly pray for your worships.

wee whose names are subscribed who well knowe the
peticioner doe beleife that he is prosecuted because
he hath some customers which were somtime the prosecutors
customers or his freindes and that the complaintes are
malicious in testimony whereof wee have subscribed
our names December 21th 1635.

Wee whose names are subscribed are his customers
and hitherto have found him faultlesse.

• William Baldon
• [S Bayton?]


• [..kile?] Crow
• Thomas Bageho
• Henry Russell

Robert Wiseman, Peter Mayber, James Wright, Jane Bell, Elizabeth Lightwood and Jane Bachelor and others of St Martin in the Fields. WJ/SR/NS/046/12 (1636)

To the honourable and right worshipfull the justices
of peace, and comitioners of the shoares.

The humble peticion of Robert Wiseman, Peter Mayber,
James Wright, Thomas [Inian?], Anthony Hewes, Jane
Bell, Elizabeth Lightwood and Jane Bachelor widdowes
and diverse other inhabitantes in Hartshorne Lane in the parish of
Saint Martins in the Feildes.

Whereas the old common shoare passing thorough the said lane
is by the falling of earth and rubbish into it, soe stopped up
that the water (wanting its former current and passage) floweth
dayly into all our cellars and lower roomes to our great troble,
and annoyance, by sending up daingerous and ill savours into
all other partes of your petitioners dwellinges, soe that they are almost
poysoned up therewith and wee having sondry times
complayned to the forman of the jury for the shoares of
this our greivance, he refuseth to veiwe the same, or doe
any thing therein

Your petitioners therfore humbly beseech your worships to give
order for the clensing of the same or that
it may be quite stopped up. And your petitioners
shall ever pray etc.

Wee whose names are hereunder written (being other inhabitants
in the said lane) doe upon our owne knowledge certefie
the truth hereof.

• John Shittell constabell of the warde
• Thomas Cholmley
• Robert Fane
• Petter Discher
• George Smith
• John Muffet
• Francis Holte
• Richard [Aroasmith?] [illegible]


• Edward Platt


• Henry Morris
• John [Fishers?] mark
• John Regnard
• Thomas Reddall

James Allane. WJ/SR/NS/048/31 (1637)

To the right wirshipfull Justice [Houker?]

Heir on pooure prisoner in Poulsttre Countter
lyeth heir in measurie and in distresse that
douet not [knou?] whatt dou for I am both freindles
and comfortles I dou putt my hoales trust and
confidence in your visdome heir I have sufered
measurie and distres this mounth I am out of my [oune?]
[conttra?] praying you only to do me right and justice
I shall be bound to pray for you and all yours
so long as I live

• James Allane
  Servittur to Master Miller
  dwelling in Coven Garding

Westminster the 28 of June
1637 yerres

My maister he grants to let me outt if that I
shall not trouble him any way att the quarter
sessiouns at Weastmaister and to macke freindes
with him and never to trouble him at the sessiouns
and then he will release me

James Allen. WJ/SR/NS/048/32 (1637)

To his late master John Miller taylor

The humble peticion of your unworthy
servant James Allen.

Wheras I stand committed by Sir George Whitmore knight
upon your just complaynt made unto yo [his?] worship; for
sundry factes and misdeameanoures done, and committed by me against
you and my mistres; first, for goeinge to take up cloth, in
your name, when I was dismissed your service, and my
former neglect of your service, and also abuseinge you, and my
mistress, in causeinge of you, and my mistress, to be bound over to the
sessions, these, and other the like abuses; I ingeniously
confesse to have done, and committed against you, and my mistress, so
that my committment was deservedly inflicted upon me

Wherefore your poore petitioner must humbly crave
your favour, to be a meanes unto Sir George
Whitmore for my enlargment, without which your
favour I am likely to perish, and famish, in
this miserable place

And for which your noble favour herein I
shalbe daily bound to pray etc

• James Allane

Witness
per me

• Francis Parsons
• the marke of Richard Bower

James Allen. WJ/SR/NS/048/33 (1637)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace
for the citty and liberty of Westminster att this sessions
now assembled.

The humble peticion of James Allen.

Humbly sheweth
that your petitioner being covenanted servant unto one John Miller
tayler the said Miller doth not onely donne your petitioner great wrong
in not performing covenantes, but hath wrongfully accused your
petitioner laying to his charge thinges most untrue whereby your
petitioner hath endured a monethes imprisonment and whereby he is
wrongfully discredited to his great prejudice

Hee therefore most humbly beseecheth your worships to take
the premisses into consideracion, and to cause the said
Master Miller to give your petitioner such satisfaccion for his
great wronges as to your worships shall seeme fitt to
transport him into his native country of Scotland

And he shall ever pray for your worships

The said Miller caused your petitioner to sett his hand to a
writing which he knoweth not what it was before he would
release him out of prison which he humbly refereth to
your worships consideracion.

The overseers of the poor of St Clement Danes. WJ/SR/NS/051/31 (1638)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace
assembled to this present quarter sessions.

The humble peticion of the overseers for the poore of the
parish of Saint Clement Daines

Humblie sheweth
that one William Janes cooke, about 5 yeares since tooke to wife
one Denis, and about 3 yeares since the said William Janes travelled
into Germany, leaving his said wife within the said parish, who
about Michaelmas last, returned into England and found his wife to be
with child, and the said Denis, before the midwife and divers other
women, present at her labour, did confesse that one Edward Gill a barber
was the true father of her child. And the said Gill did provide a nurse
and paid for the keeping of the child at Saint Giles in the Feildes.

Soe it is, that the said William Janes at Shrovetide last went
beyond the seas, and his said wife shortly after died, after whose
death Gill the reputed father was bound with good sureties to appeare
at this quarter sessions, and he now giveth out, that he will
leave the child upon the charge of Saint Clementes parish, because
it was borne there.

Now your petitioners most humble suite is, that your worshipps
wilbe pleased, upon the appearance of the said Gill att
this sessions, to take order, that the said parish may be
discharged of the said child by the bond of good sureties
or otherwise if the said Gill shall not appeare, that he
and his former sureties may still stand bound untill the
next quarter sessions.

And your petitioners shalbe bound daily to pray for your
worshipps.

Isaac Jaynes and Mary his wife. WJ/SR/NS/051/32 (1638)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace for the
libertie of Westminster

The humble peticion of Isaac Jaynes and Mary his wife

Sheweth
that your peticioners have lyved in a poore howse in the parishe of Saint
Clementes for the space of twoe yeares and upwards and paid to the
scavenger there twoe shillinges for one yeare they beinge
assessed to pay noe more (as by the bookes appeareth) scithence
which tyme your petitioners have contynued the payement thereof unto one
James Barrowes whoe received and had of your petitioners att severall
tymes xviii pence for three quarters of a yeare, and when the said
James Barrowes came for the last quarter hee demanded
of your petitioners three shillinges which your petitioners refused to pay and beinge
warned by the said Master Barrowes before Master Bray your petitioners offered
him the said Barrowes vi pence yt beinge all that was due for the last
quarter.

Nowe for that there hath beene hertofore noe more paid by your petitioners
predecessours the former tenantes for the howse wherein they dwell
but twoe shillinges per annum and in regard that your petitioners have noe
landes or meanes att all to meanes mayteyne themselves and eight
children but by their hard laboure and industrie

Your petitioners humblie pray that your worshipps will bee pleased
to comiserate their poore estate and to give order that
they may pay noe more then what hath beene
heretofore usuallie paid as afforesaid which your petitioners
have allwayes beene and are willinge to pay

And your petitioners (as in duety bound) will ever pray etc

William Robinson, a poor labouring man, and Joyce his wife. WJ/SR/NS/051/33 (1638)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of peace
for the county of Middlesex and citty of Westminster
and liberties thereof

The humble peticion of William Robinson a
poore labouringe man and Joyce his wife:

Humbly sheweth
that your petitioners havinge dwelt in the parish of Saint Clementes
theis 13 yeres and for the space of 3 yeres last past
or there aboutes in a house neere Boswell Court be
longinge to Sergeant Powell, duringe which tyme your petitioners
have duly paied their rent of 4 pounds per annum

But soe it is maie it please your worships that the said Sergeant
Powell without any just cause or lawfull warninge to
your petitioners given: did aboute 6 weekes since, when your
petitioners were abroade about their affaires, enter into your
petitioners said house and dispossesse them there of and till this
tyme hath lefte them harbourlesse and deteyneth many
necessaryes from your petitioners and 5 shillings which your petitioners wife
lefte there under her beddes head all which cruellty
tendeth to the utter ruine and impoverishinge of your
petitioners beinge lefte harbourles and comfortlesse,

Humbly desireth your [illegible] good worships to take into
your serious consideracions the miserable and
destressed estate of your forlorne petitioners and for
there releife herein soe to order that the said
Sergeant Powell maie setle your petitioners in
their former dwellinge againe or in some other
his tenementes or els that the overseers of the
parish maie soe provide for your petitioners releife
and lodginge here in [illegible] (beinge fallen in greate
want) and they shall daylie pray etc:

Joane Johnson, the relict of John Johnson deceased. WJ/SR/NS/051/34 (1638)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of peace and
quorum for the cittie and liberties of Westminster now
assembled:

The humble peticion of Joane Johnson, the late wife
and relict of John Johnson deceased

Humbly sheweth

That about Michalemas last your petitioner bound her sonne an apprentice
unto John Thompson a scrivener in Tuthill Streete in Westminster,
and gave with him 10 pounds and double apparrell, but about a quarter
of a yeare afterwardes, the said Thompson (without any cause or
offence), sent her said sonne home to her againe, and yet doth
unconscionably deteyneth the said 10 pounds in his handes, albeit hee
hath often bene demaunded the same.

Now forasmuch as her said sonne is a fatherles child, and
that this 10 pounds is most of his porcion and for his putting
forth apprentice to some other, who for want thereof much
looseth his tyme and education, she therefore most humbly
beseecheth your worships, to bee pleased to require the said
Thompson to come before your worships, and upon examining
the truth of the cause to order him forth with to restore
her money backe againe.

And shee shall daily pray for your worships etc.

Warrant graunted

Anne Wornam, wife of Michaell Wornam of St Martins in the fields. WJ/SR/NS/051/35 (1638)

To the right worshipfull the justices of peace for
the libertye of Westminster.

The humble petition of Anne Wornam the wife of Michaell
Wornam of Saho in Saint Martins parish in the feilds

Humbly sheweth
that your peticioner haveing lived in the house of one Goodman Sheppardes
att Sahoe and after agreement and satisfaction made by your peticioner
unto the said Sheppard and his wife for the time shee had remained
there your peticioner goeing to remoove her said goods to another house
shee had taken in the said Sahoe the said Sheppards wife would
not suffer her peaceablye to carrye out her said goodes, but abused your
peticioner, giveing her many punshes upon her brests with both
her fists insomuch as your peticioner cryed out for help, whereupon
the said Sheppards wife, violently flew (againe) upon your peticioner
throwing her downe over a box which hurt your peticioners back
now your peticioner finding her self very ill of the said punches, made
her speedye repaire to one Robert Read a bonesetter asking his
advise and shewing him the said hurts shee had received of her brests
the bonesetter telling your peticioner that the sayd Sheppards wife
had bent your peticioners brest bone and bruised her [bloud?] bowle
and he is and wilbe readye to take oathe upon the same, besides
your peticioner hath two witnesses one William Moore and Aves
Wright by name that are readye to testefye of the said wrong
your peticioner hath received of which your peticioner hath remained
very ill ever since being a fortnight to the great prejudice and
hindrance of your poore petitioner

Your petitioner therefore humblye beseecheth this right
worshipfull bench to take the premisses into your noble consideracion
your peticioner haveing three small children and charged
to have a keeper both to looke to her self and children
her husband being a very poore man and hath nothing
but what he getteth by his hard labour and to order
the said Sheppard or his wife to give satisfaction unto
your peticioner for her said wrongs what you in your grave
wisdomes shall thinke fitt

And your peticioner as in dutye bound
shall pray for your good worships health
and prosperityes in this life, and etc

Sarah Goff, a poor creature. WJ/SR/NS/051/36 (1638)

To the right worshipfull the justices assembled at the
sessions Westminster.

The humble peticion of Sarah Goff a poore chreature
Most humbly sheweth unto your worshipps that shee is utterly undone
by the unjust dealings of Abraham Hasellwood, whoe came to her as
a widdower pretended marriage with her, and soe by his unjust meanes
gott her with cheild, and shee was delivered twelve weekes since, and
shee and the poore inphant have bene ever since without meanes or
maintenance from him or any other.

Wherefore shee humbly beseecheth your worshipps to have
compassion upon shee and the poore inphant that are in want
and missery and either to cause him to marry the petitioner, or at least
to allowe maintenance for shee and hers that hee hath soe
brought to missery.

And your petitioner will ever pray for your worshippes
prosperityes.

William Newcum. WJ/SR/NS/051/37 (1638)

To the right worshipfull his majesties
justices of the bench.

The humble peticion of William Newcum

Sheweth that there is due unto your peticoner from one William
Dent a cooke, for his wages the summe of three poundes or thereaboutes
and that your peticioner hath often demaunded the same
yet the said Dent refuseth to pay him although he the said
Dent turnd your petitioner out of doores upon a very short or
noe warninge

Whereupon your petitioner repayred to the worshipfull Master Justice
Howard for reliefe, who was pleased to graunt his warrant
to cause the said Dent to shew cause why he did not satisfie
your petitioner his said wages.

That your peticioner delivered the said warrant to Master Hooper the
constable to serve the same, yet the said Master Hooper keepeth
the said warrant and will not serve it (though he might doe
it every day) and soe your petitioner restes still unsatisfied to his
great losse and hinderance

He therefore humbly intreateth your worshipps to
take the premisses into your charitable consideracions
and to give direccions therin for your petitioneres reliefe
as to your worshipps shall seeme fitt.

And he as in dutye bound shall dayly pray etc

Thexaminacion of the contentes of this peticion
is referred to Master Hulbert to determine.

John Wilde. WJ/SR/NS/051/38 (1638)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of the peace
assembled to this present quarter sessions

The humble peticion of John Wilde

Humblie sheweth

That your petitioner is a poore man and hath a greate charge
of wife and children, and hath susteined verie greate
hindrance by the late visitacion wherewith his owne
howse was visited, and haveing taken a howse in the greate
almerie which hath been an auntient victualling howse

His most humble suite is that your worshipps wilbe
pleased to graunt him a licence to victuall in his
said dwelling howse for the maintenance of
himselfe and charge.

And he shalbe bound daily to pray etc.

Thomas Serjeant, blacksmith. WJ/SR/NS/051/39 (1638)

To the right worshipfull his majesties justices of
the peace assembled to this present quarter
sessions.

The humble peticion of Thomas Serjeant blacksmith

Humblie sheweth
that Margarett the wife of Phillipp Munn blacksmith
is a woman of a verie lewde disposicion and misdemeanor
for before her intermariage with the said Munn shee lived
incontinently with a servant of hers, whome shee would have
constrained to have married her, and after his departing from
her shee writt unto him, that if he would not marry her shee
would lay felony to his charge.

The said Margarett about 6 yeares since pretending a debt
to be owing unto her from a person then gone to the Indies
shee by some indirect meanes obteined 3 moneths pay for the
same person from the Indian Company, shee then affirming
herselfe to be his wife, but afterwardes her basenes being discovered
shee procured another woman to take upon her to be the same
parties wife, who obtained 2 moneths pay more from the
said company; all which and many other thinges your petitioner
can sufficiently prove by sufficient neighbours.

The premisses considered, and in regard the
said Margarett is verie desperate in her swearing
and hath indicted your petitioner out of meere malice
your petitioners most humble suite is, that theis evidences
being brought against her you would take the same
into your grave consideracions

And she your petitioner shall pray etc

William Terryn. WJ/SR/NS/051/40 (1638)

To the right worshipful the justices of peace for the
citty and liberty of Westminster.

The humble peticion of William Terryn.

Sheweth: that your petitioner was prest out of this place to
Ostend for a souldier where he [illegible] served under the
comaund of Sir John Ogle knight and received many
hurtes and wounds to the effusion of his bloud so that
now in his old age being past his labour he is ready to
perish for want.

Most humbly therefore he beseecheth your worships
to provide for him some annuall releife
according to the lawe made for maymed
souldiers:

And he will ever pray for your worships.

Thomas Allen and Marie his wife. WJ/SR/NS/051/41 (1638)

To the right worshipful the justices and others in comission
for the county of Middlesex, and Westminster.

The humble petition of Thomas Allen and Marie his wife:

Shewing, that wheras your petitioners haveing suffred imprisonment, and
being bayld forth before justice Hooker, for some aspercions and
accusacions wrongfullie layd unto them, wherby they have suffered
much messerie haveing 3 small chilldren, that were redy to perish during
their imprisonment, had not their neighbors forth of their compassione re
leived them, your petitioner haveing allwaies demeand and behaved him
selfe just and honest amoungst his nebors in the parish they
lived in, and never being taxed concerning any such crime
haveing lived their this 30 yeares and upwardes, as may appeare
by acertificate under some of their neighbors handes appeareth
here unto anexed

Your petitioners most humble beseecheth your worships to comiseret
ther poore estate and that you would bee pleased
they might cleere there innocencie, and bee re
leased: to cleere there bayle and they with there
poore children will dayly praie etc.

John Wells and Elizabeth his wife. WJ/SR/NS/051/43 (1638)

To the right worshipfull John Glynn esquire and the
rest of his majesties justices of the peace for the citty
and lyberties of Westminster.

The humble peticion of John Wells and Elizabeth his wife.

Humbly shewe:

That your petitioners have heretofore lived in good fashion but through badd debtors and
other crosses is become poore who hath from time to time paid scott and lott in
this parishe and lived in the same 40: yeares or thereaboutes, and now by reason
of their age, poverty and weaknes, are not able to followe their labors as
formerly they have done.

Wherefore your petitioners humblie beseech your worships for Godes cause to take
their age, povertie, and weakenes into your grave consideracions to be
pleased to graunt them a license for victuallinge towardes their
mainetenance and releife they being past labour as aforesaid, or ells
your petitioners shall perishe, being of the age of 60tie yeares past,

And your poore aged petitioners will ever pray etc.

Isaack Mills. WJ/SR/NS/051/45 (1638)

To the right worshipfull the justices assembled at the
quarter sessions Westminster.

The humble peticion of Isaack Mills

Most humbly sheweth, that hee lodginge one [...moneth?] in his howse
that was a servaunt and groome to Sir Henry Jarmon, hee behaved
himselfe honestly soe long as hee aboaded in the petitioners howse, and beeing taxed
upon suspicion of felloney, hee was ymprisoned in the Gatehowse and the petitioner to
prison for harbouringe of him.

And soe it is, that the party is freed and sett at liberty and the petitioner sent a
againe to the Gatehowse, as a stragling man, soe that your petitioner doth
innocently suffer upon misinformacion to your worshipps, for it appeares by
the annexed certifficate that your petitioner is a howse keeper in Saint Martin in
the Feildes and payes scott and lott and a releever of the poore here.

Wherefore hee doth prostrate himselfe to your worshipps consideracion
well knoweing that ites not your worshipps meaneinge that hee should
suffer innocently ymprisonment but to be released.

And your petitioner will ever pray for your worshipps
prosperity.