Worcestershire Quarter Sessions: 1600s

Ellioner Reeve. Ref.110 BA1/1/16/29 (1601)

To the right reverend father in God the Lord
Bushopp and others her majesties justices of the peace

Your lordships humble peticioner Ellioner Reeve beinge a lame
crepple and one whoe was borne and hath byn alwayes dwellinge
in Odingley and haveinge noe maintenance or frindes to relieve
her, was about a moneth sithence forceiblie turned out of an
out howse of Thomas Sales in Odingley wherein she had byn almost three
yeres, ever sithence which saide time your suppliant hath byn and yett
is destitute of anye place of abode and hath byn diverse
nightes enforced to lye there in the streetes [illegible] notwithstanding
itt pleased Master Wylde to send for the churchwardens unto
whom they promissed to take some convenient course to releeve your suppliant
in her extreemytie

Your suppliant thus distressed humblye
prayeth your lordships to take some order in her
behalfe and she will be alwayes willing to the
uttermost of her health and strength to labor
truelye towardes her [findeinge?].

ordered that they provide etc or yf they complayne
a precept to be made to bynde them etc

John Robertes. Ref.110 BA1/1/3/58 (1601)

To her majesties justices of peace of the countie of
Worcester.

William Morrall sonne of Roberte Morrall late of
Whitlady Aston borne at Whitlady Aston and kept
at Ashe Whitlady Asheton by Mary White his mother
untill aboutes three yares past at which tyme the said Morrall
his supposed father brought the said William Morrall
to Kempsey to one John Robertes to be keapt by hym for
viii pence a weeke. And was so paid by the space of on
yere and more and then departed the cuntry. So the said John
Robertes hath by the space of two yeres keapt the
said boye of his owne chardge beinge a pore
man and not able any longer to keape hym but
dothe desire to be dischardged of hym accordinge
to the statute. And thus for Godes love

To be sent to Whitelady Aston
to bynde hym secundum formam statuti

Thomas Moore of Claynes. Ref.110 BA1/1/3/59 (1601)

To the righte worshipfull
her majesties justices of peace
in the countie of Wigorn

The humble peticion of Thomas Moore
of the parishe of Claynes in the said countie
Shewethe

whereas your said peticioner having bene many
yeres visited with sicknes and infirmities, and his
poore wief and theire two children, being now in
most miserable and wretched estates, and altogether
unable to gett theire owne lyvinges, and by reason
thereof, all his goodes and substance are spente and gone
who hath made his abode in Claynes aforesaid, for and
during the terme of sixteene yeres laste paste, and now
cannot use any other meanes for the releiving of him=
self and his family, but must of necessitie perishe, unlesse
they may be aided by your good worships, in this theire said
wante, wherefore his humble suite is, requestinge your
good worships to order, that the said poore man may have
some weekely allowance within the said parishe, towardes the
releivinge of him and his said poore family, and therein
they all will howerly pray to God to recompence you.

that the overseers for the poore there
appeare before Master [S.t?] Chauncellor and Master Jones and to shew
cause etc.

John Fleminge and others on behalf of Henry Jackson. Ref.110 BA1/1/3/60 (1601)

Wigorn sessions

To the right worshippfull the Queenes majesties justices of
the peace at the generall sessions of the peace
holden for the county of Worcester.

May yt please your good worshipps to be advertized that Walter Wall, is
a vagraunte runagate, evell disposed and a comon disturber of the queenes
subjectes, havinge noe waie or meane for his livinge but by false suggestions
informacions promotions and accusacions of honest and well disposed
people, which he useth to gett by threatninge them with proces and compelling
them to compounde with him without cause, which we have thought good to [advertise?] your worshipps of partly at the
request of our honest neighboure the berer hereof Henry Jackson
a poore man of charge of wief children and famylye, whom he
hath dealte withall lately by his threatninges extending the same to
his lief and substance, and hath caused him to be bounde to the
peace who is a man that to our knowledge never brake or
infringed the same, but a good honest quiet and painefull man
in his livinge, and partely for [that?] (yf yt maie please your worshipps
so much to ease the whole countrey we wold willingly remove him and such factious vipers from us, who lyve upon the spoile of
such as intend well, and doe therefore praie your worshipps (the
premisses considered) that at this tyme yt maie seeme good to your
worshipps of some course of his absence or good behaviour in the
countrey that so his malicious threates and power may be taken
awaye for which favourable good unto us, we shall as we are most
bounden dayly praie God for your worshipps prosperitie and longe lyfe
humbly takinge leave the xviith of Aprill 1601

Your worshipps most humble

per [secund?] Henr Jackson quod informacio etc est vera
fiat [bre?] de bene [gerend?]

• John Fleminge
• Henry Holland
• John Wilkes
• Henry Millward
• John Yattes
• Thomas Danckes
• Thomas Lucas
• Henry [illegible]

Johane White of Welland, widow. Ref.110 BA1/1/3/61 (1601)

To the righte worshipfull
the Queenes majesties justices of peace
in the countie of Wigorn.

May it please your right worships to be advertized, that
whereas your oratrixe Johane White of Welland, in the
countie aforesaid widowe, had lately one cotage newly
erected, for her therein to have shrowded herself and
her poore infante, and who shulde have bene there re=
leived, acordinge to the statute in that case provided, yet
neverthelesse, one Thomas Hunte, William Morgane, Roberte
Wrighte and John Gwilham of Wellande aforesaide,
nothinge regardinge her majesties said lawes, and also
vilipending certaine preceptes, from some of her majesties
saide justices, to the parishioneres of Welland aforesaid direc=
ted, have now lately subverted the said cotage, and ta=
ken away all the timbers and converted it to theire owne
uses, utterly refusinge to provide any convenient house=
roome and weekely allowance for her there, which will be to the ut=
ter undoinge of your poore oratrice and her poore infante
without your speedye aides in this their distressed estates, in
tender regard therefore, of their said miserable estates,
and continuall greiffes may it please your good worships
to take some spedy course, that she and her poore infante
may be planted in some convenient house, and have
suche weekely allowance there as according to her majesties
said lawes is requisite and therein, she shall howerly pray to God
to recompence yow.

fiat [bre ver?] coram W. [Higon?]
[ar?] etc.

Inhabitants of Grafton Flevard. Ref.110 BA1/1/12/2 (1604)

Wigorn sessions

To the right worshippfull the Kinges majesties [justices?]
of the peace in the countye aforesaid

Pleaseth yt your worshipps to be advertised that [wh...?] [illegible]
the persons whose names are under written have
severall landes and tenementes of the severall contentes
under written scituate and lienge within the parishe
and constablewick of Grafton Flivard within
the Countie aforesaid and dwelling them selves
out of the said parishe and constablewick have [oft ...es?]
denied and do nowe denie to be contributors with
the inhabitantes of the said parish and constablewick
towardes anie the Kinges majesties [sorvies?] and
other impositions uppon us and them laid and
to be laid: we the said inhabitantes beinge
greatlie hindered with this their deniall and
wronged in bearinge so great a charge: Wee
humblie crave your worshipps to take some
course for our relief and remedie therein [as?]
by lawe and coustieme you shall think fitt and
convenient and we the poore inhabitantes of the
said parishe and constablewick shall ever pray for
your worshipps contynuance in health and worshipp
from Grafon Flyvard opressed the ixth
of Januarie 1603: regni Jacobi Angliae etc. primo.

Your worshipps most humble

• John Stonnall
• Roger Jones
• John Palmer
• Richard Maris
• Roberte Randle
• Phillipp [illegible]

with divers
others

The persons refusing
Richard Russell one yard land
Thomas Baker one [quarter?] land
John Small [illegible] [quarter?] yard land
William [Callowe?] one [quarter?] yard land
John Baker a [quarter?] yard land
Jasper Baker a [quarter?] [illegible] [quarter?]
Francis [Cornewell?] esquier [illegible] [quarter?]
All which severall parcells are [molosed?]
(except the land of Mr Cornewell)
and are all the best growndes
meadowe and pasture there:

ordred that the
land shalbe chardged
or the persons to be brought before
a justice of the peace to be bound
to answere [illegible]

Elizabeth Preece. Ref.110 BA1/1/12/9 (1604)

To the right worshipfulls the justices of the
peace of the diocese of Wigorn.

Right worshipfulls may it please you to be advertised that
whereas I Elizabeth Preece (singlewoman) bead
and bornne in the parish of Martley in the dioces
of Worcester being leaft but meanly by my parentes
yet ever making shyft for my living all my lieff
tyme till now of lat falling into some greeffes
of body (by Godes visitacion) wheare uppon I was
enforced [presently?] to troble and chardg both my kyndred
and the parish also for my better recovery of my
health of body and for my good therein the parishioners
of Martly aforesaid weare well pleased to yeld me
8 pence every weake to foreward the payment of the
chirurgion in this citty for his cure perfectly
donn and finished for whose paynes therin the
said chirurgion was to have in the whole in
money xxvi shillings viii pence in this manner xiii shillings iiii pence in present
pay and the other xiii shillings iiii pence when he had finished his
said cure uppon me, which in verie deed (I thinke)
(is so done) Synce which said tyme the said chirurgion
[fynd?] my unreddynes in payment of the foresaid
latter summe aresteed me in this citty [whe...?]
I have leyne for thes 10 [illegible] dayes together now [illegible]
paste in prison to my great gryff and [hindr...?]
praying therefore yower worshipps lawfull favour
call before yower worshipps the church [ward...?]
of Martley aforesaid that they may make payment [of?]
that they promised payment of 9 pence a weeke and so
continue the payment therof untill the [illegible]
wear finished. Which cure hath bene in effecting one yere
and quarter of [illegible] I have only received 1 quarters
pay and no more and thus most humbly craving
yower worshipps lawfull favours for speedy redresse
hear of and my speedy delivery of my ymprisonment
wherin I yet lie. And thus for God love

Yower worshipps poore
and humble peticioner.

Elizabeth Preece

To contynue the allowance accordinge to
their agreement or to appeare before Mr
Colles to shew cause.

Inhabitants of Birchmorton on behalf of Elizabeth Hogges. Ref.110 BA1/1/2/43 (1604)

Wee whose names are subscribed inhabytantes of Birchmorton doe uppon
our knowledge certefie unto your worships that the berar hereof
Elizabeth Hogges the nowe wife of John Hogges of the same parishe
hath for the most parte of five yeares last past, susteyned, and
kepte, v smale children of one John Huntleyes (who marryed with this
your peticioners daughter (which she had by one Hope, her first husband)
and about some five yeares agone buryed her,): sence which tyme the
said Huntley hath leeved verry lewdly, and some three years agone departed
vagrant and most unfatherlike from his said childrene: and by peticion
ii of them are provided for at Dymmocke in Glocestershere where they were borne
but thother three beinge (John, William, and Prudence) hath bene
ever sence at her only chardge, to her great decay, and almost utter undoeing
not only in her ympoverishment, but also by the discord and dislike of the
said John Hogges her nowe husband: soe that by reason of both
causes, shee is (although loath for affinity) driven to complayne unto your
worships for that the parish of Hanley (where they were all borne)
refuseth to geeve them any releeffe: soe desiringe you to have
regard and comiseracion of the poore estate of those suckerlesse children
(who are like to suffer penury but by your good discrecions) and the declyninge
estate of this berar: wee committe you to Godes holly proteccion: from
Birchmorton afforsaid this first of November 1604.

Your worshipps at commandment

• Giles Hanfan
• Wylliam Hanfan
• [Jhon Pawnsfote?]
• William Clarke clerk



• Thomas Cowper, constable
• John Woode
• Roberte Hullins churchwardens
• Edward Cowper
• George [Milloerd?]
• John Hope
• John Chackwell
• Richard Gatfield
• William Baker

Hanley to take the children or to pay weekly to John
Hodges iii shillings towardes the relief of them

Further yf the churchwardens etc of Hanley performe not [ther...?]
then Sir W. Ligon ys desired to send for them and bynd them yf
he cannot order them

Anne Nashe, wife of William Nashe, of Bewdley. Ref.110 BA1/1/2/54 (1604)

To the right worshipfull his majesties
justices of the peace etc.

Right worshipfull, whereas Anne Nashe (wief
of William Nashe pressed for a souldiour into
Irland in her majesties [service?] late Queene of England,
your most humble and poore suppliant, distressed of all helpe
and succour for her poore Children and aged father thadge
of iiii score yeres or thereaboutes, praieth and entirely beseecheth
your accustomed clemencies extended to the poore helples
and destitute, to assiste and ayde her to the two shillings
your worships appointed weekely to be paid for her poore Chil=
drens maintenaunce according to your generall consentes
to be paid amongst the neighbours of Bewdeley as may
appeare by your warrauntes which hathe bene deteyned
from her and her poore children for the most parte of
one whole yeare, and bideth her make complainte
and seeke her remedye for none shall shee have. And
thus for Godes love etc.

Your poore distressed supliant,
Anne Nashe

proces to brynge the constables
churchwardens and overseers
before one of the Kinges justices etc.
to answere yf they pay not the
allowance made by Sir H. Br et al.

The parishioners of Abbothsley alias Abberley. Ref.110 BA1/1/41/27 (1605)

The humble peticion of the parishioners of
Abbothsley alias Abberley in the county of
Worcester.

They shewen that one Katherine Dallowe was
delivered of a childe in Parshore in December last
past which child was there baptized and afterwards
was brought to Abberley and there lefte in
a barne of one Matthew Fareleys.

The childe hath bene ever since kept and
maynteyned by the peticioners, who praie [illegible]
your worships order in this open sessiones; for
that they can proove that the same
child was borne and christned in Parshor
that they maye be dischardged of the
same child and that by your worships
order the same child maye be retourned
backe to Parshor where it was borne.

To be sent to Parshore

Margery Glover widow. Ref.110 BA1/1/41/28 (1605)

To the righte worshipfull the kinges majesties lyevetenauntes
and justices of peace within the county of Worcester

In her moste humble manor complayninge sheweth unto your worshipps that wheras your poore peticoner Margery Glover of Ripple in the
county of Worcester widowe, aboutes eighte yeares laste paste one Rychard Saunders of the same maried and tooke to wief
Margarett the daughter of your poore peticoner whoe lyved togeather in the house with your said peticoner untill aboutes
Mychaelmas laste was three yeares at which tyme the then constable of Riple sommoned the said Saunders to
appeare before certeyne of your worshippes beinge then in comission for the musteringe of men for her late majesties service
in Irelonde, whoe pressed the said Saunders and sent him into Ireland uppon the said service, whoe as yett never
retorned backe, to the utter undoinge of his poore lame distressed wief and children, and of your poore peticioner alsoe
whoe (accordinge to her poore power) have kepte and mayteyned the said Saunders wief lame and bedredden and his
children ever sythence untill this present tyme to her utter undoinge, and by noe meanes can gett noe asistance of
the parrish at all, and have soulde and pawnede all that ever she hath in the world to succor and releeve the most
myserable distres of the said Sawnders wief and his poore children; wherfore your poore peticioner aswell for
her self as alsoe for her daughter and fatherles children is enforced to apeale unto you both for mercy and justice
in this behalf and for the relief of her self beinge a very poore aged woman aboutes the age of fower score
yeares and upwardes and her poore lame daughter and fatherles children whoe with moste myserable poverty
ar ready to pyne, and ther is noe collection made in the said parishe for the poore accordinge to his majesties lawes
in that case etc. In tender consideracion wherof may yt please your worshippes in mercy and pitie to take
some order with the said parrish for the succor and reliefe of these poore distressed needy creatures, as
in yor godly wisdomes shall seeme expedient for their releefe and for the advauncment of justice
wherfore accordinge to their most bounden dutyes they shalbe bound to pray for your most happy preservacion
in all worshipp longe to continue.

The humble peticion of Margery
Glover widow etc.

Preferr this to the court
to be examined

To allow her iiii pence
weekly so she behave
her self orderly
and other necessery
relief at their houses

The inhabitants of Warnton. Ref.110 BA1/1/4/34 (1606)

To the right worshipfull
his majesties justices of peace
for the countie of Wigorn.

Whereas the constable for the parishe of Warnton in the
countie aforesaid, lately receved a precept or warrant,
whereby he was [enjoyened?] to collect and gather of the
inhabitantes within his offyce or precint, all suche mo
=ney as ys dewe there for the maymed soldieres, soe it is, that
the said constable is dwellinge within the parishe of
Claynes where six other inhabitantes doe all inhabitt,
who heretofore have usually paied all maner dewes
together with the parishioners of Warnton aforesaid,
aswell towardes the trayninge and settinge forwardes
the soldyeres, as also all other paymentes whatsoever
beinge due to be paied within the constablewicke of
Warnton aforesaid, whereof one of them, ys one of the
chieffest of the subsidye men within the said libertye or
precint, and the otheres, men of good worthe, who now
refuse to joyne in payment with the inhabitantes of Warn
=ton aforesaid, contrary, to the auncient custome there
used, tyme out of the remembrance of man. In due
regard therefore of the premisses, the humble sute of the
said inhabitantes of Warnton, ys, besechinge your good
worshipps to take suche order as the said parishioneres of Claynes seaven parsons beinge within the constablewicke of Warnton may joine in paymentes for the said may=
med soldyeres, together with the parishioneres of Warnton
aforesaid, or els that they may be by your good meanes
otherwayes eased, wherein they shall pray for youre
prosperities.

[illegible] to enquire whether the statute appoint the constable or churchwardens to collect and whether they are to pay in their parish

Elizabeth Restell widow of Busley. Ref.110 BA1/1/4/35 (1606)

The peticion of Elizabeth Restell
wydowe of the parishe of Busley
in the countie of Worcester.

Humbly sheweth unto your good worshipps that whereas
this poore distressed peticioner her late husband one
Thomas Restell late of Poole within the said parishe of
Busley was in his lyffe tyme seased of and in one
messuage or tenement and certen landes therunto beelonginge
situate and beeinge in the lordship or manner of Poole
afforsaid for terme of his lyffe by coppie of court
rolle accordinge to the custome of the said manner. And
after the decease of the said Thomas Restell this poore
peticioners late husband the said messuage or tenement and other
the said premisses of right ought to discend and come unto this
poore peticioner as in right of her free bench as the
costome of the said mannor (whereof the memorie of
man is not to the contrary) hath and yett doth requier
but nowe yf yt may please your good worships soe yt was
and is that presentlie after the decease of the said Thomas
Restell one William Childe of Poole Courte afforsaid
esquier into the said landes and premisses entred and ever sethence
unjustlie doth detayne and keepe the same frome this poore
peticioner to the utter undoinge of her and fower poore
infantes her children and are there nowe readie to
starve for want of foode: her humble desyer is that
by your worships good meanes the inhabitantes of the said parishe
may releeve theis poore distressed people accordinge
to the lawe and statute in that case made and provided
as this poore peticioner and her children shall allwaies
pray for your worships. And further to acquynt your
good worships with the wronges that one William Childe
late of Poole Court esquier deceased did unto this poore
petitioner and unto her said husband and children videlicet plucked
downe the said messuage and threwe out the said
Restell and this poore woman and v poore children and
alsoe pounded the cattell of theis poore people ofe the
there owene grounde: to their utter undoinge and in such
sort and manner this William Childe soe useth them
humbly becheech your good worships afforsaid.

[warr?]

Fortune Fleminge. Ref.110 BA1/1/14/49 (1607)

To the right holy and reverend father the lord bishop of the [illegible]
of Wigorn and the right worshippfull the justices of the peace of [illegible]
said countye

The peticion of Fortune [Fleminge?] [illegible]
Shewing unto your worshipps your said peticioner that shee hath bin by the [inticement?] [illegible]
promisses of one Fraunces Brewer of Shrawley betrayed and begatt in child [illegible]
your peticioner marriadge and that since hee denieth performance thereof wherefore att [illegible]
and humble request of your peticioner there have bin two preceptes graunted for [illegible]
one from Sir Samuell Saundes to the constable of Astley where the [illegible]
was then abideing and might have bin taken in case the said constable [illegible]
dutie and thother from the lord bishop to the then constable of [Shra...?] [illegible]
brother to the said Fraunces whither the said Fraunces dailie resorteth [illegible]
most parte comorant and where (att the tyme of the delivery of the said [illegible]
his brother then constable) the said Fraunces was in his brothers hous [illegible]
therefore please your good worships in your discrecion to call the said constable by [precept?] [illegible]
and that they may bee ordered for theire negligence to doe that duty herein [illegible]
office apperteigneth.

The said Fraunces Brewer is abideinge some tymes with [illegible]
brother the constable of Shrawley and some times
att one John Keyes his howse of the parish of Doderhill
and is asked three tymes in church with one of
the daughters of the said Keyes.

William Holland of Castle Murton. Ref.110 BA1/1/14/50 (1607)

Wigorn sessions

To the right worshipfull the Kinges majesties justices
of the peace for the saide countye.

Your poore suppliant William Holland of Castlemurton most humblie sheweth unto your [worships?] [illegible]
whereas he hathe served our late soveraigne ladie Queene Elizabeth for a souldiour in her [illegible]
realme of Ireland where he hathe gotte many incurable diseases that he is not able to labor [illegible]
his lyvinge as before tyme he hathe done. And hathe alsoe for the space of this fyve [illegible]
visited with much sycknes to the utter undoinge of himself his wife and two small children [illegible]
his diligent labour mainetayned and relieved. May it therefore please your good [worships?] [illegible]
poore estate of your distressed suppliant and grant him your warrant to the church [illegible]
of the poore of Castlemurton aforesaide to allowe to your said poore suppliant a weekely [illegible]
towardes maintenance that he with his wife and children be not enforced to wander [illegible]
seeke for relief contrarie to the statute. And this he prayeth for Godes [love?] [illegible]

Your poore and distressed [illegible]

• William [Holland?]

To thoverseers

Joane Stringer widow. Ref.110 BA1/1/44/25 (1608)

The humble peticion of Joane Stringer widdow

Right worshipfull wheras your poor peticioner heer present
Joane Stringer widdow, havinge a dawghter throwghe her
foley was betrayd by the indiusmente of on Thomas Ballard
whoe begate her with childe of a son they boeth dwellinge
to gether in on Richard Atkes howse, in the parishe of the
Rocke, and countye of Wigorne, and the sayd child was borne
in the parishe of Arelle Kinges, in the afore sayd countye, and
so the sayd childe is and hathe byn norced and mayntayned
by the a fore sayd Joane Stringer granmother to the sayd
childe, for the space of three yeares and upwardes, duringe
this time of yeares from time to time the a fore sayde
Joane Stringer beinge a very poore woman and owld not
abell to releve her self hathe demaunded and craved
som mayntaynence for the child from the sayd pareshe of Arle Kinges
whoe doethe utterlye refuges to geve any unles theye
ar therunto compelled by the justices of the shere this
cravinge your worshipes assistance ther in for Godes love
accordinge to the statute [etc?] the sayd Thomas Ballard
beinge fled and can not be hard of

To the right worshipfull his
majesties justisses of the peace
heer present the humble peticion
of Joane Stringer of the parishe
of Arele Kinge in the countye
of Wigorne heare presente craving
relef for Godes love.

Henry Dingley of Hanley Castell gentleman. Ref.110 BA1/1/44/26 (1608)

The humble peticion of Henry
Dingley of Hanley Castell
gentleman

Humbly besechinge your good lordshipp
that yt will please you to caule on
the church wardens and constables
of Hanley Castell to laye open
and present the great abuses done
on the sabaoth daies in Hanley
aforesaide and especially the
greate rott and unlawfull
assembly done the last sabaoth
being Whit Sondaye by fortie
severall persons at least many
of them recusantes who dailie
increase in the same parishe
to the ende the rotters maye be
punishedd and this for Gods love

Your L. suppliant

• H Dingley

Jane Bennett. Ref.110 BA1/1/44/27 (1608)

To the right worshipfull, his majesties justices
of the peace for the countie of Wigorn.

The humble peticion of Jane Bennett
Humbly shewinge, that whereas it pleased your worshipps of your accustomed
clemencye, to order, that your poore supplyant shuld be shrowded in a con=
venient house within the parishe of Handley William, in these her later dayes, acor
=dinge to the statute made, for the ayde of persons beinge borne within any parishe of
this lande or to the like effecte. And now for that, the said parishioneres will
not be obedient unto your charitable order in permittinge your poore supply=
ant to be harboured in the same parishe, where she was borne, and that
her poore and painefull daughter, beinge the staffe and stay of her age (she
beinge under infirmities) may not there likwise remayne with her,
therefore your distressed poore aged and impotent suppliant, moste
humbly besechethe your good worshipps for god cause, to take suche further
course herein, for the ease, of her in this her extremitie, as to your
wisedomes, shall be thought fitt, wherein she and her poore daughter
shall ever pray, for the longe continuance of your happye healthes.

xiii shillings iiii pence per annum

Thomas Hawes, prisoner. Ref.110 BA1/1/44/29 (1608)

To the reverend father in God Gervase Lord Bushopp of Worcester
and others his majesties justices of peace for the county of Wigorn
now present.

The humble peticion of Thomas Hawes prisoner

Whereas your poore peticioner, beinge an apprentice in London
and sonne of John Hawes of the parish of Grimley, was sent
uppon busines into the cuntrye, and beinge at Ombersley he
was assalted and grevouslye wounded by dyvers outragious
and unrulye persons to the number of vii or viii, where he
received three or fower sore woundes and afterwardes purposinge
to goe over the water towardes his fathers howse, and feelinge
bloud yssue forth in an other place of his body, before he came
to the water side he entended to goe to a howse to staye the
flux of bloud, but theis malicious persons not satisfied,
way leyed your peticioner, and then and there secondly assalted
and wounded your peticioner, and brought him before Sir
Samuell Sandes, who comitted him.

He therefore most humbly beseecheth your good worships
that before any bill shalbe preferred against him and
the other ii defendantes, that he and Phillipp Howle
and Phillipp [Etheridge?] may be brought to the barre
to answere for themselves by proofe of wyttnesses.
[illegible] and the rather because a messenger is sent
from London on purpose for your peticioner.

And he and his frendes shall daylie
pray to the allmightie for your worships
prosperities.

William Porter. Ref.110 BA1/1/44/30 (1608)

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

The humble peticion of William Porter.

Whereas your poore peticioner (beinge a souldier in Vlusshinge
as may appeare by his pasport under his governours hand
for his comminge for England) was growen so feeble lame
and sicke by meanes of his service thatt he was forced
after his comminge home to Droitwych to travell to
the Bath for his recoverye, afterwardes Master Wieldes
worshipp, and others of the said Towne of Droitwich
(uppon a lewne for other matters) thought fitt that
the lewne might be rated the higher to procure your poore
peticioner some xxx shillings towardes his reliefe and comfort
which they gathered accordinglye, besides his wife
heretofore was allowed xviii pence a weeke which nowe is
kept from her.

He therefore most humbly beseecheth your good
worships (even for Godes cause) that your worships will
be a meanes to helpe him to the money which is
gathered for him, and the rather for that Master
Wield appointed it should be soe.

And he his poore wief and children shall
daylie pray to allmighty God for your
worshipps prosperities.

A precept to the constables that
yf Thomas Alexander refuse to pay
the monye collected then to bring
him before a justice of peace

Phillip ap Owen and James ap David. Ref.110 BA1/1/44/31 (1608)

To the Kinges majesties justices of the peace for the county
of Wigorn

The humble peticion of Phillip ap Owen
and James ap David

Shewinge unto your good worships that they the peticioners in
February last past had feloniously stolen from them
twelve weather sheepe and that since haveinge made
suite in diverse places after the theves they the peticioners
have founde two of their sheepe depastured in the
groundes of Humfrey Milles of Shelsley in this countie
and that the said Humfrey Milles justiefied that he
bought the said sheepe of Charles Bentley of Clifton
in the said countie and that the said Bentley justiefied
that he bought them of Henry Powell of Clifton
aforesaid and thus the peticioners are deferred from
one to the other and cannot have their goodes neyther
knowe how they came to the same

Theyr humble peticion ys that your worships
would examined the cause that the
peticioners may have their goodes and
the offender punished according to his
demerittes.

William Ingram. Ref.110 BA1/1/44/32 (1608)

Master clarke of the peace my occasion is such I can not be at
the sessions I knowe there wilbe opposicion by Cotherege
men and Lighe men for the reversings of the order made
at the last sessions for the relief of our pore it was
then ordered by consent of all the benche that they
should weekely ii shillings vi pence towardes the relief of our poore
they have contemptuosly broke the order and not paied
one penye since, those justices which sett downe the
order are allmost all absent I desyre that that order
may stande till the next sessions that those justices be
there, and that the mony may be brought in and yf
this order may not stande that we may be assigned some
other parishe to aide us you may move it that this order
may be referred to Master Fleete and myself to consider of
it who knoweth the state of the cawse better then any one
els, I must allso entreate you to be very mindeful
for the good of old Pollar who [illegible] hath gotten
letters for a pention, that there may be a deduction forth
of other that his may have a pention may be the greater
and for your paines taken herein I shalbe much indebted
unto you. Thus leavinge these busines to your good discretion
I leave Earles Court this Tuesday morning

Your very lovinge frend

• William Ingram