THE JUSTICING NOTEBOOK OF HENRY NORRIS

1. Monday, 2 February 1730 Midd^x:ss. Thomas Martin of y^e Parish of S^t: Giles in the Fields Joyner bound in £10:- Upon Condition that y^e above bound Tho: Martin personally appeareth at the next generall Session of the peace to be held for the County of Middlesex at Hicks hall in St: John Street then & there to answer the complaint of Mnason Cornish, his Apprentice, for misusing his Said Apprentice & in the meantime to be of the good behaviour & not to depart the Court without licence. Then this Recognisance to be void otherwise remain in full force & Virtue. Captat & recog: 2^do die Februarij 1730. (fn. 1)

2. Friday, 28 April 1730 Sent to y^e Clerkenwell Bridewell to be put to hard labour Richard Evans, convicted on y^e oath of M^r [blank] Grier Churchwarden, of being a loose disorderly fellow of ill fame & refusing or neglecting to work & making himself burdensome to y^e Parish.

Friday, 8 May 1730 Ordered y^e Keeper of Clerkenwell Bridewell to discharge Rich^d Evans if detained for no other cause than my warrant of 28 Ap: last. (fn. 2) [See 380].

3. Monday, 25 May 1730 Admitted & Sworn in John Rook Headborough for the precinct of Grovestreet in y^e Parish of Hackney.

4. Saturday, 30 May 1730 Admitted & Sworn in Jn^o: Wetherhead Constable for y^e Parish of Hackney at y^e desire of M^r Ryder who was returned for y^t office.

5. Saturday, 20 June 1730 Dan: Baker & Marg: Sly bro^t: before me by Warr^t of [blank] Manly on complaint of Eliz^a: Sly y^e Wife for keeping comp^a: in a vicious manner - & discharged y^m both on y^e matter being agreed between all ptyes & at y^e desire of y^e Complainant.

6. Monday, 31 August 1730 Marget Baldery widow of Tho: Baldery late a weekly Serv^t: to M^r Malyn a Brewer at S^t Margarets hill in Southwark maketh oath that her late husband T Baldery did obtain a Legal Settlement in this Parish of Hackney by living w^th M^r Emmott as a yearly Serv^t: upwards of the Space of one year, about 20 years ago, & that her said husband did since acquire no Settlement in any other parish whatsoever, also that her Said husband has been dead about 2 years & that Since her sd husbands death She hath not acquired any Settlement, that She hath by her said husband 3 Children yet living but they are not in any great degree chargeable to her being all out in Service. Marget Baldery [mark]. Jurat 31 Aug: Coram Hen: Norris. (fn. 3)

7. Saturday, 9 January 1731 Joseph Hall bro^t: before me for Stealing divers Iron instruments & tools y^e property's of W^m Stoakes & other persons unknown y^e goods being taken upon him by James Huggett Jun^r: & himself having nothing to alledge in his own behalf nor denying it & it was farther proved by y^e oaths of J^a: Huggett J^r: & W^m Stokes. Committed him to Newprison (to be prosecuted by y^e Complainants at y^e ensuing Quarter Sessions) by Warr^t: dd to James Wootton. (fn. 4)

8. Saturday, 9 January 1731 W^m Tilly bro^t. before me by James Wotton & charged on y^e Oaths of Mary Stretton & Catherine Stretton on Suspicion of Stealing in y^e house of S^d Mary Stretton, a p^r: Sheets 13 Pewter plates 4 dishes & other goods ab^t: 15 months ago the properties of Sd Mary Stretton. Committed him to Newprison to be prosecuted at y^e ensuing Sessions by Mary Stretton by Warrant dd to James Wootton & bound over [y^e deleted] Mary Stretton to prosecute in £20 & Cath: Stretton to be a witness in £10 penalty to [sic]. (fn. 5)

9. Monday, 8 February 1731 Thomasin Wheeler maketh complaint ag^t: her husband John Wheeler for beating & abusing her being Sick & for denying to assist in the maintenance of her & her Children & threatning her Saying were no more pity to kill her then to kill a dog. Given her a Warrant for her Husband. [See 48, 89, 119, 129, 553, 560, 581, 582, 680].

10. Saturday, 13 March 1731 Edward Beall and Dyson Green bro^t before me by Jn^o: Wethered by Warr^t: of Tho: Talboy Esq dated 9 March 1731 charged on the Oath of Jn^o Wethered & James Wootton Viz: Jn^o Wethered maketh Oath y^t Ed. Beall did forcibly rescue Ed. Baker then in Custody of J Wethered for a breach of y^e peace & y^t Dyson Green did also refuse to assist him y^e Officer wⁿ charged & did on y^e contrary assist Baker to escape. James Wootton maketh oath that Ed: Beall did assist y^e S^d Baker to escape, also y^t Dyson Green was by him charged to assist in Securing Ed. Baker but did refuse or neglect to assist in it. Referred y^e matter w^th y^e consent of y^e Officer Roger Rutherford & y^e Plaintiffs to be bro^t before us next Monday at the Mermaid at Petty Sessions.

Monday, 15 March 1731 The Complain^ts: having agreed y^e matter w^th y^e 2 above pties & Jn^o: Maslin now bro^t before me, discharged y^m all on promise of good behaviour in future.

11. Sunday, 21 March 1731 Joseph Stretton bro^t: before me by Mary Preston charged by her on Suspicion of Stealing 4 Tablecloths She lost yesterday out of her own backside in Homerton. Mary Preston Says on her Oath y^t She lost yesterday between y^e hours of 10 & 12, 3 Table Cloths 1 Damask & 2 Diaper from her backside but knows not who took y^m but has a Suspicion of Jos: Stretton. Jn^o: Preston Says he Saw Jos: Stretton in y^e adjoining field lying on his face between 11 & 12 but he did not at y^t time See y^e Cloths [nor a deleted] hanging in their place nor can give any reason for charging Stretton w^th taking y^m. Dismissed Jos: Stretton not finding Sufficient ground to Charge him.

12. Saturday, 27 [altered from 28] March 1731 Complaint made by Mary Shaves wife of W^m Shaves living at y^e Rose in Stratford ag^t: Eliz^a: Owers for Seducing W^m Shaves her husband & keeping lewd Comp^a: w^th him in an unlawfull manner & inticing him to consume that Substance w^ch Should maintain his family upon her to their impoverishm^t: w^ch She the Sd Mary Shaves maketh oath to & thereupon granted her a Warr^t: to take her up & bring her before a Magistrate. N.B. Eliz^a: Owers is Said to Harbour at Thomas Collies in Well Street.

Same day Eliz^a: Owers bro^t: before me upon the above warrant Says her name is Eliz^a: Owers, y^t She is y^e wife of Thomas Owers a Labourer to y^e bricklayers near Woodford but has not Seen him Since 5 Ap: last acknowledges her Self w^th Child & y^t by W^m Shaves. Anne Collie maketh Oath y^t Eliz^a: Owers has lodged in her house near 2/mo: took the Lodging as a Single person by y^e name of Eliz^a: Dell & lodged there 3 or 4 nights afterwards went to Bow & staid away near 14 d^s: & then came back to her lodging & had w^th her Edward Watts whom She called her husband who has lived w^th her as Such for ab^t: 6 weeks. Mary Shaves maketh Oath y^t y^e S^d Eliz^a: Owers has Seduced her husband & kept Comp^a: w^th him in a Lewd manner & Spent his Substance [and] impoverish^t his family in Spending his mo: upon y^e Sd E: Owers.

Same day Committed y^e S^d Eliz^a: Owers to Clerkenwell Bridewell to be kept to hard Labour till discharged by due course of law.

Wednesday, 21 April 1731 Sent an ord^r to y^e Keeper of Clerkenwell house of Correction for discharge of the before mentioned Elis^a: Owers unless detained for other cause then by virtue of my Commitm^t:

13. Monday, 26 April 1731 Martha Geers complains ag^t: her Husband, Rich^d: Geers for beating & bruising her last night in a very grievous manner & threatning her life whereof She made oath. Granted her a Warr^t to take up y^e Sd Rich^d Geers to answer y^e Complaint. Being bro^t: before me Same day by [blank], Eliz^a: Sowter [and] Martha Geers, Sworn. Eliz^a: Sowter maketh oath y^t M^rs Geers having Shewed her husband her bruises he Said he had given her too little. Martha Geers on oath confirms her former complaint. Committed Rich^d Geers to Newprison for want of Sureties.

Tuesday, 27 April 1731 Admitted Sd Geers to Bail and bound Rich^d Geers £20, Sam: Sadler £10, Jn^o: Hankin £10, to appear at next Generall Session of the Peace to answer y^e complaint of Martha Geers his wife. (fn. 6)

14. Friday, 7 May 1731 W^m Corn, Tho Fouch, Hen: Rod bro^t: pr Warr^t Hen: Trent Jun^r: charged w^th taking a Horse bridle Pilch & Pannell (fn. 7) fr^m: Ja: Mackdonnelld. Ja. Macdonnald makes oath y^t he bo^t: a horse of W^m Corn 5 May inst: w^ch was dd him on paying 2:6 earnest & to pay after £2:15 more & y^t after y^e 3 defend^ts: met him w^th y^e Horse & took him away by force. The Def^t: Corn Says y^t he did not deliver y^e Horse but was to do it only on receiving y^e whole mo: W^m Hewson called Says on oath y^t y^e bargain was treating in his hearing but not concluded only he heard Ja: Mackdonald Say if he agreed for y^e Horse he would pay y^e mo: down. Tho: Harris on oath Says y^t he saw Corn take y^e horse by one ear & deliver him into Macdonalds hands. Humphry Wood Swears y^t M^r Corn is a man of a very good Character & Ja: Mackdonald a man of a bad Character. Sam: Sadler confirms y^e same of each.

Same day Discharged y^e 3 Prisoners finding no cause upon y^e whole to commit ym.

15. Thursday, 13 May 1731 Jos: Parsons bro^t: before me by Warr^t: of H Ashton & Self charged by Mary Main for an assault on Saterday last by W^m Gibbons. Mary wife of W^m Mayne Swears She was assaulted by Jos: Parsons Sat: last Struck w^th a Saddle tree & thrown down on y^e ground and her Arm very much hurt. Rob^t: Wild deposes that he Saw not M^r Parsons Strike her but did see him push her down.

Saturday, 15 May 1731 Bound over Jos: Parsons to answer the complaint at next Gen^ll: Sessions, himself in £10, Allen Parsons £5 [and] Nath^a: Potts £5, Surety's. (fn. 8) [See 31].

16. Tuesday, 6 July 1731 Sarah Crew complains ag^t Jn^o Annable for abusing & assaulting her last week twice & last Sunday, & in a grievous manner throwing dirt at her & drink in her face. Granted a Warr^t: for him.

17. Saturday, 24 July 1731 Complaint made by Sibella Hunt of Hummerton y^t was Stoln fr^m: her yesterday out of her house a Cop^r: Coffee pot & A box Iron w^ch She Suspects may be concealed in y^e lodging of Widow Parsons or M^r Loyd or M^r Bennett. Granted her a Search warr^t:

18. Friday, 6 August 1731 Complaint made by [Benj^a: deleted] W^m Brown ag^t: Job Everton for assaulting him 31 July last & threatned his life. On oath made granted him a Warr^t: to take up Job Everton.

Saturday, 7 August 1731 Discharged y^e Warr^t: y^e matter being agreed between them.

19. Thursday, 12 August 1731 Complaint made by Jane Ross ag^t: Eleanor [blank] Serv^t: maid to Francis Crette for asssaulting her & throwing a Pewter pot & bruising her in breach of y^e peace - &c on y^e 9 Aug: Granted a warr^t: for her.

20. Monday, 23 August 1731 Complaint made by Jane Ramsey Widow ag^t: Joseph Butterfeild for assaulting her throwing her on y^e ground & throwing water upon her in breach of y^e peace - this morning near her own house - granted her a warr^t for him.

21. Monday, 23 August 1731 Bro^t: before me Jos: Brett charged by Jn^o Coules for running away fr^m: Rumford & leaving w^th y^m a Child to maintain. Discharged him on his promise in future to take care of his child & w^th consent of Jn^o Coules one of the Overseers in behalf of y^e Parish of Rumford.

22. Saturday, 28 August 1731 Complaint made by Math. Walter & Sam. Leader ag^t: Jacob Hales gardner to M^r Lamb for taking unlawfully the fruit growing in M^r Lambs Garden w^ch fruit they bo^t: of the Said Jacob Hales. They charge him w^th taking Peaches & Nectarines & pduce Roger Rutherford as witness, who wth y^e others being Sworn, Rutherford says y^t Jacob Hales in his Sight has Severall times taken peaches & Nectarines & encouraged him Rutherford to do y^e like. Granted y^m a Warr^t ag^t: Jac: Hales.

Same day On hearing y^e Cause advised Hales to make them Satisfaction (it not appearing a felony) w^ch was done, & y^e Def^t: discharged. [See 52].

23. Saturday, 28 August 1731 Ed: Bullock bro^t: before me in Cust^o: of Hen: Batt, charged by Jn^o: Collins on oath with profane Swearing twice this day between 3 & 6 a Clock by the name of God - in Marestreet, not denied by Bullock & is convicted of the same.

Same day Issued a Warr^t: to the Constables of Bethnal green Hamlet to levy on him 2^s for use of y^e poor of Hackney or Sett him in y^e Stocks 2 hours.

24. Tuesday, 14 September 1731 Complaint made by Hamilton Smith ag^t: Thomas Batmaker, Nicholas Batmaker & John Batmaker for assaulting him last night ab^t: 6 at y^e Kings Arms in Kingsland in y^e Yard beating kicking him & bruising him in [peac deleted] breach of y^e peace. Granted him a Warr^t. for all 3. [See 26].

25. Tuesday, 14 September 1731 Complaint made by Nicholas Brown ag^t: Thomas Holt for Striking him w^th a Cartwhip & w^th his hand & abusing him [and] ag^t: George Howe for beating him & dragging him by y^e Leg into y^e Road in breach &c. last night ab^t: 8 or 9 in Kingsland near y^e door of his Father Ludlow Brown. Granted a Warr^t for [all 3 deleted] y^m both.

Saturday, 18 [altered from 19] September 1731 On hearing of Tho: Holt, Nich^o: Brown confirms by Oath y^e abuses from Tho: Holt - but Holt Says Brown [struck deleted] flung dirt 1^st. Dan. Welmoth says on his Oath y^t Brown flung dirt or gravell at Holt before he Struck him. Mary Lodge Swears y^t Brown flung dirt 1^st but contradicts her Self. Sus: Batmaker Says likewise but it appeared y^t She did not See y^e beginning. Upon y^e whole it Seemed to me y^t Holt was y^e aggressor but reccommended y^m to make it up w^ch they did & N Brown acknowledged to have recd Satisfaction from G Howe So I discharged both y^e Def^ts:

26. Saturday, 18 September 1731 Complaint made by Hamilton Smith ag^t: Tho: Batmaker, Nich^o Batmaker & John Batmaker for assaulting him on Monday 13:7ber in y^e yard of y^e Kings Arms in Kingsland, & beating him in a Severe manner. Granted a Warr^t: for y^m.

Thursday, 23 September 1731 (1) Hamilton Smith, Jn^o Ellitt, Nic^o Brown, Ludlow Brown, Susan Ellitt. (1) swears y^t on 13:7ber he was assaulted by Tho: Batmaker J^r: & y^t Nich & Jn^o Batmaker assisted him confirmed by the other witnesses. Rich^d. Chapman & others called in behalf of y^e Def^ts: but after a long hearing they agreed the matter & y^e Warr^t: was discharged. [See 24].

27. Sunday, 17 October 1731 Mary Mayne bro^t: by [blank] Collins on complaint of Tho: Blemeney charged by him for abusing him & his wife in words & Striking him Severall blows confirmed by his Oath & likewise by the Oath of Rich^d Marsland.

28. Sunday, 17 October 1731 Jos: Butterfield bro^t: in by D^o & charged by Jos: Cooper on Suspicion of Stealing a Saddle last night but nothing appeared Sufficient to charge him So dismissed him.

29. Monday, 1 November 1731 Tho: Griffis bro^t: before me 1:9ber 1731 in Custody of Hen: Batt charged on oath by Tho: Wood w^th having been found last night on y^e footpath w^th 3 p^cs: of wood in a bag upon him between 6 & 7 a clock w^ch p^cs: are Sworn to be y^e property of Jn^o: Townsend by himself, & a 4^th p^ce: wood was found at his Lodgings in Sam. Fenners house w^ch is proved to be J Townsends & beleived to be bro^t: thither before. Upon full hearing committed him to Bridewell to hard Labour.

Monday, 8 November 1731 Sent by his wife a Warr^t for his discharge.

30. Tuesday, 2 November 1731 Tho: Cooke bro^t: before M^r S: Tyssen me by Warr^t: of our Selves 29:8ber, the Peace being Sworn ag^t: him by James Bolton. Tho: Cooke of y^e Parish of Hackney bound in his own recognisance in £40 to appear at next Gen^ll Sessions of y^e Peace to answer complaint of James Bolton for threatning his Life &c mean time to keep y^e Peace &c & be of y^e good behaviour &c. N.B. was bound in his own recognisance alone w^th consent of y^e Plaintiff. (fn. 9) [See 365].

31. Tuesday, 2 November 1731 Complaint made by Jos^ph: Parsons ag^t: w^m Mayne for threatning to kill him 30:8ber & thereupon desire Warr^t: ag^t: to take Surety for y^e peace. Granted a Warr^t: on his taking y^e usuall Oath. (fn. 10) [See 15].

32. Thursday, 18 November 1731 Geo: Hobb bro^t: in Custody of Ludlow Brown chgd by Sarah Arnold for assaulting her on y^e high road & throwing her into a Ditch. She acknowledging her Self to have recd Satisfaction ordered him to be discharged.

33. Monday, 6 December 1731 Jn^o: Parmer & Henry Chandler bro^t in Custody of W^m Davis Constable each on a charge of breach of the peace also Jn^o Maslin on a like charge by y^e other 2. It appearing that they had agreed y^e matter between themselves ordered them to be discharged.

34. Monday, 13 December 1731 Complaint made by Hannah Preston ag^t: her husband Edward Preston for Spending his mo: Idly & neglecting to maintain his family, being a wife & 2 Children & threatning his wife. Made out a Warr^t: for him on y^e wifes oath & ordered to bring him next monday to the Mermaid. [See 87].

Footnotes