1676
4 January, 27 Charles II.—True Bill that, at St. Giles's-in-theFields co. Midd. in the night of the said day, John Smith and George
Marshall, both late of the said parish laborers, broke burglariously into
the church of the said parish and sacrilegiously took and carried away
from the same church four silver flagons worth two hundred pounds,
three silver-gilt bowls worth thirty pounds, and a silver-gilt challis with a
silver-gilt cover worth thirty-five pounds, of the goods and chattels of the
parishioners of the said parish, at that time in the custody of Henry
Rogers and William Mathewes, wardens of the said church. Found
'Guilty,' John Smith and George Marshall were both sentenced to be
hanged. G. D. R., 5 April, 28 Charles II.
8 January, 27 Charles II.—True Bill that, at St. Margaret's
Westminster co. Midd. on the said day, in a conversation had between
John King late of the said parish yeoman and John Webb, one of the
servants-in-ordinary of the said Lord the King, then wearing and clothed
in one of the "livery coates" of the same king, the aforesaid John
King, in the presence and hearing of very many of the same Lord the
King's lieges and subjects, spoke these scandalous words "I do not
valew the coate nor hee that gave it."—Also, a similar True Bill against
John Lester, late of St. Margaret's Westminster laborer, for uttering the
same scandalous words on the same day and apparently on the same
occasion, to wit, "I doe not valew the coate nor hee that gave it," in
disparagement of John Webb and in disesteem of his royal master.
S. P. West. R., 7 January, 27 Charles II.
5 February, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that, at St. Paul's Shadwell
co. Midd. on the said day, Elizabeth Collier wife of Thomas Collier
late of the said parish yeoman, alias Elizabeth Collier late of the said
parish spinster, assaulted Sarah Price spinster, and afterwards on the
same day conveyed her to a certain ship called The Rebecca, then lying
in the river Thames, and afterwards transported her against her will to a
certain place called Virginea in parts beyond sea, with intention of selling
the said Sara Price for the advantage and profit of the aforesaid Elizabeth
Collier. A clerical minute at the head of the indictment shows that
Elizabeth Collier put herself on a jury; but the parchment exhibits no
note touching subsequent proceedings in the case. S. P. R., 3 April,
28 Charles II.
20 February, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that, at St. Martin's-in-theFields co. Midd. on the said day, Eleanor Neale late of the said parish
spinster, with the intention of murdering the Lady Hester Webb, put a
poison called mercury in a certain cup filled with a drink called posset,
and gave the drink so poisoned to the said Lady Hester and caused her
to drink of it, so that the said Lady Hester forthwith fell sick and still
remains sick of the said drink so poisoned, and so given to her in order
to murder her.—Also, on the same file, a True Bill against the same
Eleanor Neale for administering a poison called mercury in the same
manner and in the same parish to the Lady Katherine Grandison on 10
June, 28 Charles II., so that Lady Katherine forthwith sickened and
still remains sick of the said poisoned posset, so administered to her in
order to poison her.—Also, on the same file, a True Bill against the same
Eleanor Neale, for administering a poison called mercury in a cup of
posset, in the same manner and parish, on 10 June, 28 Charles II., to a
certain John Clarke, so that he forthwith sickened and still remains sick
of the said posset so poisoned and given, in order to murder him. No
minute touching subsequent proceedings in the case on either of these
two indictments. S. P. West. R., 9 July, 29 Charles II.
29 February, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that, at St. Andrew's
Holborne co. Midd. on the said day, Richard Hutton late of the said
parish esquire assaulted Samuel Peachey gentleman, and slew him by
giving him with a rapier a mortal wound on the right part of his body,
of which wound he then and there died instantly. Richard Hutton put
himself on a jury. No clerical note touching subsequent proceedings in
the case. G. D. R., 5 April, 28 Charles II.
1 May, 28 Charles II.—True Bill for not going to church, chapel
or any usual place of common prayer, during one month beginning on
the said day, against George Willoughby yeoman, Henry Benson yeoman,
and Elizabeth Cotty spinster, all three late of St. Margaret's Westminster.
S. P. West. R., 2 October, 28 Charles II.
4 May, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that, at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields
co. Midd. on the said day, Dorothy Preist the wife of George Preist late
of the said parish milliner, alias Dorothy Preist late of the said parish
spinster, assaulted her apprentice Elizabeth Davies, and then and there
cruelly beat her over and beyond the limit of just correction and
castigation, so that her life was despaired of. Dorothy Preist confessed
the indictment and was fined twenty-six shillings and eight-pence, which
fine she paid to the Sheriff in court. S. P. R., 9 May, 28 Charles II.
8 May, 28 Charles II.—Recognizances, taken before William Wood
esq. J.P. on the said day, of John Kent of King's Street . . . . . in the
sum of forty pounds, and of Launcelott Shanck laborer and Richard
Rawlins architect, both of the said street, in the sum of twenty pounds
each: For the said John Kent's appearance at the next Session of the
Peace for Middlesex, "to answer the spiriting of John Cressop aboard
a ship, to transport him to Virginia against his will." S. P. R., 9 May,
28 Charles II.
11 May, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that, at Northall co. Midd. on
the said day, William Odell late of the said parish laborer assaulted his
master Sir Christopher Eyre knt. William Odell on nth December
pleaded 'Not Guilty;' but subsequently he confessed the indictment,
and was sentenced to pay a fine of three shillings and four pence, which
money he paid to the Sheriff in court. S. P. R., 26 June, 28 Charles II.
1 June, 28 Charles II.—True Bill for not going to church, chapel or
any usual place of common prayer, during one month beginning on the
said day, against Greenhill Dudley yeoman and John Vanlier victualler,
both late of St. Margaret's Westminster co. Midd. S. P. West. R., 2
October, 28 Charles II.
20 June, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that, at St. Katherine's co. Midd.
on the said day, Humfrey Gardiner late of St. Katherine's aforesaid
yeoman assaulted Mary Sunderland spinster, and afterwards on the same
day conveyed her to a ship lying in the river Thames, with intention of
transporting her without her consent and against her will to the island
of Jamaica in parts beyond the sea, and there selling her for his own
gain and profit, and to her grievous loss. No clerical minute touching
any subsequent proceedings in the case. S. P. R., 14 May, 30 Charles II.
20 July, 28 Charles II.—Recognizances, taken before Sir William
Pulteney knt. J.P., of Thomas Vent of St. Margaret's Westminster
barber and John Pendleton of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields victualler, in the
sum of twenty pounds each: For the appearance of Ellen Tracy at the
next General Session of the Peace for the Liberty of Westminster, "then
and there to answer to the complaint of the Overseers of the Poore of
the Parish of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, for the laying of a young child
at the Queenes Back-Staires in Whitehall, soe that the said childe was
in danger of death, and likely to become a charge to the said parish."
S. P. West. R., 2 October, 28 Charles II.
8 September, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that Thomas Gore late of
St. Katherine's co. Midd. yeoman assaulted a certain Edward Meade on
the said day, and against the will of the said Edward Meade conveyed
him to a ship called The Charles, then lying in the river Thames, with
the intention of transporting him without his consent in the same ship
to Virginea, in parts beyond sea, and there selling the same Edward
Meade for the gain and profit of himself, the said Thomas Gore.
Thomas Gore put himself 'Not Guilty' on a jury. No clerical note
touching later proceedings in the case. S. P. R., 5 Oct., 28 Charles II.
1 October, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that, at St. Clement's Danes'
co. Midd. on the said day, Michael Hurst late of the said parish yeoman
and his wife Mary Hurst, alias Mary Hurst late of St. Clement's Danes'
spinster, unlawfully took and carried away twenty pounds weight of
butter worth ten shillings, three hundred eggs worth eighteen pence, one
hundred orenges worth five shillings, one hundred lemons worth five
shillings, a peck of oatemeale worth twelve pence, and forty shillings in
numbered money, of the goods chattels and moneys of Elizabeth Ellary.
On 12th Jan., 1676, each of the misdemeanants confessed the indictment, and was fined three shillings and four pence. S. P. R., 11 Dec.,
28 Charles II.
2 October, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that, at St. Paul's Shadwell
co. Midd, on the said day, Mary Browne late of the said parish widow
stole and carried off a scarlett cloth pettycoate laced with silver and
gold lace worth fifty-five shillings, a serge pettycoate laced with silver
and gold lace worth fifteen shillings, a lutestring skirt for a gowne worth
fifty shillings, a muffe worth eight shillings and sixpence, a lutestring
hood worth five shillings, a pocket-handkerchief worth eighteen shillings,
a paire of kidds leather gloves worth eighteen pence, and a black silke
scarfe laced worth twelve shillings, of the goods and chattels of a certain
David Gwin. Found 'Guilty,' Mary Browne was sentenced to be
hanged. G. D. R., 25 April, 29 Charles II.
5 October, 28 Charles II.—Recognizances, taken before Sir
Edmond Berry Godfrey knt. J.P. on the said day, of James Barebone
gentleman and Thomas Benboe gentleman, both of St. Paul's Covent
Garden co. Midd., in the sum of three hundred pounds each, and of
Anne Love of the said parish widow, in the sum of five hundred
pounds: For the said Anne Love's appearance at the next General
Session of the Peace for Middlesex, and for her peaceful behaviour in
the mean time towards all persons and more especially towards the
Right Honorable the Lord Mohun. S. P. R., 11 Dec, 28 Charles II.
5 October, 28 Charles II.—Recognizances, taken before Sir
Edmond Berry Godfrey knt., of Anne Love of St. Paul's Covent Garden
co. Midd. widow, Richard Foster of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields inn-holder,
and James Barebone of St. Paul's Covent Garden aforesaid gentleman,
in the sum of three hundred pounds each: For the appearance of
Bridgett Burby at the next General Session of the Peace for Middlesex,
and for her peaceful behaviour in the meantime to all persons, and more
"especially towards the Right Honorable the Lord Mohun." Signed,
Edm. Godfrey. S. P. R., 11 Dec, 28 Charles II.
14 October, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that, at Stepney, co. Midd.
on the said day, Elizabeth Stilgoe wife of Jeremiah Stilgoe late of the
said parish yeoman, alias Elizabeth Stilgoe late of the said parish spinster
assaulted a certain Edmund Yates, and beat and maltreated him so
that his life was despaired of. On 12th Jan., 1676, Elizabeth Stilgoe
confessed the indictment, and was fined in the sum of three shillings
and four pence, which she paid to the Sheriff in court. S. P. R., 11
Dec, 28 Charles II.
18 October, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that, at St. Paul's Shadwell
co. Midd. on the said 18th Oct. (sic), 28 (sic) Charles II. Mary Knight
wife of Thomas Knight late of the said parish yeoman, alias Mary
Knight late of the said parish spinster, assaulted Elizabeth Seamer
wife of Clement Seamer, and beat wounded and maltreated the said
Elizabeth, so that her life was despaired of, and then and there unlawfully took from the said Elizabeth's person and carried away a silke
scarfe worth twelve shillings, a silke hood worth six shillings and sixpence, a Scotchcloth handkerchiefe worth twelve-pence, and one paire
of pattens worth sixteen pence. On 11th Dec, 1676, Mary Knight
confessed the indictment, and was fined in the sum of six shillings and
eightpence, which she paid to the Sheriff in court. S. P. R. 5 Oct., 28
Charles II.
1 November, 28 Charles II.—Recognizances, taken before Sir
Edmond Berry Godfrey knt. J.P. on the said day, of Lewis Pare of St.
Margaret's Westminster haberdasher, William Parks of the same parish
gentleman, and Gabriell Jones of the same parish surgeon, in the sum
of two hundred and fifty pounds each, and Gervas Sutton (?) of the
same parish gentleman, in the sum of five hundred pounds: For the
appearance of the said Gervas Sutton at the next General Session of the
Peace for Middlesex, "to answer to such matters as on his Majesties
behalfe shall then be objected against him by the Right Honble Lord
Mohune, for assaulting the said Lord in his owne lodgings."—Signed,
Edm: Godfrey. S. P. R., 11 Dec. 28 Charles II.
1 November, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that. at Hackney co. Midd.
on the said day, Abraham Alsopp late of the said parish yeoman kept
divers hounds and beagles, and fed them on intestines of beasts and
other putrid stuff, and still continues to keep and to feed them, so that
the air was and is corrupted and infected. Abraham Alsopp pleaded
'Not Guilty' on 12th Jan., 1676; but he subsequently confessed the
indictment, and was fined three shillings and four pence, which he paid
to the Sheriff in court. S. P. R., 11 Dec, 28 Charles II.
4 December, 28 Charles II.—True Bill against Robert Wilcox late
of St. Leonard's Shoreditch co. Midd. yeoman, for keeping his dwellinghouse in the said parish in a disorderly manner, and there on the said
day and at divers other times before and afterwards, for his unlawful
gain and profit having and maintaining an unlawful game with painted
cards, called "all fouers at cards." On 12th Jan., 1676, Robert Wilcox
confessed the indictment, and was fined forty shillings. S. P. R., 11
Dec., 28 Charles II.
8 December, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that, at St. Martin's-in-theFields, co. Midd. on the said day, Robert Jordan late of the said parish
yeoman assaulted one Edmund Ward, and beat and wounded him, and
put his wrist out of joint. On 5th March, 1676, Robert Jordan pleaded
'Not Guilty,' but subsequently he confessed the indictment, and was
fined three shillings and four pence, which he paid to the Sheriff in
court. S. P. R., 11 Dec, 28 Charles II.
12 December, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that, at Stepney co. Midd.
on the said day, Lawrence Greenwood late of the said parish yeoman
assaulted Dominick Melaghlin gentleman, and then and there unlawfully
took and carried away a fowling-piece worth twenty-two shillings, of the
goods and chattels of the said Dominick. Lawrence Greenwood confessed the indictment, and was fined three shillings and four pence.
S. P. R., 11 Dec, 28 Charles II.
19 December, 28 Charles II.—True Bill that, at Whitechappell co.
Midd. on the said day, Samuel Morris late of the said parish yeoman, a
person diabolically affected to the most serene Lord, our Charles the
Second now King, in the presence and hearing of divers of the lieges
and subjects of the said Lord King, spoke and uttered these scandalous
words, to wit, "The King of England is no more then another man,
nor he can doe noe more than you or I, and I myselfe am as good a
man as he, and I have as good blood in my body as he in his body."
On 12th Jan., 1676, Samuel Morris put himself on a jury, who found
him 'Not Guilty.' S. P. R., 11 Dec, 28 Charles II.