1687
6 January, 2 James II.—Recognizances of William Cortley of Haes
co. Midd. miller, in the sum of ten pounds, and of Francis Hamton of
Greenford co. Midd. yeoman, in the sum of 5£.: For the said William
Cortley's appearance at the next S.P. for Midd. "to answer his keeping
a Low-Bell and having destroyed his Majesties game." He appeared
and was discharged. S. P. R., 11 Jan., 2 James II.
8 January, 2 James II.—True Bill that David Gibbs, late of St.
Giles's-without-Cripplegate, unlawfully filed made or caused to be made
a key of iron and steel in the likeness of a true key pertaining to certain
locks, fixed on several of the Lord King's gates, leading to several
private ways of the same King, with the intention of opening the said
locks by means of the said false keys, and entering the said gates and
passing into the said private ways as often as he should wish. No clerical
note touching later proceedings in the case. S. P. R., 11 Jan., 2 James II.
11 January, 2 James II.—True Bill that, at St. Mary's Whitechappell co. Midd. on the said day, Elizabeth Barley wife of . . . .
Barley laborer alias Elizabeth Barley spinster, late of the said parish
feloniously and traitorously clippedj filed and diminished five silver
pieces of the good and lawful money of this kingdom of England, called
"King Charles the first his halfe-crownes," seven silver pieces of good
and lawful money called "King Charles the first his shillings," and one
piece of good and lawful silver money, called "King Charles the first
his sixpence." Found 'Guilty,' Elizabeth Barley was sentenced to be
drawn on a hurdle to the place of execution and there to be burnt to
death. G. D. R., 23 Feb., 3 James II.
15 January, 2 James II.—True Bill that, at St. James's Clerkenwell
co. Midd., on the said day, Paul Roach late of the said parish yeoman,
in the presence and hearing of divers of the King's lieges and subjects,
falsely unlawfully and seditiously uttered these English words, to wit,
"If the King is a Papist hee is a rogue, and those are rogues that . . . .
his part." On 23 Feb., Paul Roach pleaded 'Not Guilty,' and on the
25th day of the same February a jury found him 'Guilty,' whereupon
it was adjudged that he should be fined in the sum of £13 6s. 8d. and
should be stript from his middle upwards and be publickly flogged at
the hinder part of a cart till his body should be bloody, from a place
called Norton Folgate Barrs to the Church of St. Leonard Shoreditch,
on the 26th of the instant February between 10 a.m. and 12 a.m., and
that he be committed to Newgate, there to remain until he undergo the
aforesaid punishment. S. P. R., 21 Feb., 3 James II.
21 January, 2 James II.—True Bill that, at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields
co. Midd. on the said day, James Spanyard late of the said parish
laborer stole and carried off two silver brandy cupps worth five shillings
five silver trencher saults worth twenty shillings, four silver spoons
worth thirty shillings, four silver forkes worth twenty shillings, fourteen
silver coate-buttons worth fourteen shillings two silver socketts for
coralls worth sixteen shillings, three silver chaines worth fifteen shillings,
three silver money-boxes worth twelve shillings, ten silver seales worth
ten shillings, eighteen silver thimbles worth eighteen shillings, . . . .
twelve princes metall snuffe boxes worth twelve shillings, a silver incke
case worth seven shillings, seven silver snuffe-boxes worth twenty-two
shillings &c, of the goods and chattels of David Soup.—James Spanyard was found 'Not Guilty.' G. D. R., 23 Feb., 3 James II.
31 January, 2 James II.—True Bill that, at St. James's parish
within the Liberties of Westminster co. Midd. on the said day, Thomas
Pride late of the said parish gentleman, in the presence and hearing of
divers of the King's lieges and subjects spoke and declared in a high voice
before the dwelling-house of Andrew Lawrence esq. J.P. for Middlesex, in order to procure a tumult and riot in and near the said dwellinghouse, these malicious and scandalous words, to wit, "Justice Lawrence
by God, is a pimpe and a . . . ." No clerical note touching subsequent proceedings in the case. S. P. R., 21 Feb., 3 James II.
1 February, 2 James II.—True Bill that, at Stepney co. Midd. on
the said day, Margaret Terrell widow, Martha White wife of Alexander
White alias Martha White spinster, and Elizabeth Bill spinster, all three
late of the said parish, feloniously and traitorously clipped, filed and
diminished twenty silver pieces of the lawful coin of this kingdom of
England called "King Charles the First his halfe-crowns," and ten
silver pieces of good and lawful money called "King Charles the First
his shillings." Elizabeth Bill was acquitted. 'Found Guilty,' Margaret
Terrell and Martha White were both sentenced to be burnt to death:
over the name of each woman this clerical record appearing: "Po se
cul ca n'l' trahi super cratem ad locum executionis ac ibidem comburi
ad mortem." G. D. R., 23 Feb., 3 James II.
2 February, 2 James II.—True Bill that, at James's parish within
the Liberties of Westminster on the said day and on divers other days
and occasions before and afterwards, Frank Durlack and Edward Hoswell, both late of the said parish yeomen and both being seventeen years
and more of age, were and still are singers and common actors of
interludes, wandering about and "playing of interludes and upon
musick," and that in so doing the said Francis Durlack and Edward
Hoswell were and are common vagabonds. On 10 May, 1687, the said
Francis and Edward put themselves 'Not Guilty' and were forthwith
declared 'Not Guilty' by a jury. S. P. R., 21 Feb., 3 James II.
2 February, 2 James II.—True Bill that, at St. Clement's Danes'
co. Midd. on the said day and on divers days and occasions before and
afterwards, Cornelius Tilborne and Peter Doleman, both being late of
the said parish yeomen and seventeen years and more of age, were
common players of interludes and minstrells, wandering abroad and
playing of Interludes and on musick (interlusus agentes tubis citharis
que canentes anglice playing of Interludes and upon musick), and
that in so doing the said Cornelius Tilborne and Peter Doleman
were common vagabonds. On 4 April, 1687 the said Cornelius and
Peter pleaded 'Not Guilty,' and on 10 May, 1687, a jury declared
them 'Not Guilty.' S. P. R., 21 Feb., 3 James II.
5 February, 2 James II.—Recognizances of Thomas Marryott of
St. Clement's Danes' cook and Christopher Marryott of St. Dunstan'sin-the-West poulterer, in the sum of 40£. each: For the appearance of
the said Thomas Marryott at Hicks Hall at the next G. S. P. "to
answere the complaint of Robert Daniel cook, for not paying his wages
according to agreement, being a gyney a-day during the Revels at the
Temple." S. P. R., 21 Feb., 3 James II.
8 March, 3 James II.—Recognizance of Mathias lies of St.
George's co. Southwarke soldier, in the sum of forty pounds: For the
appearance of the said Mathias lles soldier at . . . ., "to prosecute
Edward Blackway soldier for running away from his Majesties colours
and carrying away his Majesties clothes." S. P. R., 4 April, 3 James II.
10 March, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields
co. Midd. on the said day, Katherine Jones and Elizabeth Creed, both
late of the said parish spinsters, dipt filed and diminished eight pieces
of silver of the proper coin of this kingdom of England called halfecrownes and ten pieces of silver of the lawful coin of the same kingdom
called shillings. Found 'Guilty' each of the two women were sentenced
to be burnt to death (Po' se cul' ca' n'l' comburi &c.) G. D. R., 6
April, 3 James II.
10 March, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at St. James's within the
Liberties of Westminster co. Midd. on the said day, Elizabeth Clarke
alias Burghin late of the said parish spinster feloniously and traitorously
clipped filed and diminished twenty pieces of coined silver called halfecrownes, and forty pieces of the lawful coin of this kingdom, called
shillings. Elizabeth Clarke alias Burghin confessed the indictment
and was sentenced to be burnt to death (Cogn' comburi &c.) G. D. R.,
6 April, 3 James II.
15 April, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at St. James's within the
Liberties of Westminster co. Midd. on the said day, Thomas Jarvis late
of the said parish laborer broke burglariously in the night of the said
day between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. into the dwelling-house of Solomon
Medina gentleman, and there took stole and carried off a paire of fringe
gloves worth twenty shillings, a pair of Flanders-laced sleeves worth
fifteen shillings, "unum frontale teniole anglice a lace peeke" worth
ten shillings, a damaske napkin worth two shillings, a steele paire of
sizars and case worth five shillings, a linen bagg worth four shillings, a
laced coife worth six shillings, and three yards of ribbon worth four
pence, of the goods and chattels of the said Solomon Medina. Found
'Guilty,' Thomas Jarvis was sentenced to be hanged. G. D. R., 12
May, 3 James II.
27 April, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at St. Margaret's Westminster
on the said day, Margaret Hambleton late of the said parish spinster,
a seditious person and ill-affected towards our most serene Lord James
the Second now King, in order to procure and cause sedition and
rebellion within this kingdom of England, wickedly and advisedly in
the presence and hearing of divers of the said King's lieges and subjects
spoke these seditious words, to wit, "God dam the King, for the Duke
of Monmouth is alive in Holland." Margaret put herself 'Not Guilty'
on the country. No clerical note touching subsequent proceedings in
the case. S. P. R., 10 May, 3 James II.
20 May, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at Stepney co. Midd. on the
said day, William Tanton late of the said parish laborer, being a soldier
(et non capitaneus immediate retentus cum dicto domino Rege), and
receiving wages, and being retained to serve the Lord the King in his
wars, withdrew himself from the said service without permission. Putting himself on a jury, William Tanton was found 'Not Guilty.'—
Similar True Bills against four other men, to wit, Hugh Bruffett, William
Poole, William Trapp and Thomas Grant—for being soldiers, who had
deserted the King's service. Like William Tanton, all four were acquitted.
G. D. R., . . . . July ?, 3 James II.
31 May, 3 James II.—Recognizances of George Rooke of London
esquire and Robert Worts of London gentleman, in the sum of forty
pounds each: For the appearance of the said George Rooke and
Robert Worts at the next S. P. for Middlesex "to prosecute and give
evidence against James Edwards late souldier in Prince George Hereditary Prince of Denmark's regiment of foote in the Coll' Sir Charles
Littleton's company and now Prisoner in Newgate for deserting his
colours." S. P. R., 28 June, 3 James II.
6 June, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields co.
Midd. on the said day Alice Mayer late of the said parish spinster stole
and carried off a gold lockett worth five pounds, of the goods and
chattels of Davenant Sherborne. At the head of the indictment appears
this clerical note, to wit, "Po se cul' val' xd. ca n'l' flagelland' &c."=
She puts herself 'Not Guilty' on a jury, is found 'Guilty' of stealing to
the value of ten-pence, has no chattels for forfeiture, is sentenced to be
whipt.—No less than fourteen persons, charged by True Bills with
great larceny were found 'Guilty' at this Gaol Delivery of mere petty
larceny, and were dismissed with a whipping,—to wit, Edmund Cowell,
William Hughes, Robert Shipwash, George Taylor, Jennett Tenley,
Hannah Bristow, Sara Burris, Tomasine Burton, Anne Cowell, Mary
Evans, Elizabeth Jones, Alice Mayer, Elizabeth Mellard, Ann Stacey
alias Sidney. G. D. R., . . . . July?, 3 James II.
9 June, 3 James II.—Coroner's Inquisition-post-mortem taken on
the said day at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields co. Midd., on view of the body
of John Turner gentleman, With Verdict of jurors saying that, on the
8th instant, within the said parish, Thomas Downes and Clement
Pomfrett, both late of the said parish gentlemen, assaulted the said
John Turner, and that the said Thomas Downes then and there slew
and murdered the said John Turner by giving him with a rapier a
mortal wound in the right side of his breast, of which wound he then
and there instantly died: and that Clement Pomfrett was present at
the said felony and murder, and aided and encouraged Thomas Downes
to commit it. G. D. R., . . . . July (?), 3 James II.
24 July, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at St. Andrew's Holborn co.
Midd. on the said day, Elias Jones yeoman, Jonas Kendrick laborer,
William Butler laborer, Samuel Slaughter laborer, John Springham,
laborer, Peter le Barre laborer and Giles Tresidder laborer, all seven late
of the said parish, assembled riotously with divers other disturbers of the
peace, to the number of five hundred persons, armed with staves clubs
&c., and congregated at the dwelling house of Thomas Griffith with the
intention of pulling it down and destroying it, and assaulted John Rust
and John Hastings, whilst the same John Rust and John Hastings were
assisting William Walden, one of the constables of St. Mary's Islington,
to suppress the said riot and preserve the King's peace, and beat and
wounded the same John Rust and John Hastings.—Also, on the same
file, a True Bill against John Moore yeoman, Obadiah Bowers laborer,
and Richard Baston laborer, all three late of St. Andrew's Holborn, for
assembling riotously on 17th July, 3 James II., with divers other disturbers of the peace, to the number of five hundred persons at the house
of Thomas Griffith, situated thereabouts (prope ibidem scituatam in
comitatu predicto), with intention of pulling down the said house and
destroying it, and for assaulting, beating and wounding John Mills,
whilst the said John Mills was assisting Thomas Little, one of the constables of St. James's, Clerkenwell, to suppress the riot and preserve the
King's peace. William Butler, Samuel Slaughter, Peter le Barre and
Giles Tresidder were acquitted. Elias Jones, Jonas Kendrick, John
Springham, John Moore, Obadiah Bowers and Richard Baston were
found 'Guilty'; and each of them was sentenced to pay a fine of three
pounds, six shillings and eight pence, to be whipt from Holborne Barrs
to the house of the said Thomas Griffiths, to be imprisoned for three
months in the House of Correction, and then to be committed to
Newgate Gaol, there to remain till he should have paid the fine, and
have found good sureties for his good behaviour during the next year.
G. D. R., 31 August, 3 James II.
25 July, 3 James II.—Coroner's Inquisision-post-mortem, taken at
Heston co. Midd. on the said day, on view of the body of Dowes Cooke
there lying dead; With Verdict of Jurors saying that on the . . . . instant
at the said parish . . . . Smyth late of the said parish gentleman assaulted
the said Dowes Cooke, and then and there slew and murdered him, by
giving him with a rapier a mortal wound on the right side of his breast,
of which wound he then and there instantly died; And as soon as he
had done the said felony and murder, the said . . . . Smyth made flight,
and withdrew himself to places to the jurors unknown (quod predictus
. . . . Smyth tarn cito quam ipse idem . . . . Smyth feloniam et
murdrum predicta modo ac forma predictis felonice voluntarie ac ex
malicia sua precogitata fecisset et perpetrasset pro felonia ac murdro illis
felonice fugam suam fecit et in loca juratoribus predictis adhuc incognita
se retraxit &c." G. D. R., 31 Aug., 3 James II.
6 August, 3 James II.—Recognizances of William Butler of St.
James's Westminster in the sum of 200£., and of Laurence Martindell
and Robert Evens of the aforesaid parish, in the sum of 100£. each:
For the appearance of the said William Butler at the next S. O. T. and
S. P. for Middlesex, "then and there to answer for being at a Treasonable
Assembly near Gras Inn Lane." S. P. R., . . . . Aug. (?), 3 James II.
18 August, 3 James II.—Recognizances of William Warrum of St.
Andrew's Holbourn . . . ., in the sum of 200£., and of William Shapwood (?), of St. Andrew's Holbourne . . . . and Benjamin Butterton of
St. Anne's Westminster, in the sum of 100£. each: For the said William
Warrum's appearance at the next S. O. T. and S. P. for Middlesex,
"then and there to answer for being at a Treasonable Assembly near
Gra's Inn Lane." S. P. R., . . . . Aug. (?), 3 James II.
2 September, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at St. Margaret's Westminster and at divers other places within the Liberties of Westminster,
on the said day and on divers other days and occasions before and
afterwards, Richard Jones late of the said parish laborer wandered
abroad as a vagrant, carrying with him drinking glasses and other glass
wares, and crying in a loud voice these words, to wit, "Will you buy any
glasses?" in order to colour his said vagrancy and escape punishment
for the same. No clerical notes touching subsequent proceedings in
the case. S. P. West. R., 3 Oct., 3 James II.
29 September, 3 James II.—Recognizances of Edward Hale of
Shepperton co. Midd. shepherd, in the sum of ten pounds, and Thomas
Stone the Elder and Thomas Stone the Younger, both of the said parish
husbandmen, in the sum of five pounds each: For the appearance of
the said Edward Hale at the next G. Q. S. P. for Middlesex, to answer
"for opposeing the execution of a warrant formerly granted by two of
his Majestyes Justices of the Peace of this County for searching for and
seizing of doggs and guns kept by persons unqualifyed by law within
the Honnor of Hampton Court for destruction of the game there and
contrary to his Majesties Declaration and for slighting of the same
Warrant."—Also, on the same file, two sets of Recognizances, for the
appearance of the aforesaid Thomas Stone the Elder and Thomas Stone
the Younger at the same next G. Q. S. P., to answer for similar offences.
S. P. R., 6 Oct., 3 James II.
29 September, 3 James II.—Recognizances of Allaxander MackDanell and John Deards, both of St. Clement's Danes' co. Midd. . . . .,
in the sum of 40£. each: For the appearance of the said Allaxander
Mack-Danell and John Deards at the next G. S. P. to be held for
Middlesex at Hix Hall, to "give in evidence against Richard Drunes of
the parish of Chiswick for saying God dame (sic) the King for a papis[t]
dog." S. P. R., 6 Oct., 3 James II.
30 September, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at St. Andrew's Holborne
co. Midd. and divers other places of the said county, on the said day
and divers other days and occasions before and afterwards, John Webb
late of the parish of St. Mary-le-Savoy co. Midd., an idle vagrant, in the
habit of wandering abroad and carrying about with him drinking glasses
and other glasses, wandered abroad with such wares, crying out in a loud
voice through the places and lanes these words, to wit, "Will you buy
any glasses?" in order to colour his said vagrancy, and escape punishment for the same vagrancy. On his arraignment John Webb confessed
the indictment, when judgment was deferred by order of the Court. No
clerical minute touching any later proceeding in the case. S. P. R.,
6 Oct., 3 James II.
12 October, 3 James II.—Recognizance of Richard Southwicke at
the Sign of the Ball in Lewtner Lane in St. Giles's-in-the-Fields co. Midd.
tayler, in the sum of £20.: For the appearance of Mary Southwicke at
the next G. S. P. for Middlesex, "to answer the complaint of Grace the
wife of Thomas Massey for whipping Johanna the daughter of the said
Thomas Massey openly in the street." S. P. R., 5 Dec., 3 James II.
14 October, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at Chelsey co. Midd. on
the said day, Thomas Bennett late of the said parish fisherman, being a
person ill-affected towards our most serene Lord James the Second now
King of England, advisedly and maliciously spoke in the presence and
hearing of divers of the King's lieges and subjects these words, to wit,
"God damn the King." Thomas Bennett put himself on the country,
and a jury of the country declared him 'Not Guilty.' S. P. R., 6 Oct.,
3 James II.
29 October, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields
co. Midd. on the said day, Cornelius Alder yeoman and his wife Mary
Alder alias Mary Alder spinster, both late of the said parish, being pernicious and seditious persons, in order to bring the Lord King James II.
and his beloved consort the Lady Mary the Queen into odium and contempt with the lieges and subjects of the said Lord the King spoke
certain malicious and seditious words: That on the said 29th Oct. the
said Cornelius Alder in the presence and hearing of divers of the said
King's lieges and subjects said in the said parish these seditious words,
to wit, "Oh, what a fine oppertunity (sic) the Citty hath to shoote them,
as they goe by any corner!" and that afterwards on the same day the
said Mary Alder of her most wicked mind spoke these malicious and
seditious words, to wit, "Oh, that I were but a man!" Cornelius and
Mary Alder put themselves 'Not Guilty' on the country, and were
declared 'Not Guilty' by a jury. S. P. R., 5 Dec, 3 James II.
1 December, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at St. Anne's within the
Liberty of Westminster co, Midd. and at divers other places within the
said county, on the said 1st Dec. and on divers other days and occasions
before and afterwards, Jonathan Shepheard yeoman, Elizabeth Bell
spinster and Katherine Woods spinster, late of the said parish, all three
incorrigible and dangerous vagrants wandered abroad as incorrigible and
dangerous vagrants. All three confessed the indictment, and each of
them was fined in the sum of twelve pence. Elizabeth Bell and
Katherine Woods paid their fines to the Sheriff in court. John Shepheard's fine was ordered to be estreated. 10 Jan., 3 James II.
9 December, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at St. James's within the
Liberties of Westminster, on the said day, Robert Woosley late of the
said parish esq. assaulted William Wharton esq., and slew and murdered
him, by giving him with a rapier a mortal wound in his left buttock, of
which wound he languished at St. James's aforesaid and at St. Giles's-inthe-Fields co. Midd., from the said 9th of December to the 14th day of
the same month, on which last-named day he died of the said wound.
Failing to appear to answer the indictment, Robert Woosley was outlawed. G. D. R., 13 Jan., 3 James II.
13 December, 3 James II.—Recognizances, taken before R. Wright
J.P. on the said day, of Edward Hay hurst of St. James's Westminster
gentleman, in the sum of one thousand pounds, and of William Collett
tallow chandler, John Boswell cheesemonger, Charles Longland distiller,
Edward Lill baker, all four of the said parish, in the sum of five hundred
pounds each, and of Michael Burnet of Upton co. Chester gentleman,
also in the sum of five hundred pounds: For the said Edward Hayhurst's appearance at the next Gaol Delivery of Newgate, to answer to
an indictment for murder. G. D. R., 13 Jan., 3 James II.
17 December, 3 James II.—Recognizances of Isaac Gunn of Shorts
Gardens in St. Giles's-in-the-Fields taylor, in the sum of 40£., and
James Ball of King's Street in the same parish glazier and Jonathan
Ballard of Cranbourne Street in St. Anne's Westminster taylor, in the
sum of 20£. each: For the said Isaac Gunn's appearance at the next
S. P. for Westminster, to "answere his malicious saying that the King's
Majestie kept a parcell of rogues to abuse honest men, and that
Collonell Hastings and Major of his Majestie's First Regiment of Foot
Guards and one of his Majestie's Justices of the Peace for the county
of Middlesex and Liberty of Westminster was a Covent Garden bully."
S. P. West. R., 9 Jan., 3 James II.
19 December, 3 James II.—Recognizances of John Plator of Heston
co. Midd. carter, in the sum of 10£., and of Edward Powell butler and
John Mew farmer, both of Heston aforesaid, in the sum of 5£. each:
For the said John Plator's appearance at next S. P. to be holden for
Middlesex, "to answeare his going out with a Low Bell, notwithstanding the King's late proclamation to the contrary, that the game shall
not be destroyed within ten miles of Hampton Court."—Similar
recognizances for the appearance of John Russell of Heston co. Midd.
carter at the next S. P. for Middlesex. "to answer his going out with a
Low Bell, notwithstanding &c." S. P. R., 10 Jan., 3 James II.
20 December, 3 James II.—True Bill that, at St. Martin's-in-theFields co. Midd. on the said day, Claude Berteau late of the said parish
gentleman stole and carried off one silver snushbox (sic) gilt with gold
worth thirty shillings, one princes mettal snushbox (sic) gilt with gold
with shagrine plate, and studded with yellow pinns worth thirty shillings,
and one steele toothpick-case damasked with gold worth eight shillings,
of the goods and chattels of Obadiah Fleming. Claude Berteau put
himself on trial and was found 'Guilty.' No clerical note touching
sentence. G. D. R., 13 Jan., 3 James II.