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A40860 The famous tryal in B.R. between Thomas Neale, Esq. and the late Lady Theadosia Ivy the 4th of June, 1684, before the Right Honourable the late Lord Jeffreys, lord chief justice of England, for part of Shadwell in the county of Middlesex ... together with a pamphlet heretofore writ ... by Sir Thomas Ivy ... Mossam, Elam.; Ivy, Theadosia Stepkins, Lady, d. 1694 or 5?; Neale, Thomas, d. 1699?; Ivie, Thomas. Alimony arraigned, or, The remonstrance and humble appeal of Thomas Ivie, Esq.; England and Wales. Court of King's Bench. 1696 (1696) Wing F386; ESTC R35557 155,074 101

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THE Famous Tryal in B.R. BETWEEN THOMAS NEALE Esq AND THE Late Lady Theadosia Ivy. The 4th of Iune 1684. BEFORE The RIGHT HONOURABLE THE Late Lord Jeffreys Lord Chief Justice of ENGLAND For PART of SHADWELL IN THE County of MIDDLESEX AS ALSO The Title of the Creditors of Sir Anthony Bateman and the Heirs of Whichcott compared with that of the Lady Ivy to certain Lands in WAPPING TOGETHER WITH A Pamphlet heretofore writ and set out by Sir Thomas Ivy her Husband Himself and here now Reprinted again In Perpetuam Rei Memoriam Printed in the Year 1696. TO THE READER THE late Lady Ivy so many Years famous for Wit Beauty and Cunning in Law above any being so Unfortunate in the Year 1684. in a Tryal between Thomas Neale Esq and her Ladyship before the then Lord Chief Justice Ieffryes to have the Deeds by her then produced not believed such of her Heirs and Executors as have not renounced which some of them have the having any thing to do with her Title as well in Vindication of her Ladyships Honour as of the Integrity of such Council and Attorneys as then were imployed in the Cause in Case they should be so again do give out of late that though she and they then were so cruelly baffled they however will try for 't again Now for the Honour of both Judges and Jury before whom that Cause was then tryed and for the Benefit of the Free-holders of Middlesex whose Estates may be possibly subject to be claimed by Deeds left by her Ladyship she having often declared she had Title to many more Houses and Lands than she in her Life time had sued for as also for the Satisfaction of such as are in the least desirous to know the Truth of this Matter The following Tryal is Printed with a Map of the Land then tryed for being about seven Acres in Shadwell in the County of Middlesex of which the Lady Ivy by a Verdict the Michaelmas Term before had got the Possession The State of the Question being whither the said seven Acres was part of the ancient Inheritance of the Dean of St. Pauls London to whom the said Mr. Neale was Lessee and so now the Lessor of the Plaintiff or part of Wapping-Marsh that had been dreined by one Vanderdelf and after sold to the Stepkinses under whom Lady Ivy did claim As likewise is with it reprinted Three or Four Sheets of Paper writ in the Year 1687. comparing the Lady Ivy's Title with that of the Creditors of Sir Anthony Bateman and the Heirs of Witchcutt for Lands in Wapping with a Map thereof as it now lies most plain and exactly agreeing with the Boundaries mentioned in the old Deeds on Record by which alone and no other they claim and now are possest of the same To which also is added a Pamphlet entituled Allimony Arraigned writ by Sir Thomas Ivy her Husband himself Reprinted herewith to make the Book sell the better and to the longer perpetuate so true and diverting a Story The CONTENTS THE Dean of St. Pauls Title from pag. 1 to pag. 4 Lady Ivies Title from pag. 4 to 22 Knowles Examined about finding Deeds for Lady Ivy p. 7 Swears he found out one Deed by what was Writ on the Outside and nothing was Writ on it p. 8 Swears he found another Deed by seeing Marcellus Hall's Name Writ on the Outside which Writing after appeared to be writ by Sutton Lady Ivies Attorney p. 9 The Survey of Stepney produced for and by Lady Ivy but proved otherwise p. 12 Banister Lady Ivyes Rent-gatherer Examined to the finding a Deed in Knowles's House to which he had set his Hand and swears he found it there p. 15 But it proved the Purchase Deed and so that could not be p. 16 Banister and Knowles swear contrary to each other p. 17 A Commission of Sewers produced but not by the proper Officer p. 23 The Overshot-Mill pretended to by Lady Ivyes own Witnesses made appear to be a Tide-Mill p. 26 Mrs. Barefoot a through paced Witness sworn and other Witnesses of Lady Ivyes p. 29 to 32 The Plaintiffs Reply p. 32 Foxes-lane proved the Boundary 'twixt the Deans Land and Wapping-Marsh by Mar and Leyburn the Surveyers proved 130 Acres West of Foxes-Lane p. 37 The Forgery opened and proved by the Style of the Deeds themselves by Styles in the Acts of Parliament and Fines of that time p. 38 Sir Charles Cotterell sworn p. 39 Sir Charles tells the story of Lady Ivyes forging a Mortgage of 1500 l. from Sir William Salkeild and how Mr. Duffett was privy to it and how Mr. Sutton was so concern'd in it that L.C.J. said it smelt rank of a Knave how Lady Ivy did relinquish this Mortgage but afterwards writ Duffett word she would set it up again and that he should have half of what she Recovered p. 40 Lady Ivy frets at Sir Charles Cotterell's Evidence p. 41 Mrs. Duffett Lady Salthills Daughter and Widow to Mr. Duffett who was reputed to forge for Lady Ivy being sworn swears she saw her Husband forge several Deeds for Lady Ivy. 1st a Bond of 1000 l. from Sir Tho. Ivy. 2d Several Letters 3d. She seeing him writing a Parchment she asked him what 't was and was answered he was Counterfeiting one Glovers Lease by which Lady Ivy would get many hundreds of Pounds and that he should get 500 l. 4th the aforesaid 1500 l. Mortgage Lady Ivy and Mr. Duffett agreed to make in my Sight Lady Ivy directing what Ink to use to make it look Old that Mr. Sutton was lett in when Mr. Duffett was counterfeiting for Lady Ivy and how they rub'd the Deeds on dirty Windows and wore them in their Pockets and laid them out in Balconies and shriveled them before the Fire or in the Sun to make them look Old p. 41 200 l. of the Money borrowed of Sir Charles Cotterel at one time given to Mr. Duffett and as much to Mr. Sutton Mrs. Eliz. Riccord Sworn produced Lady Ivy's own Letters left with her by Mr. Duffett to whom they were writ in one of which she tells him she intends to set Sir William Salthill's Mortgages on foot again and as her Husband promised him he should have half and two Bottles of Ink out of which she saw Mr. Duffett write for Lady Ivy what he said was forged and said that with Ink out of these Bottles he could make new writter Writings look old very soon p. 42 Here the Plaintiff ended and then follows Mr. Attorney General 's Arguments to palliate the Forgeries p. 43 Mr. Sollicitor Geneneral endeavours but to no purpose to make them not believed Forged p. 44 Mr. Solicitor General pressing that for Evidence very hard the Lord Chief Iustice would not admit p. 45 Mr. Attorney and Mr. Sollicitor say all they can for Lady Ivy p. 45 Then follows the Lord Chief Iustices Speech wherein he incomparably Summs up the whole Evidence p. 46 His Lordship speaks of the
sort of Pretence And that The Title whereby Lady Ivy Claims in particular any of the aforesaid Lands and whereby she both Got and does Hold the same is by Deeds not only not on Record but most of them such as first have been Lost and then Found and that are liable to more Exceptions by many then are herein before exprest which will be made use of against them when occasion shall serve FINIS Alimony Arraignd OR THE REMONSTRANCE AND HUMBLE APPEAL OF Thomas Ivie Esq From the High Court of CHANCERY TO His Highness the LORD PROTECTOR of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. WHEREIN Are set forth the unheard-of Practices and Villanies of Lewd and Defamed Women in Order to separate Man and Wife LONDON Reprinted in the Year 1696. The Humble Appeal and Remonstrance of THOMAS IVIE Esq To His Highness the Lord Protector c. HAD it not pleased the Lord to bear up my Fainting Spirit with more than an ordinary Confidence that the Deliverance of his People was nigh at hand and that he would put a stop to the Violent Passions of Oppressing Men I had undoubtedly sunk under those abominable Scandals and Aspersions which have been cast like Dirt about the Streets upon me by my Wife and her Abettors But certainly the Day of our Deliverance is already dawn'd and we are in some measure assur'd that Iustice and Righteousness is already broke forth and that the Abominations of the Wicked shall be no more clothed with Authority but whatsoever is a Lie shall be made manifest and confounded As our Eyes are therefore on the Lord as the supreme Fountain of all Goodness so we trust that the Declaration of his Will shall be made out by Your Highness being chosen by Himself in an extraordinary manner and by a wonderful Series of Providences to this very end to execute Righteousness and Judgment for his People that are oppressed amongst us And that your Highness will put on Bowels of Compassion for the Afflictions of Men in Misery who pour out their Complaints and Grievances before you With this Confidence I appeal from the Chancery unto your Highness being unable to endure any longer either the Expences or Delays of that Court or indeed the Justice which is there distributed For besides the hazarding of that which is better than a precious Ointment much of my Estate hath been consumed and great Debts contracted by reason of my attendance upon these unnatural Differences which have been fomented between my self and my seduced Wife much of it torn away by Violence under a Pretence of Alimony for her to whom I never denied or refused any thing whatsoever And that which remaineth is daily so molested with Creditors that I now may most truly take upon me the Expression of Iob I once had Riches but now have none And unless it will please your Highness to afford a speedy Redress I shall hardly enjoy long my Liberty also I will not say any thing of those sad and dismal Thoughts which have been continually in my Mind those hideous Temptations which have been hourly grating and gnawing my very Soul During this sad Condition 't is the Voice of the Lord only can speak Peace unto my Spirit whose Name be blessed for those sweet and refreshing Experiences with which he hath supported me in this fiery Trial but I shall open unto your Highness as unto a good Samaritan the Wounds of my Body and Fortune and briefly present a Narrative of the whole Matter concerning my self and Wife and how it hath been transacted in the Chancery That so I may with the more Confidence expect a Cure proportionable to my Disease and that your Highness's Judgment may be as well grounded upon Knowledge as my Suffering upon Experience Having faithfully discharged the Trust that was reposed in me by the honourable East-India Company as their chief Agent at Madrassopotan where I had not only the Command of the Persons of Thousands of People but also the Fort of St. George and Town of Madrassopotan And having made a thorough Reformation of the grand Abuses which had crept into those parts to the great Injury of the Trade and erected them a Town by my own Pains and Industry even out of the Sea it self for the better Advantage and Security of it I resolved with my self though I was often perswaded by the said Company to continue longer my Charge to return into my Country where I had left the near Relation of a Wife behind me And by how much the more that Reciprocal Happiness which we enjoyed together did revive the more enflam'd were my Desires for a Return But I had no sooner arrived in England but the first News almost that was brought me was the Death of my Wife in her very Journey to meet me This was the first Tryal which the Lord laid upon me But as he corrected so he gave me Patience and Submission to his Will in it neither were Friends wanting to endeavour a Belief in me that as the Lord had taken one Wife from my Bosom so he could bestow another After many several Days and Months thus spent in Melancholy and willing to inure my self to the Condition I enjoyed when I left England I was perswaded to address my self to one Mrs. Garret a Widow and Daughter of Mr. Stepkins who was represented unto me to be as beautiful in Mind as in Person And though her Husband had left her nothing yet was I not deterr'd by this to forbear my Sute supposing what was wanting in Fortune would be made up in Affection and Sweetness towards me Hereupon in short about October 1649. a Marriage was had and concluded between us and that I might give the best demonstration what a high value I put upon her I setled for her Joynture 1000 l. per ann and Covenanted with her Trustees to leave her at the time of my Death 1000 l. also in ready money Her Father now taking notice of this cordial and affectionate dealing of mine with his Daughter made in short this Proposition unto me That if I would give him the said Stepkins 1000 l. more and deliver forthwith unto his said Daughter as many Jewels as might be worth at least 1200 l. that then he would settle his Estate at Wapping being 240 l. per Ann. upon me for my life and after my decease to my Wife And in case we had Issue then to them and in case we had no issue then to the Heirs general of the said Stepkins or such as he the said Stepkins should limit and appoint To which I returned as short an answer and told him I would immediately perform his demand Whereupon I did deposite 1000 l. in money and 1200 l. in Jewels and all the aforesaid agreements and settlements were Indented in Parchment and legally executed accordingly as may appear from the Deeds themselves proved by two Testimonies in Chancery to which I refer my self I make no mention what
of the most Noble Reign to have and to hold Mr. Att. Gen. This doth vest the Lands in question with others in Vivold and Salvago as a Security for their Money Mr. Sol. Gen. Now we shall shew a Lease from Hill to Marcellus Hall Clerk Reads This Indenture made the Eleventh day of November in the Thirty Seventh year of the Reign of Henry the Eighth between Richard Hill Citizen and Mercer of London of the one partie and Marcellus Hall of Ratcliff Miller of the other partie Witnesseth That the said Richard Hill for the sum of Six pounds of lawful Money of England to him in hand paid at the ensealing and delivery hereof whereof the said Richard Hill hereby acknowledgeth himself to be fully satisfied contented and paid and whereof he doth clearly acquit and discharge the said Marcellus Hall his Executors and Administrators by these Presents hath Demised Granted and to Farm Letten and by these Presents doth Demise Grant and to Farm Lett unto the said Marcellus Hall a parcel of Marsh Ground lying and being at the East end of the Marsh that Butts on Ratcliff Hilly Marsh Wall-bank or Wall belonging and the Well Shadwell containing by estimation Eleven Acres and an Half more or less abutting on the Thames Wall on the party of the South to the Lands called the Deans Linches on the party of the North and on the Wall that reaches from the Linches to the Island by the Pond on the West with all the Foreland and Soyle All which Marsh Land is in the Parish of Stebunheath To have and to hold the said Marsh Land Foreland and Soyle to the said Marcellus Hall from the Feast of the Annunciation of St. Mary the Virgin next coming for Thirty and Four Years Mr. Att. Gen. This was a Lease made to their Miller and contains Eleven Acres and half an Acre which we shall shew is just exactly the contents of our Land Next then we shall come to the Conveyance made to Thomas Stepkin which will bring us to our Title L.C.I. Read the Reservation of that Lease Clerk Reads Yielding and paying therefore yearly and every year unto the said Richard Hill his Executors and Assigns Three pounds of good and lawful Money of England at four Terms of the year that is to say the Feast of the Nativity of St. Iohn the Baptist St. Michael the Archangel the Birth of our Lord and the Annunciation of St. Mary the Virgin Mr. S. Pemberton Pray my Lord we desire they may give some account of this Lease where they had it and how they came by it M. Att. Gen. You have had it in your hands you see what it is Mr. S. Pemberton Yes and therefore we desire to know some thing about it because we find Knowles hand to it Mr. Att. Gen. We can give you a better account of it than you think for but that will let you into an hours wrangle more which is all you have to say for yourselves We have it disprove it Mr. S. Pemberton You have it we see but remember you will give no account where you had it But then we desire to ask Mr. Knowles a Question Whether my Lady Ivy was with him Mr. Att. Gen. My Lord we desire we may go on and give our Evidence intire they would fain break in upon us and take up another hour in quarrelling with our Witness When we hear them in their time offer to impeach the Validity of the Deed then will be our time to justifie it and I doubt not but we shall give a satisfactory account of it Pray will you give an account of the Deed you snap'd up the last time L.C.I. Nay nay Gentlemen we cannot take up our time in your Dialogues and little heats Do you not hinder them and we shall see they shall not hinder you when it comes to your turn Clerk This Deed has been read for the Plaintiff and Defendant and is marked so Mr. Att. Gen. It has been twice read before L.C.I. Well will you go Gentlemen Mr. Sol. Gen. Then we shall shew this Deed Poll next Clerk This also is marked to have been read twice Reads This is dated 16 Apr. in the 6th year of King Edward the Sixth To all Faithful People to whom this present Writing shall come I Richard Hill Citizen and Mercer of London send Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting Know ye that I the said Richard Hill for the sum of One hundred and thirty pounds of lawful Money of England by Thomas Stepkins alias Stipkin of the Parish of St. Mary Matfellen alias Whitechappel in the County of Middlesex Beer-brewer unto me the said Richard Hill in hand paid wherewith I confess my self to be well and truly satisfied L.C.I. Upon whose account is it that my Brother Gregory comes here Mr. S. Stringer My Lord Mr. Baron Gregory was desired by the Plaintiff to be here and as soon as we come to our Reply we shall ask him some Questions if he please to stay we will dispatch him so soon as we can Mr. Att. Gen. Nay rather then trouble Mr. Baron to stay we yield he should be Examined now Mr. Bar. Gregory I am not in so much hast my Lord but I can stay a while and not break in upon the middle of an Evidence for me L.C.I. If you please they consent you may be Examined and they may be long Mr. Bar. Gregory I would not interrupt the course of Evidence L.C.I. Nay we will take you at your word but if it be long pray remember we would have eased you but you Complemented yourself out of it now you are like to abide-by it awhile I assure you Brother Go on Clerk Reads And do therefore acquit and exonerate the said Thomas Stepkin alias Stipkin his have given enfeoffed sold granted and by this my present writing confirmed all those my four and twenty Acres and an half of Marsh Land measured by the Rod or Pole lying in Wapping Marsh Three Acres of which are lying adjoyning on the west side of the Mill that butts on the Hilly Bank or way leading to Ratcliff Town called Ratcliff Mill with the Bank or Wall thereto belonging and the Well adjoyning to the way that goeth up to the Linches called Shadwel lying in the east end of the Marsh and all the next piece west adjoyning to the same containing by estimation one Acre and the Pond and two Acres adjoyning on the west side six Acres lying in the bottom of the Hilly Linches adjoyning Northwest on the Wall that reaches from the Linches to the Island by the Pond All which Eleven Acres and an half of Marsh-Land are in the holding of Marcellus Hall Miller and also the Bank or Wall Flood or Pond adjoyning west on the said Eleven Acres and an half containing by estimation of measure two Acres and also all that parcel late divided into two and now or late in the Tenure of Richard Hill Butcher containing by estimation of measure six Acres and
also all that parcel West adjoyning to the six Acres which I the said Richard Hill hold in my own hand and also that is to say all that parcel with the Bank or Wall Island and Pond containing by estimation of measure five Acres which last Thirteen Acres I bought of and had conveyed to me and my Heirs from one Iohn St All which four and twenty Acres and an half more or less of Marsh Land abutteth on the Thames Wall on the part of the South to the Lands of the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul called the Linches on the part of the North on the aforesaid Mill on the part of the East and on Twenty Acres of the said Thomas Stepkin on the part of the west and also all the Thames Bank or Wall belonging to the said four and twenty Acres and an half of Marsh Land which said piece or parcel of Wall doth abut on the South-end of the said on part of the East and on the Bank or Wall in the occupying of William Knevet on the part of the west All which Marsh Land Bank or Wall are in the East end of Waping Marsh abutting on the aforesaid Mill and Hilly Bank aforesaid in the way leading to the Town of Ratcliff aforesaid And which Four and twenty Acres are part and parcel of One hundred and thirty Acres which was heretofore continually for the most part overflown and drowned with the water of the River of Thames and all and singular Messuages Cottages Houses Edifices Orchards Tofts Foreland and Soyl which were the said Thomas Stepkinses before the overflowing and all and singular Messuages Edifices Cottages Cellars Sollars Orchards Woods and Underwoods and all other the rest of my Heriditaments whatsoever in the Parish and Mannor of Stepney in the County of Middlesex Mr. Att. Gen. Now we shall produce a Lease from Stepkins to Marcellus Hall Mr. Serj. Pembleton I hope they will give some account of this Deed first Mr. Att. Gen. When you say any thing against it Mr. Serjeant we will but we desire now to go on with our Evidence Read that Deed. Clerk Reads This has been read before and is marked This Indenture made the Twentieth Day of April in the Sixth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King Edward the Sixth by the Grace of God King of England France and Ireland Betwixt Thomas Stepkin otherwise Stipkin of the Parish of St. Mary Mackfellon in the County of Middlesex without Algate Beer Brewer of the one part and Marcellus Hall of Ratcliff Miller of the other part Witnesseth that the said Thomas Stepkin otherwise Stipkin for the Sum of 50 l. of lawful Money of England to the said Thomas Stepkin otherwise Stipkin by the said Marcellus Hall at the ensealing hereof well and truly paid and satisfied and of the same doth clearly acquit and discharge the said Marcellus Hall his Executors and Assignes and every of them by these Presents hath demised granted betaken and to farm letten and by these Presents doth demise grant betake and to Farm lett unto the said Marcellus Hall all those his Parcels of Marsh-land lying and joining on the West side of Hilly-bank or way called Ratcliff-way and the Well adjoining to the way that goeth up to the Lynches called Shadwell lying in the East end of the Marsh containing by Estimation of Measure three Acres and an half and all the next piece West adjoining to the same containing by Estimation of Measure Six Acres and the Pond and Two Acres adjoining on the West side of the Six Acres lying on the Bottom of the Hilly-Lynches adjoining North-West on the Wall which reacheth from the Lynches to the Island by the Pond all which eleven Acres and an half little more or less abutteth on the Thames Wall on the party of the South to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul called the Lynches on the party of the North and on the Wall by the Pond on the party of the West and also all the Thames Wall belonging to the said Eleven Acres and an half of Meadow or Marsh-land which said Piece or Parcel of Bank or Wall doth abutt on the South End of the aforesaid Hilly-bank or way reaching to the East side of it which leadeth to Ratcliff Town on the party of the East and on the Wall in the Occupation of Iohn Everard on the Party of the West and also all the Foreland and Soyl down to the Low-Water-Mark of the River of Thames belonging to the Premises all which in the East End of Wapping-Marsh abutting on the aforesaid Mill and the Mill Hilly-bank or way leading as aforesaid in the Parish and Mannor of Stebunheath otherwise Stepney in the County of Middlesex and now in the holding of the said Marcellus Hall to have and to hold all the said Parcels of Marsh-land Foreland and Soyle and every part and Parcel thereof to the said Marcellus Hall his Executors and Assignes from the Feast of the Annunciation of St. Mary the Virgin before the Date hereof to the End and Term of One Hundred Twenty and Eight Years thence next ensuing yielding Mr. Sol. Gen. Read the Proviso L. C. I. Read the Reservation of the Rent Clerk reads Yielding and paying therefore yearly for the same to the said Thomas Stepkins his Heirs and Assignes one Pepper Corn at the Feast of the Annunciation Mr. Sol. Gen. Now read the Proviso Clerk Reads And the said Marcellus Hall for himself his Executors Assignes Covenanteth and granteth to and with the said Thomas Stepkins his Heirs and Assignes that he the said Marcellus Hall his Executors and Assignes shall and will bear all manner of Charges And it is further covenanted granted and agreed between the said Parties that it shall not be lawful for the said Marcellus Hall his Executors or Assignes to alienate or assigne this present Term of Years or any part thereof without the special License or Consent of the said Thomas Stepkins his Heirs and Assignes Mr. Williams Pray my Lord will you give me leave to ask a Question of Mr. Banister Mr. Att. Gen. My Lord he has not been examined yet they cannot under Favour ask him any Questions Mr. Williams You have sworn him and so he is under an Oath and we may doubtless examine him as your Witness to this Deed that you have read Is that your Name Sir Shewing him the Deed of 16 Apr. Banister This is my Name written by my own Hand Mr. Williams When did you write your Hand there Mr. Banister Banister The 16th of April 1682. Mr. Williams Pray Sir look upon it again Banister This is my hand and I writ it my self when the Deed was found I writ a Paper of such Deeds as were found at the same Instant of time Mr. Williams And you writ it when you found it Banister I writ that Name at that Instant of Time Mr. S. Pemberton When was it do you say Banister The 16th of Sept.
both with the Heirs at Law the Executors of the said Will and the Trustees of the said Estate That both the Defendant and Plaintiff must necessarily be defeated of all Hopes of ever enjoying the Father's Estate for the future unless the 4000 l. aforesaid be raised and disposed of according as is limited and appointed in the Deed of Settlement or the said Will proved for in Default thereof the Trusttes are obliged by the said Indenture to settle the said Estate on the Plaintiffs Father and his Heirs for ever And the Estate is not as yet recovered by the Defendant but is still invested in the Trustees who are no Parties to these Proceedings and in the Possession of the Heir at Law Insomuch that no Alimony as the Defendant is advised by his Counsel can be ordered from hence because the Ordinance of Parliament impowereth the Lords Commissioners to allow the Maintenance out of the Husband's Estate not out of any others whatsoever And the Plaintiff hath or ought to have in her Custody 1200 l. worth of Jewels which were delivered her according to the Indenture of Settlement at the Intermarriage And in case the Defendant survive her ought to be restored to the Defendant who hath too great reason to suspect that they are wasted and embezelled and therefore the Defendant humbly beseecheth your Lordships that instead of giving her Alimony you will be pleased to force her to give good Security unto the Defendant or bring the Jewels into Court that so he may not be cheated of 1200 l. by the Plaintiff and her Abettors and unless your Honours yield to secure the said Jewels whilst this Cause depends before you he doth not conceive where or how he can be redressed from any Court of England That about the beginning of these Unhappy Differences it was proposed both by the Plaintiff and her Father that in case she might have her liberty to live where she would that she would accept of 120 l. per Annum for her Maintenance and look on it as a very good Provision which accordingly was agreed upon and drawn into Writing and Engrossed by and with the Consent of Sir Iohn Brampstone her Uncle and Orlando Bridgeman Esq two of her Trustees her Father also promising that his Estate should be setled according to the Covenants on the Defendant without further Sute of Law but the said Defendant was unwilling to Seal it being very tender to Act any thing that might separate him from the continual Enjoyment and Society of his Wife so that 300 l. per Annum is more than her self Father Trustees and Friends did think fitting by 180 l. per Annum That the Petition it self is both False and Scandalous and hath been disproved by several Witnesses nay the contrary also proved by Persons of Quality that she lived very Plentifully in great abundance rather beyond than under her Quality in every respect as the Defendant hopeth is most visible to your Honours That notwithstanding such vast Sums have been expended on her by her means and that the said Defendant is to pay to Creditors 3000 l. and to raise 4000 l. more to be secured unto the Trustees as aforesaid And that in case he recover the Plaintiffs Father's Estate 't will not with his own make above 872 l. per Annum out of which all these Moneys must be raised and in case 300 l. per Annum of this shall be taken away out of the Plaintiffs Father's Estate which he has dearly bought and purchased That 't will be impossible for the Defendant to avoid perpetual Imprisonment but must be kept in Goal and the Creditors Defrauded and must there perish and himself be cheated also of 1200 l. worth of Jewels yet he is most willing to receive her and take her again and forget all former Passages whatsoever that so they may be for the future lead a peaceable and godly Life together Counsel also I did retain very many and great ones That in Case the Lords should refuse the Papers and would not hear the Merits of the Cause in Publick in regard I might not be wanting to lose the opportunity of that Time which they had ordered for me I drew up also to be rendred at the same time that if it had been possible I might have prevented both Reading and Arguing too this short Petition following Theodosia Ivie Plaintiff Thomas Ivie Defendant To the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners for the Custody of the Great Seal of England The Humble Petition of Thomas Ivie Defendant Sheweth THat your Petitioner with much Horror and Amazement doth consider the great unhappiness of his future life if your Lordships shall both separate him from the Society of his Wife and take from him so great a part of his Estate having such great debts to pay as have been made appear to your Lordships That he cannot Despair in the infinite Mercy of God in whose hands are the hearts and desires of all Mankind But that his Wife notwithstanding such vast sums of Money have been wasted and such odious aspersions cast on him may yet return and take Comfort from her Husband being passionately desirous to receive her if all Christian and prudent means may be applied That for your Petitioners part he doth as in the presence of God forgive her from the bottom of his Soul and is most willing to cohabit with her so long as he liveth on Earth That he hath often desired to express unto her and used all the Industry as Man can imagine but once to speak with her even before any of her Friends to let her know so much but could never obtain any such meeting from her In Order hereunto he very willing that a Godly and Conscientious Divine may be received to live in house with your Petitioner and his Wife both to exhort and instruct them in their Duties towards God and one another and to perform all Gospel and Family-Duties amongst them for certainly the Lord will not deny a Blessing on those means which he hath ordained and which is unfeignedly sought after by a broken and contrite Spirit And your Petitioner will oblige himself to allow any such Minister 50 l. per Annum besides all other conveniences whatsoever May it therefore please your Lordships not to pronounce any such hard Sentence as Separaration but rather enjoyn your Petitioner and his Wife to live together and to appoint any honest and religious Divine to live with them who may ever be at hand pray with them and for them and keep up their Spirits in Peace and Unity together August 24th 1652. And your Petitioner shall pray c. Thomas Ivie When the Day came and the Counsel began to speak my hopes were quickly commanded to vanish and the Counsel to hold their Peace for they suddenly declared That they would not hear the Merits of the Cause With much pressing Mr. Lisle read the Petition And though they took evident notice of it yet would they not
return any Answer to it or so much as demand of my Wife who stood there laughing in their Presence whether she would return to me or no Only they were pleased to find fault with that word Separation And told my Counsel That they neither had or could separate our Persons These words they had no sooner spoke but I confess I laid hold on though I had been most hardly and severely dealt withal in the judgment of those that were present Insomuch That now I did despair ever to find amongst them and indeed did determine to commit my Cause unto God until in his due time he should raise up Judges in our Israel who should execute Righteous Judgment even upon those Judges themselves But in the mean time I was advised which was very agreeable unto my own Disposition not to leave any thing unattempted which might be thought advantagious to a union of Us but to go personally to my Wife and persuade her my self to leave those Persons who aimed at both our Ruines And to return to me passionately willing to receive her And if she should notwithstanding refuse to speak or go with me then to demand her of those Persons who received her into their houses Accordingly taking two civil Gentlemen I went to her Lodging but received a Repulse from her instead of Compliance and then seeing Mr. Williamson who kept the house I required from him the person of my Wife who refusing her was sued by me And upon the Tryal before my Lord Chief Justice Roles a renowned Person had a Verdict Judgment and Execution of 100 l. against the said Williamson for detaining my Wife from me Many Counsels there were to argue the Case and the Decree in it self under the Great Seal of England was opened read and shewed the Jury But my Lord Roles quickly stated the resolution of the Case in my behalf and the Jury gave me 100 l. damages Williamson now finding himself in a great Dilemma either to deliver up my Wife or himself to ruine and my Wife in so bad a condition notwithstanding her glorious Decree that although she had 300 l. per Annum yet if she could not take the liberty of her old Companions or any new one wheresoever she should be entertained for fear of Judgment and Executions began to take new Counsel how to free Mr. Williamson and her self from this bondage of living under the Roof of a Husbands House and the truth is sollicited it to the purpose amongst her old Patrons the Lords Commissioners For with all speed Williamson prefers a Bill in Chancery to be relieved against my Execution And after he had preferred his Bill though my Answer was so clear as it could not admit of one exception moved for an Injunction after Judgment and Execution granted at Law and to protect him for keeping away my Wife which was granted in these words as fully as he could desire being ingrossed in Parchment and sealed THE Keepers of the Liberty of England by Authority of Parliament To Thomas Ivie Esquire and to his Counsellors Agents and Sollicitors and every of them Greeting It was informed in our Court of Chancery 10 November instant in the behalf of George Williamson Plaintiff against you the said Thomas that the Plaintiffs Bill is to be relieved against an Action and Iudgment thereupon obtained against the Plaintiff upon pretence of the said Plaintiffs detaining of your the said Defendants Wife from you and it appearing in a Cause of Alimony between you the said Defendant and your Wife that their Lordships decreed her Alimony during Separation In which time she ought to have a Habitation a part from you the said Defendant as well as a separate maintenance or else the Decree were groundless And we conceiving the doings of you the said Defendant to be altogether unjust Do command and by these Presents strictly enjoyn you the above-named Thomas Ivie and you his said Counsellors Attorneys Agents Sollicitors and every of you under the pain of 500 l. to be levyed of your Lands Goods and Chattels to our use That you and every of you do from henceforth surcease and forbear all further Proceedings at the Common Law against the Plaintiff upon the said Action and Iudgment thereupon until the said Cause shall be finally heard and determined before us in our said Court And this you nor any of you may omit in any wise under the penalty aforesaid Witness our Hands at Westminster 10 November 1653. Vera Copia ex May. This Injunction being now Granted Signed and Sealed with the Commissioners Hands under the Great Seal of England is the Accomplishment of all their Designs and the compleating of my Misery though the Courts of Law both could and have in some measure relieved me yet is the power of it restrained by this Injunction which indeed I suppose can be called nothing else than a perfect Separation and Divorce Whether the Chancery being stiled the High Court ever receives from any Parliaments such an unlimited power as this It behoves them to make our unto your Highness 'T is the Opinion both of the greatest and honestest Counsel of England That no parallel for this Case no President of the like Nature is to be found on Record Nay they are not backward to aver That it is as contrary to the Word of God the Law of the Nations the Civil Law the Law of our own Country as well as the Practice of the Chancery it self Once did that Court by its own Authority issue out a Sequestration upon a Gentlemans Estate and it was by very many Persons admired and murmur'd at but never could I hear that they ever sequestred Women from their Husbands Were there not a superiour Jurisdiction over this Court whose Determinations seems too too Arbitrary being gounded solely upon the Opinions not to say the Passions or Affections of two or three Erring men what a miserable Bondage and Slavery were this Nation in What Benefit could we expect from all the good Laws of former Ages if their power may be quell'd or supprest at the pleasure of the Chancery They might have for ought I know made an Injunction also that I should never complain and if I had attempted to have made known my Case to have laid me by the heels But blessed be the Name of our God Iehovah whose extraordinary Providence hath been visible in this Land that he hath raised up and setled your Highness to be next under himself the Supreme Dispenser of Justice and Righteousness to these Nations which the Lord has happily placed under your Highness Government By which means we have a just confidence to be assur'd having had many Experiences already of your Highnesses singular piety and justice in those several Stations where the Lord has formerly placed you That there shall be no more complainings made either in our Streets or in the very Corners of our Country but shall be heard and relieved even against the Great Ones amongst
us 'T is your Highness Power therefore which I implore 't is only your Power can free me from those Fetters which are laid upon me by the Lords Commissioners only your Power that can repair me for the Injuries done both to my Person and Estate which I have undergone by Reason of my seduced Wife 'T is you alone that can restore me the Benefit of the Law against those that have been Incendiaries and Abettors of these unnatural differences between us That so my Reputation which hath been a long time clouded may be made clear my Person which hath continually be molested with Carchpoles by my Wives means may be at length free And that I may be in a condition to satisfie my Creditors their just Debts whose Purses have supported me and that a final end may be put to these unnatural differences concerning my Wife as in Justice and Conscience shall seem meet unto your Highness In order to this I have delivr'd in my Petition and the state of my Case to Mr. Sadler and Mr. Long to be delivered unto your Highness In these words To the Parliament for the Commonwealth of England The Humble Petition of Thomas Ivie Esquire Sheweth THat your Petitioners Wife very suddenly after her Intermarriage with him having got from him a Ioynture of 1000 l. per Annum with 1000 l. in ready money to be left her at the time of his death and 1200 l. in Iewels 600 l. worth of Cloaths 500 l. in ready money and accommodation to the value of 3000 l. in less than in 18 months time and all this without one Penny Portion with her hath not only deserted his Company but hath preferr'd a Scandalous Petition to the Lords Commissioners for the Great Seal against him yet nothing material proved That by these unnatural Courses she hath caused him to spend 3000 l. in this and Twelve other Suits at Law by which means aforesaid your Petitioner is become indebted at this present time 3000 l. more at least That he hath often tendred unto the said Commissioners his Willingness to receive her and to give any security which they can require to use her with all loving Respects becoming a good Husband Notwithstanding the said Commissioners have allowed her 300 l. per Annum Alimony and refused to hear the Merits of the Cause though they had ordered it under their hands and have also granted an Injunction to protect such who keep the Person of his Wife from him contrary to Law Insomuch that your Petitioner hath no Remedy left in Law or Equity All which may more clearly appear by the State of his Case and Narrative hereunto annexed May it therefore please your Honours to commisserate his sad Condition and in regard she obstinately refuseth to Cohabit with him in the Quality of a Wife to vacate the said Order of 300 l. per Annum and to null the said Joynture of 1000 l. per Annum and 1000 l. in ready money and to enforce her to return the 1200 l. in Jewels whereby your Petitioner may be inabled to satisfie his Creditors their just Debts and that Reparation and Satisfaction may be made both to his Reputation and Estate as shall seem meet to your Honours Wisdoms and Justice And your Petitioner c. To the Parliament for the Common-wealth of England The State of the Case of Thomas Ivie Esquire THat Mr. Ivie about October 1649. took to Wife Theodosia Garret Widow Daughter of Iohn Stepkins Esq on whom by reason of the great affection which he bore unto her he setled 1000 l. per Annum Ioynture and gave also security to leave 1000 l. in ready money at the time of his death and this without any consideration of a Portion from her Father or any Estate left her by her former Husband who not only left her without a Joynture but in debt also That the said Stepkins perceiving how really Mr. Ivie stood affected to his said Daughter and with what chearfulness and willingness he was resolved to settle all his Estate for the good and preferment of his said Daughter was content that if Mr. Ivie would free his the said Stepkins Estate which was 240 l. per Annum then encumbred with several Debts or pay a 1000 l. towards the same and deliver into the hands of the said Daughter 1200 l. in Jewels that then it should be setled on Mr. Ivie for his Life and afterwards to the use of his Daughter for her Life And in case he had no Issue by her then to the Heirs general of the said Stepkins or such as the said Stepkins should limit and appoint Whereupon Mr. Ivie did deliver unto the said Theodosia rich Jewels to the value of 1200 l. in ready mony to the said Stepkins to free his Estate accordingly That Mr. Ivie then expected a reciprocal return of his affection which he had so cordially demonstrated But when the said 1000 l. was paid and a firm and legal settlement of the Joynture made and the Jewels delivered to his said Wife He found great reason to suspect that 't was rather his Fortune than himself which she had wedded For she not only sought all means to avoid his Company but chose out those as she thought might be most offensive to him and such whom by reason of the scandal they lay under he had prohibited her to converse with Notwithstanding seeing it was the pleasure of the Lord to unite them in so near a union Mr. Ivie was resolved not to leave any fair and honest motives either of Purse or Persuasion unattempted which might encline her affection towards him and in order hereunto there was nothing which she ever proposed which might be for her content that he did deny unto her And in less than fourteen Months she expended in Apparel 600 l. in ready mony 500 l. and for other Accommodations about 2800 l. besides the 1200 l. in Jewels and 1000 l. in mony aforesaid which amounts to 6100 l. Nay the Gifts were so great he bestowed on her That he supposeth she was even ashamed to request any more from him Nevertheless she by the evil Counsel of her Confederates while he was at the Court of Aldermen did convey out of his House Plate and rich East-india Stuffs to the value of 300 l. and divers other goods which were by her and her Confederates carried away and imbezeled That Mr. Ivie now finding his own Estate as well as his Wives Affection too too visibly declining and that nothing could attend such an unhappy condition but Ruine and Dishonour to prevent both persuaded his said Wife to retire with him for a while to his Estate in the Country thinking thereby to to take her off from the Temptations of those seducing Persons who engaged her in such pernicious courses But instead of a compliance he found a greater Obstinacy than ever neither could her own Friends who then persuaded her to leave the City for a while prevail with her And that there