and because they could not with good Conscience swear at all they committed them to Prison till the next Assize and told them They should have but Straw to lie on and commanded the Goaler To put them apart one from the other The 12th of the 9th Moneth following being also the first day of the Week the shattered Meeting-house being then somewhat repaired and an Inhabitant dwelling therein Friends were there met again to wait upon the Lord there came many Boyes and Young Men again and beset the House and threw Stones against it and they were forbidden by the Inhabitant thereof who told them It was his Dwelling-house yet they violently brake open a Window being made very fast with Boards well nailed and there came the Mayor's Officers and one of them encouraged the rude Company to Untyle the House and one Holley a Servant to John Hipps a chief Constable in the City said That the Mayor's Officers the Serjeants told the Rude Company That they should knock out the Quakers Brains if they would not depart And the Officers came and forced Friends out of the House and in the Evening many Rude Boyes came again and told the said Inhabitant They would pull down the House upon his Head using many Abusive Words against them and stroke a Girle with a Stone Some of those that were Eye-Witnesses to the afore-mentioned Proceedings John Barber James Exten John Carver Elizabeth Barber Elizabeth Exton Mary Carver Diana Thomas On the 3d of the 10th moneth 1676. the aforesaid People were assembled together to worship the Lord in their usual peaceable manner at the City of Hereford then came the Mayor's Officers and turned them out of the House and brought one Iohn Barber before Abraham Seward Mayor Henry Caldicot and Thomas Payner Justices who tendred to him the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and because he could not in good Conscience swear at all committed him to Prison till the next Assizes And on the 7th day following the said Iohn Barber had taken from him Goods worth 25 s. for 16 s. demanded for not going to the Steeple-house and then also the said Iohn Barber had Goods seized worth 26 l. for a fine of 10 l. demanded and imposed upon him for the House where the Meeting was by Warrant under the Hands of Robert Simonds and Edward King Justices And on the 10th of the 11th moneth following then was taken from the said Iohn Barber dwelling in the Parish of Nicholas Goods worth 14 s. for the demand of 12 s. for not going to the Steeple-house And then also was taken from Iohn Carver of the City and Parish aforesaid Goods worth 7 s. for 4 s. demanded for the same Cause Edward Price Warden Thomas Gwillim Warden Giles Cockes Overseer Evan Thomas Overseer Thomas Gough Petty-Constable Iohn Hipps Chief-Constable Richard Phillpoâ—ts Assistant Iames Exton Iohn Carver and Iohn Barber do remain Prisoners in Hereford-City Prison upon refusing to take the Oath being committed until the next Assizes Iohn Haines and Iames Robbins both of Bâ—ddenham are continued Prisoners by the Writ Excommunicato Capiendo for Contempt of the Bishops Court as is said being committed to the County Goal the 23d of the seventh Moneth 1676. On the 20th of the 11th moneth 1676. the aforesaid People were then met again in their usual manner to worship the Lord then came the Mayor's Officers and forced them away not suffering them to abide in the open Street thereabout and one of the Officers a Serjeant called Iohn Iones said unto them They would Fire tho House where they met and broyle them therein Dansey Gwillim and Henry â—uliaâ— with others can witness the same these Witnesses are no Quakers Thomas Holt of Wickton in the Parish of Leominster committed to Prison the 18th day of the 7th moneth 1674. and still remains a Prisoner for small Tythes and Easter-Reckonings to the value of Eight Groats demanded Nathaniel Smith of Leominster committed to Prison the 11th day of the 11th moneth 16â—6 from the Quarter-Sessions because for Conscience sake he could not Swear SUFFERERS in the County of Leicester THe 10th day of the 1st Moneth 1673. Samuel Harper of Harborough was arrested with a Bishops Writ for not going to the Steeple house and there still remaineth a Prisoner at the Suit of Matthew Bent Priest Thomas Dash of Hincly Labouring-man taken to Prison by a Bishop's Writ at the Suit of George Naylor Priest of the same for refusing to pay small Tythes Anthony Wells and Leonard Gasway Bailiffs took him to Prison from his aged Wife the 24th of the 11th Moneth 1674. where he still remaineth The 26th of the 7th Moneth 1674. John Marriot Joyner and William Parker Carpenter of Long-claxton alias Clanson were taken by a Warrant from Thomas Stavley and Thomas Beamont called Justices directed to Thomas Faux Constable and brought before them to give in sufficient Sureties to answer the Suit of John Reay Vicar of the same Town they refusing were sent to Prison by a Statute made the 27th of Henry the 8th The Priest demands of John Marriot 5 s. 6 d. per Annum and of William Parker 3â— they both remaining Prisoners from their Wives and small Children The last day of the 12th moneth 1674. Thomas Followes of Whetstone committed to Prison by the said Thomas Stavley and Thomas Beamont upon the same Statute for refusing to become bound to answer the Suit of Thomas Robeson Priest in a Cause of Tythes his Demand about five shillings and six pence per annum and yet remaineth a Prisoner from his Wife and Family The 18th of the 1 st moneth 1676. George Power of Swanington in the Parish of Whitweek was taken by Samuel Sterkey of Ashcrdelâ—zoâ—ch at the Suit of John Brintnal Priest in a Case of small Tythes part of which was demanded by a former Priest more then one half and since he was Prisoner this John Brintnall hath taken a Lamb out of his Fold and he still remaineth a Prisoner The 2d Moneth 1676. William Tuninges of Syleby Shepherd was subpoened into the Exchequer by Richard Sanders Impropriator and for not appearing was cast into Prison for small Tythes to the value of 3 s. 4 d. and there continues The 1 st of the 5th Moneth 1676. Samuel Brown of Leicester Apothecary was taken by a Bishop's Writ for not coming to the Steeple-House by Anthony Wells and Leonard Gasway of Leicester Bailiffs about the Tenth Hour at Night in his Bed and still remains a Prisoner The 13th of the 8th moneth 1676. John Johnson of Northkilworth Shepherd taken by a Bishop's Writ for not coming to the Steeple-house by Leonard Gasway and Anthony Wells of Leicester Bailiffs and Iohn Iackson of Humberston Bailiff where he remaineth a Prisoner being the chief Guide of his Mother's Business she be being aged about Eighty The 24th of the 8th Moneth 1676. John Wilsford late of Nether-Broughton Jersey-Comber taken by a Bishop's Writ for not going to the Steeple-House by Leonard Gasway and Anthony
took from the said Alexander Salsbury Four Cows worth 21 l. VVitnesses hereof William VValbanck Richard Birlow Iames Hamber Charles Lee of Clitheroe Labourer had taken from him for a Meeting at his House the 1st Day of the 8th Moneth 76. Four Horses with Load-Saddles Collars Wanties and Overlaies worth 14 l. One Cow and a Calf worth 5 l. 6 s. 8d One Yearling Heifer and Three Calves worth 7 l. 5 s. The Constables Names that took them were Iohn Dugdale and Edmund Rogerson Edmund Robinson Apothecary Church-warden Iohn Page Husbandman Overfeer of the poor An Account of such as are Imprisoned for the Truth 's sake in Huntington-Goal the 6th of the 12 Mo. 1676. THomas Ashton of Brampton in the County of Huntington was attached the first of the 2d Moneth 1675. for the Non-payment of Tythe that grand Oppression at the suit of William Swepson Impropriator and was had to Huntington Goal where he still remains Prisoner It is supposed the value of what he is charged with by the said Impropriator is about 50 s. or 3 l. for Lamb and Wool some years past VVilliam Newberry of the said Town of Brampton in the County of Huntington was attached at the fuit of the said William Swepson Impropriator and was had to Prison about the 27th Day of the 7th Moneth 1675. where he still remains Prisoner for the value of 4 s. 4 d. per aâ—n for some years past Note Both of them above-mentioned were imprisoned for Contempt for not answering the Bill exhibited against them and their Corn and Hay have been forcibly taken away in this the time of their Imprisonment Robert Spalton of Chatterice in the Isle of Ely was arrested at the suit of William Strong Priest of the said Town of Chatterice about the 1st of the 2d Moneth 1675. for small Tythes and being arrested in the County of Huntington was had to Huntington Goal where he remains Prisoner to this day Iohn Beadles within the Liberty of Ramsey and County of Huntington was arrested the 20th day of the 7th moneth 76. at the suit of Silvester Titus commonly called Colonel Titus Lord of the Mannor of Ramsey and Impropriator for Tythe supposed not to be above 25 s. according to the usual Rate and was had to Huntington Goal where he remains a Prisoner to this day George Clapham of Brampton in the said County of Huntington was had to Prison upon a Bishop's Writ for not appearing at the Court non payment of Tythes by Ol. Pocklington Priest Nathaniel Nicholl of Woolâ—y in the said County of Huntington was carried to Prison the same time for Contempt of the Court iâ— not appearing by the same Writ and for not going to the Steeple-house they were both had to Huntington Goal the 7th of the 12th moneth 76. where they continue And there are several other Bishop's Writs out against several more in this County but not as yet executed c. At a Meeting of the People of the Lord at the House of Amy Peacock of Erith in the County of Huntington upon the 23d of the 2d Moneth called April 1676. a Person being there that was moved by God's Eternal Poweâ— to preach the Everlasting Gospel with wholsome Exhortations to the Fear of the Lord there came into the same Meeting these Informers viz. Stephen Perry of Cambridge Thomas Gilbie of Bluntsham and John Pottâ— of Somersham who having been a long Season in an Ale-house came into the said Meeting like mad-men threatning and pulling People not regarding either Age or Sex to the Hurt of some Women there present and being demanded of a Friend Jasper Robins by Name what Authority they had for their so doing They replied They had a Commission from the King to break up the Meeting The aforesaid Jasper speaking to the Constables that came with the Informers to keep the Peace and if any of them had a Warrant from any Justice Friends would obey and the said Informers pretended they had one but it appeared they had not but came in their own Wills in that violent drunken Spirit So they going away in a Rage especially against the aforesaid Iasper because he desired the Constables to set them in the Stocks for their drunken Behaviour and some Weeks after went to one Iohn Tryce of Godmanchester a Justice and made a Complaint that the aforesaid Iasper had spoke certain Evil Words against the King Yet invented only in their own Evil Hearts and then also informed of the said Meeting so that the said Iasper Robins and others were fined and he the said Iasper bound to answer their Complaint at the next Quarter-Sessions and he knowing his own Innocency therein and that the Constables and others were present when they pretended he spake these Words offered his Traverse to the Court which upon the third Quarter-Sessions was obtained and the Matter being heard their Wickedness was manifested and the Jury gave in their Verdict that the said Iasper was not Guilty Tobias Hardmeat of Fenstanton for the same Meeting for himself and the pretended poverty of the Preacher was fined 10 l. Thomas Parnel of Ripton-Regis for the same Meeting for himself and the pretended poverty of the Preacher was fined 10 l. Benjamin Thornley of Erith for the same Meeting was fined 5 s. Goods taken away worth 5 s. Edward Christenwheat of the same fined 5 s. Goods taken worth 5 s. Thomas Cook of the same fined 5 s. Good taken worth 5 s. Richard Basse of Erith for the same fined 5 s. Goods taken worth 4 s. The Officers that distrained were Thomas Bull Richard Ferilis Constables Thomas Skeiles Overseer William Prior of Somersham being a young man and newly come out of his Apprentiship and very poor as to the outward insomuch that he had very little but his wearing Clothes was fined for the said Meeting 5 s. for which William Wingrave Edward Ratford Constables Iohn Goule senior Stephen Darwood Vardens Thomas Smith and VVilliam Bonnum Overseers Officers of the said Town manifested their Cruelty in taking away his Clothes and leaving him nothing of his mean Apparel but one Hose he being in Bed insomuch as he was necessitated to borrow Clothes to cover his Nakedness till he had wrought for more His Clothes taken were valued at 10 s. William Bavin of Bluntsham for the same Meeting fined 5 s three Swine taken from him to the value of 34 s. At a Meeting at Erith the 3d of the 10th Moneth called December 76. Friends were kept out of their Meeting house by the Constables and Officers of the said Town and by men they had appointed for that work that Day and Friends standing in the Street about the middle of the Meeting came Stephen Perrey of Cambridge and Thomas Gilbie of Blunisham two of the aforesaid Informers who although they stand guilty of Perjury in the Sight of God and Good Men yet upon Information upon Oath to Nicholas Iohnson a Justice so called that there was a Meeting in the
Hay to the Value of about 8 l. Iohn Camsal fined 30 s. for being at peaceable Meetings and had taken from him some Corn in the Barn with two Beds and Bedding with other Goods to the value of about 10 l. The Officers Names William Chapman and George Gantley Constables Edward Chapman and Iohn Baytes Wardens Iohn Raines and Francis VVilliamson Overseers of the poor Witnesses I seph Camsel Thomas Saintpal George Flecher The 22d of the 10th Moneth 1676. an Account of Goods then taken from VVilliam Emley of Mansfield in the County of Nottingham Mercer for a Fine of 10 l. 5 s. for being at a Meeting the 17th Day of the same at Hucknal-Hoofet in the parish of Sutton in Ashfield and thereof convicted the 19th of the same by Iohn Smith one Sharp and Obadiah Anthony Informers before Robert Thoroton of Carcouson in the County asore-said Justice viz. 10 l. for the poverty of the Preacher and 5 s. for him elf and by Warrant from the said Robert Thoroton directed to Thomas Innocent and Francis VVatson Constables Richard Burbidge Apothecary John Garner Mercer Ralph Croshey Dyer Thomas Wheat Butcher Overseers of the poor George Cook Malt-maker and John Clay Tanner Church-Wardens John Plumtry and Thomas Clerk Thirdboroughs all of Mansfield in the County aforesaid he had Shop Goods taken from him to the value of 23 l. and upwards George Hopkinson for being at the same Meeting was fined 10 s. for which he was distrained by Thomas Innocent Constable Iohn Plumtry and Thomas Clerk Thirdboroughs as followeth one Coverlet worth 10 s. one pewter Candlestick worth 1 s. one Chair worth 4 s. A Relation of a Notorious Piece of Deceit acted by the Persecutors of these poor afflâ—cted People called Quakers in this County Upon the 26th Day of the 9th Mo. 76. some of the said People being peaceably assembled together in the parish of Blythe and waiting in Stilness and Silence upon the Lord there came in amongst them one Edward Butterworth who sate down a while amongst them till the Informers came in viz. Iohn Smith Obadiah Anthony and Thomas Sharpe then Edward Butterworth stood up and said Blessed be the Peace-makers with some other words that were not understood by Reason Tohmas Sharpe one of the Informers pulled him forth the Constable meeting them near the Door asked why they pulled him out the Informer said If another speak I will pull him out also so the Officers had this pretended Preacher before Justice Sands who upon Examination said He lived at Broughton within eight Miles of Lincoln but there being some Suspition that he was a Cheat ordered the Officers to secure him and to bring him before him again next Day where before the said Justice Sands and Sr. Ralph Knight being again examined he still said he lived at Broughton and Thomas Sharp one of the Informers being asked upon his Oath whet her he knew the said Butterworth did affirm He never saw him before in all his Life but a Certificate was produced before the Justices to prove they both lived in Newark a Copy of which is as follows This may certifie whom it may concern that we whose Names are under-written do testifie that Edward Butterworth and Thomas Sharpe of our Town of Newark are very well acquainted and very near Neighbours living together in our Town and both in a Street most of our Town well know it John Milnes Thomas Merryweather After Examination the Justices seeing their Deceit committed Butterworth to Nottingham Goal except he found Sureties to appear at Redford Sessions and as the Constable was conducting this pretended Quaker to the Goal Smith and Anthony two of the Informers being with him he rode away from the Constable but about three Dayes after he went to Justice Sands and Obadiah Anthony and Thomas Sharpe two of the Informers with him who were bound for his Appearance at Redford Sessions A short Relation of the Proceedings of the Justices of the Peace at Nottingham Quarter-Sessions the Eighth Day of the Eleventh Moneth 1676. Where many of the People of God in Scorn called Quakers came to appeal for Justice from the Illegal Proceedings of the Cruel Informers who acted by Virtue of several Warrants granted forth by Robert Thoroton Justice of the Peace there being about 20 Appeals which were promised to be tried at this Sessions and but three of them put in the manner of their Trials was as followeth as near as can be remembred Upon the 8th day of the 11th Mo. as afore-said the Court being sate the Council for the Informers spoke to the Justices and the rest of the Court that it would be a Dishonour to the King and to his Honourable Justices of Peace that the Appeals should be tried for if they were it was as much as if the Iustices had not done according to Law and if it should be brought in for the Appellant it would be a Dishonour to them or Words to that Effect The Council for the Appellant It is not any Dishonour to the King or his Justices but whether the Informers acted according to Law or no that is the Question and if any look upon themselves to be grieved contrary to Law they may be tried by a Iury of twelve men which the Law doth allow and further he desired the Tryals might be in the Informers Name and not in the Name of the King but it would not be granted So when the Justices had ordered the Appeals should go on to Tryal a Jury was impannelled and sworn and the Warrant of Robert Thoroton's Conviction of the Meeting at Blythe such a Day betwixt the King of the one Part and Iohn Sayton and the other Appellants on the other part by which Warrant the said Iohn Sayton was fined 20 l. for suffering a Conventicle at his House as they said in the Parish of Blythe So the Witnesses were called and sworn Witness I was there on that Day and there were several People met but were all silent and no Words spoken amongst them but did not see Iohn Sayton there Council for the Appellant Now in the first place forasmuch as there was neither Preaching Praying nor Reading as their own witness doth testifie therefore it was no Conventicle 2dly Being they cannot prove he was there therefore how can it be judged that he did either wittingly or willingly consent to that Meeting if they could make it a Conventicle with much more to that purpose Informers Council Now as to the first although there was neither Preaching praying nor Reading yet it was evident enough that they met under a pretence of a Religions Exercise seeing there was more then five not of Iohn Sayton's Family therefore it must needs be a Conventicle And as to the 2d seeing they cannot prove he was there we must leave it to the Consciences of the Jury whether he did willingly consent to that Meeting or no. So when the Council had spoke on both sides Peniston Whaley one of the Justices
Thomas Moor are upon the same Suit and by the same Writ yet detained Prisoners in the Goal of Appleby afore-said Thomas Gamm of Camsgil within the Parish of Burton and County aforesaid was sued in the Bishop's Court of Chester by John Ormred Priest of Burton for Easter Reckonings and Midsummer-Dues so called by him demanded to the value of about 6 s. by the year for two years upon an Excommuniâ—ato Capiendo Writ was arrested and carryed to Prison at Kendal in the said County the 27th day of the 11th moneth in the year 1674. where he remained about three moneths and being but about Four Miles from his own House his Wife and Children and Friends had the conveniency often to visit him but there with this Priest Ormrod was so Vexed and Troubled being filled with Envy and Cruelty that he prevailed with the under Sheriff one Allan Prickatt to remove him to the Common Goal at Appleby being about Sixteen Miles from his own House where he hath remained Prisoner these Two Years Sufferers in the County of Berks the 27th of the 11th Moneth 1676. RObert Pain of Sunning and John Pain of the same arrested for Tythe at the suit of Samuel Christopher Priest of Sunning above-said and carryed to Reading Goal the 13th of the 4th moneth 1674. where they remain still Prisoners William Dobson of Brightwell arrested for Tythe at the suit of Ralph VVhistler and carryed to Reading Goal the beginning of the seventh Moneth 1675. and remains still a Prisoner Thomas Davie George Ball Richard Nash Thomas Pretty Thomas Draper William Ward John VVyron all of New-VVindsore arrested by VValter Condry under Goaler the 13th day of the 11th moneth 1675. by a Writ of Excommunicate Capiendo for not going to the Steeple house and not paying to the Repair of it and not receiving the Sacrament being rated as followeth viz. Thomas Davie 3 s. Geroge Ball 2 s. 3 d. Richard Nash 4 d. Thomas Pretty 3 d. Thomas Draper 2 s. 7 d. VVilliam VVard 4 d. Iohn VVyson 3 s. 4 d. all carryed to Reading Goal and remain still Prisoners Taken from Samuel Burgis of Brimton for 4 l. 18 s. 4 d. demanded for Tythe by Thomas VVorral Priest a Mare worth Ten Pounds the 26th day of the 3d moneth 1676. by Richard Smith Bailiff Sufferers in Lanca-shire UPon the 14th of the 11th Moneth 1675. Iohn Backhouse Robert Hubbersty and Francis Fleeming all of them of Yâ—lland within the County of Lancaster Husbandmen and VVilliam Waithman and James Waithman both of Lyndeth within the said County Husbandmen and all five within the parish of Warton were served with a Writ out of the Exchequer at the suit of Hugh Phillips of London Farmer of the Tythes of the Rectory of Warton afore-said under the Deacon of Worcester by Gawen Hewtson Samuel Fisher Robert Watson and Hugh Read Bailiffs who required their Bond for Appearance but they being not free to give Bond were returned to the Common Goal at Lancaster where they remain Prisoners yet Witnesses to the Truth of this are John Smith John Hubbersty Edward Rawlinson and William Huginson Roger Hairsnep of Aughton Husbandman was sued in the Bishop of Chester's Court for Tythe by Alexander Bagerly Priest of Aughton and for not appearing according to the Order of the Court was apprehended upon Contempt by Order from John Entwistle of Ormskirk and William Holme of Keirsley Justices and carried to Lancaster Goal the 17th day of the 7th Moneth 1675. where he remains Prisoner this 10th of the 11th Mon. 1676. Upon the 15th day of the 7th Mon. Roger Haydock of Coppel within the parish of Standish Husbandman was sued by Ralph Briddock Bishop of Chichester for Tythes and by Warrant from Roger Bradshaw called Justice and Nicholas Penington Mayor of Wiggan committed to the Common Goal at Lancaster where he remains Prisoner the said Bishop having writ to the Goaler as also to the Judge of the Assizes called Francis North who strictly Charged the Goaler he should not let the said Roger Haddock nor any of the Quakers have Liberty so that not only the said Roger Haddock but several other Brethren were debarred of Liberty through the Instigation of the Bishop Upon the 6th Day of the 3d Mon. 1675. Heskin Fell of Coppel was at the suit of Ralph Briddock Bishop of Chichester for Easter Reckonings upon his Denyal to take an Oath called Juramentum Militia apprehended by Warrant under the Hands and Seals of Roger Bradshaw called Justice and Nicholas Penington Mayor of Wiggan and committed to the Common Goal at Lancaster where he remains Prisoner Upon the 13th of the 9th Mon. 1676. Robert Walker of Boulk Woolen Weaver was apprehended and imprisoned at the fuit of Edward Garthforth Priest of Lancaster by a Significavit from the Court of Richmond for small Tythes where he now remains a Prisoner for his Testimony against that Priesthood that takes Tythes Sufferers for Meeting to worship God Upon the 14th day of the last 12th Moneth Thomas Tomlinson of Crossmore had taken from him for a Fine of 5 s. for himself being at Freckleton and 6 l. 13 s. 4 d. for the pretended Poverty of another Three Beasts worth 11 l. 10 s. by Maâ— Kerkham Constable of Freckleton George Nickson Warden and some other Officers who after they had drove the Beasts about 2 Miles sold them one to the other for 8 l. 10 s. This was by Warrant from Edward Riggby of Preston called a Justice a great Persecutor who threatned He would root out the Quakers out of the Hundred wherein he dwelt and said All the Laws as yet made against the Quakers were too short he would have a Law that they should be tied and dragged either at a horse or cart tayl and that he would be one of the first that would move for it in Parliament Henry Tomlinson of Crossmore White-Smith by the same VVarrant for being at the same Meeting had distrained from him Goods worth above 5 l. 10 s. by the same Officers the Priest of Kirkham being Informer Iohn Townson of Racliffe by VVarrant from the afore said Edward Riggby and another Justice had two Cows taken from him worth 5 l. 10 s. for being at the same Meeting by Iohn Bernard Constable of Racliffe Henry Carter Overseer of the poer Thomas Hankinson and others Officers Alexander Salsbury of Leagram the 19th Day of the 9th Moneth 1676. for being at a peaceable Meeting of the Lord's people at Thomas Garner's Alexander Powel called a Justice granted a VVarrant to make Distress of his Goods for a Fine of 20 l. being informed against by Adam Knowel and Iohn Burton Informers and that he was teaching or preaching at the said Meeting whereupon the Officers viz. Nicholas Walbank Constable and Hugh Dobson Overseer of the poor took from him Four Oxen worth 17 l. 10 s. and another time the same Officers took from him Seven Beasts worth 21 l. 10 s. And the 20th of the 10th Moneth the same Officers