Minute Book: June 1661

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 1, 1660-1667. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1904.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Minute Book: June 1661', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 1, 1660-1667, (London, 1904) pp. 142-148. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol1/pp142-148 [accessed 25 April 2024]

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

June 1661

June 5. Petition from John Robinson, one of the searchers at Gravesend, for leave of absence. Granted. [Ibid. p. 7.]
Same from Thomas Barefoote for a grant of a certain wet, low meadow lying in the borough of Carmarthen, called the King's meadow adjoining the Towy ["Tey"]. "When his late Maty's army lay before Lichfield under the command of Prince Rupert and in despair of taking the close, the petitioner, being a gardener at Lichfield and worth 1,500l., found out a way in his owne howse by a mine to blow up the whole fort, which was done accordingly and the close immediately taken. The petitioner being afterwards discovered was plundered and suffered much." Referred: to the Surveyor General of Lands. [Early Entry Book VI. p. 219.]
June 6. The report from the Surveyor General of Lands read and entered on the petition of Michael Crake, one of the late King's footmen, for lands in Londonderry, Ireland: as also the report from the Surveyor General of Ireland on same. The affair to be submitted to the King's wisdom. [Ibid. XIV. pp. 150–1.]
June 8. Petition from Edmund Turner concerning a discovery of several parcels of woods and ground called the North and South woods in the parish of Baltonsborough, co. Somerset, parcel of the demesnes of the Abbey of Glaston, and several acres of moorish ground called Kennard Moor and Blackacre and Baltesborough Moor or Church Moor. Referred: to the Attorney General and Surveyor General of Lands. [Ibid. VI. p. 222.]
Same (on reference from the King of the 18th January last) from John Pennington, of Chigwell, executor of Sir John Pennington, who died in 1645, for a new lease of several small rents of many little parcels of assart lands and other wastes and purprestres lying in eleven several counties. Referred: to the Surveyor General of Lands. [Ibid. p. 228.]
June 9. Secretary Nicholas's letter of the 22nd ult. read and entered in full, conveying the King's instructions that certain pieces of tapestry, brought over the seas for the use of the King and Duke of York and at present lying seized in the Custom House in a certain ballott marked R.C., "may be delivered to this bearer Francis Von Coppenolle without custome or further molestacon." Ordered: the Customs officers to observe the King's pleasure herein. [Ibid. IX. p. 9.]
June 11. Petition from Lady Willoughby for a grant of the fines and arrears of Excise which were in Oliver's time, in South Wales, ungathered; she having served in sending many expresses from Oxford to London, and suffered much plunder. With Treasurer Southampton's minute. "The arreares of the Excise are granted away by the late Parliament and confirmed by sundry late letters patents from His Majesty so as they cannot be diverted from that use." [Ibid. VI. p. 245.]
June 18. Petition from Thomas Death for an abatement of customs on a parcel of damaged tobaccos. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners. [Ibid. IX. p. 16.]
June 19. Petition from Anders Olaffson Bonde, master of a Swedish ship called "France," laden with iron for English merchants, arrived here six weeks since and seized by one Henry Low by order of one Turnor upon pretence of its being a Dutch vessel, and the cause brought into the Exchequer, notwithstanding the contrary was proved by certificates from the city of Stockholm and bill of sale from the Lord High Admiral Wrangel, from whom it was bought. Ordered: that the Barons of the Exchequer be desired to quicken despatch of the case seeing that the Swedish Ambassador hath interposed therein. [Early Entry Book IX. p. 16.]
Petition from John Bramston for release of a parcel of rhubarb. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners. [Ibid. p. 18.]
Same from William Wrangham for a new lease of two tenements in North Shields, co. Northumberland. Referred: to the Surveyor General of Lands. [Ibid. VI. p. 225.]
Same from John Basset for a lease of that part of Rockingham Forest, co. Northants, heretofore granted to Symon Lenton and Matthew Stanhope, in consideration of his father's services who "was continued for 3 years successively sheriff in the county of Cornwall and caused all the borough towns in Cornwall to recall their members by a publique instrument, to sit and act for His Matie at Oxford" besides raising 2,700l. for the King. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid. p. 226.]
Same from William Johnson to have confirmed to him the interest, detailed, of Wilks and Motlaw, two Coldstreamers, the latter now a Captain under the Duke of Albemarle, in part of the manor of Wyberton, co. Lincoln. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid.]
Same from Dr. Quatremain for a grant of several encroachments in the city of Westminster, being small buildings and sheds erected on the King's land. Petitioner to attend the Surveyor General with the particulars. [Ibid. p. 227.]
Same from William Coysgarne (Coysgrave) for a lease of lands left by the sea in co. Kent, discovered by him under a commission obtained from the King. The Surveyor General of Lands to consider of the return of the former commission and certify what is fit herein. [Ibid.]
Same from Judith Harris (on reference from the King of May 11 last) for a grant of His Majesty's storehouse at Rochester, consisting of 19 bays of building set up near the waterside, now in the occupation of Isaac Carter: all in consideration of the services of her late husband, Captain Francis Harris, son of Francis Harris, Alderman of Oxford. Referred: to the Surveyor General of Lands. [Ibid.]
Same from John Hutt for a reversionary interest in a messuage &c., in the manor of Shippon, co. Berks. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid. p. 228.]
Same from the Earl of Westmorland and Earl of Cardigan (on reference from the King of the 4th inst.) for a grant of the custody of the hundreds of Loveden, co. Lincoln, and Willybrook, co. Northampton. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid. p. 232.]
[? June 19.] Same from John Baptista Destito for an abatement of Customs on decayed Spanish tobacco. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid. IX. p. 18.]
June 20. The Surveyor General's report, read and entered, on the petition of William Watkins for lease of a small plot of ground in the city of Westminster. Order for a constat with a view to a lease. [Ibid. VI. p. 229.]
1661. June 22. Petition from Robert Leming and John his son (on reference from the King of the 5th inst.) for a moiety of all such moneys as he shall discover to have been wrongfully collected and still unaccompted for by Hugh Blyman, Joseph Wickham, and others, sequestrators and committee men in co. Somerest. Petitioner to attend Sir Edmund Sawyer to explain the state of these accountants. [Early Entry Book VI. p. 228.]
Same from Thomas Fisher, merchant (on reference from the King of the 10th inst.) concerning the debt due to him for his contracting in 1642 for his ship to carry provisions into Ireland for the Protestants, which ship was taken by pirates; petitioner having also been instrumental in bringing over the fleet to His Majesty in 1648, in consideration whereof he prays payments out of a discovered debt of 4,649l. 7s. 9d. due for Customs from John Langley and William Williams. Referred: to the Barons of the Exchequer and the Attorney General. [Ibid. pp. 230–1.]
Same from Henry Parker and William Gaseley, gent., Marshals of the Exchequer [Court]. Set forth "that by the course of that court all such sheriffes and other accomptants as for neglect and contempt in perfecting and clearing their accounts in due time are attached or committed to custody ought to account in the custody of the Marshall of the said court. And that if they bee attached or fetched up by a serjeant at armes or any other messenger yet they ought to account in the custody of the Marshall. That the Serjeant at Arms attending the Lord Treasurer hath of late attached and taken into custody severall sheriffs and other accountants and taken several bonds for their appearance, and hath not delivered any of them to the custody of the petitioners nor brought their persons or delivered their bonds into the said Court; but in contempt thereof the last terme forceably takes one Mr. Watson late sheriff of Newcastle out of the custody of petitioner's servant and suffered him to go to Newcastle the next day and before he was discharged from his accounts." Pray order for the maintenance of the ancient course and honour of the Exchequer Court. Ordered: the Barons of the Exchequer to give such a rule to each of these officers for the discharge of their places as agrees with the rules of the Court and the ancient rights of their offices. [Ibid. p. 231.]
Same from Jonathan Rashley for a new lease of a fishing upon the river of Fowey in Cornwall. Referred: to the Surveyor General of Lands. [Ibid. p. 233.]
Same from John Lowther (on reference from the King of the 7th inst.) for a further confirmation in the office of the stewardship of the Marques and Richmond Fee in the barony of Kendal, co. Westmorland; there being several persons who attempt to debar him in choosing bailiffs since he came to serve as a member of the House of Commons. With Treasurer Southampton's minute. "I conceave it very reasonable that he appoint the bailiffs as is herein desired; and I doe hereby authorise him thereunto. [Ibid. p. 237.]
[?] Same from William Levingston, of Dundalk, in the kingdom of Scotland [sic], in behalf of divers drovers of the said kingdom, showing that upon a former complaint touching an exaction of poundage by the Commissioners and collectors of His Majesty's Customs in the North parts of England for Scotch cattle brought into England, the Lord Treasurer upon examination of the Book of Rates did direct that all cattle of the Scotch breeds should according to the said Books of Rates be exempt from the said duty: that the said Commissioners and collectors before the obtaining the said order had forced the said drovers to a compliance with them either to pay the said duty in money or give security for the same: and thereupon praying restitution of all bonds and moneys so exacted. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners. [Early Entry Book XIV. p. 163.]
June 26. Petition from Judith Hobson, relict of Edward Hobson, one of the sewers in ordinary of the Chamber to king James and king Charles, for 1,500l. arrears of pension due to her husband. Order for an allowance of 20l. to her. [Ibid. p. 166.]
Same from Col. John Russell (on reference from the King of the 24th inst.) for a grant of certain concealed moneys in the hands of John Backwell, keeper of Creslow pastures belonging to the King in co. Bucks, who in 1641–3, as well by sale of fat cattle belonging to the King as by receiving composition money in several counties raised a considerable sum which was never accounted for, but by combination with Sir Thomas Vyner and one Edward Backwell wholly converted it to their own use. Ordered: the Attorney General to receive petitioner's information and to send for sir Thomas Vyner and Mr. Backwell, and certify the result after examination thereof. [Ibid. VI. p. 237.]
Same from Claudius Denise concerning goods sent to him from France in payment of debt and entrusted by him to Bonaventure Gannier for sale, and by him placed in the custody of Abraham Allen and Stephen Beamount in London, from whom they have been seized by Edward Hazard, Valentine Bent, and the rest of the Commissioners who sit at Weavers' Hall by virtue of a patent for seizing prohibited goods. Ordered: as petitioner is recommended by the Duke of Albemarle that the goods be restored on his paying the Custom. [Ibid. IX. p. 22.]
June 27. Petition from patience Ward et al., of London, merchants, concerning pieces of silk and stuff seized on import. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners. [Ibid. p. 23.]
Same from Capt. John Stevenson and John Taylor, master of the ship "Lambe" from Leith, in Scotland, praying release of ten casks of sugar which came from the Barbados. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid. p. 26.]
The Surveyor General's report, read and entered, on the petition from William Johnson concerning the manor of Wyberton, co. Lincoln. Order: for a constat of the demesnes only; the manor itself cannot be granted. [Ibid. VI. pp. 234–5.]
[?] The Solicitor General's report to the King (on reference from the King of April 11 last), read and entered, on the Earl of Salisbury's petition concerning his interest in the several offices of steward and bailiff of the lordships, manor, &c., of Enfield, Theobalds, and Cheshunt, which the king intends to convey to the Duke of Albemarle. Ordered: "Let Mr. Attorney Generall see whether this be not as advantagiously certified as the case of my Lord Salisbury will bear." [Early Entry Book VI. pp. 235–6.]
June 28. Petition from Edward Franck for discharge of a seizure of nineteen pieces of coarse linen cloth. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners. [Ibid. IX. p. 23.]
June 29. Petition from Fra. Welles for the moorefall trees in the three walks of which Arthur Oxford, William Paulet, and George Rodney are keepers, in New Forest. Minuted by Treasurer Southampton as follows. "I conceive this an unfit way to gratify this petitioner, for under pretence of such moorefall trees much waste is often committed. For the present I will allow her 50l. on the Privy Seal dormant if His Majestie please, or what His Majestie directs." [Ibid. XIV. p. 170.]
The demands of the Lieutenant of the Tower read for the fees of the Gentleman Porter and 40 warders, from 1661, March 26 to June 24, amounting to 268l. 8s. Od. Ordered: to be assigned upon the 70,000l. assessment, after the 60,000l. borrowed of the city is repaid out of same. [Ibid. p. 171.]
A communication to [? Lord Ashley] from Richard Lawrence, deputy customer of Lyme Regis, read and entered in full, concerning his seizure in that port of a trunkful of popish priests' robes and other ornaments sent from Father Brett, an eminent Jesuit or seminary, to his kinsman, Sir Robert Brett, a Roman Catholic living near Lyme. Details the contents of the trunk and the attempt of said Sir Robert Brett, supported by Mr. Andrews, a local justice of peace, to get possession of same. Because of the importance of the affair has "thought it requiste to address myselfe to the Lord High Treasurer by your honours assistance ... rather then to the Commissioners of the Customes or Mr. Sankie the Register of the Seizures." With Treasurer Southampton's minute. "I approve of your service and lett Mr.Andrews see the same, that His Majesty's officers for doing their duty may receive no discouragment. And lett these goods be informed against and not delivered without speciall warrant." [Ibid. IX. pp. 23–6.]
Petition from Capt. Martin Foster concening the office of Comptroller of Newcastle port, vacant by the death of Ball, late Comptroller there, the King having designed George Cock, searcher there, to said office, and petitioner having a grant of the post of searcher in place of said Cock, but by reason of said Cock's absence abroad petitioner was sworn to execute said place of Comptroller, wherein he meets with opposition from one Jo. Procter, who has intruded therein. With Treasurer Southampton's minute. "Though His Maty I conceive intends the Comptroller's place to Capt. Cox and the Searcher's place to the petitioner yet I having appointed the petitioner untill Cox returnes to execute the place I direct him to receive all the fees and duties for the same. And Jo. Procter that executes the same at present is to observe this order and make payment to Capt. Foster accordingly. "[Ibid. pp. 26–7.]
A particular as follows, read and entered in full, of the tapestries imported for the King, the Duke of York, &c., same being delivered in by Francis van Copennelle, who prays the delivery of said tapestries custom free, viz. [for the King], ten pieces, six of which represent the twelve months of the year, the 7th the day, the 8th the night the 9th the four elements, the 10th the four seasons of the year; wrought with gold and silver, in all 390 ells. For the Duke of York, six pieces representing the planets, wrought with gold and silver: of 120 ells. Six pieces of landskips with little figures wrought with gold and silver: 148 ½ ells. Six pieces wrought with silk and worsted: of 148 ½ ells. Four pieces representing the history of Scipio and Hannibal: of 204 ells. [For Treasurer Southampton], six pieces of landskips with little figures wrought with gold and silver: of 170 ells. For the Lord Chancellor, five little pieces of landskips with little figures wrought with gold and silver: of 90 ells. Another suite of coarse tapestry of 120 ells.
Together with: a certificate by Charles Cottrell, dated Whitehall, June 17, to the effect that having been employed by the Earl of Sandwich to make the price of [bargain for] these hangings for the King and by the Duke of York for same for him it was agreed according to the bargain that the merchant was not to pay the customs. Ordered: that the customs on hangings for the King and the Duke should be allowed. [Early Entry Book IX. p. 27.]
Petition from William Church, of Deal, for release of a quantity of beer, ale, beef and malt seized. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners. [Ibid. p. 34.]
June 30. Petition from Edward Turnor for a lease of such parts as shall be recovered of several parcels of woodland called the Weast Woods or Stone and Hornblowten Woods and land called Litishams Green thereto adjoining, and land called Aldermoore and Southmoore, parcel of the demesnes of the manor of Glaston, which have been intruded upon and detained from the Crown. Referred: to the Surveyor General of Lands. [Ibid. VI. p. 242.]