Sessions Books: 1702

Middlesex County Records. Calendar of Sessions Books 1689-1709. Originally published by Middlesex County Record Society, London, 1905.

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'Sessions Books: 1702', in Middlesex County Records. Calendar of Sessions Books 1689-1709, (London, 1905) pp. 235-253. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/middx-county-records/session-bks-1689-1709/pp235-253 [accessed 20 April 2024]

In this section

Sessions Book 590—January, 1702.

Jury panel (p. 2)

Memoranda of recognizances, &c. (pp. 3–17)

[Pages 18–20 blank.]

Order for the churchwardens, &c., of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields to raise £230 for the repair of the highways under the Act 3 and 4 William and Mary (p. 21)

Similar order for the parish of St. James', Westminster, to raise £120 (p. 23)

Order appointing Martin Ryder chairman of the Court, to hold office till the July Sessions. A new chairman to be appointed each half year (p. 25)

[Pages 20–28 blank.]

Memoranda chiefly relating to committals, fines, &c. (pp. 29, 30)

[Pages 31–33 blank.]

Alphabetical list of indictments (p. 34)

Sessions Book 591—January, 1702.

Jury panel (p. 3)

Memoranda relating to recognizances, &c. (p. 5–21)

Order concerning the settlement of Mary Hill, in the parish of St. Giles', Cripplegate (p. 23)

Order concerning the settlement of Francis Jordan in the parish of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields (p. 24)

Order concerning the settlement of William Harman in the parish of Harefield (p. 25)

A petition from the inhabitants of the town of Stepney, showing that the church and town are in several hamlets, remote from the parish watch-houses, and praying the Court to revive a former order, of late neglected and fallen into disuse, for keeping due watch in Stepney churchyard. The Court refers the matter to two of the Justices, who are to deal with it as they think most convenient (p. 25)

Order confirmed adjudging Thomas Eakins, a sea captain, to be the father of the bastard daughter of Katherine Silcridge, of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields. (p. 26)

Order appointing certain of the Justices to audit the accounts of Henry Hawley, treasurer of the moneys raised for building and repairing the public bridges, and to report thereon to the next Court (p. 28)

Order for the churchwardens, &c., of Uxbridge, to make a rate for reimbursing £25 3s. 6d. to Rowland Scott, James Bennett, and William Gray, the late surveyors (ibid.)

Order for William Haverland, gentleman, of St. Katherine's-by-the-Tower, to pay 1/- per week for each of his grandchildren, Grace, Jane, and William Collier, who have been left destitute; their father and mother, Benjamin and Grace Collier, having absconded. [Vide Sessions Book 585, p. 48] (p. 29)

Dispute between the churchwardens, &c., of the parish of Ware and Enfield respecting the settlement of Richard Davis, Margaret, his wife, and three children, adjourned to the next Sessions (p. 31)

Order for raising £260 11s. 8d. in the hundreds of Ossulton, Edmonton, and Gore, for paying the constables their expenses in carrying out the Act for the more effectual punishment of vagrants (ibid.)

The amount due from each parish in each hundred is set out. (pp. 33, 34, 39)

Similar order for the hundreds of Elthorne, Spelthorne, and Isleworth, with the amounts to be paid by each parish (pp. 35–37)

The dispute between the churchwardens, &c., of South Mymms and Hornsey, as to the legal settlement of Anne Blisse, is adjourned to the next Sessions (p. 37)

[Pages 40–48 blank.]

Memoranda relating to committals, fines, recognizances (pp. 49, 50)

[Pages 51–63 blank.]

List of persons in the House of Correction (p. 64)

List of persons in the New Prison (p. 65)

Note that the house of George Batty, in Uxbridge, is appointed a place of meeting for dissenting protestants (p. 66)

Alphabetical list of indictments (pp. 68,69)

Alphabetical list of recognizances (p. 71)

Rough memoranda (p. 72)

Sessions Book 592—February, 1702.

Jury panel (p. 5)

Memoranda relating to recognizances, &c. (pp. 7–24)

[Pages 25–35 blank.]

Order discharging Mary Rigg from her apprenticehood with Edward Crowden, of Whitechapel, "wooden hatmaker," on the ground of cruelty, &c. (p. 36)

Order for putting Charles Power in the pillory for one hour for forging "a ticket of leave, such as lieutenants in His Majesty's ships of war are used to make out and give to mariners," pretending to be under the hand of John Legger, of H.M.'s ship, the "Ranelagh" (p. 37)

Order for adjourning to next Sessions the settlement of the dispute between the parishes of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields and St. Margaret's concerning the legal settlement of Mary Jones (ibid.)

Order concerning the settlement of Elizabeth Williams, a bastard child, in the parish of St. Clement Danes (p. 38)

The humble address of the Justices of the Peace to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty on the demise of William the Third and the accession of Queen Anne, March 17th, 1702 (p. 39)

[Pages 40–52 blank.]

Memoranda concerning committals, fines, recognizances, &c. (pp. 53, 54)

[Pages 55–58 blank.]

Names of persons in the New Prison and House of Correction (p. 59)

[Pages 60–65 blank.]

Alphabetical list of recognizances (pp. 66, 67)

Alphabetical list of indictments (pp. 68, 69)

Rough memoranda (p. 70)

Sessions Book 593—April, 1702.

Jury panel (p. 2)

Memoranda relating to recognizances and indictments, &c. (pp. 3–17)

[Pages 18–20 blank.]

Order for suppressing immorality and profanity, to be affixed to church doors, &c. (p. 21)

[Pages 24–34 blank.]

Memoranda concerning committals, fines, &c. (p. 35, 36)

Alphabetical list of indictments (p. 38)

[Pages 39, 40 blank.]

Sessions Book 594—April, 1702.

[Pages 3–14 blank.]

Jury panel (p. 15)

Order appointing Thomas Gratwick, treasurer for the maimed soldiers, &c., for the hundreds of Ossulston, Edmonton, and Gore, in the place of Joseph Short (p. 16)

Similar order appointing Leonard Hamond treasurer for Elthorne, Spelthorne, and Isleworth Hundreds, in the place of John Jennings (ibid.)

William Gunson continued as treasurer for the Marshalsea, King's Bench, &c., for the hundreds of Ossulston, Edmonton, and Gore (ibid.)

Thomas Fleet is continued for the hundreds of Elthorne, Spelthorne, and Isleworth (ibid.)

Order that the rates of wages be continued as last year, and that the assize of bread be the same (ibid.)

Mr. Gunson continued as treasurer of the vagrant money for the hundreds of Ossulston, Edmonton, and Gore (ibid.)

Thomas Foote chosen treasurer of the vagrant money for the hundreds of Elthorne, Spelthorne, and Isleworth (ibid.)

Memoranda relating to recognizances, &c. (pp. 17–38)

Order for auditing the accounts of Edward Wilson, late churchwarden of the parish of St. Giles', Cripplegate, and the payment of money due to him (p. 39)

Order concerning the settlement of Anne Langson and two children, in the parish of Laleham (p. 40)

Order discharging Edward Broughton, esquire, from being one of the overseers of the liberty of Saffron Hill, Hatton Garden, and Ely Rents, on the ground that he had but lately come to inhabit in the parish, and cannot possibly serve "by reason of his extraordinary affairs and business." Richard Atkins is appointed in his place (ibid.)

Order discharging Richard Hind of the same liberty, from serving the office of overseer, and appointing Philip Dare to the same office. Hind pleads in any other year he would be ready and willing to serve, and endeavour to prevent the irregularities that have been practised therein, but this present year he is too much engaged "in great affairs relating to his trade of a brewer, and making and gauging of malt, which will require his frequent absence in the country" (p. 41)

Order of reference to certain Justices named to summon before them certain inhabitants of Saffron Hill, Hatton Garden, and Ely Rents—13 in all—to show cause why they refuse to pay the poor rate (p. 42)

Order concerning the settlement of Edward Wyniard, his wife Hannah and three children, in the parish of St. Botolph's, Aldgate (p. 43)

Order concerning the settlement of Mary Berry and her infant in the parish of Sunbury (p. 44)

Order for Thomas Merrideth, of the parish of St. James', Westminster, who had served King William at sea for 12 years, and who is now blind, to receive £4 a year from the Maimed Soldiers' and Mariners' Fund (ibid.)

Order concerning the settlement of Mary Plummer, alias Hollis, in the parish of St. Andrew's, Holborn (p. 45)

Order concerning the settlement of Elizabeth Hartwell, a poor widow, in Uxbridge (p. 46)

Order discharging Nicholas Short from serving as overseer of the parish of Hornsey, as he is a poor man, aged 76, and can neither write nor read (ibid.)

Order confirming an order of two of the Justices adjudging Charles Collema, turner, of Castle Street, St. Giles', to be the reputed father of the bastard daughter of Christian Tyson (p. 47)

Dispute between the churchwardens, &c., of Roydon, Essex, and those of Hackney concerning the settlement of Daniel Lowen, his wife Mary, and child, adjourned to the next Sessions (p. 48)

Order discharging Elizabeth Barnes from her apprenticehood with Mary Cope, mantua maker, of St. Sepulchre's, on the ground that the apprentice had not been taught her art, but put to do the household work (p. 49)

Certain Justices appointed to examine and audit the accounts of the high and petty constables of the Ossulston, Edmonton, and Gore Hundreds relating to the passing of vagrants (p. 50)

A similar order respecting the hundreds of Elthorne, Spelthorne, and Isleworth (p. 51)

Order concerning the settlement of Richard Davis, Mary his wife, and three children, in the parish of Ware (ibid.)

Order settling the charges to be made to officers and soldiers on the march for food, hay, straw, &c., by innkeepers, &c., in accordance with an Act of the 14 William III:—For a commissioned officer of horse, under the degree of captain, for diet and small beer, 2/- a day; for an officer of dragoons, under the degree of captain, diet, small beer, and hay and straw for his horse, 1/-a day; for a commissioned officer on foot, under the degree of captain, for diet and small beer, 1/- a day; if the officer has a horse or horses, for each horse 6d. a day; for a light horseman's diet, small beer, and hay and straw for his horse, 1/- a day; for a dragoon's diet, small beer, and hay and straw for his horse, 9d. a day; for a foot soldier, diet and small beer, 4d. a day. (p. 52)

Order discharging Sarah Fifield from her apprenticehood with Samuel Hurst, bookbinder, of the parish of Shoreditch, on the ground that she is a notorious, lewd, idle and disorderly servant, now great with child, and likely to become a great charge and burthen to her master (p. 53)

Order concerning the settlement of Ann Bradley, widow, and her three children, in the parish of St. Botolph, Aldgate (p. 54)

Order, confirming an order made by two of the Justices, adjudging Nicholas Hall, wheelwright, of Shoreditch, to be the reputed father of the male bastard of Rebecca Greenaway, of the same parish (ibid.)

The appeal of the constables of the hamlets of Spitalfields, Wapping, Stepney, Bethnal Green, Mile End Old Town, Poplar, Blackwall, and Limehouse, in the parish of Stepney, against the order, made at the February Quarter Sessions for a standing watch to be kept in the town and churchyard of Stepney, is adjourned to the next Quarter Sessions (p. 56)

Order confirming the report of the Justices who had been appointed to audit the accounts of Henry Hawley, treasurer of the bridge money. (p. 57)

Order concerning the settlement of Ann Beilby, single woman, in the hamlet of Ratcliffe (p. 58)

Order nominating certain of the Justices to view the Haymarket,, and place boundary stones for fixing the limits of the said market place, and to enquire whether it may not be paved for less charge than has been in times past. John Tully, the treasurer, and Edward Lawrence, the collector, are continued in their several offices; and, on the report of the Justices who had been appointed for the purpose, the treasurer's accounts for the past year are allowed and confirmed (p. 59)

Order for putting in force the laws for the observance of the Lord's Day, &c., in accordance with the Queen's Proclamation (p. 61)

Appointments of treasurers of the Maimed Soldiers' Fund. (pp. 63, 64)

Order dismissing the petition of Anthony Doviller, praying to be discharged from his apprenticehood with Stephen Russell, japanner, of St. Giles'in-the-Fields, on the ground that sufficient cause had not been shown. (ibid).

[Pages 65–70 blank.]

Memoranda relating mainly to committals, fines, recognizances, &c. (pp. 71–74)

Amongst other entries:—

John Guise, dissenting minister, sworn 18 April (page 73).

Edward Bentley, dissenting minister, took the oaths and subscribed to the Articles of Religion (page 73).

Caleb Rowe, dissenting minister, &c. (page 73).

[Pages 75–79 blank.]

The house of Richard Hale, of Uxbridge, is certified for an assembly of protestant dissenters, and the like at the house of Edmund Blunt there. (p. 80)

Names of persons in the New Prison and in the House of Correction. (p. 81)

Alphabetical list of recognizances (pp. 82, 83)

Alphabetical list of indictments (pp. 84, 85)

Copy of the Act of 27 Elizabeth for the Good Government of the City of Westminster, with memoranda as to subsequent continuations of the Act. (pp. 87–97)

[Pages 98, 99 blank.]

Rough memoranda. Amongst them—

Ordered that no music houses be licensed (p. 100)

Sessions Book 595—May, 1702.

Jury panels (p. 5)

Miscellaneous memoranda as to indictments, acquittals, &c. (pp. 7–21)

[Pages 22–32 blank.]

Patrick Caishoe, of the parish of St. Giles'-in-the-Fields, is committed to Newgate for three months, for refusing to take the oath of allegiance, and also for refusing to pay the fine of 40/- for the relief of the poor in the said parish (p. 33)

Order as to the settlement of Ann Langtern, otherwise Langson, and her two children. Her husband, Daniel Langtern, otherwise Langson, was an apprentice to Mark Melroe, of Spittlefields, Bethnal Green Hamlet, Stepney Parish, weaver (ibid.)

Order as to the settlement of Daniel Lowen, Margaret, his wife, and their two children. About three years since the said Daniel was, for more than a year, servant to John Ingwell, of Roydon, county Essex (p. 34)

Whereas upon the information that great disorders, tumults, and riots were being committed daily at a fair held in the parish of St. Martin's-inthe-Fields, commonly called May Fair, the high constable, with his petty constables, on the 12th instant, repaired to the said fair and endeavoured to suppress the disorders; but suddenly, several unknown persons, in the habit of soldiers, attacked the said constables, and wounded several, one of whom (John Cooper) is since dead. Ordered that application be made to the principal Secretaries of State, to the end that means may be used for the discovery and apprehension of the offenders (p. 35)

Order that the question of the watch in Stepney Churchyard be again referred to the Justices in the Tower Division. It was previously recommended to the said Justices at the January Sessions. [Vide Sessions Book 591, p. 25.] (p. 36)

Order as to the dispute between Francis Drake, of the parish of St. Giles'in-the-Fields, jeweller, and Charles Frazier, his apprentice (p. 39)

[Pages 40–50 blank.]

Miscellaneous memoranda as to indictments, acquittals, &c. (pp. 51, 52)

[Pages 53–56 blank.]

Lists of names, headed "New Prison" and "House of Correction." (p. 57)

Alphabetical lists of names; Calendar of indictments (pp. 58–61)

[Pages 62, 63 blank.]

Memoranda as to respites (p. 64)

Sessions Book 596—July, 1702.

Jury panel (p. 1)

Writ (p. 2)

Indictments, recognizances, acquittals, &c (pp. 3–16)

[Pages 17–19 blank.]

Order to discharge Leaven Reason from his apprenticeship to Thomas Williams, of the parish of St. Anne, in the liberty of Westminster, joiner. (p. 20)

Mr. Martin chosen chairman of the Sessions till January next (ibid.)

[Page 21 blank.]

Order for an assessment to be made upon the inhabitants of the parish of St. Anne, Westminster, for repairing the highways of the said parish, and out of the money thus raised the surveyors are to repair and amend with paviours' work in rough paving 880 yards of the highway and pavement of the said parish as follows:—871 yards of rough paving at the east and west ends of the parish church of St. Anne, and 9 yards at the north side of the said church (p. 22)

Order to the constable of the city and liberty of Westminster to return a true list of all jurors within the said liberty (p. 24)

[Pages 25–28 blank.]

Names (six) of those taking the oath (p. 29)

Miscellaneous memoranda concerning recognizances and indictments. (pp. 30, 31)

[Page 32 blank.]

Alphabetical list of indictments (p. 33)

Sessions Book 597—July, 1702.

Jury panel (p. 3)

Miscellaneous memoranda as to acquittals, indictments, &c. (pp. 5–29)

Order as to the settlement of James Hales. The dispute is between the parishes of St. John, Wapping, and Stepney (p. 30)

Order as to the settlement of Jane, wife of John Bryar. The said John was apprenticed to —— Marfield, in the precinct of Bridewell, weaver. (p. 31)

Order as to the settlement of Christopher Day. The dispute is between the parishes of South Mymms and Chipping Barnet (p. 32)

Order for a rate to be made upon the inhabitants of St. Mary's Parish, Islington, to reimburse the surveyors (named) of the highways in the said parish, money expended by them (ibid.)

Order for the discharge of John Martin, apprenticed to John Dowsett, of Crauford Parish, carpenter (ibid.)

Order upon the report as to the accounts of Edward Wilson, formerly churchwarden of the parish of St. Giles' Without, Cripplegate (p. 34)

Thomas Bates, of St. Mary Overys, in the county of Surrey, mariner, to be a pensioner upon the fund for maimed soldiers, he having, in 1666, been impressed in the parish of St. Sepulchre's to serve at sea. In 1667, in an engagement against the French in Martinico Harbour, he lost his left leg. (p. 38)

A like order for Silvester Tyson, of Chelsea Parish, mariner. The said Tyson served for seven years on H.M.S. "Ipswich," under Captain Townsend, when he was "disabled in his right arm and bruised in his body" (ibid.)

Order for the constables in the Holborn, Finsbury, Tower, and Kensington Divisions to make diligent enquiry as to the names and addresses of all persons who sell, with or without license, ale, brandy, &c., by retail, to be drunk on the premises, and to make a return of the same on the first day of the next Sessions (p. 39)

Order upon the report as to the over-rating of Henry Hankin, of St. James' Parish, Clerkemvell. The said Henry is rated 2/- a month more than the former tenant, Mr. Fawcett (p. 40)

Order for Richard Forster, clerk, and Samuel Blackerby, esquire, to be allowed £3 4s. 6d. for their trouble in transcribing the accounts of the constables in the hundreds of Ossulston, Edmonton, and Gore; William Gunson, gentleman, high constable for Finsbury Division, and treasurer of the money collected for the Marshalsea, King's Bench, and Hospitals, and for passing vagrants in the said hundreds, is to pay the said Forster the said amount (p. 42)

Order for Sir William Withers, knight, Sir James Bateman, knight, sheriff, and James Fell, gentleman, keeper of Newgate, to attend the Court on Tuesday, the 8th of September, with reference to the matters contained in the report annexed (p. 42)

Report upon the complaint of William Ashcombe on behalf of himself and the major part of the debtors, prisoners "in the common side" of Newgate, which sets forth the great abuses and cruelties they received from Mr. Fell, keeper, and James Crosse, Richard Marshall, and William French, who deprived them of their weekly allowance of beef and robbed them of the money allowed them quarterly. The petitioner had further stated that —— Robinson, one of the turnkeys, for his interest there, did encourage lewd women, shoplifters, pickpockets, and common strumpetts to come to the felons and lie there all night.

"And whereas by an order made at the said Session it was recommended and referred to us, and to certain [other] Justices (named), to repair to Newgate Gaol and to examine into the complaints of the poor prisoners for debt or damages alleged in the said petition, and to make a report thereupon as soon as conveniently we could, to the end the offenders might be prosecuted and punished according to law, and that the poor prisoners might have right and justice done them during their imprisonment.

"And whereas at the same Sessions the said William Ashcombe, Robert Barnes, and Miles Burrough, in behalf of themselves and the said poor debtors did exhibit one other petition alleging that they had been again grossly abused, and their lives threatened, only on account of their said first petition, and further praying relief.

"And whereas the matters of the last petition by an order made at the same Session was also recommended to the same Justices, or any three of us, we, the said Justices, whose names are hereunto subscribed, have by virtue of the said recited orders repaired to Newgate and examined into the matters complained of in the said petitions, and into the answers thereto given by the several underkeepers and persons complained against.

"And we do find that the prisoners in the common side of the prison of Newgate pretend to demand money of every new prisoner that comes in, under the notion of garnish money, which was formerly but 9/-, and is now advanced to 17/-.

"That there is charity beef sent in and moneys collected and sent for their relief and divided amongst them, and that there were at the time of our examination of the said complaint James Crosse, William French, Richard Marshall, William Naylor, —— Lloyd, —— Gardner, and —— Bickerton (the last under the sentence of condemnation). These seven manage the charity beef which is sent in for the relief of poor debtors in such a manner that all the rest have not above half so much as themselves, and there are about 100 there.

"That if any prisoner comes in and has not wherewith to pay the garnish money he or she is presently conveyed into a place they call Tangier, and there stript, beaten, and abused in a very violent manner. And when the prisoners have received their quarterage of charity money the same is demanded of them under the notion of garnish money, and if the same be not paid sometimes it is taken away by force, and at other times their pockets are picked of it, which is done from time to time, notwithstanding the prisoner had been stript for the garnish money at his or her first coming in, and sometimes the very bedding taken away and sold, as it was particularly in the case of Ashcombe.

"That the petitioner, Barnes, when he had not bread to eat, had 6/-, being his charity money, taken from him by the said French in the presence of the said Robinson, and with his allowance, so that the garnish money is never paid, let them be there never so long.

"We further find that the underkeeper lets the felons out of their wards all day long, and they have liberty to go amongst the prisoners for debt, by means whereof their pockets are picked when they have money, and they are often very greatly abused by the felons. That the debtors are often locked up on the Lord's Day and not suffered to go to the chapel, which is done that the under officers may make money by letting in strangers, and money was demanded of the very ordinary's wife.

"That there was money collected for the discharge of one Preston, and the same was not applied to that use, but drunk out.

"That the underkeeper, Robinson, locked up a whore with one Peter Flower, alias Bennett, alias French Peter, and she often lay with him, even when he was under the sentence of condemnation.

"That the prisoners drank confusion to the late Government, and wished that God would damn King William and the parliament, and threatened to knock out the brains of him that would not drink it.

"That Robinson and other under officers give encouragement to all this.

"That one Essex, who was in the condemned hole, desired to continue there till the time of his execution, but was refused because he was to be stripped for garnish money. And we further find that the said Robinson and the other persons complained of in the said petitions did greatly threaten the petitioners, insomuch that before we came away they made application to us that we would order that the said William French, James Crosse, Richard Marshall, William Naylor, and one Elizabeth Dunn (whom they termed a receiver of stolen goods), might be kept apart, so as they might not come near the petitioners in the daytime, forasmuch as they had, before we came away, set the prison in an uproar, and that they were in danger of being murdered. Upon which we directed Mr. Fell to take care in that matter.

"And we find two of the informants, persons so sensible of their former wickedness and such penitents, that the ordinary has admitted them to the Sacrament, and they receive [it] as often as the under-keeper will permit them.

"To which these answers were given: that as to the garnish money it is a custom, and that all the prisoners had the benefit of it. As to the condemned person's lying with the whore, the fact was owned, but a pretence made of her being his wife.

"It was owned the felons were let out in the day, but locked up at night, and all the rest of the matters denied. But Mr. Fell promised he would take all care imaginable to prevent the like abuses for the future.

"All which we humbly certify and submit to the judgment of this Court." [Vide Sessions Book 598, pp. 47–50] (pp. 42–45)

Order for the high constables to issue instructions to the petty constables in their respective divisions to make a true return of the names and addresses of all persons between the ages of 21 and 70 who are fit to serve upon juries, and who have £10 a year "at least above reprizes of freehold or copyhold lands or tenements, or of lands and tenements of ancient demesne, or in rents, or in all or in any of the said lands, tenements, or rents in fee simple or fee tail, or for the life of themselves or some other person" (p. 45)

[Pages 46–52 blank.]

Names of those taking the abjuration oaths between the 6th and the 31st July, 1702 (pp. 53–57)

[Pages 58–60, 65, 66 blank.]

Miscellaneous memoranda as to indictments, acquittals, &c. (pp. 61–64)

Proceedings upon the petitions of various prisoners for debt, praying to be discharged under the late Act (pp. 67–72)

Lists of names headed "New Prison" and "House of Correction." (p. 73)

Alphabetical list of names, headed Calendar of recognizances and Calendar of indictments (pp. 74–77)

Proceedings upon the petitions of various prisoners for debt, as on pp. 67–72 (p. 78)

"A meeting of persons called Quakers, for religious worship, is certified and permitted to be held in the house of Thomas Prentice at Edgeware, in this county.

"A meeting of persons called Baptists, for religious worship, is certified and permitted to be held in the house of Roger Carter and Richard Rogers, at Edgeware aforesaid.

"The house of Robert Sparke in Crown Court, in Shoreditch, is certified and appointed for a meeting of dissenting protestants."

Mr. Forster to be paid three guineas by Mr. Gunson, for his trouble in transcribing the accounts relating to vagrants (p. 80)

Sessions Book 598—September, 1702.

Jury panel (p. 3)

[Page 4 blank.]

Indictments, recognizances, acquittals, &c. (pp. 5–34)

[Pages 35–38 blank.]

Order to discharge Richard Tillear, son of John Tillear, of the parish of St. Bride's, from Newgate Gaol, where he was remanded upon his conviction for trespass and misdemeanour, and to get him admitted to the Bethlehem Hospital, it being proved that he is a lunatic (p. 39)

Order to certain Justices to audit the accounts of John Driver, late churchwarden of Chelsea (ibid.)

Order for certain Justices to enquire into and report upon the matter concerning the bastard child of Katherine Angel, of the parish of St. John, Wapping, and decide as to whether John Waglett, of Shoreditch, be the father of the said child or not (p. 41)

Order for the discharge of Katherine Norton, spinster, from her apprenticeship to Joseph Sayers, alias Seers (ibid.)

Order for Richard Longbottom, of Kensington, gentleman, to pay William Gregson, his servant, £25 10s. 0d. wages due (p. 43)

Order to the headborough and beadle of the parish of St. Giles' to deliver to Peter Genner a parcel of "bullion nails." The said nails were supposed to have been stolen, and Peter Genner was bound over to appear and answer for buying the said parcel, but it was proved that they were not stolen, and he was discharged (p. 44)

Order for an assessment to be made for the repair of the highways of the parish of Hornsey (p 44)

The like order for the parish of Hendon (p. 45)

Order for stricter watches to be kept within all the parishes of the county, between the hours of 9 o'clock in the evening and 6 o'clock in the morning; carpenters and other workmen to be compelled to lock up and secure their ladders, and not leave them for the use of evil-disposed persons. (p. 46)

Upon the report of certain Justices, dated 1st of August last, concerning the abuses committed in Newgate gaol [vide Sessions Book 597, pp. 42–45], "it is thought fit and ordered by this Court that no person or persons whatsoever, shall from henceforth take, demand, or exact, of any person or persons whatsoever, that now is, or hereafter shall be, a prisoner or prisoners in the said gaol of Newgate for this county, or in New Prison at Clerkenwell, or in any other of the prisons or houses of correction for this county, any sum or sums of money on pretence of garnish or footing money, or on any other pretence whatsoever.

"And that the keepers of the said prisons and governors of the said houses of correction do take effectual care to prevent the taking and exacting any sum or sums of money of any prisoner or prisoners in their custody, under pretence of garnish or footing money, or any other pretence whatsoever, and to protect the said prisoner or prisoners from being abused and ill-treated by the rest of the prisoners for not paying the same.

"And that the said James Fell, or his deputy (for whom he shall answer), do take effectual care to see the charity beef and moneys from time to time given for the use and benefit of the prisoners in her Majesty's said gaol of Newgate, be equally distributed amongst all the prisoners in the said prison entitled thereto.

"And that the said James Fell, and all other keepers of the said gaol of Newgate, for the time being, do permit and suffer all the prisoners in his and their custody, to go to the chapel in the said gaol of Newgate, to hear divine service and sermon as often as the same is performed there, without any hindrance or molestation.

"And that the said keepers of the said gaol of Newgate, and all other keepers of the other prisons in this county, and governors of the said houses of correction, do take effectual care that the cellars and sutling houses in the said prisons and houses of correction be not opened on the Lord's Day in time of divine service and sermon, nor any drink drawn or sold in the said prisons and houses of correction, during the said time of divine service and sermon.

"And it is further expressly declared and ordered by this Court that the keepers of the said gaol of Newgate and Gatehouse at Westminster, shall not put, keep, or lodge prisoners for debt and felons together in one room or chamber, but that they shall be put, kept, and lodged separate and apart, one from another, in distinct rooms, pursuant to the Act of Parliament in that case made, under the penalties therein contained.

"And this Court doth further order that the keepers of the said gaol of Newgate and the Gatehouse at Westminster, do take particular care that no lewd women (or any that they shall suspect to be such) be permitted to lodge with any prisoners in the said gaols, who are under condemnation of death, or any other, on any pretence or consideration whatsoever.

"And lastly, it is ordered by this Court, that the Clerk of the Peace of this county, do forthwith deliver to each of the keepers of the said prisons, and governors of the said houses of correction in this county, a copy of this order to the end the same may be duly observed.

"And this Court is fully resolved to prosecute and severely punish all such as shall offend in contempt of this order, and doth strictly charge and require as well the keepers of the prisons and governors of the houses of correction as all such persons as now are, or hereafter shall be, prisoners in the said prisons and houses of correction, to yield due obedience hereunto, as they and every of them will answer the contrary at their peril." (pp. 47–50)

Receipt of William Gregson for money paid to him by Mr. Richard Longbottom (p. 50)

Order concerning the settlement of Margaret Thomas and her two children. The dispute is between the parishes of St. Clement Danes and St. Andrew's, Holborn (p. 51)

[Page 52 blank.]

Miscellaneous memoranda relating to indictments, recognizances, &c. (pp. 53–56)

[Page 57 blank.]

Indictments and recognizances (p. 58)

A debate concerning the respective rights of Mr. Herbert and Mr. Thornhill to be chairman of the Sessions. Decided in favour of Mr. Herbert. (p. 59)

[Pages 60–65 blank.]

Lists of names under New Prison and House of Correction (p. 66)

[Page 67 blank.]

Alphabetical lists of recognizances (p. 68)

Alphabetical lists of indictments (p. 69)

Sessions Book 599—October, 1702.

Jury panel (p. 1)

Writ (p. 2)

Recognizances, indentures, &c. (pp. 3–14)

[Page 15 blank.]

Order for Charles Bonython, serjeant-at-law, to be chairman of the Sessions for the ensuing year (p. 16)

Order for the constables of the liberty of Westminster to keep strictly the night watches from 10 o'clock at night until 6 o'clock in the morning. (ibid.)

[Pages 17–28 blank.]

List of persons taking the oath (p. 29)

Miscellaneous memoranda relating to indictments, recognizances, &c. (p. 30)

Lists of indictments (p. 33)

Sessions Book 600—October, 1702.

Jury panel (p. 3)

Memoranda relating to recognizances, indictments, &c. (pp. 5–24)

[Pages 25, 26 blank.]

Order concerning the settlement of Robert Bonner, his wife and children, the parish of Isleworth (p. 27)

Order concerning the settlement of Eleanor Carter and her two children, in the parish of St. James', Duke's Place (p. 28)

The petition of Peter Richer to be discharged from his apprenticehood with William Hopkins, hatmaker, of Fulham, was dismissed, the allegations being false and frivolous. Richer had complained that the work was too hard and laborious for his weak constitution, and that he found himself wasting since he had been forced by his master to work sometimes in the week all night, and allowed no rest in the day time till what was last imposed upon him was finished (p. 28)

Order for the churchwardens, &c., of the parish of Limehouse, to reimburse John Cook and John Best, the late overseers, the sum of £11 13s. 9d. (p. 30)

The petition of the overseers of the parish of St. Andrew's, Holborn, that Katherine Hovey, widow, might be ordered to provide for her grandchildren, was dismissed, as it was not fully apparent to the Court that she was of sufficient ability to maintain them. The churchwardens had represented that she had put her son, George Hovey, in the Marshalsea, Southwark, and that his wife and two children had become chargeable to the parish. In her reply she states that her son George was in prison at the suit of her son-in-law, Thomas Stapleton (p. 30)

Order concerning the settlement of Margaret, the pretended wife of Joseph Ramsey, and their child, in the hamlet of Wapping (p. 31)

Order concerning the settlement of Mary Johnson, single woman, in the parish of St. Botolph, Aldgate (p. 32)

Order concerning the settlement of John, Richard, and Elizabeth Freeman, in the hamlet of Wapping, Stepney (p. 33)

Order concerning the settlement of Hannah Andrews, widow of Cuthbert Andrews, and their two children, Robert and Mary, in the parish of St. Botolph, Aldgate (p. 34)

Order for the discharge of Martha Holliday, a poor girl, apprenticed by the churchwardens, &c., of the parish of Finchley, to Daniel Whitton, from her apprenticehood, on the ground that she is an idle, pilfering servant. Whitton is to return to the churchwardens £5 which he received with the apprentice (p. 35)

Order appointing certain of the Justices to inspect the deeds, &c., belonging to the estates of the county, and to report at the next Quarter Sessions what is best to be done to settle and continue the trust for the use of the county (p. 36)

Order for raising the sum of £132 6s. 1d. by the inhabitants of the hundreds of Ossulston, Edmonton, and Gore, to pay the expenses, &c., incurred by the constables in passing vagrants whither they ought to be sent. (ibid.)

A similar order on the hundreds of Elthorne, Spelthorne, and Isleworth to raise £26 6s. 1d. (p. 37)

Particulars of the above rates, showing how much each parish is to contribute (pp. 39–42)

Appeal of the churchwardens, &c., of the parish of St. Clement Danes against the appointment of Thomas Goatly, Thomas Pewsey, William Higgins, William Baker, Edmund Abraham, and John Martin as scavengers, which persons had been appointed by Edward Noble and James Burnaby. The Court found that Noble and Burnaby had no right to appoint scavengers, or to make a rate. The Court was satisfied that Matthew Harris, George Pease, Henry Gately, and Richard Lee were duly elected by the churchwardens, &c., and confirmed their appointment, and also the rate made by the churchwardens, &c. (p. 43)

[Pages 45–56 blank.]

Memoranda relating to committals, fines, recognizances, &c. (pp. 57–62)

List of names headed: "Took the oaths and subscribed the Test Abjuration Oath"; 132 names, including Martin Lister (pp. 63, 64)

List of persons in the New Prison and in the House of Correction, (p. 65)

[Pages 66, 67 blank.]

Alphabetical lists of recognizances and indictments (the upper portions of the pages perished) (pp. 68–71)

Miscellaneous memoranda:—" 17 Oct., 1702. Carried, nemine contradicente, that when the chairman is obliged to be absent he shall appoint what Justice of the Peace shall take the chair for that time" (p. 72)

Sessions Book, 601—December, 1702.

Jury panel (p. 3)

Miscellaneous memoranda as to indictments, acquittals, &c.(pp. 5–30)

[Pages 31, 32 blank.]

Order for the discharge of Daniel Kendrick, apprenticed to David Patten, a Frenchman, of Bethnal Green Hamlet, Stepney Parish, weaver. (p. 33)

Order for the churchwardens and overseers of the poor for the liberty of Saffron Hill, Hatton Garden, and Ely Rents, in St. Andrew's Parish, Holborn, to pay the overseers and collectors (named) for 1696 the money expended by them (p. 34)

Order as to the settlement of Elizabeth Beamont, otherwise Leatherby, and her infant. The dispute is between the parishes of St. Giles'-in-the-Fields and Hillingdon (p. 36)

[Pages 38–58 blank.]

Miscellaneous memoranda as to indictments, &c. (pp. 59, 60, 63, 64)

[Pages 61, 62, 67 blank.]

Alphabetical lists of names (pp. 68–72)

Sessions Book 601a—(Month not known), 1702.

The pages of this book are much decayed.

Jury panel (p. 1)

[Page 2 blank.]

Memoranda relating to appearances, discharges, recognizances, &c. (pp. 3–18)

[Page 19 blank.]

Petition of John Bradshaw praying to be released from his apprenticehood with Stephen Bantick, to whom he was bound, to learn the art of a mariner "as well the theorick as practick," alleging that his master sent him to sea as a common seaman. Order granting the discharge prayed for, and the return of £10 of the money paid with the apprentice (p. 20)

Order for the churchwardens of . . . to pay to . . . certain moneys before the first day of the next Quarter Sessions (p. 21)

Order for the churchwardens of the parish of St. Botolph's Without, Aldgate, to pay to Richard Willis the sum of £125 11s. 7d. due to him on his accounts for the year 1700 (p. 21)

Petition of Thomas Webb, a poor watchman of the parish of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, praying that his daughter may be released from her apprenticehood with Jane Gibbins, of the parish of St. Paul, Covent Garden [court peruke maker], alleging that his daughter has been neglected and barbarously treated. Order made dismissing the petition and directing the apprentice to return to her mistress (p. 22)

Order allowing the appeal of Gilbert Rippington, of Ludgate Street, London, against an order adjudging him to be the father of the female bastard child of [Jane Edwards] born in the parish of St. Andrew's, Holborn, and quashing the said Justices'order (p. 23)

Petition of Elizabeth Gardiner on behalf of her daughter Jane, praying that she may be released from her apprenticehood with Theophilus Hawford and his wife, of the parish of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields [maker] of stockings, alleging that the said Jane has been barbarously ill-used. Order granting the discharge prayed for (p. 24)

Order confirming an order of Justices made in Petty Sessions at the "Shipp Coffee House, Mansell Street," concerning the watch in the parish of St. Mary Matfellon. The page on which this entry is made is much decayed; the following words are legible:—" Rosemary Lane . . . stand at the corner house known by the sign of the . . . over against the end of Prescott Street in Goodman's . . . another att the . . . end of Rosemary Lane, next Tower Hill, and the said three watchmen . . . Whitechapel Watch-house aforesaid unto Goodman's Fields, shall come together to the gate called Goodman's Field Gate, and then divide themselves, and one of them shall goe along Lambert Street and another Rupert (?) Street, which two shall meet in Hooper Square, and one of them . . . goe along Prescott Street and soe through Mansell Street and take his . . . the end of Harrow Alley, in Aylofte Street aforesaid, and the other . . . mon Street, and take his stand att the Black Horse Inn there, and the watchman shall from Goodman's Fields Gate aforesaid and goe along A . . . eet, and soe through Mansell Street aforesaid and take his stand . . . George, near Goodman's Yard aforesaid, and the watchman which shall be sent from the watch-house in Rosemary Lane shall goe up Chamber Street and down Prescott Street and take his stand at the White Bear aforesaid." All the watchmen to abide in every particular place till 12 o'clock, when they are to be relieved by the like number, "which fresh watchmen are to take their walks and continue in their respective stations, and [be] relieved every hour by other fresh watchmen who are to proceed in the like manner as above until six o'clock in the morning between Michaelmas Day and Lady Day in the winter season, and untill four of the clock "in the summer (p. 25)

Order for paving the highway leading from St. Giles' Pound "towards Tottenham Court . . . from the east corner of the p . . . the parish of St. Gi . . . leading through . . . said . . . . . . Court soe far as there are houses built and adjoining the way" (p. 27)

On a complaint of several inhabitants of the parish of St. Sepulchre that a select vestry, unknown to most of the inhabitants, has elected Robert Raymond to be head beadle in the place of Archibald Lovett, deceased, order is made quashing the appointment, and directing that a beadle shall be elected by the inhabitants who pay rates to the church and for the poor. (p. 28)

Appeal of Guy Barbault against a Justices' order adjudging him to be the father of the female bastard child of . . . Portwood, born in the parish of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields. Order made allowing the appeal and quashing the Justices' order (p. 30)

Order allowing the appeal of the parish of St. Margaret's, Westminster, against the parish of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields touching the settlement of Elizabeth Oldham (p. 32)

Order relating to the money for passing vagrants. [Much perished, but apparently it directs that no money is to be paid by the high constables to the petty constables for this purpose unless the accounts are properly made up and presented to the Court at the next Sessions] (p. 33)

Memoranda relating to fines, sentences, &c., oaths of allegiance taken, &c. (pp. 35, 36)

Note.—The date January, 1702, occurs on this page.

[Pages 37–60 blank.]

Fragment. Probably names of persons in the House of Correction. (p. 61)

[Pages 62–65 blank.]

Small fragment apparently of alphabetical lists of recognizances and indictments (pp. 66–68)