Volume G 255: July 1651

Calendar, Committee For Compounding: Part 1. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1889.

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'Volume G 255: July 1651', in Calendar, Committee For Compounding: Part 1, (London, 1889) pp. 455-469. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/compounding-committee/pt1/pp455-469 [accessed 20 April 2024]

July 1651

July 1. Order of the Committee for Compounding, on information that there is a study of books and a horse belonging to Capt. [Silas] Titus, now with the King of Scotland in Scotland not yet seized, that they be secured and appraised, and that the landlord of the King's Arms in Hol born, who has the horse, be indemnified for delivering it up. [G 14, p. 185.]
July 1.
Preston.		 45. County Committee for Lancashire to the Committee for Compounding. There being an arrear of 160l. owing to the State by Major Joseph Rigby, for some sequestered estates formerly farmed by him, and the collectors for sequestrations having directions to distrain for the same, when going to make a distress, they were assaulted and beaten, and forced to fly, to the endangering of their lives. This may tend to the great prejudice of the State, he being one of the Commissioners for the Militia in this county, if some course be not taken for making an example of the offenders. With note that a warrant is to be drawn up for a Serjeant to apprehend him at the Holy Lamb, behind St. Clement's. [¾ page.] Enclosing,
45. i. Deposition of James Crichlowe, Eccleston, co. Lanscaster, husbandman, that he, with Thurstan Crichlowe and Rich. Woods, by order of James Smith, agent for Amoundernes Hundred, went to the house of Major Rigby, to distrain for 160l., when he told them if they did not go away he would mount his horse and charge them with pistols; and thereupon Rigby stabbed deponent in the breast, and Woods twice in the right arm, and beat deponent, and all that went with him, off the ground. Preston, Mar. 22, 1651. [1 page, copy.]
45. ii. Deposition of Rich. Woods of Eccleston, co. Lancaster, to similar effect. Rigby, with 8 or 9 of his servants, assaulted them and threatened to kill them; and being armed with pikes, swords, &c., they wounded deponent very dangerously, and he was not able to work for a month. Preston, 4 June 1651. [1 page, copy.]
July 1.
Preston.		 46. County Committee for Lancashire to the Committee for Compounding. We find on perusal of the orders of the late committee, that James Postlethwaite and other inhabitants of Dalton, Lindell, and Marton, were committed to the marshal's custody for nonpayment of their tithes, then under sequestration for delinquency of John Preston; and that Postlethwaite, and Thomas Medcalfe, then mayor of Lancaster, Thomas Shaw, minister of Aldingham, John Jackson, John Sharpe, and James and Robert Sanderson, engaged themselves by a writing dated. 25 Dec. 1645, for payment of 500l. then due for the tithes on 25 Jan. then next, the rent due to the late King, and the salary to the minister at Dalton being first deducted.
In performance thereof, James and Robert Sanderson paid 119l. 18s. 6d., being their proportion of the said arrears due from the inhabitants of Marton and Lindell, but the inhabitants of Dalton being still in arrear for the remainder of the 500l., we ordered your agents for that hundred to distrain the goods of the undertakers for payment; upon his distraining some cattle of James Postlethwaite, and driving them away, Postlethwaite, with a great number of persons, pursued the agents and his assistants 8 miles, set upon them and disarmed them, and took the cattle back. Thereupon we applied to Maj. Gen. Harrison, who promised a party of horse to fetch them in; but he being called away suddenly, could not perform it. Let Postlethwaite and the other principal actors be sent for by a special messenger, to appear before you to answer their contempts, or let somes other exemplary course be taken for their punishment, whereby others may be deterred from the like attempts. [1½ pages.] Enclosing,
46. i. Depositions proving the forcible rescue of the said cattle. 6–28 May 1651. [3 ½ pages.]
July 2. County Committee for Devon to the Committee for Compounding. In the case of Sampson Hele, now before you [as Committee for Advance of Money], his brother Thomas has accused us of corruption in taking money to defray our heavy charges in attending those tedious examinations. Before his case came on, we groaned under the burden of going from place to place to hear appeals, doing the enemy's work at our own charge, and often asked orders but got none. At Hele's request, we went to Exeter, were there 9 or 10 days, and Thomas was so active in excusing his brother of malignancy and making him out a zealot for Parliament, that we feared his tampering with the witnesses. When the business was ended, Hele gave us 40s. each for our expenses, which we said we would take with your leave; but as you disallowed it, we sat down contented and never touched a penny. [G 152, p. 397.]
July 2. 47. Depositions before Thos. Monings and Alex. Roberts, Sequestration Commissioners for Kent, to prove that Thos. Grey, glazier, of St. Dunstan's, near Canterbury, and Abraham Upton of Kent, threatened to procure the sequestration of Hen. Paramore and Thos. Joyce of Whitstable, on private quarrels against them. [Also G 158, pp. 215, 216.]
July 4. Order of the Committee for Compounding to Wm. Hale or Thos. Hamersley, messenger, to take Henry Cooper into custody for detaining the rents of Oundle Manor. [G 14, p. 192.]
July 4. Committee for Compounding to the County Committee for Notts. We have received a certificate from justices of the peace, ministers, and others living near Fulwood Fields, that it is in co. Derby, and has always paid taxes at Normanton. One of the county committee certifies the same, and as the county committee have much advanced the rent, you are to forbear meddling with it, let the County Committee for Derby dispose of it as formerly, and account for your receipts. Pay them for the timber you have felled and sold, and they will account to us for all the wood. [G 30, p. 323.]
July 4.
Maidstone.		 Note by John Thatcher, clerk to the County Committee for Kent, of discharges granted by the Committee for Compounding in Kent. With note that they were long since returned to the Committee for Compounding by the late County Committee for Kent. [G 173, p. 741.] Annexing,
List of discharges as follows, all in G 173:—
i. Rich, Masters, East Langdon, indemnified as having deserted before the coming down of the propositions for indemnity by the Earl of Thanet, 19 Aug. 1648. [Page 743.]
ii. Rich. Jacob indemnified as having deserted the revolied ships before they went to Holland, 31 Aug. 1648. [Page 759.]
iii. Arnold Brames, to pay 800l. and have his estate discharged, except some corn, and horses sold by the county committee to John Pollen for 150l., of which Brames is to pay 1/6, if Pollen will relinquish his bargain; also Brames is to produce a judgment of 620l. due to Isaac le Gay, or pay in addition 1/6 of the 620l., 20 Sept. 1648. [Page 745.]
iv. Sir Hen. Palmer, discharged on fine of 300l., 11 Jan. 1649. [Page 751.]
v. John Loome, jurat of Dover, discharged, the proof against him being insufficient, 4 July 1649. [Page 753.]
The other persons named as discharged on compositions occur in the following list.
vi. Note from Thatcher to Capt. John Browne, London, sending up copies of these papers, 13 Jan. 1652. [Page 763.]
July 4. Names of delinquents who compounded with the late County Committee of Kent for their delinquency, with the amounts of their several fines.
£
Appledore Rob. Kennard 20
John Hall 15
Edm. Watts 20
Ashe Thos. Peake 250
Step. Solley 46
Ashford Thos. Taylor 16
Aylesford John Fowle 15
James Richaut 10
James Taylor 120
Aynesford Wm. Paine 20
Barham Step. Hobdee 50
Rich. Hobdee 80
Beaksbourne Thos. Harfleet 700
Thos. Everard 30
Sir Hen. Palmer 300
Lewis Stockett 245
George Chute 200
Bersted Thos. Harlackendane 20
Bethersden Fras. Whitfield 80
James Bateman 16
Bexley Sir Thos. Clarke 6
George Cooke 150
Hen. Bowyer 10
Birchington Percival Turner 14
Blackheath John Lock 5
Borden Simon Greenstreet 20
Boughton John Wybourne 40
Reginald Shrubsole 6
Bourne Sir Ant. Aucher 700
Braborn John Wimble 14
Bredgar Thos. Fearne 100
Bredgate Jas. Tong, sen. & jun., and Thos. Tong of Tunstall 300
Brensett John Heffenden 10
Bridge Arnold Brames [see p. 745.] 800
Bromley Rob. Gransden 10
Nich. Gardiner 10
Brook John Chittenden 5
Brookland Rob. May 60
John Owens 50
Burmarsh Ed. Harrison 10
Calehill Sir John Dorrell 400
Ed. Dorrell 250
Canterbury Wm. Russell 20
Edw. Roberts 300
Mainwaring Hamond 80
Edw. Masters 400
Sir Wm. Man 500
Thos. Hardress 15
Jos. Roberts 16
Godfrey Pyard 10
Avery Hills 20
Rich. Piseing 10
Robt. Turner 7
Fras. Vincent 20
Dudley Wild 30
John Pownall 20
John Sloeman 40
Sir James Hales 350
Edw. Pyard 20
George Austen 7
Jos. Colfe 113
Challock Thos. Farbrace 68
John Gyles 100
Thos. Hawker 5
Charing John Mors 8
Chart (Great) George Best 400
Chartham Francis Lovelace 50
James Kent 96
Chatham Henry Thompson 140
Cheriton Zouch Brockman 367
Sir Wm. Brockman 500
Chilham Thos. Osbourne 138
Chislett John Bettenham 40
Stephen Knowler 50
Jarvase Rose 25
Edw. Huffam 131
Cobham Hen. Haslyn 250
Dartford Thos. Thistleton 50
Davington John Bode 70
Ditton Wm. Brewer 100
Dover Nich. Roberts 50
Peter Nepen [see p. 747.] 100
Edw. Ranger [see p. 757.] 20
John Goulder [see p. 761.] 50
Robt. Valley 10
George West [see p. 755.] 40
Michael Page 13
East Mailing James Fletcher 100
Wm. Burgess 30
East Malling Stephen Tomlyn 5
Eastry John Austen 40
Egerton Thos. Deering 50
Elham Matth. Court 60
Edw. Hogbin 80
Rich. Harbert 15
Wm. Tucker 140
John Ginger 10
Elmstead John Heywood 500
Erith Wm. Hobbs. 40
Farnborough Philip Cooper 5
Faversham John Cassock 300
John Knowler 150
John Upton 100
Thos. Napleton 250
Boys Owre 200
John Preston 50
Edw. Hales 40
Nich. Wade 80
John Kennet 18
Fordwich Thos. Bix 40
Ed. Young 34
Goodnestone Jeremy Gay 20
Greenwich Wm. Deane 25
Robert Smith 20
And. Coggan 150
John Faucett 40
Harby Thos. Smith 47
Wm. Rigden 30
Hardress (Nether) Sir Rich. Hardress 400
Harrietsham John Francis 60
Hinksell Kenneth Buck 60
Thos. Buck 100
Hollingbourn Rich. Ashby 20
Wm. Reynolds 100
Kingsnorth Humphrey Masters 40
Kingstone Anth. Thompson 135
Knowlton Sir Thos. Peyton 900
Leigh Wm. Saxby 80
Lenham (East) Capt. Robert Pordage 12
Linsted Wm. Huggessen 600
Edw. Platt 7
Lyming Robt. Lushington 27
Wm. Rigden 80
Wm. Wellings 44
Maidstone John Maplisden. 100
Ed. Maplisden 40
Ambrose Beale 80
Robt. Brooke 20
John Harris 49
John Bailey 20
George Tomlyn 10
John Best 226
Rich. Hodges 20
Thos. Hall 10
Marden Thos. Swift 40
Mersham Robt. Lobb 16
Wm. Punnett 20
Milton John. Head 13
Thos. Browne 20
Minster Stephen Sayer 20
Monkton George Skinner 114
Northbourne Thos. Marsh 65
Nunington Anth. Hammond 640
Ospringe John Platt 10
Thos. Pordage 30
John Pordage 30
John Napleton 40
Oure John Gates 40
Patrixbourne John Reader 7
Robt. Bargrave 350
Thos. Taylor. 10
Peckham (East) Thos. Summers 7
Peckham (West) Thos. Stanley 300
Pluckley Henry Bettenham 3
John Pell 50
Wm. Post. 70
Postling John Turney 47
Thos. Ireland 16
Preston James Love 24
Reddered John Jesson 20
Ripple John Gooking 30
Rochester Peter Stowell 10
Barnabas Walsall 20
Alex. Dirkin 100
Zacheus Ivett 10
Rich. Head 10
Francis Clarke 200
George May 10
George Newman 700
Rich. Lee, jun. 250
Robt. Fowler 10
James Newman 30
John Walker 7
Henry Wryothsley 20
Edw. Whitton 10
Henry Dirkin 5
Morrice Eady 20
Wm. Cobham 35
Rothered, or SevenoaksRalph Petley 300
Sevenoaks Ralph Petley 300
St. Clere Sir Isaac Sedley 150
Sir John Sedley 20
Sandwich Phineas Elwood 40
Rich. Selwyn 40
George Wood, senior 40
Sarr Rich. Hatcher 15
Selling Robt. Thomas 40
Rich. Spooner 10
Sevenoaks John Farnabye 120
Shepherdswould Wm. Merriwether 150
Sheppey Isle Henry Ruffine 300
Ralph Jeffery 150
Henry Stringer 50
Ralph Shields 15
George Swan 250
John Tice 66
Sam. Carden 60
Sittingbourne Silvester Harlackendane 50
Rich. Jennings 14
Thos. Bewty 7
John Dade 6
Smarden Robt. Pell 10
Snave Thos. Brett 80
Stanford Wm. Smith 115
Stephens (St.) Sir Christopher Harfleet 250
Stockbury Wm. Knight 40
John Knight 20
Stone Capt. John Ware 400
Rich. Lake 60
John Allen 100
Stroud John Woodgreen 100
Swingfield John Symonds 150
Teynhan Stephen Grimsell 12
Thanet Isle Capt. Sandwell 80
John Saunders 10
Henry Pettit 400
Thos. Quilter 10
Sam. Morton 20
Henry Parnell 40
Wm. Clunn 7
Mark Ambrose 10
Tonge Mark Finch 20
Trapham John Solley 50
Trowleigh Matt. Bunce 200
Tanstall Edw. Hales 2000
Uffington Christopher Boys 30
Westbere Thos. Gilbert 300
West Cliffe Thos. Gibbon 100
Thos. Gibbon, sen. [see p. 749.] 200
Westenhanger John Dawson 60
James Jones 30
Westerham Edmund Thomas 20
Bryant Burton 20
Thos. Lambarde 200
Thos. Deane 10
Wickham (East) John Smith 100
Thos. Leigh 300
Willsborough Edmund Sheafe 50
Wingham Sir Thos. Palmer 1000
Hen. Oxinden 20
Wittersham Rich. Wells 50
Woolwich or Charlton Hen. Gilbourne 160
John Sturgeon 20
Word John Paramore 100
Wormshill John Bateman 100
Wye Thos. Belke 80
Percival Brett 15
Place not named.—
Nath. Besbeech 100
Zachary Ware 20
Thos. Knatchbull 160
Thos. Southland 500
Thos. Courthopp 300
Wm. Norton 100
Wm. Kingsley 50
Gibbon Hawker 300
Nevil Haull 200
James Dorrell 50
Philemon Pownall 70
Wm. Rooke 50
Edw. Diggs 50
Wm. Warham 15
Christ. Wood 30
Mr. George 25
Walter Brames 250
Rich. Hulse 80
Marvin Walker 19
John Brodnax 10
George Bettenham 15
Wm. Sawkins 300
Alex. Norwood 150
[G 173, pp. 765–783.]
July 4.
Nottingham.		 48. County Committee for Notts to the Committee for Compounding. We received your letters and instructions for making leases, to view and survey sequestered estates, and contract with those who will give the most rent, bearing the taxes, but we had long since done so, and certified you thereon, and posted up in several places the rent at which lands and tenements were to be let, and when, and where, and that whosoever would give most should have a demise for 7 years. We have returned all the money in our hands.
John Hough, our agent, and John Baker, our assistant, have taken the oath appointed by the Act. We will observe your directions in proceeding upon sequestrations suspended, if, within a month after the expiration of the time limited, an order of discharge is not produced. Nicholas Newton of Mansfield, and Joseph Curtis of Norwell, were summoned before us to testify as to the truth of some informations respecting delinquents' estates, but absolutely refused to give any evidence.
We request your answer to our last respecting Fulwood Fields, in difference between us and the County Committee for Derby, which it is evident, both by ancient records and the testimony of aged men, are in County Notts. [1 page.]
July 4. Committee for Compounding to the Committee for co. Derby. We are fully satisfied that Fulwood Fields are within your county, and desire you to dispose of them to the best advantage, and to take account of timber sold. We have written to the County Committee for Notts, directing them not to trouble you further therein, and to account to you for the money received from the sale of wood. Send the money as soon as you can, by reason of Parliament's urgent occasions for it. [G 30, p. 28.]
July 5.
York.		 Clement Reed to Thomas Bayley. I send you as promised copies of the propositions, and what was done last Easter term when I was in London, and in the name of the County Committee [for York], I beg your remembrance of those propositions I left with you; there is much haste about the fee-farm rents and the rest. The commissioners and treasurer here wish you to tell the Committee for Compounding that they have 5,000l. in hand, which they would gladly pay or return when they receive orders. [G 172, p. 581.]
[July 5.] County Committee for Suffolk, to the Committee for Compounding. We have your letter, with the printed instructions for making leases, but we want confirmation of those made on our late instructions, which have been before you since Easter, and which we entreat you to hasten, as we are called on for them. [G 169, p. 129.]
July 5.
Winton.		 County Committee for Hants to the Committee for Compounding. Having posted Long Parish Farm, sequestered from Sir Edward Nicholas, Leonard Green, the tenant, who has been a soldier for Parliament, bid 130l. 5s. 0d., but Thomas Webb of Porton, co. Wilts, 131l. We think it hard to turn out the tenant for a difference of 15s., which he is willing to make good, but we cannot do otherwise by our instructions. [G 167, p. 593.]
July 8. Order of the Committee for Compounding on the above letter, that Long Parish Farm be granted to Leonard Green, the present tenant, who bids 13l. 1s. 0d., free from taxes, he having his stock thereon, and having been in arms for Parliament. This is not to be a precedent for the future.
With letter to the County Committee of Hants accordingly. 10 June. [G 30, p. 405.]
Order confirming a Parliament order given of 4 July 1651, —that the arrears of rent due to the State from James Nelthrop, for lands lately belonging to Thos. Becket, delinquent, which he holds on lease from the county committee, be discharged from payment of rent, and that he have the benefit thereof till they are sold by the contractors. [G 14, pp. 193, 194; 107, p. 551.]
July 8. Committee for Compounding to the County Committee for Surrey. We confirm your contract with Mr. Bayles for Edw. Southcott's estate. Directions in cases. [G 30, p. 441.]
July 8.
Winton.		 48a. County Committee for Hants to the Committee for Compounding. Having posted the estates mentioned in the enclosed particulars, and agreed to let the same for 7 years, we desire your confirmation thereof. We have received the power to hold courts and grant estates; we have so done on the estate of Richard Cotton, in Bedhampton, the tenants whereof earnestly press for your confirmation, that they may manage their husbandry to the best advantage, they being loth to hazard charge before they stand upon certain terms. Confirmed 23 July. [¾ page; also G 30, p. 405.]
July 9. Order of the Committee for Compounding to the Chief Ranger of Caversham, Oxon, to permit — Plead and Phil. Starkey, to view the deer in the park, and certify. Also to deliver a fat buck to the bearer, and one to Henry Nevill, M.P. [G 14, p. 196; 72, p. 1005.]
July 9.
Whitehall.		 Pres. John Bradshaw to his cousin Peter Brereton, Gray's Inn. I understand by Col. Crowne, who is brother-in-law to Col. Mackworth, governor of Shrewsbury, and one of the Commissioners for co. Salop, that Mr. Broom, his fellowcommissioner, is lately dead, and it is desired that Mr. Moseley, town clerk of Shrewsbury, may be added in his room. He is a person whom you and I know to be sufficient, and he would not decline the place. I therefore desire you to propound him. With note of his appointment, July 22. [G 115, p. 349.]
July 10. John Dury to the Committee for Compounding. Having enquired who are fit for your service in Devonshire, I recommend —
Major Edw. Ford, Ilsington;
Capt. Wm. Sunter, Collumpton;
Capt. Rob. Ridler, St. Thomas' parish;
Capt. Fras. Rolle, Exeter;
Sam. Slade, late commissary to Col. Gould, Exeter;
Nich. Eveleigh, Exeter, customer;
men of good report, abilities, and affection to the State. The justices and knowing men in these parts would inform you concerning them, and as to which would be most willing to be employed. The 4 first are thought most likely. He who named them to me is no relation to any of them, and has no other design than to advance the public good by reforming your subordinate agents, that your just orders may be duly executed. [G 81, pp. 524, 525.]
July 10.
Newcastle.		 49. Henry Horsley to the Committee for Compounding. Being appointed treasurer for Northumberland, and having received 4,000l., I want to send it, but cannot get it to London unless I give the merchants two per cent., and sending it by sea is hazardous. I desire you to get a bill of exchange for it from Sir John Wollaton, Major Rich. Salway, Stephen Estwicke, or Rich. Waring, at London, and charge it upon the rest of our commissioners and myself, and we will pay it here by your order. [¾ page.]
July 11. Order of the Committee for Compounding, that the chief ranger of Caversham Park, Oxon, deliver the bearer one brace of very fat bucks of this season, fairly killed, for which he is to pay the commissioners. [G 14, p. 203.]
July 11.
Preston.		 County Committee for Lancaster to the Committee for Compounding. Mr. Ambrose has got to his accounts more seriously, and has promised not to leave off till they are perfected, which will be, he says, in two months. They would be delayed if we imprisoned him. After he has brought them in, you can dispose of him as you see cause. [Wm. Siddon to appear on Tuesday, and bring in the books wherein Mr. Ambrose is concerned. Ambrose's restraint to be respited on security for his forthcoming.]
We want commissions for John Case to be agent in part of Derby Hundred, and Rich. Whitehead in Lonsdale Hundred, in place of Capt. Adam Sands, who gave up 6 months since.
We have ordered levying the arrears on Col. Standish, but do not think it needful to complain to the Lord-General, as he has since been discharged, and is at his own house.
It is true we wrote to Rob. Massey, refusing to act with him as commissioner, but we conferred with him in private, and showed him other reasons. which we did not chose to write, he being a tradesman, and living on credit. We thought he would have been satisfied, but as he proceeds, we shall one of us come up with the accounts, and speak to you about him.
P.S. — Are we to secure the estates here of those gentlemen who still continue in places of trust in the Isle of Man, under the Earl of Derby?
With marginal notes of reply, 30 July. As we wish to give all reasonable liberty to Mr. Ambrose to make up his accounts, we respite for 2 months the restraint ordered on his person, on good security for his forthcoming. We send you commissions for John Case and Rich. Whitehead to act as agents pro tempore, in place of Ambrose and Capt. Adam Sands. We approve what you have done about Col. Standish.
We cannot revoke our order for Mr. Massey to act without some good reason, and therefore unless one of you comes up speedily as we expect, to perfect your accounts, send up in writing what you have against him. If you have proof of the gentlemen you wrote of being in the Isle of Man, you are to secure their estates, and to sequester them unless they appear to answer in 10 days. [G 159, pp. 127, 128; also 30, p. 210.]
July 12.
Exeter.		 50. John Serle and Rich. Clapp to the Committee for Compounding. When all other commissioners for this service forsook it, we took it up, not eyeing the wages, but the necessity of the work; yet our endeavours seem to merit nothing but the admittance of a charge of corruption; and because the party and his friends are not pleased, we must be branded with strictness, so that the case may be re-examined. It will not be displeasing to us to see your work done by better hands, and we being thus branded, you may well wonder we meddle further in it.
Here are at present 300 persons in the condition of seizing, securing, and sequestering, and many coming in daily on new discoveries, though the prosecutors have little or no encouragement; there have been many packets of great concern sent you within these two months, which have not been acknowledged.
Three weeks have been spent in keeping courts, with one, and sometimes two of us, constantly waiting, for which an allowance is uncertain. In surveys and letting of lands, we appeal to your judgments as to the improvements, and if the business is continued with us it will be more orderly directed; but for any parties to have knowledge or copies of depositions or certificates, we utterly deny it except what you ordered in favour to Sir George Chudleigh.
We have returned all moneys received, and the little now here had been with you, but the merchants have of late been shy to take it, and to send it by the carrier would be expensive and dangerous.
Particulars of receipts from estates. We have made [Nich.] Tripp, now acting with us, our treasurer.
With notes of reply 30 July. We will always own your good service, and though we cannot refuse to admit complaints, we will examine them strictly, and take care to prevent injury, in person or reputation, to those employed. We cannot find any of your letters with us unanswered. We will endeavour to reward prosecutors and discoverers, when the persons are adjudged. Directions in cases. We leave the choice of treasurer entirely to you. [1½ pages; also G 30, p. 36.] Enclosing,
50. i. Notes of three contracts for estates. [½ page.]
July 16. 51. Act for the sale of the lands and estates of 73 persons named, forfeited to the Commonwealth for treason, assigning them in trust to Wm. Skinner, Wm. Robinson, Sampson Sheffield, Sam. Gooking, Hen. Sealy, Wm. Lisle, and Art. Samuel, to dispose of them to the best advantage. All persons claiming rights thereon to prove them before Lislebone Long, and 48 others, being a committee for removing obstructions in the sale. [9½ pages printed.] Also
Instructions to be observed and form of oath to be taken by the surveyors, trustees, registrars, treasurers, comptroller, &c. Parliament needing money, 250,000l. is to be borrowed on security of these lands by way of doubling on public faith bills, &c., or on interest at 8 per cent. With numerous provisoes in individual cases relative to charges on the said estates. [49¾ pages, printed.]
July 16. Sir Hen. Vane, jun., to the Committee for Compounding. My father writes me that the sequestration commissioners press for the moneys to be paid in from farms in Pierce Bridge and Houghton, out of which fee-farm rents arise to me, and increase rents to my father. You have granted an order for mine, which I dare not send down till the other is perfected, lest I should be thought to mind myself more than him in his absence, which truly I desire not to do. I send this bearer with a certificate from the auditor, which I hope will satisfy you about my father's rents, which I can testify he has had many years, ever since his purchase from the city. He thinks it hard to be debarred from his own, and to be so long before he can get remedy. [1 page, holograph; G 125, p. 649.] Annexing,
i. County Committee of Durham to Sir Henry Vane [sen.], Raby Castle. We are not to allow any rents from sequestered estates without order from the Committee for Compounding. Please to procure one for your rents out of Mr. Witham's lands, Pierce Bridge, and John Bradshaw's, Houghton, and let your receiver allow your tenant the monthly assessments. 9 June 1651, Durham. [G 125, p. 647.]
ii. Certificate by Auditor Nich. Spackman of the grant by the late King of the said rents to Edw. Ditchfield and other citizens of London, who assigned them to Sir Hen. Vane, sen. 11 July 1651. [G 125, p. 645.]
July 16. Order in the Committee for Compounding, that Sir Henry Vane, sen., enjoy the said rents, and that the county committee forbear to receive them, and discharge them from sequestration.
Order that Richard Chamberlain, late clerk of the Court of Wards, give account of what compositions for wardship were made at Oxford, and deliver up the contracts, writings, &c., made during the late King's being there. [G 14, pp. 206, 207.]
July 17. Order in the Committee for Compounding, — on information by John Thurloe, that several persons, on pretence of estates granted them by the co. Committee of Gloucester, parcels of the manors of Tydenham and Wollaston, which by Act of Parliament are granted to Lord General Cromwell, continue to hold possession there of, because at the taking of those grants, they entered into bond to the said commissioners to pay the sums agreed for on their contracts, which bonds are now prosecuted by the commissioners, to the great prejudice of his lordship; — that the county commissioners return the bonds, with copies of the contracts, to the Committee for Compounding, and that they and all others surcease further proceedings.
Order that the Committee of co. Oxon enter Cavereham Park, sequestered from Lord Craven, survey it, certify its worth, the value of the timber, number of the deer, &c. [G 14, pp. 208, 210.]
July 17.
Armourers'
Hall.		 52. County Committee for London to the Committee for Compounding. We have surveyed and let the following:—
Late Rent. Present Rent.
House in Cateaton Street, sequestered from Anne Crompton, recusant, to Mr. Dixon 22l. 15l. 0s. 0d.
House in Goldsmiths' Alley, sequestered from Fras. Simpson, delinquent, to Mr. Clarke 8l. 5l. 10s. 0d.
House in Leadenhall Street, sequestered from Lord Craven, to Mr. Leming 26l. 19l. 0s. 0d.
We have also requested several persons to take up their leases already granted, but they decline unless they are satisfied as to the amount of the taxes, which have lately increased from 60,000l. to 120,000l. a month, and may yet be higher. We let the houses to the utmost value, and shall hardly get the same rent again. [1 page.]
July 17. 53. Queries of the County Committee for Middlesex and Westminster to the Committee for Compounding.
1. They desire an order for confirmation of their contracts.
2. To know what to do as to the rent in arrear from Lord Howard for Wallingford House, sequestered from the Duke of Buckingham.
3. What to do concerning Walsingham House, also sequestered from the Duke of Buckingham, wherein Sir Gilbert Pickering lives, pretending it belongs to Whitehall.
4. Whether they should not have the counterparts of the leases and bonds which the Committee for Compounding have made, of several tenements situated within their jurisdiction, so as to know how to recover the rents.
5. What to do concerning Lady Crofts' house at Paddington, sequestered as Lady Conway's, a Papist, she claiming it as her own.
6. What to do concerning several members and ex-members of Parliament returned as indebted to the Commonwealth for delinquents' goods in their custody, and who reside in several counties.
With notes of reply July 23, that much business has prevented the earlier confirming of the contracts; Lord Howard's arrears to be levied, as enough will be found to pay them. We have written to Sir Gilb. Pickering, and on his reply will give further orders. We will order you abstracts of the leases, &c., of the York House tenements, but cannot part with the counterparts of the leases. The case of Lady Crofts' house is under hearing. Let us know who hold delinquents' goods, and the sums due, and you shall have our further resolutions. [1 sheet; also G 30, p. 256.]
July 19.
Kendal.		 54. County Committee for Westmoreland to the Committee for Compounding. Yours of the 17th ult. orders us to pay in all moneys in. our hands; we have before certified that on account of the decay of trade we could not get so much as formerly, and desired an assignation to pay it here, or an order to the carriers to receive it, but we never had any answer. We sent up certificates of the taking of the oath appointed by the Act of 5 April 1650, of all of those named in the commission, and of our clerk and agent, save John Fallowfield, who was added to us by a special order, but has since taken it. [1 page.] Enclosing,
54. i. Certificate by Gervase Benson, justice of peace, that John Fallowfield has taken the said oath. 19 July 1651. [½ page.]
July 22. Order in the Committee for Compounding that Mr. Fowle compare all returns in cases of delinquency with the returns remaining with the auditor, that the commissioners may know when such persons were first discovered, sequestered, or seized. [G 13, p. 40.]
Order that the county commissioners enquire whether compounders have any other estate in possession or reversion; if so, they are to certify it, and thereupon this composition is to be made void; this is to be inserted in letters of discharge or suspension.
Note that Lieut.-Col. Joyce presents a letter in which Thos. Hughes, late sequestrator for co. Dorset, says that he has 2 farms worth 200l. a year, sequestered from Lord Stourton, and 2/3 paid to the State before he bought them, but nothing has been paid to the State since for them.
Order to renew the request made in 1650 to the Army Committee for a travelling surveyor-general; the want thereof has lost the State thousands of pounds, they having no means to charge any of the commissioners, but what arises from themselves. [G 36, p. 121.]
The salary of William Hale and Thomas Hamersley, messengers, to commence from 1 August 1650.
Capt. Thos. Gorge appointed steward for keeping courts on sequestered estates in co. Somerset. [G 12, pp. 269, 272, 273, 275.]
July 22. 55. List by John Reading of 47 cases remaining in his hands for report, 9 being composition cases, the remainder cases on the Act of 1 August 1650. [2½ pages.]
July 22. Committee for Compounding to the Commissioners of co. Warwick. You are to repair to Basil, Earl of Denbigh, if he be in the county, administer an oath to him, examine him on the interrogatories enclosed, and send in his depositions. [G 14, p. 217.]
July 22. Committee for Compounding to the Committee for Cornwall. We have dismissed Mr. Lower from his employment among you as sequestrator, his business in London preventing his attending, and have appointed Fras. Courtney in his place. [G 14, p. 218.]
July 23. Committee for Compounding to the County Committee for Devon. We approve your contracts, if the estates have been surveyed and posted according to directions. You have only let for 1 year, but if satisfied as to the value, you may contract for 7 years, and we will confirm your bargains. [G 30, p. 35.]
July 23. Committee for Compounding to the County Committee for Norfolk. You certify contracts for sequestered estates, which you say were surveyed and posted according to directions; if so, we confirm them. [G 30, p. 294.]
July 23. Committee for Compounding to the County Committee for Notts. We confirm your contracts, as you affirm that you have surveyed and posted them according to instructions. [G 30, p. 323.]
July 23. Committee for Compounding to the County Committee for Hants. We confirm all your contracts sent 8 and 15 July, that were surveyed and posted according to the Act. [G 30, p. 405.]
July 23. Committee for Compounding to the County Committee for Suffolk. We confirm your contracts, as you affirm that they have been surveyed and posted according to instructions. [G 30, p. 434.]
July 23.
Haberdashers' Hall.		 Committee for Compounding to the Committee of co. Monmouth. We have yours of 16 June 1651, and Baronet Morgan's of 1 July. We confirm your contracts, if you have surveyed and posted his estate according to our instructions. [G 224, p. 461.]
July 23. Petition of Rich. Wilcox, auditor, to Parliament. On 22 March 1648, Parliament ordered him 1,000l. from Haberdashers' Hall, but public employments prevented his soliciting payment, so he has only received 200l. Begs another order for receipt of the remaining 800l., as without this the present Committee for Compounding cannot pay it. [G 132, p. 508.]
July 23. 55a. Order in Parliament for payment accordingly by the Committee for Compounding. [2/3 page.]
July 24. Order of the Committee for Compounding, that Hen. Cooper, late officer of the Sequestration Committee of Co. Northampton, accused of detaining the rents of Oundle Manor, have 6 weeks time given to perfect his accounts, which he says are with the county commissioners, and that he and the informer, Mary Griffith, have leave to examine and cross-examine witnesses; the county commissioners are to certify the value of the manor. [G 14, p. 222.]
July 24.
Faversham.		 56. County Committee for Kent to the Committee for Compounding. We have surveyed Macknad Farm, and contracted with a tenant for it at 160l., free of all charges except Parliament taxes. We desire your confirmation, that we may grant a lease, the house being in a ruinous condition, and if not speedily done it will be without a tenant. With note of contract confirmed, 31 July. [½ page; also G 30, p. 191.]
July 25. Petition of Joseph Collett to the Committee for Compounding, that as Edw. Rogers has paid the fine of 20l. ordered, the treasurer may be ordered to pay it to him, and that the Committee for Compounding would take such course to enforce Rogers to pay in the bribes he took that petitioner may be satisfied his expenses. [G 76, p. 333.] Annexing,
i. Receipt by Richard Waring, treasurer at Goldsmiths' Hall, of the above 20l. from Rogers, 10 July 1651. [G 76, p. 331.]
July 25. Order of the Committee for Compounding for payment to Collett of 20l., for his charges in prosecution of Rogers and other services. [G 14, p. 224.]
Order, on request of Wm. Robinson, Wm. Lisle, and the other trustees for sale of estates forfeited for treason, allowing them the use of Drury House, with the hangings and furniture, for their sittings; the County Committee of Middlesex to see that they enjoy the same. [G 14, p. 225.]
July 29. Order of the Committee for Compounding, on request of Art. Samuel, one of the Drury House Trustees for sale of delinquents' lands, for a lease of the little white house in Drury House Court, that the county committee treat with him for it, on his paying the full rent, it being convenient for his occupation.
Order that Wm. Seddon of the Minories, bring in his books of account wherein Peter Ambrose is concerned, and answer questions touching him. [G 14, p2. 227.]
July 30. Committee for Compounding to the Committee for Sequestrations, co. Lancaster. We are willing to respite the restraint on Ambrose for 2 months, on security for his forthcoming. [G 30, p. 210.]
July 30. Committee for Compounding to the County Committee for London. In yours of the 17th, you return a house of Lord Craven's, let to Mr. Leming for 19l., late rent 26l. In such cases, enquire if there is no ancient lease by which the rent therein contracted for may be required from the tenant, the lease allowing taxes. As to those who refuse to seal their leases unless exempted from increase of taxation, take them at their word, and let the tenements to those that will give the most, the State paying the taxes. [G 30, p. 257.]
July 30. Estimate by And. Sherwin of moneys due from estates formerly vested in trustees for raising 50,000l. for Ireland, since 25 Jan. 1650, total 21,856l.; but about ¼ will have to be allowed to tenants, according to their leases from the late trustees. [G 63, pp. 705–707.]
July 30.
Coventry.		 County Committee of Warwick to the Committee for Compounding. On your order of 22 July to interrogate the Earl of Denbigh, we sent our agent to his house to know whether he was there, but we found he had gone towards London yesterday, and will not return for a fortnight; then we will execute your order, unless you examine him in London. [G 170, p. 341.]
[July 30.] 57. Queries from the County Committee for Lancaster to the Committee for Compounding; with answers to some by Mr. Squibb.
The tithes of Prestwich Rectory were sequestered for delinquency of Mr. Allen, the late incumbent, who long since appealed to the Committee for Sequestrations, but has not prosecuted his discharge; the inhabitants have many years past detained their tithes, and being this year required to set them out, or become farmers thereof to the Commonwealth, have refused. [The Committee of Plundered Ministers are to give order for the future, but what is in the parishioners' hands, as Allen's personal estate, the county commissioners are to receive.]
Several officers and soldiers have farmed sequestered estates and are in arrear for them. Is the county committee to levy the whole arrears, or only what has become due since 24 Dec. 1649? [All the arrears.]
Two commissions are required, for John Case to act as agent in Derby Hundred, and Rich Whitehead in Lonsdale Hundred. [To be prepared.]
How is the business to be prosecuted before the Committee of Indemnity against Major Jos. Rigby and his servants, who wounded the 2 men sent to levy his goods, so that they have some recompense? [A petition to be presented to the Indemnity Committee in the name of the agent and his assistants.]
In case the county commissioners refuse to join and act with Mr. Massey, are they to levy the rents now due, until they receive a discharge from the Committee for Compounding, or to cease to act at all? [The commissioners to give resolution in this.]
How to proceed in discovering a personal estate left by Thos. Walmsley of Dunkinhalgh to his grandchildren, who are all educated in Popery, and whether to examine the trustees for managing the estate for the children, and the executors? [If the trustees are in town, instructions to be given to Mr. Fowle to prepare interrogatories, and they to be examined upon them; but if they are in the country, the county committee can examine them, and procceed according to instructions.]
It is desired on behalf of Evan Wall, clerk to the county committee, that in regard of the multitude of business, whereby he is forced to employ others to assist him, some addition may be made to his salary of 2s. 6d. a day. [This the commissioners must give order in.]
Where 1/5 of the husband's estate has for several years been allowed for maintenance of the wife and children of a delinquent, whereby, or by some other means, she has a considerable personal estate in her possession, and the husband has lately been in actual arms with the Scottish King, are the goods in her possession, and improved by her, to he sequestered or secured for the late delinquency of her husband? [Whatever personal estate belongs to the delinquent ought to be re-sequestered.] The passages between brackets are notes of reply. [2½ pages.]
July 30. 58. Note that Mr. Squibb having answered some of these queries, Mr. Cunliffe desires that such answers may be sent, and that answers may be obtained to the rest. Also that the committee will give other order with respect to those queries referred to the Indemnity Committee. [¼ page.]
July 31. Parliament order that the 60,000l. charged on Goldsmiths' Hall, on the 10th inst. be paid next after the 20,000l. charged 1 April last for supply of the stores; to be issued on warrants from the Council of State. [G 107, p. 643.]
July 31. Committee for Compounding to the County Committee for Derby. We have requested the County Committee for Notts to send us copies of all records and proofs of their claim to Falwood Fields, in order to settle the difference between you, and we desire you to do the same. [G 30, p. 28.]
July 31. Committee for Compounding to the County Committee for Notts. "We approve of all your contracts, as the estates have been surveyed and posted. As to the refusal of Newton and Curtis to answer [see 4 July, p. 462, supra], you have the Act and ordinances enabling you to compel them, and in case of refusal, to take them into custody till they conform, which course you are to pursue in such cases. As to Fulwood Fields, we have written to the County Committee for Derby to send proofs of their pretences, and we wish you to do the same, viz., to send copies of the records and evidence. [G 30, p. 323.]
July 31. Committee for Compounding to the County Committee for Westmoreland. Your returns of undervalues and concealments are to be made, not to the commissioners at Newcastle, but to us, as we cannot delegate our power, and know of no others authorized by Parliament except ourselves. As to the manner of making discoveries set down by yours, we do not think it just to admit of any petty advance of rent offered by any one as a discovery; but where information is given of an undervalue, and the person does not confess it, survey should be made, and the party allowed to defend himself; no information should be received unless it be an advance of 20 per cent. or more on the value of the estate discovered. [G 30, p. 459.]
July 31.
Arundel.		 59. County Committee for Sussex, to the Committee for Compounding. The late Sir Thomas Bowyer, Bart., being seized of land called The Hundred Acres before his sequestration, demised it to Hen. Barlow for 21 years, reserving to himself and heirs a rent of 50l. Barlow assigned his interest to Mr. Porter, and he to John Smith, reserving the said rent to himself. Smith has held it 12 years. Sir Thos. Bowyer was sequestered about Michaelmas 1644 for delinquency, and so continues.
Abraham Dowcett, executor to Barlow the grand lessee, has received the said rent of 50l. until Ladyday 1650, and has converted it to his own use, Smith affirming he had no notice by the former committee to detain the rents. Between Ladyday and Michaelmas our agent warned Smith not to pay Dowcett but the State, yet he has paid the Michaelmas rent to Dowcett, and denies the warning. As Dowcett is not responsible for payment of the rent so received by him, we desire your directions for obtaining it. [1¼ pages.]
July 31. 60. County Committee for Sussex, to the Committee for Compounding. Some of the tenants of Sir Thos. Bowyer, Bart., deceased, are three, and others two years in arrear with their rents, but claim allowances for taxes, repairs of breaches made by the sea, &c., also fees to the officers of the Committee of Revenue, messengers, and moneys paid to the Commissioners of Sewers, part of the estate lying in a level where there has been a sea breach; of all which, amounting to a large sum, they were promised allowance by the late county committee. [1 page.]
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