Calendar, Committee For Compounding: Part 1. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1889.
This premium content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.
'Volume G 259: February 1653', in Calendar, Committee For Compounding: Part 1, (London, 1889) pp. 626-631. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/compounding-committee/pt1/pp626-631 [accessed 19 April 2024]
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
February 1653
| Feb. 1. | Committee for Compounding to John Jackson, late sequestration treasurer in Westminster. You are to appear before us to-morrow at 3 p.m. to answer questions. [G 17, p. 645.] |
|---|---|
| Feb. 2. | Order of the Committee for Compounding that [Rich.] Styleman, agent to the London Commissioners, appear this afternoon to answer questions. [G 17, p. 647.] |
| Order on a letter from the Committee of Kent of 24 Dec. 1652—certifying that when, as ordered on 23 Sept., they directed their agent to levy arrears due from James Golding, tenant of lands late Ald. Bunce's, and the agent put locks on the barn door, they were taken off, and Golding refused to pay—that the commissioners levy the arrears on his estate, appraise and sell his cattle, goods, corn, &c., and call the civil officers and forces if needful to their assist ance. Also that they summon Golding to appear this day fortnight to answer his contempt. [G 17, p. 652; 88, p. 63.] | |
| Feb. 2. Brecon. |
Wm. Jones and Barth. Games, Commissioners for co. Brecon, to the Committee for Compounding. We have sent in 340l., collected with difficulty from the sequestered estates. We had sent it long since, but we were driven to collect it ourselves, the revenue being so small that if we had used an agent, we had proved unprofitable servants. We send a weak account at last forced from the late committee, which will only serve as a charge against the [delinquents]. The most active now live out of this county and no distress to be had. |
| The accounts of the late Commissioners for South Wales are more satisfactory, but we cannot tell how it will fall till we have the accounts of those who acted last before us, because we cannot find where the arrears lie, two of them, [Roger] Havard and [John] Gunter, not living in the county. [G 167, p. 659.] | |
| Feb. 3. | Committee for Compounding to the Committee for co. Berks. We have received yours of 24 Jan. with the contracts enclosed, and also a contract with Andrew and John Biggs for lands in East and West Enborne, which we confirm if let according to instructions, [G 17, p. 654.] |
| Feb. 4. Taunton. |
County Committee for Somerset to the Committee for Compounding. We summoned Capt. Rob. Parradine before us on your order of 24 Sept., but he appeared not, so we took examinations on the case. [G 166, p. 267.] Enclosing, |
| i. Depositions to prove that Parradine held Witham Park, sequestered from Sir Ralph Hopton, worth 10l. a year without the deer, and 20l. with, and also took some of his cattle and furniture, for the wrong done by Hopton to his own goods at Bristol and Bath. 27 Oct. 1652. [G 166, pp. 259–261.] | |
| ii. Rob. Parradine to the Committee for county Somerset. Whoever says the red deer park is worth 20l. a year, and the fallow deer park 360l., is an arrant knave; the red deer park in 4 acres, worth 13s. 4d. an acre, and the fallow deer park will not let at 2s. 6d. an acre. I would give 40l. never to have seen the park. The keepers can give an account of the cattle put in. I sold 3 oaks for 30l., but Hopton sold 800 of my trees, received 2,000l. of my rents, and took my deeds, worth 500l., and I get nothing for my loss. Bath, 25 Oct. 1652. [G 166, pp. 263–265.] | |
| Feb. 4. Taunton. |
County Committee for Somerset to the Committee for Compounding. We desire your confirmation of our contracts of sequestered estates, surveyed and posted according to directions. |
| With note that they are confirmed if let according to instructions, but leases of estates in the Act for Sale are void, if made after the publishing of the Act. [G 167, p. 223.] Enclosing, | |
| i. List of 21 contracts made by the said commissioners since 22 May 1652. [G 167, pp. 225–231.] | |
| Feb. 9. | Committee for Compounding to the Committee for Inspecting the Treasuries. We beg to excuse our attendance on you to-day, for Lord Coventry's business, which is of much concern, is to be heard; (fn. 1) as Mr. Holland thinks to-day will be taken up with returns from treasurers, we will wait on you to-morrow, [G 17, p. 659.] |
| Feb. 9. | Order by the Committee for Inspecting Treasuries referring to the Committee for Compounding to consider and report on a paper delivered in, Aud. Sherwin giving their opinions on each particular. [G 138, p. 301.] Annexing, |
| i. Report by Aud. Sherwin on the obstructions in passing accounts. | |
| 1. The county committees have continued to tenants the allowances and abatements of rents made them in their contracts with the late county committees. | |
| 2. They have paid moneys on the orders of the late committees, conceiving them to remain in force so long as the late committees' grants of sequestered estates continued. | |
| 3. They have paid from sequestered estates fee-farm rents, quit rents, annuities, stipends to ministers, &c., not proved according to the Act of 25 Jan. 1650. | |
| 4. They have paid salaries to stewards, bailiffs and others, who held offices by grants of delinquents before their delinquency. | |
| 5. They demand 12d. in the pound on all their receipts, whether paid in to Goldsmiths' Hall or otherwise. | |
| 6. They demand incident charges for house-rent, postage of letters, expenses of courts and surveys, charges of witnesses, travelling charges, &c. | |
| 7. If the estate of a sequestered person in his lands determines by death, or expiration of term, they allow the reversioner to enter before the claim is allowed, or the sequestration discharged by the Committee for Compounding. | |
| 8. They have allowed sundry tenants moneys levied out of their lands by the sheriff on processes, or for fines, or free quarter. | |
| 9. They have let estates at a clear yearly rental, leaving the tenants to pay the taxes, whether allowable or not. | |
| The Acts of 25 Jan. and 15 April 1650 forbidding these allowances, I cannot pass the accounts, and therefore the commissioners usually lodge them, and depart into the country. Some commissioners have desired order for conveyance of their money to London, being unable to get return by exchange, because of the large sums drawn from the country for assessments, &c., and they dare not adventure them by carriers, not being able to pay for guards. [G 138, pp. 297, 298.] | |
| Feb. 10. | Order of the Committee for Compounding, that on Thursday afternoon they will sit in private on general business, especially that referred to them by the Committee for Inspection, provided Lord Coventry's case be determined before that time. [G 13, p. 50.] |
| Feb. 11. Preston. |
County Committee for Lancaster to the Committee for Compounding. Notes of cases. We beg your approval of our leases of estates surveyed, posted, and let according to instructions. That of Rob. Plessington, delinquent, at Dimples, in Wyersdale, is let to himself. [G 161, p. 347.] |
| Feb. 12. Exeter. |
County Committee for Devon to the Committee for Compounding. Rich. Newte, late minister of Tiverton, was sequestered for delinquency, yet though not officiating there, he keeps 300l. a year of an ecclesiastical promotion there, without accounting for it. Thomas Collins, of Sampford Peverell, also ejected for delinquency, holds that parsonage, worth 140l. a year. There are several other like cases of ministers who give no accounts. We struggle to preserve the State's interest, and beg your orders. We endeavour to draw the old agents to account; the honest attend, but not the faulty. [G 152, p. 385.] |
| Feb. 12. Hereford. |
County Committee for Hereford to the Committee for Compounding. We certify that on [Wm.] Gage's estate there are 700 oaks fit for felling, being decayed, 1,140 ashes, and 50 cords of underwood, beside what is needful for repair of the house, and there are many young saplings. [G 157, p. 188.] |
| Feb. 12. York. |
County Committee for York to the Committee for Compounding. We were obliged to employ a doorkeeper during our sittings, and he has often petitioned us for a salary, but your instructions being strict, we could give him no allowance. He has served 3 years carefully, and when our agents were away, has gone on horseback at his own charge to execute our orders, and been very forward in the service. We recommend him to you. [G 172, p. 583.] Enclosing, |
| i. Petition of John Wrightson, doorkeeper to the County Committee for York, for salary for his long service. Has attended weekly since 1 March 1650, and received nothing, and been at great charges, as he lives 12 miles from York, and has neglected occasions for a good living. [G 179, p. 586.] | |
| Feb. 14. Northwich. |
Thos. Robinson, Commissioner for co. Chester, to the Committee for Compounding. In answer to yours of 28 Jan., I certify that on receipt of the Act of 15 April 1650, I and my follow commissioners took the prescribed oath before Thos. Marbury of Marbury, of which we sent you a certificate, and I now enclose a duplicate. [G 149, p. 327.] Enclosing, |
| i. Certicate by Thomas Marbury, J.P., that Henry Cockson, Thos. Robinson, and Wm. Barrett have taken before his the oath appointed for sub-commissioners of sequestrations. 14 May 1650. [G 149, p. 329.] | |
| Feb. 14. | County Committee of Bedford to the Commissioners at Haberdashers' Hall. Henry Punter of Harlington,—authorized by us to sell wood, late the Earl of Cleveland's, for payment of taxes to the church and poor, according to Act of Parliament,—has refused to account with us, though several times required, but went into Ireland, whereupon we distrained his cattle. Punter has returned, and produced an order from the trustees for sale of delinquents' lands that he has accounted before them for the money received by him for wood, &c. Upon this we ordered him his cattle again, he paying the necessary charges for their keep, which he refuses. Please to order how they shall be disposed of. [G 146, p. 181.] |
| Feb. 14. King St. |
Col. John Pyne to Edw. Winslow, one of the Committee for Compounding. I send all that has come to my hands about Colonel Gorges' business, so much cried out against in co. Somerset, and conceal nothing for or against. As Gorges is in town, you can the sooner have his answer in writing. Let me see it, lest I miss some legal form; the case is in good men's hands. [G 88, p. 814.] |
| [Feb. 14.] | Charge by Col. John Pyne and Thos. Paull against Col. John Gorges and his brother Thomas, that col. Georges abused Thos. Hawkins and other witnesses who appeared to prove a charge of delinquency against Rich. Cheesman, for which Cheesman promised Gorges 500l., as else Parliament would have had all for his delinquency, and he was worth 3,000l.; but that to make the claim lawful, there was a feigned action for the 500l. as a debt, by advice of Thos. Georges, who also prevailed on John Rogers not to testify against Cheesman. That Cheesman being lately dead, John Gorges has taken out a caveat against the proving of his will. [G 88, p. 816.] Annexing, |
| i. Discharge by the county committee of Rich. Cheesman of Cheddar, co. Somerset, accused of delinquency, but found not guilty. 22 Jan. 1652. [G 88, pp. 773, 822.] | |
| ii. Power of attorney by Cheesman to Aldred Seaman and James Jefferies to appear for him at Westminster in the Common Bench, to answer a summons by Col. John Gorges, for unjustly detaining a debt of 500l. 24 Jan. 1652. [G 88, p. 767.] | |
| iii. Order, there being no defence, that Cheesman pay the debt and 50s. damages. [G 88, p. 755.] | |
| iv. Agreement by which Col. John Gorges binds himself not to claim the money during Chessman's life, if the latter do not alienate his estate. 18 March 1652. [G 88, p. 775, 819.] | |
| v., vi. Warrants by Col. John Gorges to the constable of Cheddar to apprehend Thos. Hawkins of Cheddar, and to the keeper of the gaol for co. Somerset to take him into custody for notorious crimes, he refusing to find bail. 12 Feb. 1652. [G 88, p. 771, 769, 818.] | |
| Feb. 14. Stafford. |
County Committee for Stafford to the Committee for Compounding. Col. [Hen.] Danvers, ourselves, and our agent and clerk, have taken the prescribed oath 2 years ago. We have got no books from the late committee, but only orders of discharge from the Committee for Sequestrations and Barons of Exchequer, a bundle of other orders, and 2 books of accounts from the treasurers. [G 168, p. 568.] |
| Feb. 15. Haberdashers' Hall. |
Order of the Committee for Compounding that Edw. Aspinwall, John Sawrey, and Rob. Massey are to act as Sequestration Commissioners for co. Lancaster, annulling all former commissions, Mr. Cunliffe being discharged for refusing to act with Massey. [G 12, p. 535; 37, p. 85.] |
| Feb. 15. | Committee for Compounding to the Commissioners for Removing Obstructions in sale of forfeited lands. We confirmed the contracts made by the Berkshire Commissioners 24 Jan. and 3 Feb., but the allowance of these and others ought to date from the contract, as we should then give allowance were they certified to us. [G 17, p. 669.] |
| Feb. 15. | Warrant of the Committee for Compounding to Hale and Hamersley, messengers, to bring in custody Thos. Revell, Maximilian Delval, Jos. Delbalzar, and Sarah Keynes, to answer what they are charged with, suffering them to speak with no one meantime. [G 17, p. 672.] |
| Feb. 16. Wells. |
County Committee of Somerset to the Committee for Compounding. In answer to yours of 28 Jan., each of us on first entering our employment took the oath prescribed by the Act and will keep it. We have had papers as specified delivered us by the late committee, and Jasper Batt, our clerk, has recourse to the papers at Col. Pyne's at Curry Mallett. But we have not received the accounts of Roger Hill of Taunton, one of the treasurers. We sent for the Bristol records, but the commissioners said they would write to you about them. [G 167, pp. 221, 222.] |
| Feb. 16. | Certificate by the Committee for Compounding of the diligent and faithful service of John Leech, their registrar, who has done much good service in discovering abuses, deserves his place, is free from exactions, and has never been complained against, but much good spoken of him. [G 17, p. 674.] |
| Feb. 16. | Like certificate for Thos. Bayley, assistant registrar. [G 17, p. 674.] |
| Feb. [17.] | Committee for Compounding to Major Salway. At desire of our registrars, we recommend their case, which we presented to the committee for sale, in hope to obtain through them some order from Parliament. We are again importuned to offer it to Parliament, that the great discouragement they are under, by reason of the penalty in the Act of Oblivion in doubtful cases, may be taken off. They are bound by their oath to issue such orders as we direct, and as they fear after persecution, we beg you to present speedily their case to Parliament, for explanation of the clause in the Act of Pardon concerning them. [G 17, p. 692.] Annexing, |
| i. Note that the Act inflicts treble damages and costs, and 10l. fine against officers who sue process on persons therein included. | |
| That it was not issued till 4 March 1652, but was to take effect from 20 Feb. | |
| That between those dates and since, the registrars have had to issue orders against persons claiming the benefit of the Act, who threaten them with suits. Request that Parliament will declare whether the registrars, being bound by oath to observe the orders of the Committee for Compounding, are included in the Act. [G 17, p. 692.] | |
| Feb. 17. Coventry. |
County Committee for Warwick to the Committee for Compounding. Each of us took the oath long since, before Ald. Thos. Basnet, J.P. for Coventry, who certified it to you. As to the late committee's books, we have five, and we will find out whether any are yet in their hands. [G 170, p. 485.] |
| Feb. 18. | Committee for Compounding to Ald, Allen. We long since lodged a report with the Army Committee requesting Parliament's directions about recusants, as to what is to be taken for conformity, but have no answer. We beg you to move the said committee for dispatch, as many are willing to come in, take the oath of abjuration, and give the usual testimony, and apply to us for discharges, but we know not how to proceed. [G 17, p. 693.] |
| Feb. 19. York. |
County Committee for York to the Committee for Compounding. We took the oath 24 Dec. 1650, and to day Thos. Bourchier has taken it before us as J.Ps. according to the Act. As to the books and papers of the late committee, we have all those of the North Riding, as many of the West Riding as their old clerk had when he died, but none from York, the East Riding, or Hull, though we have often desired them. [G 172, p. 589.] |
| Feb. 21. | Certificate [by Thos. Fowle] that there is no charge of delinquency or recusancy against Jos. Rigby, but for misdemeanour in 1650, in obstructing the letting of sequestered estates, and beating those who distrained on him for rent. He had time till Candlemas 1651 to make his defence, but there are no further proceedings, and he was discharged in Dec. 1651, on security to pay what he owed to the State. [G 113, p. 897; 32, p. 195.] |
| Feb. 21. | Certificate by Col. H. Mackworth [governor of Shrewsbury] that Wm. Crowne, Wm. King, and the late John Broome, County Commissioners for Salop, took the appointed oath before him 1 June 1650. [G 166, p. 169.] |
| Feb. 22. | Order of the Committee for Compounding, on request of Col. [John] Gorges, a commissioner for co. Somerset, that Thos. Paull, who has lodged an information against him, make himself known to this committee and give his address within 7 days, of which his counsel will give him notice. [G 17, p. 696.] |
| Order that Mr. Vincent provide paper where he can get it best and cheapest, and that the former order in this business be made void. | |
| That considering the great neglect in sending in duplicates and accounts, letters be written to the parties that are remiss, be they M.Ps. or not, to give an account on oath of their receipts, and whether they have any books or papers of the late committee. | |
| That the county commissioners be ordered to say why they have not levied the 20l. a month on the neglectors or contemners of former letters, and that they do it forthwith till the orders are performed. | |
| That general business only be heard to-morrow week. | |
| That the registrar take care in future to divide the references on compounding cases equally between Mr. Reading and Mr. Brereton. | |
| That he deliver out no original papers on which judgment is grounded, except deeds, without special order. | |
| That he prepare a list of persons who have not paid their fines, but whose estates are not under sequestration. [G 37, p. 88.] | |
| Feb. 23. | Notes by Ben. Mason of things whereon the judgment of the Committee for Compounding is desired, e.g., Sir Rob. Whitney's debt of 1,500l. to Smith, a Papist; Mrs. Monington's debt of 1,000l. due to Benedict Hall, and whether the 1,100l. she gave to Popish uses beyond sea cannot be levied on Hall as executor. |
| Whether Mr. Kemp cannot be indemnified for paying in 1,700l. due to Hall. The felling of [Wm.] Gage's woods for the navy. [G 157, p. 185.] | |
| Feb. 26. Kendal. |
County Committee for Westmoreland to the Committee for Compounding. We took, on 4 May 1650, the oath directed by the Act of 15 April 1650. We have the books and papers of the late committee about Kendal Barony, but could never get those for the bottom of Westmoreland, which was then a distinct division. They are said to have been seized by the enemy at Appleby Castle in 1648. We renew our request for orders to send up by the Kendal carriers the sequestration money that we have in hand. [G 171, p. 191.] |
| Feb. | Henry Phillips, Thos. Deverell, and George Grimsdall, County Sequestrators for Bucks, to the Committee for Compounding. According to your order of 28 Jan. last, we certify that we long since returned a certificate of our taking the oath required by the Act of 15 April 1650. You have copies of the books and papers of the late committee which are in our custody. If any are sequestered or discharged who are not named therein, we know nothing of them, therefore we beg that the list we send may be compared with what you have, and the names of any not mentioned therein returned to us. [G 147, p. 135.] Annexing, |
| i. Certificate by Rob. Aldridge and Wm. Hill that the above-named county sequestrators took the oath before them. 20 Dec. 1650. [G 147, p. 133.] | |