Middlesex Sessions Rolls: 1650

Middlesex County Records: Volume 3, 1625-67. Originally published by Middlesex County Record Society, London, 1888.

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

'Middlesex Sessions Rolls: 1650', in Middlesex County Records: Volume 3, 1625-67, (London, 1888) pp. 193-200. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/middx-county-records/vol3/pp193-200 [accessed 4 May 2024]

1650

10 January, 1649/50.—Whereas this Court is informed by one Adam Beney a stranger, who likewise hath deposed the same, That George Ayres, now prisoner in Newgate upon suspicion of bringinge in Agnes Deis (sic) and other popish pictures and crucifixes into the land, had at the time of his apprehension one hundred pounds in gold aboute him of the money of the said Beney, which was taken from the sayd Ayres and deposited into the hands of Mr. Parker esq., one of the Justices of the Peace for the county of Kent, by him to be kept untill the sayd Ayres should be acquitted or convicted upon his sayd commitment, And Whereas also Peter Gifford did at the same tyme take from the sayd Ayres one gold ringe, which was alsoe the goods of the sayd Beney, Nowe Forasmuch as the sayd Ayres is at this Sessions discharged of his sayd commitment, and upon examinacion by this Court the sayd Ayres hath confessed that the sayd one hundred pounds and gold ringe are the money and goods of the sayd Beney, It is therefore ordered that the sayd Mr. Parker shall have notice to pay, and it is thought fitt by this Court that he shall pay the sayd one hundred pounds to the sayd Beney, the money of right belonging to him, and that the sayd Peter Gifford be required and is heerby required to deliver the sayd gold ringe to the sayd Beney or to show cause &c. —Also, Order for the discharge of the same George Ayres out of prison, as the Court can find no just cause for continuinge him in prison; with further that Captaine Temple restore to the said George Ayres "severall parcells of goods amountinge to a greate value," which were taken from the said George, at the time of his aforesaid commitment, and deposited in the hands of Captaine Temple &c. to keepe untill &c. G. D. Reg.

1 February, 1649/50.—True Bill that, at Whitechappell co. Midd. on the said day, Edward Jarvis, James Thomas and Bouchamp Colton, all three late of the same parish laborers, made two hundred pieces of false and counterfeit money in the likeness of King Charles halfecrownes, twenty pieces of false and counterfeit money in the likeness of the good and lawful moneys called "the Commonwealth halfecrownes," ten pieces of false and counterfeit money in the likeness of King Charles shillings, and five pieces of false and counterfeit money, in the likeness of the good and lawful money called "the Commonwealth shillings." Found 'Guilty,' all three culprits were sentenced to be drawn to the gallows and hanged. G. D. R., . . . ., 1650.

11 March, 1649/50.—True Bill that, in the highway at St. Andrew's-inHolborne co. Midd. on the said day, Thomas Vincent, Arthur Arnold and Oliver Roberts, all three late of the said parish laborers, assaulted Edward Knight, and with violence stole and took from him a pistoll worth two shillings, a knife and sheath worth four pences, and three pounds and ten shillings in numbered moneys, of the goods chattels and moneys of the said Edward Knight. Found 'Guilty,' all three culprits were sentenced to be hanged. G. D. R., . . . ., 1649/50.

18 March, 1649/50.—Recognizances, taken before George Manley esq. J.P. for the City and Liberties of Westminster, of William Scudamore marchant and Richard Bibby taylor, both of Westminster, in the sum of ten pounds each, and of John Teague of Whitechapell yeoman, in the sum of twenty pounds; For the said John Teague's appearance at the next S. P. for the said city and liberties to be holden at Westminster, "to answere an endictment against him, being a hawker and seller of scandalous and seditious pamphlettes &c." S. P. (West.) R., 19 April, 1650.

29 March, 1650.—Recognizances, taken before Laurence Whitaker esq. J.P., of Francis Smithe of Christchurche inn-holder and Thomas Collins of the parish of Anne Aldersgate cooke, in the sum of fifty pounds each, and of William Norman of Islington co. Midd. butcher, in the sum of one hundred pounds; For the appearance of the said William Norman at the next G. S. P. for Middlesex to be held at Hicks Hall, to answer &c. "for drinkinge a health to the confusion of Parliament and all those that tooke parte with them." S. P. R., . . . ., 1650.

29 March, 1650.—True Bill that, in the highway at St. James's Clarkenwell co. Midd. on the said day, John Goodaker, Robert Watts and John Wilkins, all three late of the said parish laborers, assaulted Philip Moulter M.D. and with violence stole and took from him a silver spoon worth five shillings. All three culprits were found 'Not Guilty.' G. D. R., . . . ., 1650.

14 April, 1650.—Recognizance, taken before Sir Henry Holcroft knt. and Edward Carter esq., Justices of the Peace for the City and Liberties of Westminster, of John Barcoale of Whitehall gentleman, in the sum of twenty pounds; For the appearance of the said John Barcoale at the next General Quarter S. P. for the said city and liberties "then and there to prosequute and give evidence against Robert Weake, George Goldropp and Adrian Hendricke accordinge to a late Act of Parliament entituled 'An Act for removeinge all papists &c. from London and Westminster,' for that they contrary to the said Act have remained in this city, having confessed themselves before us to be papists."—Also, similar Recognizance, taken before the same Justices of the Peace on 12 April, 1650, for the appearance at the same next G. Q. S. P. of Azarias Pheasant of St. Clement's Danes' co. Midd. taylor, to give evidence according to the same Act of Parliament against John Staley who has remained within the same city and liberties, and yet has on examination by the said Justices of the Peace confessed to them, that he is a papist. S. P. (West.) R., 19 April, 1650.

27 April, 1650.—True Bill that, at St. Botulph's-without-Aldgate co. Midd. on the said day, John Norris late of the said parish taylor spoke these scandalous and seditious words in depravation and to the contempt of the High Court of Parliament, to wit, "That the late Kinge was illegally put to death, but he hoped that his persecutors would heerafter suffer for it, and that the power which they have is mayntained only by the sword, and that they doe seeke to infringe the libertye of the subjects, which they did formerly promise to maintaine." S. P. R., . . . ., 1650.

16 May, 1650.—Recognizance, taken before John Waterton esq. J.P., of Anne Genney of Woppin co. Midd., in the sum of twenty pounds; For the said Anne Genney's appearance at the next S. G. D. for Middlesex, "to give in evidence against Ellen Egerton now prisoner in Newgate for divers scandalous and reproachfull words against the present Parliament." S. P. R., . . . ., 1650.

19 May, 1650.—Recognizances, taken before Josias Berners esq. J.P., of George Antrobus of Paules Churchyard in St. Gregory's parish London woollen-draper and John Ward of St. Sepulchre's London haberdasher, in the sum of twenty pounds each, and of Thomas Antrobus of Clifford's Inne gentleman, in the sum of forty pounds; For the appearance of the said Thomas Antrobus at the next S. P. for Middlesex "to answer &c. uppon the complaint of Nathaniell Thorold gentleman for continuing in a taverne till night, shewinge tricks there, saying 'God blesse the King,' but not expressing who he meant." S. P. R., . . . ., 1650.

4 June, 1650.—Order touching highways and common carriers, made at Hicks Hall in St. John's Streete co. Midd.—Whereas this court was informed that the high wayes in severall parishes and places of this county are very founderous (sic) much decayed and ruinous and become almost impassable although the inhabitants of many of the said parishes have done theire worke in the reparacion of the said highwayes in such maner as by the statutes in that case provided they are required, which hath been occasioned principaly by severall carriers carters and waggoners which have usually carryed upon their carts and waggons excessive waightes, whereby the said highwayes are very much torne plowed and digged up in the said parishes and places, for the prevencion of which annoyance and inconvenience It is thought fitt and soe Ordered by this Court, That the Justices of the Peace of this county shall cause the Pety Constables and Headboroughs of the severall places and parishes of the division to apprehend all such carters carriers and waggoners as shall happen to cary upon theire carts or waggons in theire respective parishes or precincts above twenty hundred weight and them convent before some of the said Justices and find sufficient suerties for theire personall appearance at the next Sessions of the Peace to be held for the said county after such offence committed to answer such offence and further to bee provided withall for the same according to the Lawe.—By the Court. S. P. Book.

5 June, 1650.—Ordered That Mr. Livetenaunte and Mr. Smith shall send for Mrs. Diamond of Ratcliffe and binde her or some of her . . . . to prosecute against John Waltham and Richard Shelley at the next Sessions for a burglarye in her house, and to send for Mrs. Williams alsoe touching a burglarie in her house, and especially to examine her touchinge a bagge of hers found in the custody of the sayd Waltham and Shelley, and nowe in the custody of Alderman Andrewes, whether it be her bagg or noe, which she affirmed before to the sayd alderman to be hers, but now seemeth to fayle therein. G. D. Reg.

23 June, 1650.—Recognizances, taken before William Mellish esq. J.P., of Andrew Phyfe and Thomas Pecke, both of Whitechappell co. Midd. yeomen, in the sum of ten pounds each, and of Robert White of the same parish drover, in the sum of twenty pounds; For the said Robert White's appearance at the next S. P. to be held at Hickes Hall, to answer &c. "for threatening and offering violence to the Hedborow of Bowe, and for rescueing his lambes destreyned upon for breach of the last Humiliation Daye &c. &c." S. P. R., 9 July, 1650.

26 August, 1650.—Recognizances, taken before Sir John Danvers knt., Sir John Thorowgood knt. and Thomas Latham esq., Justices of the Peace for the City and Liberty of Westminster, of Edward Ordway of St. Clement's Danes' co. Midd. gunmaker, in the sum of two hundred pounds, and of Thomas Sutlon of the same parish currier and Roland Williams of Martin's-in-the-Fields co. Midd. yeoman, in the sum of one hundred pounds each; For the said Edward Ordway's appearance at the next General S. P. for Middlesex, to answer &c. "for speaking seditious words against the Parliament."—Also, Recognizances, taken before Edward Harvy esq. J.P., of Thomas Kerbie of . . . . co. Midd. yeoman, in the sum of one hundred pounds, and of Thomas Berry and William Smelt both of Hamersmith yeomen, in the sum of fifty pounds each; For the said Thomas Kerbie's appearance at the next G. S. P. for Middlesex, to answer &c. "for speaking and uttering ill language against the now Parliament of England."—Also, the Recognizances, taken on 13 July 1650 before John Barkstead esq. J.P., of John Chapman of Padington co. Midd. yeoman and Edward Spencer of Margaret's parish Westminster blacksmith, in the sum of twenty pounds each, and of Thomas Wyght of Margaret's Westminster yeoman, in the sum of forty pounds; For the said Thomas Wyght's appearance at the next General S. P. to be held at Hicks Hall, to answer &c. "for endeavouringe to perswade one Edward Dodford and Thomas Grey to swear that John Saywell of Ivingoe co. Bucks did send two men with armes to the late Kinges armie." S. P. R., 1 Oct., 1650.

11 October, 1650.—Recognizances, taken before John Waterton esq. J.P., of . . . . merchaunt-taylor and Michael Thomson of the Minnoryes in Algate parish co. Midd. cordwainer, in the sum of fifty pounds each, and of John French of Whitechappell . . . ., in the sum of one hundred pounds; The condition of the recognizances being, that the said "John French doe personally appeare either before the Committee appoynted by Parliament for Athiesticall Blasphemous and . . . . to the honour of God and destructive to humaine society, whensoever they shall please to call for him, Or else at the next Sessions of the Peace . . . . to answer &c." S. P. R., 9 Dec, 1650.

1 November, 1650.—The Jurors for the Keepers of the Liberty of England present that William Cobbe late St. Clement's Danes' co. Midd. esq. otherwise styled William Cobbe late of Sandringham co. Norfolk esq. did not repaire to church chapel or any usual place of common prayer during three months, beginning on 1 Nov., 1650, against the tenor of a statute in a case of this kind published and provided. No endorsement of either 'Billa Vera' or 'Ignoramus.' G. D. R., . . . ., 1650/1.

13 November, 1650.—Recognizances, taken before John Barkstead esq. J.P., of William Wheeler goldsmith and John Barker barbor, both of Martin's parish in the liberty of Westminster co. Midd., in the sum of twenty pounds each, and of Charles Cutts of the same parish barbor, in the sum of forty pounds; For the appearance of the said Charles Cutts at the next General S. P. for the City and liberty of Westminster, to answer &c. "for being taken redy drest in cloths and goeinge to act a stage-playe, as hee confesseth himself." S. P. (West.) R., 9 Jan., 1650/1.

16 December, 1650.—True Bill that, in the highway at Acton co. Midd. on the said day, Dorrell White alias Thomas Brooke alias Captaine Smith late of the said parish assaulted Jane Hampton wife of Robert Hampton esq., and stole and carried off from the person of the said Jane "unam catenam jemmarum anglice one chaine of pearle continentem in numero ducent' et septuaginta valor' septuaginta librarum," a gold ring sett with seaven diamonds worth twelve pounds, a gold ring sett with an emerald worth eight pounds, and four shillings in numbered moneys, of the goods chattels and moneys of the said Robert Hampton esq. Found 'Guilty,' Dorrell White was sentenced to be hung. G. D. R., . . . ., 1650/1.

24 December, 1650.—True Bill, that Thomas Dade late of Giles's parish co. Midd. was born in England and after the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, 1 Eliz., and before the said 24th Dec., 1650, "was made and ordayned a Preist by the authority derived and pretended from the Sea of Rome," in parts beyond the seas, And that before the same last-named day the said Thomas Dade came from the same parts beyond the sea into this Commonwealth of England, to wit, into the afornamed parish of Giles co. Midd., and there on the said 24th Dec., traitorously and as a false traitor to this Commonwealth of England did stay, was and remayned. Over Thomas Dade's name at the head of the bill appears this clerical minute, "He putts himselfe upon the countrey, which finde him 'Not Guiltie' noe flienge." G. D. R., . . . ., 1651.

24 December, 1650.—True Bill that George Gage late of the parish of Giles-in-the-Fields co. Midd. was born in the kingdom of England, and after the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist, 1 Eliz., and before the said 24th December, 1650, in the parts beyond the seas was made and ordained a Preist by authority derived and pretended from the Sea (sic) of Rome, And that the same George Gage before the said 24th December came in this Commonwealth of England, to wit, to the aforesaid parish of Giles-in-the-Feildes co. Midd. and there on the same 24th Dec. "traitorously and as a false traitor to this Commonwealth of England did stay was and remayned." George Gage was "at large." A memorandum on the back of the bill shows that James Waddesworth, Robert De Luke, Thomas Mayo and Thomas Gage were the prosecutors of and witnesses for the indictment. G. D. R., . . . ., 1651.

24 December, 1650.—True Bill, that Peter Wright alias Beale late of Martin's-in-the-Feildes co. Midd. clerk was born in the kingdome of England, and after the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Bap tist, 1 Eliz., and before the 24th Dec, 1650, "in the partes beyond seas was made and ordained a Preist by the authority derived and pretended from the Sea of Rome," and that the said Peter Wright alias Beale before the said day of December, 1650, returned into this Commonwealth of England, and on that day at the aforesaid parish of Martin-in-the-Feildes "traitorously and as a false traitor of this Commonwealth did stay was and remayned." Over Peter Wright's name at the head of the bill appears this clerical minute, "He puts himself upon the countrey, which finde him 'Guilty.' See the judgment indorsed."—On the back of the indictment appears this record,— "Judicium:—He shalbe led backe againe to the place from whence he came, and from thence be drawen upon a hurdle to the place of execucion, and there be hanged by the necke and then be cutt downe alive, and his entrails and privy members to be cutt off from his bodye and be burned in his sight, his head to be cutt off and his bodie to be divided into fower parts, and then to be disposed att the pleasure of the Parliament." G. D. R., . . . ., 1651.

25 December, 1650.—True Bill against Stephen Hubert of Paul's parish Covent Garden, for willingly in a dwelling-house within the same parish on the said day hearing mass said and sung by a certain person to the jurors unknown.—Also, True Bills against John de Charbone taylor, John Stale . . . ., James Agneau tapestrie-maker, John Chamberlayne gentleman, Elizabeth Devall wife of . . . . Devall yeoman, James Gering yeoman, Bartholomew Hesketh hatband-maker, Tout Saincts Francois gentleman, Edmund Shroudes gentleman, Francis Ballinger gentleman, Charles Delire (? Desire) gentleman, Henry Lord Morley and Mounteagle, all twelve late of Martin's-in-theFields co. Midd., for willingly in a certain dwelling-house within the same parish on the said 25th December hearing a mass said and sung by a certain person unknown to the Jurors. Over Bartholomew Hesketh's name on the bill against him appears the clerical minute 'Jur' die' non cul'=The jurors say 'Not Guilty';. and on the Bill against Elizabeth Devall appears the note "Jur' die' cul' de ind'c'o"=The jurors say 'Guilty of the indictment.' The other bills exhibit no minutes touching arraignment or verdict. S. P. (West.) R., 1 April, 1651.

27 December, 1650.—Recognizances, taken before Thomas Fauconberge and Edward Carter esqs. and Justices of the Peace, of Bartholomew Hesketh of Giles's-in-the-Fields gentleman and Robert Wilson of Martin's-in-the-Fields taylor, in the sum of one hundred pounds each; For the said Bartholomew Hesketh's appearance at the next G. S. P. for the City and Liberty of Westminster, to answer &c. "he being charged to have heard a mass on the 25th December 1650 in the house of Mr. Crouly in the parish of Martin-in-the-Fields.—Also, thirteen several sets of similar Recognizances, taken on the same day before the same Justices of the Peace; For the appearance at the same G. S. P. of Edmund Yarmouth of Martin's-in-the-Fields gentleman, John Hodgson of Covent Garden parish yeoman, John Chamberline of St. Dunstan's in-the-West gentleman, Tout Saincts Francois of Martin's-in-the Fields taylor, James Agneau of Martin's-in-theFields tapestry-maker, Charles Deglire (?) of St. Margaret's Westminster hatmaker, Francis Bolanger of St. Margaret's Westminster hatmaker, Stephen Hubbard of Covent Garden parish gentleman, John De Charbone of Covent Garden parish taylor, Charles de Gizancourt of Covent Garden parish gentleman, Henry Parker Lord Morley and Monteagle, Mamie Devall of Martin's-in-the-Fields taylor, and James Gering of St. Giles's-in-the-Fields hatband-maker, to answer &c. being charged to have heard a mass on the 25th December 1650 in Mr. Crouly's house in Long Acre in the parish of Martin's-in-the-Fields. S. P. (West.) R., 9 Jan., 1650/1.