A brief account of some of the late and present sufferings of the people called Quakers for meeting together to worship God in spirit and truth, being prosecuted by the statute of the 22th Car. 2. Cap. I., entituled, An act to prevent & supress seditious conventicles, by the prosecution of which act many families have had their estates wholly wasted and ruined, contrary to the law of God, the antient laws of the kingdom, and to nature itself : together with a particular account of such of the above said people who have dyed prisoners, from the year 1660 to 1880, I. for meeting together to worship God, &c., II. for refusing for conscience sake to swear in any case, III. for not going to the parish church, and not paying to the repair of the same, and not paying offering money, small tythes, &c. : humbly presented to the King, Lords & Commons in Parliament assembled. Whitehead, George, 1636?-1723. 1680 Approx. 249 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 71 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A65840 Wing W1894 ESTC R19963 12291066 ocm 12291066 58892 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A65840) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 58892) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 930:9) A brief account of some of the late and present sufferings of the people called Quakers for meeting together to worship God in spirit and truth, being prosecuted by the statute of the 22th Car. 2. Cap. I., entituled, An act to prevent & supress seditious conventicles, by the prosecution of which act many families have had their estates wholly wasted and ruined, contrary to the law of God, the antient laws of the kingdom, and to nature itself : together with a particular account of such of the above said people who have dyed prisoners, from the year 1660 to 1880, I. for meeting together to worship God, &c., II. for refusing for conscience sake to swear in any case, III. for not going to the parish church, and not paying to the repair of the same, and not paying offering money, small tythes, &c. : humbly presented to the King, Lords & Commons in Parliament assembled. Whitehead, George, 1636?-1723. [12], 84, [2], 85-127 p. Printed by Andrew Sowle, and are sold at his shop ..., London : 1680. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Attributed to George Whitehead. cf. NUC pre-1956. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Society of Friends -- England -- Early works to 1800. 2004-11 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-01 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-02 Jonathan Blaney Sampled and proofread 2005-02 Jonathan Blaney Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A Brief ACCOUNT Of some of the Late and Present SUFFERINGS Of the People called QUAKERS For Meeting together to Worship God in Spirit and Truth . Being prosecuted by the Statute of the 22th Car. 2. Cap. 1. Entituled , An Act to prevent & suppress seditious Conventicles . By the Prosecution of which Act many Families have had their Estates wholly Wasted and Ruined , contrary to the Law of God , the Antient Laws of the Kingdom , and to Nature it self . Together with a particular Account of such of the above said People who have dyed Prisoners , from the Year 1660. to 1680. I. For Meeting together to Worship God , &c. II. For refusing for Conscience sake to Swear in any Case . III. For not going to the Parish Church , and not paying to the Repair of the same , and not paying Offering Money , small Tythes , &c. Humbly presented to the King , Lords & Commons in Parliament Assembled . London , Printed by Andrew Sowle , and are sold at his Shop in Devonshire New-buildings , without Bishops-Gate , 1680. TO THE King , Lords and Commons , IN PARLIAMENT Assembled . THe daily Accounts we receive of the great Oppressions of our Friends in several Counties , upon the prosecution of the Statute 22th Car. 2. cap. 1. Entituled , An Act to prevent and suppress Seditious Conventicles , constraineth us yet further to make our Complaint to you , hoping , that upon your weighty Consideration thereof , some way to relieve us may be found by you . In the perusal of the following Accounts you may see what Destruction and Spoil hath been made upon our Estates within these two or three years last past , many poor Families being wholly ruined , and Tradesmen that helped to imploy and relieve others , are now so impoverished , that they are fain to shut up their Shops , and be helped themselves , and the industrious and laborious are become a prey to the rapine of dissolute idle Informers , and o●hers , who after they have devoured all they could find in one County , have gone to the next , hunting from Meeting to Meeting , nothing satisfying them till they have devoured all our outward Substance , all which Oppressions we have endured with much patience and long-suffering , knowing , that our assembling is in good conscience towards God , and that we have always endeavoured to exercise a Conscience void of Offence towards men ; and in such case where we could not obey what the Law of men required , we have yielded our selves patiently to suffer the Penalties inflicted on us , and have never Plotted nor Contrived to disturb the Peace of the Kingdom , or sought Revenge under our Sufferings , though they have extended not only to the Spoil of our outward Estates , but to Imprisonment , Banishment , and loss of Life it self , and that of some Hundreds of us since the King's Restoration , as in the Relations following will particularly appear , and that chiefly for our peaceable Meeting together to Worship God , a Duty so incombent upon us , and so conscientiously performed by us , that if the Law had been made to take away our Lives , as it was to destroy our Estates , we could not have forborn our assembling together , except we should have been Treacherous to God , and our own Consciences . And further , we desire you to consider the inequality of the aforesaid Act , the mercinary Informers , who Swear against us , gain part of our Estates to themselves ; and we are convicted by the Arbitrary Determinat●on of one Justice of the Peace , who in our absence is both Judge and Jury . And what-ever wrong is inflicted on us , our Appeal must not lie in any other Court , but only before the Parties themselves , complained of to do us the wrong , who are many times sole Judges in their own cases , the Juries being often over-awed by them , so that they are afra●d to act or speak their own Reason and Sence , but forced to bring in such a Virdict as pleaseth our Judges , which Proceedings are conceived to be expresly against the Constitution of our English Government , and the antient fundamental Laws of the Kingdom , which did expresly forbid the seizure of mens Liberties and Estates , without a lawful judgment of their Peers . How repugnant these Severities inflicted upon us are to the Indulgence formerly promised to us by the KING , you may judge , when you call to remembrance the many Declarations he was pleased formerly to make , for the Liberty of tender Consciences , that should not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom . And also , we shall leave i● to your Impartial Judgment , Whether we have done any act or thing whereby we have justly incurred the forfeiture of such Indulgence ? If the Lord shall put it in your Hearts to relieve us from these our great Oppressions , we humby propose to you Consideration the repeal of the Statutes , 22th Car. 2. cap. 1. made against Conventicles , and the Statute 13th and 14th Car. 2. by which last Statute so many of our Friends suffered Imprisonment till Death , for conscientiously refusing to Swear in any case , and for their peaceable Meeting to Worship God. Signed on the behalf of the Sufferers , by us , George Whitehead William Gibson Jasper Batt Alexander Parker William Penn Richard Mew John Etheridge James Claypoole William Mead Ezekiel Wooley Clement Plumsted James Braines George Watt Willi●m Shewen John Dew Thomas Rudyard E●lis Hookes London , the 20th day of December , 1680. A Particular Accompt of these Distresses following in each County , upon the said Act of the 22 Car. 2. Cap. 1. were Printed and given to the late long Parliament , and therefore are only herein summed up in short ; and there was at that time much more leavyed upon that Act , of which an Accompt could never be procured .   L. S. D. BErkshire , 0190 00 00 Bedfordshire , 0357 00 00 Bucks , 0040 00 00 Cumberland , 0344 13 00 Cheshire , 0409 08 00 Cambridgshire , 0608 16 00 Cornwall , 0497 13 00 Devonshire , 0222 10 06 Dorsetshire , 0163 05 04 Derbyshire , 0397 14 10 Durham , 0865 19 00 Essex , 0494 11 07 Gloucestershire , 0799 08 00 Hampshire , 0077 15 06 Hartfordshire , 0770 10 00 Huntingtonshire , 054● 15 06 Herefordshire , 0330 12 04 Kent , 0191 13 00 Leicestershire , 0569 18 ●8 Lincolnshire , 0497 13 08 Lancashire , 0428 15 11 Nottinghamshire , 0707 01 06 Norfolk , 1244 07 05 Oxfordshire , 0223 12 06 Sumersetshire , 1459 03 08 Surrey , 0380 03 04 Sussex , 0066 00 00 Suffolk , 1294 01 07 Sall●p , 0051 00 00 Staffordshire , 0075 04 00 Westmorland , 0270 17 00 Wiltshire , 0434 09 00 Worces●ershire , 0081 03 00 Warwickshire , 0069 06 10 Yorkshire , 2384 18 00 A Breviate of the most Remarkable I●stances of Injustice and Cruelty contained in the ensuing Treatise . WHen an Appeal was made at the Sessions , the Justice that prosecuted , pressed the Oath of Allegiance might be tendred to the Appealants , Page 2. In●ormers Persons of no Estate , but live upon the Spoil of others , feeling Goods for what Price they please , and taking what , and as much as they please , never accounting for any Overplus , Page 8. The Justice bid the Officers break open the Doors to make Distress , and he would stand by them , Page 10. A poor Widdow had her Bed taken from her , and nothing left her to lie on but the Boards , nor any thing left to cover her from the Cold , Page 14. Convicted in their absence , and without summons to appear to Answer for themselves , Page 17. Officers refusing to shew their Warrants , when they distrained , and the Justice forbidding them to shew their Warrants , Page 18. An antient Widdow , near eighty Years of Age , turned out of her House late at Night , and kept out of h●r Bed in violent Frosty Weather , Page 19. A Warrant being directed to a wrong Constable , and the Informer knowing not how to come by his Prey , altered the Warrant and directed it to the right Constable ; and himself broke open a door with a Smith's Sledge , Page 30. A Justice beat several , pulling them by the Hair of the Head , and drew his Knife in a great Passion , but was restrained by his Servant from doing Mischief , Page 31 , 32. The Justice bid the Officers that distrained , to take all they could find , and that which was not worth carrying away to Burn it , Page 32. Several stript so bare they had not a Bed left them , but were fain to lie on Straw : One blind man and his Wife lay eleaven Moneths on Straw . Page 32. The Informer coming to a Meeting , where becaus● there was no Preaching , he used what provoking words he could to stir them up to speak , that he might Swear there was a Preacher , Page 36. The Justice bid the Officers sell the Goods , if it were but for the thirtieth part of the worth of them , Page 39. Goods sold to the Informer for half the worth , Page 39. Upon trying an Appeal , Jury threatned to be fined , if they did not bring in their Verdict for the King , Page 44. A Child taken out of the Bed , and laid upon the bare Floor , and the Bed taken away , Page 46. Great Violence used to some at their Meetings , several Women have been dragged in the Streets by the Necks , till they have been near stifled , Page 48. Men sorely beaten , drawn and dragged out of the Meeting , some by the Heels , some by the Hair of the Head , some tr●d upon till Blood gusht out at their Mouth and Nose , with many more such Cruelties , see Page 48. A few Persons being assembled to look after the Necessities of the Poor , they were fined for the House and for the Preacher ; when there was never a one there : And when in this case they would have appealed , the Court denyed it , except the Appealants would first take the O●th of Allegiance , Page 49. Persons Convicted , and fined twice for one Meeting , Page 52. The Informer asketh a Question , and being answered by one in the Meeting in a few Words , he Swears ag●inst that Person , That he was the Speaker or Preacher , Page 54. A Person agrieved appeals , the Justice takes Money for entring the Appeal , but puts him off from Sessions to Sessions , and at last told him , it was too late to try it : and the Appealant could never get the Money he deposited to this day , Page 57. Two Persons appealing , deposited the one 40 l. the other 30 l. and a Virdict , b●ing given for the Appealants , the Justices ordered them to have the M●ney deposited again ; but the Justice that received it , hath refused to return it ( except 10 l. ) to this day , Page 58. The Informer Swore there was a Meeting on Sunday the 26th of November , 1674. when there was no Sunday on the 26th of November that Year : However , the Justice encouraged the Informers and Officers to proceed , and granted them a Warrant to distrain , and said he would justifie them in it , Page 62. The Officers telling a Justice they had been to make distress , but there was little left in the House but the Bed the Man's Wife lay sick on , and was like to dye , and did dye that Night : The Justice said , he cared not , Take the Bed from under her , Page 63. The Justice affirmed , it was suffi●ient cause of Conviction , if Persons were but seen going to the House where they used to meet , Page 64. Visiting a sick Person made a Conventicle , and the sick man fined 20 l. for the House , and for one spe●king four or five Words that came to visit the sick man ; several were fined for the Preacher , 20 l. Page 64. Thirty two Persons fined for being at a Burial , it being judged to be a Conventicle , and had Goods take● away to the value of 82 l. the Widdow of the deceased fined 4 l. for being at her Husbands Burial , Page 73 , 75. Giving Thanks before Meat made a Conventicle , and Persons fined for the same , Page 74. A Dog being thrown into a Meeting by rude People one spoke a few Words , desiring the People to shew Moderation ; for which he was fined 20 l. for Preaching , and had Goods taken worth 22 l. Page 76. Cheshire . THere being a Peaceable Meeting , at the Meeting House of William Gandy the 24th of the 4th Moneth , 1677. One Sr. Peter Leicester , called a Justice , came there , ( Informer himself ) and being accompanied with divers Souldiers , lighted off their Horses , and some with their drawn Swords , pusht those that were out of the Doors into the House , and clapt to both Doors , and set Guards upon them , giving very Uncivil and Scornful Language ; and the Justice took a List of two Hu●dred Names , and upwards , and in a few dayes Convicted and Fined all , viz. Margaret Fox and Thoma● Dockery 20 l. a piece for Preaching , which they levyed upon others of the Meeting then present ; pretending , that they were Strangers , and fled ; though it is well known they have Estates of their own : And T. D. told them , he had an Estate , and where it lay ; and said , He had rather suffer himself , than that it should be laid upon others for his supposed offence . He also levyed 20 l. upon several of the Meeting , for the House ; although he said , He knew the Owner , which is contrary to the Act : For the Owner of the House ought himself to be Fined , except in the Case of Poverty ; which could be no Reason in this Case . Further , this Sr. Peter Leicester's Injustice was manifested , in threatning the Constables , That if they did not execute his Warrants to the utmost , he would bind them to the good Behaviour , and such like Expressions ; bidding them sell a Cow for 5 s. rather then fail , and take enough for themselves : And when the Constables told him , the Persons were poor , and had not whereon to make Distress , he laid six or seven Fines upon one Person that was judged able , besides their own Fine ; and this did not satisfie neither , for he said , The Act was made to short , and that he would have had it made , that they should go to Prison for want of payment , and there lie till they rotted , except they would pay the Fines . And being thus oppressed , several appealed at the Sessions : for which Sr. Peter Leicester , to be revenged on them , pressed to have the O●th of Allegiance tendred to t●em at the Bar , and he stirred up the rest of the Justices to joyn with him against them , except Sr. Thomas Manwaring , who openly refused to joyn in judgment against the Appealants , for that he said , the Record was not right ; nevertheless , the Jury being Persons chosen for the purpose , brought the Appealants in Guilty : The said Peter Leicester having issued out his Warrants , and for that one Meeting , took away Goods and Cattle to the value of above two Hundred Pounds ; a particular Account of which may be produced , if required . There being a peaceable Meeting at the House of Deborah Bushell of Alvandly the 9th day of the 3d Moneth , 1678. Ralph Rutter and Robert Harper , two of the baser sort of Men , and John Davis , Priest of the Parish , joyning with them , informed Sr. Phillip Egerton , called Justice thereof , who fined several Persons upon their Information , and issued out his Warrants to make Distress , viz. Elizabeth Ashbrooke of Frodsham , Widdow , and one that hath six Fatherless Children , fined for her self , the Preacher , and for two of her Children , though one of them was not fifteen Years of Age , the sum of seventeen Pound and seven Shillings ; for which Fine the said Justice directed his Warrants to the Constables of Frodsham , but more especially to Ralph Rutter , the Informer , and to Richard Dobson and Lawre●ce Billington , Bailiffs , in Northwith ; which Bailiffs went to her House , and with a Bar of Iron forcibly broke down her Cow-House Door , and took from her five Cows , worth seventeen Pounds , one of which was returned . John Cheshire of Overton , for being at the same Meeting , and at a Meeting at Newton , the 17th day of the 9th Moneth , 1678. was fined 4 l. for which they distrained his Corn , Hay , a Cart and Wheels , in all to the value of 9 l. and upwards . Mary Trafford for being at the same Meeting , and also at a Meeting at Helsby , the 12th of the 3d Moneth , 1678. had a Cart and Wheeels taken from her , worth 50 s. and upwards : She asked the Officers , who sent them to take away her Goods ; they answered , Parson Davis sent them , whose Mare they also brought to draw the Wheels away . John Brown for being at the Meeting at Newton , was fined 8 l. for the Preacher , and 5 s. for himself , had four Cows , and two young Beasts taken from him , worth 15 l. which Rutter the Informer sold to John Smith and John Tue , two other Informers , for 9 l. John Hodgskin for being at Helsby-Meeting , in the 3d Moneth , 1678. was fined 4 l. for the Preacher , and 10 s. for himself ; and for being at another Meeting was fined 15 s. for himself and his Wife ; for which Fines he had taken from him by the aforesaid Bailiffs , by Warrant from the same Justice , four Cows , worth 13 l. The said John Hodgskin having a Kinsman that had nine Cows taken away for being at a Meeting , and being proffered to Sale , because J. Hodgskin related to a Butcher that they were distrained Goods upon the Act against Meeting , Rutter the Informer in a great Rage went to Sr. Phillip Egerton , and got a Warrant , and threw the said J. Hodgskin into the Common Goal , where he remained a Prisoner untill the next Sessions . Richard Orme for being at the Meeting at Deborah Bushells , had Leather taken from him worth 12 s. for a Fine of 5 s. Jane Lownes , for the same cause had taken Goods worth 12 s. for a Fine of 5 s. Richard Ashbrook and Peter Hatton of Frodsham , for being at the Meeting at Newton the 17th of the 9th moneth , 1678. fined 1 l. 15 s. and had taken from them Goods worth 6 l. Richard Sarrat for being at a Meeting at Helsby , find 8 l. for the Preacher , and 5 s. for himself , and for being at the Meeting at Deborah Bushells , fined 10 s. for which Fines the aforesaid Bailiffs took five Cows from him worth 16 l. the 7th of the 9th moneth ▪ 1678. Deborah Bushell , at whose House the Meeting was , the said Justice Egerton find her 20 l. 5 s. for her self and her Son , for having the Meeting in her House . Thomas Titley of Helsby , for having the Meeting in his House fined 20 l. for which Rutter the Informer , George Whitly a Souldier of the Trainbands , and Arthur Broder Constable , went into his Pasture Ground , and drove up nine Cows , worth 27 l. to the Gate , which being lockt , Rutter the Informer , with a Hatchet forcibly broke the Chain ; and though he pretended he had an Order so to do , yet would shew none , but drove away the Beasts to the Market at Chester , where the Constable was not willing to sell them under the value of 27 l. but because he did not sell them , Rutter threatned him , and made him leave them till next Market day , and then the Constable not selling them , returned them Home again ; but on the 12●h of the 9th Moneth , the Bailiffs , R. Dobson , and one L. Billington , by Warrant from the said Justice Egerton , took the same nine Cows , worth 27 l. and sold five of them for 14 l. and one for 1 l. and the Informer had two himself , and the Priest one . And when these Cattel were put to Sale , Rutter the Informer and Davis the Priest being present , viewing the Cattle and promoting the Sale , one Randol Malin spoke to the Priest to this effect , viz. John Davis , wilt thou take upon thee to be a Preacher of Righteousness , and put men upon taking away and selling their honest Neighbours Goods ? Dost thou believe this will cause an adding to thy Church daily , such as shall be saved ? At these words the Priest fell into a Passion , calling him , Pitiful Rogue , threatning , he would take a course with him ; and said , he could find in his heart to break his Pate : And because he spoke to the Butcher ▪ to whom the Cattel were offered to Sale , he got a Warrant for him also , who was then present with the aforesaid J. Hodgskings , and committed him to the common Goal . The said Randol Malin having some Liberty to go Home to his Family , was on the 17th of the 9th moneth , 1678. at a Meeting in Newton , and for speaking a few words in Prayer to God was fined 20 l. 5 s. for which the said Justice Egreton granted a Warrant to make Distress upon him , and Billington the Bum Bailiff went into his House , and said , In the Kings Name , he would have the Furnace-Pan , and all the rest of the G●ods in the House ; and went out and distrained upon the Corn , and the Hay also . On the 3d day of the 10th moneth , 1678. for the Fine of 20 l. charged on Thomas Titley , as af●resaid , the Bailiffs took from him Goods to the value of 7 l. and upwards , the nine Cows they said being not sufficient to discharge the Fine imposed on him ; and in a few dayes after they came and strained one Cart and Wheels worth 50 s. to carry the Goods away with . Arthur Wilcoxon of Manley , for being at the Meeting at Helsby the 12th of the 3d Moneth , 1678. was fined for part of the Preachers Fine , and for himself 8 l. 5 s. for which they took from him two Naggs and one Mare , which after they had kept some time , and could not sell them , were returned Home again , for which the Officers were sadly threatned by the Justice , to be fined , for neglecting their Duty , as he said . The chief Instrument in prosecuting the aforesaid Persons , was the aforesaid John Davis , Priest of Fro●sham , who when others refused to buy the Goods , would take the Spoil into his own hands , threatning , He would break the Quakers , or they should break him ; and that they should never meet quietly , for he would persue them , or cause them to be persued , whilst he had Breath in his Body . Arthur Wilcoxon of Manley fined 8 l. 10 s. but being not at H●me when the Bailiffs went with a Warrant from Justice Egerton to distrain , the Constables would have had them not to make distress , and they would pay the Justice , thinking thereby to save what they could of Arthur's Goods , which the four Bailiffs would not consent to , except the Constable would pay them 12 d. a piece , and promise to pay the Fines to Rutter the Informer , and not to the Justice , which the Constable refused to do ; so they tooke one Nagg , one Mare and three Beasts , worth 11 l. and delivered them to the said Ralph Rutter the Informer , who sold three Beasts , viz. one Cow and two Heisers for 2 l. 10 s. Richard Sarrat , for being at a peaceable Meeting at Newton the 17th of the 9●h moneth , 1678. fined 8 l. 15 s. for the House , the Preacher and himself , by the aforesaid Justice , for which Fines Thomas Jones and George Bennet of Chester , Bum Bailiffs , took two Horses and a Mare from him , worth 16 l. Thomas Stretch of Overton , for being at a Meeting had two Pots taken from him , valued at 1 l. Richard Orme of Frodsham , Shoe-maker , for being at a Meeting at Newton , the 20th day of the 10th Moneth , 1678. fined 20 s. by Philip Egerton , called a Justice , and had Goods taken from him , worth 26 s. Richard Orme aforesaid for being at a Meeting , the 22d day of the 11th Moneth , 1678. at the same place , was fined by the said Philip Egerton 9 l. for the Preacher , notwithstanding the Person that spoke was able to pay the Fine , if it had been laid on him ; and for this Fine of 9 l. Lawrence Billington and Richard Dobson , two Bum-Bailiffs , without any Officer , forcibly broke open R. Ormes Shop-Door , and took away in Shop Goods , and other Goods , to the value of 8 l. 15 s. Richard Greg of Barrow , for being at a Meeting at Newton , the 11th Moneth , 1678. was fined 8 l. by the said Philip Egerton , for which Ralph Rutter the Informer , and Lawrence Billington , took a Cow out of the said Richard Gregs Pen ; but said , she was ten Pound too light , and therefore went to the Past●re Ground , and took a Mare and six Reerlings , all worth 13 l. This was done without making any demand , or shewing any Warrant , or any of the House having any Knowledge what was done , till informed by Neighbours that heard and saw them ; and they were gone a Mile and a half with the Cattle , before they were overtaken , and then refused to shew their Warrant ; the next Morning the Informer sold the Cattle at Fr●dsham , boasting he had a quick Market : and though they were worth above 13 l. and a Mare they had taken from Richard Sarrat , worth 4 l. they sold all for 4 l. 5 s. as the Man that bought them related . Arthur Willcoxon of Manley , for being at the Meetings at Newton aforesaid , was fined 27 l. 10 s. for himself and the House , for which Fine Philip Egerton aforesaid , granted a Warrant to the aforesaid Ralph Rutter and John Tue , two Informers , and Lawrence Billington , Bailiff , Persons of no Estate , but live upon the Spoil of others , ☞ who sell the Goods they take at what price they please , and taking what , and as much as they please , never accounting for any over-plus ; and the said Justice Egerton telling them , He would justifie them , if they sold Cattle for Twelve Pence a piece : And for the Fines aforesaid , they distrained fifteen Cows and a Bull , one Yoke of Oxen , and a Nag and a Mare , better worth than 70 l. but the Neighbours were greatly disgusted to see the Cattle drove away , and a Woman and several Children stopt the Cattle , and endeavoured to stop them ; at which the Informer being inraged , cryed out , Kill them ; and Billington the Bailiff , with his Pike-Staff , ript a young Girls Lip in a cruel manner , that it bled extreamly ; and People cryed out , Shame of them . And the Informers seeing the Constable present , informed the said Justice Egerton against him and the rest , and the Justice bound him over to his good Behaviour , and said , He should not only pay the Fines , but be fined himself at the Sessions for his neglect , in not assisting the Informers to Strain : The Constable being terrified at the Justices threats , was forced to pay the Fines , and take the Cattle in lieu thereof . The said Arthur Wilcoxon had taken from him before , for the said Fines a Nag , a Mare , and two Heifers , worth 11 l. which were sold by the Informers for 4 l. 10 s. Thomas Peckoe of Stanthorne , for having a Peaceable Meeting in his House , the 12th day of the 12th moneth , 1678. was informed against by William Torkington and John Hussey , Informers , to Peter Venables , Justice , who gran●ed them a Warrant to distrain ; and the aforesaid Informers , accompanied with William Kensey , Constable , came to Thomas Peckoes's House the 13th of the 1st Moneth , 1679. but his Cattle was seized by his Landlord before ; however , they distrained , and would have taken away one Mare and three Calves , had not the Landlord hapned to be there present , and prevented them for carrying them away for that time ; but the Informers being not willing t● go away empty-handed , searched the Cow-House , and finding a Mare , which the Wife of Alexander Laurence had ●id upon to the Meeting that Day , ( he being a Pris●ner for Conscientiously refusing to Swear ) they took the Mare , refusing upon demand , to sh●w any W●rrant for their so doing , but said , they had her , and would keep her . About two dayes after , the same Informers and Const●ble went again to Thomas Peckoe , and to●k the Mare and two Calves away , and searched every Room in the House for Cheese ; but took no more away at that time , the Constable being moderate . On the 13th day of the 1st Moneth afo●esaid , the same Informers and Constable went to Thomas Vernons of Stanthorn , and the Gate being Lockt , the Informer heaved down the Gate , and without making any demand for any Fine ; but hearing the Gate break down , the Girle went forth and found them driving away three Cows , worth 12 l. and two young Beasts , worth 4 l. for a Fine of 10 s. But the Constable and Neighbours seeing their Unreasonableness , passed their Words for the Fine , and took the Cattle into their Custody . James Cleaton fined for himself and his Wife being at the Meeting , 1 l. for which Fine the Informers aforesaid went to his House , and broke down his Door , took five Cows and three Heifers , worth 26 l. but they restored the Cattle , all but one , upon the Constable passing his Word , that the other should be forth coming . The same Informers took from Roger Dickes of Occleston , for a Fine of 15 s. one Mare of his , and another of his Sons , worth 6 l. which they sold for 1 l. Upon the Oath of the same Informers , that there was a strange Preacher that preached at the Meeting at Thomas Peckoes , the 12th day of the 12th Moneth ; And though indeed there was no Preacher nor Preaching ; yet the aforesaid Justice fined William Woodcock 5 l. Thomas Bookly 5 l. Samuel Burrou●hs 5 l. and Ralph Plumly 5 l. though he was not at the Meeting , nor had not been for three Years before at any Quakers Meeting . The Informers coming to Thomas Bookly to make Distress , finding the Cow-House Door fast went away , but meeting with Sr. Jessery Shackerly , he asked them , Whether they had Strained to the purpose ? and bid them to their Duty , or he would Fine them ; they told him the Door was fast ; he bid them break it open and he would stand by them , which they did : But what distress they then made , for the aforesaid Fines , no Account is as yet returned up . Cornwall . AT Loveday Hamblyes House , in the Parish of Austill , there being a Meeting the 1st day of the 2d moneth , 1677. for which she was fined 20 l. for the House , by Joseph Saul , Justice ( so called ) and on the 3d day of the 7th moneth , 1677. John Hodge , Francis Opie , Tristram Carlian , with John Arthur , Matthew Bond and Henry Young , took away from the said Loveday Hambly two H●rses , three Bullocks , twenty three Sheep and one Lamb , all worth 16 l. For part of a Fine of 20 l. laid upon a Preacher , which the Warrant saith was fled , and for 10 s. for Ambross Grosse of Luxillian , Goods were taken from him well worth 10 l. For a Fine of 10 s. upon John Trefry and his Wife , for the same Meeting , and for part of the Preachers Fine , were Goods taken from the said John Trefry worth 4 l. For a Fine of 5 s. upon Peter Godfrey for being at the said Meeting , and for part of the Preachers Fine , and for the Poverty of others , was Goods taken from him worth 3 l. For a Fine of 5 s. upon Philip Ellot , for being at the said Meeting , and Part of the Preachers Fine , and for the pretended Poverty of others , had Goods taken from him to the value of 4 l. For a Fine of 10 s. imposed upon Joseph Growdon and his Wife , for the said Meeting , and for the pretended Offences and Poverty of others , had Goods taken from him by Ralph Jenkin , John Hodge and John Hicks worth 5 l. 11 s. 9 d. For a Fine of 5 s. upon Anne the Wife of Thomas Salthouse , for being at the said Mee●ing , was taken by Tristram Corlian , Francis Opie and Edward Baker , Goods worth 1 l. 3 s. For a Fine of 5 s. upon John Hayes of Fewy , for being at the said Meeting , he had Goods taken worth 1 l. For a Fine of 10 s. upon John Ellott and his Wife , for being at the said Meeting , and for the pretended Poverty of others , Goods were taken from him worth 2 l. For a Fine of 5 s. upon Joseph Ellott , for being at the said meeting , and for the pretended Poverty of others , Goods were taken from him worth 1 l. 10 s. Mary Samble of Enedor , a poor Widdow , for being at the said Meeting was fined 5 s. and for that and the pretended Poverty of others , had Goods taken away to the value of 1 l. 10 s. The 8th day of the 2d Moneth , 1677. being the First day of the Week , Justice Saul come to the Meeting at Tregongeeves with Constables , and several others , where finding serveral Persons peaceably assembled , took their Names , and fined Loveday Hambly 20 l. Thomas Salthouse for speaking in the said Meeting was fined 20 l. and Anne his Wife 5 s. for part of which Fines of 20 l. and 5 s. on the 9th day of the 5th moneth , 1678. John Hex , Edward Baker and Samuel Julian seized on an Acre of Hay of the said Thomas Salthouse's , when it was ready for carrying , which was sold to Anne Came , Widdow , for 13 s. though the Hay was worth 2 l. Joseph Growden for being at the said M●eting a●d for refusing to tell the Names of others , he being then Overseer of the Poor , was fined 5 l. and for himself and his Wife 10 s. and for the pretended Poverty of others had Goods taken from him , for the same Meeting , worth 9 l. The 12th of the 8th Moneth , 1680. There being a peaceable M●eting at Wynor the 12th day of the 7th mon●th , 1●8● . there came two Informers , viz. Thom●s Lander and J●hn Treble of Wynor aforesaid , and with them a Clerk , t● one William Sil●y , called a Just●ce , who took the Names of such as were assembled , and had them b●fore the said Justice , who fined several and grant●d a Warrant for to distr●in their Goods ; and the next Morning the Informer , and Humphry Guy Constable , took from John Peter a Cow , which was all he had to give his Children Milk ; which Cow they sold for 3 l. though it was worth 4 l. Sampson Cosgrave had for the same Meeting a M●re taken from him worth 10 l. which they sold for 5 l. Nicholas Emett had distrained for the same Meeting one Table , one Creek , one Kettle , besides some Pewter , also , they took from under his Wife a Chair she sate in by the Fire , having been in a weak condition for near half a year , and not having another Chair to sit on . Henry Williams had a Mow of Wheat seized , which was sold for 20 s. though it was worth 5 l. Thomas Hicks , Constable , and one of the Informers came to the House of Anne Hendor , a poor Widdow , to leavy her Fine , but finding the Door fast , and no body at home , they lay close , and watched their opportunity when she opened the Door , and thrust in upon her , and took away two Beds with Boulsters , Pillows and Coverlets , Blankets , Sheets , and some Pewter , taking all away , leaving her no Bed to lie on , but the Boards , nor any thing to cover her from the Cold. This is but a hint of what hath been of late in this County ; their Sufferings formerly upon the Act against Coventicles , having been very much to the loss of many Hundred of Pounds . Darbyshire . FOr a peaceable Meeting at Whittenton , the 17th of the 12th Moneth , 1677. at the House of Francis Davenport , several Persons were fined by Franc●s Bur●on called Justice , John Naylor and Richard Lindly Informers ; for which Fines these several Per●ons had Goods taken from them as followeth ; Godfrey Beard , Goods to the value of 1 l. Francis Davenport , Goods to the value of 8 l. 10 s. William Storr , Goods to the value of 7 s. 6 d. Anthony Allen , Goods worth 9 s. Thomas Burbeck , Goods worth 11 s. 6 d. Susanna Frith , Goods worth 10 s. For a Meeting at Tupton , the 29th of the 7th Moneth , 1678. several Persons were fined by Thomas Gladwin , called a Justice , John Stoppart and Gilbert Linker Informers , and had Goods and Cattle taken to the value as followeth ; John Allon of Tibshelfe had taken Goods worth 5 l. 5 s. Thomas Fowke of Holmgate fined 10 s. for himself and his Wife , and 5 l. for an unknown Preacher ; had for the said Fines the most p●rt of his Goods distrained ; a Sale of which Goods b●i●g proclaimed at two Markets , and none being willing to buy them , the Officers acquainted the Justice therewith , and desired to know what they should do ; he told them , If th●y did not raise the Fines , he would Fine them fi●e Pound a piece : Whereupon they had a Cow to Market the second time , but could not sell her , wherefore the Justice still threatned to Fine them ; so that John Marryot the Constable was constrained to sell the Goods at a low rate , viz. for 3 l. to stop the said Justices Mouth , which he did by paying the Money to him . Matthew Hopkinson , Junior , fined 5 s. for being at the said Meeting , and 5 l. for an unknown Preacher , had two Cows taken from him , which being had to the Market , would not sell , and therefore were returned to him , but had some Money stopt that was owing to him for the said Fine . Some others were fined for the same Meeting , some of which being not yet levyed , a further Account cannot be given . Durham . FOr peaceably Assembling to Worship God at St●ckton and Norton , in the Year 1678. these P●rsons following were fined and distrained , by Warrant from George Morland of Wineyard and ●ames Pennyman of Ornsby in Cleaveland in Yorkshire , called Justices ; upon Certificate from the said Morland , who first Convicted them . The Informers , William Wake and Richard Halliman , both of Thorpe Fewlers : The Goods taken by William Adamson Constable , Overseer a●d Warden ; Thomas Hodgson , Warden , Ralph Tindal Overseer , all of Stockton ; Thom●s Austin , spec●al Bail●ff John Manuel , Thomaes Thompson Constables , Robert W●lson Constable , and others in their several places , by virtue of the Warrants from the Justices aforesaid , and for the Fines imposed for the Meeting Houses , and for Richard Watsons Preaching ; although Richard Watson , so soon as he understood Warrants were granted against others in his Name , did in the presence of many Witnesses offer unto the said George Morland , That if he would call in such Warrants , and give them out against him , he would sufficiently make appear that he had Goods and Chattels within the Township of Norton , liable to be taken by his Warrants , to the value of one Hundred Pounds , and upwards : But the said Morland ( except he would pay the Money ) refused to call in the said Warrants . The 9th of the 9th Moneth , 1678. Taken as followeth , in Goods and Cattle , to the val●e of From L. S. D. Simon Townsend , 00 10 00 Robert Pattison , 13 00 00 John Blackeston , 04 00 00 Thomas Chipchase , 04 00 00 Christopher Crosby 5 Cows , 22 00 00 James Peacock , 05 10 00 William Harrison , 06 10 00 Cuthbert Hunter , 07 00 00 Christopher Crosby , 04 00 00 James Peacock , 05 00 00 William Foster , 03 00 00 Money paid upon appeal by Edward Fleatham of Yarme in the County of York , Merchant , 20 l. 15 s. Twenty Pounds of which the said Edward Fleaetham was charged with , for a Fine for the Meeting-House at Stockton ; he being Convicted in his absence , and without summons to appear , neither being fined for the Poverty of any other , nor being the sole Owner of the said House himself , but joynt-Tenant with others , one of whom was also present at the said Meeting ; and although the Judge and several of the Justices of the Sessions , unto whom he appealed , did confess it was contrary to Law that any man should be Convict without hearing , or summons to appear ; yet nevertheless Judgment was given against him . From L. S. D Benjamin Lindly , 00 10 00 John Langstaff of Howlish near Auckland , 10 05 00 Ten Pounds whereof was part of a forty Pound Fine for Richard Watson's Preaching and Teaching ; although Richard Watson did make appear he did but only Pray . From L. D. S. William Smith , 12 00 00 James Peacok , 04 10 00 Robert Herron , 05 00 00 Zachary Herron , 06 00 00 Cuthbert Hunter , 06 10 00 William Harrison , 09 00 00 Richard Watson , 05 00 00 Thomas Chipchase , 02 00 00 Richard Watson , 10 00 00 William Smith , 01 05 06 From L. S. D. Giles Calvert , 00 05 00 Elinor Wheldon , 00 17 00 Daniel Toes , 00 06 00 William Jeckell , 02 06 08 William Laurence , 00 08 00 Robert Hartburn , 01 09 00 John Ushaw , 00 10 00 William Smith , 02 00 00 James Peacock , 04 10 00 Robert Corney , 02 07 06 All the aforesaid Sufferers were convicted in their absence , without any Summons to appear to make answer for themselves before the Face of their Accusers , upon whose Information , whether true or false , they have suffered ; and for the most part are ignorant of what Sum or Sums they were charged with , for whose Offence or Offences , ( when committed ) or what the Offence or Offences were , for which their Goods have been taken ; the Officers usually refusing to shew their Warrants , the Justice forbidding them ; And the Justice himself confessed , in the presence of many Witnesses , That he commanded them not to shew their Warrants . Distresses upon several belonging to Darlington-Meeting , by Warrant from the said G. Morland , Thomas Gathorn and Robert Fowel , Informers . From L. S. D. Edward Fisher , 00 10 00 Joshuah Middleton , 00 10 00 Margaret Crawforth , 00 05 00 Michael Collin , 00 05 00 Robert Truman , 00 06 03 From L. S. D. Edward Fisher , 05 10 00 Cuthbert Tompson , 00 11 06 John Truman , 00 05 00 John Shaw , 00 09 00 Robert Truman , 14 13 00 Thomas Nickson , 00 07 00 Laurence Appleby , 00 06 06 William Dobson , 00 05 00 Michael Collins , 02 10 00 Frances Confitt , 00 08 00 These Ten prosecuted on the Information of William Wake of Thorpe Fewlers , Farmer , and Richard Halliman of the same , Labourer , Informers , by the same Justices Warrant . Frances Confitt , from whom they took a Kettle worth eight Shillings , is a poor Widdow of near Eighty Years of Age , whom the Officers turned out of her House , after the eight Hour at Night , and kept her out of her Bed in violent Frosty Weather , threatning her in such manner , that she was out of hope of Enjoying her House , though she had a Lease of it : And said , They had order for what they did from Justice Morland . Cuthbert Goldsborrough Blacksmith , Watchman with John Foster , Constable of Darlington , at the eleaventh or twelfth Hour in the Night , called to the said Widdow to open her Door , and let them in to look for Jesuits ; and she being a single Woman , and none in the House but her self , told them , she durst not ; for she feared they were Drunk , and would abuse her : Whereupon they got Stones , and as it was judged , after an Hours knocking and bouncing , they broke the Lock , and burst open the Door , and sorely affrighted the poor antient Woman ; and the Neighbours that heard their Threatnings , their Children were sorely affrighted with the noise they made in breaking open the Door . William Hodshon of Cockerton , near Darlington , Yeaman , fined for being at two Meetings , 15 s. and his Son fined for being at one Meeting 5 s. And notwithstanding it hath been made appear to the said Justice Morland by several Witnesses , that the said William Hodshon was not at the first Meeting , for which he was fined 5 s. and therefore was not liable to be fined 10 s. for the second Meeting , because in strictness it could not be accounted more then the first time ; however , there was taken from him a Heifer , worth 3 l. 15 s. And when the Constable went to pay in the Money , he treated with George Morland to abate the 15 s. Because , said he , our Neighbours know that William Hodshon , was not at the first Meeting ; and for his Son Thomas , we know he was then sick of an Ague , and is still ; And I have driven a Heifer , but cannot get her sold , for no Body will buy her . To which George Morland answered , He may take his Remedy against the Informers ; and here is a Man that will buy the Heifer ; meaning William Wake , one of the Informers , saying to him , Lay down the twenty Shillings , and take thou the Heifer . But the Constable answered , He shall not have her . So the Constable was forced to pay the twenty Shillings for the whole Fines . 1680. By Information made by Richard Keenlyside Skinner , George Thompson Blacksmith ▪ George Stubbs Cooper , John Proud Shoemak●r , and several Informations by Cuthbert Shadforth and George Joblin Shoemakers , all of Durham , Warrants were granted forth by John Moorland , Ralph Davison , John Sudbury Dean , Dennis Greenvill Arch-Deacon , Isaac Bassire , Cuthbert Hutchison Mayor , for a Meeting the 27th of the 12th moneth , 1679. Robert Fisher of Durham , Fuller , had taken from him , for a Fine for the Meeting being at his House , and other single Fines , two Mares , six Oxen and three Kine , worth 32 l. Martin Nicholson , Grocer , had taken from him at several times , for several Fines , Goods out of his Shop worth 76 l. Robert Hethrington , Shoemaker , had taken from him , ( for Fines amounting to 3 l. 5 s. ) Goods , viz. Shoes and Boots worth 4 l. William Heighington , Shoemaker , had taken from him , for a Fine of 10 s. Goods wor●h 10 s. 6 d. and Charges of an Appeal , in the recovering of his Goods , taken for his Fathers Fine , and another 10 s. Fine for himself , amounts to 4 l. 10 s. 6 d. Robert Wallas , Shoemaker , had taken from him several times , all the Goods of any value in his Shop , he being but lately set up , for several Fines , worth 7 l. 6 s. 6 d. William Hickson of Shinkley near Durham , Farmer , for a Fine of about 4 l. had taken from him two Oxen worth 7 l. . Richard Hall of Rhamside fined 5 l. 5 s. and his Houshold Goods seized on to the value of 10 l. which his Father would not suffer to be taken away , but paid the Fine of 5 l. 5 s. Richard Hopper of Wellsprings near Durham , had taken from him at several times , for several Fines , two Cows , Pewter , Bedding , and other Houshold Goods , worth 16 l. James Hall of Monck Hasledon , had taken from him , for a Fine of 10 l. 5 s. for being at a Meeting in Durham , five Kine worth 17 l. George Hall of Stockton , for being at the same Meeting had taken from him three Cows and a Steer , worth 12 l. By Information made unto Robert Eden of West Auckland , and Cuthbert Caire of Eller Auckland by John Ande and James Dickson , Constables of Market Auckland , and Warrants granted by them unto the said Informers , for several Meetings , Goods were taken from Friends at Auckland , as followeth . Zachariah Murthwaite , Shoemaker , had taken from him , for Fines of 15 s. six pair of Shoes , worth 17 s. William Spencely , Dyer , had taken from him , for several Fines , Pewter and four Cows , 15 l. 10 s. Anthony Hodgshon , Farmer , had taken from him , for several Fines amounting to about 5 l. three Cows , one of which came back into his Ground , 9 l. Edward Tonstall had taken from him , for the Meeting being at his House , one Horse , one Cow , twelve Pewter dishes , and other Pewter , twelve Rushy Leather Chairs and one Chest of Drawers , worth 18 l. 10 s. John Trotter , Tanner , had taken from him , for several Fines amounting to about 5 l. one Hide and two Cows , worth 7 l. 6 s. James Trotter , Dyer , had taken from him , for several Fines amounting to about 5 l. two Cows worth 7 l. Note , These with several Fines not yet leavyed , and the Informers giving out to distrain again , for some of the same Fines already leavyed , with their selling of the Sufferers Goods in private , much under their real worth , not bringing them to the open Market within their Liberties , with insulting Language , which they suffer from them , their threatning to break Locks , their summoning some of them to appear before them at their Houses to give an Account of their Debts , as if they were Justices of the Peace ; their several false Oathes in their Informations . All which may be made appear , if desired : And some have been stript so bare , they have not left them a Cow to give the Children Milk. The value of the Loss of our Goods and Cattle for Meeting .   L. S. From the Year 1670. to 1676. amounts to 730 19 In the Year 1677. the Loss amounts to 120 00 In 1678. 208 16 In this Year 239 15 Total 1299 11 Ralph Nicholson Martin Nicholson Emanuel Grice John Heighington William Heighington Robert Wallas Robert Hethrington Edward Tonstall Richard Hopper . Devonshire . Burrough of Plymouth , the 5th of the 2d Moneth , 1677. UPon Information given to the Mayor , Andrew Horsman , by a Souldier of the Garrison , came the said Mayor and three Justices more , and three Constables , and they forcibly dispersed the Meeting , and fined one Richard Samble , who was then speaking , twenty Pounds . The next Meeting after being the 7th day of the Moneth , and the first day of the Week , we were gathering together in our Meeting-house ; upon further Information of two Souldiers of the Garrison to ●he Mayor , he with two Justices more came to the Meeting , and when they had taken our Names , the said Mayor and Justices with violence haled us forth the Meeting-house into the Street , and then set a Guard upon the Door to keep us out ; and the said Richard Samble being there again ( whom before , as above , they had fined 20 l. ) they took him away with a Guard , and so kept him till Evening , and convicted him , and fined him again 40 l. for speaking . So , from the 7th of the 2d moneth , to the 30th of the 7th moneth following , we were kept out in the Street , out of our Meeting-house three times a Week , and then that day we had a peaceable Meeting within the H●use , and it was the first day of the Mayralty of William Tomes ; but afterwards the said Mayor kept us out of the Meeting-house , and we met in the open Street , as before , three times a Week , enduring the Extremity of the Cold , and Bitterness of the Storms all the Winter , as well as the Heat of the Summer , receiving much Abuse of the Rabble and Rude Multitude that gathered about us ; and sometimes the Officers and Souldiers of the Garrison throwing Squibs of Fire , & hot burning Coles from the Hearth out of a Window upon us , and Glasses of Beer , Wine , and nasty filthy Excrements , with Punshings and Railings , which were too tedious to relate The 30th of the 10th Moneth being the first day of the Week , we being met in the Street , the aforesaid Richard Samble being at the said Meeting , and being on his Knees at Prayer , John Martyn called a Justice , coming by , the said Martyn came amongst us , and haled the said Richard Samble from his Knees , calling him Rogue ; and saying , Are you come again ? and took him and committed him to a Guard , and then in the Evening he and the Mayor convicted him , and the next day laid a Fine upon four of us that was at the said Meeting , for Forty Pounds , for the said Richard Samble's Fine , to each of us Ten Pounds a piece , yet kept the said Richard Samble one whole night and part of a day in Prison , and then released him . At another time , one declaring in the Street , came a Souldier and beat him with great Violence . And thus with great Disturbance we kept our Meetings in the Street , from the 5●h of the 2d moneth , 1677. to the 1st of the 3d moneth , 1678. being more than twelve Moneths . M●ny Warrants were given forth for Distresses upon some of us , but the Constables being moderate , little of Distress was taken , only from Robert Cary , there the Constables forced into his Shop , and took from him in Goods , in Sugar and Strong Waters , by Computation to to the value of Twenty Four Pounds , and carried it away , and the said Officers sold it at a publick Survay in the Street , and it was sold for four Pound thirteen Shillings ; but two moderate men , his Neighbours bought it , in kindness to the said Robert Cary , without his knowledge ; and after they had taken out from the Sugar so much as they had paid out for the said Goods , did return all the rest again to the said Robert Cary ; but in all this time we had very little of Distresses taken from us besides this . This very bri●fly is the substance of our Sufferings , but the whole manner , if it written , would contain several Sheets . The Truth of which is testified in the behalf of the rest of the Sufferers , by Arthur Cotten . 1678. Cullumpton-Meeting . THe 25th of the 12th moneth , 1676. came Anthony Salter , Informer , to our Meeting , who went from the said Meeting , and Informed the Justices of the said Meeting , namely , William Walrond and Samuel Sainthill , who gave forth their Warrants for Distre●s , upon such who were at the said Meeting , as followeth . The 11th day of the 2d moneth , 1677. came Thomas Axe , John Mudford , William Fowler , Robert Coleman , William Richards ( Constables ) Anthony Salter , Informer and Warden , and Thomas Barron , Warden , to the House of Thomas Stampro , who being not at h●me , they unlocked the Door of his House ( the Key being in the door ) went into his House , and took from him , for a Fine of 15 s. 2 l. 10 s. The same Officers came to the House of Grinvell Yeo , and for 5 s. took 14 s. The same Officers came to the House of Abel Downe , and for 1 l. took 1 l. 10 s. The same Officers came to the House of Robert Ellicott , and for 1 l. 10 s. took 3 l. The same Officers came to the House of Thom●s Fry , and for 3 l. took 4 l. The same Offi●ers came to the House of Richard Old , and for 5 s. took 10 s. The same Offic●rs came to the House of Richard Seach , and for 1 l. took 2 l. The 24th of ●he said moneth came George Rutson Constable , William Hellmon and VVilliam Hill , Wardens of Kentish Beere , to the House of Anthony Henson , and for 5 s. took 15 s. Alexander Richards Witnesses . Thomas Fry Witnesses . Robert Elicott Witnesses . Grinvell Yeo Witnesses . The 19th of the 6th Moneth , 1677. For a Meeting at Cullumpton , the 25th of the 12th Moneth , 1676. Robert Gudridge of Helcomb Regis fined for the House 20 s. for two others 10 s. and for himself 5 s. for which he had taken from him seven Sheep , worth 35 s. by Kerslake Constable , and others ▪ by Warrant from William Walrond and Samuel Sainthill , Justices . Robert Guddridge for being at another Meeting at Cullumpton the 7th of the 1st Moneth , 1676. was fined for the House or Preacher 10 l. and for himself 10 s. And by Warrant from Samuel Sain●hill aforesaid , had distrained and taken fro● him seven Bullocks , three of them sold , worth 13 l. 1● s. and four returned again . Joseph Paule of the same place , for being at the same Meeting , fined 20 s. for himself and others ; had distrained by the same Justices Warrant , and by the same Officers executed , Goods worth 18 s. 6 d. George Smith of the same , fined 10 s. for being at the same Meeting ; had distrained by the same Officers , by the same Justices Warrant , one pair of Worsted Combs worth 5 s. John Richardson of Bradniuch and his Wife for being at two Meetings at Cullumpton , and one at Bradniuch , fined 1 l. 5 s. for which , by Warrant from that aforesaid Justice , he had distrained and taken from him Goods worth 33 s. 6 d. taken by Richard Coggan , Michael Nex and William Bendel Constables , and others . Robert Pottle of the same , for being at two Meetings at Cullumpton aforesaid , and one at Bradniuch , was fined for himself , Wife and Son , 4 l. 5 s. and by the same Justices Warrant , and the same Officers had distrained and taken from him five Pewter Platters worth 10 s. the Officers not finding Goods sufficient to answer their Ends. Kingsbridge , the 21st of the 8th Moneth , 1677. Upon the Information of Paucars Cooke , Sexton of Dodbrooke , William Cooke his Son , and James Matthews , all of Dodbrooke , to John Beare , and one Kelland , called Justices , that there was a Meeting at Woodhouses in the said Parish , several were fined by the said Justices , who also granted Warrants to make Distress as followeth . William Hingstone of Kingsbridge , fined 20 l. John Brooking of the same 1 l. Michael Lee of Bridge-Town near Totnes 1 l. The 13th day of the 9th Moneth , 1677. the Officers , viz. Michael Martin , John Bunker , Robert Bull , Anthony Putt , John Dyning , Constables ; Thomas Two , Thomas Teede and Thomas Adams , Overseers for the Poor , distrained , viz. of Michael Lee to the value of 1 l. 9 s. Samuel Jarvis had taken , the 29th of the same Moneth , by Jonas Holdish , Goods to the value of 7 s. 6 d. Samuel Jarvis had taken to the value of 13 s. 10 d. William Hingstone had taken by the Officers of Kingsbridge , in Timber , and a whole Reek of Wood , whi●h eight Men were from nine in the Morning till five at Night , throwing out of his Court over a Neighbours Wall , in all to the value of 35 l. 15 s. Cullumpton , the 23d of the 4th Moneth , 1679. William Leach of the same place fined for being at a Meeting there the 7th day of the 1st Moneth , 1678. 3 l. for which the Officers having a Warrant to make distress , viz. Hugh Hole , Robert Westcombe , John James , Constables , and others , took from the said William Leach , Brass and Pewter to the value of 4 l. 9 s. Dorsetshire . FOr a Meeting in Bridport in the said County , the 8th of the 8th Moneth , 1680. several Persons , called Quakers were fined , Thomas Bagg of Bridport 9 l. 10 s. Daniel Taylor of the same 9 l. 15 s. Humphry Sprague of the same 8 l. upon the Oath of Thomas Nossiter a Lawyer , and William Bond a Bum-Bailiff , two Informers , by Joseph Bishopp , and Thomas Ellis , two called Justices , and are Bailiffs of Bridport , who also granted Warrants to make Distress of their Goods ; and one Robert Ironside Constable of Bridport executed the said Warrants , and took from Hum●phry Sprague of Bridport two Brass Pots , two Caldrons , one Posnet Skillet , one Warming-Pan , one Pewter Dish , to the value of about 3 l. James Jacobs had taken from him a piece of Sole Leather , one Shoe , and his Working Tools . Thomas Bagg had taken from him eight pieces of White Linnen , some of it Ossingbrigs , some broad Dutch Dowlass , and broad Hamborrough Cloth , two pieces and a half of Woolen Cloth , worth Sixteen or Seventeen Pounds . Daniel Taylor had taken from him for the same Meeting five pieces of White Ossingbriggs , and three pieces of Woolen Cloth , worth about Eleavn or Twelve Pound ; the Constable threatning he had not enough , but must come again and again . William Smith of Kingcomb in the said County , for being at the aforesaid Meeting was fined 9 l. 10 s. for his own , and the pretended Poverty or Offences of others ; in order to leavy which Fine , the Bailiffs of Bridport aforesaid , sent a Certificate to two Justices , living near the said William Smith , who granted a Warrant to make distress ; but the Warrant being directed to a wrong Constable , he would not execute it , and the Justices that granted it being gone to London before the Warrant was Executed , Thomas Nossiter the Lawyer , and one of the Informers aforesaid , knew not how to come by his Prey , altered the Warrant himself , directing it to the right Constable ; and when he had so done , orders the Constable to meet him at William Smiths House , where , when he came and found the Door shut got a Smith's Sledge and broke it open , ( though the Constable was against it ) & took away a parcel of Bodice Tick , Stockens , Cloth and Searge , to the value of about 9 l. Though the said William Smith is but a mean Man , and hath a Wife and several small Children . For a Meeting in Bridport , the 13th of the 9th Moneth , 1680. Daniel Taylor of Bridport , for a Fine of 9 l. 10 s. for being at the said Meeting , the 19th of the 9th Moneth , had taken from him one piece of gray Cloth twenty two Yards , and seventy eight Yards of Gray Searge in five pieces , most of them being cut , worth in all 11 l. 17 s. Thomas Bagg of Bridport the same time , for a Fine of 7 l. 10 s. for being at the same Meeting , had taken one piece of good brown Ossingbriggs , fifteen Yards of broad White Callice , one half piece Black Worsted Baratine , and part of four pieces more of sad-coloured Worsted Baratine , being about sixty six Yards of Baratine , in all worth 8 l. 10 s. Taken by Robert Ironside , Constable , by Warrant from Thomas Ellis and Joseph Bishop Bailiff , and Justices for the Town of Bridport . Gloucestershire . AT a Meeting of the People of God at Frenchay , the 13th day of the 4th Moneth , 1677. one John Merideth , called a Justice , fell upon William Bennet and beat him sorely , and also beat William Wade : And the 20th day of the same Moneth , at the same place , in the High Way near the Meeting-House he found John Silcock , and he took him by the Hair of the Head , and pluckt him into the Meeting-House Yard , and then drew his naked Knife , and said , He would m●rk him ; but his own Clark and others stepped in and prevented him , otherwise it was verily thought he would have done the said Silcock some great Mischief . The 23d of the same Moneth , coming to the same place , he demanded of George Peace what his Name was ; and because he gave not his Name suddainly , the said Justice drew his Kife upon him ; but one of his Servants restrained him from his wicked purpose . The 27th day of the same Moneth , at the same place , the said John Merideth took John Bawn and pulled him by the Hair of the Head , and after that finding him in the High-Way the same day , he fell upon him and beat him after a very Cruel and Barbarous manner . And the said Justice Merideth did beat John Fryer and Joseph Glover , two Officers , because they refused to pull and hale People , as he would have them ; Several others were also sorely beaten by him ; and he broke five Glass Windows with his Staff , not leaving so much as one whole Quarrel , and caused the Benches and Fourms to be cut in pieces . John Boy of Luckington , for three several Fines for being at Meetings , had Goods taken from him worth 11 l. by Warrant from Gabriel Low , called Justice : And the Officers , when they seized upon the Sufferers Goods , belonging to Bodmanton Meeting , did say , They were charged by the said Gabriel Low to take all they could find , and that which was not worth a carrying away , they should burn it , or break it to pieces ; insomuch that Thomas Holbrow , an old Blind man and his Wife , and several other poor People had not a Bed left them , but their Lodging was on Straw for several Weeks ; and the Blind man and his Wife had lain above eleaven Moneths on Straw , when the Account was sent up ; and when Clothes were lent them by their Friends to keep them warm in the cold Season , the Officers took part of them away ; And this Cruelty and Spoil did not suffice , but the poor Blind man , and one Henry Ashby of Hawksbury Upton , were Indicted for not going to the publick Worship , and by a Sessions process were apprehended and carryed to the Goal . Goods and Cattle taken for Meeting to worship God at Frenchhay , by Warrant from the said John Meredith , under a pretence of Breach of the late Act against Conventicles . 1. From Thomas Hill , eight Cows worth 30 l. 2. One Yoke of Oxen from him , worth 10 l. 3. Two Heifers of his Childrens ( his own Cattle being all taken ) to the value of 7 l. 4. One Waggon and one Wane worth 11 l. 5. Twelve load of Barley worth 25 l. From Richard Tiper the worth of 5 l. 11 s. For Meetings at Olveston , several Persons were Fined , and Distresses were made by Warrant from Francis Fane , called Justice , for the last Year , and this Year , being 1678. as followeth . Walter Sommers had four Cows taken from him worth 20 l. Francis Puinell four Bullocks and six Cows worth 34 l. Thomas Wyther four Cows worth 16 l. Richard Adams one Horse worth 8 l. William Peasly two Cows worth 8 l. William Culliford one Mare and Colt worth 10 l. John Pocker two Cows worth 8 l. Samuel Thurston two Horses worth 8 l. Edward Hill , one Horse , four Yearlings , two Calves and eight Sheep , worth 14 l. John West two fat Cows worth 10 l. 10 s. Jonathan Russell five Beasts worth 20 l. John Hollister Goods sold for 3 l. John Orchards Goods sold for 2 l. Nathaniel Thurston had Corn distrained ; but the Officers not finding Sale at a reasonable value , and seeing the Severity of the Justices in Fining others who had not sold the Distresses , were constrained for fear to lay down the Fine , viz. 10 l. John Edmunds had also Corn distrained , and the Officers for the aforesaid Reason did the like , and laid down 10 l. These several Officers following were fined , under a pretence of neglecting their Duty ; when in reality the occasion was , because they brought not to the Justices the Fines imposed ; though they did alledge , and could prove , that they had made Leavies , and the Goods remained in their Custodies for want of Sale , Officers Names that were Fined . L. S. D. John Seager fined 05 00 00 Thomas Stephens fined 00 05 00 Robert Hancock fined 02 00 00 William Richards fined 02 00 00 William Hollister fined 02 00 00 John Hancock fined 05 00 00 An Account of further Distresses for Meeting in Olveston by VVarant from the same Justice , 1678. From L. S. D. Joseph Comings , 16 00 00 John Cooksey , 01 16 00 William Pichard , 07 00 00 From L. S. D. Edward Parker , 03 00 00 Samuel Th●rston , 02 04 00 Philip Mansell , 02 00 00 Richard Adams , 09 00 00 William VValkins , 06 00 00 VVilliam Rogers , 12 00 00 Maurice Smith , 14 00 00 Christopher Young , seven Cows taken worth 25 00 00 William Smith , 15 00 00 Thomas Sturge , taken from him in Cattle worth 18 00 00 Jonathan Russell , 10 00 00 VValter Summers , 09 00 00 Thomas Perryman , 05 00 00 Edward VVyther , 05 00 00 John Griming , 10 00 00 Edward Budding , 05 00 00 Joseph Sturge , in Cattle 05 00 00 Herefordshire . THere being a peaceable Meeting at Hereford the 19th of the 3d Moneth , 1678. one VVilliam Russell went to Thomas Matthews , the Mayor , and informed against them , who fined James Ext●n of Burghill , and John Barber of Hereford City , twenty Pounds a piece ( as Owners of the Meeting-House ) for a second default , for which Fine James Exton had taken from him out of the Market one Horse and Pad , and other Furniture , worth 5 l. 10 s. and John Barber had taken from him to the value of 5 l. by John Iones , one of the Mayors Serjants . Iohn Carver then fined , and had taken from him Goods worth 4 s. Robert VVoodliff fined , and had taken from him Goods worth 15 s. 6 d. Leicestershire . UPon the 22d day of the 4th moneth , 1679. there being a Meeting to wait upon and worship God at the House of Edward Erbye of Broughton ; John Smith of Remson in the County of Nottingham , an old Informer , who had been the Ruin of many Families in that County , and finding his Prey began to fail there , he comes into Leicestershire , and in the Meeting aforesaid finding the Persons assembled ( being about sixteen in number ) sit silent , he used some uncivil words to provoke them to speak , that so he might Swear there was a Preacher ; but not prevailing , he went out and fetcht in his Companion Thomas Simkin of Thornton ( a Person not long since in the Goal for Fellony ) John Heele , Constable , being present , gave the Informers the Names of all he knew , and the rest they took before one Justice Cole , who shewed great Injustice in endeavouring to fine for a Speaker or Preacher , when there was no Preacher there , but that failing , he fined Edward Erbye , the man of the House , 20 l. notwithstanding he was a Prisoner at that time for Conscience sake ( being committed to Prison several moneths before , with John Swaun , junior , of little Peatling , and one Thomas Pittsoe for refusing to Swear , which Imprisonment of theirs was occasioned by the Instigation of William Cotton , Priest of Broughton aforesaid . The Informer came with the Officers , and broke open the House of the said Edward Erbye , and took away all his Houshold Goods that were worth taking , to the value of much more than the Fine , and sold them to Thomas Cotton , the Priests eldest Son ; not leaving Edward Erbyes Wife , ( who was an antient weakly Woman ) so much as a Bed to lie on . At another Meeting the 29th day of the same moneth , at the Widdow Townsends at Broughton , there came John Smith , Informer aforesaid , who finding several Persons sitting Silent , Informed the aforesaid Justice Cole thereof , who immediately directed his Warrant to the Ofcers of the said Parish who , for 8 l. Fine imposed upon the Widdow Townsend , took away all her household Goods , except one hanging Press and one Bedsteed , which Goods were valued at 23 l. they also took away the Daughters Wearing Cloathes and Apparel for the Mothers Fine . Sarah Hilton of Sapcott , an antient poor Widdow , and her two Daughters , and Alice Griffin of the same Town , were all fined 3 l. for being at the Meeting at Broughton aforesaid ; and the said Sarah Hilton had Goods taken from her to the value of between four and five Pounds , by Warrant from the said Justice Cole . J●hn Smith Informer . Richard Bayly of Broughton Fined for being at a Meeting , by the said William Cole , 7 l. 10 s. for which John Heele Constable , took from him seven Heifers , worth 12 l. William Brookes fined 10 s. for which they took Goods worth 19 s. James Parker of Dunton , riding by when they were carrying out Edward Erbyes Goods , for refusing to assist the Officers , was fined 5 l. Nicholas Pawley of Whetstone , for being at a Meeting at Broughton the 6th day of the 5th moneth , 1679. was h●d before William Cole aforesaid , with eleaven or twelve P●rsons more , by the said John Smith Informer , who t●ld the Justice he had brought them from a Meeting at Broughton : Nicholas Pawley said , there was never a word sp●ken ; the Informer said , That was True. Well ( said William Cole ) then you save 20 l. for a Preacher ; but you must pay 5 s. a piece for hearing ; and proceeded to Fine Nicholas Pawley 10 l. 5 s. The next Morning the Informer came to Whetstone , and threatned the Officers to have them fined , if they did not distrain ; and Nicholas Pawley having but one Cow , the Constable took her and sold her to a Butcher for 20 s. and aft●rwards broke open his Barn door , and set men to thresh out all his Corn , though he had nothing but what he got by his Labour ; the Corn and Pease they thresht , they sold for 10 l. so the whole they took was 11 l. William Allen of Whetstone , in the same Year , through the Information of the same Informer , by the said William Cole fined 10 l. 5 s. which a Kinsman , no Quaker , paid . Thom●s Shenton of Cosbey , fined for himself and his Wife 5 l. 10 s. for being at the Meeting at Broughton , and by Warrant from the aforesaid William Cole , the Officers distrained and took from him two Cows and five Ewes and L●mbs , which the Constable Francis Saunt could not sell presently ; wherefore William Cole fined him 5 l. for a Neglect in the Execution of his Office , which he was fain to pay ; and then William Cole gr●nted a Warrant to other Officers , who broke open T. Shenton's Doors and took all the Goods in his House and about his Ground ; but his Neighbours being grieved to see all his Goods like to be made Havock of , paid the Fine , and took part of the Goods for their satisfaction . The 16th day of the 9th moneth , 1679. John Evatt of Castle Dumington , in the said County , having a peaceable Meeting at his House , was Informed against by John Smith , and one Whittle , to Thomas Lord Beamsunt , Robert Lord Ferrers and Henry Kendall , called Justices , who issued forth Warrants for Distresses as followeth . John Evatt , for a Fine of 10 l. 5 s. was distrained by Michael Pim , Constable , and two other Officers ; and because the Goods were but of a mean value , Thomas , called Lord Beamount commanded the Officers to sell them , if it were but for the thirtieth part of t●e worth of them ; so they sold all his Goods they distrained for 7 s. William Howett for being at the said Meeting fined 5 s. for himself , and 10 l. for the Poverty of John Evatt , and had his Goods distrained , and part sold. And four Officers , viz. John Bradshaw , called Church-Warden , Henry Pim Overseer , John Gettly Thirdburrough , and Michael Pim Constable , were fined 5 l. a piece , for neglect of their Offices ; but they proving the Informers had given false Information against them , with much cost and trouble got their Fine● remitted . Thomas Glover fined 5 s. which his Son paid . William Marshall of Wimswould , for having two peaceable Meetings at his House , one being the 14th day of the 10th moneth , 1679. and the other on the 15th day of the 12th moneth , 1679. through the Information of John Smith was fined 20 l. by Justice Pochen , and had a Cow taken from him worth 2 l. 13 s. 4 d. which was sold to the said John Smith Informer , for 1 l. 6 s. 8 d. John Fox of Wimswould , through the Information of the said John Smith , was fined by the said Justice Pochen Twenty Pounds for being at the same Meetings , for the Poverty of the above-named William Marshall , and 15 s. for himself ; for which Fines he had taken from him Goods to the value of 23 l. 15 s. his House being broken open to take the said Goods ; and the said John Smith bought most of the said Goods for 7 l. so they said they must come again and distrain for more , to make up the Sum ; and in the 7th moneth , 1680. they did come again , and distrained for more , & took from him two Brass Pans , and one Brass Pot , for the same Fines , worth 30 s. Elizabeth Shepheard was fined 5 s. for being at one of the said Meetings , and had a Hog taken from her , worth 10 s. William Waite was fined 5 s. for the first , and 10 s. for the second Meeting , for his Wife 's being there . Edward Belton was fined 5 s. for his Wife being at one of the said Meetings . It is supposed the Money was paid , they being no Quakers . Note , Some of the Officers being unwilling to make the Distresses , the Informer got Warrants against them , to two chief Constables , who made Distress of the Officers Goods , so that they were forced to pay above Twenty Pounds to have their Goods again ; and afterwards the said Smith , the Informer caused them to be sent to Goal , and to be bound over to the next Sessions to execute their Warrants . The 28th day of the 1st moneth , 1680. John Smith Informer , came into the House of John Evans of Wigston , when the Meeting was breaking up , and several Persons were gone out of the house , and neither any Preaching nor Teaching , nevertheless William Cole fined him 20 l. and the Officers made a Distress of his Cows , and sold three of them . The same John Evans for being at a peaceable Meeting at Kinghton the 4th day of the 2d mone●h , 1680. was fined by the said William Cole 30 s. And for having a Meeting at his own House the 11th day of the 2d moneth , 1680. Henry Beamount , Justice , fined him 5 l. notwithstanding there was no Information of any Preaching or Teaching in any of the three Meetings . And on the 1st day of the 3d moneth , 1680. the Officers came and made distress of five Beasts and two Swine , and at Leicester sold two of the Beasts , and the two Swine ; and on the 5th day they took twenty five Sheep out of his Fold , and the 6th day they sold them ; and on the 18th day of the 3d moneth , 168● . the Officers came again , and took away two of his best Horses , and fetched Hay out of his Yard . The same John Evans , for being at a Meeting at Kinghton the 30th day of the 3d moneth , 1680. was fined for himself 10 s. for his Wife and his Sons 20 s. and for being at a Meeting the 13th of the 4th moneth , 1680. was fined 20 s. and for the Poverty of others he was find 3 l. 10 s. for which Fines they took away from him two Cows worth 3 l. Francis Broughton of Wigston and his Wife , for being at some of the Meetings were fined , and they took away from him a Pigg worth 8 s. Samuel Pauley for the same Offence ( so called ) was fined , and they took from him a Pot and a Pan worth 20 s. they also seized of a Table & Coffer , for a Fine of 5 s. Anne Mould of Wigston was fined 25 s. for being at three of these Meetings ; her Husband not being a Quaker paid it . John Vittall and Richard Chamberlaine of Killby for being at a peaceable Meeting at the House of John Evans of Wigston the 28th of the 1st moneth , 1680. were fined 20 s. by the said William Cole , through the Information of John Smith the Informer ; and also for being at a Meeting at Kinghton the 4th day of the 2d moneth , 1680. at the House of Anne Wells ; they were fined by the same William Cole 4 l. John Smith the Informer . And also for being at a Meeting at the house of Iohn Evans in Wigston the 11th day of the 2d moneth , 1680. Iohn Smith the Informer had them , the said Iohn Vittall and Richard Chamberlain before Henry Beamount aforesaid , who fined them 17 l. 10 s. And for the said Fines the Officers took away from Rich●rd Chamberlaine seven Beasts worth 12 l. And for the Fines aforesaid the Officers took away from Iohn Vittall five Beasts and a three year old Colt ; worth 14 l. Notwithstanding William Paybody the Constable , and the other Officers took these Goods as Iohn Vittalls , they cannot be proved to be his , his Mother and he living together , and what they have is joyntly together . Samuel Wilson of Leicester for being at a Meeting at the House of Anne Wells in Kinghton , on the 30th day of the 3d moneth , 1680. was fined for himself 5 s. and for his Daughter 5 s. and for the Poverty of several other Persons he was fined 6 l. more . For the Fines aforesaid Th●m●s Graunt , the Constable of Braunston Gate , took from him one Mare , two Cows and one yearling Heifer , worth about 11 l. by Warrant from the same William Cole , by the Information of the same John Smith . John Penford of Branston Gate near Leicester , being in Kin●hton Town Street with some Friends , the 13th day of the 4th moneth , 1680. the same Informer , I●hn Smith , with his man , came , who to●k him , the said Iohn Penford , with several others to Justice Beamounts , he being not at home left them ; afterwards he went to the aforenamed William Cole , who fined him , for him●elf 5 s. and for the pretended Poverty of nine more fined him 4 l. 10 s. more , and granted his Warrant to Thomas Graunt , Constable of Branston Gate , who distrained three of his Cows , to the value of Ten Pounds ; but he putting in Appeal , cast the Informer at the next Qu●rter-Sessions . Samuel Wilson of Leicester , for being at the same Me●-was fined 20 s. for himself and his Wife , and had taken from him a Horse loaden with Malt , to the value of 5 l. but a Neighbour of his paid the Fine ; and Thomas Graunt Constable took 2 s. 6 d. for distraining : This was done by Warrant from the same William Cole . Godfry Smith of Burton for being at a peaceable M●eting on the 11th day of the 5th moneth , 1680. at the House of William Marshall , junior , was Sworn against by Iohn Smith the Informer , and Edward Rickett his man ( for being at an Assembly under pretence of Exercise of Religion , in other manner than according to the Litur●y of the Church of England ) before Christopher Pack , called Justice , who granted a Warrant against him to leavy the sum of 10 l. 5 s. by distress and sale of his Goods , viz. 10 s. for himself and Wife , and 9 l. 15 s. f●r an unknown Person ( whom the Informers Swore took up●n him to Preach or Teach ) Thomas Norris , Constable of Burton , took from him seven Beasts worth 20 l. Note , Th●re was but three men at that M●eting , b●sides the Informers and Officers ; and n●n● of th●m t●●k up●n him to Preach or Teach . So because the Informers Swore falsly , he appealed to the Sessions ; but the Jury did not agree of their Verdict , although there was much striving and threatning to fine Two Hundred Pounds , to make the Jury to bring in their Verdict for the Informers . John Fox of Wimswould was fined for being at the same Meeting 10 l. 10 s. One pound for him and his Wife , and 9 l. 10 s. for the unknown Preacher , though there was no Preaching nor Teaching , and but three men in the Meeting besides Informers and Officers . William Marshall , Senior , for being at a Meeting Fined 21 l. One pound for himself and his Wife , and 20 l. for the House , though he neither owned it , nor dwelt in it , but because William Marshall , Junior , was not at Home , they caused the Fine to be laid upon his Father . Elizabeth Shepheard for being at a Meeting was fined 10 s. for her self , and 5 s. for her Daughter Bridgets being there . Elizabeth Freeman of Leicester , Widdow , that comes amongst us , was prosecuted on the Statute of 20 l. a moneth , and for Non-payment of it , was committed to Prison by the Town-Session at Leicester , on the 27th day of the 7th moneth , 1680. Elizabeth Wale of Leicester , Widdow , for being in the Town Street at Kinghton the 8th day of the 6th moneth , 1680. there being no Speaking , was fined 10 s. by Thom●s Stavely , called Justice , through the Information of John Smith the Informer , the Officers distrained of her Pewter and Brass to the value of 2 l. 5 s. A Neighbour paid the Fine and redeemed the Goods . At the same time Samuel Hefferd was fined for the same Meeting 10 s. Not yet distrained . John Evans of Wigston for being in the Street at Knighton the same day , there being no Speaking , was fined for himself and others 3 l. his Cart was distrained , the value 3 l. 15 s. Justice Stave●y , so called , granted the Warrant ; the Informers were John Smith of Remson , and his man. Note , The Informer at this Meeting , in the Street , did endeavour to Ride over some Friends , made anothers Nose bleed , bit another by the Arm ; pushed and haled about several , who did not in the least oppose him . Margaret Townsend of Broughton , Widdow , for having a peaceable Meeting at her house , the 22d day of the 6th Moneth , 1680. was fined 20 s. by William Cole , called Justice , and had Goods taken from her to the value of 40 s. and upwards ; Iohn Smith of Remson the Informer . Richard Bailiffe for being at the same Meeting was fined 20 s. by the same William Cole , and had Goods taken from him to the value of 30 s. and upwards . Edward Erbye for his Wife fined 10 s. by the same William Cole , and had a load of Hay taken out of his Barn by the Officers . This same Edward Erbye , of the Parish of Broughton , was through the Instigation of William Cotton , the Pri●st of Broughton , committed to Prison with Iohn Swaun , Junior , of Little Pealting , and one Thomas Pittstow , almost two Years since , and still remain Prisoners , only because they for Conscience sake could not Swear . William Brookes of the same Parish , for his Wife being at the same Meeting , was fined 10 s. and had Goods t●ken from him to the value of 25 s. by Warrant from W. Cole ; Iohn Smith the Informer . Note , that these four above-named , had their Goods spoiled , some Moneths before , only for peace●bly meeting together to wait upon God. William Tilley for the same Meeting fined 5 s. his Kinsman , no Quaker , paid it . Thomas Pole for being at the same Meeting , was fined by Warrant from William Cole ; the Officers Richard Winfield , Ralph Winfield , Robert Tyler and William Coye , came the 4th of the 8th Moneth 1680. about the ninth or tenth Hour in the Night , and took away his Beddings , and his other Goods , to the value of 7 l. They went so near , as to take Childrens Cradles , Dishes and Spoons , even to old Hose and Shoes , he being a poor Man ; also took a Child out of the Bed , and laid it upon the bare Floor , and took the Bed away . Rich●rd Read of Syleby for being at the same Meeting was fined 10 l. 10 s. by the same William Cole , through the Information of the same Iohn Smith and his man , the Informers ; and upon the 30th day of the 7th Moneth , 1680. the Constables and other Officers , being threatned much by the Informer , and the Justice both , to be fined for not doing their Office , they then broke open his Doors , and took his Houshold-Goods , Bedding and Loomes , and other Goods , to the value of 10 l. they took all , insomuch that they left him neither Bedding nor a Chair to sit in ; so that he and his Family were forced to seek their Loding in the Town . John Ward , Junior , of Kinghton , for being at the same Meeting at Broughton , was fined by the same William Cole , called Justice 10 l. and upwards ; the Officers distrained his Goods ( b●ing his C●pper and working Tools ) to the value of 20 l. and upwards . And John Ward , Senior , of Laire , for being at the same Meeting was fined 10 l. 5 s. his Cattle were distrained ; but he being no Quaker , a Neighbour paid his Fine and redeemed the Goods ; and he paid his Sons Fine . John Smith and his man Edward Ricket , Informers . The 4th of the 2d Moneth , 1680. Anne Wells , Widdow , for having a Meeting at her House was fined 20 l. by William Cole , who had taken from her seven Cows , seven Swine , two Mares , worth 26 l. 10 s. The 30th of the 3d Moneth , 1680. The said Anne Wells , Widdow , was fined for a Meeting at her House the sum of 20 l. and had taken away two Mares , three Heifers , one Cow and Calf , seven Quarter of Mault , and six Strike of Wheat , worth 23 l. their being no Preaching or Teaching at either of the Meetings . S●me Remarkable Notes of the great Cruelty in this County , executed under pretence of Prosecuting the said Act against Conventicles . IN the 4th Moneth in the Year , 1675. there being a peaceable Assembly to worship God at Long ●laxton , William Guy of the same Town , Constable , and about six Red Coat Souldiers , with others , their Assistants , who kept the Persons assembled in the House , aforesaid , afterwards carryed them to Melton to R. Lister , W. Hartopp & G. Villers , Justices for that County , where not suffering them to make their just defence ; upon Information of the Constable and Red Coats , were four of them sent to Prison , after which the Priest , Constable and Souldiers continued to attend the Meeting Weekly , where they not only Convicted and made Distresses , to the spoiling of many of all they had , not leaving a Cow to give Children Milk , taking their very Bed Clothes , wearing Clothes : But that which agravates their Severity and Cruelty , several Women have been dragged in the Streets by the Necks , till they have near stifled them ; some have had their Clothes rent and torn off their Heads and Backs ; one Woman that nursed her Child , so beat and bruised on her Breast , that it festered and broke , and she endured many Weeks of sore misery and torture with it ; a poor Widdow Woman ( who had six Children ) dragged by the Neck till the Skin came off ; an Aged Women of seventy five Years of Age violently thrown down upon the Gound , by the Constable ; The Men sorely beaten , drawn and dragged out of the Meeting , some by the Heels , some by the Hair of the Head ; some so bruised that they have not been capable to follow their Harvest labour ; some Whipt over the Face till Blood followed ; some trod upon till Blood gusht out of their Mouth and Nose . Several of the People of God , called Quakers , being met together at the House of John Penford at Kirby Mukloe to consider of the Necessities of some Poor a●ongst them , and of a supply for them , John Dixon Priest of the Parish informed against them , by Letter to Wenlock Stanly of Branston , who speedily sent three of his Servants to inspect into the Meeting ; and though they found they were only met to consider of the Necessities of the Poor , and looked into the Book they had before them , in which they did enter their Charitable distributions ; yet several were fined by one called Lord Beamount , and one Justice Roberts : John Penford fined 20 l. for his House , and 10 l. for the Preacher , when there was never a one there ; seeing these irregular doings , John Penford and Richard Woodland were resolved to appeal : but the Court possitively denyed their Appeal , except they would first take the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy ; and they shewed further Injustice , in that when they had denyed them a hearing of the matter , they gave trebble damage against them . Lincolnshire . THe 30th day of the 1st moneth , 1678. by force of a Warrant from Christopher Nevell of Harmstone , to leavy 20 l. of the Goods of Thomas Robinson of Brant Broughton in the said County , for being at a Meeting at Beckingham the 24th day of the 1st moneth , 1677 / 8. Thomas Kelsey , Constable of Brant Broughton , and one Thomas Robinson , Overseer for the Poor , took from Thomas Robinson aforesaid four fat Bullocks worth — L. S. 34 10 VVilliam Stillingfleet ( a Coroner , and Brother to John Stillingfleet , Priest of Beckingham ) and Thomas Burketts Parish-Clerk , Informers . The Fifth Day of the Second Moneth , 1678. by Force of another Warrant from Sir Christopher Nevell aforesaid , to leavy 40 l. of the Goods of the said Thomas Robinson , for being at another Meeting at Beckingham the 31th day of the 1st moneth , 1678. the aforesaid Thomas Kelsey Constable , John Langworth Warden , and Thomas Robinson Overseer , took from him 18 of his best young Sheep , one pair of Steers , and four Drought Bullocks from the Plough , all worth — L. S. 44 11 The four fat Bullocks were sold by Thomas Kelsey the Constable , to one John Capp , a Butcher of Caterup , for 27 l. 10 s. who hearing how they were taken , was touched in Conscience , and gave up his Bargain : Then all the ten Bullocks were driven to Grantham , but could not be sold ; thence to Sleaford , where one Parker bought the four Fat ones for 27 l. ( but afterwards knowing they were Cattle taken away by the Act ) he threw up his Bargain also ; thence the whole ten were driven to Lincoln , where no Body would buy them . Then Kelsey the Constable drove them all to Sir Christopher Nevell , by whose Warrants they had been taken , who kept them about Fourteen dayes , but not coveting his Neighbours Goods , and having done his endeavour to execute the Law , and being satisfied that the same Goods , or the like value should be at any time upon the Land , he restored the Bullocks to the right Owner . But the eighteen Sheep worth about 14 l. were sold privately out of the Market , to a poor man of Grantham for about 10 l. 7 s. Lancashire . 1679. FOr a Meeting in Bickerstaff in the said County , seveveral Persons were fined by John Entwisle , Peter Andrews of Ormskirk , and VVilliam Moss Bailiff of the same , Informers , and Goods were distrained as followeth . The 3d Moneth , 1679. Roger Horsnep of Aughton , Husbandman , for 5 s. Fine , had Goods taken worth 8 s. Richard Beesly of Aughton , Mason , for 5 s. Fine , Goods taken from him worth 8 s. Richard Cubban , at whose House the Meeting was , fined 20 l. John Bispham of Bickerstaff fined as Preacher , and Warrants are out to make Distress ; but as yet no account given of any Distress , but is daily expected . The 31th of the 1st Moneth , 1679. There being a peaceable Meeting in the Burrough of Macklefield in the County of Chester , Thomas Row Mayor , Henry Barber and Thomas Rode , Justices of the said Burrough , came to the Meeting , and took the Names of some of the Persons assembled ; and the Meeting continuing , in a short time they came again , and took what notice they pleased and went away ; and the 20th day of the 3d moneth following did Convict and Fine James Harrison of Bolton in the County of Lancaster , Shoemaker , 20 l. for the first Offence , so called , but pretending the said Iames Harrison was a stranger , laid that Fine upon Henry Burges , and one Hugh Butler ; and for the second Offence , finding them still together at their second coming , they fined Iames Harrison 40 l. which Conviction and F●ne they certified to Iohn Hartley , Justice near Manchester , in the County of Lancaster , who sent his Warrant to the Constables of Bolton , to leavy for the said Fine ; upon the Warrant , the Officers of Bolton took away from the said Iames Harrison Goods to the value of about 4 l. not leaving so much as a Skillet to boyl the Childrens Milk in ; but before they could take any more Goods , some Persons appealed on his behalf to the Quarter-Sessions , who judged the second Conviction unlawfull , and that it was but one Meeting ; whereupon Request was made to the Justices , that his Goods might be returned to him again ; but to this day they are not re●urned . The 9th of the 9th Moneth , 1679. There being then a peaceable Meeting at the House of Iames H●rrison aforesaid , Thomas Townley and Daniel Hemingway of Bolton , Constables , came to the said Meeting , accompanied with several other Persons , and finding Iames Harrison speaking , pluckt him down , and haled him away , and took the Names of as many as they pleased . For speaking at this Meeting Iames Harrison was fined 20 l. by Thomas Leaver of Bolton , and VVilliam Holme of Kersley , Justices , and by their Warrant distress was m●de upon Iames Harrison as followeth . Officers that distrained were Daniel H●mingway , Iohn Cronke and Alexander Bradshaw , who broke down his Chamber door , and took away several Hides and pieces of Leather , to the value of 9 l. one Fustian End , 13 s. a Weigh-Beam , 1 l. 6 s. In all taken Goods worth Eleaven Pounds . ☞ Note , At the Meeting for Conviction of the Persons assembled at Bol●on , as aforesaid , the Justices , their Men , the Informers , and Witnesses , and the Train they had about them , eat and drunk in one Afternoon above 2 l. 10 s. which the Constables engaged to pay James Holland , Inn-keeper , for : There was one Thomas Russell , senior , a Sub-Bailiff so Drunk at that time , that he was found in the Street , wallowing in his Vomit , about three a Clock in the Morning , and since is suddainly Dead . Phineas Pemberton for a Fine of 10 s. for himself and his Wife being at the said Meeting , had taken from him one Cow , one Saddle and Bridle , and forty pound of Candles , worth 4 l. 15 s. 4 d. ☞ Note , The Cow pined , and would neither ear nor drink , and dryed up her Milk in one Weeks time , so that they turned her out , and she went home again . Remarkable Instances of Injustice and Cruelty , acted by Informers and others , in their prosecution of divers Persons in this County , by the Act made against seditious Conventicles . THe 30th day of the 6th Moneth , 1671. a peaceable Meeting being at the House of James Smithson of Beercliff , and there in Silence waiting upon the the Lord , John Parker of Extwisle ( called Esquire ) and others , took the Names of the Persons assembled , among whom was one John Moore , a Man that had been then Blind eight or nine Years , having lost his sight in Service under this Captain Parker , the Informer : Parker askt him , What he did there ? but Moore was silent ●ill he asked the third time , and then he said , I am here to worship the Living God ; and said no more : Then Captain Parker bid them set down John Moore for a Speaker , and accordingly gave Information to Laurence Rawsthorn , called Justice , who imposed Fines , and issued out Warrants thereupon , which were executed . Al●xander Nowell , called a Justice , who fined several for meeting , &c. after Distress was made , and the Goods sold ; when the Officers paid him the Money , they asked him for the Third part for the Poor ; but he answered , That he was poor enough himself ( as some of the Officers said ) nor is it unlikely that he said so ; for when the Officers brought him some wearing Apparel ( which they had taken from a poor Day-Labourer ) the said Nowell took the poor man's Breeches , and searching the Pockets found therein one Shilling four Pence , which he took to himself , but gave the Officers the Clothes again to sell. In the 5th Moneth , 1670. there having been a quiet Meeting at the House of Henry Birtwisle in Rossendale , and being peaceably departed thence , were met upon the Way , above a quarter of a Mile from the House , by James Heapgrave of Rossendale , Edmund Mills Bailiff , Henry Nuttill and Thomas Bridge Souldiers , who took their Names , and went to Henry Birtwisles House , where they found but two Women besides the Family : Notwithstanding Edmund Mills informed that there was a Meeting , and three Persons Swore to it ; although two of the Witnesses saw no Meeting there , and the third was not within two Miles of the place all that Day : Yet upon this Information and Evidence , Laurence Rowsthorne , Joshua Ratcliffe and Thomas Bradnell , gave out Warrants to distrain for 20 l. Fine for the House ; hereupon the Sufferers went to the Justices , and complaining , desired a Copy of the Information ; but it was denyed them , as was also their Appeal , for some time , viz. till the third Quarter-Sessions after , at which time they had a hearing at Preston before Edward Rigby of Preston , and others the Justices , where the said Edward Rigby , in open Sessions declared , That though the Witnesses could not prove it a Meeting , yet the Quakers had Meetings ; and if they saw them coming from a House , which was suspected to have Meetings , it should be a Meeting . Whereupon the Officers went on to make their Spoil , and took as much Goods away as were worth 36 l. 10 s. 4 d. for that Meeting . Nottinghamshire . The 9th of the 3d Moneth , 1679. WIlliam Hudson of Little Gringley , for having a peaceable Meeting at his House , 1677. was fined 20 l. and had Goods taken to the value of 22 l. Jarvis Harrison of Rampton for the same , was fined 10 l. 5 s. and they took away Cattle to the value of the Fine , or upwards ; distrained by Warrant from John Millington , Justice ; the Officers Names are Robert Baxter , Edward Southworth , Thomas Hill , Thomas Redmall , Matthew Richardson , Gilbert Sampson ; Informers , John Smith , Obadiah Autory and Edward Horner . William Watson of Farnsfield , for being at a peaceable Meeting in the House of Ralph Bateman in the same Town , was fined , and the Officers seized and sold what Goods he had . Ralph Bateman for the same was fined 20 l. and the Officers seized of his Houshold-stuff , B●ef , Cheese , and Barrils of Beer , to the value of 12 l. and one of the Officers bought the Victuals and Beer of the rest in pity , to leave them for his Relief . Edward Aslin and his Wife for the same was fined 6 l. and had all his Goods taken and sold by the Officers , valued to be worth about 14 l. Distrained by Warrant from Penniston Whaley ; the Officers Names are Robert Brown , William Stacy , Edward Brown , Thomas Swindin , John Cooper , John Hering , John More , &c. The Informers , John Smith and Thomas Sharp . 1678. Robert Bradshaw of Oxton for being at a peaceable Meeting , was fined 20 l. and the Officers seized of his Goods , and locked up his Barn Doors , and sold all for 40 l. but the Officers not giving the men that bought them security to their liking for the enjoyment of them , the Money is yet unpaid , and the Person that suffered is departed this Life ; Robert Thoroton who granted the Warrant , being dead also : The Officers Names , Robert Smith , Thomas Watson , Thomas Bladerick ; Informers , John Smith , Obadiah Autory . 1678. Samuel Marriot for being at a peaceable Meeting , at the House of Edward Aslin in Edingley , was fined 5 l. 10 s. and they took his Cart from him . John Ouldham of Calverton for the same , was fined 25 l. and the Officers sold all that ever he had for 8 l. and gave the Informer the Money . Thomas Worth of Oxton for the same , was fined 10 s. for himself , and 5 l. for the Poverty of the Preacher ; for which Fine the Officers locked up his House Door , and sold his Bees in the Garden , and other things , to the value of 30 s. But what they will do with his Houshold Goods , is not yet known . John Barr for the same , was fined 10 l. 10 s. and the Officer not knowing his own Goods , by reason of some Partnership , took his Hat , and did no more ; distrained by Warrant from George Nevill of Thorney ; the Officers Names , John Cooper , Simeon Carrington , Thomas Gramer , William Martin , &c. the Informers , John Smith , Obadiah Autory . George Graves of Blith having several Warrants granted out against him , by Doctor Thoroton , for being at several peaceable Meetings ; the said George found himself grieved , and entred his Appeals according to Law ; but Robert Thoroton would not try them , although he promised the said George that they should be tryed , and that he should have Justice when he entred them , but drove him off from Session to Session , until at last he told him , they were out of date , and so distributed the Money according to his own pleasure , to the manifest wrong of the said George Graves , who never had on● Penny of his Monies again , although the Sum was very considerable that he deposited , before he could be allowed to have his Appeal tryed . Remark●ble Instances of Injustice of some called Justices , and Informers in this County . UNder pretence of prosecuting the Act against Conventicles , Penniston Whaley , called a Justice , Colgrae●e a Bum-Bailiff , and one Walker , both Informers , have Ruined many poor Families in this County , having taken or caused to be taken from several Persons about Seven Hundred Pounds , never returning any Record of Conviction ( as is reported ) into the Sessions , except forced by Persons appealing . John Gooderick and VVilliam Hudson of Little Grengly appealing to the Sessions , John Gooderick deposited 40 l. and VVilliam Hudson 30 l. into P. Whaley's hands , until the Determination at the Sessions ; which said Appeal being Tryed at the Sessions at East Retford , before the Earl of Ogle , Sir William Peirp●int and Sir William Hickman , Justices , and others , where a Virdict was brought in open Court for the Appealants , and an Order of the Sessions was directed to the said P. VVhaley , for the Re-payment of the Money , viz. 40 l. to J. Gooderick , which as yet he hath not done , al●hough he was much importuned thereunto by J. Gooderick in his Life-time , and by Margaret his Widdow since his Death ; which 40 l. the Widdow and Fatherless yet wants . VVilliam Hudson received , with much ado , 10 l. of his 30 l. but the other 20 l. still remains Unpaid him , although he hath often desir●d the said Penniston VVhaley to pay the same . And this Penniston VVhaley in his Charge at the Sessi●ns at Nottingham the 11th of the 11th moneth , 1670. speaking chiefly concerning the Quakers , as he called them , encouraged the People to prosecute them without pity , and bid them harden their Hearts against them ; and speaking of the Laws made in Queen Elizabeth's time , viz. that in the 35th year , &c. said , It was not made against the Papists ; for ( said he ) the Church of Rome is a true Church , as well as any other Church : And these Quakers are Erroneous and Seditious Persons ; and therefore prest the People much to prosecute them without pity . And when an Appeal was tendred to him upon the late Act , and Justice desired , he denyed the Appeal , and said to the Per●on complaining , You shall have Justice , but no Mercy : And indeed none he shewed , where it lay in his Power . Norfolk . AT a peaceable Meeting the 1st day of the 7th Moneth , 1678. in the City of Norwich , Thomas Murford being in Prayer , there came in Paul Hartley , Constable and Informer , with two young Lads , Clarks to Attourney Brereton , who swore before Francis Bacon Recorder of Norwich , that Thomas Murford was Teaching and Preaching , ( notwithstanding the said Informer found him on his Knees at Prayer ) whereupon a Warrant issued out to leavy 20 l. upon his Goods and Chattels ; and Thomas Elvin Constable , Joseph Brookes , Thomas Wortley and Henry Toller , Parish Officers , entred forciably his House , Thomas himself not being at home , and took away four pieces of Broad-Cloth , containing eighty Yards , to the value of above 20 l. and twelve pieces of Linnen Cloth , containing 320 Ells , which cost above 17 l. in all near the value of 40 l. When Thomas came home , he made his Appeal to the Quarter-Sessions , but the Recorder being Judge , having a Pr●judice against the Quakers , ( so called ) and having a Jury for his purpose , carryed the Case against the Appealant , and from the Court committed Thomas to Prison ; and Thomas asking wherfore he was sent to Prison ; the Recorder answered , He should know that afterwards , and was kept a close Prisoner eighteen Weeks . Anthony Allexander for the same Meeting , fined for the House 10 l. And on the 13th day of the 11th Moneth , 1678. Samuel Stennet and Anthony Baggish , Constables , Richard Brown and one Cardner , Overseers , by a Warrant signed by the aforesaid Recorder , took from the said Anthony Allexander Goods to the value of 16 l. Sufferers at Fakenham upon the late Act. For a peaceable Meeting at the House of Joseph Harrison , Butcher , ( against which William Watt , the old Informer , Swore that it was on Sunday , the 14th day of July , 1678. ) by Warrant from John Hillyard a Priest and Justice , several Persons were fined , viz. Joseph Harrison 20 l. for the House , for which Fine they made distr●ss upon his Beef , Tallow and Hides , which they sold , Beef worth two Pence a pound , and good Tallow worth thr●e Pence a pound , for little more than a half Penny a pound : They took in all to the value of above 20 l. and counted that would not suffice to pay the Fine . Edmund Peckover for being at the same Meeting , fined 5 s. for himself , and 5 s. f●r his Wife ; and the Officers said , they must have 5 s. more of him for their Son Walter , though he was not mentioned in the Warrant , nevertheless , for 15 s. Fines , they took from him five pieces of Demity ; and for a Fine of 33 s. they took Goods worth 7 l. And for a Fine of 10 s. for a former Meeting , by the said Justice Hylliards . Warrant , they took from the said Edmund Peckover a piece Holland worth 3 l. 8 s. 3 d. Note , Edmund Peckover was this Year chosen Overseer for the Poor ; and though he being Antient , and could not see well : Yet the Poors Book being left in his Shop , he told them , he was willing to do any Good he could , and to be helpful amongst his Neighbours ; but not long after he was in this Office , he was required to sell the Beef taken from Joseph Harrison , which he was not at all willing to be concerne● in ; and when he was askt to go help sell it , he told them , He was Lame , and could not sell his own Goods : Though this was all he said , yet two bold Women , to wit Wat the Informers Wife , and one Howmans Wife , one of which Persons was a bold Strumpet , and had been twice Whipt for Theft : Yet upon these two Persons Swearing before the said Justice Hylliard , ( That when Edmund Peckover was required to go help sell the Beef , he refused ; saying , He would not sell Stolen Goods ) he granted a Warrant to bring him before him ; and when he came before him , threatned him to bind him over to answer it at the Assizes , and to Fine him 5 l. besides ; But ( said he ) being you are an Old man , I will not bind you to appear at the Assizes : And I will remit this your neglect in executing your Office as an Overseer , provided you will promise to leavy the next Warrant . To which Edmund Peckover replyed , I cannot do my Neighbour that Injury . Then said the Justice , I must Fine you five Pound . And so he did , and gave out a Warrant to make distress on hia Goods ; and since , Thomas Bretland and Robert Sheldrake Wardens , Francis Page Constable , for the said five Pound Fine , took from the said Edmund Peckover Shop Goods , worth 24 l. 3 s. 6 d. Remarkable Notes in this County of the Cruelty and Injustice of Magistrates and Informers , in the Prosecution of the aforesaid Act. WIlliam Watt grand Informer , Swore before Christopher Beddingfeild , Justice , that there was a Meeting at Joseph Harrisons on Sunday the 26th of November , in 1674. Upon which a Warrant was granted for to distrain ; when as it may be observed , this Warrant was grounded upon a false Oath ; for there was no Sunday the 26th of November in that Year , as was made appear by some of the Persons fined ; however , right or wrong , the said Justice encouraged the Informers and Officers to proceed in the Prosecution , and to make Distresses , and to execute the Warrants to the utmost , and he would justifie them in it : And Joseph Harrison being fined 20 l. upon the said false Warrant , and having lost most of what he had before , some of the Officers , in pity to him and his Family , were loath to meddle , but one Hill a Constable , said , Right or wrong he would make distress ; and at two several t●mes took as much Beef off Joseph's Stall as was worth 27 s. And further , the said Joseph Harrison being greatly Impoverished through the Losses sustained on the said Act , the Officers seeing the Justice still encourage the Informers , some of them complained , and said , What would you have us do ? We have taken what we can ; We have been at Joseph Harriso●s House and there is little in the House but the Bed , that he and his Wife and six Children lies on . The Justice rep●y●d , I care not ; if he has but a Bed , take it ; ta●e all he hath in his Possession , and watch at his Gate when his Horse goes to Water , and take it ; and if any Man lays any Meat on his Stall , take it , let it be who●e it will. The Offic●rs also told him , They had been at Francis Landers , to d●strain for his Wives Fine , and there was little left in the House but the Bed she lay S●ck on , being more like to Dye then Live : And indeed she did Dye that Night towards the Morning . He said , He cared not ; Take the Bed from under her . The Officers being thus forced on by this Justice , took Joseph Harrisons Bed , and all that belonged to it , his Horse and Hay , in all to the value of 8 l. And afterwards , he and his Wife and Children were fain to lie on Straw , though in the Winter time . And now Mary , the Wife of Francis Lander , being dead and buried , and Wickedness and Cruelty being thus encouraged , one Thomas Bretland , and Elizabeth his Wife , caused their Servant , and one Robert Bloome , to take up her Body again , which they did in a very Inhumane manner , breaking the Coffen , if not the Body , insomuch that they borrowed a Line to tye it together , and brought it upon a Pole , and so set the Corps in the Market-place , near Edmund Peckovers Shop Door , to the great amazement and trouble of many People who beheld it , she having lain some time in the Ground before : So that it appears these People were neither willing to let the poor Woman lie quiet in her sick Bed nor in her Grave ; she being threatned to have her Bed taken from under her while living , and thus torn out of her Grave , when dead : O , Horrible Impiety ! In the same Year , some of the People of God being assembled at the House of Robert Last , of Great Ellingham , some Informers being at a distance from the House , where the Meeting was , saw some going to the House , and coming from the House , whereupon , several Weeks , if not some Moneths after , divers of the said People were Convicted of being at an unlawful Assembly , by Justice Fisher and Justice Pots ; Fisher asserting , That it was sufficient proof to Convict them , if they were but seen to go to the place where they used to meet ; and Robert Last was fined 20 l. for the House , and several others fined 20 l. for one Robert Smith Preaching there , though he did not speak above five Words ; for which Words speaking , Francis Dix had his Barn of Corn seized . Robert Tillet of Old Buckenham , a very weak Consumtive Man , being not like long to continue , was desirous to see as many of his Friends as he could , before his departure ; whereupon several in Christian Love went to visit him , and there being about fourteen Persons at most , there came in two Informers into the House , upon whose Information , it was by the Justice , reputed to be a seditious Conventicle , and Robert Tillet ( the poor sick man ) was thereupon fined 20 l. for having the said Meeting in his House , for which the Officers distrained and carryed away six Cows ; and because Robert Smith spake five or six Words , he was reputed the Preacher : For which several others then present , were fined 20 l. more , and had their Goods and Cattle distrained to answer the said Fine . Further , the great Spoil , upon some , and Ruin that hath been brought upon others , upon the Prosecution of this Act in divers other places in this County , as at Tivitshal , Thetford , Cockly Clay , Norwich , &c would be a great Book of it self , if all were inserted : And therefore for Brevity sake , shall only insert one more Instance , and then conclude this County . William Barber of Gissing for having a peaceable Meeting at his House , was informed against by John Gibbs , Priest of the Parish , who turned Informer , and procured a Warrant from Peter Glean , called a Justice , to make seizure , and went with the Officers himself to leavy the 20 l. Fine upon William Barbers Goods ; and for the 20 l. the Priest and Officers took four Cows , two Swine , a Cart , Plough and Harrows , and Twenty Pounds worth of Hay , in all to the value of 50 l. And though the Priest had got all this , it did not satisfie him , till he had got William into the Goal , and within a few dayes after , the said Priest sent him to Norwich Castle upon a Significavit for 9 s. which he said was due to him for Tythes , where he was kept close Prisoner near three Years . Sussex . THere being a peaceable Meeting at Shoreham at the house of Joan Apse the 10th of the 5th moneth , 1677. upon the Information of Samuel Turner and William Harris , Bailiffs , Informers to Henry Goreing , senior and Henry Goreing , junior , John Alford and Edward Blaker , Justices , That there was a Meeting at John Jefferyes in Sh●reham ; which was a Mistake , for it was at Joan Apses aforesaid : However , several Persons were fined , and Distress●s taken as followeth . Iohn Martin fined 10 l. 5 s. for himself and the Preacher , for which he had Shop-Goods taken by Richard Taylor , Constable , to the value of 13 l. 16 s. 4 d. as they cost ; but this did not satisfie this unreasonable Constable , but about a Week after he came again to Iohn Martin's Shop , and rifled and took some pieces of Silk , to the value of 4 l. 2 s. as they cost , which makes the Sum before 17 l. 18 s. 4 d. Richard Newman of Wiston fined for being at the same Meeting , and for the Preacher 2 l. 15 s. for which Fine the said Constable took a Heifer worth 3 l. W. Parker of Stening fined for the same Meeting , and for the Preacher 2 l. 15 s. for which Fine the said Constable took away as many Sheep & Lambs as were worth 2 l. 15 s. Henry Vaggar for being at the said Meeting fined for himself and the Preachers 2 l. 15 s. for which Fine the said Constable , with other Assistance , took from him a Cow worth 3 l. Iacob Knowles fined 5 s. and Goods were taken from him to the same value , or more . Suffolk . FOr meeting peaceably to worship God , several Persons have been fined , and their Goods and Chattles distrained in and about Bayton , about the 5th moneth , 1677. by Warrent from Justice Burwell of Rougham , and Justice Bright of Pakenham ; Thomas Bally of Bayton , a Cripple , and William Sladman a Bailiff , Informers . Iohn Hayward , Wheelright of Bayton , had taken from him , to the worth of , in Cart boot , 11 l. More taken from him in House Goods , 4 l. More taken from him in Timber , 14 l. Edmund Bally of Bayton had taken from him 12 l. More taken from him for a Fine of 5 l. all the Goods in his House , viz. Chairs , Stools , Brewing Tubs and Furnace ; and they pluckt down a little House , built up to work in , and carried away the Timber of it to the Cripples , the Informer , who burnt it . The said Edmund Bally had also a Mare taken from him , which he had sold ; and the Person that owned her was advised by Counsellor Clark of Bury , to take Witness with him , and demand his Mare , and if they refused to deliver her , he might take her where he found her ; and finding her in Pasture , where the Constable and Informer had put her , took her Home ; but Justice Burwell sent out his Warrant to apprehend the Owner of the Mare , who being brought before him , threatned him with the Goal for Fellony , or Stealing the Mare ; and so affrighted the poor man , that he got him and another with him to be bound to himself to pay him 5 l. and 20 s. into his hand ; and for this the said Justice Arrested the Surety and made it cost them both 9 l. And within this eight Moneths the said Edmund Bally hath been distrained five times , his Goods been all taken both within doors and without , being left to lie on Straw ; and yet the Cripple is not quiet , but came not long since in the Night , being armed with Pistols , and broke open Edmund's door , threatning to destroy him ; and though he for his Cruelty and Wickedness hath been checkt by the Neighbours and some Magistrates , yet receiving encouragment from the said Justice Burwell , he still persists in his Rage and Folly. More Goods taken by Warrant from the same Justice , in the same Year . John Bally of Bayton had taken from him Goods worth 2 l. 8 s. Thomas Lucas a poor man , having four small Children , had a Cart taken from him worth 2 l. Several Persons visiting a poor sick Widdow , that had lain on her sick Bed and Blind divers years ; it was made a Conventicle , and they were fined , and Warrants issued out by the aforesaid Justice to make Distress on their Goods , as followeth , viz. On Iohn Bally , taken Barley ( for 5 l. Fine ) worth 8 l. Iohn Haywood had taken from him , for visiting the said Widdow , for a Fine of 5 l. all the Good he had . Thomas Lucas for the same cause had Goods taken from him worth 1 l. For a Meeting at Bayton the 2d of the 12th Moneth in same Year , these Persons following were fined and distrained by the same Justices Warrant . Iohn Ransum of Felsum , for a Fine of 40 s. had taken from him two Todds of Hay . Widdow Adkin had taken from her a Hog and a Cupbord , for 15 s. Fine , worth 1 l. 15 s. Thomas Judy had two Cows taken worth 7 l. Thomas Woods had two Cows taken , 7 l. 10 s. Thomas Judy fined 35 s. for a Meeting at Bayton , had a Feather-Bed and Rug taken worth 4 l. George Gibson had a Mare taken worth 4 l. 10 s. Sufferings for a Meeting at Woodbridge . Iohn Rallet for declaring the Truth at a Meeting at Woodbridge the 17th of the 9th moneth , 1678. was by William Porter , Duncon Burgin , Iohn Parker and others , Officers of Woodbridge , by Warrant from William Batty , ( a Priest and Justice , a great Persecutor ) taken out of the said Meeting and carried before Thomas Bacon of Woodbridge , Justice , who had committed him to Prison , but that two Neighbours being present , offered of their own accords , to be bound for his Appearance at the next Sessions ; but this the Justice thought not sufficient Punishment , but fines him 20 l. for Preaching , which Fine , and a Fine of 20 l. on the House , he imposed on several others that were at the said Meeting , without having any of them before him , legally to convict them , and took Goods as followeth . Joseph Fuller had seized a Haystack and a Horse , worth 12 l. John Smith had Goods taken to the value of 3 l. 10 s. Robert Cullington had a Mare taken worth 5 l. and a Haystack and Woodstack taken from him worth 11 l. Peter Cross of Woodbridge had taken in Cloth worth 3 l. 13 s. Richard Woods Goods worth 3 l. John Laurence Goods seized to the value of 3 l. 10 s. John Bennet of Woodbridge had his Gate broken open by Bailiffs , at the command of Parson Batty , without the Constables order , and had Goods taken from him to the value of 10 l. 12 s. At a Meeting the 5th of the 11th Moneth , 1678. several Persons following were fined by the said Justice Bacon , and had their Goods and Chattles seized , as fol●oweth . Peter Cross of Woodbridge had taken Cloth to the value of 6 l. 1 s. William Bedford of the same had taken Cloth worth 2 l. 19 s. John Nathan of the same had Goods taken worth 4 l. Clement Carter of the same , Goods worth 2 l. 10 s. Thomas Lynd of Melton had Hay seized to the value of 2 l. 10 s. William Skinner seized on to the value 3 l. Edmund Broome , Priest , was the chief Instrument in stirring up this Persecution , who imployed one John Geston a poor Alms-man , to be Informer , who dared do no other but please the Priest , who had power to put in or out Alms-folks into the Alms house , at his pleasure . Somersetshire . THere being a peaceable Meeting at Glastonbury the 25th day of the 10th moneth , 1678. several Persons were fined for the same by John Bayly Doctor of Laws , and called a Justice ; and for the Fines he issued out Warrants to make Distress , and Sale of their Goods , as followeth . Officers that Distrained . Robert Plumton , Constable . Richard Aplin , junior , and Wardens . John Provice , junior , Wardens . Edward Bolton and Overseers of the Poor . John Hodges , Overseers of the Poor . Nathaniel Bryan living in the liberty of Doulting , fined for himself 5 s. and 4 l. towards the Preacher and Meeting-house , had distrained and taken from him by the sa●d Offi●ers , four Heifers worth 9 l. 2 s. 10 d. seized the 6th day of the 11th moneth , 1678. Jon●s Nicholls of the same place , for being at the same Meeting fined also 4 l. 5 s. had taken from him by the aforesaid Officers Goods worth about 5 l. 15 s. Abraham Clothier for being at the same Meeting fined 4 l. 5 s. had distrained and taken from him fourscore Yards of Woolen Cloth. Thomas Heath of Doulting fined 3 l. 5 s. for the same Meeting , had taken from him one Cow worth about 4 l. Thomas Dickinson of Pilton fined 3 l. 5 s. for being at the same Meeting , but could not come at any of his Goods to make Distress . Several others were fined 5 s. a piece , but were Poor , and the Officers forbore distraining on them . Peter Goole of Marke for being at the same Meeting at Glaston fined 5 s. for himself , and 40 s. towards a Fine laid upon Jasper Batt , for which Stephen Crocker , Constable of Bemston , Edward Duckett of Marke , Tything-man , and other Officers , by the aforesaid Justice Bayly's Warrant , took from the said Peter Goole one Heifer worth 3 l. Richard Goole for being at the same Meeting was fined for himself and the Preacher 2 l. 5 s. and had for the said Fine one Heifer taken from him by the aforesaid Officers . William Harris of Marke aforesaid , fined 5 s. had a Crock taken from him worth 14 s. John Clark of Grenton fined for the said Meeting 3 l. 5 s. Robert Clark of Grenton fined 3 l. 5 s. for being at the said Meeting . But as yet no account is given of what Distresses are made upon them . Remarkable Notes in the County of Sommerset aforesaid , of the Cruelty and Injustice of several Magistrates and others . SEveral Persons being at the Burial of one Samuel Clothier , the 29th day of the 6th Moneth , 1670. at Alford , one Robert Hunt , called a Justice , made it a Conventicle , and fined some of them ; though nothing was spoke at the Grave , but all silent and quiet . Thirty two Persons were fined for being at the Burial of Philip Tyler of Walton , 1675. for which they had taken from them in Cows , Corn , and other Goods , to the value of 82 l. and upwards , by Warrant from Francis Paulet , Justice , who when none else would buy the distrained Cattle , he sent men to buy them for himself . One Margery Osmond , who was not at the Burial , & yet was fined by F. Paulet ; went to him to know the Names of them that had Sworn against her , and desired Justice of him ; he said , It was a mistake ; by which it did afterwards appear , he was willing to excuse the Informers , howbeit , he then read in a Book , in the hearing of several Persons , in which Bayner and Wythey were recorded Informers against the said Assembly at the Burial , and said withal , that she should Prosecute them for Perjury at the next Sessions , and that the Record at the Sessions should be evidence against them , or to that effect : Bu● he was not so good as his Word ; for at the Sessions Witnesses were present , to testifie that she was not at the said Burial ; but Francis Paulet ( in favour to those Informers ) left Wythey's Name out of the Record , and put in anothers Name who was not present , and also left out her Name : So there could be no proceedings against the Informers for their Perjury , albeit he had issued out his Warrant to leavy the Fine imposed on her . Further , the said Justice Paulet fined several Persons 24 l. for an unknown Preacher ; yet sent a Certificate to the Mayor of Bridgwater , to distrain 20 l. on the Goods of John Anderdon , for Preaching at the Burial that day : So he would have 44 l. in all ( Note , That is 24 l. more then the Rigor of the Law allows of , admitting it had been a Conventicle ) for the Preacher known , and one unknown ; when in Truth , there was none spoke but John Anderdon , that Christianly exhorted the People to consider their later end : And when Mary Tayler , the Widdow of the deceased , ( who was fined 4 l. for being at her Husbands Burial , and had Goods taken for it ) spoke mildly to him , to shew him his Injustice ; he told her , It did not become Women to go to their H●bands Burials . Witnesses , John Cluff , Henry Clothier , George Taylor . Worcestershire . JOhn Watts of Draitwich , in the said County , having two of his Friends at Supper with him , viz. John Cartwright and John Stanley : Because John Cartwright gave Thanks before Meat , was informed against to Bailiff Stainer and Bailiff Berrot , who made it a Conventicle , and for the same committed John Cartwright and John Stanley to Prison : And further , fined John Watts for the said Meeting 20 l. for which Fine the Officers seized upon his Team : and three more they fined ( although they were not in the Room , but in a Room by ) viz. John Tylar , Richard Woodward , Thomas Hayward , and for their Fines , they had Goods taken from them to the value of 20 s. by Warrant from the same Bailiffs , Stainer and Berrot ; Stainer being not long after found dead with a fall from his Horse . This was done soon after the Act against seditious Conventicles came forth , in the Year 1670. In which Year , for assembling peaceably to worship God in this County , many Persons had great Spoil and Havock made upon their Goods and Chattels , as well as in other Counties ; all which for Brevity sake is omitted , only the aforesaid piece of notorious Injustice could not be passed by . Bromsgrove , the 29th of the 9th Moneth , 1679. There being a Person buried in the Grave-Yard in Bromsgrove aforesaid , and Robert Hill of the same place being present at the said Burial , and speaking a few Words to the People , by way of Exhortation to Repentance and Amendment of Life , Thomas Willmot , Parson of Bromsgrove , and his Man Thomas , and Matthew Cartwright a Baker , informed the Justice thereof , and it was judged to be a Conventicle , and Robert Hill was fined 20 l. and a Warrant was issued forth from Leonard Simpson , a Justice , dated the 29th of the 9th Moneth , 1679. to distrain fo● the said Fine ; and Thomas Elkins of Bellbroughton , in the said County ; Constable , distrained and took from the said Robert Hill a Waggon worth 5 l. 10 s. which they sold for 3 l. 2 s. And Houshold-Goods they took , which Goods with the Waggon were worth in all above 20 l. Westmerland . FOr a peaceable Meeting to worship God at Bownasse , in the Parish of Windermere , the 15th day of the 7th Moneth , 1678. several Persons were fined by Daniel Fleeming and Christopher Phillipson , two called Justices , and Warrants were issued out to distrain the Goods and Chattels of these Persons following ; which Warrants were executed by John Birket of Trontbeckbridge , and John Birket of Limesit Constable , and other Officers . Thomas Williamson had taken from him two Cows , one Steere , twenty nine Sheep ; and on another day four Heifers , and one Cow more , all worth 28 l. sold for 21 l. 8 d. This was for preaching Truth and Righteousness , which is against all Sedition , Plotting and contriving Insurrection . William Rawes fined 20 l. 5 s. had Cattle and Goods taken from him worth 23 l. sold for 15 l. 14 s. Isaac Dixon and George Dixon fined 10 s. had Goods taken worth 18 s. About a Week after , the Officers went again to George Dixons , and though he was not at home , they demanded 10 l. for two Strangers being at the Meeting , for which at that time they took twelve fat Sheep worth 4 l. 10 s. Christopher Dixon had taken to the value of 12 s. George Williamson Goods worth 10 s. Richard Braithwait fined for himself , his Wife and two Strangers , had taken to the value of 6 l. 19 s. William Wilcosoun had taken 4 l. 15 s. Martin Sewert had Goods taken to the value of 6 s. 8 d. Miles Sawrey had Goods taken to the value of 7 s. Thomas Grave of Hugill had taken the worth of 12 s. John Tompson of Creeke being at a Meeting at Bownasse aforesaid , seeing Boys and People rude , ( who threw a Dog into the Meeting ) he only exhorted the People ( in Love ) to Soberness and Moderation , for which he was Fined 20 l. for Preaching ; One of the Justices thinking it too hard , would have mittigated the Fine ; but the other said , it was Preaching , and it could not be passed by : For which Fine , the Officers took Cattle from him to the value of 22 l. which were sold for 19 l. 5 s. Peter Bateman and Miles his Son had taken to the value of 10 s. Taken from Richard Crudeson , Goods worth 7 s. From George Tompson 12 s. Richard Birket 5 s. Robert Tomson Goods worth 18 s. Thomas Braithwait had taken Goods worth 1 l. 13 s. William Garnet had taken Goods worth 13 s. John Parson Goods worth 7 s. At a Meeting the 13th day of the 8th Moneth , 1678. at the House of Edward Cragg of Attouthwait in Heversham Parish , Edward Wilson , called Justice , sent several Informers , upon whose Evidence he and another Justice Convicted several Persons , ( without being brought before them ) and gave out Warrants to make Distress , as followeth . Joseph Gregg fined 10 s. for himself and his Wife , had Pewter and Brass taken from him worth more then the Fine ; yet it did not satisfie the Officers nor Justice , who bid them take all they could see , and thereupon they took more from him , a young Cow worth 3 l. 10 s. sold for 2 l. 12 s. 1 d. And returned no Overplus . Officers that distrained for this Meeting , were Richard Cornthwait Constable , Richard Cook Warden , and Gabriel Croft Overseer . William Walker fined 5 s. for which the same Officers took from him a Mare worth 4 l. 5 s. sold for 3 l. 6 s. and returned no Overplus . Edward Cragg had taken to the value of 2 l. 16 s. Simon Tompson had taken Goods worth 12 s. George Wharton had taken Goods worth 18 s. Dorothy Lorrimer had taken Goods worth 10 s. Thomas Hugginson had taken the worth of 9 s. 10 d. Richard Thompson of Preston had taken from him a young Heifer worth 1 l. 5 s. Arthur Borrough fined 5 s. for which the same Officers took from him a Horse worth 3 l. 6 s. 8 d. Hugh Cornthwait fined 5 s. had taken a Heifer worth 2 l. 16 s. and nothing returned . Thomas Camm of Camsgill in Preston-Patrick , for declaring the Truth at the aforesaid Meeting , was fined 20 l. but Thomas Sell the Constable , & Richard Cragg Wa●den , being moderate Officers , were unwilling to make distress , until threatned and frightned thereto by Edward Wilson aforesaid , whereupon they took two young Oxen , one Steere and one Heifer , worth 11 l. 10 s. And on the 28th day of the 10th Moneth , 1678. took more , one Cow , one Steere , and three young Heifers , worth 11 l. In all 22 l. 10 s. sold for 15 l. 8 d. And when the Officers complained to the aforesaid Justice Wilson , That they could not sell some of the Cattle ; he charged them to sell them , whatever they got for them , and fetch more until they had enough ; and bid them have them from Market to Market , and be sure to offer them cheap enough , and some or other would buy them ; and threatned them , if they did not sell them , and make up the sum , he would make them make it up themselves . On the 18th day of the 2d Moneth , 1679. the aforesaid Thomas Sill Constable , and Richard Cragg Warden , and Geo●ge Hatton Overseer , came again to Thomas Camm for 5 l. 4 s. 4 d. more , which they pretended was wanting of his Fine of 20 l. 5 s. and went into his Ground and took twenty five Ewes snd twenty five Lambs , some of which were none of his own , however they drove them away , taking no notice of that Plea , and sold them with much ado ( People being shie in medling with them , when they understood upon what account they were taken away ) for 4 l. 5 s. although they were really worth 7 l. 10 s. The 26th day of the same Moneth , the same Officers came again to Thomas Camms , and took five of his best Weathers worth 1 l. 10 s. which they sold for 19 s. 6 d. The 23d of the 2d Moneth , 1679. John Waller Constable , Martin Moore Warden , and John Hatton Overseer , took from John Hudson , for a Fine of 10 s. for himself and his Wife being at the said Meeting , one Cow worth 3 l. 5 s. which they sold for 3 l. Robert Waller fined for the same Meeting 5 s. had a Cow taken from him by the same Officers worth 3 l. 12 s. which they sold for 3 l. About the middle of the 2d Moneth Th●mas Preston Constable , William Parke Warden , John Moore Overseer , for a Fine of 5 s. imposed on Richard Atkinson , for being at the said Meeting , took from him three Cows worth 10 l. 10 s. and sold them for 7 l. 6 s. 8 d. to a Neighbour of Richards , who sent the best home , and sold the other two for 7 l. 5 s. John Preston for a Fine of 5 s. for being at the same Meeting , had aoken from him by the same Officers , one young Steere worth 2 l. 10 s. which they sold for 1 l. and returned no Overplus . Yorkshire . An Account of the Sufferings of the People called Quakers for Meetings in Cleaveland North - Riding since the 3d Moneth , 1677. until the 11th of the 2d Moneth , 1678. BY a Warrant issued forth from the said Edward Trotter of Skelton , called Justice , the 6th of the 3d moneth , 1677. against Tobias Hoope of the same , for 20 l. 10 s. for suffering a Meeting at his House , and himself and Wife being there ; the said Tobias Hoope had Goods taken from him worth 23 l. and more , and sold by the Constable and Overseers in Kirbymoreside and Stocksley for 16 l. 9 s. Likewise Joshua Hoope for himself and Wife being at the said Meeting was fined 10 s. being no Quaker , the Monies paid . Philip Scurth of Hinderwill for declaring at the said Meeting was fined 20 l. and the Moneys leavyed and paid . Cuthbert Broderick of Rowsby , for another Friend called Robert Robinson declaring at the said Meeting , and himself being there , was fined 10 l. 5 s. the Penalty paid and leavyed . John Pennit of Guisbrougle fined for the said Declaration 5 l. William Jow●y of Scugdaile near Guisbrougle aforesaid , for the like , 5 l. and for himself and Wife being present , 10 s. All which were leavied for . John Proud of Moresone for John Robinson fined 5 l. and for himself 5 s. and had two Oxen distrained worth 8 l. George Robinson of Lazinby for the Preacher fined 5 l. and his self and Son being there 10 s. and had Goods taken from him and sold worth 8 l. George Wright of the same Town , for the like , fined 5 l. 5 s. and two Oxen sold worth 8 l. and more . John Jackson of Lazinby aforesaid , for the Preacher fined 5 l. and his self being there 5 s. The Penalty paid and leavyed . VVilliam Atkinson of Moresone was fined , and had leavyed on him 5 s. John Chapman of Stangab , the like , 5 s. John Pennet aforesaid , VVilliam Stamper , Edward Hunter , James Burkilt , William Radcliff , John Reedhead of Guisbrougle were in like manner fined 5 s. a piece by Edward Trotter , and all these abovesaid for one Meeting the 6th of the 3d moneth , 1677. The Reader may take notice , That the Minister ( so called ) of Skelton , whose Name is Thornton , is reported , and indeed may be well supposed to have been urgent with the Church-Warden ( as they term him ) of the same , about the said Information , who with other three poor Labouring-men of that Town were Informers ; their Names James Linas , Richard Westland , George Smith and James Hawman . For a Meeting at Skugdaile the 19th of the 6th moneth last past , Goods were taken as followeth , by Warrant from James Bennyman ( called Justice ) of Ormsby in the the said Riding , upon the Information of Samuel Crosthwaite of Lofthouse , and William Nelson of Skelton . William Jowey of Skugdaile , senior , for s●ffering ( as they recorded it ) a Meeting at his House ( though he was absent ) was fined 20 l. and had his Goods distrained on . William Stamper , Edward Hunter , Ralph Hunter , John Reedhead and his Wife , and Elizabeth Jackson , all of Guisbrougle , for being at the said Mating fined 5 s. a piece . Tobi is Hoope of Skelton aforesaid ( for himself , and for William Flunders of Ormsby ) fined 10 s. Robert Cooke of Upleatham for himself and Christopher Flunders of Ormsby aforesaid , fined 10 s. William Barker of Wilton for himself and Mark Lisle of Kukleatham , fined 10 s. George Robinson of Lazinby , aforesaid , for himself and Robert Corney Master of a Vessel , then riding in Tease , fined 10 s. Likewise , by Warrants from Constable Bradshaw ( called Justice ) living at Nunthrorpe , upon the Information of Samuel Crosthwait and William Nelson aforesaid , for a Meeting at Skugdaile the 22d of the said 6th moneth , Gilbert Natson of Broughton , Thomas Masterman of Nunthorp , Elizabeth Robinson of Lazinby , George Wright of the same , and John Robinson of the same ( although he was not there ) were all fined 5 s. a piece , and William Stamper of Guisbroug●e , and Edward Hunter of the same , were fined 10 s. a piece for the second Conviction , there being others at the said Meeting , whose Names they knew not , as appears by their false Swearing against Iohn Robinson , being labouring with his Work-folks in the Field all that day , as he made appear before them and the Justice by four Witnesses , before the Fine could be taken o●f . The said Informers did inform upon Oath the said Justice Bradshaw , that John Proud of Moresone the 25th of the 9th moneth last past , had a Meeting at his House , though they found none but some Neighbours met to consider of providing a House for a poor Widdow , and some Maintenance , whose Husband was lately dead , and left her two Children , and the Landlord had seized of all her Estate ; and they likewise Swore , That Thomas Porvit's Wife of Liverton , and Robert Tuplady's Wife and Daughter of the same , were there assembled , which said three Persons were not there ; and those they found there were eating and drinking . But Appeal was made to the Sessions , and the said John Proud and other Persons cleared . Notes of the Injustice of Informers and Magistrates in this County of York . MAry Todd a poor Widdow , for having a Meeting at her house one Francis Driffield , called a Justice , sent a Warrant to bring her before him , but she being Aged , was not able to ride nor go on foot so far ; then he gave order to distrain 20 l. 5 s. on her Goods : The Informers told him , Her Goods were not worth so much Well ( said he ) take all she hath ; which they performed as near as they could , not leaving her a Bed to lie on , taking her very Clothes , though she was but a poor Widdow , Aged , and in Debt . Wllliam Thornaby the Younger , and John Allison both of Richmond , grand Informers , searching for a Meeting at a Widdows House , where they found three Persons visiting the Widdows Daughter , who lay very weak , not likely to live ; and whilst they were searching , there came in two other Persons accidentally , one of which was a Kinswoman , and no Quaker , as was afterwards proved ; nevertheless Thornaby set down their Names , and went to James Metcalfe , called a Justice , who fined the Persons , and granted a Warrant to distrain ; but the Sufferers appealing , the most moderate Justices judged this hard measure and illegal , and ordered the Money to be returned . This is only noted to shew the Wickedness of these Informers and Justice , and what a Prey they would have made upon Innocent People , if they had not been prevented . A further Account from the County of Somerset . For a Meeting at Glastonbury , the 12th Moneth , 1679. TAken from John Clothier of East Lidford on the 22th of the 7th moneth , 1679. by Edward Chapman the elder , and Edward C●apman the younger , and Thomas Lynterne , two fatting Oxen worth near 15 l. and since sold ; For a fine ( as it s said ) of 10 l. 10 s. upon a pretended Conviction made before Bishop Mew , or John Baylie hi● Chancellor . Taken from Henry Gundry of Streat , by Warrant of D●stress from John Baylie the Bishops Chancellor , two young Oxen worth about 7 l. for a fine of 3 l. 5 s. laid upon his Wife for being at a Meeting at Glastonbury , Henry Gundry himself being a Prisoner . See the Injustice and Ignorance of the man , how he acts contrary to Law and Justice , to lay a Fine of 3 l. 5 s. upon a man's Wife for being at a Meeting , and leavied upon her Husbands Goods , and he not at the Meeting , when the utmost for her being there could have been but 5 s. or 10 s. to be leavied upon her Husbands Goods . Taken from William Hulett of Streat , for a Meeting at Glastonbury , two Pots worth near 1 l. 10 s. Thomas Dickerson of Pilton fined 5 l. for Jasper Batt and Elizabeth Olliffe for a Meeting in the House of Vincent Boldy in Glastonbury ( as charged ) and 10 s. for himself , for the second Offence , by Warrant granted from Peter Mew , Bishop of Bath and Wells , and John Baylie his Chancellor and Brother-in-Law ; and several other Fines laid , and Warrants issued out , but no certain Account thereof yet given . BREWTEN . Taken from John Martin of Brewten on the 9th day of the 12th moneth , 1679. by Warrant from Maurice Berkly , called Lord Fitz Harding , and Francis Paulett of Wells , for a Meeting at Thomas Whitheads in Brewten , a Horse worth about 3 l. for a fine of 2 l. 5 s. laid on the said John Martin's Wife ; the Horse was taken by Edward Chicke and Henry Albin , Wardens , and Thomas Patter , Constab●e , and sold , which since is rid about by Jane Berkly the said Justices Daughter . For a Meeting at Gregory Stoak in the 5th moneth , 1680. John Cuffe of Aishill fined 10 l. and odd Money , and his Goods seized to a considerable value , by Warrant from Henry Walrond , a Justice of Peace , so called , who hath made much spoil upon Friends , even to his own undoing , as many think . John Pinny fined 10 l. and odd Money , and seizure made upon his Goods by Warrant from Henry Walrond . Francis Scott of Hambridge fined 10 l. and odd Money , and Warrant issued for leavying the same , from the said Henry Walrond . John Coate of Kingsbury fined 10 l. and odd Money , and Warrant issued to leavy the same upon his Goods and Chattles from the said Henry Walrond ; and several other Fines laid and Warrants issued by the said Walrond , but no certain account thereof yet given . September , 1680. Robert Abbott an Inn-keeper in the Town of Ivelchester , fined 40 l. and by Warrant of Distress from the said Henry Walrond leavyed on his Goods and Chattles by Robert Morris and Giles Bale , for two Meetings ( as the said Walrond alledgeth ) at one and the same hour , and in one and the same house , the one of men and the other of women , they being several of them the said Robert Abbotts Guests , and lodged in his House , and did meet to confer about Provisio● for the Poor , Fatherless and Widdows , which they account a Christian Duty and a good Work , and were never questioned for such Meetings before this time ; and now most sober People do judge , That it s done only for Gain and Advantage by the said Captain Walr●nd , and the Broomes , his assistants and adherents , who have made much spoil upon the Country , and out of Envy to the said Robert Abbott , because he would not vote for such Persons as he and many others thought not fit to be chosen to sit in Parliament ; and as it s reported part of the said 40 l. distributed to several Persons of Ivelchester , who are not th● Poor , but paid as a Gratuity or Reward for their Service , in voting against the present Members of Parliament for that Town . Mention being made before , pag. 73. that the Widdow Tyler was fined 4 l. for being at her Husbands burial , it may be noted , she had two Cows taken from her for the said fine , worth 9 l. AN ACCOUNT Of Such as Dyed in Prison AND PRISONERS FOR THE Testimony of Truth & a Good CONSCIENCE ; From the Year 1660. to the Year 1680. Berkshire . ANne Hatt of Reading , Widdow , taken out of a peaceable Meeting in Reading the 15th of the 2d moneth , 1666 , and committed to Prison by William Armorer , called a Justice , for six Moneths , for being at the said Meeting ; and being kept close in Prison in the heat of Summer , and the Prison being thronged with Prisoners , she finished her Testimony to the Truth in Prison by Death , the 19th of the 6th Moneth , 1666. being found Faithful in her day , in which she walked in Gravity , Sobriety , and the Fear of the Lord. William Tomson the 22d of the 11th moneth , 1664. taken out of a Meeting of the People of God at Reading by the said William A●morer , and detained a Prisoner until he Dyed . Walter Emmerton the 12th day of the 1st mon●th , 1665. taken out of a Meeting at Reading by William Armorer , and remained a Prisoner till he dyed . William Matth●ws and three more , summoned to appear at the Quarter-Sessions at Abingdon the 14th of the 5th moneth , 1663. where Humphry Hide sate Judge , who caused an Indictment to be read against them , for not being at the Church , so called , four Moneths past : The Court askt them , If they would go to Church and conform ? Their Answer was , They could not go thither , for that they had never enjoyed the Presence of God in that place . Whereupon the Court fined them 20 l. a piece , by an old Statute made against Papists , and for refusing to pay the Fines they were committed to Goal , where William Matthews finished his Testimony by Death . Dorothy Clarke taken out of a Meeting in Reading the 1st of the 3d moneth , 1664. by William Armorer , and sent to Prison , finished her Testimony by Death the 3d of the 12th moneth , 1670. Joseph Coale apprehended the 13th of the 5th moneth , 1664. the manner of his taking was thus : The aforesaid William Armorer coming , according to his usual Practice , to take such as were assembled in the fear of God at the House of Thomas Curtis of Reading , he found only seven Women and Maids , and caused his Clerk to make their Mittimus presently , and to send them to Prison ; in the mean time his man John Venter opens a Door , and goes into Thomas Curtis's House , where meeting the Maid , he askt her , If there were any in the house more than the Family ? She answered , No ; whereupon he went out and she lockt the Door ; but presently after W. Arm●rer knockt again at the Door , the Maid b●ing in a fear , her Master , Mistress and Man-Servant being all in the Goal , did not open the Door ; whereupon VV. Armorer pluckt some kind of Instrument out of his Pocket , and pickt the Lock , and searcht from Room to Room , till he found Joseph , who being a weakly man , had taken something that Morning ; after some Questions , he took Joseph by the Arm , and said , He must come with him . J. C. said , Whither must I go ? Said he , To Goal . To Goal ! said J. C. What have I done ? W. Armorer said , I will tell you what . And being pulling him down Stairs said , Will you take the Oath of Allegiance ? and so made a Mittimus , and sent him to the House of Correction , for refusing the Oath of Allegiance , and afterwards he was from thence sent to the common Goal , where the 26th day of the 2d moneth , 1670. he laid down the Body , and dyed a Faithful Witness to the Truth . William Dobson of Brightwell was Arrest●d for Tythes at the suit of Ralph Whistler , and carried to Read●ng G●al the beginning of the 7th moneth , 1675. and dyed a Prisoner the last day of the 3d moneth , 1677. Bedfordshire . John Rush of Kempston Hardwick Imprisoned at the Suit of Priest Wells of Wilkhamsted , because for Conscience sake he could not put into the Priests Mouth , and give him Tythes , though he did no work for him : After a Years Imprisonment he laid down the Body ( bearing a Faithful Testimony until Death ) the 1st day of the 11th moneth , 1661. Bristol . THe 7th day of the 6th moneth , 1664. being the first day of the Week , John Knight , Mayor of Bristol , and Alderman Creswick went to a Meeting of the People called Quakers , and sent One Hundred Ninty Four of them to Prison , upon the Act made for Banishment , amongst whom these three Persons following were committed , and finished their Testimony by Death . Lydia Tovy , one of them , was committed to Newgate , being a Young Woman big with Child , and as she was put within the door of the Goal the Noisom Scent struck her very much : She abode in the Prison till the 7th day of that Week , in which time she grew very ill ; and on the Second day following she took her Bed , her hearing and seeing being taken from her , and her Child came dead from her that Night , and the next Morning being the third day of the Week she dyed also , and her Child and she were both laid in the Ground together ; yet the Mayor put her in the Warrant with the rest , to be detained in Prison till the 6th day of the 7th Moneth following . Alice Peachy , the Wife of William Peachy , a young Woman big with Child , was taken out of the same Meeting ; the Officers that took her out of the Meeting haled her rudely along before the Mayor , bidding her come along , one being behind her putting her forwards , which being beyond what she was able to do , it hurt her , and in her Face it was discovered presently , so she went home ill , and was delivered the next day , and never was well aftewards , but continued ill till the 14th day of the 6th Moneth , on which she dyed , her Husband being then a Prisoner in Bridewell . Mary Knight was also committed on the same day to Bridewell , and the next day being very ill , was suffered to go home to her Masters House , where she dyed about twelve days after of a violent Feavor , her Body being brought to Bridewell , from thence to be buried , being a Prisoner , there she bled afresh at the Nose for about an Hour together . Cumberland . LAncelott Wilson of Tallentrie in Bridkirk Parish in the 6th moneth , 1662. being served with a Warrant to appear before John Lamplugh , Francis Salkeld and Richard Tolson ( called Justices ) at Dovenby , for being at a Meeting , the Justices demanded Bond of him to appear at the next Quarter Sessions , and for refusing to give Bond , he with some other Friends were committed to Prison , and at the Assizes they were all Indicted for Meeting , &c. and because they could not then give Bond to appear , &c. at the next Assizes , they were still detained Prisoners ; but before the next Assizes Lancelott Wilson , being a weakly man , finished his Testimony by Death . Cambridgshire . 1661. MAry Prior of Over , an antient Widdow , and a Grave Honourable Woman in the Truth , being summoned to the Sessions , for not going to the Steeple-house Worship , the Justices at the Sessions cast her into Prison , where they kept her , till she by Death finished her Testimony against the false Church , Worship and Teachers ; she was buryed in Cambridge Castle-Yard the 5th of the 10th moneth , 1661. it being her desire as a Witness against them . 1663. Thomas Richardson the 16th of the 2d moneth , 1663. was taken out of a peaceable Meeting in Ely at the house of George Thorowgood , by Warrant from William Holder and Henry Bruncell , two Priests , and also called Justices , who committed him to Wisbich Goal , where , though he was an antient man , near Sixty Years of Age , he was very hardly used in the Goal , and went through great Hardships , his Friends and Relations being not suffered sometimes to come at him to bring him necessaries but what they could put through a Hole in the Door , and kept a whole Winter without suffering him to have so much Wood was would make one Fire ; and he lodged on Straw . Whilst he was in Prison it pleased God to visit this his Faithful Servant with Sickness , and on the 13th day of the 8th moneth , 1665. he dyed in Prison for the Testimony of Jesus and Word of God. 1670. One called a Justice in the Isle of Ely , perceiving , after much Cruelty used , they could not prevail to make the People called Quakers forsake their assembling themselves together , he was much enraged , and went and beat several of them very much , and knockt down Steven Clarkson to the Ground , in so much that the Standers by said , So , there is one knockt on the Head ; but he came to himself again , and lived about five moneths after , but complained of that blow to his dying day . John Feast of Sutton Imprisoned by John Marshall , Priest in the same Town , for Tythes , dyed a Prisoner on the 11th day of the 4th Moneth , 1674. John Addams of Haddenham dyed a Prisoner for Tythes , being buried the 27th day of the 2d Moneth , 1674 John Beadles of Chatteris , Imprisoned by Owen Fan of Ramsey , dyed a Prisoner for Tythes . Peter Hill of the same Town , Imprisoned by William Strong Priest in the same Town , dyed a Prisoner for Tythes . Cornwall . EDward Anger of Minster-Parish , Imprisoned the 17th of the 3d Moneth , 1675. ( by John Austis prosecuted , being Register of the Arch-Deacons Court ) because for Conscience sake he could not pay towards the Repair of the Church ( so called ) and dyed a Prisoner the 9th day of the 4th Moneth , 1676. Thomas Deeble Imprisoned for the same cause , by a Writ De Excommunicat● Capiendo , at the Suit of the said John Austis the 7th Moneth , 1676. and dyed a Prisoner in the 11th Moneth , 1677. Devonshire . IOnathan Collier of the Parish of Culleton Rawleigh , Imprisoned in Stoak Cannon the 30th day of the 5th Moneth , 1669. being prosecuted by John Pope and William Tricky , Wardens of Culleton , for not going to the Steeple-house , and for not paying to the Repair of the same , for which he was Excommunicated by Edward Master , called Doctor of Law , and Vicar general to the Bishop of Exon in Spiritual things ; and upon that Excommunication the said Jonathan was apprehended by a Writ De Excommunicato Capiendo , and imprisoned , and remained a Prisoner until the 15th day of the 1st Moneth , 1670. and then finished his Testimony by Death , bearing a faithful Testimony to the Lord and his Truth . Thomas Burgan of Artacton , Taylor , was Imprisoned by a Writ De Excommunicato Capiendo , for not going to the Steeple-house , and for a Contempt of the Bishops Court , in not appearing , prosecuted by Richard Cr●ssen Priest , and Andrew Slathen , Warden of Artacton . The said Thomas Burgan was brought to Prison to the Sheriffs Ward in Thomas Parish in Exon , the 9th of the 2d Moneth , 1676. and was continued a Prisoner until he dyed , which was on the 19th day of the 4th Moneth following ; and all the time both in Health and Sickness whilst a Prisoner , witnessed a good Confession , and left a good Testimony behind him . William Woolcott of Bridford Parish , Weaver , a labouring man , having a Wife and two small Children , and their dependancies was on the Labour of his Hands , was presented to the Bishops Court , through the Instigation of Bernard Gillard , Priest of the said Parish , stirring up his Parishoners , and gathering Money to pay the charge of a Writ De Excommunicato Capiendo , to Imprison him for having Meetings at his House , and not conforming ; by which Writ he was apprehended and sent to Prison , and after he had been there eighteen Moneths , the Bailiffs said , They must have 20 s. of him : Being a very poor man , the Keeper took pity on him , and let him have Liberty to go forth to Work ; but the Bishops Officers hearing of it , threatned the Keeper to have him fined , and put out of his place ; whereupon this poor Man was kept from working , and was forced to be relieved by his Friends , his Wife being a sickly Woman , and in a distressed condition : And the said William Woolcott was continued Prisoner till the 27th of the 3d Moneth , 1676. and then departed this Life a Prisoner , being a good Savour to the Truth all the time of his Imprisonment . Witnesses , John Gannicliffe , Robert Welch . Durham . RIchard Errington of Gretham near Stockton , Farmer , taken from a Meeting a● Thomas Yooles the 9th of the 7th Moneth . 1665. and had before Ralph Davison and Joseph Naylor , Justices , and by them committed to Durham Goal , upon the Act for Banishment , at the Quarter-Sessions , the 4th of the 8th Moneth following , being brought to the Bar , Samuel Davison Judge of the Court , past Sentence on him , viz. to be banished to Barbadoes , and to be kept Prisoner in the House of Correction till he could be Shipt , where he remained until he became weak in Body ; and being not likly to recover , his Friends moved for a removal of him to a Friends House , for better Conveniencies , but it was denyed ; so that about the beginning of the 6th Moneth , 1667. he laid down the Body for the Testimony of the Truth , after he had suffered Imprisonment near three Years . Gloucestershire . UPon the 10th day of the 5th Moneth , 1670. there being a Meeting of the People of God , called Quakers , in Cirencester , there came one Thomas Masters , called a Justice , with others , to break up the Meeting , he asked them , what their end in Meeting was ; one replyed , We meet in the fear of the Lord , and for no Evil end , the Lord knows , but to wait upon him . And to worship him too , Do you not ? said he : To which Answer was made Yes . That 's enough , said he , we need no further Evidence . But proceeded to Fine them , and in a Rage laid Hands on them , calling his Company to help him pull them down Stairs , the Meeting being in an upper Room , John Cooke , one of the Officers , a wicked man , cryed , Clear the Stairs : And thereupon Robert Jenkins , one reported to be a Hang-man , threw several down Stairs , and amongst the rest the Widdow Hewlings , an Antient honourable Woman , who by the Violence of the fall was lamentably bruised , and her Shoulder seperated , so that she could not be recovered , but dyed within a Moneth after , a Woman greatly beloved in those parts , and much missed , being a skilful Midwife , and ready to do good unto all . John Webly of Brockworth , a Man about fourscore and seven Years of Age , for the value of about 20 s. Tythes , was by Christopher Guy , Impropriator , in the Year 1660. cast into Gloucester Goal among Thieves , where he lay a full Year , and there dyed the same day was a twelve Moneth that he was committed ; Henry Guy , Brother to the said Christopher , asked his Wife , when he was sick in Prison , Whether she would pay or not ? she denying the payment , he told her , If her Husband dyed , he should not be buried , but carried up to the top of the House , and the Walls should be beset , and the Fowles of the Air should eat him . This he spoke in the hearing of their Son and Daughter , John and Hester Webly . Richard Wetmore for not Conforming , Imprisoned by an Excommunicato Capiendo Writ , sued by the Chancellor of the Bishops Court at Gloucester ; soon after he was put into the Goal dyed . Hampshire . 1661. WIlliam Rutter of Portsmouth , in the 12th Moneth , 1660. for being at a peaceable Meeting in the said Town , was committed to a stinking close Prison by Richard Lardner , Mayor of the said Town , and not suffered to go forth to take the Air , where he took much Cold and fell Sick , and upon the 14th day of the 1st Moneth , 1661. dyed a Prisoner . Henry Streater of Bramshot ( being in the Year 1660. at a Meeting at his Brothers House at Alton ) was by Humphry Bennet and others , called Justices , committed to the Common Goal at Winton , and there remained until the 1st day of the 2d Moneth , 1661. and then dyed . Thomas Willis of Totton was with other Friends committed to Prison in Southampton , by William Stanly Mayor , upon the 14th day of the 7th Moneth , 1662. for being at a Meeting , and was there detained Prisoner until he dyed , which was on the 18th day of the 2d Moneth , 1663. Humphry Smith a faithful Servant and Labourer in the Work of the Lord , being taken at a peaceable Meeting in Alton , was by Warrant from John Norton and Humphry Bennet committed to Winton Common Goal , the 14th day of the 8th Moneth , 1662. and there remained until he died , which was on the 6th day of the 3d Moneth , 1663. ☞ Thomas Penford , a poor Black-Smith , having a Wife and three Children , on the 3d day of the 8th Moneth , 1664. being Excommunicated by the Bishops Court , for not paying three Pence towards the Repair of the Steeple-house , and for no other cause , was Imprisoned in the common Goal in Winton , where after he had remained a Prisoner three Years and a half , he dyed a faithful Witness for the Lord against such Oppression . Nicholas Complin , in the last day of the 3d Moneth , 1663. and several others were taken up ( upon suspition that they were intended to meet near Ringwood ) and had before Henry Br●mfeild , called a Justice , who though he said , he did believe they were not at a Meeting ; yet he said , he did believe they did intend to meet together , and made a Mittimus and sent them all to the common Goal in Winton , and at the Assizes they were fined 10 l. a Man , and ordered to be kept in Prison till payment , where they were detained close Prisoners for above half a Year , and the said Nicholas Complin dyed then a Prisoner ; He was an Upright Just man , and had a good Repute in the County where he lived , by all that knew him . Hartfordshire . WIlliam Pratt and Thomas Leavens about the 5th Moneth , 1664. were taken at a Meeting at the House of Robert Pryor , in the Parish of Hatfeild , and had to the Prison in Hartford , and at the next Assizes were tendred the Oath of Allegiance , by Orlando Bridgman Judge of the Court ; and for refusing for Conscience sake to Swear , were again returned to Prison , where after a long Imprisonment , they both dyed Prisoners . John Winchester and Thomas Harris committed to Prison for meeting to wait upon the Lord , about the 4th moneth , 1661. continued Prisoners until the 14th day of the 5th moneth , 1662. and then being brought to the Quarter-Sessions , the Oath of Allegiance was tendred to them , and for refusing to Swear for Conscience sake , and in obedience to the Command of Christ J●sus , were recommitted to the County Goal , where they remained Prisoners until they dyed . Huntingtonshire . SImon Sandford Imprisoned at the Suit of John Morton , Priest of Aukenbury Cum Weston , and was kept in Prison near a Year and a half ; and being released , was after Imprisoned with Francis Lamstead , when many were cast into Prison for Meeting , and refusing to Swear , in the Year 1660. they both fell sick , and Francis dyed the 7th day of the 1st Moneth , and Simon the 18th day of the 12th Moneth , 1660. Herefordshire . CHarles Joxes of Bishopp Standford , taken from his Imployment in the 11th Moneth , 1660. and had before a Magistrate , who tendred him the Oath of Allegiance , and because for Conscience sake he could not Swear , he was committed to Prison , where he fell sick , and on the 20th day of the 2d Moneth , 1661. finished his Testimony by Death , leaving a sweet and good Savour behind him . Thomas Longvell taken out of a peaceable Meeting waiting upon the Lord , and carried before the Bailiff of Lemster , the 22d of the 11th Moneth , 1660. who tendred him the Oath of Allegiance , and because he Conscientiously refused to Swear , he was committed first to Prison in Leominster , and from thence sent to the County Goal in Hereford ; in the second Moneth in the Year 1661. he finished his Course by laying down his Life for the Truth in the Go●l ; and when he was dead , the Goaler would not let his Friends have the Co●ps to Bury , because they would not pay the Coroner his Fees ; but after he had kept the Corps a Day and a Night , buried it without the Coroner sitting on it , and carried it in an undecent manner ; for the Hangman tyed the Coffen upon a Ladder , and four Fellons carried the Corps , and the Hangm●n went before , and the Go●ler behind ; and when they put him in the Grave , the H●ngman said , He lived like a Hog , and should be buried like a Dog : And said , But that it is wet Weather , he would have made a Grave under the Gallows , and have buried him there , and have drove a Stake through him . Kent . WIlliam Watcher and Mary his Wife , going to the B●rying Gro●nd wi●h the Body of Samuel York●on their K●nsman , & being at the Grave whilst John C●op the Pries● was reading his Form , Mary spoke these Words , sayin● The Blind lead the Blind , until both fall into the Ditch . ● which the P●iest was in great Rage , and stirred up the Magistra●es to send for William and Mary before them , and to require Bond of them for their good Behaviour ; for refusal of which , they were both committed to Maidstone Goal , ( though William sp●ke not to them ) where they lay both about ten Weeks , and then William laid down his Life in Bonds , after which M●ry was soon delivered by the Judge of Assize , though much contrary to the Will of the Pri●st , who said , She 〈◊〉 lie t●ere till she dyed also . Henry Wicken of Sutton Valence committed about the 11th Moneth , 1663. for not paying Tythes or Church-Scot , so called , remained a Prisoner until the 13th of the 11th Moneth , 1664. and then laid down his Life in Bonds for the Truth 's sake . Joseph Stonehouse , John Day , Marke Feilder , John Purdy and Rebecca Elkinton , all dyed in Prison for their Testimony to the Truth since the Year 1661. Nicholas Homewo●d of Swingfeild , an Innocent man , and yet a great Sufferer , for his faithful Testimony against Tythes , the 28●h day of the 9th Moneth , 1665. was taken by a Common-Law Writ , at the Suit of Edward Wildish an Impropriator , for refusing to pay him Tythes , and carried to the County Goal at Canterbury : And though this Prosecutor had this Poor man's Body in Prison , he did in a very unreasonable manner take and carry away his Corn at his Pleasure ; from Canterbury Goal he was removed to Maidstone , and from thence his Adversary removed him to the Kings Bench , where he remained a Prisoner until the 19th day of the 7th Moneth , 1676. which was about eleaven Years Imprisonment , and then finished his Testimony by Death . Thomas Friend of Allington in the County of Kent , sued by Priest Slaiton of Seventon , for not paying him Tythes , and Imprisoned in the Common Goal in Dunstons near Canterbury , the 14th of the 8th Moneth , 1678. where he remained Prisoner until the 5th of the 10th Moneth in the same Year , and then laid down his Body in Peace , bearing a faithful Testimony to the last against the Hi●eling Priest : In his Imprisonment he was hardly used by Henry Landman the Goaler and his Wi●e , who put him in a bad place amongst Fellons and Murtherers , and when he was sick , would not let him have any Fire , and sometimes his Friends kept from him ; and the Day he departed , it was earnestly desired of the Goaler's Wife , to grant a few Charcole in a Chaffendish to warm something for the sick Man , telling her how weak he was ; which Request she denyed as one void of any Pity or Compassion . Leicestershire . 1661. EDward Muggleston of Whitwick Parish , sued in the Exchequer by Priest Bennet , for not paying Tythes ; After several Years Imprisonment falling sick , and after two or three Weeks Sickness , ●on the 4th of the 9th Moneth , 1661. he was released from the Cruelty of his Prosecutors , for he finished his Testimony in sweet Peace with the Lord , against the corrupt Priesthood , and dyed a faithful Witness to the Truth , and left a good Savour behind him . Lancashire . 1665. OLiver Atherton Imprisoned in Lancaster Castle in a bad smoky place , at the Suit of the Countess of Derby for Tythes , fell sick and dyed in Prison in the Year 1665. leaving a good Savour behind him ; and a little before he dyed , he sent her Word , That if nothing would satisfie her but his Blood , it was like ere long she might have it ; and in a little time after he dyed . John Saeterthwait and William Sands , both Imprisoned in Lancaster Castle for Conscience sake ; both dyed about the same time , and finished their Testimony for the Truth . London and Middlesex . DAniel Abraham being Imprisoned in Newgate , with about three Hundred more , for refusing for Conscience sake to Swear ; in the 12th Moneth , 1660. fell sick and dyed . Walter Bellamy being at the same time ( and for the same cause ) Imprisoned in Newgate , and there being one Hundred imprisoned in that Room where he was ; it was judged that so many being together for want of convenient Air and Lodging , he fell sick , and in the 3d Moneth , 1661. he dyed a Prisoner . John Stanton having a Wife and several Children , was taken out of a Meeting by rude Souldiers , and committed to Newgate ; and falling sick the 21st of the 4th Moneth , 1661. dyed a Prisoner . Thomas Kirby a Young man , a Habberdasher by Trade , being newly out of his time , was taken out of a Meeting , and committed to Prison to Newgate , where he fell sick , and on the 1st day of the 5th Moneth , 1662. he finished his Testimony by Death . Richard Hubberthorne , a faithful Minister of Christ Jesus , being declaring the Truth at the Bull and Mouth Meeting , was taken by Souldiers , and carried before Richard ●rown , who as soon as he came before him , took hold of the Brim of his Hat and lugged it upon his Face , and committed him to Newgate , where he and two more lay in a dark close Hole , and falling sick on the 17th of the 6th Moneth , 1662. he laid down his Life for the Testimony of Truth . Anthony Skillington being at a Meeting of the Lords People the 30th of the 5th Moneth , 1662. was by the rude Souldiers taken out of the Meeting , and brought before R. Brown , who sent him to Prison , with many more ; and they demanded a free Prison , and so the Goaler put them in th Hole , which is the place they put Fellons in after they are condemned to dye , and ●here a eleaven of them remained two Nights , and then were had out , and put in a stinking Hole amongst the common Fellons , and Anthony often complained of the bad Smell , before he fell sick ; and by reason of want of Ai● and such a stinking Smell , he and several more fell sick and dyed , and the Jury that viewed his Body , concluded that they did believe his close Imprisonment and the stinking Smell furfeited his Body , which was the cause of Death , it being in the heat of Summer . John Giles , a faithful Minister of the Tru●h , was taken out of a Meeting , where he was ministring the Truth , and committed to Newgate by Richard Brown , where fall●●g sick the 29th of the 6th Moneth , 1662. he laid down his Life for the Truth 's sake . William Watson of the Parish of White-Chappel , was taken from a Meet●ng , and commi●t●d to the common Goal in Newgate , where he fell si●k , a●d on the 25th of the 6th Moneth , 1662. dyed a Priso●er . William Eldridge and John Shoot were both committed to Newgate by Richard Browne , for Meeting to Worship God ; and they fell sick , and the latter end of the 6th Moneth , 1662. both dyed , and were carried from Newgate together . Richard Bradlay for the same cause was committed to New-Prison , where he fell sick , and the 1st day of the 7th Moneth , 1662. he laid down his Life for the Truth 's sake . Henry Boreman being committed to Newgate for selling Books , written by the People called Quakers , fell sick and dyed in Newgate the 17th of the 8th Moneth , 1662. and left a Wife great with Child , and three small Children behind him . Thomas Austee and William Hawkes being committed to Newgate by Richard Browne , for Meeting to Worship God fell sick , and both laid down their Bodies in the Prison for the Truth 's sake . Thomas Rogers , a Young man , was also taken out of a Meeting of the People of God , and committed to the common Goal , in Newgate , where he fell sick about the 10th Moneth , and dyed in a short time a Prisoner for the Truth of God. Marke Close and Gabriel Shaller being committed by Richard Browne , for the Cause aforesaid , to the common Goal at Newgate , both fell sick , and about the latter end of the 10th Moneth , 1662. both dyed . John Cooper was by Richard Browne committed to the common Goal in Newgate , for the same Cause , where he finished his Testimony by Death , the 30th of the 10th Moneth 1662. Thomas Hankler , William Pryor and Samuel Petchett , being committed by Richard Browne , for Meeting to worship God ; about the 6th or 7th of the 11th moneth , 1662. dyed in the common Goal in Newgate , William P●●or leaving a Wife and Children behind him ; and Samuel Petchett was a Young man , newly come up out of the Country about Business . John Trowell being at a Meeting at the Bull and Mouth the latter end of the 6th moneth , 1662. was dragged out of the Meeting by rude Souldiers , and one of them knockt him down for dead in the Street , and then trampled upon him in the Street , and he lay sick ten dayes , and then dyed , and his Body was carried to the Bull , where he received his Bruises and Blows , and the Coroner and Jury viewed his dead Body , who judged him to be Murthered , his Body being black with Bruises , and even Rotten like a Jelly : It cannot well be expressed what griveous Blows he received , one of the Officers having a Club in one hand about a yard long , which seemed to be as much as he could well handle for bigness and weight , with which he laid on about him without mercy , as did the most of his party , regarding neither Age nor Sex. One was knockt down five times . and the Blood lay in the Streets , and ran down mens Faces and Shoulders . Humphry Bache and ●umphry Brewster were both committed to Newgate for Meeting , and by the Closeness of the Prison , their Bodies were corrupted , so that in a short time after they were released , they dyed . Humphry Leaver , Richard Davis , Robert Cross , Thomas Wingreen and John Ratcliff , were all Imprisoned in the common Goal in Newgate by Richard Browne , for Meeting to worship God ; and as it was judged , through the Smoke and Noisom Smells their Bodies were corrupt●d , so that soon after they were released they dyed . Edward Burroughs a Faithful Labourer and Minister of the Lord , being Imprisoned in Newgate for declaring the Truth to the People at the Bull and Mouth ; he remained a Prisoner near three Quarters of a Year ; and notwithstanding the King sent an Order under his Secretary's Hand and Seal to Release him , yet Richard Browne would not Release him . The beginning of the 12th moneth the said Edward Burroughs fell sick , and the 14th day of t●e same moneth he finished his Testimony by Death . An Account of such as Dyed by reason of their Imprisonment ; Prosecuted upon the Act for Banishment , 1664. John Clark John Lewis Hannah Trigg Hannah Drewry John Wilkinson John Hales William Tomkins Robert Twinn Henry Haslam John Palmer John Cooke Edward Baker Joseph Stonehouse Mary Draper Andrew Andrews John Willbore Richard Twinn Mary Davis George Hide Hannah Cooke Mary Mile Henry Woodward Richard Audley Mary Travers Roger Evans Benjamin Greenwell Since the prosecution of the Act for Banishment all these Persons sealed their Testimony with the loss of their Innocent Lives , which was occasioned by reason of their being crowded by great Numbers into one Prison , viz. Newgate , where for want of Prison-Room and convenient Lodging , having not room to lie down one by another , so that many were constrained to walk upon the Leads in Newgate in the Night-season , which was very high and open both to Wind and Weather , and with the Infections and Noisom smells that were in the Prison , they fell sick and dyed , some in the Prison , and others in a few dayes after they were let out , many of them being sentenced to be Transported . Elizabeth Pike Jane Powell Peter Penington John Fox John Hors●y Dorothy Hall Vincent Gerrard William Newman Richard T●mp●on Thomas Clarke William Matthews John Gabb Bartholomew Hall Matthew Jackson Christop . Dickenson J●hn Noble J●hn ●haplin Henry Taylor Arthur Baker Deborah Harding Anne Royley Nathaniel Harding Edmund Berkly Rachell Jackson Laurence Aplyn Edward Walker Edward Lee. The Sickness being in Newgate , there was One Hundred Forty Five of the People of God called Quakers then Prisoners , being sentenced to be Banished ; Fifty Five of which were forced on Board a Ship to be Transported , after their long Imprisonment ; and the Sickness being in the Ship into which they were put , they were thronged all the men together in one place between Decks , where they could not stand Upright , so that the Distemper being once amongst them , it occasioned most of them to be infected , so that all these Persons above-named dyed on Board , some at Bugbyes hole , and the rest beyond Gravesend . Robert Hayes being sentenced to be Banished , was taken out of Newgate with two more of his Friends , and put in a Boat to be carried to Gravesend ; and the said Robert being taken fasting out of Newgate , and having been in a course of Purging Physick , was in that case , ( upon scarce any warning given ) early one Morning hurried from Newgate , and having no outward Refreshment till he came to Gravesend , took cold and fell Sick , and in a short time after he was put on Board he dyed . 1665. About the same time that th● aforesaid Persons dyed on Board the Ship , there dyed these Fifty Two Persons in Newgate , who lay Prisoners , most of them being sentenced to be Banished , and the rest upon the third Conviction . Edmund Ward John West Edward Bull Thomas Wicks John Frith Thomas Davis John Somerfeild John Sammon George Pryor John Smith John Tesdell Mathias Gardner Richard Lambert Joshua Clare George Taylor George Evans John Crane Nicholas Blye Thomas Kemsey Hugh Carter Margaret Welsby Bethiah Marloe Edward Harvy Daniel Read James Sweet James Portsmouth Ambross Cock Mark Beecroft John Wiggins Hugh West John Rotten Cuthbert Harle Benj. Laurence Geo. Hellingsworth J●hn Cowdry Henry Wilkinson Malachy Dudly Aug. Th●rrowgood Christopher Nicholls John Howard Richard Spackman James Williams Daniell Hawkins John Bates Francis White John Francis Robert Thomas Joseph Haugh Mary Powell Martin Crosh●e John Fitz Gerrard Sarah Leigh . About this time there were eight Persons taken out of a Meeting in the Liberty of VVestminster ▪ and committed to the Gate house by the D. of Albemarle , where four of them dyed , viz. Stephen VVhite , William Avelin , Robert Towerland and Samuel S●onh●use Somersetshire . RIchard Adams dyed in Prison the 17th day of the 8th Moneth , 1660. for not paying Tythes to Priest Bryan of Limington , which Priest was afterwards almost Distracted before he dyed . John Combe of Brent dyed in Prison the 22d day of the 10th moneth , 1660. for not paying Tythes to James Blacklock and Thom●s Gold , Farmers of Tythes ; since Blacklock dyed , and Gold decayed . Thom●s Lockier dyed in Prison for not paying Tythes to Priest Horsey ●f East Lydford , who would not suffer him to be buryed , but forcibly took him from the Bearers , 1661. Hugh Willmington of Barwick dyed a Prisoner the 4th of the 10th moneth , 1661. after he had been several moneths a Prisoner , for not paying Tythes to Thomas Compton , Impropriator . Thomas Deane of Kingsbury dyed the 24th of the 2d moneth , 1661. for not paying Tythes to VVilliam Strode , Impropriator . George Adams dyed in Prison the 26th of 6th moneth , 1663. being committed to Prison ( for Meeting to wait upon the Lord ) by Francis Paulet and Thomas Carry , and fined 3 l. 6 s. 8 d. by Judge Terrill ( without hearing him at Charde ) twelve Miles from Ilchester , where he then lay Sick. John Evans the younger , having been a Prisoner for some years , being taken at a Meeting of the Lords People , and commited by one called Sir John Warr , and afterwards had the Sentence of a P●aemunire past upon hi● by Judge Foster , to be Imprisoned during Life ; the 14th day of the 1st Moneth , 1664. was set at Liberty by Death . John VVall of Eddington being taken at a peaceable Meeting of the Lords people , and brought be●ore VVilliam Ball , called Justice , he was scornfully entreated by him , and his Hat and Cap violently struck off his Head by one White , the Justices Clark , in his Masters presence , who disdainfully bid him give the man his Night-cap again , and sent him to Ilchester Goal , where at the Sessions he was brought out into the cold Air ( being sick and languishing ) before the Justices at a Tavern , where he was badly entreated , and his Hat and Cap again taken off his Head , when he had been in a sweat just before . The Justices , after some scornful and reproachful Language ( without shewing any pity to his person or principle ) returned him to Prison again , where his cold encreased , and he daily grew weaker , and on the ●th of the 9th moneth , 1665. finished his Testimony by Death . VVilliam Hodges , after six years and ten weeks Imprisonment dyed in Prison the 23d of the 6th mon●th , 1667. committed by Francis Paulett and Thomas Curry , for Meeting and refusing to Swear . Henry Leverick taken out of a peaceable Meeting , and committed to Prison to Ilchester , where he had a●terwards the sentence of Praemunire past upon him by Judge F●ster , he dyed a Prisoner the 3d of the 1st moneth , 1668. being well-nigh eighty years of Age. Richard Councell dyed in Prison for not paying Tythes to Priest Smith's Widdow of Badgworth ; the Goal-keepers , for not feeding them with Money , were hard to him . Samuel Clothier of Alford , an Honest , Faithful and Upright man , who suffered Imprisonment at several times , at the Suit of Thomas Earle , Priest of Alford , for not p●ying Tythes , Samuel looking upon it to be an Antichristian Imposition , and contrary to the Testimony of Christ Jesus and the Word of God , chose rather to suffer , than to make Shiprack of Faith and a good Conscience ; and after about ten years and three m●neths Imprisonment in all , upon the account aforesaid , he finished his Testimony by Death , being a Pri●oner at Ilchester the 26th day of the 6th moneth , 1670. and went to his Grave in Peace with God , and hath left a good favour behind him . William Kent of Purlock for Conscientiously refusi●g to go to Church ( so called ) and conform to hear Common Prayer , was Excommunicated at the Bishops Court at Wells , at the Suit and by the Promotion of Haumet Ward , Priest of Purlock , called , Dr. in Divinity , but in truth an Actor in Iniquity , and upon Significavit was taken upon the first day of the Week by Edward Stout and Robert Holbourn , Deputy Bailiffs , and on the 26th day of the 1st moneth , 1667. was had to Ilchester Goal , and in Testimony for God , against the false Worshippers of the World , he finished his Testimony by Death at Ilchester the 1st of the 11th moneth , 1670. Thomas Budd on the 22d day of the 4th moneth , 1670. departed this Life after he had been Prisoner at Ilchester about eight Years and four Moneths , for Meeting , and not Swearing , being under the Sentence of a Premuni●e . Some hours before his Death he dec●ared to this eff●ct ; That he had renewed his Engagements and Covenants with God , and was therein satisfi●d , and d●d hope and believe , the Lord would sustain him in Life and Death with the Ri●ht Hand of his Righteousness ; and did greatly rejoyce and bless God that all his Children were Engaged in the Way of the Lord , &c. Thomas Parsons of Portishead dyed a Prisoner the 25th of the 1st moneth , for meeting with the Lords Pe●ple to worship him , and refusing to Swear , according ●o the command of Christ , who saith , Swear not at all ; c●mmitted by Hugh Smith , Edward Gorges and Hugh Tyute , Justices , so called . ●ucy Travers , an antient Widdow , the 25th of the 1st moneth , 1674. dyed , being prosecuted to Death for two pence offering Money , by Priest Kittley of Queen-Camell , she being not an Inhabitant , but came to visit her Daughter , who lived in that Parish . Surrey . THomas Patchen of Binscomb an upright man , although he was weak and ill in Bed in his own House , in the Year 1660. was taken and had before a Justice , who committed him to the White Lyon Prison in Southwark , which is above twenty seven Miles from his H●use , because he refused to Swe●r ; and though he was a man of a considerable Estate , they drove him twenty five Miles on foot , and were very cruel to him ; and when he came to the Goal the Goaler set the Thieves to Rob him for their Garnish , and they took from him in Clothes and Money ( which through the violence of his Distemper he was forced to c●nse●t to let them have ) 5 l. 15 s. And being thus cruelly dealt with , in a few dayes after he was committed , he dyed in the Prison a faithful Witness to the Truth . Thomas Birkly , Henry Bromly , John Whitlock and William Snooke , were all four committed to the White Lyon Prison for Meeting to Worship God , and falling sick , for want of Air and Conveniencies of Lodging , there being many more of their Friends & Brethren at the same time in Prison with them , fifteen of whom were sick at one time ; these four Persons finished their faithful Testimony for the blessed Truth , in the 9th moneth , 1662. John Dison , John Wostenholm and Richard Page being committed to the White Lyon Prison for the cause aforesaid , and about eighty more were kept in three little Rooms , where , by reason of the closeness of the place , they fell sick , and in a short time , ( being on the 6th of 10th moneth , 1662. ) they there finished their Testimony for the Truth by Death . Samuel Fisher a faithful Minister and Labourer in the Work and Service of the Lord , taken out of a Meeting of the Lords People in Charliwood in this County , and committed to Pri●on to the White Lyon , where he remained a Prisoner until he dyed , which was on the 31th of the 6th moneth , 1665. Joseph Fuce taken at the same Meeting at Charliwood , and for no other cause but declaring the Truth to edifie and build up the People of God in their most holy Faith , he being also a faithful Servant of the Lord , whose Mouth was opened by the Gift of God , to declare and publish his Truth , for which he was committed wi●h S. Fisher to the White Lyon Prison , and after he had remained a Prisoner several Years , he finished his Testimony by Death . 1665. John Shield another of the Labourers in the Work and Service of God was taken out of a Meeting at Horse-lie-down , and committed to Prison to the White Lyon , where he remained a Prisoner till about the 6th or 7th moneth , 1665. and then finished his Course as a faithful Witness for the Lord and his Truth . John Fothergill was taken out of a peaceable Meeting of the People of God at Glinford , and was had before one called a Justice , who committed him to Prison to the White Lyon , and being twenty five Miles from London , he was unwilling to put the Constable to so much trouble to guard him to Prison , but went himself , the Constable giving him his Mittimus ; and after he had remained some Moneths in Prison he fell sick of a Feavour , and about the 6th moneth , 1665. he finished his Course , and was taken away from the many Tryals and Troubles that the Righteous suffer in this World. Henry Day of the Parish of Magdalens Bermonsey in the County of Surrey , Taylor , Imprisoned in the County Goal , upon a Writ of Excommunicato Capiendo , prosecuted by George Nutkins , William Browne , John Arnold and Richard Burgin , Wardens and Overseers of the said Parish , for not paying towards the Repair of the Church ( so called ) after he had lain some time in Prison , fell sick , and dyed the 20th day of the 7th moneth , 1677. a Prisoner for the Testimony of a good Conscience . John Farmer of the same Parish , Carpenter , Imprisoned by the same Writ , at the same time and for the same cause , prosecuted at the same mens suit , remained a Prisoner until he dyed , which was the 12th day of November , 1680. Suffolk . THe 22d day of the 10th moneth , 1678. Robert Tomson of Broadfeild , and several of the People of God being assembled in a Yard ( being kept by the Officers out of the house they used to meet in at Woodbridge ) there came Thomas Bacon , called Justice , and Edmund Broome , Priest , and some Officers to break up the Meeting , and the said Justice committed eleaven of them to Prison to Melton Goal , where the said Robert Tomson soon after he was in Prison dyed a a Faithful Witness to the Lord's Truth , and for assembling with his People to Worship the Righteous God. Northton . JOhn Samm of Howend in the Parish of Haughton Conquest in the County of Bedford , a faithful Minist●r and Labourer in the Lords Work , William Lovel of Hardingston , and Joseph Gamage of Buggbrook being with several others assembled in the fear of God , to worship him in Spirit and Truth at Nuskutt the 23d day of 6th moneth . 1663. were apprehended by Warrant from John Willoughby , called Justice , who committed them to the common Goal , where there were above 〈◊〉 tha● lay in the low Goal , twelve steps below the Ground and in the night they had but little Air , being lockt d●wn betimes , and so kept close until the seventh hour the next Morning ; and John Snart the Wicked Goaler would not suffer their Friends to come at them ; with this hard Usage several of th● Prisoners fell sick and dyed ; the said John Samm dyed the 26th day of the 1st moneth , 1664. William Lovel dyed the 11th day of the 2d moneth , and Joseph Gamage dyed the 2d day of the 2d moneth . William Carr of Kislingberry committed to Prison upon the false Oath of Richard Harris , Priest of Kislingberry , who Swore , That William Carr gave a Treasonable Paper to one William Law , but he being present before the Justice , offered to take his Oath , That it was given him by another ; nevertheless the Justice committed William Carr , under a pretence of spreading Treasonable Papers , in which Paper there was indeed no Treason , but was written by a faithful Servant of the Lord ; and though William Carr was had to the Sessions , where instead of trying him about the Paper , the Oath of Allegiance was tendred to him , a Snare the Justice knew would hold him , for that for Conscience sake he could not Swear ; and for refusing to take an Oath he was sent to the Goal again , where , after eleaven Weeks Imprisonment in the low Goal , on the 25th day of the 1st moneth , 1664. he dyed . Richard Ashby on the 6th day of the 7th moneth , 1662. was taken out of a Meeting , where divers were assembled to Worship God at the House of Joseph Gamage at Buggbrooke , and being carried before John Willoughby , called Justice , he tendred him the Oath of Allegiance , and because for Conscience sake he refused to Swear , he was committed to the common Goal , where , on the 26th day of the 1st moneth , 1664. he dyed in the true Faith , and bore a good Testimony to the Glory of God. Thomas Arnold of Heyford Imprisoned at the suit of Priest Seller of Stow , because for Conscience sake he could not pay him Tythes ; he patiently took up the Cross and followed the Lord , and forsook his Wife , Children , Houses and Land freely , and laid down his Life willingly for the precious Truth 's sake ; after a Year and a halfs Imprisonment , he dyed on the 1st day of the 2d Moneth , 1664. And note further the Cruelty of this Priest , he was not satisfied with the Blood of Thomas Arnold , but on the 30th day of the 5th Moneth following , sent T. A's tender Wife to Goal , because she could not pay Tythes . William Ewins of Farthingstone Imprisoned in the County Goal , at the Suit of Thomas Hogg , Priest of the said Town , for not paying him Tythes ; he was Prisoner for the same one Year and a half , all which time he was kept in the patience of the Lamb , until he dyed , which was on the 1st day of the 2d Moneth , 1664. and his Wife dyed at home soon after ; and his Son and Daughter were both Sick of the same Disease , being infected in the nasty Hole where William dyed : And after the Young man recovered , because he refused to pay Tythes , the Priest cast him into Goal also in the same Year . Norfolk . EDward Shooter being at a peaceable Meeting in the fear of God in Lyn , on the 7th day of the 12th Moneth , 1663. was with others taken by Souldiers , and put into a nasty noisom stinking place , call'd a Cage , where they were kept for the vulgar Rabble to deride , till towards Night , and then were had before the Mayor , who tendred them the Oath of Allegiance ; and because for Conscience sake they refused to Swear , they were all sent to Bridewell , where they were kept two or three Nights and Dayes , and then sent them to the Goal , where they were severely used and kept most of them to l●dge on the hard Boards for a long time ; the Goaler being so Cruel , that he would suffer neither Fire nor Straw to be carried in to them , but what a poor Woman privately brought in , as if it had been Victuals in a Basket ; and in this condition they continued four or five M●neths , the Goaler also boarding up the Windows so close , that he deprived them what he could , both of Light and Air , and often denyed their Friends to come at them . In these deep Sufferings the aforesaid Edward Shooter fell sick and finished his Testimony to the Truth by Death . Mary Mawley of Wor●well , in the County of Norfolk , Widdow , committed Prisoner to Norwich Castle for the Tythe of a Goose , by Priest Mingly , then Priest of the said Town , who kept her a Prisoner in Norwich Castle till she dyed there . John Norris Imprisoned in Norwich Castle , upon the Writ De Excommunicato Capiendo , and there detained a Prisoner until he dyed . Francis Gardner , late of Tivitshall , in the Year 1675. was subpaened into the Exchequer by Chistopher Burrel , Priest of Pulham , for not paying Tythes ; and the said Priest caused him to be kept close Prisoner in the Castle at Norwich , and while he was so kept , the said Burrel went hims●lf with Servants , Horses and Cart into the Fields of the said Francis Gardner , and carried away what Corn they pleased , and yet continued the said Francis in Pris●n : And in the time of the Imprisonment of the said Francis he had very great Sickness , with which the said Barrel was acquainted , and was desired to give the s●id Francis some Liberty in that Sickness ; but the Priest denyed it , and endeavoured that he might have no more Liberty than the Prison afforded him ; so he was straightly kept unto his last , where he finished his Testimony , and laid down his Life the 7th of the 10th Moneth , 1678. having lain in Prison three Years and some Moneths . Oxfordshire . RObert Willet , being with several others at a peaceable Meeting in the Year 1662. was for the same Indicted at the Sessions , and when they appeared there , the Oath of Allegiance was tendred to them ; and for refusing for Conscience sake to Swear , the Judge of the Sessions fined them 5 l. a piece , and recommitted them : And of Robert Willet , they required Bond for his Good Behaviour ; but knowing his own Innocency , and that he had not mis-behaved himself , he denyed to give any Bond , and so was kept in Prison till he dyed . Richard Clenton of Woosum Mill was Imprisoned at the same time , and fell sick in Prison ; and suddainly after he was released , he laid down the Body . 1664. Thomas Reines of Great Tue Imprisoned upon a Writ De Excommunica●o Capiendo , being prosecuted in the Bishops Court at Oxford , in the 12th Moneth , 1664. and after he had remained six Years and a half in Prison , he laid down the Body , bearing a faithful Testimony to the Truth to the last ; and notwithstanding he was in Prison , the Priest of the Parish still prosecuted him for Tythes , and took away two Horses from him ( for the same ) worth 6 l. The 28th day of the 2d Moneth , in the Year 1679. William Staple of Hooknorton in the said County sued in the Exchequer , by Thomas Wise of the Town aforesaid Impropriator , for 4 l. 12 s. Tythes , & Imprisoned in the County Goal , where he was Prisoner until the 6th day of the 5th Moneth , 1679. and then dyed Prisoner , and finished his Testimony for Truth against Tythes . Thomas Deane of Hooknorton aforesaid , Imprisoned the 28th day of the 2d Month , 1679. at the Suit of the said Thomas Wise , for Tythe , valued at 2 l. 2 s. 6 d. in the County Goal at Oxford , where he continued Prisoner the space of three Moneths , or upwards , and then dyed a Prisoner . Pembrookeshire . HUgh Loyd of Haverford West , Clothier , Imprisoned for not taking the Oath of Allegiance , and dyed a Prisoner , 1666. Westmorland . 1663. FRancis Howgill about the latter end of the 5th moneth 1663. being at the Market at Kendall about his ordinary occasions , was summoned by the high Constable to appear before the Justices then present at a Tavern , who tendred him the Oath of Allegiance , as as they said , and committed him to Prison until the Assizes at Appleby , where he had the same tendred in Court by the Judge , and for not taking of it ( being against his Conscience to Swear at all ) was indicted , only had liberty to answer to the Indictment next Assizes after , and in the mean time a Goal delivery being at A●pleby , he was required to enter into Bond for the good Behaviour , only to ensnare and to bring him into further B●nds , and for denying was committed Prisoner ; he was brought before the Judges at two several Assizes after , and had the sentence of a Premunire past upon him by Judge Turner , but the chief Persecutor of him was one called Sir Philip Musgrave . The said F. Nowgill continued a Prisoner till the day of his Death , which was the 20th day of the 11th moneth . 1668. at the common Goal in Appleby , where he made a blessed End , having been a faithful Labourer in the Lords Work and Service . Warwickshire 1660. PEter Buckston committed Prisoner to the Goal in Warwick , by a Writ of Excommunicato Capiendo , and after two Years Imprisonment dyed a Prisoner . Mary Page of Wellingburrough , in the County of Northamton , in the Year 1663. going to Warwick to visit some of her Friends and Brethren in the Truth , who suffered for Conscience sake in Warwick Goal ; and being at an Inn with some others that came thither on the same account , and having newly supt , and were paying the Reckoning , in came one Kirby the Bailiff , and a Beadle ; and in a great rage would have sent them to the Goal that Night , had not the Inn-Keeper past his Word for their Appearance next Morning ; and when they appeared , the Oath of Allegiance was tendred them , and four Men and two Women were sent to the Goal , of which number this Mary Page was one , where she and the rest remained from Sessions to Sessions , and from Assize to Assize , until Mary Page fell sick ; in which Sickness she finished her faithful Testimony by Death , about the 9th Moneth , 1665. WALES . Montgomeryshire . EDward Evans committed to Prison , for refusing for Conscience sake to Swear ( the Oath of Allegiance being tendred to him ) he was Imprisoned the 20th day of the 9th Moneth , 1662. and being a tender man , and a Father of many Children ; after a Year & halfs Imprisonment , he fell sick , and in his Sickness he complained of the badness and dampness of the close Prison ; and in a short time after he was taken ill , he finished his Testimony by Death . Humphry Wilson taken from his House the 14th or 15th of the 10th Moneth , 1662. and the Oath of Allegiance tendred to him , and for refusing for Conscience sake to Swear , committed to be kept strickly in Prison ; and by reason of the coldness and dampness of the Prison he got a great Cold , and after about three Years Imprisonment dyed a Prisoner . Wiltsshire . 1660. WIlliam Bartlet of Market Lavington , for refusing for Conscience sake to pay 1 s. 6 d. smal Tythes was committed to the County Goal , where he remained until he dyed . Worcestershire . 1662. RIchard Walker , a peaceable man , taken out of a House at Broadway , by one Major Wild and his Souldiers , by whom he was forced to go to Worcester beyond his strength ( having been for twenty Years , or more , a sickly weakly man , but a man of good Repute among his Neighbours ) part of the way they made him go on Foot , but being weak and soon wearied , and not able to Travel so fast as their Horses , one of the Souldiers took him by the Arm and drew him along by force ; the said Wild also rode up against him , and run him down with his Horse-brisket , and pluckt out his Pistol , and threatned to Pistol him : In this fall the poor man's Head was much bruised ; at last they set him upon a Horse , and whipt the Horse up Hill and down Hill , without pity to his Weak condition ; and being brought to the Goal , being far from his tender Friends , he was soon taken out of the reach of these Oppressors , and finished his Testimony by Death . Witnesses , Robert Baylyes , William Webb . John Jenkins of Clifton in the said County Imprisoned upon a Writ De Excommunicato Caepiendo , dyed a Prisoner about nine Years since . Anne Heming of Bromsgrove Imprisoned for not paying Tythes , at the Suit of Priest Glin of Bromsgrove ; about seven Years since dyed a Prisoner . Yorkshire . BEnjamin Nicholson of Tickhill , and Abraham Decow of Fish Lake , both of the West-Riding , committed to Prison for refusing to Swear , ( the Oath of Allegiance being tendred to them ) where , being thronged , there being five Hundred & five in Prison in York Castle at that time upon that account , and for Meeting to worship God : The said Benjamin and Abraham both dyed Prisoners 1660. Robert Barwick , for refusing to Swear , was sent to York Castle the 24th of the 11th Moneth , 1660. and on the 28th day of the 1st Moneth he dyed a Prisoner . Peter Caiph of Wyton , was taken out of a peaceable Meeting by Constables , without any Warrant , and he and several others for refusing to Swear , were sent to York Castle , the 13th of the 12th Moneth , 1660. and the 2d day of the 2d Moneth , 1661. Peter dyed a Prisoner . Robert Sto●r of Hilston for the same cause was Imprisoned in York Castle , and on the 25th day of the 1st Moneth , 1661. he dyed a Prisoner . James Dunninge Imprisoned by John H●tfeild and William Sherwood of the West Riding , for not paying Tyth●s ; after he had suffered eight Moneths , dyed a Pri●●ner , 1662. George Croft Imprisoned by John Armitage of the West Riding , for Meeting to worship God , dyed a Prisoner the 6th of the 7th Moneth , 1662. having been two Moneths a Prisoner . John Crabtree Imprisoned by Roger Portington of the East Riding , for Meeting to worship God , dyed a Pris●ner the latter end of the 7th Moneth , 1662. having been above two moneths a Prisoner . William Towle Imprisoned for meeting to wait upon God , by Richard Robinson of the West Riding , dyed a Prisoner in the 10th moneth , 1662. having been a Prisoner near five moneths . Samuel Barber and William Hawksworth Imprisoned for the same cause by William Hawksworth of the East Riding , dyed Prisoners in the 10th moneth , 1662. John Rawson Imprisoned by the said William Hawksworth , for the same cause , dyed a Prisoner in the 11th moneth , 1662. John Deuell Imprisoned for the same cause , by Robert Euthobie of the West Riding ; after three moneths Imprisonment dyed in Prison in the 11th moneth , 1662. James Burnley Imprisoned for the same cause , by Edward Atkinson , Godfrey Lawson and Richard Armitage , dyed a Prisoner in the 11th moneth , 1662. after he h●d been Prisoner nine Moneths . William Carnby and William Broadhead , both sentenced to be banished for Meeting , &c. dyed both in Pris●n . 1665. John Nicholson of the East Riding committed to York Castle , by Warrant from the Deputy Lievtenant , being taken from his House without any just cause of Offence : In the Year 1665. after he had been some time in Prison fell sick and dyed . ☞ Note , he was prosecuted by Henry Latly and Francis Cobb , the one of which fell Distracted , and the other Killed himself . John Brookbanck committed the 30th of the 11th Moneth , 1673. for not paying Tythes , ( being a Servant to his Mother ) and dyed in Prison the 8th of the 5th Moneth , 1675. and for want of the Goal Fees was buried by the Goaler on the back-side of the Castle . Richard Leng dyed a Prisoner in York Castle , for his Testimony against Tythes , the 25th of the 3d Moneth , 1676. John Green dyed in Prison the 12th of the 5th moneth , 1676. being Imprisoned for non-Conformity , not going to hear divine Service , ( so called ) and not receiving the Sacrament ( so called . ) 1678. William Daughty of Balne prosecuted in the Court of Common Pleas , upon the Statute of the 23 of Queen Elizabeth , for 20 l. per mensem for eleaven Moneths , viz. 220 l. by one A●thony Atkinson , a Prisoner in York Castle for just Debt ( ●n Informer ) for the which sum , the said William Daughty was cast into York Castle , where he dyed a Prisoner for the Truth 's sake . Nicholas Raw sued for small Tythes in the Spiritual Court ( so called ) and committed by Justices Warrant the 8●h moneth , 1674. and dyed the 11th of the 12th moneth 1678. a Prisoner for the Truth 's sake . Thomas Swailes , near Hemsly in Blakamore , Husbandman , committed by an Exchequer process , for not paying small Tythes , in the 6th moneth , 1677. and dyed a Prisoner about the latter end of Harvest , 1678. A TABLE to find the Counties . Berkshire , 85. Bedford , 88. Bristol , 88. Cheshire , 1. Cumberland , 89. Cornwall , 11.91 . Cambridgshire . 90. Darbyshire , 14. Durham , 15.93 . Devonshire , 23.92 . Dorsetshire , 29. Gloucestershire , 31.94 . Huntingtonshire , 98. Hartfordshire , 35.97 . Hampshire , 95. Herefordshire , 98. Kent , 99. Leicestershire , 36.101 . Lincolnshire , 49. Lancashire , 51.101 . London & Middlesex , 102. Monigomerishire , 122. Nottinghamshire , 55. Northamton , 115. Norfolk , 59. Oxfordshire , 119. Pembrookshire , 120. Sussex , 65. Surrey , 112. Suffolk , 66.115 . Sommersetshire , 70.109 . Worcestershire , 74.123 . Warwickshire , 120. Wiltsshire , 123. Westmorland , 75. Yorkshire , 80. THE END . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A65840-e3220 Note , These two ar● only seized , the Officers being moderate the goods are not taken away . Notes for div A65840-e36090 Both Dyed Prisoners , committed by William Armorer at Reading . On the Prosecution of the first Act , 14 Car. 2.