Huntington-shire, 1670.

FOr meeting together to worship God, Eighty persons have been fined at several times 254 l. 5 s. for which there hath been taken from them, Sheep, Cowes, Horses, Hoggs, Wool, Oatmeal, Carts, Pewter, Panns, and Potts, and other Goods to the value of 276 l. 5 s. Note, Tho. Lister was fined 2 l. For which they took a Horse from him worth 6 l. and a Cow worth 2 l. they sold the Horse to Hen. Williams called a Justice for 25 s. and the Cow to another Justices man for 16 s. 6 d. Christo∣pher Maidston, for being at two Meetings, fined 20 s. for himself and his Wife, upon the Oath of John Blake, and Will Scot Infor∣mers, who swore falsly, for the Woman was not at the Meeting. Jasper Lister, having all his Goods taken away, he went to John Hieron, called a Justice, for a Bed, which he refusing, he desired he might have a Blanket to cover him; but it would not be granted, though he had Three Children, and himself so lame, that he goes on Crutches, and when no body would buy the Goods in the Mar∣ket, the Justices would meet at an Inn, and sell them by the inch of Candle; selling them to Informers, Justices & themselves, buying some, & their Clarks; and their Kindred many times for a great deal less than half the worth of them. Justice Hieron, coming to a meeting at Godmanchester, asked them what they did there? one answered, meet to worship God; he said, you have said enough to condemn your self, and all that be here, and fined them. John Arthur fined 5 l. 10 s. had all his Goods taken away, not leaving him so much as a Dish, or Spoon, nor the Dung in his Yard, though he had sold it before for 6 s.

And when the Officers returned, that there was no Goods left, but Forms and Stools, Rob. Apreice called Justice, bid them take the friends Coat off his back, if he had two, and the other things they might carry out and set sire on them.

Lincoln-shire.

TAken for several meetings, Goods and Cattle (in the Years 1670. (72) and (74) To the vallue of 391 l. 18 s 4 d. for 94 l. 10 s. fines. Will. Lewis a Priest, and John Ward a Parish Clark Informers. One John Obrey, Priest of Anderby, setting the Informers on, threatning that he will starve the Quakers by this Act. Richard Frisby, and Edward Greaves two other Infor∣mers swore, that one John Peachell spoke in the meeting, when not one word was spoken by him; nevertheless, one called Justice Therrald fined him 20 l. The aforesaid Distresses were taken, al∣though no Testimony ever came in against them, but that they were met together in peace and quietness, and no outward exercise of Religion, nor pretence of any proved against them; and some of them never called to answer, nor no witness sworn in their sight against them, but the witnesses examined in private, and that coun∣ted a Conviction.

Cambridg-shire.

TAken from several persons in this County, in the Year 1670, 1673, 1674. Goods, viz. Pewter-dishes, Wood, Brass, Li∣nen cloath, Shop-goods, and Working-tools, to the very Shooma∣kers lasts, and Womens Coats, Head-cloths, Gloves and Patens, and Cowes, and Horses, in all to the vallue of 608 l. 16 s. 3 d. They took from George Thorrowgood of Ely, his Bed and Gover∣leds, and left the poor man to lodge on straw, and afterwards for standing in the street before his own door, was fined 10 s. by Parte∣ridge and Lamy called Justices, for which his Sheets, Pillowbeers, and very Shirt was taken from him, though he was very sick in body at that time. Edward Cook Miller, for 5 l. 5 s. fine, had taken his two Loading Horses, his Houshold-stuff, to the Bedds and Bed∣steads the children lay on, and childs Cradle, to the vallue of 12 l. 15 s. so that the children were fain to lye on Straw upon the Boards, by which means they fell sick, and one dyed since.

• Stephen Perry Tinker.
• Simeon Priest Barber.

Cornwall.

TAken from 69. Persons for 311 l. 5 s. fines laid upon them in the yeares 1670.1673, 1674. In Goods and Cattle, to the value of 497 l. 13. s. 8. d. Henry Williams a poor man, stript so near that they left him neither Breeches to ware, nor Bed to lye on, and took his very Hatchet, he should work withall; from ano∣ther poor man, for 15 s. fine, they took his wives wearing ap∣parel.

And there are lately several persons fined, to the value of 147 l. for which distresses are not yet taken.

Also many are proceeded against upon an old statute against Po∣pish Recusants, and returned into the Exchequer for a Seizure, of two thirds of their Estates, and a writ of enquiry sent down to Commissioners, to enquire into their Estates.

Darby-shire.

SIxty Persons fined also for Meeting 293 l 2 s. 8 d. or there a∣bouts, had taken to the value of 366 l. 4 s. 10 d. in Cowes, Swine, Shoes, Leather, Corn, Hay, House-hold Stuff, to the Dish and Spoon, and working Gear; and from the Smith his Bellows and Tools, sweeping all away, both within doores and without William Cooper had taken his Cow, Corn, Hay, houshold-goods, to his wearing Coat, and the meat he had provided for his Wife, and three small Children.

Norfolk.

TAken from several persons in the yeares 1670 and 1674, the value of 1244 l. 7 s. 5 d. In Cattle, Sheep, Houshold Stuff, and the Dung-Fork, Pitch-Fork, and Daubing-fork; the Mans Doublet, and Breeches, the Wives Coates, and their Beds from under them, that they were fain to lye on Straw; takeing all at one House, both within doores and without: the Justice bidding the Officers take all they had, and then they should have down Page  8with them: And when they told the Justice, there was little left to distrain for Fra. Landers Wives fine, but the bed she lay on, being sick and like to die, (and she did die that night:) he said he cared not, 〈◊〉 take the bed from under her, and sometime after she was buried: some caused her body to be taken up again, in an In∣humane manner, breaking the Coffin, that they were fain to tye it together, and carried it upon a pole, and set it in the Market Place, to the amazement of many People.

And about 12 persons being in a Room visiting their sick friend, (upon his desire) and one of them speaking 5 or 6 words to him, the Informers swore against them, and the sick man was fined 20 l. for having the said Meeting in his house, and had 6 Cowes taken from him, and the others fined 20 l. for the Preacher, which was also leavied.

John Patterson of Cockley Clay, had his Barn of Corn seized on, and 200 Sheep taken, worth 80 l. and sold for 65 l. or thereabouts; Also many are lately presented in this County, as Popish recusants.

Nottinghamshire. 1670, 1674.

TAken to the value of 695 l. 3 s. 6 d. in Cattle and Houshold-Stuff, from some all their goods, excepting a Barrel of Beere, a Cradle, and some Bread and Cheese, which the Officers for pitty hid, and told the women of it; the Justice bid the Officers take three or four times as much as the fines that they might allow good penny worths. They took from a poor fatherless Boy, his Coat and Breeches; not leaving the Woman at one house a Stool to sit on to dress her Child: Two persons appealing to the Sessions, they ordred them their mony again; but Pennistoni Whaley, called a Justice, fraudulently detains 60 l, in his hands contrary to the orders of the Sessions.

Note, Colgrave the grand Informer, swearing falsly several times, as that persons were at a Meeting, when they were not, and that there was preaching, when there was not one word spoken; and that divers were not worth 10 s. though it was proved in open Court, they had Horses, Beasts and Sheep of their own at that time.

Kent.

TAken goods worth 40 l. 18 s. 9 d. viz. Mault, Shoes, Bed, Bed¦ding, Earthen-ware, and houshold-stuff; besides a great deal of goods, the vallue not sent up, selling goods at under rate, viz. Thirty pounds worth, for 5 l. 15 s.

Cheshire, 1674.

SEveral persons have had their goods and Cattle taken to a great vallue, viz. Cowes, Bacon, Cheese, Corn, Bedds, Coverlids, Panns, Pewter, and other Houshold goods; the Informers threat∣ning they would not leave taking from them while they were worth a Groat, saying, they would turn Drovers, and drive them every week. The Informers being highly encouraged by a Justice of Chester; they used violence to many, in breaking up the meet∣ing, pulling the hair off their heads, striking them, and drawing their Swords, swore they would take off a hand or arm from some of them, and threatned to run through and kill some of them, and to stand to it when they had done. The aforesaid Justice bid the Officers be sure to take enough, and then they might have some for themselves: setting the Souldiers to buy the Cattle, when none else would buy them.

Amongst these sufferers, 10 or 12 are poor Widdowes, some of them having a great charge of Fatherless children, they have not left some of them a Skillet to boyl their childrens meat in, and most of them have no Estates, but are Rackers, which they pay Yearly for; and diverse lately fined and lyable to be distreyned.

Oxfordshire, 1670. 1674.

TAken the vallue of 176 l. 2 s. 7 d. In Cowes, Corn, Piggs, Bacon, Mault, Bedds, Bolsters, Sheets, and other houshold goods, to the very Pot-hookes, and the poor mans Breeches and Doublet; not leaving one man a Bed to lye on, nor any thing to Page  10boyle food in for his Wife and five small children, and took 15 s. out of a poor Womans Purse. A Priest being Informer haled the women out of the meeting, and tore their cloaths, and another Priests wife swore she would be an Informer.

Besides, the rude, uncivil, obscene and shameful behaviour and carriages of the Schollars at our meeting in Oxford.

Many more Warrants out to distrein, which are not yet execu∣ted.

One man fined 5 s. for which the Officers took a childs coat, which the child seeing, cryed out with a loud voice.

Essex, 1670, 1674, 1675.

TAken the vallue of 467 l. 19 s. 7 d. In Linnen Cloath, womens cloaths, Horses, Carts, Brass, Pewter, Bedding, Wool, Sheep, Leather, Bread-Corn and Bread, Shop-goods and houshold goods, the Justice using rugged speeches, striking some, and thrusting others in the Dirt, that were brought before him, for being at a meeting, and caused two to be set in the Stocks.

Cumberland, 1670, 1672, 1673.

TAken in Cattle, viz. Cowes, Heifers, Sheep, Horses, Swine, Corn, &c. Butter, Cheese, wearing cloaths, working tools, and Houshold goods, to the vallue of 226 l. 13 s. 1 d. most of the sufferers being poor labouring people: some whereof had all to their very bedding taken from them: as for instance, Matthew Kirk∣bride a poor man had his Bed-cloaths taken from off his poor chil∣dren, and they left naked. James Barne an old poor dimsighted lame man (maim'd in the Kings service) his very bedding, and Eight bushels of Mault taken from him.

Westmerland, 1675.

FOurscore persons presented, indicted and •onvicted upon th• Statute of the 23th of Elizabeth to be returned into the Ex¦chequer since the Kings late Declaration against Popish-Recusants though well known to be no Papists.

Gloucester-shire, 1675.

MUch goods distreined, and sold, to a considerable vallue; and from labouring men their working-tools taken from them, that some were constrained to give over their Trades. They took from a Smith, his Bellowes, Anvil and Vices, scarce leaving any a Bed to lye on; and some were so cruelly beaten, that their flesh was of many colours. Much Cattle also being distreined and brought to Market in Droves, to the grief and trouble of many people to see such oppression and spoil upon their peaceable Neighbours.

Surrey, from 1670. to 1675.

FIfty Three persons had distreined from them, for meetings, Goods and Cattle of the vallue of 351 l. 3 s. 4 d.

Durham.

SEventeen persons for meetings, had distreined from them Pew∣ter, Horse, Corn, and other goods, to the vallue of 28 l. 13 s. 6 d. besides had great abuses done to their persons. Taken goods to the vallue of 18 l. for a fine of 2 l. 10 s. and 3 remain Prisoners at this time in this County, for Conscience sake.

Warwick-shire.

THirteen persons for meeting, had Cattle, Corn, and other goods taken from them, to the vallue of 69 l. 6 s. 10 d. John Clark of •atington, A Priest, being Informer in this County, the Officers with him went into a back-side to distrein, and running after the Piggs, they saw a blind Horse, the Priest said they must take him, the Officers said he was worth little, he said they must take him, though they knock him on the head for his skin to sell.

Sussex.

TWenty four persons for meeting, had Cattle, Horses, Corn, and other-goods distreined from them, to the vallue of 66 l. 1 s.

Suffolke, from 1670, to 1675.

ONe hundred and thirty persons for meetings, had their Cattle Horses, Corn, Bedding, and other goods distreined, to the vallue of 1294 l. 1 s. 7 d. amongst others, some poor people, ha∣ving some Nine, others 3 children, had taken from them the very Pott that should boyl their meat in, and other small necessaries for their subsistance; and one poor Infant bereaved of its Blanckets wherewith it was swadled, with the Pillow and Bolster whereon it lay in the Cradle; others their bed taken from under them, and they left to lye on Straw.

Somerset-shire, from the year, 1670, to 1674.

TAken, viz. Horses, Cowes, Sheep, Wool, Cloth, Bedds, bed∣ding, Pewter, Brass, Shoes, Stockings, Wheat, Meal, Bacon, and such like, to the vallue of 906 l. 3 s. 9 d. besides several other persons in this County have had their goods seized on, that as yet Page  13we know not the value of; amongst whom, is one, that had all his Brass and Pewter taken away, and not so much as a Pot lest to dress Victuals in: There hath also been much havock made on the Goods of Widdows, Poor, Aged, and Indigent people and Father∣less Children.

Sallop

TAken in Cloath, Stuffs, Pewter, Copper, Brass, and other Houshold-goods, to the value of 51 l. 4 s. A poor old Wid∣dow woman, she then having in her Custody a Motherless Child, which was her Sons, the Man being then very Sick, and in danger of death; and the Priest, the Informer, having caused her Goods to be taken from her, she brought him the Child, and told him he must take care for it; but the same Evening he returned the Child to her, which she received: When her Son was recovered, he took the Child into another County, yet this Informer, the Priest, de∣tayneth this Old-Woman in Prison, and saith he will keep her there, unless she will find Sureties that the Child shall not be troublesome to the Parish, although it was Born there, and its Father, and Grand∣father continued there many years.

Pembroke-shire.

NIneteen Persons for Meetings had taken from them, Cows, Oxen, Sheep, Horses, Piggs, Corn, Hay, Beast, Pewter, Sheets, Blankets, Coverlids, Plow, with furniture and other Goods, to the value of 172 l. 5 s. 4 d. An Informer knockt one Person off his Horse with his stick, and drew his Sword and beat him, and so commanded the Constable to Distrain his Goods; taking from one poor Man his Coverlid, Sheets, and Blanket; A∣nother poor man had only one Pigg; which they took.

Dorset-shire.

TAken from Twenty Eight Persons (whereof some poor, & maim∣ed in the Kings service) in mony, Cows, Heifers, Calves Pew∣ter, Brass, and other Houshold Goods, and the Womans Peticoate, and mens Shoes, to the value of 1000 l. 11 s. 11 d. One Robert Cul∣liford, called a Justice, at a Meeting, kickt Deborah Coleman on the Belly, and several other places, and also struck her violently with his dog Whip, and pincht one man by the Ear, calling him Rogue and thief; and pincht several others till they were Black and Blew.

A Sadle was taken worth 9 s. for 1 d. leavyed short before.

A fine charged for a Speaker, he being known not to be at the Meeting that time, but elswhere: another sworn against, yet not at the Meeting: A poor man to whom yarn was delivered to work on, had his door broke up, and it taken from him, for anothers sup∣posed offence. Tho. Dyker the Informer, going to Seize Henry Hodges Cowes, Henry's Wife, and Son, and Daughter, stood be∣fore the Cattle in the ground, being not willing to part with them; but the Informer in a rage drew his Sword, and threatned to run the Woman big with Child, through; and Henry Hodges standing by with a Child in his Arms, though he spake not a word, he cut him on the Arm with his sword to the Bone, and struck him many other Blowes; so that he broke his Sword in two peices.

In the same County Ten Persons Indicted as Popish Recusants, though known to be of the People called Quakers; and a writ of enquiry sent down to Commissioners, to enquire into their real and personal Estates: And others whose names we yet know not, are like to suffer upon the same Accompt.

Lancashire.

FOrty one Persons for Meeting, had goods taken away, to the value of 71 l. besides several fined not yet distreyned: Eight persons remaining in prison in this County, for non-payment of Tythes; some of the aforementioned sufferers for Meetings, Page  15being poor, had all their Cattle, and Shop-Goods taken away.

Leicester shire.

SIxty Persons have had goods taken away; and fines imposed to the value of 333 l. 18 s. 8 d. One had all his goods in his House and Shop taken away; two other poor Men having each but one Cow, to give their young Children Milk, were both taken away, with their Beds and Blankets; all being not enough, George Villers called a Justice, required an Oath of the Officers, that they had not left one of them worth any thing. Nineteen persons fined, and have had goods taken away (for refusing to Swear) to the Va∣lue of 80 l. 13 s. 4 d.

Stafford-shire, from 1670, to 1674.

GOods and Cattle taken for Meetings, to the vallue of 75 l. 4 s. 10 d. Alice Bowman, for speaking a few sober words to a Priest and the people in their Meeting House was committed to the House of Correction, with her sucking child: under which hard usage the Child died.

Hereford-shire. 1670, 1674.

THirty two Persons for Meeting, had Goods and Cattle, taken from them; to the value of 330 l. 12 s. 4 d. Charles Bernard of Lemster, fined at two times 60 l. for which all his Goods, Chat∣tels, and moveables were seized, and sold by the Officers and In∣formers, by a warrant from one Tomkins and John Barnaby, Knights.

Berk-shire. 1670.

GOods and Hay, taken from several persons in this County for Meeting; to the value of 40 l. 2 s. 6 d.

Hamp-shire. 1670.

TWo Persons fined for Meetings, had taken from them, Goods to the value of 36 l. 10 s.

Wilt-shire.

FIve persons for Meeting, had taken from them, Oxen, Cowes, Sheep, Mault, Wool and Houshold Goods, to the value of 81 l. 9 s. 6 d. The seizers of these goods, came in at a Window at one house, and broke open a door at another; one of the five suffe∣rers is a poor Woman having Children.

Northumberland, 1675.

SEven Persons committed to Prison for Meeting; one of them having been sick of the Flux this half year, was taken out of his Chamber very rudely, and without Mercy haled out of the Town, being scarce able to go on his leggs.

Devon-shire, from 1670; to 1674.

SIxty one Persons for Meeting, had Pewter, Brass potts, Sheep, Warming Pan, Brass Kettle, Linnen-Cloath, Jack, Dishes, Candlestick, Fire-Pan, Weaving-Tooles, Wool-combing-Tooles, Houshold-Stuff and necessarys for rigging a Ship, for 154 l. 13 s. fines: Taken to the value of 222 l. 10 s. 6 d. Two Labourers, for refuseing to carry away goods distrained, were comitted to Pri∣son: Four Constables sent to Jayle, for not distreining Peoples Goods.

Hartfordshire, from 1670. to 1675.

TAken for Meeting, in Heifers, Horses, Sheep, Houshold Goods and Mault, to the value of 582 l. 10 s. Two Prisoners in this County, upon a writ of Excomunicato Capiendo, and another for non payment of Tythes.

York shire.

TAken for Meeting, in Horses, Cows, Sheep, Shop ware, and Houshold-goods, to the value of 2381 l. 00 s. 3 d. Taken from one Person in this County Twenty-eight Head of Cattle, Nine Horses, and 130 Sheep, in all worth 130 l. And when the Constable affirmed at the Sessions, that he could not get the Goods sold; one of the Justices told him, you must sell them, though you sell Ten pounds worth for 10 s.

And though the Losses have been so very great in this County, yet they are not to be compared to the Loss of their Trades, many of them being Trades men, and Labouring Poor men, who have had their Looms, Leads, and Tenters taken away, which was the Up∣holders of their Families. And some poor Women had their Goods taken, who were hardly able to get Food and Necessaries. Mary Toàd, a poor Widdow, for having a Meeting at her House, one Francis Driffeild, called a Justice, sent a Warrant to bring her be∣fore him; but she was so Aged, she was not able to go on Foot nor Ride so far: Then he gave Order to Distrain 20 l. 5 s. on her Goods: The Informers told him her Goods was not, worth so much, well said he, take all she hath, which they performed as neer as they could, not leaving her a Bed to lye on, taking her very Cloaths, though she was but a poor Widdow, Aged and in Debt.

William Thornaby the younger, and John Allison, both of Rich∣mond, grand Informers, searching for a Meeting at a Widdows House, where they found three persons visiting the Widdows Daugh∣ter, who lay very weak, not likely to live; and whilst they were Page  [unnumbered]Searching, there came in two other persons accidentally, one of which was a Kinswoman, and no Quaker, as was after∣wards proved; nevertheless Thornaby set down their Names, and went to James Metcalf, called a Justice, who Fined the Persons, and granted a Warrant to Distrain; but th• 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 some Justices.

Note, That among the Sufferers, the Burthen hath fallen ex∣ceeding heavy upon some Particulars, as Farmers, Trades men, Shop-keepers, Handicraft men, being Fined and Unreasonably Di∣strained, because of the Poverty of many others, whereof particular Instances may be given, if occasion require: This fore-going account being but an abstract of the many and great sufferings which we have received an account of already, and for expedition sake thus abreviated, there being also much more suffering, as we understand, in divers Countys, which we have not yet a full Account of, as in Norfolk, Cheshire, Cambridge, Suffolk, and some other places; the spoyl being greatest where the Magistrates are ready to answer the Mercinary Informers; the Cry of whose destructive proceedings is very loud in this Nation, and the Land mourns be∣cause of this Oppression: Therefore, we request your speedy re∣dress of this Grievance, that the Poor, the Oppressed and Industrious Families may be Relieved, Eased, and Encouraged; and do like∣wise pray, that God would graciously be pleased to enlighten and o∣pen your understandings, and make your hearts tender and sensible that he may turn away his Wrath, and divert those heavy Judg-Judgments and Calamities which this Nation is liable to.

We were always willing to give Caesar his due and we desire we may have liberty to give God his due in all respects, and to Serve, Obey, and Worship him in Spirit and Truth, and to meet together in the peaceable exercise thereof, as we are commanded. If we be Ruined in our Persons and Estates, or Masters of Families destroy∣ed in Prisons, how can we pay the Kings Taxes, or Landlords their Rents, or Contribute to the Service of King or Country? You may understand what lamentable havock is made of us, and only for good Conscience in obeying God and Christ; for nothing contrary has been, sound against us, for which we suffer. It is the Liberty of Page  [unnumbered]the Gospel of Christ Jesus that we desire, knowing that neither He nor his Ministers did ever force any man to their Religion by Im∣prisonment or spoyling Goods; so as we are enjoyned to stand fast in that Liberty wherewith Christ has made us free from the Thral∣dom of Sathan, we desire this our liberty may not be infringed upon. We greatly suffered for our tender Consciences towards God in the other Powers days; and we think it very hard that we, who own the Lord Jesus Christ, should suffer in a Nation professing Christianity.

You cannot be unsensible how many of us have also been Impri∣soned and Premunired, because they durst not break the command of Christ and the Apostle, who commands not to Swear, but keep to Yea and Nay, Math. 5. Jam. 5. Wherefore we request that our Yea, Yea, and Nay, Nay, may be taken instead of an Oath; and when we are called to testifie the Truth in any case, or bear any Office, if we break (or be found false in) our Yea, or our Nay, then let us suffer the same Punishment as they do that break their Oaths; and not for our Consci∣entiously refusing to Swear, while we speak the Truth, as we are still liable to suffer, unless you are pleased to grant a redress.

Be it Remembred

That there have suffered Imprisonment for Conscience-sake, since the King came into England, above 8000 of the People called Qua∣kers; and since, near two hundred have dyed Prisoners by reason of their close Confinement. Of which number Seventy-nine Dyed in Newgate, and on Board the Ships, appointed for their Transporta∣tion in the time of the Contagion in London, being Prisoners; and many under the Sentence of Transportation, upon the Act against Conventicles: and 138 Persons Sentenced for Banishment.