To the high and honourable House of Peers now in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of John Levet Doctor of Laws, and Mary his wife

1. Francis Nevile shewed it to Sir John Waidson after G. Copley's Death, for to reconcile him and the Defendant Copley about it, with the Names of Thomas Walker and Richard Elton only endorsed upon it as witnesses, and afterwards he shewed it to him again with the other four added to it. And Sir John Waidson then told him that his witnesses were well multiplied since he first saw it.

He saith that Francis Nevile shewed his said Lease to him at his house in Cheet about the 14. 15. or 16. of December, next after G. Copleys Death, and told him that he was the first that ever saw it by his shewing, and said then that it was given him by his Mother, and that he had had it in his hands about 5 or 6 dayes, and then there were only two witnesses subscribed and endorsed upon it (viz.) Thomas Walker and Richard Elton; and Francis Nevile told him the reason why there were no more witnesses to it, was, for that his Mother and Mary Hastings endevoured to get what they could one from the other, and took their Opportunities at such secret times, as they could best perfect their businesse, and therefore Francis Nevile told him that they could have no more witnesses unto it.

Francis Nevile betwixt St. Stephens and New Years day following shewed him the said Lease•• again at Cheet aforesaid. At which time there was an increase of Four witnesses names unto it, and then he told Francis Nevile that the witnesses were well multiplied since he last saw it.

Francis Nevile when he first shewed him the said Lease, he also shewed him two or three other Lea∣ses with the same two Witnesses unto them, viz. Thomas Walker, and Richard Elton only, the one of certain Lands in Sprotbrough and other Lands, and the other of the Advowson of Plumtree, as made by the said G. Copley.

At the second time at Cheet aforesaid, when he saw the increase of the Witnesses to the Lease now in question, he saw an increase of the same Witnesses to the other Leases likewise, and they were all shewed unto him by the said Francis Nevill.

Francis Nevile shewed him the aforesaid Leases, and desired him to deliver this Message to the De∣fendant William Copley (viz.) That he would give him all his right he had by any Act of G. Copley of his Lands in York-shire, and the Inheritance of Bentley, which G. Copley had lately given to Mary Hastings and Mary Mote, for his the said William Copleys Inheritance in Plumtree and his other Not∣tinghamshire Lands which are worth 20000 l. And if he could not recover Bentley by Law, he would purchase it for him, or else secure him as valuable Lands of his own both for Possession and Reversion. And he would content Mr. Hastings for his Interest, and give the Petitioner Mary 2000 l. to her Marriage, and this Message he conceiveth was the only reason why Francis Nevill shewed him his said Leases.

Sir John Waidson ex parte Francis Nevile.

He saith; this is the same Lease that Francis Nevile shewed him with six Witnesses at Christmas 1633. and with but two witnesses at the time when Francis Nevile first shewed it to him, for that it containeth the same matter, for that the said Walker and Elton are Witnesses to it, and the other four Witnesses are

the same that he saw to it at Christmas 1633. And he did see the same Lease when he was examined to it as Witnesse on Francis Nevile's part at Barnesly, betwixt him and Mr. Hastings, to Testifie that he had se•• it before, he delivered the Messuage from Francis Nevile to Mr. Copley and Mr. Hastings.

He acquainted both before and after Christmas 1633. the said Defendants, Copley and Hastings, with the said Francis Nevile's Leases, and he informed Mr. Hastings with the Lease of Plumtree in particular, and as he believes he deposed to the same effect at Barnesley in April 1635.

Sir John Waidson is confirmed by these 4. circumstances.

1. By Fr. Nevile's interrogating of him, if the Parsonages of Sprotbrough and Plumtree were not the two writings he at first time shewed to him, being Witnessed only with two Witnesses.

2. By Francis Nevile's confession to Mr. Conyers that he did shew his Lease now in question, to Sir John Waidson twice before, and in Christmas Hollydayes 1633. at his House in Cheet, and for the same reason that Sir John Waidson deposeth, viz. about reconciling some differences between him the said Fran∣cis Nevile and the Defendant William Copley.

3. By Sir John Waidson's intimating of it to his Servant Francis Justice at their first return from Cheet before Christmas 1633. Sir John said, that Mr. Nevile would have a good share in G. Copley's estate. And at their second return from Cheete in the said Christmas Sir John holding up his hands, said that Mr. Nevile had shewed him such writings that almost amazed him.

4▪ By Sir John Waidson's revealing of it to Sir John Jackson immediatly after he had seen it the second tim•• and shortly after to the Defendant Copley, to Mr. Washington, and to Mr. Lewis, two years before the Petitioners intermarriage, and that because Francis Nevile used the Defendant Copley very unconscionably.

Notes

• Sr. Ioh. Waidson B. 20. Int. 1.
• Int. 2.
• Int. 7.
• Int. 8.
• Int. 9.
• Sr. Ioh. Waidson ex parte Defr. G. 1. Int. 9.
• •…•…t. 10.
• •…•…r. Joh. Waidson •…•…. 16. Int. 9 •…•…ead the Interr. •…•…ob. Conyers •…•… 38. Int. 2. 3.
• •…•…rancis Justice 3. 33. Int. 2, •…•…, 4.
• •…•…ir John Waid∣•…•…on G. 1. Int. 7. 12. •…•…x parte Def. Darcy Washin∣•…•…on B. 55. Int. 1 Tho. Lewis B. 43. Int. 4.