The Plague in
Cheshire.
Some of these are from Civil War Memorials, others are from Quarter Sessions records.
1605: -
Relief of plague in Chester.
At Nantwich 23 Sep 1605. Before Sir Richard Lewkener and Sir Henry Townshend Justices.
Forasmuch as the Lords of the King's most honourable privie council have heretofore addressed their letters to diverse Justices of Peace for a collection to be made for the relief of infected persons of the Cittie of Chester. And there upon the half of one payment of the myse within the County was granted to the Cittie And as it appeareth unto the Justices by letters to them from Edward Dutton Esq, Mayor, that the state of the Cittie is verie poore and the infection great, and that they do want relief. It is therefore assented unto by the Justices of the Countie and so ordered that one other half of one payment of the myse through the whole Countie shall be taxed and assessed towards the relief of infected persons in Chester (except those towns in the Countie which are now infected) And the same to be collected by the Justices in every hundred which collected the former, and by them paid to the Mayor at or before 02 Oct next.
Thomas Vernon, R. Lewkenor, H. Towneshend, John Poole, W. Brereton, Vrian Leighe... G. Bouthe, Geo. Leycester, Hu: Beeston... Tho. Smith... Caulveley, ... Beeston, Tho. Venables, Wm. Done, Thoms Wylbram, Ar. Starkie, Rich. Lee, Ric. Egerton, Henrie Delves, Geo. Cotton, P. Warburton, William Brereton, John Ardern, ... Legh, Henry Maynwaring, R. Brereton.
Endorsed: 23 Sep 1605.
Memorandum that at the place and time within written it was ordered the Justices within named that whosoever shall refuse to contribute the payment within mentioned shall be comitted to prison named or bound for their appearance at the next assises to be holden for the Countie of Chester.
R. Lewkenor, H. Towneshend.
F.3, D.37, S. Nantwich, 15 Oct 1605.
Relief of plague, Hundred of Broxton.
The account of Richard Grosvenor and Arthur Starkey Esqs. Collectors within the Hundred of Broxon of the money received for the relief of the infected with the plague in the City of Chester made and Certified at the Quarter Sessions holden at Nantwich, 15 Oct 1605.
£ s. d.
Received by the accountants 13 Aug last past out of several Townships within the Hundred by vertue of an order made at Quarter Sessions holden at Nantwich 23 Jul , last past, the sum of 21 7 6
Paid to Edward Dutton Esq. Mayor of Chester 08 Sep , last past for the relief of infected persons in Chester the sum of 21 7 6
Towns exempted and freed from this taxation by reason they were then visited. [That is, by the Plague.]
Newton juxta Chester.
Hoole.
Boughton.
Parva Christleton.
Church Christleton allowed 5s for carring a woman infected out of the town.
Aldford.
Poulton.
Towns yet unpaid the occupiers whereof are inhabiters within the City of Chester.
s. d.
Moston 4 2
Claverton 2 7
Bache 9
Rich: Grosvenor, Ar: Starkey.
F.3, D.39, 15 Oct 1605.
Accounts concerning plague in Chester.
The account of Thomas Wylbram Esq as well of all the money as hath been collected within his own allotment in Nantwich hundred as in any other allotments which have been paid to his hands and so paid over for relief of the infected people of Chester and taxed upon their hundred at two several taxations, one upon the 02 Aug 1605 , the other on 05 Oct 1605.
[Sums are in £ s. d.]
Rate
Md. That the money due from the several towns in the allotment of Thomas Wilbram after the rate of half one paym't of a mize cometh to 8 4 4
Receipts
Imprimis. Received of the several townships in his allotment the 02 Aug 1605 the sum of 7 18 0
Received of Mr. Cotton for some of the townships in his allotment 5 4 5
Received of Mr. Delves for some of the townships in his allotment 4 1 2
Payments
Paid to Mr. Mayor of Chester, 16 Aug as appeareth by his acquittance 17 2 7
Remains
Remains collected in Thomas Wilbraham's allotment of that taxed - 6 4
Receipts
Received in his allotment, 05 Oct 7 11 9
Received of some townshipps in Mr. Cotton's allotment 10 3 5
Received of Sir Tho: Vernon out of his allotment 3 2 11
Payments
Paid to Mr. Mayor of Chester, 11 Oct 12 18 0
Remains
Remains uncollected in Tho: Wylbram's allotment of his later taxation - 12 7
Whereof Cholmeston being infected is released which was to pay 6s. 8d.
So there remains to be collected - 6 1
Remains uncollected in Thos: Wilbram's allotment, for both the taxations the sum of - 12 5
Thomas Wylbram.
Endorsed: Mr. Wylbram's account for money levied for the infected people at Chester at 2 taxations 1605.
1606. Will of James Taylor, a Cutler, of Stockport, who died of the Plague.
23. James Tellier of Stockport, Cutler.
S.Pr. 06 Nov 1606.
Will:[Probably a copy, by testator, but witnesses signed it.]
Health:1 sick in body. W.T. 01 Jun 1606.
I give and bequeath my soule into the hands of almightie god hoping assuredly and not dowting but by the meritts, Death and passion of Jesus Christ to be saved at the great and generall daie. And my bodie to be buried in the Churchyard of Stockport or els where it shall please the almightie to appoint. Also I give to James Williamson of Stockport Tellier 10s 0d: which he oweth mee. and to Francis Robinson 6s 8d which the (likwise) oweth me. Also I give unto Margery Robinson and Jane Robinson 5s 0d a peece and to John Grantham of Stockport showmaker my best suite of aparrell. All the rest of my goods Cattls and Chattlls my funerall expencs, legacies, and detts discharged I give unto Margery Tellier my wife and James Tellier my son equally to be devided betweene them and if it Chance the said Margery and James to die that then all my goods Cattls and Chattls moveable and unmoveable to be devided amongst the Children of my brother in lawe John Robinson equally except £10 which then shalbe given to Robart Vaudraie. And to see this my last will and testament performed and done in maner and forme abovemenconed I make and Apoint my welbeloved brother in lawe John Robinson of Stockport my sole executor not only to see this my last will executed but also do earnestly intreat the said John Robinson to take the tuition of James Tellier my son and to take both the boie and his portion and to see him orderly brought up and the said portion of goods belonging to my son to be put to his most proffitt and advantage. <witnesse whereof>.
<25 old sheepe and 8 lambs>
John Smyth of Heaton - 20 0
Thurston Rawson - 5 0
Sir William Damport knight 5 0 0
Ambrosse Robinson - 20 0
Roger Orme - 4 0
Thomas Sadler - - 16
Raphe Broocke - 5 0
Thomas Williamson - 3 0
James Walmersley 3 12 0
John Matly - 4 0
John Cartwright - 10 0
Thomas Anndrewe - 10 0
The naile man - 15 0
- - -
Unto my brother in lawe John Robinson - 26 8
Unto George Gemings - 5 0
Unto George Adshedd - 6 0
- - -
Witnesses: Otywell Dodge and Wm Nicholson, who both sign.
Codicil: new sheet, different hand from those on will.
The Sixt Daie of Jun 1606 James Taylor beinge moved by John Granthame of Stockport Showmaker his brotherinlawe to have in remembrannce three silver Spoones and one Brasse Pott whitch the said John Granthame hadd formerlie pawned for the some of 22s 0d to the said James Taylor The Foresaid James Taylor beinge in perfect remembrance answeared as followeth in presence of divers Credible and Honest persons vizt There is one of the foresaid Spoones already made away And for the other two with the pott My mynd and will is that John Granthame my brotherinlawe shall have them.
1. Buried 09 Jun 1606. 'dyed of the plague'. Noted as no. 36 so to do.
Inventory: James Taylor of Stockport, cutler. Taken: 25 Nov 1606.
Of: goods Cattlls and Chattls.
Prisers: Sampson Hunte, John Cartwright, Otywell Dodge, Thurston Rawson
£ s d
In Silver and gold 14 18 4 1/2
7 peeces of pewter 2 Candlesticks and a salt - 3 6
one brasse pott - 10 0
2 kettle pans 1 little possnett a ladle and a skellet - 4 0
a Frying pan a payre of tongs a spitt a bread Iron a Fyre Iron and a payre of potthookes - 2 4
bedding vizt a Feather bedd 2 bowlsters one pillowe 2 blanketts and a Coverlett - 16 0
Linens vizt 3 pillowe beeres 1 flaxen sheete and 5 rownd sheetes - 13 4
one Beddsteede - 3 4
3 great Chists 2 litle Chists and an arke - 13 4
2 Chayres and a stoole - - 6
4 piggens with Dishes and trenchers - - 12
6 wheele and a Bill - 2 0
his Bodyly aparrell - 50 0
4 lbs of Colloured Wooll - 3 4
2 kyne 3 6 8
25 sheepe vizt 7 lambs 12d a peece 11 weathers 2s - 6d a peece 7 owes 12d a peece - - -
all the sheepe - 41 6
in wooll 3 stonne - 30 0
4 silver spoones - 10 0
9 newe daggers which came from Manchester - 13 0
6 daggers - 7 4
2 swords and a skeane - 15 0
7 sword hilts at 60 a peece - 3 6
4 dagger hilts att - - 16
2 damaske hilts with pomells - - 12
17 fisken handls - - 10
a dozen of wyre handls - - 14
a Dozen of Dagger Chapes a dozen of sword Chapes and five lockers - - 16
7 bunches of scales and an halfe - 2 4
6 score pownd of Iron in hilts and pomells - 5 0
10 pownd of old dager blades - - 10
21 Chapes - - 10
a vice a dressing beame and his towles - 3 8
old sword blades rapier blades and dagger blads but we remaine uncertaine whether they wilbe claimed or no - 6 0
old scabards - - 2
a grindle stonne - 2 0
a long powle - - 2
4 daggers in Manchester not veiwed nor valewed more by William Nicholson for the part of a Closse called the bent and a tupp - 20 0
Robert Hardman 5s which was received by him in Manchester - - -
- - -
John Smith of Heaton Norris - 20 0
Thurston Rawson - 5 0
Sir William Damport knight 5 0 0
Ambrosse Robinson - 20 0
Rodger Orme - 4 0
Thomas Sadler - - 16
Raphe Broocke - 5 0
Thomas Williamson - 3 0
John Matley - 4 0
John Cartwright - 10 0
Thomas Andrewe - 10 0
The nayle man - 15 0
John Robinson elder - 10 0
William Nicholson for Cloath - 10 4
- - -
In Tacks of ground
One Cloasse lett to John Warren for Five yeares 16 13 4
one parcell of ground let to George Elcocke for Foure yeares 6 8 0
another parcell of ground to the said George Elcocke for one yeare - 46 0
one parcell of ground to James Williamson for Five yeares att 8 13 6
More due by bound bill or otherwise as Followeth
A bownd due by William Hartley and Robert Barlowe of 21 0 0
Peter Damport 7 0 0
Nicholas Williamson 2 0 0
Ellis Odcroft - 20 0
William Nicholson 4 0 0
Sampson Hunt 2 0 0
Ottiwell Dodge 3 0 0
James Hunt - 30 0
uxor James Tellior nowe wyffe of Robert Hardman - 22 0
James Wallmsley 3 12 0
Out of which Foresaid detts and goods is to be deducted the some of 37s 8d which the said Testator did owe as is apparant by his will. sum totall is £122 2s 8 1/2d besyde the deduction of 37s 8d. - - -
- - -
Litigation paper, C. n.d., damaged. Margery, wife of Robt Haldman and relict of James Tailor of Stockport, versus John Robinson, executor of the last will and testament of James Tailor.
Office endorsement: probate to executor.
1631: -
This Year the Plague was dangerously dispersed in many Parts of the Kingdome: as in London, Yorke, Yorkshire, Lancashire, & especially in Preston, where it raged so that the Town was almost depopulated, & the Corn rotted on the Ground for want of Reapers. It was also in Shrewsbury, Wrexham & many other Parts of Wales: but Cheshire was graciously preserved, where were many publick Fasts kept for the turning away of God's Hand.
1640: -
18 Jul 1640. A publick Fast was solemnized thro' the Land by the King's Proclamation, for the turning away of the Plague, then begun in London, & the preventing the Sword & other Judgments hovering over our Heads.
There dyed of the plague in London towards the latter End of Sumer, 1000 some Weeks, & some Weeks 1200 or more; So that God this Year punished the Land with 3 of his sore Judgments, Sword, Plague, & unseasonable Weather, which threatened Famine.
F.3, D.44, Ibid. 1641.
Petition of three Justices to the Bench for the assessment of the Hundred of Broxton in addition to the Hundred of Wirral for the relief of the Plague.
May it please you to bee advertised. That whereas the Towne of Shotwicke within our allotment of the Hundred of Wirrall now is and for the space of ffower moneths last past has beene infected and visited with the plague, Wee hereby make bould to certifie you that according to the Statute in that case made and provided, wee have taxed and assessed the Inhabitants of the Hundred of Wirrall, for the relief of the persons infected within the said Towneshipp and have raysed and levyed of the said Inhabitants within the Hundred for that purpose the some of xx£ xis. 1 1/2d. And finding the plague likely to increase and the Inhabitants of the Hundred of Wirrall (without prejudice to their own estates) being unable to yeild them that releife as by the said Statute is required, wee acquainted some of his Ma'tie's Justices of the peace within the allotment of the Hundred of Broxton therewith (being the next place adjoining to the place soe infected) who in ayde and assistance for releife of the persons infected layd a taxacon upon the Inhabitants of some part of the said Hundred of Broxton and there upon levyed of the Inhabitants of the said Hundred the sume of Eleven pounds both which somes have been paid and imployed for releife but finding the same still to fall short of what is needfull (especially in case the said infeccon shall longer continue). We humbly crave you wilbe pleased not only by your order to confirme the assessments soe levyed but in further assistance to order and direct such course to be taken for the taxing of a further assessment upon the whole Inhabitants of the said Hundred of Broxton in assistance for future releife as shalbe agreeable to the tenor of the said Statute
Chester 04 Oct 1641.
Henry Bunbury, Hen. Birkhened, William Whitmore.
1647: -
Plague att Wistaston. The Plague began in Wistaston, beinge a litle p'ishe of one Towneship, not twoe myles from Namptwiche, a litle after midsomr 1647 , & conty'ued about Nyne weekes; in wch space theire dyed 26 p'sons. The same began in the howse of widowe Scott, a Bleacher of Clothes.
Plague att Midlewiche. The Plauge began in Midlewiche the 01 Aug 1647 , And contynued there vntill about Shroftyde nexte afterwards; Duringe wch tyme theire dyed of the plauge aboute twoe hundred and thirteene men, woemen, & children.
1648: -
F.1, D.28, Ibid. 1648.
Petition of two nurses in Middlewich during a plague for arrears of pay.
To his Ma'tie's Justices for the County of Chester. The Peticon of Ellen Davenham and Margarett Walker, Sheweth that whereas your peticoners not longe after it pleased the Almightie to visitt the towne of Middlewych with the Judgment of the plague they liveinge both of them in Manchester were by the Constables and other the Inhabitants of Middlewych sent for to the Towne for the orderinge and better lookinge unto of the sick p'sons there who upon theire undertakeinge to doe their best soe far as God should Enable them as well for the dressinge of meate and keepeinge cleane of the Clothes of the infected p'sons and alsoe for the Cleansinge and makeinge habitable theire houses were upon agreement made betweene them and the Constables Content to promise your peticoners and to either of them seaven shillings p. weeke over and besids their Diett soe longe and untill it shall please God to take up the Judgment: all which your peticoners have carefullie and honestly performed, yet Notwithstandinge this they have receaved nothing at all towards theire weekly pay saveinge seaven pounds betwixt both which hath not done much more than maintained them with provision of victualls since the plague ceased things beinge att soe great a scarcitie, your peticoners not haveinge any way of helpe beinge far from their friends and where their Imploymt most lyeth. Now may it please this Court to take into Consideracon their sad Condicon and to order that some speedy Course may be taken for the payment of the Arreares.
Order: That the Constables doe collect the arreares due before this and the Justices next meeting, which will be upon Tuesday senight, and to pay the arreares. to the peticoners. [See also: 1649, below.]
F.4, D.58, Ibid., 1648/9.
Cabins for people infected by the plague. About compensation for damage to land due to their erection.
To his Ma't's Justices at this Quarter Sessions. The humble Peticon of Robert Cranage of Midlewich, Sheweth that the Peticoner being a poore Inhabitant within the Towne did take a feild or Close lying in Newton near the said Towne from Mr. William Yates for the yeare 1647 upon the Rent of 7£. in which yeare that heavy visitacon of the plague fell upon the Townes of Midlewich and Newton. And divers Inhabitants whose houses were infected were by the Constables of Midlewich put into Cabines erected in the said feild. By reason whereof the peticoner lost all the profitt of the feild and one Load and a halfe of Hay more or less which was taken to cover the said Cabines, And one other feild of whole grass adjoyning to the value of 40s. besides wood taken for the building of the said Cabines worth tenne shillings.
Now forasmuch as the Peticoner is Constrayned to pay the rent of 7£ according to agreement and as yet hath received noe recompence for any of his losses, he doth therefore pray that this Court would consider his case and set downe some Order for his releif according to equity and Justice.
Referred to the Baron of Kinderton and Coll. Croxton.
1649: -
F.1, D.37, Ibid., 1649.
Petition of nurses at Middlewich against receiving clipt money for their services.
To the Justices at Northwich or elsewhere. The peticon of Margret Walker and Ellin Danham sheweth that your peticoners living in manchester were sent for by the cunstables of meddellwych when the Lord had visitted that towne with the plague to bee nurses to tende sicke persons, but notwithstanding your peticoners have receved some money yet it hath beene much of it clipt and not passable and they have beene put off from time to time and beene fforced to make many journeys and have laine at great charges till your peticoners have spent more than they have receved. May it please your honours to take into consideration the money due to your peticioners.
03 Apr 1649. Colonel Croxton is desired to examine the matter and to doe therein as to him shall seeme meete.
1650: -
F.2, D.29, S. Nantwich, 09 Jul 1650.
Petition of Dennis Brayne of Namptwich concerning an attack on him while mounting guard.
To the right wor'll the Justices of Peace at this Sessions assembled. The Humble Peticon of Dennis Brayne of this towne of Namtwich late a maymed Soldier in the service of Ireland against those Monsters the Rebells of Ireland, and then under the Comand of Sir Charles Vavasor. Sheweth that your petitioner was Comanded by the Cunstables of this Towne to keepe watche on Wensday last att night at wall lane end for keeping out of such p'sons as should come to this towne from any place infected with that heavy visitation the Plague; And about ten a clock that night came one John Steene alias Aldersey of this towne to one Clarke's house neere to the place where the Guard stands, drew his knife and swore hee would stabbe his sonne if hee wold not come away thence. But afterwards the said John Steene came up to the top of a little mount where your Petition'r stood Centary and without any cause att all given hym, called your Petitioner an Irish Rogue, a base discended slave a man not fitt to lyve in this towne, and then immediatly fell upon him, pulled a great handfull of haire from off his head, drew his knife and swore by God's blood and divers other excrable oathes, hee would cutt all your petitioners flesh off his bones, and then your petitioner having but the use of one hand, the said Steene gott him downe, gave him many blowes, swore extreamely hee wold bite your petitioners nose off, and did often offer to do it, and had done it had not some neighbores then come forth of theire beds and prevented him, All this your petitioner is readie to depose to be true and can p'duce divers witnesses to testefie the same.
Your Petitioner therefore most humbly beseecheth your good Wor'ps to take order with the said Steene for this great abuse.
09 Jul 1650. Referred to Mr. Mainwering and Mr. Dutton at their next monthly meeting at Chowley.
F.3, D.17, S. Northwich, 09 Oct 1650.
Petition of Symon Crouch of Warrington Dr. of Physic, about his work in connection with the Plague.
To the Right Hon. Sir George Booth and the rest of the Justices of the Peace now at the Quarter Sessions att Northwiche.
Sheweth that about 20 Jan last It pleased Almighty God to visitt the Townships of Gropnall, Thelwalle, Latchford and Walton with the terible Plague of Pestilance, uppon which your Peticoner beinge a Doctor of Phisik was moved to administer Phisick to those that were soe infected, and to make such other Provision for them as might conduce to their restoration, which your peticoner accordingly hath to the utmost of his skill and judgement from tyme to tyme observed And Praysed bee God through the Almightie's blessinge uppon his indeavors all the People in all the said Townships are now well and att their libertyes. Though it hath cost your Peticoner much trouble and many large sumes of money ofwhich hee hath receaved some parte. The attendance diligence and care of your Peticoner solely being imployed in and concerneinge the same Hath wholy worne him out of his former benefitt of such Patients whose necessityes would not admitt of soe much delay, untill hee had wrought these, his cures, in the sev'all Towneships above menconed.
May it therefore please your Honors to graunt your Peticoner such speedie releife as in your Judgements shall seeme meete haveinge regard to his care in the same, and the rather because the Inhabitants of all the Towneships aforesayd are soe very poore (otherwise very willinge) that they are not able to give your peticoner such satisfaccon as otherwise they would.
Order: Referred to Mr. Thomas Warberton Mr. Thomas Pownall Mr. Jo. Barker or any 2 of them to examine the truth of the peticoner's accompts and to report their opinions to Colonel Brooke Mr. Marbury and Mr. Hyde and they to determine herein as to them shall seeme meete at or before the 01 Dec. next and the Doctor and Appothicary to attend the referres with his accompts.
Greate Budworth parish, Runchorne, Gropnall, Lym and part of Bowden.
1651: -
F.3, D.87, Ibid., 1651.
Plague. Petition of the Inhabitants of Carington against being taxed for the relief of stricken persons outside the five mile limit.
To the Hon: Justices of Peace at the quarter Sessions houlden at Northwich. The humble peticon of the Inhabitants of Carington sheweth to this Court; That the Constables of the said Towne, the last yeare, 1650 , did collect and paie to Thomas Blackborne of Latchford the some of Three pounds foure shillings six pence for the relief of some infected persons in Thelwall and Groppnall wherein your peticoners did conceive themselves to bee free, and not within the Compasse Limited by the Statute nor Chargeable with anie paiement for the same. But soe it is, that they were this summer Required to paie Three pounds five shillings, seaven pence, more to the said places. And aboute 2 Julie last, your Peticoners did procure one Richard Joanes, of Urmeston, a knowne measurer of ground, to Measure the distance between Carrington and Thelwall, and it was founde, as appeared by a Note under the Measurer's hand herewith sent, That Carrington is not within Five Myles and an halfe of Thelwall brooke, which is the Nearest place of that Towne towards Carington.
Yor. peticoners therefore desire that their Townshippe may be discharged from payment of the said 3£. 5s. 7d. in regard they are not within five myles menconed in the Statute.
Order: Thelwall and Groppe: are to shew why the peticoners should not bee releived.