1640

1. HALTON John Houghton c Margaret Cheshire for beating her grandchild making him unconscious - libel.

2. BACKFORD John Kirk c Maria London in matrimonial dispute - libel.

3. HALTON Henry Brook c Thomas Mason for tithes - libel.

4. NORTHENDEN Thomas & Elizabeth Riley c Wm Holland saying they kept bastards - libel.

5. HOLLAND Alexander Barker c Arthur Fairclough concerning title to a pew. Fairclough a recusant compunding for his recusancy at King's Manor, York - depositions (fragile).

6. BARROW Margery Holland c John Hegnett of Ashton saying she committed adultery - libel.

7. ASHTON UNDER LYNE Mary Walker c Seth Walker for slander - libel.

8. BARROW Thomas Savage c Jane Battrick for slander - libel.

9. STOCKPORT Alice Whittington c Gervase Heys saying she committed adultery with Wm Davenport thrice weekly - libel.

10. STOCKPORT Alice Bridge c Jane Gee for slander - libel.

11. COLTON Brian Willan clerk c Henry Askew for dues - sentence, costs.

12. COLTON Francis Magson c Francis Sands for slander - libel, sentence.

13. PRESTON Grace Harrison c Anna Beesely saying she was a foresworn woman who had not attended church since 1637 - libel.

14. PRESTBURY John Oldfield c John Fawkener of Sutton for slander - libel.

15. PRESTBURY Francis Jepson c Catherine Jepson in divorce case. Sentence and bonds not to marry while either party is alive - deposition, responsions.

16. PRESTBURY William Davison c Anna Mason for slander - libel.

17. PRESTBURY Henry Thompson c Alice Pimlot for cursing his wife and children, for a common swearer and scold - libel.

18. MIDDLEWICH Sir Wm Brereton c John Trevett of Sproston for tithe of cattle - libel (fragile).

19. MIDDLEWICH Catherine Moulton c Elizabeth Stringer saying she kept a bawdy house - libel.

20. MIDDLEWICH Ralph Luton c Margery Hoofield for slander - libel (fragile).

21. WHALLEY Christopher Harrison c Robert Hammond saying he did not attend church but played at shovelboard in Hammond's house on Sundays and holydays - full file (fragile).

22. WHALLEY Christopher Harrison c George Hammond concerning his games of shovelboard at Epiphany time - full file (fragile).

23. WHALLEY John Brenan c Maria Wilson of Melling widow for breach of matrimonial contract made before witnesses and sealed by breaking a silver groat - fragment.

24. HASLINGDEN Robert Holden & Charles Gregory c John Holden curate for drinking, smoking, preaching in alehouse, offering pledge for ale and drunk at Blackburn - libel (fragile).

25. CHILDWALL Mammett Johnson c Henry Ellison concerning title to a pew the old one removed when church was unified - full file (fragile).

26. CHILDWALL Hammett Johnson c Henry Ellison concerning pew now occupied by Thomas Baxter - full file (fragile).

27. HALE Churchwardens c Wm Morris of Speke for non payment of five fifteenths to the repair of the church - libel.

28. WINWICK Anna Rothwell c Jane Heapie calling her brazen faced whore - libel, depositions, costs (fragile).

29. WARRINGTON Maria Browent saying she had carnal knowledge of Thomas Sefton and he had hauled her up and down the house - libel (fragile).

30. WRENBURY Jane Heapie c Hugh Orrell for slander - libel, interrogation, responsions.

31. WRENBURY James Bramhall c Margaret Barnet saying he got Martha Gray with child - libel.

32. WRENBURY John Wilson c George Byrom clerk saying he was a rascal and whoremaster - libel (fragile).

33. WRENBURY James Bramhall c Thomas Tenche saying he got Martha Gray with child - libel.

34. PRESCOT Lord Strange c Peter Lyon for tithe from newly cleared ground which was full of briers, brambles, shrubs, tree roots and coarse wood called Rough Hey - full file (fragile).

35. WARMINGHAM Andrew Wood clerk c Richard Shawe for tithe of Welsh cows pasturing in the parish since 1634 - full file.

36. WYBUNBURY James Bruen c Elizabeth Bruen for adultery with Henry Lathom at Wybunbury and in Ireland - libel, depositions.

37. WYBUNBURY Maurice Gwynn rector c Robert Poole for tithe geese and lambs - full file.

38. SWETTENHAM Margaret Baker c Dorothy Baker wife of Thomas Baker for slander - libel, interrogations.

39. BLACKBURN Maria Fleetwood c Wm Marsden of Tockholes for tithe grain - libel, responsions.

40. Blank.

41. BLACKBURN Alice Morris of Darwen c Thomas Livesey saying she had been naughty with Lawrence Ellison - libel, responsions.

42. BLACKBURN Adam Bolton M.A. vicar c John Cowper saying to him, "I care not a fart for thee" - libel.

43. BLACKBURN Anna Darbishire alias Lomax c Edith Lomax and Leticia Lomax saying she was not the lawful, wife of Giles Lomax - libel, depositions, responsions (fragile).

44. RUNCORN Sir Henry Brook c Thomas Mason for tithe hay - depositions, sentence (fragile).

45. RUNCORN John Midlehurst of Grappenhall c Maria Coldwell saying he was a foresworne knave for two shillings - libel.

46. WHITEGATE Office c Thomas Baker for adultery with Margaret Baker (see 1639 No. 109).

47. WHITEGATE Documents arising from a prohibition in a tithe case heard in the Exchequer Court of the County Palatine (see 1638 No. 104) (fragile).

48. DAVENHAM Thomas Mallory S.T.P. rector c Thomas Chantler for tithe animals - full file (fragile).

49. DEAN William Mather c Elizabeth Mather in matrimonial dispute - full file.

50. DEAN (Westhoughton) Wm Leigh c Roger Rigbie for tithes. A series of fragments which are unfit to issue.

51. SHOTWICK Thomas Hickhock c Wm Selby for tithes taken from cleared ground in Capenhurst - libel, responsions (fragile).

52. THORNTON George Byrom rector c John Troutbacke for tithe corn from a parcel of ground enclosed from Dunham Moss - libel, depositions.

53. WARTON Thomas Middleton and Wm Pennington impropriators c Thomas Kitson for tithe of barley & oats grown in Bountowne field and closes - full file with appeal to York.

54. WARTON Thomas Middleton and Wm Pennington c Robert Burrows for tithe - libel (fragile).

55. WARTON Thomas Middleton and Wm Pennington c John Dawson for tithe oats from Bayliffe field - libel.

56. WARTON Thomas Middleton and Wm Pennington c Gervase Ward for tithes - sentence on appeal to York.

57. CHESTER (ST Mary) Elizabeth Morris c Wm Edwards saying she committed adultery with John Eyton in Edwards washouse and flax room in St Peter's parish - full file.

58. CHESTER (St Michael) Robert Green c Margaret Green for attempting to kill him with a spit, breaking his shoulder with a cudgel, throwing earthenware pots at him and removed £300 in money and goods from the house - libel, responsions (fragile).

59. CHESTER (St Michael) Henry Harper and John Leche c James Lingley concerning a disputed pew arising from unifying of the chancel seats - gives much details on the interior of the church and election of churchwardens. (See 1639 No. 9).

60. CHESTER (St Michael) Office c churchwardens for demolishing and defacing the chancel screen. Order from the bishop and chancellor that they provide a new screen with long pillasters to divide the chancel from the body of the church and the north and south aisles; the seats to be made choir wise and the seats in the nave to be uniform so that non sit with their backs to the communion table, to be uniform in height, length and width so that people face the communion table. None shall henceforth receive the sacrement in their pews but go in rank according to their quality and condition and then return to their seats. That all join with the minister in the rest of the prayers and be dismissed with the Peace of God (fragile).

61. CHESTER (St Michael) Churchwardens c Wm Parnell concerning a pew - fragments only (see 1639 No. 9).

62. CHESTER (Holy Trinity) Richard Wilson c Thomas Plimley and Edward Bollin concerning the preaching of a sermon at the funeral of Elizabeth Plimley by Mr Harrison and not paying fees to the rector - full file (fragile) (see 1639 No. 15).

63. CHESTER (St Martin) Wm Clarke rector c Silvanus Witter for non payment of dues - libel.

64. CHESTER (St Bridget) Eleanor Edwards c James Knowsley for slander - libel, depositions, sentence.

65. CHESTER (St John Baptist) Richard Anyon c Maria Powell saying that he got his servant boy Robert in adultery in Foregate Street - libel, interrogation, depositions, costs (fragile).

66. CHESTER (St John) Elena Johnson c Elenora Jones concerning the (1639 No. 16) loan of 4s8d on the security of a pair of sheets and the money not repaid nor the sheets redeemed - libel.

67. CHESTER (St John Baptist) John Edwards c Richard Broster saying he drank a health to the Devil of Beelzebub the prince of the devils in Hugh Andersons house in Foregate Street - libel, interrogation, depositions (fragile).

68. CHESTER (St Oswald) Nicholas Ince c David Bore calling him knave and rascal, "fitter for a hangmans son than a gentleman hoping to see him not worth six shillings at Christmas" - libel, depositions.

69. CHESTER (St John Baptist) John Powell c Richard Anyon for slander - libel, depositions, (see No. 65).

70. UNDERBARROW John Carpmell or Cartmel c James Docker for saying he had a dissolute disordered, debased carriage - libel.

71. CROSTHWAITE James Docker c Richard Routh vicar for beating him in the churchyard on 1st March, drawing blood, pulling out his hair, sitting drinking all night and playing at football abusing the players and laying violent hands on them - libel.

72. NANTWICH John Beckitt c Elizabeth Arcell saying he committed adultery with her - libel.

73. NANTWICH Margery and Maria Maddock c Humphrey Brook saying they fornicated in England and Ireland - libel.

74. MANCHESTER Alexandra Norris c Anna Bolton for slander - confession.

75. MANCHESTER Office c Peter Hooley and Elizabeth Dison for adultery - libel.

76. MANCHESTER Henry Jackson c Bridgett Troughton saying he committed adultery with her - libel.

77. HEVERSHAM James Docker c John Carpmell for beating him in Crosthwaite churchyard, drawing blood, pulling his hair cutting holes in his coat and sticking burrs on his cloak in divine service - libel.

78. HEVERSHAM Thomas Bigge clerk and James Billingham for tithe (see 1639 No. 62) (fragile).

79. WALTON Office c Lawrence Breres for non attendance at church and not communicating since 1636 and has not had his children baptised and has left his wife - libel.

80. CATON John and Isabel Bradgate c Thomas Fathal for slander - libel (fragile).

81. ORMSKIRK Alice Lathom c Elizabeth Halton for slander - libel.

82. OVER PEOVER Matthew Walker c Nicholas Ratcliffe saying he had seen his ward Joan Anson committing fornication on a bed - libel.

83. TILSTON (Stretton) Office c Ralph Bowman for adultery with Elizabeth Munclefield - libel.

84. BUNBURY Anna Candland alias Owen c Richard Farrow saying she was Robin Commenders whore - libel.

85. MARBURY Seth Houghton c Wm Weaver concerning evidence in the divorce case of Thomas and Sara Taylor in which it was alleged that Taylor abused her in a house in Whitchurch and threatened to cut her throat - libel.

86. HALTON Peter Picker c Robert Mason for tithe - libel (very poor condition).

87. EASTHAM Dean & Chapter of Chester c George Penruddock for non payment of assessments to the repair of the church and chancel roof - depositions.

88. TARPORLEY Nathaniel Lancaster rector c Ralph Smethurst for tithe sheep and lambs - libel.

89. SANDBACH John Oldfield c Catherine Sutton for tithe from Lee fields - libel.

90. HARTHILL Confirmation of a pew to Robert, Viscount Kells in right of Cholmondeley Hall.

91. PRESTWICH Isaac Allen clerk c John Holland for tithe - libel (fragile).

92. ROCHDALE Matrimonial case of John and Elizabeth Butterworth - libel, excommunication.

93. ACTON Office c Wm Jackson for adultery with Elizabeth Reade.

94. ASHTON UNDER LYNE Nicholas Walker c John Hamon saying that he spit upon his dog in Ashton church - libel (fragile).

95. CLITHEROE Jane Heard c Robert Whitacre saying she laid with Wm Hodgkinson and had intercourse - libel.

96. FRODSHAM Richard Bennett c Frances Cottingham for fornication with her servant Frances Meadowcroft - libel.

97. FRODSHAM Rowland Haywood S.T.B. vicar c Richard Weston for tithe of 20 Winchester measures of Wardens (cooking pears) and 100 quinces - libel.

98. DALTON Alexander Barker c Arthur Fairclough concerning others sitting in his pew during his absence - fragment only (see 1640 No. 5).

99. FARNDON Joanna Clubb c Anna Cooke for slander - libel (fragile).

100. HOLT Catherine Calcott c John Appleton for slander - depositions.

101. WIGAN Inhibition of case between Roger Houghton and Richard Molineux.

102. GUILDEN SUTTON Sentence in defamation case between George Snell (1639 No. 21) S.T.P. and Henry Mainwaringe and John Dutton.

103. ASTBURY Sentence in matrimonial case of Edward Morton c Margaret Moreton.

104. ALTHAM Sentence in correction case against Elizabeth Robinson.

105. SEFTON Maria Blanchard c Margaret & Anna Wilson - confession.

106. CHESTER (St Peter) Godfrey Tottie c Edward & Elizabeth Porrie concerning indentures dated 28 Jan. 15 Charles I. 1639 No. 8.

107. MACCLESFIELD Appeal to York by Ann Booth c Francis Low.

108. Unidentified cases; Richard Ashead c Susanna Ashead and Edward Prescot c Wm Woodward.

109. EXCOMMUNICATIONS For persons from Winwick, Chester, Warton, Neston, Bosley, Stockport, Warmingham, Warrington, Tunstall, Backford, Congleton, Great Budworth, Acton, Astbury, Over Bowden, Colton, Eastham, Nantwich, Peover.

110a. Five bills of costs.

110b. BROUGHTON Responsions relating to chapel registers.

111. RUNCORNE Nomination of John Jackson as surgeon on the advice of Lord of Meth (Meath) in Irland suitable for surgeon to the parish - licenced 26 Sept.

112. PLEMONDSTALL Nomination of Rovert & Elizabeth Johnson as surgeons with ability to cure, "ould ulcers, French disease, greenwounds (gangrene) and canker".

113. PULFORD Presentation of Jonathon Jolly BA to living by Richard Brereton 19 Oct 16 Charles I 1640 Transfer to Lancs COPELAND Citation by Rural Dean for persons named to appear at Gosforth for correction - see Lancs R.O. Deanery Processess ARR. 18.