Short title: Needham v Harrison. Plaintiffs: Robert Needham and others. Defendants:...

Short title: Needham v Harrison.

Plaintiffs: Robert Needham and others.

Defendants: John Harrison and others.

Documents: depositions concerning Hartington, Derbyshire.

Taken 19 January, 38 Eliz.

Deponents for plaintiffs: Roger Wheldon of Crowdycote [Crowdecote], yeoman, aged 70 years and more, whose memory goes back 60 years [to 1536] deposed that he knows Crompton Grange in Hartington manor. It was held by the Abbey of Merevale and that it had been in 'ould tyme fenced with an earth dyche' [an earth ditch] and is now fenced with stone walls. The tenants of Hardlow, Needham Grange and Crowdyctoe had common rights there until recently when the shepherds of Crompton Grange walled it in. [Recalls that common land had been enclosed during his memory at Clements Seat in Hartington, Chelmorton, Kings Starndale, Cowdale and Stadon]; John Wheldon of Hartington, husbandman, aged 60 years and more, whose memory goes back 60 years [1536]; Bryan Needham of Youlgreave, husbandman, aged 57, whose memory goes back 40 years [to 1556].

Deponents for defendants: Richard Sleigh of Ludwall, clerk, aged 54, deposed that the defendants hold the lands in question as copyhold of Hartington manor let to them by Henry Cavendish [esquire] who was the Duchy of Lancaster lessee. He has heard that the land called Haybatts was the common of Earls Sterndale until its enclosure 30 years agod; Humphrey Goodwin of Earls Sterndale, husbandman, aged 57; Nicholas Sleigh of Derby, glover, aged 65.

38 Eliz