January 1653

The names of the four & twentie being the Capitall Burgesses of the Burrough or Town of Preston aforesaid the Comon Council to the said Maior for ye well governing of the said Burrough for the year ensueing.

The names of such persons of this Towne which are ??? and elected for the several Wards and streets within this Town the surveying and disposing of Inmates, fforeyners and strangers & other enormities within this Towne for ye year following & confirmed by ye last Guild Merchant.

ffor ye ffryergate weends & backsides adioyninge to the same beginning att the shopp of Richard Sumpner and from there to ye end of th said street - John Tysinge & Tho. Tysinge

ffor ye whole markett place & ffishergate begininge att Minspittt well weends and soe afterwards by ye ends of the said street - Ellis Wakefield & Richard Johnson

ffor ye Churchgate beginning att Minspit well weend with all ye weends & backsides of the said street and from there eastwards to ye end of ye said Towns - Roger Rivington & Tho. Burton

Inquisition taken att Preston in the County of Lancaster the first day of November in ye year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and fiftie and three before Edward ffrench gentleman Maior of the said Burrough Henry Brewer? & Richard Primmett Bailiffes of ye said Burrough & Evan Wall steward there of Diverse Trespasses agt the Statutes etc. By the Oaths of

Arthur Bostocke, William Dobson, Ellis Wakefield, John Tyson, Richard Turner & Henry Thompson

Who ??? upon their oaths and say that three paire of shooes of the goods of Chrofer Wilding of the value of fower shillings are not sufficient or Markettable according to the Acts And therefore to be forfeit.

We likewise find one sole hide of the goods of Richard Haydock of the value of seaven shillings & two Bends of Leather of ye goods of Henry Newsham of the value of two shillings and eight pence not to be sufficiently tanned or serviceable And therefore to bee forfeited according to the Act in that behalf made.

Inquisition taken att Preston in the County of Lancaster the xvi^th day of November in ye year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and fiftie and three before Edward ffrench gentleman Maior of the said Burrough Henry Brewer? & Richard Primmett Bailiffes of ye said Burrough & Evan Wall steward there of Diverse ??? agt divers acts of Parliament in yt case made and provided. By the Oaths of

John Clifton, William Dobson, Ellis Wakefield, Edward Dawson, Richard Turner & William Darwen

Who present upon their oaths and say that one hyde of Leather of Thomas Hodgson of Euxton of the value of eight shillings is not sufficiently tanned and therefore forefeit.

Who likewise find one piece of a Bend of Leather of Richard Cowper of Cuerdall of the value of sixteene pence to be insufficient and therefore forfeit.

Inquisition of office taken the 30th day of January, 1653, before the Mayor (Edward ffrench), Bailiffs (Willm Shaw and Richard Primmett), Steward (Evan Wall). The names of the Jury to enquire aswell for his highness the Lord Protector as for the Maior Bailiffs & Burgesses of the said Burrough or Towne of Preston.

The Jury upon oath "find and pr'sent" as follows:-

1. Nicholas Sudell shall take upp and remove the earth which is slidden downe into the lane leadinge to the Swillbrooke, that the high way may bee sufficient for carte and carriage, before the xxv^th of this instant Aprill in paine of vjs. viijd.

2. Mr. William Hodgkinson shall take upp and remove the earth wch is slidden downe into the high way directlie over against Mr. Sudells ground on the other side of the same lane, and shall gett the same lineallie with the old meares before the xxv^th of this instant Aprill in paine of vjs. viijd.

3. Mr. Seth Morte shall open his watercourse, and lay upp his platt, and scowre his ditch as farre as the Ashe att the crooked Acre before the 25th of this instant Aprill in paine of vjs. viijd.

4. Henrie Chorley, Mr. Seth Blackhurst, Bartholomew Worthington, and Mr. Edmund Werden shall remove theire middings wch lye without ffishergate barres before the Tenth day of May next, in paine of everie of them vjs. viijd.

5. They nor anie of them shall hereafter lay anie more middings or dunghills there, but on the backside of their owne barnes, in paine of everie one of them offendinge contraie to this presentment to fforfeite and pay for everie offence vjs. viijd.

6. The Bayliffes of this Towne shall sufficientlie repaire the ffishergate barrs before the 24th of June next in paine of vjs. viijd.

7. That not anie of the inhabitants within this Towne shall lay anie Middinge or make anie Dungehill wthin anie the Townes Streets in paine of everie one offendinge to forfeit and pay vjs. viijd.

8. Mr. Edmund Werden shall scowre his ditch in Ropers' feilde, all along from the Platt to the greate watercourse, before the 25th of this instant Aprill, in paine of vjs. viijd.

9. Henrie Willson shall scowre his ditch in woodfull places on the east side of meadow lane before the 25th of this instant Aprill, in paine of vjs. viijd.

10. Elizabeth Cowper widdow shall cutt her underwood and scowre her ditch from Mr Lemons platt to the lower end of lowest Moss before the 25th of this instant Aprill, in paine of vjs. viijd.

11. Mr. James Hodgkinson shall cutt his underwood and scowre his ditch from meadow lane to ffower(four) ox ffield roades towards Rible before the xxv^th of this instant Aprill, in paine of vjs. viijd.

12. Mr. Seth Blackhurst shall scowre his ditch all along the close called Mr Ashetons downe towards the Rible before the 25th instant, in paine of vjs. viijd.

13. Mr James Hodgkinson shall scoure his ditch and cutt his underwood all alonge several closes in North meadow lane downwards towards Rible before the 24th instant, in paine of vjs. viijd.

14. Thomas Goodshey (Goodshaw) shall scoure his ditch in North meadow lane down towards Rible att his close late Henry Taylors before the xxv^th instant, in paine of vjs. viijd.

15. Elizabeth Cowper widdow shall scoure her ditch all alonge her close betwixt the same lane and Rible before the xxv^th instant, in paine of vjs. viijd.

16. Nicholas Sudell shall scoure his ditch from the yate downwards to the foote of the watercourse att his parcell of land late John Sudells before the 25th instant, in paine of vjs. viijd.

17. The now Bailives of this Towne shall stake and wynde and sufficientlie repaire Davill bridge, and shall sett stoopes and rayles to keepe horses from off itt before the xxv^th of this instant Aprill, in paine of vjs. viijd.

"Davill Bridge" was probably a bridge over a ditch on the Marsh. This problem recurs over the years.

18. Mr. Edmund Werden shall repayre severall places slipt downe into his mill ffleame, and shall stake and wynde in needfull places before the 29th of this instant Aprill, in paine of vjs. viijd.

19. Mr. Edmund Werden hath made and raysed A repare to his kilne, on the Marsh, about five yards in length and two yeards in breadth: to be rented at the discretion of Mr. Maior and his brethren.

20. Thomas Graystocke shall open and keep open the watercourse in Lancr lane and keepe the water in itts course that itt overflow not the lane nor annoy the highway on paine to forfeit vjs. viijd.

21. Thomas Sheppard or the occupiers of his lande shall scoure the ditch betwixt him and widdow Walmesleys from his pitt to the brooke that the water do not break forth into the highway before the 25th instant, in paine of vjs. viijd.

22. Widdow Walmesley of the holehouse shall stopp the water w're falls into the lane leadinge to ffulsham moore and turne itt downe sheppards ditch when the same is scourged and clensed in paine of vjs. viijd.

23. The now Baylives of this Towne shall open the Springs on the Spitle moss and repaire the Syke trough with leads before the xxv^th of this instant Aprill in payne of vjs. viijd.

24. The now Baylives of this Towne shall make A sufficient Pinfold for Sheepe where it formerly hath beene, before the xxv^th of this instant Aprill, in paine of vjs. viijd.

25. Mrs Anne Fleetwood and Mrs Jane Walmesley shall open and keepe open theire watercourses in Salter lane before the xxv^th of this instant Aprill in payne of vjs. viijd.

26. Thomas Werden shall open his platt and scowre his ditch in Salter lane before the xxv^th of this instant Aprill in payne of vjs. viijd.

27. Mrs Lemon shall scowre her ditch in Plattfordale before the xxv^th of this instant Aprill in payne of vjs. viijd.

28. James Hodgkinson shall scowre his ditch in Plattfordale before the xxv^th of this instant Aprill in payne of vjs. viijd.

29. William Curtis shall scowre his ditch and paire his Copp on his own side, att the end of the Vicaridge crofte, and forbeare to encroach with his ditch on the lane leading to Plattfordale, that the way may bee sufficient for Carte and carriage, before the xxv^th of this instant Aprill, in paine of vjs. viijd.

30. John Chorley, butcher, shall sett up styles and bridges in the foote path, in Mr. Asheton's grounds, leadinge to the new well, before the xxv^th of this instant Aprill, in paine of vjs. viijd.

31. Elizabeth Cowper, widdow, shall sett A style at her close, where it was usuall, in the foote path leadinge to Heppgreave, before the xxv^th of this instant Aprill, in paine of vjs. viijd.

32. The cawsey on Peele moore is broken forth and in greate decay, And fforasmuch as the Inhabitants and owners of lands on the moore side (as wee finde by other presentments) have been accustomed to repaire the same Wee desire Mr. Maior would call the Ancyent Inhabitants there to give him an account who ought to repaire the same, and what proportions thereof, and to cause itt done accordinglie.

33. The now Baylives of this Towne shall cause the streetes and all other the pavements within this Towne to be repaired soe farre as others their predecessors have been accustomed to repair the same.

34. George Werden is verie negligent in his dutie or office, and suffereth the markett place to continue most parte of the weeke uncleansed, often until ffriday afternoone, whereas hee ought to sweepe and cleanse the same everie Munday, which this Summer tyme will bee verie noysome. Therefore wee present hee shall hereafter more carefullie discharge his dutie or bee discharged of his place and punished at the discretion of Mr. Maior.

35. Those persons followinge ought to remove theire Middings south of Saint John Weend before the 10th Day of May next in paine each of them vjs. viijd. Richard Thorpe, John Kilshaw, Wid. Archer, Andrew Shorrock, Mr Henry Preston, Thomas Dewhurst, Henrie Blackhurst, Mr. Roger Sudell, Wid. Joan Bannester, Wid. Joan Wall

36. The 3rd presentment of the last Leet against Mr William Bannester ought to be executed And the 6th psentmt of the same Leet against Mr. William Hodgkinson ought to be executed and that the 20th psentment against Mr. Seth Morte ought to be executed.

From October 1653 Leet Court.

37. The 35th presentment of the last Leet against stallengers is not putt in operation accordinge to this affearinge thereof And that divors stallengers keepe Alehouse and putt their Cattell and other goods to the moore and comon grounds belonginge to this Towne contrarie to the same presentment and contrarie to divors good and wholesome orders of sevrall Guilds and to the great priudice of the ffree Burgesses of this Towne And wee further prsent that the now Baylives of this Towne shall duly execute the affearinge of the said presentmente and Leavy the fynnes forfeited accordinglie.

38. In severall presentments heretofore made by divers and sundrie Jureys all the owners of Cellars within this Towne shall sett stoopes and rayles or hang yates before their cellars, the want whereof is very dangerous. We doe therefore prsent Mrs. Joane Wall shall repaire the wall on the west side of her Cellar and put A Rayle into the same, And also that James Gorton, Mr. Seth Morte, Mr. James Hodgkinson, Symon Hynde, and Christopher Santer shall sett stoopes and Rayles or hange yates before theire Cellars before the 25th of this instant Aprill, in paine of everie one makeinge default vjs. viijd.

39. The now Baylives of this Towne shall scowre and make cleane the Mince pitt well and the Goose well twice in this summer, upon paine of vjs. viijd.

40. Whereas divers complaints have heretofore been made and A great abuse done by mens cattell trespassing into Corne and grasse in Summer tyme, occasioned by reason of the evill custome of men putting their cattell to the Marsh earlie in the morninge before the heardsmen bee readie with the rest of the Cattell, ffor redresse whereof wee the presnt Jurors doe present and give in verdict that not anie of the Inhabitants within this Towne shall hearafter put down their goods to the Marsh before sixe of the clocke, but shall keepe them on the Spitle Mosse att the furthest untill the heardsmen bee readie to receive them, upon paine to forfeite for everie offence iijs. iiijd. And if the Pinders find anie on the Marsh, before they goe downe with the rest of the Cattell, and doe not Impound them, the said Pinders to forfeite for everie neglect xijd.

41. The now Baylives of this Towne shall repaire all decayes and breaches of the Draw Well, in the ffryergate, before the 24th of June next, in paine of vjs. viijd.

42. There hath been A Well of A longe continuance between Rydinge hey and A close in the possession of widdow Cowper, beinge Mr. William Hodgkinson lands, And that the same Well bee and remaine formerlie it hath done, And neither the occupiers of Rydinge hey nor the said widdow Cowper shall spoile or defile the same upon paine to forfeit 13s. 4d.

43. There is A greate want in the Towne of convenient wateringe places for Cattell, And wee doe conceave there is A verie convenient place for one att the East end of the Towne, and desire itt may bee made by the Baylives before the ffirst day of September next, by the consent and appointment of Mr. Maior and his brethren.

44. The highway on the Peele moore is verie dangerous for both man and beast, by reason of digginge Clay pitts for Bricks and other service of the Towne, And in regard itt is A greate annoyance, and beinge often heretofore presented and noe redress, Wee desire all the old clay pitts may be filled upp and made eaven by people from everie house within this Towne, at the appointment of Mr. Maior and his brethren, as they in theire discretion shall thinke meete, when the weather may be convenient for the same.

"Peele Moore" was an area of land between the present Deepdale road and Ribbleton Lane.

45. Roger Woodrooffe, Walter Myers, nor anie other shall hereafter digge clay nor make anie pitts upon the Moore for makeinge of Bricks, without the Licence and appointment of Mr. Maior or the Bayliffs for the tyme beinge, in the most convenient place for digginge of clay, neither shall thay make anie pitts neare the high way, being dangerous for passengers with Carte and Carriage to theire grounds, And also shall fill upp the pitts they have made or shall make, in paine of everie one offendinge contrarie to this presentment, to forfeit and pay for everie offence vjs. viijd.

46. The now Baylives of this Towne shall provide A stronge and sufficient yate and stoope for the north moor yate, and shall hange the same, that itt may open both wayes and shutt of itt selfe, wch would bee A meanes to keepe the Cattell on the moore, which doe frequentlie breake downe to the Marsh, and into mens grounds, when the yate is thrown open, and breedes much dissention, which by this meanes would bee pr'vented.

47. The inhabitants within this Towne doe comonlie sweepe myre from before theire doores and houses into the Channell, or leave itt on heapes, to the great annoyance of the Towne, Therefore everie one upon notice shall take away the same within three dayes, that itt bee not noysome, upon paine of everie one makinge default to forfeite and pay for every offence xijd.

48. There is a greate abuse in this Towne by reason of Swyne pullinge mens Sacks in peeces, on the markett day, whereof the countrey [people] doth much complayne, And severall presentments have been heretofore made for redresse thereof. Wee doe therefore pr'sent that all owners of Swyne shall keepe them upp on the markett dayes, in payne of everie one offendinge to fforfeite and pay for everie swine xijd., whereof vjd. to the sub Bayliffe and vjd. to the Pinders for theire care and paines. And if the Pinders neglect to bee carefull and doe not theire dutie, they to fforfeite for everie abuse done by swyne, through their negligence, xijd.

49. There is A greate abuse in this Towne by reason of the Pinders lendinge mens horses and other goods of such as are frequent trepassers upon the Marsh, Whereas accordinge to the 12th Order of Werdens Guild they ought to pay for everie second, third, and other offence vjd. Wee doe therefore present the Pinders shall hereafter forbeare to lend the goods tresspassinge or discharge the[m] more than once without the Licence and consent of Mr. Maior or o[ne] of the Baylives for the tyme beinge, upon paine to fforfeite for everie offence, accordinge to the 8th Order of Werdens Guild, vjd.

Edmund Werden was Guild Mayor in 1641/1642.

50. The Marsh is sore burthened by reason of men[s] horses and other goods tresspassinge upon the same in the night tyme, occasioned onlie by puttinge them to the Spittle mosse. And wee doe therefore prsent That not anie shall suffer theire goods to stay on Spitle mosse att after Sunsett, upon paine of everie one makeinge default to fforfeite and pay for everie offence vjd., whereof iijd. to the Pinder and iijd. to the Sub Bayliffe.

51. The Swyneheards of this Towne are verie careless and idle and suffer mens Swyne to trespasse into Corne grass, wch is A great Annoyance, And therefore henceforth they shall keepe the Swyne further on the Moore, and not suffer them to come neare the yate, or upon complaynt made to bee disp[l]aced and punished att the discretion of Mr. Maior for the tyme beinge. And that all ownors of Swyne shall after they returne from the Moore keepe them upp, untill the Swyneheard call for them next morning, upon paine of every one offendinge to forfeite for everie offence xijd., whereof vjd. to the Pinder and vjd. to the use of the Towne.

52. Whereas wee find itt divers and sundrie tymes ancyentlie heretofore presented, as in the xxxix year of Elizabth, the 45th presentment, Henrie Catterall, gent, beinge the Maior, and frequentlie both before and since, That noe person nor persons within this Towne shall putt anie geese to the Marshe from the 25th March untill att after Midsummer, Now wee the prsent Jury havinge taken consideracon thereof, and perceavinge itt verie hurtfull divers and sundrie wayes, and especiallie to the poorer sorte of the ffree Burgesses of this Towne, that anie geese should be putt to the Marsh, Therefore wee doe psent that noe manner of person nor persons within this Towne of Preston shell putt or cause to bee putt anie goose, geese, or goslings hereafter to the said Marsh from the xxv^th of March untill the xv^th of August, upon paine of everie one offendinge to forfeite and to the use of the Towne xxs. And that Pinders take care and see this presentment executed, and bringe all such geese as they shall find Tresspassinge on the Marsh into the Towne, and impound them untill the owner bee knowne and payed the ffyne or xxs. And if the Pinders bee found negligent or make default in the execucon of this presentment to fforfeite for everie offence iijs. iiijd., or three dayes and nights punishment. And if any rescouse [rescue] theire geese soe taken to pay for everie goose rescoused iijs. iiijd. The execucon of these wee hope Mr. Maior will take the course to see pformed.

Henry Catterall was Guild Mayor in 1601/1602.