Z937/18/9

Draft of articles exhibited in the Court of Chancery by Charles Nicholls, gent, of Hitchin against John Cripps, gent, of Pauls Walden. Nicholls deposes he lent 900 to Cripps, secured by a mortgage on Cripps' estate and a judgement in debt for the same sum. The mortgage being unpaid and the estate being insufficient security for the money, a year ago he took out execution of the judgement and seized Cripps' goods. Soon after this, Cripps came to Hitchin and used "foul and scurrilous" language to Nicholls, calling him a rogue, rascal and villain, and challenging him, saying he'd have satisfaction for having his goods taken. Nicholls asked what satisfaction and Cripps said with a sword, as he was a gentleman. Nicholls says that on Tuesday last, 31st October, at noon Cripps came to him at Hitchin and invited him to his wife's father's house at Bendish, Pauls Walden, next day at noon at dinner time, where his attorney Mr Mills would also be present, and all would be made easy between them. At about noon on Wednesday 1st November Nicholls dined with Cripps and his wife, and they were joined by Mills. Cripps, his wife, and Mills went upstairs to a little garret purportedly to discuss Cripps' wife levying a fine to strengthen Nicholls' security, and soon invited Nicholls to join them. Mills and Mrs Cripps then left the garret room. Cripps locked the door, put the key in his pocket, and asked Nicholls to sit down. He then pulled out of his pocket a pistol, cocked and charged with gunpowder and bullet, as Nicholls believed. Also a long knife or dagger. He bid Nicholls to stand fair as he was a villain and rogue, and had undone him. Nicholls cried out, but Cripps said if he made a noise, he'd shoot him. Nicholls asked what he wanted, and Cripps said satisfaction for the wrong he'd been done. Nicholls said he'd done him no wrong, and suggested they call Mills back to judge: if he'd done him wrong, he'd give him satisfaction. But Cripps would not call him. Nicholls asked if Cripps was to be both judge and [chancellor?]. Cripps said yes, and "you must give me a note under your hand for 500 to be paid to me." He shouted, "If you don't do it immediately I will shoot you." Cripps brought him pen, ink and paper, and under menaces and threats Nicholls was forced to sit and write a note for 500 payable accordingly and dated some time last month, as Cripps demanded. Nicholls said, "Now I hope you will let me go." "No," said Cripps, "you must give me another note for 900." Nicholls said, "I would rather die than be imposed on in this manner when there was nothing due from me to you." Cripps said he'd have it done speedily and Nicholls must not speak. Under threats and duress, Nicholls wrote and signed another note for 900, payable as before. Cripps then put his pistol and dagger into his pocket and told Nicholls that if he told anyone about this, he would shoot him through the head. Both went downstairs, but Mr Mills......... [the rest is missing] [n.d.]

1709

From: 1704 To: 1704

1 sheet folded into 4 pages, No. of pieces: 1

Secretary Hand

sheet of paper

item

Nicholls, Charles,
Cripps, John,
Mills

Chancery, duelling, assault, threats, debt, vernacular language, Hitchin, St.Paul's Walden, Pauls Walden Bendish