ABCP110/25-28

Deposition of Christopher Lee of Sharnbrook, labourer, 45;

June 1716

From: 1716 To: 1716

On 31 Oct. 1715 he went to house of Mr. Brace at Astwood to brew for 15 days; Bolton was there & was several days with him in the brewhouse, giving directions as to quantity & quality; he was away over the weekend, returned in week, & left again following Saturday (12th). While there he wore his usual black coat & did not wear a brewer's apron, but only came in the brewhouse to supervise. Bolton also went home to bury Mrs. Watkins. Willimott is a poor labourer working for Godfrey; 'if he be a dairyman, hath but 1 cow'; He himself was threatened by Godfrey, who said he would 'have his ears' if he did not speak what he knew. Mark Antonie esquire has been a parishioner of Sharnbrook for a year, but usually away. Major John Aspin resides very much in parish. He has heard that Sharnbrook small tithes are worth £15 per annum; and that 2½ acres land may be let for 12shillings 6pence. per annum. He believes Godfrey does not pay tithes to Bolton on the ground that his house & closes are not in parish. Bolton is as honest a gentleman as lives, & very kind to poor, including himself, & has given him money when in distress, 'although this respondent hath not paid him any of his dues these 10 years.'

item

Lee, Christopher,
Brace,
Bolton, John,
Watkins,
Willimott,
Godfrey,
Antonie, Mark,
Aspin, John

Archdeacon's Court, legal papers, SHARNBROOK, labourer, tithes