Reference
X608/8
Title
Bill of complaint concerning John Nelson, curate of the hamlet of Upper Gravenhurst in Shillington
Date free text
22 Jun 1642
Production date
From: 1642 To: 1642
Scope and Content
Said hamlet of Upper Gravenhurst is situated a mile or more from Shillington Church and between them there are many brooks of water which 'doe att many tymes arise to soe great an hight that the inhabitants of Gravenhurst cannott passe to the parishe Church of Shitlington without danger of being drowned'. Previous curates have received oblations and parochial dues and also white tithes for recompense of such duties. Manor Shepo and other lands in Gravenhurst were given in trust for 'finding and maintaining of a minister or curate' and for repair of the chapel and steeple and of the bridges in Upper Gravenhurst and for bearing other common charges of the hamlet.
By decree mate at Bedford on 9 Aug 11 James [1613] by John Crofts, knt and Francis Ventris, knt, and others by virtue of a Commission under the great seal, dated 23 Nov 20th of Late Majesty, ordered that half of the rents of the property of the Manor should be bestowed on curate of Upper Gravenhurst towards his maintenance. Said curate to be resident there without an abscence of more than eight days in any one year. Rent etcs amount to £60 p.a and are let for a yearly rent of £40 above such white tithes and other duties.
Yet John Sheppard, William Feild, Thomas Hale, William Chester and John Cooper, inhabitants of Upper Gravenhurst have detained tithes and have combined with Richard Milward, Thomas Howson, William Milward and John Milward, the present feofees and Robert Bryant, farmer of said Manor to prevent petitioner from receiving said tithes and the moiety of the income of said Manor. John Sheppard etc also have custody of all conveyances and the above decree so the petitioner is unable to set forth the certaincy of the particulars.
Now said petitioner request subpoena ordered John Sheppard etc to appear in Chancery on the matter. Sign of Talbot Pepys
Level of description
item