Notes |
- When in 1653 the Hammersmith (Lynn) and Braintree iron works were found insolvent, the accounts produced evidence of Samuel Bennett's work, including "carting 64 loads," "wood granted by Samuell Benit ... [and] the frame at Samuell Benit's land bought of Mr. Knolls" [EQC 1:292-93]. In a letter dated 28 September 1652, the ironworks investors discussed poor management by Mr. J. Gifford, complaining, among other things, that "he built [a house] for the Scots cost ?35 and he built it upon Samuell Bennet's ground which was very unadvisedly done" [EQC 2:89]. Further, "the measure of coal is neglected and must be looked after. Samuel Bennit ought not to have any carriage for the company unless he is complying to the commissioners he having had above ?100 this last year, which makes him so stout and insolent with the company" [EQC 2:90]. The question of whether Samuel Bennett owed the company money was put to arbitrators in 1657 [EQC 2:127], but the case was withdrawn in June 1659 [EQC 2:159]. Bennett was still suing the company for his payment as late as 1671 [EQC 4:339].
On 27 June 1654 Mr. John Giffard sued Francis Perry for debt, and Francis Perry sued Giffard and his wife for saying that he was "a base rogue" [EQC 1:349]. On 29 June 1654 Mr. John Giffard and John Gerviss were fined for "striking Francis Perry in his own home" [EQC 1:359]. The wife of Francis Perry was presented for striking Mr. Gervis several times. The court decided it was in defence of her husband and merely admonished her [EQC 1:360].
On 27 October 1653 Francis Perry, aged about forty-five years, deposed
that being carpenter of the works he made many things for Gifford's house on the Company's account, including one great press, and set up two dressers, which Giffard took away when he went. Also that Gifford took the lock from the door, and took down part of the walls at the doors to get out the press; that deponent sold Giffard goats and a calf, which were paid for from the Company's estate, and had since sold the goats to Lt. Marshall of Reding, and sent away the calf by Daniell Salmon, branding it with his own mark; he had used the farm for which the deponent offered him ?60 per year, and he used the Scotchmen to weed his corn, manure the ground and make hay; that Daniell Salmon was employed by Gifford to plow and work on the farm. Deponent also testified that he saw the load of mine which Capt. Savage first caused to be weighed at the furnace bridge, also the coals, all of which were greater loads than ordinary" [EQC 2:93].
At about this same time Francis Perry's boy tended Giffard's goats for a period of ten weeks [EQC 2:96].
The Great Migration Begins
Sketches
PRESERVED PURITAN
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