THE DERBY COMPANY OF MERCERS. I4I 



and delivered by John Booth and John Gould, in the presence 

 of Sam. Heathcote and Sam. Heathcote, jun. 



Another interesting case is that of Mrs. Dorothy Gretton, 

 who paid a larger composition than anyone else to the Company, 

 and also one to the Corporation. She was allowed to make her 

 apprentice free. On August 15th, 1709, it was "agreed y' Mrs. 

 Gretton have leave to trade untill A lady next* & no longer, 

 & that security be given in y' time, such as may be of full 

 satisfaction to the Mercers Company, & it is further agreed, that 

 the persons undermentioned do go to acquaint Mrs. Gretton f 

 with this intent, to morrow morning, & give them till Michaelmas 

 next to consider, & then yt they give theire answer, if not approvd 

 of, then to be proceeded against speedily. Mr. Alderman Cokayne, 

 Mr. Hodgkinson, Mr. Charles Tompson, Mr. Joseph Parker, Mr. 

 Jno Bennett." The answer does not seem to have been satisfac- 

 tory, and proceedings were taken against Mrs. Gretton. 



The minutes of a meeting " held at y^ house of Mr Andrew 

 Jones y^ 8"" day of May Anno Dni T711," are in the same hand- 

 writing as that of the agreement with John Booth above men- 

 tioned. They are in legal characters which are much better than 

 those in which the minutes are generally written. They recite 

 that " prosecutions have been had in y^ Sessions of y^ peace, 

 held for y^ said Borough, against y* said Dorothy Gretton " . . 

 "for useing and exerciseing y^ trade of a milliner within y' 

 Borough of Derby, not being a freewoman of y^ said Borough, 

 nor in time of ffaires & Markets." The various matters were by 

 consent of Mrs. Gretton and the Company, "referred to y" award, 

 umpirage, finall end, and determination of Thomas Gery of 

 Derby aforesaid gentl." The award was, that she should pay to 

 the Company ;£t,o, and that the " sume of ten pounds, w*" is 

 ordered by y^ Mayor & Burgesses at a Comon Councell held for 

 y* said Borough to be remitted to this fraternity, shall be likewise 

 paid to y' said Timothy Cartwright," for the use of the Company. 



* A clerical error for Lady-Day. 

 t " Them " was crossed out and " Mrs. Gretton " inserted in the margin. 



