THE AUTOlilOGRAPHY OF [.p:ONARD WHEATCROFT. 2y 



and after that I was busy about sum sutes and troubles that I 

 was in, that I was forced to run and ride up and downe to 

 seeke moneys, but get little, tho I stood in great need, for my 

 wife was just at '■'bating of chi/d" [at the point of confinement] . 

 Not long after she was delivered of a son (Mar.^ 30, 1668) whose 

 name was [called] David. He was christened April 14, at 

 Boulsover. After that I went to Ashover againe, and there 

 was an ancient maid dead whose name was Eline Bower upon 

 whom I writ an Epitaff. 



" After that, I toke a jorney above 50 miles to see sum freinds, 

 and withall parson Chadwicke's lady then at Bakwell. So 

 running up and downe, and being careless in spending what I 

 got, and more, my goods was taken for rent, and I could never 

 redeeme sum of them. Then was I forced to take 3 of my 

 children ouer to Ashover and Winster for my freinds to take care 

 of till I was better provided. I did endure many troubles for 

 two years in 1667 and 1668. I was 3 times taken prisoner for 

 debt, so that I was forced to make bad bargins for money, and 

 first paune [pawn] then sell my land and Inheritance, so that at 

 last I was forst [forced] to move the Parrish of Ashover for a 

 house vpon the Common, but they would not graunt it because 

 I had not absolutely sould all I had. 



"I was at that time in sum Trouble concerning one Columbell 

 who was arrested at Boulsoure, which caused me 3 jorneys to 

 Derby, 2 to I.undon, and 2 to Chesterfeild, whereby I suffered 

 much damage, but the Partyes more, for they spent above 300 

 pounds a peece, and dyed wors than beggers. 



"About Jan. 6, 1668, I and my man tooke in hand to go a 

 jorney to Over-Haddon to see a woman that by Relation had 

 receued noe food for the space of 40 weeks. With this maid 

 I had much discorse of God, & Jesus Christ, of herselfe, & 

 of her distemper. But no food she tooke meate or drinke for 

 the space of many years after, as may be I shall hint of here- 

 after concerning her condition." [This was Martha Taylor, who 

 it is said began to abstain from food on 22nd December, 1667, 

 being in her i8th year. Her abstinence is said to have been 



