Wiltshire Quarter Sessions. 9 



" Midlx. Gevcn to this berer the v'" of M'ch for his releifie to passe | ^^jj^a 



this county. ^ „ 



" Henry Weatheefield ire. 



"Surr: 13 M'cij. Geven this hearer towards his veleyfe xij''. 



" Tho Beadfelde Tresr." 



The art of fabricating passes, whether for the military or civilian 

 vagrant, had, no doubt, its habitual professors. A wanderer, 

 who describes himself as having at Lavington " used the trade 

 of a sheareman and petty chapman," and afterwards, at Highworth, 

 "used to sell all kind of seeds for gardens," met, "at Kianett 

 neare Marleborough," one John Fowler, unknown to him, who 

 promised " that he would make him a pasport whereby he might 

 travell and gaine much by the y'' w'^'^ accordingly he did . . . . 

 for w"^*^ pasport he gave the said Fowler six pence and hath ever 

 since travelled about sondrie ptes of the County of Wilts togeather 

 with his wief and one sonne of the age of nine yeares— they all 

 coming yesterday to Tysbury mett with the minister there Mr. 

 John Williams who examining him caused him to be delivered to 

 the Tythingman to be caryed before some Justice of Peace to be 

 examined." 



Another old soldier, Geoffrey Jefferys by name, came in great 

 danger of the gallows. He became involved in a case of horse- 

 stealing, and had the good fortune to be acquitted, while his two 

 fellow-prisoners were ordered for execution. His connection with 

 the business may have been remote and difficult of proof, and the 

 tedious length to which the depositions extend may be attributed to 

 the endeavour to connect him with the crime. Two of the documents 

 appended to the depositions are letters from Robert Wright, one of 

 the accused, who thus addressed a friend with an undecipherable 

 name : — 



" Thes ar to intrete you that you will doe me that favor as to intrete my oste 

 at the red lyon in greaege to have some pasture for on weeke for thes thre horses, 

 thay are a f rendes of myne, and in London is vere bad for horses meats . . . 

 no mor to troubell you by the lord bles you from Sproten Hall in SufEolke this 

 present Thursday." 



The second letter mentioned Jefferys by name ; it ran : — 

 " Cozen William Tallmeag my comendacons to you hopeing to god you be in 

 good hellth as I am at the writeing her of thes ar to intrete you that you will 



