338 The Wiltshire Compounders. 



ITc petitioned 3rd December, 1646, which was within the time 

 limited by the articles of surrender. He hath taken neither of the 

 oaths, but prays to be spared upon the articles aforesaid and the 

 vote of the House pursuant. He is seised of a freehold during three 

 lives of the prebend or parsonage of Blewbury, in Berkshire, holden 

 ! by demise from the Bishop of Salisbury, worth £240 a year over 

 and above the reserved rent of £80. This he holds by the will of 

 Margaret Townson, his mother, under a proviso to pay all the debts, 

 annuities, and legacies hereafter declared. He is the owner of 

 books and goods to the value of £30. He acknowledges debts 

 owing to him from the following persons : — from Mr. Wetherall, of 

 Blewbury, £80 ; from Mr. Eyles, of the Devizes, £14 19*. 10^.; 

 from Mr. Pestor, £10 ; from one Nicholas, of Calne, £7 ; from the 

 exors. of the Lady Marshall, £50 ; and then adds, John Kibble white, 

 the tenant of Blewbury, owes two years' rent, but he is so poor that 

 I have been constrained to pay £40 and upwards for arrears which 

 he should have paid to the Parliament's garrison at Abingdon for 

 the said parsonage. For the last year, 1645, the tenants of Blewbury 

 owe to me the rent of £60, or thereabouts; but how much thereof 

 will accrue to me after they have brought in a " particular 33 of the 

 contributions they have paid, I know not. During the year 1646, 

 the said estate hath been under contribution. There is due to me 

 from some of my parishioners at Bremhill the sum of £8. 



He. craves allowance in respect of an annuity of £10 payable to 

 Anne Cooke by the will of his mother, and another of £30 to his 

 brother Ralph; also two legacies of ££20 apiece to his sister, 

 Gertrude and Bridget, both still owing. He is indebted to sundry 

 persons £163. Shortly after he makes a further statement, explaining 

 that as his mother's estate was left in the hands of exors. (of whom 

 Dr. Humphrey Henchman was one), he cannot undertake to say to 

 what extent the annuities and legacies to his relatives have been 

 liquidated; and then adds the suggestive words : — " This deponent 

 hath not of latter time spoken with them." Here was evidently a 

 family feud. How came it about ? Many instances of this kind 

 occurred during the Civil War, cases in which an cl(Jer son, for 

 example, the nominal proprietor of the family estates, by resolving 



