Some Western Circuit Assize Records 



to the Justices of Devon " att their next Quarter Sessions to take 

 some speedy course for the re-payment to the High Sheriffe of the 

 County of Devon a some of [money left in blank] or upwards, 

 disbursed by him for to prepare a halle in the Castle of Exeter and 

 fittings for the Assizes and Quarter Sessions to be kept." These 

 duties have long disappeared from the Assize. 



Then follows an order interesting to lawyers, as shewing the old 

 procedure in pauper settlement appeals. Under the statutes of 

 Elizabeth, and of Philip and Mary three years' residence in a parish 

 gave a right of irremoveability to paupers. This order tells us 

 " that the Court [of Assize] is informed that there is a difference 

 betweene the inhabitants of Upton Pyne and St. Giles', neere 

 Torrington, both in this county [Devon], about the settlement of 

 one John ffurseman a poore and impotent man att Upton Pyne 

 aforesaid. This Court doth therefore desire the justices of the peace 

 att the next quarter sessions to examine the said difference and end 

 it if they cann. Butt iff they cannott compose it then to state the 

 case and certifie the same to the judges at the next assizes to be 

 holden for this county for their resolucion therein. Att which tyme 

 the inhabitants of both places must attend that a fynall order may 

 be made therein. And this Courte doth thinke fitt That ye p r rish 

 on which the said settlement shall happen to be should reimburse 

 all surcharges thatt th' other parish hath been att about ye same." 

 The trial of these appeals has long since ceased to weary the J udges 

 of Assize. They are decided at the Quarter Sessions, with the right 

 of appeal to the Queen's Bench, but only on points of law, 



And now I find an order which tells us that Wiltshire was not, 

 in the opinion of some, as well-behaved as it should be : — 



" Wiltes. Att the Assizes and Generall Gaole delivery of the County Afore- 

 said holden at New Sarum in the same County the one and twentieth day of 

 July in the yeare of tho Lord 1656 before William Steele Cheife Barron of the 

 Publique Exchequer. 



" On the fforasmuch as it appeareth to this Cort by the Grand Inquest att 

 Grand this Assizes. 



Juries That the constables of hundreds doe neglect theire duties in p r sentinge 

 prntra 1 . offences comitted w th in theire hundreds, in regard That the petty 

 Constables and Tything men doe make noo pr r seutmts unto them, 



