Catalogue description Session at Maidstone, 17th April, 1604

16 The Jury impanelled to enquire for the hundred of Hoo, that is William Wyles, William Usher, Richard Longe, Thomas Coveney, Thomas Kempe, Robert Parker, George Tayler, James Dowle, Mathew Crowherst, John Mosse, Edward Crowherst and Samuel Burges, present that William Elys, of Cobham, carpenter, since the 1st April, 1604, has encroached on part of the highway in Cobham, leading from Rochester to a certain street called Shinglewell and enclosed and obstructed "a Comon Watringe pytt" with a hedge.

At Maidstone, on Tuesday before Michaelmas [25th September], 1604, William Elys appears by John Fludd, his attorney, makes a defence, asks to hear the indictment, when it is read and heard he pleads not guilty. John Webbe, clerk of the peace, prosecutes. Writ of venire facias to the sheriff to summon a jury at Canterbury Castle on Tuesday after the feast of Epiphany [9th January], 1604/5.

17 The jury impanelled to enquire for the hundred of Milton, that is John Dundy, Richard Backe, Thomas Crowcher, John Edwardes, Thomas Knight, William Chambers, Simon Wheatland of Bredgate, Richard Bourne of the same, Thomas Stowte, Thomas Crofte of Rodmersham, Henry Pordage and Solomon Hulsnode, present, that the inhabitants of the parish of Thurnham since time immemorial, ought to repair the highway called Bynberry Wood in Thurnham leading from Maidstone to Milton and the highway through much use being badly decayed ought to have been repaired "in the last Somertyme" and has not been repaired "since the last Somer".

[In margin] Ordered, 9th April, 1605, that the inhabitants aforesaid should repair the way aforesaid before the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist next [24th June, 1605] on pain of £5.

Repaired as certified by John Amys one of the inhabitants of the parish of Thurnham and discharged of the indictment paying the fees in court.

18 The same present that [Blank] May of Milton-next-Sittingbourne, widow, keeping a common tavern at Chalkwell in Milton, on the 10th February, 1603/4, and both before and after that, has received vagabonds and beggars and other undesirable persons.

19 The same present that Edward Clement of Stockbury, labourer, on the 10th February, 1603/4, was a common barretor and disturber of the peace.

Orders made at the said Sessions.

1 John Dane of Eastling, labourer, to pay the 10s. in arrears and 8d. weekly towards the keep of a bastard child, born to Alice Browne of Hollingbourne of which he is the reputed father, at the end of the month to churchwardens of Hollingbourne.

2 Concerning the dispute over the keep of the bastard child born to Dorothy Sharpe which arose at this session between the parishioners of Chart Sutton and Henry Potman, gentleman, Sir Richard Potman, father of Henry, being present, asked the court on behalf of his son that the hearing might be postponed until the next day, the Wednesday, which was granted, and on that Wednesday morning Sir Richard Potman and the parishioners came into court and the parishioners asked to be given a hearing, but counsel for Henry Potman said they would say nothing as he was not charged by any former order to contribute to the child's keep. However on consideration of the order made about the matter by the Justices of Assize, the court thought fit at the request of the parishioners, to hear what each side had to say and gave them until one o'clock on Wednesday afternoon to produce their proofs, at which time the parishioners came into court but Henry Potman defaulted, upon which the court examined the parishioners witnesses whose depositions remain in the calendar of this sessions and came to the conclusion that Henry Potman should be charged with being the reputed father of the child.

3 The assessment on the parish of Adisham to be abated by Sir Peter Manwood, Sir Thomas Palmer and Sir John Boys, as they shall think fit.

Treasurers chosen and collectors.

1 Thomas Godfrey of St. Dunstan's near Canterbury, chosen collector for the hospitals in place of William Brooke of Newington-next-Hythe, gentleman.

2 Thomas Hawlke of 'Harmansole'-next-Canterbury, gentleman, chosen collector for the maimed soldiers in place of John Fydge of Westgate, gentleman.

3 Sir William Wythens of Eltham, chosen treasurer for the county stock and maimed soldiers for the west division.

Badgers Authorized.

1 Thomas Turner of Maidstone by Sir Thomas Fludd and others.

2 Richard Acton of Sutton Valence [as above].

3 William Bridger of Staplehurst [as above].

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