THE CHARITIES.

The Charities in 1862-3 are officially1 set forth as follows:

"Cow Charity. For keeping a stock of cows. No income beyond their hire.

Whitmore. £10 in securities. Dividend or interest 6s., former income IOS.

Browne. £938 16 6 in consols (formerly £1000 stock; part sold to defray expenses of proceedings in Chancery. Stock in name of official trustees). Dividend or interest £28 3 3 formerly £30.

Ainsdale. £5 in securities. Dividend or interest 5s., former income 5s."

The origin of the Cow Charity is officially said to be unknown, but the rector's return at the Bishop's visitation in 1778 states: "There is not any Alms House, Hospital or other charitable endowment in my parish excepting £10 that was left by John Whitmore, esq., of the parish of Thurstaston to be paid out in milch cows for the use of the poor people of the said parish which is directed by the church-wardens for that purpose." From this it would appear that the Dorothy Whitmore and Mary Ainsdale bequests had by that time been lost. This, however, is not the case, and the Cow, Dorothy Whitmore, and Ainsdale Charities are extant and merged into one fund.

Dorothy Whitmore, widow of William Whitmore, of Thurstaston, by her will dated 2 January, 1732, left to the poor of Thurstaston ten pounds, the interest thereof to be distributed every Christmas Day, Easter Sunday, Whit Sunday and Michaelmas Day.

Mary Ainsdale's will is not preserved at Chester but the bread shelf in the church tells us that in 1723 she left £5 for bread for the poor on Sacrament days.3

1 Digest of Endowed Charities Commissioners.

Fourteenth Report of the Charity

2 Abstract of Returns of Charitable Donations, 26 Geo. III., 1786, i, 156. 3 See p. 103.

Mr. Thomas Henry Ismay having by his will, dated 12 June, 1897, and proved in the Principal Registry 9 March, 1900, left £10,000 to charity, with the request that £1000 be allocated to Thurstaston, the proceeds for the benefit of the poor, being of the Church of England; his widow handed over that sum by a trust deed.

VI. OTHER TIMES, OTHER MANNERS.

From the Plea Rolls we get some idea of the local quarrels and disputes, accidents and tragedies which broke the monotony of an agricultural community and doubtless afforded contemporary quid-nuncs topics for gossip in the local alehouses.

On 26th August, 1287, Roger de Haselwell and Robert Bernard were attached to answer Hugh son of Cecily de Oxton for taking an ox at Oxton on the 21st of June last, and detaining the same at Prenton till the 25th. Robert did not come because he was in the king's service in Wales. Roger said he did not take the ox in Oxton. The sheriff was ordered to bring a jury to next court.1 On the 4th of May following Hugh son of Cecily was ordered to attend to hear judgment in the complaint of Roger de Haselwall against him.2

In June 1307 the towns of Little Caldy, Kyrkeby, Neuton and Thurstanston presented that the cart of John son of Randle of Thurstanston overturned and crushed him beneath it so that he died; but he made his confession before death. No one was to blame for the accident. The cart was valued at 18d.; the animal drawing it was sent to the Castle.3

In the same year Roger de Leghton, Patrick son of David de Haselwalle, Adam Drawedogge and David the 1 Chester Plea Roll, 3, m. 1 (15 Edward I).

2 Ibid. 6, m. Id. (16 Edward I).

3 Ibid. 29, m. 6d.

Walsh were indicted for plundering a ship at the Heye and taking away goods from her. They did not appear and were put on the exigent (for outlawry).1

The coroner of Wirhale and the villages of Haselwell, Thurstanston, Pennesby and Ireby presented that John son of Adam del Oldefeld the younger killed John le Corsede of Thurstanston with a sword and fled to his father's house, where Adam and John his elder son sheltered him. The father and elder John were put in Chester Castle, but the younger John fled. The father had 4 bovates of land, half a boat, etc. Afterwards all three made fine.2

In 1313 Robert son of Margaret of Little Caldy sued Robert de Tervyn and Ralph de Lisewys for taking a horse at the Croftes in Little Caldy and driving it to the pounds of Robert de Montalt at Great Neston. The defendants said they were Montalt's bailiffs. John de Calvylegh and Margaret his wife hold of the said Robert de Montalt the manors of Caldy and Prenton and four bovates of land in Honebrugge, by the service of one knight and finding an archer at Haurthin [Hawarden] Castle in war time. Roger de Montalt, brother of Robert, had been seised of these services at the hands of Patrick, grandfather of Margaret, whose heir she is. After the death of David, son and heir of Patrick and father of Margaret, the services fell into arrears and the horse was taken in distraint. Afterwards the jury found that the place where the horse was taken was outside Robert de Montalt's fee, and gave a verdict for the plaintiff.4

1 Ibid. 29, m. 1od. There is more about this robbery on m. 11, where the place is called the Eyth (? island).

2 Ibid. 25, m. 26; Court of Tuesday before St. Margaret 6 Edward II [18 July, 1312].

3 The pound is an institution far older than the King's Bench, and probably older than the kingdom; cf. Lectures on the Early History of Institutions, by Sir Henry Maine, p. 262, London, 1885.

4 Chester Plea Roll 26 (6-7 Edward II), mm, 2d. 9, 14. The descents given

are wrong.

In the following year a similar dispute arose:John son of Hugh de Calvilegh sued Robert son of Hugh de Pulford for taking a horse at Little Caldy, at the Croftes, and driving it to Pulford. Defendant said that plaintiff and his wife Margaret (in her right) held the manor of Little Caldy of him by the service of 161d. for making a heriscius [revolving bar with iron spikes] at his castle of Pulford. His grandfather Robert de Pulford held this service at the hands of Patrick de Haselwalle (whose heir is the said Margaret) and he ought to have the same service. John and Margaret (who joined herself with her husband in the plea) alleged that the Croftes was outside Robert's fee. The verdict was for the defendant, on this point.

Robert de Montalt v. Thomas le Mascy of Podynton, Roger de Leghton, Patrick son of David de Haselwall: Trespass at Great Neston.

William abbot of Basingwerk v. John de Calvilegh: Taking a horse at Lythe by Chester. John in reply said the abbot holds 3 bovates of land there of him and his wife Margaret by a rent of 6s. 8d. a year. One Richard (sic for Ralph) de Haselwall (whose heir is the said Margaret, he being her uncle) was seised. The rent being in arrear the horse was taken in distraint. The abbot said the horse was taken outside John's fee. John had to acknowledge this, and the horse was returned to the abbot.

William abbot of Basingwerk v. Ralph de Haselwall: Taking a bull at Lythe and driving it to Honebrugge. Defendant said that the abbot had held the manor of Lyth of one David de Haselwall by a rent of 6s. 8d., and David had assigned this service to him; so he took the bull, the rent being in arrears. Afterwards the abbot

acknowledged Ralph's claim.1

In 1316 the coroner of Wyrhale and the towns of Thurstanston, Caldey, Haselwell and Ireby presented that 1 Chester Plea Roll 27 (7-8 Edward II), mm. 9d., 10, 14, 26d., 28d., 30d.

a man, a woman and a girl whose names were not known were thrown up by the tide at Thurstanston. William son of Mabel first found them. No suspicion attached to any one.1

In the following year the coroner of Wyrhale and the towns of Thurstaneston, Caldey, Kyrkeby and Frankeby presented that Robert de Bebynton of Thurstanston killed Adam his son, and immediately took flight. Suspicion attached to him. No one assisted him. He had a horse worth 3s., which has been delivered to the Chamberlain. He also had a moiety of 51 selions of land sown with barley. (A marginal note says that he afterwards made fine with the earl.)2

In 1320 the coroner for Wyrhale and the towns of Thurstaneston, Ireby, Haselwall and Caldey presented that Philip the Serjaunt of Thurstaneston killed Richard son of John of the Hall (de Aula) and immediately took flight. He had a box which was sold to Peter de Lymme for 6d. Philip had no abettor. He was put on the exigent.3

In 1324 Jordan de Kyrkeby sued John de Calvylegh and John le Taillour of Caldey for assault at Kirkby. He was found not guilty.

Jordan de Kirkeby and Margery his wife sued John son of Adam le Tome of Pemberton, John de Calvylegh and Margaret his wife, Gilbert Tredefen, and Margery daughter of William son of Robert de Rydelegh for assault on Margery wife of Jordan at Little Caldey and taking Jordan's goods.4

In 1333-4 William de Pennesby of Thurstaston sued Gilbert Tredefen and Henry de Torperlegh for detaining a horse, but did not prosecute.5

1 Chester Plea Roll 30 (14 Dec. 10 Edward II), m. 8d.

2 Ibid. m. 36d.; 20 Sept. 11 Edward II.

3 Ibid. 32 (13-14 Edward II), m. 8d.

4 Ibid. 36 (17 Edward II), mm. 12, 15, 16, 18.

5 Chester Plea Roll 42 (4-5 Edward III), m. 20.