DEAR SON

You will find by the enclosed that the foul-mouthed doctor is resolved to be troublesome. It was with the consent of his brother, Mr Roger, for with Mr Phillips that brought me this letter, they got a promise from him to be for them before they told him against whom it was. And sent the note to him afterward and Doctor Thomas’s(?) note that he had under your brother’s hand for £10 but no seal to it. He did acknowledge to me and your brother John that it was but £8 that was due to him and there was 19 shillings and 6d was in your brother’s book which was due to him of that £8. I was with Mr Phillips this morning and he showed me the note for the £10, and I see no seal to it, and I told him there should be no need of troubling a baly [bailiff?] to serve the leet.

Therefore pray good child let there be something done in it. Neither can I know how an new inventory can be made the goods is so dispersed. If you have added the money which is 24 shillings for the three shirts and 40 shillings for the cloth, and a letter case. I can but take my oath – as I have done already – that I have made a true inventory of all things that was his.

I hope you have received my last letter with the [receipt] enclosed under Tom’s hands for an acknowledgment that the goods were mine with the other paper which was writ not a quarter of a year before he died where in he wished I would make an assignment of my goods over to him. Now, in answer to your last I have spoken to Will Stancks and he will sift out Steven Wilson and Fox what was due when your uncle died. He is afeared that Fox hath paid your uncle. I wished W. Stancks to let him know if he pleads, that he had no right to it tell he was admitted to it. And for Ashton Stancks cannot tell what it should be for that there should be money due from him for the close.

There was an acre that belonged to an other man that your uncle never agreed for but thinking he might have it at any time yielded to pay 8 shillings a year till he had concluded for it. And so your uncle set trees and dichet(?) and set a quick-set as far as that acre went. He that owned it being dead it is letten to another and he hath taken it to his one use. It was the land that the haycock stood on. Stancks got the gate removed when I was at London last, so Price’s money is not to be paid till Michaelmas or the next court that we give up our right to him in the land, for the £39 which is yet due to us from Piggot do not know what security we are like to have from him for it more than we have all ready. We must endeavour to make sale of so much as is left for so much as is left unpaid.

I do not yet understand how it is that is to give satisfaction for the none payment of [rent] from the time that it should be paid as for Barton business there is seven rods of that land your uncle had of old Barton which is worth a matter of £15 or £16 to be sold, these and so much more as mad it up £14 or £16 a year was given to old Barton and his wife and to the heir male of them to after they’re deceased. This was given four years before the owner died, [and] when he died he gave all the rest of his estate to old Barton. If we cannot find any writing that Barton was engaged to your uncle for to clear this, if we cold find anything then we could take a course with the old man. If we cannot, if the old man die it comes to the young man and we cannot hinder him. Mr Narborow hath a good part of this land and hath sold it to Price and Price hath the benefit of it this year. It is thought he refuses to pay Mr Narborow till he hath cleared this thing, I desired he would act for us as well as himself and according to the valuation of ours we would contribute toward the charges, you will do very well to write to him and at your uncle while you may know how to have your letter conveyed. Not receiving a letter by York makes me fear there is some hindrance of my daughter’s coming next week, if there be I shall be very sorry for it for I should be very glad to see her hear as soon as can be.

Dear child I am very much troubled what my lord’s apothecaries fear is of you – that you have an ulcer growing in your kidneys. For God’s sake let me beg of you that you will have Mr Hollier’s advice and some able doctor of his acquaintance with as much speed as you can and to beg a blessing from the Lord that your life may be preserved for what a sad condition should your poor old father and mother be in if the Lord should take you before us

I shall be very glad if any lines come to Will Stanck today for our business requires his speedy assistance. This with mine and your mother’s very kindly be presented to you both with your sister’s service I rest who shall ever be