four that he was present at a trial had (torn) pleas at Westminster Hall in a suit between the now defendant Rich Harlakenden plaintiff against Hen Abbott one of the tenants of the manor of Earls Colne defendant which trial this defendant saith was about the custom of trees within the said manor and this deponent also saith that the said defendant Rich Harlakenden did produce some of the court rolls of the said manor to have been given in evidence on his part against the said then defendant and further this deponent saith that the said judges at the said court of common pleas and more particularly the lord Hobart did much mislike and disallow of the said court rolls and said it was not fit that he the said Rich Harlakenden being lord of the said manor should have the keeping of the said court rolls but some honest steward of good credit and reputation for quoth the said lord Hobart speaking unto the said Rich Harlakenden " you keeping the same court rolls in your own hands your men may come to slight thereof and abuse them and by these means a man having a good estate today may have none at all tomorrow " or to that effect