Court of Requests (PRO REQ2/105/12 Edw Sibthorpe of Braintree v: Xoph Sibthorpe Math Everard and wife Roger Harlakenden etc 1591-2)

26.1.34Eliz1 (Wednesday 26 January 1592)

document 19601794

Thos Bridge of Earls Colne yeoman aged about 50years first says he knows the complainant and the defendants and has known the complainant and the defendant Roger Harlakenden about 10years and Math Everard and Mary his wife and Xoph Sibthorpe about 3years second says he knows the hop ground Chiffing in Earls Colne and says that it contains to his judgement about 8a and since he has known the same since it was first made a hop ground which is about eight or 9years third says that he heard Wm Stammer say that the complainant being possessed of the hop ground did assign over his interest therein to Xoph Sibthorpe upon security of 40li which the complainant did owe to Xoph on condition that whensoever that he Xoph should of the profits of the hop ground or otherwise be repaid or satisfied of the 40li that he the complainant should have the hop ground with all appurtenances again more he cannot depose fourth says that he was appointed by Stammer to take a note of the picking and drying of the hops that grew in the ground and he this defendant told Stammer that he would draw a book of all the charges of the hop ground and he said do not so for I am to give account and I will not have all the charge put in more he cannot depose fifth says Stammer being bailiff of the hop ground did tell him that he made of the hop ground during the time of his bailiwick in 1year 280li and he likewise said upon his death bed as he has heard that the same hop ground was worth 100li a year above all charges that therefore he did will his wife to make much of one Smith the hop dresser and he says that he verily judges that the hop ground one year with another is worth 100li a year all charges born and more he cannot depose sixth says that he meeting with Stammer going to a sermon said to Stammer these words or the like viz "neighbour Stammer I am sorry to hear that I hear" "why neighbour" said Stammer "what do you hear " "marry" said this defendant "I hear that you have let Edw Sibthorpe's lease to be forfeit to mr Harlakenden for the want of payment of the rent and that you have taken it of him in your own name and I know you would not have done this except that at first you had had conference with the gentleman before and so to dispossess your brother in law of it" whereupon Stammer then answered "I am sorry I have done I had rather than 20li I had not done it but I am out certain money for charges now I am sure I will be paid before I render the lease back again to Edw Sibthorpe and if he come over out of Flanders tomorrow next and give me my money laid out for charges he shall have it again" more he cannot depose seventh eighth and ninth he cannot answer Thos Bridge