to all christian people to whom this present writing indented shall come Rich Harlakenden of Earls Colne in the county of Essex esq sendeth greeting in our lord god everlasting whereas in and by one indenture tripartite bearing date the 2.8. last past made between the said Rich Harlakenden party to these presents and Rich Harlakenden of Grayes Inn in the county of Middlesex gentleman the son and heir apparent of the said Rich Harlakenden party to these presents of the first part Jn Joscelyne of Grays Inn aforesaid esq Heziciah Haynes of Copford in the county of Essex esq of the second part Xoph Merridith and Nath Webb citizens and stationers of London and Mary Merridith daughter of the said Xoph Meridith of the third part it is expressed that the said Rich Harlakenden party to these presents had had and received of the said Xoph Merridith the full sum of 2000li of lawful english money for the marriage portion of the said Mary Merridith wherewith the said Rich Harlakenden party to these presents did acknowledge himself to be fully satisfied and contented which nevertheless was agreed and secured to be paid in manner and form following that is to say 500li thereof in and upon the day that the intended marriage between the said Rich Harlakenden the son and the said Mary Merridith take effect and the second 500li thereof with interest in or upon the 2.5.1654 and the third 500li thereof with interest in or upon the 3.5.1655 and the last 500li thereof with interest in or upon the 5.5.1656 whereas also the said intended marriage between the said Rich Harlakenden the son and the said Mary Merridith took effect upon the 7.12. and now know ye that I the said Rich Harlakenden party to these presents have had and received from the said Xoph Merridith upon or before the said 7.12. being the day of the solemnization of the said marriage between the said Rich Harlakenden son of me the said Rich Harlakenden party to these presents and the said Mary Merridith the full sum of 500li lawful english money being the first payment of four parts of the said sum of 2000li in the said recited tripartite indenture intended for the which said sum of 500li in manner and form aforesaid received shall be unto the said Xoph Merridith his sufficient discharge witness my hand and seal dated the 14.12.1652 Rich Harlakenden