Having heard a strong report both in Shropshire and Cheshire that Mr Richard Walthall and a daughter of Mr Wilbraham's were clandestinely married in Raph Bristowe's house, and this deponent having some occasions to travel through Nantwich in April last, and being then there, and having some acquaintance with Raph, sent for him (Raph) to his inn, which was at Richard Woodfin's house in Nantwich, and there asking him of it, Raph Bristowe did confess and declare before this deponent that Mr Walthall and his wife were married in his (Bristow's) house in that town a little before Michaelmas then last past, by Mr Vaughan of Hinstock, and that he and two more were present at the wedding. Upon this deponent's further questioning of him, what Mr Vaughan had for his pains, answered that Mr Walthall did give him 40s in money, and a bond of five hundred pounds to save him harmless... He doth not know of any person who put Mr Andrews on to be the promoter of this cause, nor if any one that contributes towards the charges thereof, but what ever suits are at Lichfield either against Mr Vaughan, or betwixt him and any of his parishioners at Hinstock, this respondent doth solicit against Mr Vaughan upon the request of the parties and of several other neighbours who account him too litigious, and as endeavouring to overthrow some of their privileges in the parish, wherein this deponent hath not disbursed any money but such as he commonly either had given him aforehand as for the most part he had or had again from Andrews and the rest upon the next opportunity... He knows of two suits depending in the consistory of Lichfield betwixt Mr Vaughan and against William Andrews and another against one John Griffies all for pretended rights of the Church, and (as this respondent hath heard) there is now a cause of articles depending there against Mr Vaughan at the promotion of Andrews for several misdemeanours.
Depositions & Examinations
EDC 5/1675/13 (unfol.) Andrews c Bristowe
CRO
Matrimonial
1675
1675
Nantwich, Cheshire, England
Plaintiff
William Andrews
male
Defendant
Raph Bristowe
male
Innholder (Inferred)
Alcohol Retailer: Innholder (Inferred)
Radulph, Raph
Spouse
Margaret Bristowe
female
Nantwich, Cheshire, England
Witness
Richard Dodd
male
50
Gentleman
Hinstock, Pixley, Shropshire, England
Signature
Event
Clandestine wedding at Bristowes' house in Nantwich
circa September 1674 ('a little before Michaelmas then last past')
Raph Bristowe, Nantwich, Cheshire, England
Components
Clandestine marriage
Payment and bills
Setting
Inn
Location of Event
Inferred
Event
Summoning Bristowe to account for clandestine marriage (and implicate the clergyman)
April 1675 ('in April last')
Richard Woodfin, Nantwich, Cheshire, England
Components
Clandestine marriage
Mentioned Only
Travel and transport
Legal proceedings
Setting
Inn
Location of Event
Statement
18 November 1675
Richard Dodd