The Chapman Rogues 1587 and 1604
Richard Chapman and his son Francis, of Hollescloughe, were at the very least a pair of scoundrels. Richard is described as a common barretor. That is someone who is a vexatious litigant, misuser of public funds or one who persistently instigates lawsuits, in other words a ne’erdo well.
Richard, in addition to having forged bonds, attacked Robert Holme who was the bailiff to the right worshipful Henry Cavendish Esq (Chatsworth). Robert Holme said that Richard hit him so that he lay speechless for 6 days and he hadn’t worked since. Not only that, but Francis stole his purse and the two of them broke his bones by wrapping a cloth around a staff.
Rowland Wardle said that Chapman had served him with a forged writ and subsequently Rowland had ended up in gaol.
John Bennet said that he had been served with a forged subpoena.
Richard Redferne said that not only had he been served with a subpoena but Francis Chapman had set a mastiff dog on him. Redferne went to London to answer the charges and found that there was nothing against him.
John Chapman was called to answer certain trespasses and other misdeeds.
Reports from - Staffordshire Historical Collections
The Staffordshire Collections are bound volumes of transcriptions covering a range of research.
An itemised list of each of the volumes can be found at Genuki: http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/STS/Bibliography/CHS.html
The volumes are available at Leek Library, for reference only.
Extracts from the SHC relating to the Stafford Quarter Session Rolls
SHC 1935 No 19
Richard Chapman of Holesclough yeoman for forging an obligatory writing purporting to bind Roger Wardle of Erlesboothe county Derby to the said Richard in £20 and for causing it to be publicly read at Holesclough 14 October 29 ELIZABETH (1587) thereby disturbing the title of Roger to lands called Rough Hollens in County Derby.
Addition: Lynacre
Endorsed: Witnesses Roger Wardell, Robert Holme, Roger Greaves, Lawrence Wardell.
No 22 Trinity Sessions 1604
Venire facias
John Chapman of Hollescloughe yeom to answer touching certain trespasses and other misdeeds
vacat et cesset is written above
SHC 1940 (No 65)
By the Parishioners of Alstanesfeld against Richard Chapman of Hollescloughe in the said parish; that he is a common barretor and indicted as a ‘Causer of forged bondes’ and the following person will depose against him:-
Robert Holme bailiff to the right worshipful Henry Cavendishe esq that Chapman “struck him so that he did lye speechless vj days’ and has done nothing ever since, and Francis son of Chapman did take his purse and vs in hit: And to effect there wicked dealinge the(y) did lappe a clothe aboute a staffe and soe brake his bones withour breakeing the skynne.”
Similar items for Joan Sherle and Laurence Wardle
Rowland Wardle, that Chapman served him with a forged writ and caused him to seal a bond in £5 to put in sureties at a certain time and place and when he came to do so no write nor warrant could be found; afterwards Chapman procured a write for the £5 and put Rowland Wardle in gaol,” and John Wardle goeing … to procure witnesses for hym the said Chapman did arrest the said John Wardle in an accion of xLli and could never prove any matter against hym: And the said Rowland beinge … by such meanes of the said Chapman, did sell his interest in his ferme, and for quietness ffled into Bosley in Chesshire, where the said Chapman did trouble the said Rowland in takeinge … with a Capias and brought hym to Maxfield, and soe there imprisoned hym, and could prove nothing against hym: And thereupon the said Rowland had charges awarded hym.
John Bennet, that William Wardle coming from Chapman served him with a forged sub pena which he said was made in Chapman’s house.
Richard Redferne, that Francis Chapman served him with a sub pena and set a mastiff dog upon him, and Redferne went to London to answer the premises, but found there was nothing against him.
John Bennet, Robert Redferne, Lawrence Wardle, Lawrence Brunte, Robert Holme, Joan Sherle, Rowland Wardle, Richard Redferne, John Wardle, John Naden, Thomas Wilshawe, Thomas Downes, Roger Alexander junior.
Addition: “made a copie hereof unto Chapman attended Easter Session 1605.”
SHC 1940 No 41
Memorandum of a recognisance
Richard Chapman of Alstonfield (£20) to appear at the next General Sessions, and for good behaviour meanwhile; securities Thomas Bromley and Francis Chapman of Alstonfeld , husbandmen (£10 each)
Addition: appeared and discharged, but by discretion of the court he found surety to keep the peace and to appear at the next Sessions, viz. the said Richard (£40) Richard Baylye of Marchbarne yeoman and Robert Olyver, of Alstonefeld yeoman (£20 each).