National Archives file C24/1275
Leonard CHILD [?] Henry CLIFTON
29 July 1706
Interrogatories exhibited for the examination of witnesses on the part and behalf of Meliora WESTON widow and John WESTON Esquire plaintiffs against Mary PICKERING Widow Defendant
Imprimis
- Does the said plaintiffs or either and which of them, and for how long have [?] so [?]. Declare.
- Whether or not did you know the late husband of the plaintiff Meliora WESTON. If yea for how many years before his death did you know him and what was his name and where did he dwell and whether had he any and what issue by the said Meliora and who is their son and heir or heir at law. And who is son and heir apparent to the said plaintiff Meliora. Declare.
- Whether do you know the Capital Messuage called Smallwood Hall and the Manor of Loff of Marchington in the County of Stafford. If yes, for how long have you known the same. And who has enjoyed the same or received the rents and profits thereof during your remembrance. And who is now in the possession thereof as you know or believe. Declare.
- What other matter or thing do you know or can depose for the benefit or advantage of the plaintiffs or either of them. Declare yourself at large with your reasons and circumstances. [?]
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29th January 1706
Weston ag Pickering[1]
Henry CLIFTON of the parish St. Sepulchre London Cloth worker aged at 34 years being [produced?] and [?]
- That this defendant hath for 22 or 23 years last past known the Complainant [Melior?] WESTON[2] and John WESTON Esquire but does not known the defendant Mary PICKERING widow and more saith not to this interrogatory.
- That this defendant know the late husband of the Complainant [?] for 15 years and upwards before his death and the [?] name was Richard WESTON and he did dwell at Sutton Place in the County of Surrey. And this defendant saith the said Richard WESTON never had any son by the said Melior but the Complainant John WESTON that this defendant knows or doth believe but has several daughters by her and this defendant saith that the Complainant John WESTON is son and [?] heir at law the said Richard WESTON and [Melior] his wife and he is also son and heir apparent [to the] said Complainant Melior and saith not to this interrogatory.
- That this defendant [?] actually [?] was upon the Capital Messuage called Smallwood Hall the manor in [Lyons?] of Marchington in the County of Stafford. And this defendant saith that the Complainant Melior WESTON is now in possession of the said premises as this defendant doth verily believe and this defendant saith that ever since the death of the said Richard WESTON to wit for all […] rents and profits thereof by order of the complainant Melior and hath […] that the said Richard WESTON was for several years before his death in possession of [?] […] rents and profits thereof and […] and saith not to this interrogatory.
Henry CLIFTON
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29 January 1706
[?] Melior WESTON and John WESTON [..] Marian PICKERING […]
Leonard CHILD of Cliffords Inn London Gentleman aged 47 years or thereabouts being produced and [saith?]
- That this defendant hath for many years last past known the Complainant in the title of the interrogatory named but does not know the defendant Mary PICKERING and more saith not to this interrogatory.
- That this defendant well knows the late husband of the Compliant Melior WESTON for 20 years and upwards before his death and saith that his name was Richard WESTON and that he de did dwell at Sutton Place in the County of Surrey and this defendant saith there the said Richard WESTON had not any son to this defendant’s knowledge or hat this defendant ever heard of but the said Complainant he had several daughters and defendant saith there the said Complainant John WESTON is son and heir in law of the said Richard and Complainant Melior and he is also heir apparent to the Complainant Melior and more saith not to this interrogatory.
Leo CHILD
[1] Possible Chancery C6/504/19 Weston v Pickering. : bill, answer, affidavit.
[2] Richard V Weston (d.1701). Married Melior Nevill, da. of William Nevill of Holt, Leicestershire.