| Description | George Watt, cooper, chosen one of Vernon's almsmen in the place of Randle Richardson, deceased.
Richard Higginson, beerbrewer, petitioned for the remission of his fine of £40 which far exceeded his ability. His fine was abated to 40 marks.
Although the fine imposed on John Lancaster, ironmonger, had been demanded, it remained unpaid. It was ordered that the sum of £40 should again be demanded by the Treasurers before New Year's day, and that, if payment was not made within six days of demand, Lancaster should be disfranchised and turned out of the liberties and franchises of the City at the next Assembly.
Thomas Cooke was to be admitted to the freedom provided he paid £30 before New Year's day.
Thomas Dodd, gentleman, principal Gager of Excise within the City, was to be admitted provided he paid £20 before the same day.
In a petition Roger Maddock stated that he had been an inhabitant of the City for over thirty years, and that in that time he had frequently been instrumental in quenching dangerous fires (ZA/B/2/175v) at the risk of his own life. It was therefore granted that he should be admitted to the freedom gratis, paying only the usual fees due from an apprentice, son of a foreigner.
Nathaniel Cooke, eldest son of Miles Cooke, draper, deceased, stated in his petition that according to ancient custom the eldest son of any tradesman in the City could be admitted to the Company to which his father belonged, or had belonged, without serving an apprenticeship of seven years. His father had been a member of the Company of Merchant Drapers and Hosiers, but after his death the Company refused to admit the petitioner. He prayed that the Company might be ordered to receive him. The Assembly recommended his admission to the Company.
It was granted that Hugh Barkeley might have a lease for twenty-one years of the cottage near the Abbey gate, late in the holding of Thomas Pemberton, together with a small piece of ground, for 5s. fine and 6s. yearly rent.
George Watt, musician, petitioned on behalf of himself and of the City's waits that they might have the City's livery and a yearly salary. It was ordered that there should be four City waits, that they should have liveries every three years and 10s. apiece every Christmas so long as they did not leave the City, and so long as they played in the streets morning and evening as had been the custom.
It was ordered that in future everyone chosen by ballot or drawing of lots to be one of John Vernon's almsmen should pay 5s. to the Clerk of the Pentice for the petition. The unsuccessful petitioners were to pay nothing.
It was ordered that the first payments made by the present Treasurers should be to Henry Lloyd, Alderman, lately Treasurer.
The Christmas Watch was to be duly observed by the Mayor and Sheriff's this year and every year in future upon pain of fine. |