Suffolk and the Great Rebellion, 1640-1660

EXNING AND THE ROYALIST RISINGS OF 1648 is he of, and of what life and conversacion ? What words have you heard him use against the Parliament or their proceedings? Whether or noe did hee perswade you or any other to your knowledge to runne from the Parliament's forces to the king's party at Colchester, or what threatning or other speeches have you heard him use against Edward Bridgman, Oliver Bridgman, John Morden, and Thomas Poulter or any of them ? 18. Item, what words did you heare between Oliver Bridgman and Edward Howlett when Howlet returned with Oliver Bridgman's horse ? Did not Howlett tell him hee had been with Captaine Sparrow and was listed, or what did you heare Oliver Bridgman say concerning sending his horse to Captaine Sparrow ? . . . 20. Whether did you demand of Allen Wyat in case Mr Morden, Edward Bridgman, John Bridgman, Thomas Powlter, Oliver Bridgman should loose their estates what hee should be the better for it, whether did he answere that hee should have a good share out of them, yea or no? . . . 22. Whether did you heare Thomas Cowle use any threatning speeches against Mr Morden, and what were those speeches? [93] [Depositions to above interrogatories, taken at Bury before Thomas Chaplin and Samuel Moody, gentlemen, 30 November and 1 December 1 649]1 [Matthew Rogers of Lidgate, tallow-chandler, 63, deposes :] To the 18th hee saith that one Howlett and Oliver Bridgman came to this deponent's howse at Lydgate, about the time the forces were going to Colchester, and Oliver Bridgman called this deponent out and desired him to helpe him to a man to ride his horse ; and this deponent said hee had one already, and hee said hee would trust him no further, hee had dealt unjustly by him and if hee could not hire one in that towne, hee would goe to Captaine Sparrow and deliver his horse to him with his owne hand. And this deponent told him there was one in towne who had been a foot soldier, namming William Canham ; then this deponent sent for the said William Canham, and Bridgman and Canham did agree, and the said Howlett who was formerly his soldier was dismist, and Canham tooke the horse. To the 20th hee saith that about three weeks since this deponent having some discourse with Allen Wyat did aske him what benefitt it would bee to him if these men, viz. Edward Bridgman, John Morden, Oliver Bridgman, and Thomas Poulter should be convicted. Hee said, then hee should have satisfaccion for the wrong hee had suffred. [John Matchet of Newmarket, saddler, 29, deposes :] To the third hee saith that Edward Bridgman, Oliver Bridgman, John Morden, and Thomas Poulter did bid this deponent make the furniture for their horses compleate, that Captaine Sparrow might finde no fault with them. And this deponent furnished them accordingly, and they marched away about noon that day. And further Oliver Bridgman said to his soldier that if they staied any longer then the time they had their pay for hee would send him more pay by the constable, and told him if hee could not reach 1 SP 19/A. 133, No. 53. 99