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Extracts from the Act Books of the Archdeacon of Nottingham about Ordsall Parish.
These books are kept in the Archdeacon's Registry Office at Nottingham, and are records of the time when this County was an Archdeaconry in the Diocese of York. At that time many offences were tried in this Court in connection with Church affairs and these extracts, which refer to Ordsall, show the laws and customs of Church life three centuries ago.
22nd June, 1566, at East Retford Parish Church, before the Venerable John Louthe, Archdeacon.
"John Tacye of Ordsall for detaining an annual sum of money from the Poor of the town of Elkesleye, at the promotion of the Wardens there. The parties appear and chose Sir John Hercye, Knt., to arbitrate indifferently between them in this matter, so that the said award and arbitration shall he decided before the next court held at Nottingham." The parties appeared at the next court and said they had agreed, but the terms are not stated.
15th May, 1573 at Mansfield Parish Church, before the Venerable John Louthe.
"Thomas Hagge of Ordsall for not receiving the Body of Our Lord at Easter last. He could not be found, and on June 4th following he was suspended. On the 18th of that month he was excommunicated, but on the 2nd of July he appeared and was absolved, but warned by the Judge to receive the Body of Our Lord before the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel next, under pain of the Law." (This was a strict rule at the time, when there were heavy penalties against Roman Catholics).
8th May, 1592 at East Retford Parish Church. "Stephen Coe, rector of Ordsall. His parsonage is presented to bee in decay." To repair before Michaelmas.
13th Feb., 1592-3. Prebend House of North Muskham, Southwell, before Milo Leigh, Official.
Stephen Coe, clerk, rector of Ordsall, for a certain offence. Appeared and prayed to be allowed to purge himself at once. Produced as his compurgators Thomes Beckingham, rector of Bildesthorpe, John Milward, vicar of Mattersey, and William Spurre, rector of Warsop. Dismissed.
7th March, 1592-3. Newarke. Before Milo Leigh, Official.
Thomes Denman and Edward Slinell, wardens of Ordsall, for wanting bibles, books of public prayer and non-repair of the churchyard walls. Enjoined to make good the defects before the Sunday in albis. (Low Sunday).
24th April, 1593. At Newark. They did not appear to certify. Penalty reserved.
30th May, 1593.
Stephen Coe, rector of Ordsall "yt is presented that hee is suspected to have come by his benefice by symonie" On which day the said Stephen appearing and denying he was guilty of the crime the judge at his petition enjoined him to purge himself of this same corrupt crime of simony by the hands of six beneficed clergy, according to the exigence of the law in 15 days at this place, and decreed citation to be issued for those wishing to oppose. (Simony was a charge against a clergyman, suspected of paying money to procure himself a benefice).
30th May, 1593. Same place.
Robert Denman and James Denman wardens of Ordsall, "they want for the church the table of the ten commandements and the bible of the largest volume." Enjoined to provide the same before the Feast of St. John the Baptist. (All Churches were bound to have these).
13th June, 1593. Newark. Before Edward Houlden, Surrogate
Stephen Coe produced as his compurgators Richard Clifton, rector of Babworth, George Turvin, vicar of Eastredforde, William Spurre, rector of Warsop, John Swinscoe, rector of Saundby, John Allenson, rector of a mediety of Treswell, and William Jepson, vicar of Norton Cuckney. No one appeared to oppose. Coe swore that he had not obtained the rectory of Ordsall by symony, and his compurgators that they believed he had spoken the truth. Dismissed.
27th June, 1593. Newark. Before Edward Houlden, Surrogate.
Robert Denman and James Denman. Thomas Denison, mandator of the court, made assurance on oath that the commandements had been provided and produced a certificate that the bibles had also been provided.
30th Jan, 1593-4. Newark. Before Milo Leigh.
George Parkin and Isabel Dawson of Ordsall. Sentenced to do penance before the minister and ten parishioners.
23rd April, 1595. Eastredforde. Before Milo Leigh.
Martin Bullard of Ordsall failed to appear to answer certain questions.
June 17th, 1595, at Newarke, before Milo Leigh.
William Watson, of Ordsall, " yt is presented that he witholdeth from the church 3/4 due for a grave in which his childe was layda." Certified he had paid. Dismissed.
Richard Denman, of Ordsall, "yt is presented that he witholdeth from the church 3/4 due for his wives grave made in the church." Certified he had paid. Dismissed.
Anne Johnson, widow, of Ordsall, "yt is presented that shee witholdeth from the church 5/- due for the graves of her husband and her father." Certified she had paid. Dismissed.
Richard Templeman, of Ordsall, " yt is presented that he refuseth to pay an assessment of 18d. to the poore." Certified he had paid. Dismissed.
Francis Bingham, and William Jackson, of Ordsall, " they ar presented for not communicating at Easter last." Warned to do so before Michaelmas.
21st July 1599. St. Peter's Nottingham, before Michael Purefey, and Matthew Weekes.
Stephen Coe, rector or Ordsall, v. Michael Younge of Babworth, for witholding Tithes.
John Martiall for plaintiff. Defendant did not appear. Penalty reserved.
Stephen Coe v. John Brome of Babworth, for witholding Tithes. As in the previous case.
22nd September 1599. At St. Peter's Nottingham. Before the same. Stephen Coe v. Michael Younge. Action settled.
Stephen Coe v. John Brome. Defendant did not appear and was excommunicated.
17th December 1605-6, at St. Peter's Nottingham, before Michael Purefey and John Tibberd.
Stephen Coe v Nicholas Younge for witholding Tithes. Martiall for plaintiff. Defendant did not appear and was excommunicated.
25th May 1608. Eastretford. Before Michael Purefey and John Tibberd.
Ursula Jackson of Ordsall, widow, for not receiving" the Lord's Supper at Easter. Pleaded guilty. Ordered to do so at the next general communion.
3rd November 1608. St. Peter's Nottingham. Michael Purefey and John Tibberd.
John Walker, clerk, v. Helen Johnson of Ordsall, widow, for witholding Tithes. Brandrith for plaintiff, Lupton for defendant. Libel to be brought in that day month. On 30th March 1609, defendant did not appear and was excommunicated. At East Reford on April 4th,1609, defendant paid 3/8 the costs of her contumacy, and was absolved.
1st December 1609 at Nottingham.
A dispensation for the solemnization of the marriage of John Williamson (as he asserts) of Ordsall, and Anne Dizney of Fenton in the parish of Sturton, granted to the rector of Ordsall by letters.
5th May 1610, before Michael Purefey and John Tibberd at East Retford.
Stephen Coe, clerk, rector of Ordsall, v. Richard Templeman of the same place, for witholding Tithes or other ecclesiastical dues. Brandith for plaintiff. On 24th May 1610, defendant did not appear and was excommunicated.
8th September 1612. Eastretford. Michael Purefey, John Tibberd.
Richard Baxter of Ordsall, profaner of the Lord's Day. Did not appear. On the 1st October following he was dismissed with a warning.
8th June 1613. Eastretford. Stephen Coe, John Tibberd.
William Wood of Ordsall "for misbehaviour in the church and for a notorious drunkard," Pleaded not guilty. To purge himself.
At the same Court " The Wardens of Ordsall " for sufferinge swine to roote in the church yarde." The new Wardens to be cited for the next Court.
6th April 1614. Westretford. Thomes Bishop, clerk, John Tibberd.
"On which day Thomas Hancock, clerk, appeared in person and humbly prayed that the fruits of the church and rectory of Ordsall should be sequestrated and the custody of such sequestration should be granted to him and William Weste and Alexander Tonge, Wardens of Ordsall. To which petition the judge, for certain reasons specially moving him and especially lest the cure of the souls of the parishioners there should be neglected decreed that the fruits, rents, produce, offerings, etc., of the rectory of Ordsall should be sequestrated and decreed that the custody of the same sequestration should be granted to the said Thomas Hancock, clerk, and William Weste and Alexander Tonge, wardens of the church of Ordsall."
On the same day—between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., the venerable Michael Purefey—surrogate of the Official of the Archdeacon of Nottingham, revoking the letters of Sequestration of the fruits of the church of Ordsall previously granted to Mr. Thomas Hancock, clerk, and William Weste, and Alexander Tonge, wardens of the church of Ordsall aforesaid, granted letters of Sequestration of the fruits of the same church of Ordsall to the aforesaid Thomas Hancock, clerk, and Margaret Coe, relict of Stephen Coe, clerk, late rector of the church of Ordsall aforesaid, deceased."
(Thomas Hancock was evidently doing duty at the Church, after the death of the Rector, Stephen Coe, who died on 6th April, 1614. Thomas Bishop was Rector of West Retford, and acted in the emergency for the Arclideason. The second decision allowed some part of the income to be given to the widow).
18th June, 1616. At Eastretford. Before Michael Purefey and Thomas Bishop.
John Backster of Ordsall "for not payinge xvid. to the church. To certify.
Thomas Watson of the same place "for enteringe upon the goods of Marie Elson without authority." Adjourned. (The result does not appear).
10th December, 1616. At Eastretford. Before Michael Purefey and Thomas Bishop.
John Templeman of Ordsall " for prophaning the Sabaoth by grindinge come." Dismissed with a warning.
3rd June, 1617. Eastretford. Michael Purefey.
Richard Templeman of Ordsall" for wante of makinge accompte for xl. vis. viiid. (£10/6/8) which since the laste tyme of his churchwardenship he is behinde hande to the church theare." Adjourned.
22nd July, 1617. Eastretford. Michael Purefey and George Turvin.
George Broughton of Ordsall, late of Babworth, for not receiving at Easter last. To do so before the next court. (Rev. George Turvin was Vicar of East Retford and Rector of Babworth).
Richard Templeman made assurance that he had made a true, full, clear and complete account to his successors, and had given them a note of the assessment which was not paid by certain parishioners. Dismissed.
22nd June, 1618. At Eastretford, before John Tunstall and John Tibberd.
John Pointon of Ordsall for a mortuary. No entry.
11th May, 1624. At East Retford, before Michael Purefey and John Tibberd.
Henry Howet of Ordsall for not receiving. Said he was then of Elkesley. To receive within three weeks. On the 1st June he was excommunicated.
16th May, 1620. East Retford, Michael Purefey and John Tibberd.
Nicholas Stone of Ordsall for suffering his sheepe to lye in the church yard. Pleaded guilty, dismissed with a warning.
James Throapham of the same for his swine rootinge in the church yard.
On 14th February, 1625, at East Retford, Nathaniel Hunt, vicar, of Ordsall, present at an election of Proctors to attend Convocation at York. (Rev. N. Hunt was Vicar of Clarborough and was probably Curate at Ordsall to Rev. Edward Mason).
30th October, 1627. In the house of John Watson at East Retford. (This was probably an Inn). Helen Denman v. Simon Esson for defamation.
16th September, 1630. John Bennett and Robert Hunt, Wardens for 1629, and William Bower and Nicholas Herring, Wardens for 1630, for Ordsall. for not sending the annual offering's to Southwell. The Chapter took these proceedings, and the result does not appear. (All parishes were bound to send offerings at Whitsuntide to the Church at Southwell)
10th December, 1633. East Retford, before Thomas Bishopp and John Coombe.
Richard Parnell, chaundler, of East Retforde,. presented by the Wardens of Ordsall "for refusing to pay the accustomable dues for the perambulacion."
On the 4th March following it was reported that he had paid, and he was dismissed. (The Perambulation was the procession round the fields at Rogation-tide).
20th May, 1634, at East Retforde, before William. Greaves and John Coombe.
Margaret, wife of Michael Dawell, of Ordsall,. "for soothsaying or telling of fortunes." On July 1st she was ordered to acknowledge her fault.
Extracts from the 'Records of Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions.
List of Recusants. Ordsall.
(who refused, to attend Church, because
they were Roman Catholics).
Wm. Clay, Labourer (1620).
John Bevercotes (1622).
11th January, 1655. Between Worksopp and Retford. Robbery upon Edward Spyvall of Ordsall in this County who had taken from him £16/11/4 for which said Hundred (Bassetlaw) liable to make recompense in regard the said robbers are escaped.
16th January, 1679. Stephen Turnley of Ordsall was presented for not "scouring the Common Water Lane" and James Roberts of Ordsall "for not scouring the common sewer leading from Water Lane to the River of Idle."
1680. "Absent from Church one month " Richard Sherburne, John Goodlad, Robert Palmer, Richard Herring. William Clarke the Bayliff said he was at Thrumpton in the parish of Ordsall to summon ye said Robert Sherburne but could hear nothing of him only that hee was a person that was seldome at home but travelled much abroade into several countyes.