Joseph Hall Plt     Bach Thornhill Esq Deft

Case to prove plts birth

Richard Johnson many years agoe dyed Intestate leaving two daughters Viz Margaret and Mary. Margaret married Richard Whitby by whom she left five daughters Ann the eldest marryed to Samuell Hall.

Mary the younger Daughter of the said Richard Johnson to John Wood by whom she had one daughter who married George Ward who in right of his wife was possessed of divers free hold lands &c.

That in Michaelmas Term 1692 said Ward and his wife levied a fine Come Ceo &c of said pmses the uses whereof are by deed dated 22 December 1692 declared to said Ward and his wife and the Survivor for life.

Remainder to the issue of their Bodies.

Remainder as to one Moiety to the heires of said George Ward.

Remainder as to the other moiety to the said children of Margaret Whitby the said Mary Wood’s sister and aunt to Mrs Ward.

To prove Ann ( who afterwards married Samuell Hall plt’s father ) was the

eldest of said five daughters of Richard Whitby and Margaret his wife

Witness: John Lomas

This witness was born at Ashford in the Water in Derbyshire the same place where said Ann Whitby ( afterwards Hall ) was born and they played together knew her in London before and after her said marriage.

To prove said Ann’s marriage to Samuell Hall at the Chappel in the fleet above

twenty five years agoe That since plts Birth they always

owned him as their child and that this witness has known plt ever since his birth

to this time

Witness: Mrs Ann Slaughter

That Hannah the wife of John Harne (?) Smith knew plt’s father and mother before plt

was born That they cohabited as Man and wife was psent at plt’s birth which was in

Chequer Alley, white cross street has known him from the time of his birth

Witnesses:  Mrs Hannah Harne     Eliz Tay

That Samuell Hall and Ann his wife during their lives owned plt Joseph Hall

as their child That at his mother’s death which happened about       years (sic) after his birth Eliz Crabb took him to nurse and kept him several years

Witness:  Eliz Crabb

That after plt went from said Eliz Crabb ( his father and mother being both dead ) he was put out by the parish of St Botolph Aldgate London to be nursed by one Mrs            Laurence where he continued for seven years and upwards when he was put apprentice by the said parish to one Edward Memet a chimney sweeper

Witness:  Mrs Mary Lawrence now Alle(?)

And see the indentures of apprenticeship

Knew plts father and mother was neire to his said fatrher. That she has known plt from the time of his birth and that his said father and mother owned him

as their child during their respective lives.

Witness:  Ann Underwood

Knew plt in the lifetime of his father and mother That they always owned him

as their child and that she has known him ever since to this time

Witness:  Eliz Norris

Note

The plt was not registered in the parish where he was born, his mother being a quaker and dyed in that persuation and was buryed in the Quakers burying ground at

On dorse:

Halls Case to prove his birth

Saturday at 6 in ye evening at serj Skinners

Mr Wilbraham