C1/1373/34
John
Pecke of Trumpington, yeoman v. Robert Ballard and Anne, his wife
Bill
of Complaint of John Pecke of Trumpington in the County of Cambridge, yeoman
No
date,
He
was bound to the late George Richardson of London for 28 pounds in a single bill
dated 7 January in the first year of the reign of Edward VI (7 January 1548). To
be paid to Richardson at the Easter following (1st April 1548). Since
which time Richardson has died intestate[1].
Anne, his widow, was granted administration (PROB51/93 - Dec 1552). She married
Robert Ballard[2] who agreed with Pecke that
he would take wool in payment for the debt - at a rate of 5 pence a pound. This
was sent to Ballard by John Willows of Bartlow in Cambridge and John Plumton of
London, both carriers. The wool amounted to the value of 21 pounds - 5 shillings
and 10 pence. Ballard willingly accepted this in part payment of the debt and
promised to send Pecke a paper testifying to its receipt and to acquit him of
that amount of the debt. But, despite this, Anne and Robert Ballard have begun
an action of debt in the said bill (for 28 pounds) in Common Law. Asks for a
writ of subpoena against Anne and Robert to appear before the Court of Chancery
to make answer to these charges.