STAC 5/A22/33

From Waalt

STAC 5/A22/33 - B A C I D - 27 Eliz - Lancashire - Alexander Atherton v Ellen Wynstanley, Alice Wynstanley et al see STAC Atherton

Transcribed by Helen Good

STAC 5/A22/33 Answer, Interrogatories and Depositions

The Joint and Several Answers of Ellen Winstandley, Alice Winstandley and Elizabeth Winstandley to the false untrue and slanderous Bill of Complaint of Alexander Atherton Complainant. The said defendants say and every of them for themselves severally sayeth that the said Bill of Complaint is very uncertain and insufficient in the law to be answered unto for divers and sundry matters therein apparent. Nevertheless if these defendants by the order of this most honourable court shall be compelled to make any further answer to the same insufficient bill then the advantage of exception to the uncertainty and apparent insufficiency of the said Bill of Complaint to these defendants and every of them at all times hereafter saved / for further answer and for plain declaration of the truth these defendants say and every of them severally sayeth that as to any sorcery witchcraft enchantments riot unlawful assembly riotous and unlawful beating or other misdemeanor supposed by the said Bill of Complaint is untruly and most slanderously set forth and declared. All which matters these defendants and every of them are ready to aver and prove as this honourable court will award. And pray and every of them prayeth to be dismissed with their costs and Expenses in this behalf most wrongfully sustained.

Interrogatories to be ministered unto Ellen Wynstandley widow Alice Wyndstandley and Elizabeth Wynstandley defendants to the Bill of Complaint of Alexander Atherton Complainant.

First whether do you know or were familiarly acquainted with one Ralph Osbaldston mentioned in the Bill of Complaint, and if you were upon what Occasion came you to such Acquaintance with him. And what practices Feats or Cures Attempted he at your Request. Item whether did the said Osbaldston persuade or tell you that he could procure Love betwixt man and woman with physic and such medicines powders he could minister for that purpose or whether did he bestow any potion powder or medicine upon you to the end you might thereby or therewith procure Love for the better marriage or advancement of the said Alice Wynstandley and Elizabeth Wynstandley or either of them. yea or no.

Item whether did the said Ralph Osbarston deliver unto you any powder or other thing to the end you might procure or hasten the Love of William Byrchall and Thomas Whaley towards Alice and Elizabeth Winstandley your daughters in marriage yea or no And whether did you promise to the said Ralph Osbarston any money for the executing of the said feat or delivering to you the Thing or powder whereby the feat might be brought to effect yea or no.

Item whether did the said Ralph Osbarston ever send unto you for any money promised him for any purpose or service by him Invented for the helping or furthering of Alice Winstandley and Elizabeth Winstandley your daughters in marrying yea or no. And if you promised him any money for that purpose how much was the same and what messenger did the said Ralph Osbarston send unto you for it, and what words or speeches passed betwixt the said messenger and you at that time touching that matter.
Item whether did you ever send the said Osbarston any Cheese or other Reward to appease his earnest craving you the money promised him, or whether did you wish the messenger to intreat him to come to your house and he should be paid the money promised yea or no.

Item whether did you about Three years last past bestow any spiced Drink or Ale upon the said Alexander Atherton mentioned in the said Bill of Complaint at the house of one James Waytes in Pemberton yea or no.

Item whether did you minister any powder potion medicine or drink unto the said Alexander Atherton or was accompanied with any other that did the same to prove the practice or operation of the said powder or drink whether it would procure or hasten Love, yea or no

Depositions taken at Wigan in the County of Lancaster the third day of June in the 27 year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth by the grace of god Queen of England France and Ireland, defender of the faith etc Before Hugh Toppinge gent. Edward Standishe Esquire and Gilbert Bibby gent by virtue of a Commission to them and others directed out of her highness court of Starchamber on the part and behalf of Alexander Atherton plaintiff against Ellen Wynstandley and others, defendants

Ellen Wynstandly of Pemberton widow of the age of 61 years or thereabouts sworn and examined to the First Interrogatory deposeth and sayeth that she did know Ralph Osbaldston mentioned in the said interrogatories and that the Acquaintance that she had with him grew by means that he the said Ralph alleged himself to be a Suriande [?surgeon??], and that this Examinant her husband being troubled with a sore breast. The said Osbaldston did take upon him to have cured the same whose said husband was agreed to give unto the said Osbaldston Twenty nobles if he could cure the same: And that she this Examinant did promise to have given the said Osbaldston forty shillings more when he had cured her said husband, and more to this Interrogatory she doth not depose

Item to the Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixte and Seventh Interrogatories she knoweth nothing otherwise then in her answer she hath already deposed.

Alice Wynstandley of the age of Nineteen years or thereabouts sworn and Examined to the first Interrogatory deposeth and sayeth that she did know Ralph Osbaldston mentioned in the said Interrogatory by means that he came to have cured her Father of his disease, and for any other practice or dealing she this examinant had not any at all with him the said Osbaldston And further to this Interrogatory she doeth not depose.

Item to the Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixte and Seventh Interrogatory she knoweth nothing other wise than in her answer to this Interrogatory she hath already deposed.

Elizabeth Wynstandley of the age of Seventeen years or thereabouts sworn and examined to the first Interrogatory deposeth and sayeth she did know Ralph Osbaldston mentioned in the said interrogatory by means that he came to have cured her Father of his disease and for any other practice or dealing she this examinant had not any at all with him the said Osbaldston and further to this Interrogatory she doth not depose.

Item to the Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth and Seventh Interrogatories sayeth she knoweth nothing otherwise then in her answer she hath already deposed.