George Thomas Orlando Bridgeman

“ William Gerrard says that if the rent was not paid it was by fraud between the complainant and Sir Thomas Langton, in order that the grant might be forfeited, that the complainant has no right by law or conscience to take advantage of this to avoid any particular lease, and that his re-entry into the parsonage is unlawful. Richard Smyth replies that the surmise of fraud is untrue. ”

“ The parsonage, tithes, and other revenues were then in the seizin of those who held as sub-tenants under Kyghley's lease, the parsonage being at this time in the occupation of Sir Thomas Langton as sub-lessee of Ketchyn, and the tithes of Billinge in the hands of William Gerrard and John Winstanley. The rector, however, had a right of re-entry in the event of the covenanted rent being more than 40 days in arrear, and Smyth took advantage of Sir Thomas Langton's default to enter into possession of his mansion on 4th May, 1551. ”

“ At the Inquisition it was asked whether the said Smyth came to the parish church of Wigan on the 40th day next after the Feast of the Annunciation, in the 6th year of King Edward VI. (1552) , and remained there all the same day till the sun was set, and then demanded £50, being the half-year's rent for the parsonage, and whether John Ketchyn or any person for him was ready to pay the said sum; and it was sworn, on behalf of Richard Smyth, by Charles Leghe aged 58 years servant to Miles Gerrard Esq., William Astley priest chaplain and servant to Miles Gerrard Esq. ”