George Thomas Orlando Bridgeman

“ VIII. that Richard Kyghley, being unable to find security for the payment of his first fruits, had been extricated from his difficulties by John Ketchyn, a shrewd and wily lawyer, who made a good living out of church property both at Wigan and elsewhere, and who, jointly with Robert Hatton, a servant of Sir Thomas Langton, became security for him. In consideration of the assistance then rendered Kyghley rashly promised to Ketchyn a lease of his parsonage for as long a time as he should desire, but prevailed upon him in the first instance to accept of a lease for five years. ”

“ In answer to this bill, John Ketchyn says that all the matter contained in the surmised bill is only for the arrears of an annual rent of the parsonage of Wigan with the profits of the same, which matter is clearly determinable at the Common Law and not in this court. He therefore demands judgment, but, if compelled to make further answer, he declares that he has pursued no untrue bill against the complainant, but a just bill grounded upon a true lease made to him of the said parsonage plainly proved by "discrete and worshipfull " deponents sworn in this court. ”

“ But the real object of the enquiry was to ascertain whether the lease to Kytchen had been actually agreed upon or not.
The Inquisition was held at Wigan on the 21st of April, 32 Hen. VIII. (1541) ; [8] when the following witnesses were examined, namely on the part of Richard Kyghley: Charles Baxter of Newton, aged 47, charterer and tenant of Sir Thomas Langton; Hugh Bradshawe of Bykurshawe, aged 36, charterer to the King; Mawd Styrroppe of Manchester, aged 26; Gilbert Hyndley, gentleman, aged 50, charterer to the King ”