DHRG No. 100266

Orators recite:-J.H.Southcote minor, aged 11, Lord of the Manor of Stoke Fleming having right to present the Rectory. J.Salter the rector died in 1756. Rev.T. Fownes claimed living. This claim was subject to another case in Chancery. Orators claimed J.H.S. lived nearly 8 years with G. Goodridge vicar of Shillingford under the care of his wife. J.H.S. was a pupil at a Grammar School in Exeter. CH & TA. send for JHS very early before the Schoolmaster was up. He was taken to the Oxford Inn to breakfast, consented to by the Master. JHS was later taken to the house of Mr. Ley an attorney at law in Exeter & later to a house of a friend of theirs where Southcote dined. CH gave him a shilling & TA gave him a clasp knife. Mr. Ley brought papers which J.H.S. was at last persuaded to sign giving TA the living. Upon returning to the Master J.H.S. revoked any presentation to TA, CH & TA applied to J. Seale but he refused to sign.

Seale 0113 Court of Chancery Extract from case of Adams (The Orator) v Mary Hayne & others.Master Zincke 19 June 1758 1032/Fz 16.
Orator recites:-J.H.Southcote, minor aged 10, Lord of Stoke Flemming, patron of Rectory. Father died 1750, intestate. Trustees of memorial estates J. Seale, Charles Hayne; Guardians Mary H, W.Creed, Rev.G.& Mrs. Sarah Goodridge. Mrs. Elizabeth Adams & Catherine, spinster. In 1756 J. Salter, Rector of Stoke Flemming died, Rev. T. Fownes claimed vacancy but withdrew claim. Orator had 3 children & maintained indigent sister-in-law. CH & JHS agreed to presentation to Orator on condition he agreed to resign Rectory when JHS was 24, if required. Presentation was not executed by J. Seale who conspired with M.H.., Wm. Creed, Rev G. Goodridge (who had no children) H.E. Luttrell, T. Fownes, JHS & others to defaud Orator. MH denied Orator access to JHS Rev. GG had with wife £30 per annum & £60 per annum from another living. The Bishop threatened to grant living to Rev. G.G.   18thC

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