1603

Cary v Langworth, land at Upham, Devon, late of Richard Bidwell

Short title: Cary v Langworth.

Plaintiffs: Edward Cary, Robert Cary, his son.

Defendants: Hugh Langworth.

Subject: lands and tenements in Shogbrooke, Newton, Cruse Morchard [Cruwys Morchard] and Upham, Devon, late of Richard Bidwell.

Document type: [pleadings]. 

Source: National Archives

27 Oct 1605

Margerie Bidwell (daughter of Ralf Bidwell) baptised at Newton St Cyres (left)

11 Mar 1615

Edward Bidwell and Margarett Langworthie married at Newton St Cyres (left)

11 Mar 1615

Edward Bidwell and Margarett Langworthie married at Newton St Cyres (right)

16 Jan 1616 (1617 Gregorian)

John son of Andrew Bidwell is buried at Exeter St Mary Major (left)

15 Feb 1616

Agnes Bidwell and Edmond Elworth married at Newton St Cyres (right)

1616

Margaret Bidwell and John Bissett married at Exeter Diocese (right)

1617

Probate: Nicholas Bidwell of Plymouth

Source: genuki.org.uk Devon Wills

16 Jul 1619

The city of Exeter: Letters and other papers

Report On the Records of the City of Exeter. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1916.

In L. 189, July 16, 1619, Isaack (sic) Bidwell, widow, petitions the Justices of the Western district desiring them to call the officers of the Corporation before them to render account of monies owing to her late husband, who was an orphan in the custody of the Corporation—with a note at the end by [Sir] Richard Hutton (fn. 30) desiring the Chamber to make her some satisfaction or "to make some certificate to the Masters of Requests that his Majestie may no more be trobled."

In L. 198 is an undated copy of her petition, in which she is called Isott Bidwell (fn. 31), with footnote: "Referred to the Justices of Assize for the countie of Devon." It states that her husband being left an orphan, "the Mayor and Aldermen of Exeter tooke into their hands certaine goods and chattles of his to the vallue of 150l. or thereabounts, of which she claims 23l. 18s. 8d. as still due to her. It is there filed with a letter to the Lords of the Council, dated Exeter, July 28, 1621, written by [Sir] Laurence Tanfield (fn. 32) and Sir Richard Hutton, to whom it had been forwarded on June 22, 1621. They report that they have heard the case and do not think "that shee hath any just ground of complaint."

In L. 264, dated Worcester House, Jan. 7, 1623–4, E[dward Somerset Earl of] Worcester (fn. 33) writes to the Mayor:—"After my very hartie comendacons, whereas I lately received a letter and this inclosed petition [L. 265], with direction from his Majestie that I should write unto you in the behalfe of the Petitioner that you should thinke of some satisfaction to be forthwith given her or otherwise her cause to have a rehearinge in the Court of Requests." He therefore advertises the Mayor that "accordingly you would take such order therein that this Petitioner maye have no further cause to trouble his Majestie with her clamors and complaints," &c.

L. 265. The petition referred to in L. 264. In this she is called "Isott Bidwell, widowe." See also Law Papers, "Bidwell v. The Chamber," 1615.

Source: british-history.ac.uk

1624

Probate: Margarett Bidwell of Exeter

Source: genuki.org.uk Devon Wills

14 May 1624

Petition of Isott Bidwell, widow of Nicholas Bidwell

 or relief against the Mayor and Commonalty of Exeter, touching divers leases, goods, and chattels seized by them after the decease of petitioner's husband. Has failed to obtain relief in the courts of law, owing to unfair practices and the injustice of Sir Edward Powell, Master of the Court of Requests.

 Annexed:

 1 Bidwell v. the Mayor, etc. of Exeter. Office copy of an Order of the Court of Requests confirming a decree of the 18th of May last past, by which the cause was dismissed.

Source: National Archives

26 May 1624

Isott Bidwell’s case included in Parliamentary list of proceedings

20 May 1624 -- Draft of "An Act to avoid the extortions and exactions of customers, controllers, surveyors, collectors, searchers, waiters, clerks, and other officers or persons employed in or about the customs and subsidies of our sovereign Lord the King."

Annexed:

 1 List and proceedings of Committee in the House of Commons.    .    .

A catalogue of petitions. Isott Bidwell and others.

Source: National Archives

2 Feb 1626

Charles I (pictured right) crowned King of England, Scotland and Ireland

20 Aug 1630

Elizabeth Bidwell (daughter of Hugh and baptised 14 Jan 1626) dies at Newton St Cyres (right)

Jan-Apr 1639

Hugh Bidwell, Exeter chandler (soap maker) accused of being 'a pretended witness in this cause hath been arrested for fellony and stealing of a horse'.

SOUTHCOTT V MORRELL

Sir Popham Southcott of Bovey Tracey, co. Devon, knt v William Morrell of Exeter, fuller

.    .    .    

On 30 July last, Morrell was in widow Bond's house in the parish of St Mary Steps, Exeter, where he said 'in a disgraceful and cursing manner', that 'if Sir Popham Southcote were not a base beggarly knight he would not have taken the business concerning the soapmakers.' The witness rebuked Morrell, but he replied that 'Sir Popham Southcote had been in the gaole long agoe if Sir George Southcote had not forgiven him fourteen hundred pounds'. Morrell also desired three Exeter soapmakers present to 'provide and have in readiness a kettle of boyl'd hot lee to through in Popham Southcote and his servants when they came into their houses about making of soap'. Thomas Warner, and the soapmakers John Glide, Humphrey Gilbert and Hugh Bidwell, were present.

.    .    .

(Witness 3), Hugh Bidwell of the city of Exeter, chandler, born there, aged about 35

To Southcott's libel:

1. He had known Southcott for over a year, who was commonly reputed to be a gentleman of an ancient family, a knight and a J.P. for Devon.    .    .

Signed by Hugh Bidwell [his mark], and by the three commissioners.        

.    .    .

Defendant's case    .    .    

6. Hugh Bidwell 'a pretended witness in this cause hath been arrested for fellony and stealing of a horse'.

Source: british-history.ac.uk

1641

Hugh Bidwell is a signatory Church Warden declaring allegiance to the Crown in Newton St Cyres

NEWTON ST. CYRES - THE PROTESTATION RETURN OF 1641/2

By the end of 1640, King Charles I had become very unpopular.  Parliament forced him to make changes in the Constitution which gave them a bigger say in how the country was governed. From then on, Parliament was split into two factions - Royalists (Cavaliers) who supported the King and Parliamentarians (Roundheads) who wanted political and religious reform.

On 3 May 1641, every Member of the House of Commons was ordered to make a declaration of loyalty to the crown. This was ratified next day by the House of Lords. They called it their Protestation against " an arbitrarie and tyrannical government" and another order was made that every Rector, Churchwarden and Overseer of the Poor had to appear in person before the JPs in their Hundred to make this Protestation Oath in person. It was to  be a declaration of their belief in the" Protestant religion, allegiance to the King and support for the rights and privileges of Parliament".

 They then had to go back home to their own parish where any two of them were to require the same oath of allegiance from all males over the age of 18. The names of all who refused to make the oath were to be noted and assumed to be Catholics.

 We have, in the Devon Protestation Returns, a set of amazing documents - something akin to a census even though no women or children are named.  A transcription is available in the West Country Studies Library in Exeter.

The Protestation Returns are arranged by parish.

Newton St. Cyres belonged to the Hundred of Crediton

The original spelling has been preserved

…Signed by 

John Bradford - Vicar

William Payne - Constable

John Roberts - Churchwarden

Hugh Bidwell - Churchwarden

William Langworthy - Constable

Robert Cobley - Overseer

Thomas Pitt - Overseer 

Source: devonheritage.org

8 Apr 1845

Edward Bidwell is buried at Newton St Cyres (right)

15 Feb 1649

Agnes Bidwell and William Bradford married at Newton St Cyres (right)

1 May 1650

Alice Bidwell is buried at Newton St Cyres (left)

16 Dec 1653

Oliver Cromwell (pictured right) appointed 1st Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland

1653

Fran Bidwell and Eliz Adams married at Exeter St Sidwell (right)

     4 Jan 1654

Edward Bidwell and Marie Milton married at Newton St Cyres (left)

     24 Jun 1656

Edward Bidwell and Elizabeth Quicke married at Exeter St Paul (left)

8 May 1658

Probate: Hugh Bidwell Yeoman of Newton St Cyres

Names:

Hugh Bidwell - sonne and sole executor

James Bidwell - sonne

Johanne Browne, wife of Walter Browne - daughter

William Colwill(?) of Newton Pyne

Edward Roberts two children William and Elizabeth

Margaret Bidwell daughter of Edward Bidwell

Elizabeth Bidwell daughter of Ann Corker

Emanuell Corker

Ann Courtney wife of Jeffery Courtney

Robert, Elizabeth and Maria(?) children of Robert Collings of the Parish of Shobbrock 

Source: National Archives

Reference: PROB 11/276/248

7 Mar 1661

James the sonne of James and Elizabeth Bidwell of Brampford is buried at Newton St Cyres (below left)

23 April 1661

Charles II (pictured right) crowned King of England, Scotland and Ireland

8 Sep 1661

Elizabeth Bidwell (daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth) is baptised at Newton St Cyres (left)

1664

Probate: Hugh Bidwell of Exeter St Thomas

Source: genuki.org.uk Devon Wills

1664

Probate: Francis Bidwell of St Sidwell, Exeter

Source: genuki.org.uk Devon Wills

1664

Probate: Richard Bidwell of Exeter St Thomas

Source: genuki.org.uk Devon Wills

1665

Hugh Bidwell of Exeter is plaintiff

     Short title: Bidwell v Bicknell.

Plaintiffs: Hugh Bidwell and others.

Defendants: Thomas Bicknell and others.

Place or subject: property in Exeter, Devon.

Document type: bill and answer

Source: National Archives

18 Dec 1666

Hugh the child of Hugh and Elizabeth Bidwell is buried at Newton St Cyres (left)

7 Mar 1668

James Bidwell is buried at Newton St Cyres (right)

9 Jan 1669

Jane Bidwell (daughter of John) is buried at Exeter (right)

25 Sep 1670

Anne Bidwell (the daughter of John Bidwell) is buried at Exeter (right)

25 Mar 1671

Margaret Bidwell the w’w (widow) is buried at Newton St Cyres (right)

Probate: 1672

(right)

1671

Hanna Bidwell and Richard Blight married at Exeter St Sidwell (right)

1675

Probate: Andrew Bidwell of Exeter

Source: genuki.org.uk Devon Wills

16 Dec 1676

Edward Bidwell is buried at Newton St Cyres (left)

3 Jan 1678

Hugh Bidwell and Mary Bowden married at Exeter  (right)

1679

Probate: John Bidwell of Crediton

Source: genuki.org.uk Devon Wills

1679

Hugh Bidwell of Exeter is defendant

 Short title: Goswell v Bidwell.

Plaintiffs: Abraham Goswell, John Goswell, Isaac Goswell, Jacob Goswell and Mary Goswell.

Defendants: Hugh Bidwell, Humphrey Bowden, Angell Spark, William Lobb, Thomas Easterbrook, Gabriel Heywood, [unknown] Kevice and others.

Subject: personal estate of John Goswell, Exeter, Devon.

Document type: bill and four answers

Source: National Archives

1679

Hugh Bidwell of Exeter is defendant

Short title: Raddon v Mediat.

Plaintiffs: Andrew Raddon.

Defendants: Richard Mediat, John Giles, Robert Basse, Richard Paine, Hugh Bidwell, Roger Mitchell and others.

Subject: property in St Mary Steps, Exeter, Devon.

Document type: bill only

Source: National Archives

1680

Probate: William Bidwell of Cullompton

Source: genuki.org.uk Devon Wills

1680

Bowden v Hugh Bidwell and Mary Bidwell his wife, Pinhoe, near Exeter

Short title: Bawden v Bidwell.

Plaintiffs: Humphrey Bawden.

Defendants: Hugh Bidwell, Mary Bidwell his wife, Hugh Bidwell, Samuel Bidwell, Malachi Bidwell, Joshua Bidwell and Mary Bidwell.

Subject: property in Pinhoe, Devon.

Document type: bill and two answers

Source: National Archives

15 Jan 1683

Agnes Bidwell is buried at Newton St Cyres (left)

12 Jan 1688

Agnes daughter of Edward Bidwell is buried at Newton St Cyres (left)

19 Apr 1689

Susana Bidwell is buried at Newton St Cyres (right)

13 May 1690

Elizabeth Bidwell is buried at Exeter (right)

1692

Probate: William Bidwell of Cullompton

Source: genuki.org.uk Devon Wills

1694

Probate of Malachy Bidwell of fuller of Exeter

Source: National Archives