This petition, transcribed in full below, was presented to the Lancashire Quarter Sessions at Manchester on 18 April 1678. It was signed by the constables, churchwardens, overseers, and other leading inhabitants of Turton. They complained about Thomas Greene, describing him as an 'idle, suspected and dangerous person' who made his living by encouraging disputes, purchasing rights to lawsuits (a practice known as champerty), and threatening legal action against his neighbours.
According to the petition, Greene habitually used the threat of expensive lawsuits to extract money from people who preferred to pay him rather than face the cost and inconvenience of litigation. After the local constables arrested and bound him over to appear before the Quarter Sessions, Greene allegedly threatened to sue them unless they paid him £20. The petitioners asked the magistrates to require Greene to provide sureties for his good behaviour, or otherwise deal with him as they thought fit, in order to protect the peace of the neighbourhood.
This document shows how local communities in seventeenth-century Lancashire dealt with individuals they regarded as vexatious litigants and troublemakers. It also illustrates the important role of the Quarter Sessions in maintaining local order and supporting parish officers in carrying out their duties.
Com Lanc.
To the worpll: his Ma:ties Justices of the peace & quor. at the generall quarter Sessions of the peace houlden at Manchester the xviij(th) day of Aprill Anno Regni Car fidi Anglia &c. xxx.(mo)
The Inhabitants, Constables, Church wardens and other Officers of Turton whose names are subscribed doe humblie shew and certify That Thomas Greene of Turton aforesaid (sometimes heretofore) husbandman, is a very idle suspected and dangerous person a common stirrer uppe & promoter of suits quarrels and dissentions amongst the Neighborhood. That hee followed noe honest vocation nor course of Life whereby to gett his liveinge But lives very much upon buyinge of litigious titles suites & controversies in a Champertous maner And very apt to Sue molest and troble honest peaceable neighbours causelessly whereupon they sometimes give him money to buy & procure their peace: And now beinge lately apprehended by the present Constables Raph Brooke and John Pilkington in pursuance of a warrant from several justices of the peace of this County as an idle & suspected person and thereupon bound over to this Sessions He threatens the said Constables that hee will sue them for such his apprehension & bydinge over and gives out in speeches that under twenty pounds shall no servce his Turne for an agreement with them nor peach they shall not have unlesse they'll give him such a Sume But otherwise hee'l forthwith sue them and cause them arreasted & putt them to great troble & charges
Soe that the Officers beinge peaceable men & afraid of such his Trobles dare not well goe abroad through the Towne to execute their offices unlesse some speedy course be taken and restraint layd upon him.
It is therefore prayed that the said Thomas Greene may be bound over with sufficient sureties for his good bearinge or otherwise that hee may be ordered & dealth with all as to Justice appertayneth and as to your worps: discretions shall by thought fit for the future quiet of the Neighbourhood against such a dangerous person as abovesaid
Richard Headocke overseer
Richard Dearest [Dewhurst]
Lawrence Deuerst
Richard 'R' [his mark] Longworth
Richard Orrell
William Kershaw Junior
John Orrell
Richard Orrell Junior
William Romsden
John Orrell Junior
Thomas Orrell
Raphe Brookes constable
John Pilkington constable
[2nd column]
Ja: Chetham
Raphe Egerton
Willi: Richardson
John Horrockes
Christopher Horrockes
John Wood de Oacke
John Wood Churchw[arden]
Hugh Wood
Adam Greenhalgh
John Battersbie
Charls Hardman
Francis Cowpe [Cooper]
William Kershaw
