A True NARRATIVE Concerning Sir Arthur Haslerig's Possessing of Lieutenant-Colonel JOHN Lilburne's ESTATE In the County of DURHAM.  
Imprinted at LONDON. 1653.   

To the Members of Parliament, and all others that have bowels of pity towards cruelly oppressed Tenants, &c.  
YOu must not expect high Language from us, who are low-born tenants; We shall speak plain truths, And first, we are bold to tell you, That our Fore-Elders were ancient tenants to the Dean and Chapter of Durham▪ who thought they had left unto us that large birthright which could not legally have been taken from us; but we find it otherwise, for we are now become (unless God help us) miserable slaves to Lieutenant colonel John Lilburne; for the Parliament having given unto the said Mr. Lilburne three thousand pounds, and afterwards committed him to the Tower for high Treason; and being acquitted by his Jury at Guild-Hall, he presently affirmed, that there was remaining and not paid, fifteen hundred pounds of the said 3000 l. gift. The Lord general then coming out of Ireland, moved the Parliament to give Mr. Lilburne the said fifteen hundred pounds so owing unto him, out of Deans and Chapters Lands; Which the Parliament immediately granted, and therein begun our miseries; for we being poor People far remote and distant from London, and all, or most of us ignorant of our own business, wanting friends to advise or help us, within the small time of pre-emption the Act allowed us, the said Lieutenant colonel John Lilburne stepped in before us, and made choice of several farms and Cottages which we held lying in the County of Durham, being the whole livelihood and subsistence of fourteen Families. And before the Act passed, the said Mr. Lilburne made large promises of kind usage to us the Tenants, saying in the presence of several witnesses, That we should have our Lands again, paying him the Rates of his purchase (namely) the money he paid; but since, we have so far tasted his kindness, as now we have cause to say, The Lord deliver us from such a Landlord. There are of us fourteen Families, and when the Act passed, but two of our farms were out of Lease, William Huntington had the one, and George Clifton, a poor Prisoner in the goal, had the other. Ay, the said William Huntington Married a widow, that was tenant to the Dean and Chapter, she had a House, farm, Goods and Household-stuff, two Cows and four Children; I, the said William Huntington after marriage with her, was forced to borrow moneys to Plow and Sow the said farm, and God gave me a child by her, that made our number five; so soon as our Houses, and Lands were settled by Authority of Parliament in the said Mr. Lilburne, he immediately came into the County of Durham, and stripped me the said William Huntington, of House, farm, Cropp, householdstuff, Goods, Hay, and Straw, and two cows; he took from me Goods to the value of one hundred and thirty pounds at the least; he thrust us all out of doors, my Wife with her five small Children, leaves us not one Cow, I may truly say, scarcely one bit of bread; and for myself, I could expect no other, but to lie and rot in Prison for the Debt which I borrowed as aforesaid. Next, he fell upon me George Clifton, a poor Prisoner in the goal of Durham for debt; he likewise cast my poor Children out of my House and farm, exposing them to perish in the streets; took from me House, and farm, householdstuff, and all that I had; and my Children being put by him upon the Parish, he was so far from allowing them subsistence out of my own Estate, that he refused to contribute with the Parish towards their maintenance. And thus he dealt with the two tenants of the two farms out of Lease. And the said Mr. Lilburne also threatened me Gascoigne Eden, because I would not deliver up my Estate to him, then having seven years in Lease: He writ a Letter to me, wherein he tells me, That he was the dean and Chapters Successor, and did therein command me to send in a Man and Horse, according to my Lease, in complete arms, to serve under his Brother colonel Robert Lilburne in Scotland; and further said in his said Letter, That if I did not give up my Lease to him, (having seven years then in being) he would extend all the several Forfeitures and Breaches of my Lease against me, to make it void, whereby he might weary me out of my Right and Due of years therein. Next after, he fell upon me Robert Christ ofer another of the poor tenants, who was always constant and faithful to the Parliament, and voluntarily set forth Horses and arms in the Parliament Service, far beyond my Estate; I never offended him in all my life, but in a most humble manner tendering my Rent to him about a week after the day▪ he refused to receive it, and told me, My Lease was forfeited, by my failing the just day of payment, and he would take advantage of it accordingly: Yea, after many humble addresses made unto the said Mr. Lilburne by the poor Cottagers and Leasers, divers of them following him to London, and there craving pity and compassion from him upon their poor Wives and Children, offering him his money with advantage for the said Lands; he (in a great passion) denied, bid them go home again like as Fools they came, saying, He would out them every man as their Leases expired. Need then made me poor William Huntington to run from Justice to Justice, complaining of the wrong done unto me by Lieutenant colonel John Lilburne; I went to the public Sessions at Durham, where Sir Arthur Haslerigge was upon the Bench; after the Reading of my Petition there, he told me, It was not in the power of the Sessions to help me. I then not knowing what else to do, went immediately to London upon my naked Feet to the Parliament, and Printed my sad case and condition, and delivered it to the Members as they came into the House; at which Lieutenant colonel Lilburne was a little moved, and then said, the business should be referred to my Lord general, Sir Arthur Haslerigge, and colonel Martin; which made me exceedingly to rejoice: and in pursuance thereof, I attended colonel Martin from place to place according to his appointment, so long, that weariness and poverty drove me back again into the Country, having nothing to relieve me, but the Charity of such as pitied my condition. I then being not able to abide in the Country for fear of Imprisonment, came again to London on foot, begging my Bread by the way, it being about two hundred Miles. And having no better success at the Parliament door, after a long attendance, and many being wearied of me, and myself almost of my life; I returned again to hide myself a while in the Country, hoping God might help at the last. Then when I heard that Lieutenant colonel John Lilburne was banished, and that there was a Fine to be paid to Sir Arthur Haslerigge, I forthwith took me to my Feet, and again to London I went, and told Sir Arthur, that it was now in his power to do both myself, Wife and Children good, and that we would pray for him all our days, if he would but help us as God had put it into his hands. Sir Arthur was pleased to speak to colonel Martin, and a time was appointed at Sir Arthurs Chamber at White-Hall, where colonel Martin, Mrs. Lilburne, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Williams, and some others of Mrs. Lilburne's Friends met: I had only myself to lay open my miserable case; which when the aforesaid Gentlemen heard they lifted up their hands, wondering that Lieutenant colonel John Lilburne should deal so cruelly with a poor miserable man, his Wife, and five small Children. Sir Arthur moved, that whereas the Rent of that farm had for a long time been but three pounds per Annum; And that the Parliament had sold it to Lieutenant colonel Lilburne, upon improvement, at eighteen pounds, that therefore I should give eighteen pounds per Annum to Mrs. Lilburne, which was the rack Rent valued to her Husband. Mrs. Lilburne's Friends that came with her, pitied my case so much, that they thought it fit I should have also the one hundred and thirty pound Goods restored, which Mr. Lilburne had taken from me. Mrs. Lilburne then replied, that she had no money, but I might have one of my cows again: some of her Friends then said, It was fit I should have satisfaction out of the Rent. And Sir Arthur said, Care must be taken that the poor man have a livelihood from his hard labour, so that he may preserve his Wife and Children from starving; And also to help Mrs. Lilburn and her children. And further said, That he was sensible, that John Lilburn ought not to have taken those Goods from me: for if any Arrears were due, they belonged to the State, and not to the Purchaser. But said, that now Mrs. Lilburn, and her children, being in as sad a condition as myself and mine; that therefore I should pay unto her, for herself and children, the full improvement, which was Eighteen pounds a year; and that if I did not carefully pay my Rent. Mrs. Lilburn should enter upon the Farm. This, though heavy on my side, to lose all my Goods, and to be raised up to so high a Rent, as from Three pounds to Eighteen pound, per annum, the Agreement being figned by Mrs. Lilburn, Colonel Martin, and Sir Arthur Haslerigge, I joyfully took it, resolving to labour hard, and to pay my Rent honestly; and made haste into the Country, and showed the Agreement under the aforesaid hands to Mr. Richard Lilburn. Mr. John Lilburn's father, and desired him to deliver me Possession accordingly: which he absolutely refused. Then some Women, my wife's Neighbours, desirous to see her in her house again, thrust out the said Mr. Richard Lilburn from amongst them: which no sooner being done, but the said Mr. Richard Lilburn, by his great importunity with the Sheriff of the County, and by colour of an old Warrant, as I understand, procured the said Sheriff to come to my house, and thrust us out of possession, and gave it to Mr. Richard Lilburn. Then I forthwith went again to London to Sir Arthur Haslerigge, and told him how little Mr. Richard Lilburn valued the Agreement made in his Chamber. He told me, he could do no more but get it under Mrs. Lilburn's hand, and Colonel Martin's, and that he knew not what to do or say to Mr. Richard Lilburn. But I pressed him most earnestly, and said, I never durst return into the Country, if I had not help from him; and that it was in his power. And really, I had rotted in Prison, and my Wife and her children had gone a Begging all their days, who was descended of honest Parents, such as had lived in good credit amongst their Neighbours, had I not found pity and compassion in Sir Arthur's breast, necessity inciting me strongly to importune him daily for his assistance: for when he would have put me off, I told him I must continue to trouble him. And in truth, my condition was so miserable and desperate, having gone upon my bare feet two thousand miles, back and again, or thereabouts, in seeking relief, that I thought to hang upon his door would bring me rest. Sir Arthur then acquainted colonel Martin what Master Richard Lilburne had done, and desired him to speak to Mrs. Lilburne, that order might be taken for the performance of the said Agreement, which she and her Friends had made and signed; he promised a speedy account, and the next day he told Sir Arthur, that she had received Letters from her Husband, wherein he commanded, that nothing should be done by her; and thereupon, Sir Arthur desired colonel Martin to tell her from him. That if she would not perform her Agreement, which he apprehended to be just and reasonable, and for her advantage, he thought he was bound in Conscience to preserve the poor man, his Wife and Children, by laying his extent upon the Lands. Colonel Martin immediately replied, That he would do very well in so doing; and if it was his case he would do the like. Colonel Martin then acquainted Mrs. Lilburne with Sir Arthurs resolution, and returned this answer, That she was John Lilburne's Wife, and that he could not prevail in the least with her, and therefore bad Sir Arthur not to expect further. Then we, the rest of the tenants, hoping there was an opportunity for us and ours, made choice of one Captain Farrer to be our Solicitor, and sent him to London to Sir Arthur Haslerigge, to entreat, That according to Lieutenant colonel John Lilburne's Promise before he bought our Lands, that we might yet have it as he paid: Thereupon, the said Captain Farrer applied himself to Sir Arthur Haslerigge at White-Hall, acquainting him with the tenants humble and earnest desires; and as it happened upon some complaints that Mrs. Lilburne had made to colonel Joyce, against Sir Arthur Haslerigge, there was a meeting appointed at Mr. Peter's Chamber in White-Hall, and thither came Mrs. Lilburne, and her own Father; and there were present Mr. Peter's, and colonel Joyce; and Sir Arthur Haslerigge took the said Captain Farrer along with him. Then did Sir Arthur Declare in the presence of all before mentioned, That he never had a thought of getting one penny out of John Lilburne's Estate, and that Mrs. Lilburne had compelled him to lay his extent upon the Land, because she would not perform the Agreement under her own hand, whereby Huntington, his Wife and Children might live. He then declared the great complaints of the tenants. And this offer was made by Sir Arthur to Mrs. Lilburne, That the tenants should pay the sum of money, for which the Parliament gave him that Land, being nine hundred and forty pounds, with consideration from the time of passing the Act, she deducting what Rents they had received. Afterward Sir Arthur told her, the tenants should give her a thousand pound at one entire payment; that the present Rent was but three and fifty pound per annum: And when all Leases were out, it would not come to above one hundred five and twenty pounds per annum. And then Mr. peter's offered her to help her to a hundred pound per annum for ever, and in present possession for that thousand pound. Sir Arthur told her that if she was his own Sister, he would advise her to take it; for if she did, she was then certain of good maintenance for herself and her children, and that no Act her Husband either had done, or should do, could take it from them, for she should have it upon this Extent; and for his part, he did not expect or desire thanks. Then Mr. Peter's and colonel Joyce, much approved the motion, but Mrs. Lilburne would not consent. Then Sir Arthur said, He would do the tenants what good he could, and never take one penny for his own advantage from Mrs. Lilburne or her Children. All which the said captain Farrer is ready to aver and attest, upon his own Knowledge: And further, that Sir Arthur Haslerigge hath been at great trouble and charge out of his own Purse; but never received one penny out of Mr. Lilburne's Estate. Nay, when we the tenants desired the said captain Farrer to present him with a Breeding Mare, as a small token of our thankfulness, in answer to his great trouble and charge; Sir Arthur replied. No, he would not gain the hair of a Horse by Lieutenant colonel Lilburne's Estate; notwithstanding he bought the said Mare of M. Thomas Davison. at the Rate of forty pounds. And all we the tenants do witness. That Sir Arthur Haslerigge never received one penny of our Rents; but the same or most part thereof hath been paid to Lieutenant colonel John Lilburne, or to his Father Mr. Richard Lilburne, for his use, since the time of his Grant, until of late, that the said Mr. Richard Lilburne refuseth to receive any more Rents of us, saying, That he would not be ordered by Sir Arthur Haslerigge to receive any Rents at his appointment, meaning this Order here under written made and signed by Sir Arthur Haslerigge.  

I Do hereby appoint the several tenants that hold and Possess; any of the farms and Cottages within the manor of Billingham in the County of Durham, lately extended by virtue of an Act of Parliament, to and in my Name; That they forthwith pay unto Richard Lilburne Gent. for the Wife and Children of Lieutenant colonel John Lilburne, all the several and respective Rents, according to the Inquisition returned upon the said Extent, being the same with his purchase, that were due at Whitsuntide last past, and payable unto me; taking acquittance under the said Richard Lilburne's Hand, upon the Payment thereof in manner aforesaid.  
Dated the 21 of June, 1653. Arthur Haslerigge.   
Thus we have declared the truth of Sir Arthur Haslerigges disposing of all Lieutenant colonel John Lilburne's Estate to his own use; and the World may see, that Sir Arthur Haslerigge is as much wronged by Lieutenant colonel John Lilburne's publishing the taking away of his Estate, as he was in setting forth an Hue and Cry, (when he was imprisoned by the Parliament for treason as aforesaid) to all persons to assist him for the knocking of Sir Arthur Haslerigge on the head, as they would do a Fox or a Poulcat, because he had robbed him of this fifteen hundred pounds, which the Lord general procured, as aforesaid; when in truth he never touched or took from him one halfpenny or farthing in all his life, as honest men that are able to make it good, do and will affirm and prove. Now we humbly beseech all Parliament-men and others whom it may any way concern, to preserve us poor Tenants from the cruelty, oppression, and tyranny of Lieutenant colonel John Lilburne. Amen.  


Gascoigne Eden.  
Robert. Christopher.  
Jo. Maddison.  
Wil. Huntington of Billingham.  
George Clifton.  
Rob. Wilson.  
John Salter.  
Matthew Gray.  
William Busbie.  
Jo. Mason.  
Geo. Huntington.  
Rob. Shepperd.  
Wil. Huntington of Coopen.    
FINIS.