A Copy of a LETTER, Read in the House of COMMONS: SENT From Master SAMPFORD, High Sheriff of the County of Somerset, and the Committee there, of their weekly proceed, in searching the Recusants' Houses. Also the number of such Ammunition as was taken in their Houses, and sent to the Castle at Taunton Ordered to be Printed. Hen. Elsing, Cler. Farl. D. Com. August 26. Printed at London for W. Ley. 1642. A Copy of a Letter read in the house of Commons, sent from Master Sampford, high Sheriff of the County of Somerset, and the Committee there, of their weekly Proceed, etc. Honourable Gentlemen, WE have sent you our Weeks task, and an account of the service we were commanded by both Houses, viz. FIR'ST, on Monday, the fifteenth of August, early in the Morning we with the attendants of the Trained Bands came to Taunton none knowing our intent, (the Major excepted) after an hour's respite, Baronet Portman, Mr. Coles, Mr. Pyne, and others were sent for by us, who immediately came and assisted us with Horse and Foot: Then after consultation we searched one Master Brownes house, a Recusant, and found therein 60. men's Armour, and o●●er Ammunition of Pike and Musket, in Alder●●● 〈◊〉 house twenty men's Armour of Pike and 〈…〉 Tuckers house, the Receiver of the Bishop of Winchester's Rents, and Steward of his Courts one handered men's Armour for Horse and Foot, also two barrels of Gunpowder, fifty great Saddles; with shot of all sorts. Then we marched to the out-parishes, as Badford, Nenea●d, Langford, and Wellington, and in Badford, searching Captain Collins house, found therein ten men's Armour, and in Master Easons house of the same parish five men's Armour: at Nyneard, searching Master Shears house, found therein 40 men's Armour of pike and musket: And at Langford, at Master Prowses house twenty men's Armour; and at Wellington in Master Strawbridge's house fifty men's Armour. On Tuesday, the sixteen we marched to Bridgwater, where we were entertained by the Major and Aldermen, and found therein at some private gentlemen's houses about sixty men's Armour, and other Ammunition, and left it in charge with the Major and Aldermen, to be ready at the King and Parliaments command. On Wednesday the seventeenth we marched to We●●, and coming within a mile of the Town, we were met by the Major and Aldermen, and accompanied by them into the Town, and quartered ourselves, in searching two in each street, and began first and searched the Bishop's house, but found nothing there. But in Doctor weston's house we found near upon one hundred men's Armour; in Esquire Roses house forty men's armour, in Esquire pollard's house forty men's armour, in Master johnsons' house twenty men's armourin Master Tomkins house fifty men's armour, and we gave immediate charge to have them carried to Taunton Castle, which was so done. On Thursday the 18, we marched to the City of Bath, accompanied with Mr. Barret of Cotford, Master Basset Master Harrington, Master Bampfield, and others, and there searched Sir. George Ives house but found none there, but one of his servants said he had sent all his Armour to Sir Ralph Hopton's house and was going thither to sojourn with his wife and family: Then we searched one Master Caesar's house, near the Earl of Rutland's Castle, and found therein 100 men's armour, five light horses, and sufficient ammunition for twenty horse more, and about 10000 pound in money: and afterward we went to Sir Edward Rodneys' house, where we concluded that some of us should the next day with a sufficient Company of Horse and foot, search these Towns here underwritten, viz. Glast●nbury, Ilchester, Ilminster. Shipton Mallet, Chard, Crewkerne. South, and North Petherton, etc. The Sheriff requested that by reason of his age he might be excused of the said attendance, and that his servants should wait on them where they pleased, which was granted. Sir Edward Rodney and Captain Brookes immediately sent warrants for the Trained Bands about them to give their attendance the day following. On Friday the 19 two companies of foot came to Sir Edward Rodney's house and searched the Town of Glastenbury, and found therein forty men's armour, and at the end of Glastenbury Down in Farmer Twists house 100 men's armour of horse and foot, and after examination, confessed it was his Landlord's armour, Sir john Stowells, and hath had it within this six weeks, nevertheless committed him to Ilchester Goal for his secrecy. This day also Mr. Phillips, Mr. Light, Mr. Hodgs', & Mr. Trevillion met at Ilchester, and a Trained band attended on them and searched one Mr. Vincents, and Mr. Fortescues houses, & found in each of them 40 men's armour a piece, and in Kingston parish being the Earl of Barkeshires were found in a barn 10 light horses, 100 Saddles 100 swords and 40 muskets which was immediately sent to Taunton. In Ilminster and Shipton Mallet, there are divers other poor Recusants, but none able to buy or maintain arms. This day also at Chard there met Mr. Martin, Sir Henry Rosewell, Mr Preston, and Mr Symes who were accompanyied with the trained Bands, and searched the Parson of the Parish his house, and found there 50 men's Armour, in Mr Coleman's house 100 men's Armour, in Sir William Button's Ladies House 150 men's Armour, in Mr Hill's house 50 men's Armour; All which was likewise sent to Taunton Castle. The same day Mr. Meredith, Mr. Fowler and others were appointed to search at Crookehorne and thereabouts, who came to the Lord Paulet's house, but the Gentry and servants therein would not obey their authority but bid them be gone otherwise they would let bullets fly amongst them, and would not let any of the Trained Bands to enter the said house: Hereupon one of the Trained Band short a bullet against the Porthouse door, nevertheless they would not open it, at length they broke it open and entered perforce & one of the Trained Band killed, there was above fifty persons therein Gentry and servants, there was found 10 light horse and 150 men's Armour or thereabouts. Then we came to North and South Petherton & in Sir John Cary's house found 20 men's Armour; All which number of Arms amounting unto, viz. Armour 1800 Saddles 150 Light-horse 25 Money 10000 li. All which we left in the Castle at Taunton under the Custody of the Mayor and Aldermen of the said Town with a sufficient guard for the safe keeping thereof. We therefore humbly pray the Honourable Assembly in Parliament, that the Ammunition taken aforesaid may not be carried out of the County but that it may be distributed and employed in the defence of the Country. And we shall daily pray for the happy proceed of both Houses. From Bath, August 20. 1642. Your affectionate friends, H. Sampford. I. Stroud. F. Coles. J. Horner. A. Popham. A. Pyne. Ordered to be Printed. Hen. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com. FINIS.