Description:

1708 Deed That Led to a Death Threat and Debtors Prison

With this deed, John Cripps and his wife Mary secured a loan of £900 from Charles Nicholls. The following year, Nicholls seized Cripps's goods, and upon the pretense of resolving the matter, Cripps invited Nicholls to a dinner. When they were alone, Cripps threatened Nicholls with a pistol and dagger and forced him to sign notes to Cripps. When he escaped Nicholls fled to London, where he reported Cripps to the authorities. Cripps died within two years in the famous Fleet Prison in London, leaving a widow and two small children.

[QUEEN ANNE.] John Cripps, Manuscript Document Signed, Deed to Charles Nicholls, October 1, 1708, Hertfordshire, England. 1 p., 30" x 23". On vellum; expected folds; signatures and wax seals largely intact; very good.

Excerpts
"This Indenture made the ffirst day of October in the seaventh year of the Reign of our Soverain Lady Anne by the grace of God Queen of great Brittain ffrance and Ireland and Defender of the ffaith of Annoqu Dui 1708 - - Between John Cripps of pauls Waldon in the County of hertford gent of the one part And Charles Nicholls of hitchin in the said county of hertford gent of the other part...."

"Now this Indenture witnesseth That the said John Cripps ffor and in consideration of a ffurther sume of Nine hundred pounds of Lawfull money of great Brittain to him well and truly payd att or before the sealing and delivery of these presents by the said Charles Nicholls the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and thereof and from every part and parcell thereof the said John Cripps doth release exonerate and discharge the said Charles Nicholls his heirs executors and Administrators and every of them by these presents [free?] the said John Cripps have remised released confirmed and fforever quitclaimed...."

Historical Background
Charles Nicholls built up the estate he inherited from his father by loaning money with property as security and foreclosing on the debt. Among the properties he acquired was a large estate in the Waldens, against which John Cripps had borrowed over £2,000 from Nicholls by 1708.

Nicholls lent Cripps £900, and Cripps secured the loan with this indenture on his estate. When Cripps failed to pay, Nicholls obtained a judgment against Cripps and seized his goods.

On October 31, 1709, Cripps came to Nicholls in Hitchin and invited Nicholls to come the next day to his wife's father's house in Bendish, St. Paul's Walden, where they would resolve the matter with Mr. Mills his attorney. Nicholls dined with Cripps and his wife and Mr. Mills. They gathered in a garret room to discuss Cripps's wife levying a fine to strengthen Nicholls's security. After Mary Cripps and Mills left, Cripps locked the door and drew out a loaded pistol and dagger. He called Nicholls a rogue, rascal, and villain for ruining him and demanded satisfaction for the wrong Nicholls had done to him. He forced Nicholls to sign notes to Cripps for £500 and £900 and threatened to shoot him in the head if he told anyone. When Nicholls left, he hurried to London in fear for his life and made a full statement to the Court of Chancery.

John Cripps (d. by 1711) was a gentleman who lived in the village of St. Paul's Walden, Hertfordshire, England. He died in Fleet Prison in London, which was used primarily for debtors in the eighteenth century. He left behind his widow Mary and two daughters, and she died soon after, leaving the children as orphans.

Charles Nicholls Jr. (d. 1746) was an attorney in Hitchin. He inherited his father's estate in 1692 and added to it, primarily by lending money with property as security and foreclosing on the debts. He built an estate around the borders of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire over many years.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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