Whether he or she were present with Mr Harpur upon May eve or May day in the morning, or whether he or she saw him tippling or drinking, or whether he or she had any discourse with him, or how doth he or she know that he was drunken, or how near were they to him as to know him to be ‘drunken’ or to fall in the way?… If any witness shall depose that Mr Harpur is a common tippler or frequenter of alehouses, then let him or her be asked, whether so he or she know Mr Harpur drunk or overseen with drink, or given to any notorious vice to the scandal of his profession… Whether was not Mr Harpur born in Bolton, and though he lived in or about Oxford, have you not oftentimes seen him in Bolton, when he came over to see his friends, and have you not heard him at such times preach in Bolton, and whether is he not an orthodox and conformable minister to the laws and canons of the Church of England?
Mr Harpur since he came to Bolton to be their Minister did constantly lodge at his house when he was in town, and this deponent saith that he hath well known him these many years and that he is a man of a very sober and civil good life and conversation and he did never know him distempered or disordered with drink, and that he is a very orthodox and conformable man and a good preacher. And it is commonly known hereabouts that Greenhalgh and his wife and other disaffected persons do endeavour to scandalize Mr Harpur and do join this pursuit together and give out in words that they will make him weary of Bolton or to that purpose...
Upon May day last in the morning a little after sun rising, Mr Harpur and Alexander Norris came by this deponent’s house from widow Brooke’s house which is a common alehouse and about a quarter of a mile from Mr Harpur’s lodging. This deponent seeing them went into her garden which was very near to them as they went over a stile, and spoke to them both and bid them good morrow but they answered nothing to her again but went on and Mr Harpur leaving his way and his companion crossed over the lands about the middle of the field where he fell, and getting up went to the high way again at the further end of the field (there being no path there in the middle of the field where he went). Then this deponent went up in a high chamber of her house to so observe how he went after that, and this deponent did see him fall flat again in the next field and lie a pretty space, which being grieved to see she went away and looked no more after them. But this deponent did see and observe him to stagger and reel very much all along as he went and that he could not get very well over the stiles, and as he came by her in her garden up the gennill and over the stile there she saw him look very pale in the face by all which signs and observations this deponent is very confident to depose that the said Mr Harpur was much distempered with drink at that time and not well able to go and keep the foot way though the same was very fair and even. And this deponent believes that he was more drunk at that time then any man that she had seen of twenty years before which was to the great grief of her heart… After the passages aforesaid, Robt Fletcher and this deponent's husband at her request went to Mr Harpur to give him good counsel and advise him to walk more circumspectly for the future, which he seemed to take kindly from them and put off his hat and thanked them… John Norris' wife told this deponent that her husband came home about twelve a clock the night… She [hath] not seen Mr Harpur in the country apart once or twice these twenty years, till of late that he to live here… She wisheth truth and equity may prevail, and saith that she comes to depose herein at her own charges being a deponent in another cause at Mr Harpur's suit in this Court, but Robert Fletcher promised to bear her charges hither… She believes he is a lawful minister and (in her judgment) a good preacher… It is a common report hereabouts that Mr Harpur was distempered with drink the last May day in the morning which redounds much to his prejudice… She hath sometimes seen Mr Harpur in alehouses but did never see him overseen in drink save at the time predeposed… They have as yet contributed anything [sic] to Mr Harper since he came to Bolton… She knoweth all the parties interrogant except Thomas Greenhalgh and knoweth nothing of harm by any of them but wishes that if it were the Lord's will Alexander Norris and his cousin John Norris would mend and be better.
Robert Harpur was all the night of May Eve last past in a common alehouse in or near Bolton and spent the same night or most thereof in tippling and drinking, and went not thence before or till very near sun's rising, to the scandal of his profession… Mr Harpur's lodging in Little Bolton is near or not much above a quarter of a mile distant from the alehouse where he had been all night, and in his way homewards he was so distempered and in such a drunken temper, that in his way he did stagger, reel, and several times fall, although he had day light and the way was fair and even… Robert Harpur in one close of ground which he was to pass through, though the way was plain and fair yet by reason of excess of drink, he did not or could not keep the way, but reeled and staggered and left Alexander Norris (a produced witness) his companion, and crossed over the butts of the field where no way was, towards a corner thereof where there was no way or passage out, and there fell one time and this was seen and observed by several people of good credit and repute… Robert passing over a stile in his way homewards could not with equal and sober paces go over the same, but came from the highest round or stop or from some part of the stile head long forward and recovering himself went staggering up the same which was seen by diverse or some as the great scandal of his profession… At one of his many falls, his companion Norris stood over him when he was down, and said to him, I told you, you would fall, or that you (speaking to the said Robert) could not stand, or to that effect… Although the passages were seen by diverse and particularly some of them seen by Robert Fletcher, yet he did not divulge or speak publicly thereof, but charged his family and servants that they should not mention it, yet never the less being afflicted to see such miscarriage in Mr Harpur, did in a friendly and Christian manner take his friend along with him, and privately admonished him [Harpur]. And exhorted him to walk more circumspectly and without such offence, for which admonition Mr Harpur seemed very much engaged to them, and said they acted therein like Christians, or so that or the like effect… The produced witnesses aforesaid with their confederates were the first reporters of the forementioned miscarriages and the same being made public by them or their party, they professed to depose concerning a public fame for Fletcher only privately admonished him as aforesaid… Mr Harpur hath at other times given offence by much drinking, and hath been in a friendly Christian manner admonished to forbear or avoid such courses… John Norris by deposing that he was with Mr Harpur in the alehouse for all May Eve at night hath deposed falsely, for he lay at home that night and therefore no credit to be given to his deposition… No credit was or is to be given to the produced deposition of Thomas Greenhalgh another witness, for that he swears he hath known Mr Harpur for sixteen or seventeen years last past, whereas the truth is Mr Harpur hath not lived in Bolton nor been in the County of Lancashire but hath lived in remote parts of the kingdom for almost thirty years last past and the said Greenhalgh hath lived in Bolton parish all his life time… Robert Fletcher is a peaceable neighbour of a meek and gentle spirit, of unblameable life, industrious in his calling, and thereby of good office and amongst his neighbours never noted nor expected to be contentious, or a railer, or to scandalize, any person or persons whatsoever… Thomas Rivington another witness saith he hath known Mr Harpur many years, whereas Mr Harpur hath been but one year or thereabouts a[t] Bolton, and was thirty years before or thereabouts in remote parts… yet this Rivington by his own deposition is but thirty three years or thereabouts.
Mr Harpur since he came to Bolton to be their Minister did constantly lodge at his house when he was in town, and this deponent saith that he hath well known him these many years and that he is a man of a very sober and civil good life and conversation and he did never know him distempered or disordered with drink, and that he is a very orthodox and conformable man and a good preacher. It is very commonly reported hereabouts that Robert Fletcher and other disaffected persons do endeavour to scandalize Mr Harpur and do join this pursuit together and give out in words that they will make him weary of Bolton or to that purpose… This deponent and several other of Mr Harpur's friends and neighbours were very much troubled at the scandal that went of him through Fletcher's speeches till upon further enquiry they found that it was merely through their malice to make him odious because he was an honest conformable man and would not comply with their humours.
Mr Harpur is a man of very good life and conversation and she hath known him very well ever since his youth and never see or knew other by him but that he was of a very soberly good life and conversation. And is a good preacher and this deponent saith that upon May day last in the morning very early Mr Harpur and this deponent’s husband which had been with him with Mr Leaver the Councillor upon earnest business came to this deponent's house and this deponent saith that he was at that time very far from drunk and as sober and well as ever he was in his life though it's commonly reported hereabouts and this deponent hath heard it by diverse that Greenhalgh and his wife have said and reported that that morning he came to this deponent's house drunk and that as he came thither from Peter Brooke's house where he had been with Mr Leaver he was so drunk that he fell by the way. It is also commonly reported that Greenhalgh and his wife and others hereabout that are factious persons do combine together to scandalize Mr Harpur and do contribute money and give out in words that they will weary him out of Bolton or to that purpose.
Mr Harpur is a man of a very good life and conversation and she hath known him very well and since his youth and never see or knew other by him but that he was of a very sober and good life and is a good preacher. Upon May day last in the morning very early Mr Harpur and this deponent's husband who had been with him with Mr Leaver the Counsellor upon earnest business came to this deponent's house and this deponent saith that he was at that time very free from drink and as sober and well as ever he was in his life though it's commonly reported hereabouts and this deponent hath heard it by diverse that Fletcher that said and reported that that morning he came to this deponent's house drunk and that as he came thither from Brooke's house where he had been with Mr Leaver he was so drunk that he fell by the way. It is commonly reported also that Fletcher and others thereabout that are factions persons do combine together to scandalize Mr Harpur and do contribute moneys and give out in words that they will weary him out of Bolton… By reason of such false reports as Fletcher and some others of his faction have raised or caused to be raised of Mr Harpur, his good name is much impaired and whereas most of his benefit is the benevolence of the neighbours, many of them do hold back and not contribute so much as formerly they did.
Upon the 30th of April towards the evening Mr Harpur having some business with the deponent's brother who is a Councillor at Law and was about going up to London, met his [Leaver's] brother at widow Brooke's house in Bolton where they two and Harpur's sister in law were private together about business till very late at night and being very dark, they stayed there together till betwixt break of day and sun rising about which time they parted, and Mr Harpur at that time was very far from any distemper by drink. And this deponent hath known him for above twenty years and never knew or see other by him but that he was of very civil sober life and conversation and is a good preacher and an orthodox divine. And saith that it is generally reported hereabouts that John Greenhalgh and his wife and others disaffected to the present government of the Church and to conformable Ministers have reported by him that he came drunk from the Widow Brooke's house on May day in the morning and fell by the way… By reason of the false reports raised by Greenhalgh and his wife and their confederates, Mr Harpur is much injured and prejudiced in his credit, and the report being so great some persons believe it to be true.
Upon the 30th of April towards the evening Mr Harpur having some business with this deponent's brother who is a Counsellor at Law and was about going up to London, met his [i.e. Leaver's] brother at widow Brooke's house in Bolton where they two and Mr Harpur's sister in law were private together about business till very late at night and being very dark, they stayed there together till betwixt break of day and sun rising about which time they parted, and Mr Harpur at that time was very far from any distemper by drink. And this deponent hath known him for above twenty years and never knew or see other by him but that he was of very civil sober life and conversation and is a good preacher and an orthodox divine. And saith that it is generally reported hereabouts that Fletcher and others disaffected to the present government of the Church and to conformable Ministers have reported by him that he came drunk from the Widow Brooke's house on May day in the morning and fell by the way… By reason of the false reports raised by Fletcher and his conferedates, Mr Harpur is much injured and prejudiced in his credit, and the report being so great some persons believe it to be true.
He hath been acquainted with Mr Harpur for these 16 or 17 years last and never knew him other than a man of a singular good life and never distempered in the least by drink, and this I never heard to the contrary but upon the false reports lately raised by the defendants and some other that have no affection for Mr Harpur nor for conformable Ministers such as he is. To the best of his judgment he is a very good preacher and is a very conformable and Orthodox minister.
Mr Harpur is a man of a singular good life and very far from being disordered by drink that ever this deponent knew, and he is a good preacher according to this deponent's judgment and an able and orthodox minister and conformable to the discipline of the Church. It is commonly reported hereabouts that the defendants in this cause and their confederates, persons disaffected to church government and conformable ministers have slandered him for being so drunk upon May day last in the morning insomuch that he fell by the way as he went home from widow Brooke's house. It is commonly reported also that they do combine to scandalise Mr Harpur and do make contributions amongst themselves to vex and trouble him and do give out in words that they will make him weary of Bolton… Mr Harpur's good name is much injured amongst his acquaintance and parishioners who have not that good opinion of him as they had before which and all by reason of the defendants' false reports and tales raised by them and their confederates.
Upon the last of April last past Mr Harpur and Mr Leaver and this deponent and some others were at widow Brooke's house on the side of Bolton moor, Mr Leaver, thinking to go to London the next day. And after supper Mr Leaver and Mr Harpur and his sister went together by themselves and were private about business till about twelve a clock that night. And so long as this deponent stayed there this which was till about one a clock Mr Harpur was very civil and far from drunk. And this deponent observed that all the while though some of the company was pleased to drink cups about but in a civil way yet Mr Harpur refused many cups and drunk very little and was very intent upon the business he had been with Mr Leaver about. Mr Harpur is a very honest good minister and preacher to the best of his judgment, and of a singular good conversation and very conformable to the government of the Church. It is supposed all hereabouts that the defendants in this cause and others confederate with them have combined together to vex and trouble Mr Harpur, and have gathered money amongst themselves for that purpose. And that they reported by him that he was drunk there last May day in the morning.
Upon the last of April last past this deponent was present when (a messenger came from) Mr Leaver the lawyer to Mr Harpur to come and meet him at widow Brooke's house about some business for that he intended to go toward London the next day. And this deponent and some other friends went along with him accordingly wherein they met Mr Leaver and being there Mr Leaver and Mr Harpur and his sister were private together about business all of them except Mrs Harpur till about a quarter of an hour of twelve a clock that night by this deponent's watch, and then came to the rest of the company where they sat on till a little before sun rising, and then this deponent went him and Mr Harpur with him. And this deponent saith that he hath known Mr Harpur ever since he was a child and he never knew or heard in the least that ever he was disordered in drink or accounted so (saving the false reports lately raised on him) but was always of very civil and sober life and conversation, and is a good preacher and a very conformable man. This deponent also saith that most of the time that they were at widow Brooke's house after Mr Harpur and Mr Leaver had done their business Mr Harpur was reading in a book that Mr Marsden a minister then also present had commended to him, and when one of the company would have begun a health Mr Harpur desired him to forbear, for that if they did so he would not stay in their company. And when the company parted this deponent saith that Mr Harpur was as free from drink as if he had drunk none at all that night and came as well home with him… It is a common report thereabouts that Greenhalgh and his wife and others confederated with them that are cross to all conformity in the Church have raised false and scandalous reports of Mr Harpur and particularly that he was drunk on May Day in the morning last. It is commonly reported (and he belives it to be true) that they have collections amongst them to prosecute this suit and to molest and trouble Mr Harpur. They give out in words that he shall have weary tarrying at Bolton, and this deponent hath heard some of that confederacy say that if Mr Harpur would not use so much of the Book of Common Prayer, and leave off the Lord's prayer and the cross in baptism, he should have money enough and want for nothing. This deponent also saith that on May Day last after this deponent coming to the town see Greenhalgh and Robert Fletcher going in the streets and a great company of presbyterians and independents and the like after them, and thereupon asking what the business was that they were all so together was told by diverse that Greenhalgh and Fletcher reported it all over the town that Mr Harpur was drunk that morning. And that Greenhalgh's wife went from house to house and reported the same… Mr Harpur's good name and repute which he formerly had thereabouts is very much prejudiced and impaired by the false reports aforesaid. This deponent being one desired to collect for parishioners contribution to Mr Harpur in some part of the parish because his means otherwise was very small, many that promised to give before these reports would afterwards give nothing at all and do yet refuse till he have cleared himself of this scandal… He hath known Greenhalgh and his wife for these twenty years last and upwards… This deponent believes that the reputation and credit of the parties interrogant amongst their neighbours is such that they will hardly be trusted for any thing by a great many that know them, and this deponent can instance in some particulars where they have not behaved themselves so honestly and civilly as they should have done… At the time Mr Harpur had no constant place of abode but was for the most part over at Tho. Rivington's or this deponent's house where he came at that time which was about a quarter of mile from the alehouse where they had been [as previously deposed]… As they were going home from Brooke's house, Mr Harpur complained of a sore leg that he had which he said ached sore at that time, and thereupon sat down a very short space on the side of a brow having (as he said) hit it to the side of a stile as he came over it. But otherwise this deponent saith that he went as well as ever he did in his life and was as free from drunk, and this deponent hath heard some of the company that observed him better than he did say they believed he had not drunk a pint of drink that night… [He has nothing further to depose] saving but that as they went along they crossed a butt or two for the better way in a field that's near John Greenhalgh's house.
Upon 18th of May last this deponent see Fletcher standing at Bolton cross and went to him and told him he heard that he had raised a foul scandal of Mr Harpur and asked him if he would stand to it. Whereupon Fletcher replied he would justify it that Mr Harpur was drunk on May day in the morning, and would prove forty worse things than that against him besides, or he spoke words to the same purpose, this deponent's contest John Norris being also present at that time… Upon the last of April last past this deponent was present when a messenger came from Mr Leaver the lawyer to Mr Harpur to come and meet him at widow Brooke's house about some business for that he intended to go toward London the next day. And this deponent and some other friends went along with him accordingly wherein they met Mr Leaver and being there Mr Leaver and Mr Harpur and his sister were private together about business all of them except Mrs Harpur till about a quarter of an hour of twelve a clock that night by this deponent's watch, and then came to the rest of the company where they sat on till a little before sun rising, and then this deponent went him and Mr Harpur with him. And this deponent saith that he hath known Mr Harpur ever since he was a child and he never knew or heard in the least that ever he was disordered in drink or accounted so (saving the false reports lately raised on him) but was always of very civil and sober life and conversation, and is a good preacher and a very conformable man. This deponent also saith that most of the time that they were at widow Brooke's house after Mr Harpur and Mr Leaver had done their business Mr Harpur was reading in a book that Mr Marsden a minister then also present had commended to him, and when one of the company would have begun a health Mr Harpur desired him to forbear, for that if they did so he would not stay in their company. And when the company parted this deponent saith that Mr Harpur was as free from drink as if he had drunk none at all that night and came as well home with him… It is a common report thereabouts that Fletcher and others confederated with them that are cross to all conformity in the Church have raised false and scandalous reports of Mr Harpur and particularly that he was drunk on May Day in the morning last. It is commonly reported (and he believes it to be true) that they have collections amongst them to prosecute this suit and to molest and trouble Mr Harpur. They give out in words that he shall have weary tarrying at Bolton, and this deponent hath heard some of that confederacy say that if Mr Harpur would not use so much of the book of common prayer, and leave off the Lord's prayer and the cross in baptism, he should have money enough and want for nothing. This deponent also saith that on May Day last after this deponent coming to the town see Fletcher and John Greenhalgh going in the streets and a great company of presbyterians and independents and the like after them, and thereupon asking what the business was that they were all so together was told by diverse that Fletcher and Greenhalgh reported it all over the town that Mr Harpur was drunk that morning. And that Greenhalgh's wife went from house to house and reported the same… Mr Harpur's good name and repute which he formerly had thereabouts is very much prejudiced and impaired by the false reports aforesaid. This deponent being one desired to collect the parishioners contribution to Mr Harpur in some part of the parish because his means otherwise was very small, many that promised to give before these reports would afterwards give nothing at all and do yet refuse till he have cleared himself of this scandal… He hath known Fletcher for about 6 or 7 years last past or thereabouts… He believes that the reputation of the interrogant Greenhalgh and his wife amongst their neighbours is such that they will hardly be trusted for any thing by a great many that knew them and this deponent can instance in some particulars where they have not behaved themselves so honestly and civilly as they should have done… At the time Mr Harpur had no constant place of abode but was for the most part over at Tho. Rivington's or this deponent's house whither he came at that time which was about a quarter of mile from the place where they had been [as previously deposed]… As they were going home from Brooke's house, Mr Harpur complained of a sore leg that he had which he said ached sore at that time, and thereupon sat down (a very short time) on the side of a brow having (as he said) hit it to the side of a stile as he came over it. But otherwise this deponent saith that he went as well as ever he did in his life and was as free from drunk, and this deponent hath heard some of the company that observed him better than he did say they believed he had not drunk a pint of drink that night… [He has nothing further to depose] saving but that as they went along they crossed a butt or two for the better way in a field that's near John Greenhalgh's house.
Intending a journey for London the next morning and knowing that Mr Harpur and his sister-in-law had some business with him before he went, this deponent sent his man for Mr Harpur to meet him at Widow Brooke's house on May Eve last at night. Where accordingly he did come, and being there they fell upon some serious business concerning some suit which Mrs Harpur had depending at London which kept amongst themselves in private, which kept them till near twelve a clock that night. About which time they came to some other company of this deponent's in the house which came to see him or had business with him before he took his journey, and they stayed there till it was day and parted a little before sunrising, at which time Mr Harpur went home with one Alexander Norris where he used sometimes to lodge, and was at that time to the deponent's apprehension very well and far from drunk and not distempered, and drunk very little all the while that they had been together. And when one of the company would have begun a health he desired it might be forborne for he would drink no more than was for his own health. And saying that most of the time that they were together at Widow Brooke's house was spent either in business or discussion about some points of controversy or in reading of a book which Mr Harpur was much taken withal… Mr Harpur in this deponent's judgment is a very able and orthodox divine of a very good life and conversation and so accounted by all that well know him. It is a common fame in all that neighbourhood that the defendants in this cause and some others confederate with them have had collections and contributions amongst themselves and contrivances to oppose and molest Mr Harpur and say that they will make him weary of Bolton or to that purpose, and have reported that he was drunk that morning that he came from widow Brooke's house… Mr Harpur (in this deponent's opinion) is much prejudiced in his good name and fame and the reputation that he had in that neighbourhood and is much damnified by his parishioners witholding their benevolence which formerly they gave him because his maintenance otherways was very small.
Ever since he has been acquainted with Mr Harpur which is for about a twelve month last, this deponent hath known him to be a very able and orthodox divine, a good preacher and of very good life and conversation and charitable to the poor, and never knew or heard him accounted for other (saving the grievances now complained of). And this deponent saith that it is commonly reported hereabouts that the defendants in this cause have aspersed Mr Harpur for being drunk upon May day last in the morning and that he fell as he came from widow Brooke's house. Also that they and their confederates (people altogether disaffected to conformable ministers and the discipline of the church) have collections and contributions amongst themselves to oppose and vex Mr Harpur and maintain suit against him, and do say that they will make him weary of that place. This deponent also saith that at Mr Harpur's entreaty he went along with him to widow Brooke's house when he met Mr Leaver there, where they two and Mrs Harpur had some business together amongst themselves, which held them till twelve a clock that night, and in the morning a little after break of day the company parted Mr Harpur going home with Mr Alexander Norris, this deponent also going part of the way with them, during all which time this deponent is certain to depose that he Mr Harpur was not at all distempered with drink, much of the time there (except when Mr Leaver and they were in private together about business) being spent either in reading a book which this deponent brought along with him or in disputing about some controversies occasioned by the reading of that book… Mr Harpur's good name and credit amongst his neighbours and friends is much wounded and impaired by the false reports and many of his parishioners do withhold their contributions which otherwise they would have given to him and had promised to give.
Upon the second day of May last, this deponent meeting John Greenhalgh in a field near Bolton, Greenhalgh told this deponent that Mr Harpur was drunk the day before, then this deponent asked him how he knew it and whether he had any discourse with him, to whom he replied that he see him in such a place where he fell from his house, and that his wife also see him drunk and see that after he was over such a stile he run his head against a wall which is about 6 or 8 yards from the stile… He went along with Mr Harpur and some other friends to widow Brooke's his house to meet Mr Leaver upon May Eve last past and not long after they came there Mr Leaver and Mr Harpur and his sister went into a private room together to view some writings and about business which kept them till near twelve a clock, and afterwards they stayed there till it was near day in the morning and then parted, Mr Harpur being as far from any distemper by drink as if he had had none at all that night. And this deponent observed that he did decline drinking all night except very little and when one of the company would have begun a health he desired him to forbear saying that for his part he would drink no more than what he pleased or what was good for him or to that purpose… Mr Harpur's good name is much impaired by the false reports and he much prejudiced thereby for that this deponent being desired to collect the voluntary contributions of the parishioners for Mr Harpur because his means otherways was very small, two hamlets (who formerly contributed freely) all except one man answered that they would give him nothing at all till he had cleared himself of this scandal.
Upon the 18th day of May last past, Robert Fletcher told this deponent in Bolton town that Mr Harpur was drunk on May day in the morning, and that was not all but he could lay forty times as much to his charge against him or he spoke words to the same purpose before this deponent and his precontest Alexander Norris.
Upon last May day early in the morning before sunrising this deponent being upon his occasions in his own grounds did hear and see Mr Harpur and Alexander Norris go along in the footway in an other field within less than a stone's cast of him and did see Mr Harpur to fall as he went, and when he was down this deponent heard Alexander say to him, I told you you would be down. Then this deponent looked after them and perceived Mr Harpur to stagger and reel very much and overgo Alexander a good way, and then looking back again did run backward and stagger much. And this deponent is verily persuaded that the reason thereof was that he was distempered with drink and had drunk too much strong drink, for that they then came from widow Brooke's house, a common alehouse which is not above a quarter of a mile from this town though something more from Mr Harpur's lodging, where (as this deponent hath heard) they had been all that night… He doth not remember that he heard any thing of Mr Harpur's miscarriage or being distempered with drink from any person but from John Greenhalgh and his wife upon May day… Mr Harpur hath not lived near Bolton these many years till within this twelve month last… He hath known [John] Greenhalgh these 30 years and never heard or knew but that he was always an honest peaceable good man of blamable life and conversation amongst his neighbours and not contentious, and this deponent wishes that for his soul's health he were as good a Christian as Greenhalgh… He is something of kin to Mr Harpur but how near he knoweth not, and Robert Fletcher is his brother in law… He hath often times seen [Thomas] Greenhalgh and his wife at divine services at Bolton Church… Mr Harpur was born near Bolton but this deponent hath not seen him since Bolton was taken in the time of war till of late that he came to live here. And believes that he is an orthodox and conformable Minister.
Upon last May day early in the morning before sunrising this deponent being upon his occasions in his own grounds did hear and see Mr Harpur and Alexander Norris go along in the footway in an other field within less than a stone's cast of him and did see Mr Harpur to fall as he went, and when he was down this deponent heard Alexander say to him, I told you you would be down. Then this deponent looked after them and perceived Mr Harpur to stagger and reel very much and overgo Alexander a good way, and then looking back again did run backward and stagger much. And this deponent is verily persuaded that the reason thereof was that he was distempered with drink and had drunk too much strong drink, for that they then came from widow Brooke's house, a common alehouse which is not above a quarter of a mile from this town though something more from Mr Harpur's lodging, where (as this deponent hath heard) they had been all that night… He doth not remember that he heard any thing of Mr Harpur's miscarriage or being distempered with drink from any person but from John Greenhalgh and his wife upon May day… Mr Harpur hath not lived near Bolton these many years till within this twelve month last… He hath known [John] Greenhalgh about 20 years and never heard or knew but that he was always an honest peaceable good man of blamable life and conversation amongst his neighbours and not contentious, and this deponent wishes that for his soul's health he were as good a Christian as Fletcher… He is something of kin to Mr Harpur but how near he knoweth not, and Robert Fletcher is his brother in law… He hath often times seen Robert Fletcher at divine service at Bolton Church… Mr Harpur was born near Bolton but this deponent hath not seen him since Bolton was taken in the time of war till of late that he came to live here. And believes that he is an orthodox and conformable Minister.
About sun rising the last may day in the morning this deponent being in his father's smithy, and hearing some company coming by looked out over the door and perceived it to be Mr Harpur and Alexander Norris who were coming from widow Brooke's house, a common alehouse which was about a quarter of a mile from Alexander Norris his house where Mr Harpur lodged. And there being a stile near to the smithy which they were to pass over Mr Harpur laid his hand on one of the staves of it and staggered backward, and hit his shoulder to the wall and then recovered his self and went over. And being in the field on th'other side of the stile Alexander Norris kept his way by the hedge side, but Mr Harpur went across the butts about the middle of the field where no path was and there fell and then got up again and there being no way there out of the field he came to the foot way where Alexander was and then went over through the gap together. In the next field Mr Harpur staggered three times to and fro again and then fell on his left side and so lay for a good space. And how he got up and went afterwards, this deponent did not see or doth know but all the while that he see him, Harpur did stagger and reel very much being much distempered with drink as this deponent did perceive and believe which was the only cause of it… His father and mother, John Greenhalgh and his wife, presently after the passages aforesaid the same morning charged their whole family they should say nothing of that matter concerning Mr Harpur… Since he can remember Thomas Greenhalgh hath lived in Bolton parish, but not Mr Harper till within this twelve month… He favours both parties alike as to the justice of the cause and believes Mr Harpur's suit against the defendant is without any just cause given him, and saith that his charges (as he thinks) is equally betwixt Robert Fletcher and this respondent's father, the parties that do produce him being served... to come to depose… He hath heard and believed that Mr Harper is a lawful Minister and for his preaching can say nothing against and hath often times heard him preach… He believes Greenhalgh and his wife, this deponent's father and mother, are not disaffected to the discipline of the Church and do frequently hear divine service at their own parish church and seldom go to any other churches or chapels especially to hear such as are not allowed by the Laws of the land… He knoweth all the parties interrogate and believes them all (except Alexander Norris) to be honest persons and are of good repute amongst their neighbours and such as will not forswear them selves, but this respondent believes that Alexander Norris has sworn untruly against this deponent's father, mother, in this cause, on the behalf of Mr Harpur as concerning their credit and reputation amongst their neighbours.
He hopes and believes that Robert Fletcher is such as is arlate and always so accounted to be… Rivington hath lived in Bolton parish about 10 or 11 years… He favours both parties alike as to the justice of the cause and believes Mr Harpur's suit against the defendant is without any just cause given him, and saith that his charges (as he thinks) are equally borne betwixt Robert Fletcher and this respondent's father, the parties that do produce him being served with a process to come to depose… He hath heard and believed that Mr Harpur is a lawful Minister and for his preaching can say nothing against and hath often times heard him preach… He believes Robert Fletcher is not disaffected to the discipline of the Church and do frequently hear divine service at his own parish church and seldom go to any other churches or chapels especially to hear such as are not allowed by the laws of the land… He knoweth all the parties interrogate and believes them all (except Alexander Norris) to be honest persons and are of good repute amongst their neighbours and such as will not forswear them selves, but this respondent believes that Alexander Norris has sworn untruly against this deponent's father, mother, in this cause, on the behalf of Mr Harpur as concerning their credit and reputation amongst their neighbours… He only saw Mr Harpur once before he came lately to live amongst them [and has nothing further to depose] saving he believes that Mr Harpur is conformable to the laws and Canons of the Church.
Much about the time of sun rising the last May day in the morning this deponent being at about 40 roods distant from them could perceive two men going in the footpath in the shore field towards Bolton but who they were this deponent could not well perceive or discern but if it were Mr Harpur and Alexander Norris then Mr Harpur did fall on the side of a brow the ground being something slippery and presently did rise again and went on his gate, then this deponent saw him go over a foul rail which had been set to keep cattle from going into a gennill where they could not turn themselves, and going over there this deponent see him falter a little, whether by setting his foot to the rail or how he knoweth not, afterwards this deponent did see him twice upon the ground partly in a sitting posture but whether he fell this deponent knoweth not. But he did not long sit so, but got up and went on his way homewards, and the morning being something misty and the sun about rising this deponent could not perfectly say who they were nor perceive whether either of them did stagger or reel… He never heard it reported by any person of Mr Harpur's being distempered in drink but by John Greenhalgh and his wife who told this deponent of it privately and that Harpur did reel and stagger by overmuch drink… Mr Harpur hath been but about the space of a twelve month last past an inhabitant at Bolton… He hath seen [Thomas] Greenhalgh several times in Bolton Church of late in time of divine service… Mr Harpur is an orthodox and conformable Minister and well affected and conformable to the laws and canons of the Church.
He doth not know nor hath head to the contrary but that Fletcher is such a person as in this article he is said to be.
Upon May Eve last about or rather after sun set this deponent and her friend Ellis Crompton went to meet Mr Leaver her Lawyer and Mr Harpur this deponent's brother in law at Widow Brooke's house, being an alehouse near Bolton about a quarter mile or more for [sic] Mr Harpur's lodging. Knowing that Mr Leaver was shortly to go to London, this deponent brought a great many writings with her for him to peruse and to advise with him about a suit which she then had at London. They four for that purpose went together into a private room in that house and continued so together perusing these writings and advising about her business above or about 2 hours by candlelight after they could not see by day. In all which time to the best of this deponent's remembrance, they had but a three-penny flagon of ale or beer. And then being later and dark this deponent and her friend [Crompton] left them and she went home… Mr Harpur hath not lived in Lancashire these 20 years and above till of late but in that time he came over sometimes and twice or thrice that she can remember to see his friends. But how long he continued when he so came she knows not but thinks at that time when Bolton was taken by Prince Rupert [ca. 1644] he tarried a good while in the Country… That she hath no great acquaintance with Greenhalgh but heard that he is such a one as is [articulate]… Her husband was brother to Mr Harpur, the plaintiff in this cause… She never knew or heard that the party interrogant [Robert Harpur] was at any time drunk, or so much as distempered by drink, saving such reports as have been occasioned and raised by the defendants in this cause… Robert Fletcher and this deponent as they came to Chester together were talking about and concerning their differences and this deponent could perceive and gather by his speeches that he had a mind to remove this cause to York or out of this court… Mr Harpur was born near Bolton and when he came over to see his friends [as previously deposed] she had heard him preach sometimes. He is an honest good preacher to the best of her judgment and a conformable to the laws and canons of the Church.
That she hath no great acquaintance with Robert Fletcher but heard that he is such a one as is [articulate].