Die Veneris, 26° Februarii 1836.

The Earl of SHAFTESBURY in the Chair.

THE Order of Reference was read.

The Petition of Sarah Otway Cave of Stanford Hall in the County of Leicester, Widow, to His Majesty, praying, That His Majesty will be graciously pleased to determine the Abeyance of the Barony of Braye in her Favour, by His Majesty's Letters Patent, or in such other Manner as to His Majesty may seem proper; together with His Majesty's Reference thereof to this House; and the Report of His Majesty's Attorney General thereunto annexed; were read.

The Counsel and Parties were called in :

And Sir Harris Nicolas and Mr. Arthur James Lewis appearing as Counsel for the Petitioner, and Mr. Attorney General appearing on behalf of the Crown;

Sir Harris Nicolas was heard to open the Allegations of the Petition.

The Counsel were asked, Whether Notice had been given to the other Co-heirs? Sir Harris Nicolas stated, That personal Notice had been given to them.

The Counsel were informed, That if there were any Witnesses who would be detained in Town if not examined To-day, they might proceed to call them.

Mr. Lewis stated, That he was about to prove the Burial of Sir Ralph Verney in 1696, No. 12. in the Pedigree.

Then the Reverend THOMAS WRIGHT was called in; and having been sworn, was examined as follows:

(Mr. Lewis.) You are Rector of Middle Claydon ?

I am.

Do you produce the original Register for the Burials in that Parish for the Year 1696?

I do.

Do you find there any Entry of the Burial of Sir Ralph Verney in that Year?

Evidence on

the Braye Claim of Peerage.

Rev. T. Wright.

There is.

The same was read as follows:

"Burials.

"Octob' 9. 1696.-S' Raphe Verney, K' & Baronett, was buried in Linnen. He died yo 24.”

No. 1.

Rev. T. Wright.

No. 2.

No. 3.

Do you put in an examined Copy of that Entry?
I do; it is correct.

The same was delivered in.

Mr. Lewis stated, That he proposed next to prove the Baptism of Edmund, Son of Ralph Verney, No. 13. in the Pedigree.

Then the Witness was asked:

Do you produce the original Register of Baptisms for the Parish of Middle Claydon for the Year 1636?

Yes.

Do you find an Entry in that Year of the Baptism of Edmund, Son of Ralphe Verney, Esquire?

Yes, and Mary Blacknoll.

The same was read as follows:

"Baptisms.

"1636. Dec' 29. Edmund, Son of Ralphe Verney, Esq., and Mary Blacknoll his Wife."

Do you produce an examined Copy of that Extract?
I do.

You examined it yourself?

I have compared it with the Original; it is quite correct.

The same was delivered in.

Mr. Lewis stated, That he proposed next to prove the Burial of the said Edmund Verney.

Then the Witness was further asked :—

Do you produce the original Register of Burials of East Claydon for the Year 1688 ? Yes, I do.

66

The same was read as follows:

"Burials.

Sept. 6. 1688.-Edmond Verney of East Claydon, Esq, was buried, & Information was brought yt he was wound up in Linnen."

Have you got an examined Copy of that Entry?

I have.

Have you examined it with the Original?

I have, and it is a correct Copy.

The same was delivered in.

Mr. Lewis stated, That he next proposed to prove the Baptism of Ralph Verney, Son of Edmund Verney, No. 14. in the Pedigree.

. Then the Witness was further asked :

Do you produce the Register of Baptisms of the Parish of Middle Claydon for the Year 1666 ?

I do.

Do

Do find there an Entry of the Baptism of Ralph Verney? you

I do.

66

The same was read as follows:

"Baptisms.

Raphe Verney, Sonne of Edmund Verney, Esq., and Mary Abell his Wife, was baptized February the 22nd, 1666."

Have you an examined Copy of that?

I have.

That is quite correct?

It is.

The same was delivered in.

Mr. Lewis stated, That, as the Year began in March, that would be 1667, the next Entry of February 16th following that; that would be of Importance, as he should have to raise an Inference that that Person died young.

Mr. Lewis stated, That he should next prove the Burial of the same
Person.
Then the Witness was further asked :-

Will you refer to the original Register of 1685, and state whether you find an Entry of the Burial of that same Person?

I do.

Will you read it?

The same was read as follows:
"Burials.

"Feb 16, 1685.-Raphe, Son of Edmond Verney of East Claydon, Esq', and Mary his Wife, was buried in Linnen, Feb 16, and the Forfeiture of 50s. payd to the Poor of this Parish."

Is that before you an examined Copy of that Entry?
It is.

The same was delivered in.

Mr. Lewis stated, That he next proposed to prove the Burial of Edmund, the younger (No. 15. in the Pedigree) Son of the said Edmund Verney.

Then the Witness was further asked :

Will you turn to the original Register for 1689; is there an Entry of the Burial of Edmund Verney?

"March 7, 1689-90. Edmond Verney younger, Son of Edm. Verney of East Claydon, deceas'd, was buried Mar. 7, 1689-90; and on Wednesday following, being the 12 Day of the same Month, Information was given me by Wm Coleman that ye Corps was wound up in Linnen."

Rev. T. Wright.

No. 4.

No. 5.

No. 6.