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that the said 42 £ hee paid forthwith to the Sherriffe upon his
Distresse And that a mocon be made after such Distresse tomorrow
morning in the Court of Excheqr for the stopping of
the 100 £ in the Sherriffe's handes untill the matter relating to
the Bridge bee decided by Law And that the Churchwardens
who hath or shall pay the said 100 £ shall be indempnified and
repaid by this Vestry And that it bee moved att the same time
that the money collected for the Bridges in the Petty Constables
handes shall bee paid into such handes as Councell shall think
fitt to move the Court for.
So promptly was the matter followed up that within a
week the Vestry appointed three of its Members "to meet
"at the Sessions at Hickshall and discourse the Justices for
"the County to stop the monies in the Constables hands
"for Brainford Bridge."
A fortnight later (1st June, 1687) the Churchwardens
were ordered "upon any occasion relateing to the Tryall
"concerning Brainford Bridge * * to assist Mr. Ram"paine
with money and waite upon Councell to prosecute
"the same."
The process of the law was almost as tedious two
centuries ago as at the present day, for after an interval of
three months an attorney was instructed by the Vestry to
"draw up the Case relating to the Bridges and to take
"advice thereupon of Sir Francis Pemberton and Mr.
"Pollixfen, and in case he refuse then to bring the papers
"and abstracts to Mr. Newman (a Justice of the Peace and
"Vestryman) who is desired to take it upon him."
Eleven months after the first resolution to proceed to
trial the following entry occurs :—
Wednesday, 4th Jany., 1687. Upon reading the
Case abt
Brentford case concerning Brainford Bridge drawne up by Mr.
Bridge. Steward Bonython Ordered that the Churchwardens
doe take the Opinions of Mr. Sergt Lewis, Mr. Sergt Pemberton
and Mr. Sergt Pollixfen and according to theire advice to
proceed upon a Tryall.
The result of the trial is not recorded. The concluding
entry on the case is on 10th November, 1688, when the
Churchwardens are requested to pay Mr. Rampayne
Attorney, the Bill of due to him on account of a suite