Description:The survey is written in the same shorthand (tachygraphy) as used by the famous diarist Samuel Peyps.
“Robert Dodd of Croxton, mad swearing fellow, alehouse, said to keep a bawdy house”
“William Birchamly of Croxton. Very honest old swayer. Wife, sister of old Amison, very cross swearing woman.”
“John Bagnall of Millmeece, gunsmith, son of Richard, 40 years old, excellent workman but idle and in debt. Wife high spirited hectoring woman.”
“Richard Berrington, Horsley, hath by Mary Shepherd a child above one year old but giveth nothing for maintenance and beats her and mother.”
“John Underwood, Wootton, labourer, 60, wife excellent knitter, honest working people but both are sick”
“Widow Beardmore lusty woman in a cottage near Offley Brook. Son 9 years old all his teeth rotted out.”
“John Heacock of Slindon QUAKER”
“Widow Heacock of Sugnall, believed to be near 100 years old and of good memory. Daughter Bridget lives with her. Her whole work is to attend her.”
“Robert Walter, Ecleshall, old skinner but not now. Reads for hire and teaches school, an honest poor man”
“Richard Baxter of Eccleshall, tailor. He hath the house that his wife built. Likely he got his maid Anne Jones with child.”
“Mary Dod, Eccleshall, wife of Edward Dod (hath 2 other wives and lives with one of them in London). Lusty young women and goeth as neat as any in town, spins, knits and harvests. “
Extracts are taken from papers at the William Salt Library (WSL: 72/109-110/93). The original document is held at Lichfield Record Office.