Chancery proceedings 13 Feb 1651.
Thomas Long of Little Cheverell Gent, of County of Wiltshire complains
that John Mereweather of Gr Cheverell, yeoman, now deceaced was possesed
of a great estate and having 3 children Namel John Mereweather, Thomas
Mereweather by Anne (nee Anne Long) his late wife and Anne Mereweather by
a former wife, he in 30 May 1626 made his will and Left Anne Mereweather
500 pounds when 21 or at marriage out of his land in Marton, Great
Cheverall and his farm in Sutton and Tilshead, in the couty of Wiltshire,
and if she married before 21 without the consent of your orator (Thomas
Long) his executor in trust of said will during minority of John
Mereweather the orators Grandchild, or consent of the orators executors
if the orator should be deceased. And if Anne should be deceased before
21 not being married then the said legacy should be given to John
Mereweather and Thomas Merewether (sons on Anne Long) your orators
grandchildren, and your orator proved the will, and in 1640 Anne
Mereweather died unmarried and under 21. But John and Thomas being
formerly dead and Anne their mother (Anne Long) and daughter of your
orator having after their deaths taken out letters of admon in the P.C.C.
of said John amd Thomas, became entitled to the 500 pounds. and one year
after decease of John and Thomas and one year after your orator had
proved the will and had raised the 500 pounds, Christopher Merweather of
Hilperton, yeoman being uncle on the fathers side unto said Anne the
testators daughter, and having gotten custody of the said Anne and
prentending he was made her guardian, came to your orator and entreated
him to deliver the 500 pound ,pretending it would be spent on her and got
it, and Anne Mereweather daughter or your orator died 4 or 5 years ago
intestate before she got the 500 pounds from Christopher Mereweather, and
your orator took out letters of admon on 15 November 1651, but
Christopher Mereweather had not payed the 500 pounds to your orator.