Letter – Edward Blackett to Henry Watkinson – 7 Jul 1710

      July the 7 1710

Sr

      The Bearer hereof Mr Lodge is a peaceable, honest, civil man, & very diligent in his Function & Calling, yet I perceive has been mightily Abused by One John Dickinson, who to my own knowledge is the greatest Villain imaginable, & had been sent for a soldier but upon his poor wife’s Acct who notwithstanding he Us’d very ill drawing her about the house by the hair of her head, and at length gave her a bruise on her Breast which prov’d a Cancer & was the Occasion of her Death, I sent severall Warrants out against him but he sculkd from place to place so that he could not be Apprehended, I perceive Mr Lodge has made App[l]ication to your hand to have Dickinson punished for his Wicked & barbarous Doings, but Dickinson instead of Subscription doth unworthily & maliciously contend on purpose to spend Mr Lodge money This is a true Character of Dickinson, so I question not but you’ll punish him According to his Deserts & shall take it as a favour done to

      Sr your most Faithfull humble servt



For Mr Chancellor Watkinson Yorke