^{page 99 note a} The date of this document, 1596, is ascertained from the following indorsement:—

“Mr. Poles and others theire petitions, 24 Aprill, '96.

“Yt is ordered by the Lo. Leieuetennte and his deputies that the matter herein conteyned shalbe fourthwith ordered by S^r Thomas Denys Knight, one of the Leiuetennts in East devision, and proceedings in that behalfe to be certelied to the Lo. Leiuetennte with all expedicion.—W. Bathon.”

There are other papers relating to the same matter, appointments of the watch, &c.

^{page 100 note a} Among some of the proceedings following this petition for the fortifying of Seaton were “Depositions taken at Colyton before William Pole and John Drake, Esquiers, Justices of Peace, the xxviijth daie of Aprill, 1596.”

The depositions are those of six different individuals, and relate to the repairs of the fort at Seaton, and to the hundreds on whom the duty fell of repairing and watching the same. Among them: 4. “John Starr, al. Stere, aiged lxij. yeres or therabout, sworne and examyned, saieth, that, about fiftie yeres last past, he saw the trenches cast at Seeton Marshe; and he likewise sawe one Christofer Cotton make shot of the sea stones for the great ordynaunce there, which ordynaunce were then three quarter-slyngs and two bases.