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Cheeke, Russell Tipping families: Archer of Tanworth

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[John Roiffey (Roiffy, Roiffee)] (The writer can be identified by his remark that he was given the governor's clothes from his wardrobe, a circumstance which is mentioned in a letter of 17 June 1697 where the recipient is named, and also from other remarks. The spelling of his name is very uncertain.) to [Lord Orford]. Letter. Just before Col. Francis's death everyone forced his way into the chamber, and the writer thought fit to remove some gold and silver objects to the wardrobe for safety. Mr. Langley began to intimate that he knew where the will was to be found in the closet, and that he had been made deputy governor. Early in the morning the Colonel died and Major Garth and Capt. Payne wanted their seals put on the closet until the council was informed, but Langley would only apply his own, which he broke the next morning to enter with Col. Bishop and his wife on pretence of looking for the will. Various things happened and the writer, finding everything in disorder, sent privately to the council, who sent men to seal the closet and set sentries at the door, later removing papers, money, plate etc. It has since been proved that Langley took several things of value, and also some letters from a married gentlewoman for whom the Colonel had a great esteem, which he showed about. Langley was given the administration, and came to Fontabelle where, with Mr. Mozeley and some other company he spent several weeks consuming the provisions which were left. He sent for Mozely's wife, children and servants, and his own servants. Some creditors he turned away, and to others/offered bills of exchange on his own estate or his pay in England, saying that he would keep the governor's estate to improve it by merchandising, to which end he had a ship's master staying and planned to buy a ship and start trading. He began to speak slightingly of the Col., and demanded the money which his securities had taken away or he would not pay the creditors or the servants. The securities presented a petition to the council on account of maladministration, and the servants swore to what they knew had been embezzled, but the administration was not taken from him. Langley and Mozeley suspected the writer of spying and turned him out, Langley saying that he would shoot him if he saw him there, so he came to town with no possessions and petitioned the council for relief, who were sympathetic but unable to help. He then went to sea as surgeon of the Newcastle, having persuaded the housekeeper to remain at Fontabelle to keep watch, and on returning heard that his Lordship had sent a power of attorney to Major Garth and Mr. Fullerton, at whose request he went to Fontabelle until the goods were sold. Langley had not expected such disappointment, having been sure of being continued as administrator, and had said that his lordship was rich enough to give him the estate. Commissioners were appointed to regulate all affairs, and the servants gave evidence before them as to what had been disposed of, though other things could not be sworn to, such as a diamond ring worth about 80 gns. Mr. Langley went to live with Mozeley, the principal promoter of all the irregularities, whose wife left the island with £200 in bills of exchange. The writer has never received a farthing for subsistance, though he was given the governor's clothes. He affirms all this to be true. Mention is also made of Woodraff, Mrs. Moore, Mr. Cocteux. Endorsed `The Freuchomans accompt'.