Defendant is now serving the Office of an Inquestman to which he was
elected on the same day.

The Case and Opinion herewith left No: state so fully the
Ground and Nature of the Defendts. Claim to the Exemption in Question
that it is not necessary here to repeat them but it is presumed the followg:
legal Determination & Instances of Exemption having been claimed under
various Pretences and disallowed together with the reason will be decisive
against the pretended Claim.

Octr. 1637

Upon Petition at Hampton Court to the King in Council
by the Yeomen Wardens of the Tower complaining that altho' they had
theretofore been freed from all Offices and Services Abroad yet they were
troubled and prest to bear Offices and do Services abroad in the City
to the great hindrance of his Majesty's Service they were humble Suitors
to be relieved. Upon debate thereof and reading a Certificate from the
Lord Mayor of the City of London their Lordships declared That all such
of the Wardens who dwelt or kept open Shops and Trade for their
benefit and Advantage within the City (shou'd however they were freed)
from bearing Offices or doing other Service in Person) find watch &
ward or contribute towards the Charge thereof as other Freemen & Inhabitts.
usually do and from which they ought not to be exempted being as
well for their own goods as the safety of the City.

1665
Vide Siderfin fo. 272

Richard Clarke< no role > being chosen Constable of the Ward of Aldgate
refused to serve as being one of the King's Waiters at the Custom House
and his Plea upon his Writ of Priviledge being found insufficient to excuse
him from being Constable & according to the form of Law Judgment was
given against him and afterwards understanding that he would be again
chosen Constable he agreed to pay a Substitute for executing the Office
for him the Year present.

8 March 1739

It was by the King & Council on a Petition of the City concerng.
John Embree< no role > the Kings Plumber chosen Constable Declared that such
of the Kings Servants as Kept Shops or dwelt in the City (tho' their
Persons are Exempted) should contribute and pay for watching & Warding
and such other Duties as are laid on the Houses.

No. Watching was a personal Duty & performed in Turns by the Inhabitts.