HAMPSHIRE - OLIVER CROMWELL Exemplification of Common Recovery issued under Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector, large initial 'O' decorated in strapwork, date ("Anno-DNi-1657") written vertically within, foliate decoration on initial letters, first line and borders, in English, relating to lands at Tadley, parties named including Henry Pinck, George Wither and Charles Glover, pertaining to land, meadows, pastures, furze and heath, witnessed by Chief Justice Oliver St John, docketed on reverse; bearing fragmentary Second Great Seal of the Commonwealth depicting the House of Commons on obverse, on vellum hanging tab, on one sheet of vellum, ink and crayon, dust-staining, marks and staining, some rubbing to text particularly along folds, heavily discoloured on reverse where folded and exposed, folio (455 x 740mm.), seal c.90mm. diameter, Westminster, 28 November 1657 Our document appears to relate to the Wither family of Hampshire, probably George Wither (1583-1666), of Hall Place, a 'Cursitor Baron' of the Court of Chancery, whose lands, including those at Tadley, passed to his nephew Gilbert upon his death. Also mentioned therein is Henry Pincke of Kempshott Manor whose family married into that of the Withers. George's contemporary and namesake, the poet and pamphleteer George Wither (1588-1667) hailed from the Bentworth branch of the family. For more details see Rev. Reginald F. Bigg-Wither, Materials for a History of the Wither Family, 1907, online.