Exract from The Changing Face Of Warminster, by Wilfred Middlebrook, published in 1971:
There are several references to the Sloper family in the 17th century Quarter Sessions records.
For example, in July 1607, it was recorded that a “cooking stoole!’ was needed in the town of Warminster, to be made and maintained by Simon Sloper.
Thirty years later, in 1637, the Jury at Warminster present “that they have neither a cucking stool (ducking stool) nor pillory in Warminster, and that William Sloper must maintain and put them up.”
It seems as though the present century has no monopoly in procrastination, for in 1647 comes: “We present that we have noe stocks in the towne of Warminster in default of William Sloper” (ordered to be provided before August under penalty of 40/-).
In 1650 the presentment to the Jury states “that their church is mightily in decay insomuch that the pishoners (parishioners) are afraid to assemble there,” and in 1669 we find “Simon Sloper Junior presented for not setting up a Pillory and Cookinge Stoole in Warminster.” They must have been a kind-hearted lot, these Slopers of Ash Walk.