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i 
* 


FREDERICK  T    >BURY  BEER 


Pepys'  Church  of  St.  Olave,  Hart  Street, 
has  just  received  a  new  organist  in  the  per- 
son of  Mr.  Ernest  G.  White.  He  is  an  old 
friend  to  many  readers  of  the  CITY  PRESS  as 
the  son  of  Deputy  White,  for  so  many  years 
a  representative  of  Walbrodk  in  the  Court 
of  Common  Council,  by  trade  a  brushmaker 
in  Cannon  Street,  and  in  his  moments  of 
leisure  a  student  of  civic  lore.  The  informa- 
tion the  Deputy  thus  acquired  he  worked  up 
afterwards  in  more  or  less  ambitious  volumes. 

His  story  of  Walbrook  is,  perhaps,  the 
most  interesting  of  his  several  works,  but 
there  is  a  fund  of  information  in  his  smaller 
volume  on  "  The  Churches  and  Chapels  of 
the  City  " — to  which  I  invariably  refer  when 
in  need  of  a  fact  concerning  the  chapels— 
and  also  in  another  small  volume  on  "  The 
Royal  Hospitals  of  Bridewell  and  Bethlem." 

His  chief  claim  for  remembrance  rests, 
however,  upon  his  initiation  of  the  scheme 
for  placing  the  records  of  City  parishes  in 
the  Guildhall  Library  (for  safe  custody.  Up 
to  the  time  he  made  the  move,  these  records 
in  many  cases  were  exposed  to  loss  by  theft 
and  fire.  A  few  parishes  kept  them  in  the 
Vestry,  but  in  many  cases  the  volumes 
passed  a  precarious  existence  on  the  office 
shelves  of  the  Vestry  Clerks.  The  wonder 
is  not  that  any  disappeared,  but  that  any 
remained.  The  Deputy  met  with  strong 
opposition  when  he  pioneered  his  project,  but 
it  was  soon  realised  that  he  had  common- 
sense  on  his  side,  and  one  by  one  since  then 
the  parishes  have  fallen  into  line. 


THE        , 

&  CH^TELS 

OF 

OLT> 


WITH 


A  Short  Account 

of  those 
who  have  Ministered  in  them 


J.   G.   WHITE 

Deputy 

91    C'innon  Street 


Xonfcon 

igoi 


"Printed  for  Trivate  Circulation 


XonOon 

C.  E.   GRAY   Printer 
32  Kennington   Park   Road   S.E. 


IDebfcatfon. 


TO    THE    WARDENS,     COURT     OF    ASSISTANTS, 
AND     FREEMEN 


OF     THE 


ancient    jfraternitE 

(Bi'cthernc  and  Sisterne) 

of    St.    Bicbolas, 


OTHERWISE 


ZTbe   Worsbipfnl    Company    of    jparisb   Clerks 

THIS    BOOK    is    RESPECTFULLY    DEDICATED 
BY    THE    AUTHOR, 

JAMES      GEORGE      WHITE 

Parish    Cler[    of    the    United    'Parishes    of    St.  '-:Swithin    and, 
St.    Mary    cBothaw.          •    /.- 


dfcaster  of  tbe  Company,  v&yjL*^   I00t»2. 

Deputy    of  the    Ward  of  Walbroo^. 


CHRISTMAS,  1901. 


preface. 


following  pages  consist  of  two  distinct  and  separate  sections, 
one  relating  to  the  old  Churches  that  existed  in  the  City 
before  the  Fire  of  London,  the  other  relating  to  the  Chapels 
and  Meeting  Houses,  in  number  amounting  to  sixty-five,  that  existed 
in  the  City  during  the  eighteenth  century  and  the  beginning  of  the 
nineteenth. 

The  sites  of  the  old  churches  are  very  plainly  indicated  in  most 
instances  by  little  green  spots,  formerly  church-yards,  now  changed 
into  pleasant  gardens  and  resting  places.  A  very  small  amount  of 
information  can  be  gleaned  as  to  the  architecture,  style,  or  size  of 
these  buildings.  In  most  cases,  no  doubt,  they  were  small  and 
insignificant  structures,  but  sufficiently  large  for  the  congregations 
attending  them.  That  they  were  more  in  number  than  the  circum- 
stances required  is  sufficiently  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  when  the 
City  was  rebuilt  it  was  determined  to  erect  but  half  the  number  that 
previously  existed,  although  there  is  not  much  doubt  that  then,  as 
now,  the  inhabitants  did  not  always  attend  their  own  parish  churches, 
for  we  find  in  the  records  of  the  "  Old  Stepney  Meeting,"  at  that  time 
situate  in  the  small  village  of  "  Stebonhethe,"  that  when  it  was 
formed  in  the  year  1644-45,  it  is  stated  that  among  the  congregation 
worshipping  there  "  we  have  men  of  Stepney  and  others  of  Walbrook 
and  Birchin  Lane  "  attending  the  church. 

With  regard  to  those  who  have  ministered  in  these  old  churches, 
the  same  difficulty  occurs  as  that  in  respect  to  the  buildings.  Infor- 
mation— in  most  cases  of  a  most  meagre  description — can  only  be 
obtained  from  a  large  variety  of  sources,  scattered  here  and  there  in 


VI. 

works  and  histories  relating  to  the  history  of  the  old  City.  The  few 
particulars  here  given — and  I  venture  to  think  for  the  first  time  col- 
lected together — show  in  a  marked  degree  the  various  characteristics 
of  these  good  and  worthy  men,  who,  not  without  many  faults  and 
failings,  worked  boldly  and  fearlessly  in  their  Lord's  vineyard,  in  the 
midst  of  many  trials  and  difficulties,  of  which  we  can  have  no 
conception. 

We  will  commence  our  round  of  the  old  City,  not,  as  in  the  case 
of  the  chapels  and  meeting  houses,  taking  each  district,  but  in  alpha- 
betical order.  By  this  means  any  one  particular  church  can  be  more 
easily  found,  the  aim  and  purpose  of  this  little  work  will  be  served, 
and  the  hope  of  the  author  will  not  be  disappointed  if  a  livelier 
interest  is  awakened  in  those  who  may  read  these  pages,  in  the  inter- 
esting and  unique  buildings  which  still  remain  in  our  midst — the  City 
churches — or,  if  one  kindly  thought  is  given  as  those  most  interesting 
and  sacred  spots  are  passed  in  busy  life,  the  City  churchyards — to 
those  who  lie  at  rest  in  their  quiet  shade,  and  who  no  doubt  have 
worshipped  in  those  holy  temples  of  which  the  following  pages  attempt 
to  give  a  short  account. 

J.   G.  WHITE, 
91,  CANNON  STREET,  E.G.  Deputy. 

1901. 


to   Gburcbes. 


PAGE 

All  Hallows,  Honey  Lane  ...        ...         ...        ...         ...         ...  •      ...  22 

All  Hallows-the-Less           25 

St.  Andrew  Hubbard           27 

St.  Ann,  Blackfriars            29 

St.  Benet  Shereog 35 

St.  Botolph,  Billingsgate    ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  38 

St.  Faith  under  St.  Paul 41 

St.  Gabriel,  Fenchurch       49 

St.  Gregory  by  St.  Paul     50 

Holy  Trinity-the-Less         ...         58 

St.  John-the-Baptist            61 

St.  Tohn-the-Evangelist      65 

St.  John  Zachary     69 

St.  Lawrence  Pountney      ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  75 

St.  Leonard,  Eastcheap      84 

St.  Leonard,  Foster  Lane  ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  90 

St.  Margaret  Moses            ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  93 

St.  Margaret,  New  Fish  Street 97 

St.  Martin  Orgar     104 

St.  Martin  Pomeroy            108 

St.  Martin  Vintry 110 

St.  Mary-at-Axe ...  114 

St.  Mary  Bothaw 116 

St.  Mary  Colechurch           119 

St.  Mary  Magdalene           122 

St.  Mary  Mounthaw           128 

St.  Mary  Staining 129 

St.  Mary  Woolchurch  Hawe         133 

St.  Michael  le  Querne        139 

St.  Nicholas  Aeons 142 

St.  Nicholas  Olave 146 

St.  Olave,  Silver  Street      148 

St.  Pancras,  Soper  Lane 152 

St.  Peter,  Paul's  Wharf     158 

St.  Peter,  Westcheap          159 

St.  Thomas-the-Apostle-and-Martyr         166 


to   Cbapels, 


Aldermanbury           •••  75 

Aldersgate  Street      •••         •••  86 

Armourers'  Hall       ...         ...         ...         •••         •••         •••         •••         •••  97 

Barbican         

Bartholomew  Close •••  85 

Bell  Alley       •••  96 

Bishopsgate •••  44 

Brewers'  Hall           ...  72 

Broken  Wharf           60 

Bury  Street 27 

Camomile  Street       ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         •••  38 

Carter  Lane ...         •••  62 

Coachmakers'  Hall 73 

Coleman  Street        ...  92 

Crosby  Hall 34 

Crutched  Friars        29 

Curriers'  Hall            81 

Cutlers'  Hall ...  57 

Devonshire  Square 38 

Cunning's  Alley        ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...         ...  44 

Dyers'  Hall 56 

Embroiderers'  Hall 74 

Fetter  Lane 64 

Finsbury         97 

Founders'  Hall         91 

Girdlers'  Hall           74 

Glaziers'  Hall            58 

Glovers'  Hall            85 

Gracechurch  Street 17 

Gravel  Lane 31 

Haberdashers'  Hall ...  70 

Hand  Alley 43 

Hare  Court 87 

Helens  Place            35 

Jewin  Street 79 


IX. 

PAGE! 

Jewry  Street 28 

Joyners"  Hall            ...  58 

Loriners'  Hall 84 

Maidenhead  Court    ...         ...         14 

Mark  Lane 25 

Meeting  House  Alley          82 

Miles  Lane 11 

Monkwell  Street       77 

New  Broad  Street 98 

Old  Bailey     63 

Old  Jewry      52 

Paul's  Alley 88 

Paved  Alley 18 

Pewterers'  Hall        17 

Pinners'  Hall            100 

Plasterers'  Hall        73 

Plumbers'  Hall         57 

Poultry            50 

Salisbury  Court         64 

Salters'  Hall 46 

Shoe  Lane ...  63 

Silver  Street 67 

Swan  Alley 95 

Tallow  Chandlers'  Hall      56 

St.  Thomas  Apostle 61 

Three  Cranes 61 

Turners'  Hall            16 

Walbrook        49 

Weigh  House            13 

Woodmongers'  Hall 32 


^*tv*t^>*t^v*t>^ 


V^XL/ 


Cburcbes  ano  Gbapels 


of 


©16  Xonbon; 

a  abort  account  of  tbose  wbo  bave 
mtnistere^  in  tbem. 


1901. 


HE    following   is   a   list  of   all  the  parish  churches  which 
existed  in  the  old  City  before  the  Fire  of  1666,  with  those 
that  have  been  since  erected.     Those  churches  which  do 
not  now  exist  are  printed  in  italics. 

Portsoken  Ward  (8),  St.  Katheiine,  Hoi;/  Trinity,  St.  Botolph  ; 
Tower  Ward  (3),  All  Hallows  Barking,  St.  Olave,  Hart  Street,  St. 
Dunstan-in-the-East ;  Aldgate  Ward  (4),  St.  Catherine  Cree,  St. 
Andrew  Undershaft,  St.  Catherine  Coleman,  St.  James,  Dukes  Place  ; 
Bishopsgate  Ward  (4),  St.  Botolph,  St.  Helen,  St.  Ethelburga,  All 
-Saints  ;  Broad  Street  Ward  (6),  All  Hallows,  London  Wall ;  St.  Peter- 
le-Poor,  St.  Martin  Outmch,  St.  Benet  Fink,  St.  Bartholomew,  St. 
Christopher -le-Stock$ ;  Cornhill  Ward  (2),  St.  Peter,  St.  Michael ; 
Langbourne  Ward  (7),  St.  Gabriel  Fenchurch,  St.  Dionis,  All  Hallows, 
Lombard  Street,  St.  Edmund-the-King,  St.  Mary  Woolnoth,  St.  Nicholas 
Aeons,  All  Hallou-s  Staining ;  Billingsgate  Ward  (4),  St.  Botolph,  St. 


-. 


Mary-at-Hill,  St.  Andrew  Hubbard,  St.  George,  Botolph  Lane ;  Bridge 
Ward  (4),  St.  Magnus,  St.  Margaret,  Old  Fish  Street,  St.  Leonard,  Eaxt- 
cheaj),  St.  Benet,  Gracechiirch ;  Candlewick  Ward  (5),  St.  Clement, 
Eastcheap,  St.  Mary  Abchurch,  St.  Michael,  Crooked  Lane,  St.  Martin 
Orgar,St.  Lawrence  Pountney ;  Walbrook  Ward  (5),  St.  Swithin,  London 
Stone,  St.  Mary  Woolchitrch  Hair,  St.  Stephen,  Walbrook,  St.  John- 
the-Baptist,  St.  Mary  Botha  w ;  Dowgate  Ward  (2),  All  Hallowx-the- 
Great,  All  Hallows-the-Lesx ;  Vintry  Ward  (4),  St.  Michael  Royal,  St. 
Martin  Vintry,  St.  Thomas-tJie- Apostle,  St.  James,  Garlickhithe  ;  Cord- 
wainers'  Ward  (3),  St.  Antholin,  St.  Mary  Aldermary,  St.  Mary-le- 
Bow ;  Cheap  Ward  (7),  St.  Benet  Shereog,  St.  Pancras,  St.  Mildred, 
Poultry,  St.  Mary  Colechnrch,  All  H allows,  Honey  Lane,  St.  Lawrence, 
Jewry,  St.  Martin  Ponieroy;  Coleman  Street  Ward  (8),  St.  Glare,  Jewry, 
St.  Margaret,  Lothbury,  St.  Stephen,  Coleman  Street ;  Bassisshaw 
Ward  (1)  St.  Michael  Baxsisshair  ;  Cripplegate  Ward  (7),  St.  Michael, 
Wood  Street,  St.  Giles,  St.  Alban,  St.  Mary  Aldermanbury,  St. 
Alphege,  St.  Mary  Magdalene,  St.  Bartholomew  ;  Aldersgate  Ward  (6), 
St.  Mary  'Staining,  St^  John  Zachary,  St.  Ola  re,  Silver  Street,  St. 
Leonard  Foster,  St.  Ann  Agnes,  St.  Botolph,  Aldersgate. 

Farringdon  Within  (10),  St.  Ann,  Blackfrians,  St.  Paul's  Cathedral, 
St.  Peter,  Wextcheap,  St.  Vedast,  Christ  Church,  St.  Augustine,  St. 
Matthew,  Friday  Street,  St.  Michael-le-Qnerne,  St.  Faith,  St.  Martin, 
Ludgate ;  Bread  Street  Ward  (4),  All  Hallows,  Bread  Street,  St. 
Mildred,  St.  John-the-Evangelist,  St.  Margaret  Moses ;  Queenhithe 
Ward  (7),  Holy  Trinity,  St.  Nicholas,  Cole  Abbey,  St.  Nicholas  Olave, 
St.  Mary  Somerset,  St.  Mary,  Monnthaw,  St.  Peter,  Paul's  Wharf, 
St.  Michael,  Queenhithe;  Castle  Baynard  Ward  (4),  St.  Gregory, 
St.  Benet,  Paul's  Wharf,  St.  Mary  Magdalene,  St.  Andrew-by-the- 
Wardrobe. 

Farringdon  Without  (8),  St.  Sepulchre,  S.  Andrew,  Holborn, 
St.  Dunstan-in-the-West,  St.  Bartholomew-the- Great,  St.  Bar- 
tholomew-the-Less,  St.  Bride,  The  Temple,  Holy  Trinity,  Gough 
Square. 

Total  number  of  churches  118 ;  now  standing  58  ;  destroyed  60. 

In  addition  to  these  there  were  in  old  London  thirteen  greater 
conventual  churches.  The  old  chronicler,  Fitz  Stephen,  makes  this 
remark :  "  I  do  not  think  there  is  a  city  in  the  world  that  has  more 
praiseworthy  customs  in  the  frequenting  church,  respecting  services, 


8 

keeping  feast  days,  giving  alms,  betrothing,  marrying,  burying 
religiously." 

The  list  of  rectors  of  these  churches  is  not  given  in  a  complete 
form  in  these  pages,  the  changes  being  so  numerous  that  to  give  them 
all  would  have  increased  the  size  of  the  work  too  much.  Those  names 
are  principally  given  concerning  whom  a  few  particulars  can  be  gleaned, 
or  who  remained  longest  in  their  cures,  this  information  being  taken 
from  the  "  Novum  Repertorium  Ecclesiasticum  Parochiale  Londinense," 
by  the  Eev.  Geo.  Hennessy. 

In  the  Guildhall  Library  there  is  a  pamphlet  with  the  following 
title  and  contents : 

"  A  General  Bill  of  the  Mortality  of  the  Clergy  of  London  in  a 
Brief  Martyrology  and  Catalogue  of  the  Learned,  Grave  and  Painfull 
Ministers  of  the  City  of  London,  who  have  been  Imprisoned,  Plun- 
dered, and  Barbarously  Used,  and  deprived  of  all  livelihood  for  them- 
selves and  their  Families  in  the  late  Kebellion,  for  their  Constancy  in 
the  Protestant  Eeligion  established  in  this  Kingdom,  and  their  Loyalty 
to  their  King  under  that  grand  Persecution  by  the  Presbyterians. 

"  London :  Printed  against  St.  Bartholomew's,  December, 
1662. 

"  A  General  Bill  of  the  Mortality  of  the  Clergy  of  London,"  &c. 

The  Cathedral  Church  of  St.  Paul's — the  Dean,  Residentiaries,  and 
other  members  of  the  Church  sequestered,  plundered  and  turn'd  out. 

St.  All  Hallows,  Wood  Street. — Dr.  Watts  sequestered,  plundered, 
his  wife  and  children  turned  out  of  doors,  and  himself  forced  to  fly. 

St.  All  Hallows  Barking. — Dr.  Lafield  pursuyvanted,  imprison'd 
in  Ely  House  and  the  ships,  sequestered,  and  plundered,  afterwards 
forc'd  to  fly. 

St.  All  Hallows,  Lombard  Street. — Mr.  Weston  sequestered. 

St.  Alphege. — Dr.  Halse  shamefully  abused,  his  cap  pulled  off 
to  see  if  he  were  not  a  shaven  priest,  voted  out,  and  died  with  grief. 

St.  Andrew  Hubbard. — Dr.  Chambers  sequestered. 

St.  Andrew  Undershaft. — Mr.  Mason,  through  vexation,  forced 
to  resign.  Mr.  Pritchard,  after  that,  sequestered. 

St.  Andrew,  Wardrobe. — Dr.  Jackson  sequestered. 

St.  Anne,  Aldersgate. — Dr.  Clewel  sequestered. 

St.  Austin. — Mr.  Udall  sequestered ;  his  bed-rid  wife  turned  out 
of  doors,  and  left  in  the  street. 


St.  Bartholomew,  Exchange. — Dr.  Grant  sequestered. 

St.  Bennet  Fink.- — Mr.  Warfield  sequestered. 

St.  Bennet  Gracechurch. — Mr.  Quelsh  sequestered. 

St.  Bennet,  Paul's  Wharfe. — Mr.  Adams  sequestered. 

St.  Bennet  Shereog. — Mr.  Morgan  died  with  grief. 

St.  Botolph,  Billingsgate. — Mr.  King  sequestered  and  forc'd  to 

fly. 

Christ  Church. — Mr.  Finch  turn'd  out  and  died. 

St.  Christopher. — Mr.  Hantlow  forc'd  to  resign. 

St.  Clement,  Eastcheap. — Mr.  Stone  shamefully  abused,  seques- 
tered, sent  prisoner  to  Plimouth,  and  plundered. 

St.  Dionys  Back  church. — Mr.  Hume  sequestered  and  abused. 

St.  Dunstan's,  East. — Mr.  Childerly  reviled,  abused,  and  died. 

St.  Edmonds,  Lombard  Street. — Mr.  Paget  molested,  silenced, 
and  died. 

St.  Ethelborough. — Mr.  Clark  sequestered,  imprisoned. 

St.  Faith's. — Dr.  Brown  sequestered  and  died. 

St.  Foster's. — Mr.  Batty  sequestered,  plundered,  forc'd  to  fly,  and 
died. 

St.  Gabriell,  Fenchurch. — Mr.  Cook  sequestered. 

St.  George,  Botolph  Lane,  St.  Gregorie's  by  St.  Paul. — Dr.  Styles 
forc'd  to  resign. 

St.  Hellen. — Mr.  Milward  turn'd  out  and  died. 

St.  James,  Duke's  Place. — Mr.  sequestered. 

St.  James,  Garlickhythe. — Mr.  Freeman  plundered  and  sequestered ; 
Mr.  Anthony,  his  curate,  turn'd  out. 

St.  John  Baptist. — Mr.  Wemys  sequestered. 

St.  John  Zachary. — Mr.  Collins  sequestered,  forc'd  to  fly,  and 
plundered. 

St.  Catharine  Coleman. — Dr.  Hill  forc'd  to  resign  ;  Mr.  Kilbute 
sequestered. 

St.  Catharine,  Cree  Church. — Mr.  Eees  turn'd  out. 

St.  Lawrence,  Jewry. — Mr.  Crane  sequestered. 

St.  Leonard,  Eastcheap. — Mr.  Calse  forc'd  to  give  up  to  Roborrow, 
Scribe  to  the  Assembly. 

St.  Leonard,  Foster  Lane. — Mr.  Ward  forc'd  to  fly,  plundered, 
sequestered,  and  died  for  want  of  necessaries. 

St.  Margaret,  Lothbury. — Mr.  Tabor  plundered,  imprisoned  in  the 


5 

King's  Bench,  his  wife  and  children  sent  out  of  doors  at  midnight, 
and  he  sequestered. 

St.  Mary  Aldermary. — Mr.  Brown  forc'd  to  forsake  it. 

St.  Mary-le-Bow. — Mr.  Finch  sequestered  and  died  with  grief. 

St.  Mary  Bothaw. — Mr.  Proctor  forc'd  to  fly  and  sequestered. 

St.  Mary  Hill. — Dr.  Barker  sequestered,  pursuyvanted,  and 
imprisoned ;  Mr.  Woodcock  turned  out  and  forced  to  fly. 

St.  Mary,  Mounthaw. — Mr.  Thrall  sequestered  and  shamefully 
abused. 

St.  Mary  Somerset. — Mr.  Cook  sequestered. 

St.  Mary  Woolchurch. — Mr.  Tireman  forc'd  to  forsake  it. 

St.  Mary  Woolnoth. — Mr.  Towne  molested  and  vex'd  to  death, 
and  denyed  a  funeral  sermon  to  be  preached  by  Mr.  Holdsworth,  as  he 
desired. 

St.  Martin,  Ironmonger  Lane. — Mr.  Sparks  sequestered  and 
plundered. 

St.  Martin,  Ludgate. — Dr.  Jermin  sequestered. 

St.  Martin  Orgars. — Dr.  Walton  assaulted,  sequestered,  plundered, 
forc'd  to  fly ;  Mr.  Morse,  his  curate,  turn'd  out. 

St.  Martin  Outwich. — Dr.  Peirce  sequestered  and  died. 

St.  Martin  Vintry. — Dr.  Eyves  sequestered,  plundered,  and  forc'd 
to  fly. 

St.  Matthew,  Friday  Street. — Mr.  Chaplin  violently  assaulted  in 
his  house,  imprisoned  in  the  Compter,  then  sent  to  Colchester  Gaol, 
Essex,  sequestered  and  plundered. 

St.  Maudlin,  Milk  Street. — Mr.  Jones  sequestered. 

St.  Maudlin,  Old  Fish  Street. — Dr.  Griffiths  sequestered,  plundered, 
and  imprisoned  in  Newgate,  when  being  let  out  he  was  forc'd  to  fly, 
and  since  imprisoned  again  in  Peterhouse. 

St.  Michael,  Bassishaw. — Dr.  Griflin  sequestered. 

St.  Michael,  Cornhill. — Dr.  Brough  sequestered  and  plundered ; 
wife  and  children  turned  out  of  doors  ;  his  wife  died  with  grief;  Mr. 
Wild,  his  curate,  assaulted,  beaten  in  the  church,  and  turned  out. 

St.  Michael,  Queenhithe. — Mr.  Hill  sequestered. 

St.  Michael  Querne. — Mr.  Lawrence  sequestered. 

St.  Michael  Royall. — Mr.  Procter  sequestered  and  forc'd  to  fly. 

St.  Mildred,  Bread  Street. — Mr.  Bradshaw  sequestered. 


St.  Mildred,  Poultry. — Mr.  Maden  sequestered  and  gone  beyond 
sea. 

St.  Nicholas  Aeons. — Mr.  Bennett  sequestered. 

St.  Nicholas  at  Cole  Abbey. — Mr.  Whitald  sequestered. 

St.  Nicholas  Olaves. — Dr.  Cheshire  molested  and  forc'd  to  resign. 

St.  Olave's,  Hart  Street. — Mr.  Haines  sequestered. 

St.  Olave's,  Jewry. — Mr.  Tuke  sequestered,  plundered,  and  im- 
prisoned. 

St.  Olave's,  Silver  Street. — Dr.  Boone  abused  and  died  with  grief. 

St.  Pancrasse,  Soper  Lane. — Mr.  Ecop  sequestered,  plundered,  and 
forced  to  fly  ;  wife  and  children  turn'd  out  of  doors. 

St.  Peter,  Cheapside. — Mr.  Yochins  sequestered  and  died  with 
grief. 

St.  Peter,  Cornhill. — Dr.  Fairfax,  sequestered,  plundered,  and  im- 
prisoned in  Ely  House  and  the  ships  ;  his  wife  and  children  turn'd 
out  of  doors. 

St.  Peter's,  Paul's  Wharf. — Mr.  Marbury  sequestered. 

St.  Peter's  Poor. — Dr.  Holdsworth  sequestered,  plundered,  im- 
prisoned in  Ely  House,  then  in  the  Tower. 

St.  Stephen,  Walbrook. — Dr.  Howell,  through  vexation,  forc'd  to  fly. 

St.  Swithin. — Mr.  Owen  sequestered. 

St.  Thomas  Apostle. — Mr.  Cooper  sequestered,  plundered,  and  sent 
prisoner  to  Leeds  Castle,  in  Kent,  and  died  with  grief. 

Trinity  Parish. — Mr.  Harrison  sequestered. 

In  the  ninety-seven  parishes  within  the  walls,  besides  St.  Paul's : 
ousted,  85  ;  died  16." 

The  following  is  a  List  of  "  Ministers  of  the  Gospell  "  who  signed 
"  A  serious  and  faithfull  Representation  of  the  Judgement  within  the 
Province  of  London,  contained  in  a  letter  from  them  to  the  Generall 
and  the  Councill  of  War,  January  18th,  1648." 

"  George  Walker,  Pastor  of  John  Evangelist ;  Henry  Bobrough, 
Pastor  of  Leonard,  Eastcheap  ;  Nicholas  Profit,  Member  of  the  Ward 
at  Foster's ;  Thomas  Case,  Minister  of  Maudlin,  Milk  Street ;  James 
Walton,  Pastor  of  Leonard,  Foster  Lane  ;  Matthew  Haviland,  Minister 
of  Trinity ;  Francis  Peck,  Pastor  of  Nicholas  Aeons ;  William 
Withkins,  Pastor  of  Andrew  Hubbard ;  Nathaniel  Staniforth,  Minister 
of  Mary  Bothaw  :  Thomas  Whately,  Pastor  of  Mary  Woolchurch  ;  Ben 
Needier,  Pastor  of  Margaret  Moses." 


With  regard  to  the  various  and,  in  many  cases,  singular  additions 
to  the  names  of  City  churches,  there  can  be  no  doubt,  as  a  writer 
well  observes,  that  "  a  large  number  of  them  were  built  like  Orgar's 
and  Sherehog's  about  the  same  period  by  the  lords  of  manors,  sokes 
or  wards  within  the  City."  Such  names  as  St.  Benet  Fink,  St. 
Nicholas  Aeons,  St.  Andrew  Hubbard,  St.  Lawrence  Pountney,  St. 
Catharine  Coleman,  St.  Margaret  Moses,  St.  Mary  Mounthaw,  St. 
Mary  Somerset,  and  St.  Nicholas  Olave,  all  evidently  point  to  the 
foundations  of  private  benefactors,  and  there  are  many  instances  in 
the  following  pages  where  these  founders  are  well-known  historical 
characters.  In  some  cases,  as  is  shewn  by  the  records,  the  founders 
themselves  were  the  first  incumbents,  and  left  endowments  to  their 
sons. 

Mr.  Green,  writing  in  his  history,  as  to  the  groups  of  churches 
in  the  City,  says :  "It  is  to  Erkenwald  and  his  immediate  successors 
that  we  must  attribute  the  little  ring  of  churches  and  parishes  such 
as  St.  Augustin,  St.  Faith,  St.  Benet,  St.  Gregory,  St.  Martin,  which 
show  a  growth  of  population  round  the  precincts  of  the  minster." 

For  the  same  reason,  no  doubt,  the  influence  of  the  Port  of 
Billingsgate  must  have  had  the  effect  of  more  thickly  peopling  that 
part  of  the  City,  and  no  doubt  accounts  for  the  group  of  churches 
which  once  stood  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood — St.  Botolph,  St. 
George,  St.  Andrew,  St.  Magnus,  St.  Mary  Magdalene ;  whereas, 
going  further  eastward,  as  Mr.  Green  observes,  "  the  bulk  of  the  area 
is  divided  between  the  parishes  of  St.  Dunstan,  St.  Olave,  and  All 
Hallows  Barking." 

In  1642,  the  title  of  "  Saint "  in  the  weekly  Bills  of  Mortality 
"  was  commanded  by  the  authority  then  prevailing  to  be  expunged  for 
the  future.  The  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  the  Holy  Apostles,  nay  (and 
our  Saviour  Himself  nor  the  Holy  Trinity  spared),  whom  no  Christian 
dare  deny  to  be  Holy  Saints  in  Heaven,  so  were  they  unhallowed  and 
unsainted.  This  divorcing  of  the  parishes  from  their  Saints  in  the 
said  Bills  continued  until  the  year  1660,  when  at  the  Eestoration  of 
Charles  the  II.  they  were  again  restored,  and  so  it  hath  continued  " 
(Seymour's,  London?) 

The  system  of  "  Chantries  "  will  appear  so  often  in  these  pages 
that  it  will  be  well  to  give  a  short  explanation  of  these  institutions, 
which  evidently  occupied  so  important  a  place  in  connection  with 


8 

the  Churches  of  the  old  City.  This  explanation  cannot  be  better 
given  than  by  a  short  extract  on  the  subject  from  "Blunt's  History 
of  the  Reformation." 

He  says:   "By   piteous  pleas,  the  charity  of  the  living  for  the 

dead  was  excited,  and  men  and  women  of  all  degrees  paid  money  to 

the    clergy  for   'praying    the   souls'    of   their    deceased    friends    or 

relatives  out  of  Purgatory  as  regularly  as   they  paid  the  sexton  for 

the    burial    of    their    bodies.       The   intercession    thus    bought    was 

offered  by  means  of  the  Holy  Eucharist,  or  Mass,  which  had  of  course 

from  the  most  primitive  times  been  considered  to  benefit,  though  in 

some   unknown   way,  the   living   as  well   as   the   dead.      The   Holy 

Eucharist  thus  came  to  be  celebrated  as  a  sacrifice  for  the  benefit  of 

the  souls  in  Purgatory  more  frequently  than  as  the  thanksgiving  sacrifice 

and  Communion  of  the  church  militant.     An  order  of  clergy  arose 

whose  sole  work  was  that  of    offering    it  up  with  this  object,  and 

'  chantries '  were  added  to  churches  or  enclosed  by  screens  within  them 

for  the  erection  of  altars  at  which  these '  chantry  priests '  might  officiate." 

At  this  early  period,  when  the  means  of  acquiring  knowledge  were 

so  scanty,  and  books  so  few  and  precious,  we  gather  now  and  then  a 

little  insight  into  the  pains  that  were  taken  by  those  who  possessed 

them  that  every  care  should  be  taken  for  their  preservation.     In  Dr. 

Sharpe's  Calendar  of  Wills,  an  interesting  will  is  given  of  the  Rector 

of    "  St.  Dunstan-toward-the-Tower "   (John    de    Kenyngton),  dated 

1374,  who,  among  other  bequests,  leaves  a  precious  book,  one  evidently 

which  he  highly  prized.     The  words  are  these  :  "  To  S.  Paul's  Church 

he  leaves  his  book  called  Catholicon  (Dr.  Sharpe  explains  this  as  the 

Eastern  name  for  the  collected  Epistles)  to  be  preserved  in  a  case 

where  most  convenient,  with  a  notice  in  large  characters  upon  the 

same,  requesting  any  one  reading  the  book  for  the  purpose  of  study  to 

devoutly  repeat  some  prayer  for  the  benefit  of  the  souls  of  John  de 

Kenyngton  and  John  de  Brampton,  clerks,  and  their  benefactors.     And 

whereas  he  had  entered  into  a  covenant  to  leave  the  said  book  to  the 

college  of  priests  in  St.  Paul's,  under  penalty  of  sixty  shillings,  he 

desires  that  the  said  sum  be  paid  to  the  college  in  satisfaction,  and 

that  the  book  be  placed  in  the  said  church  as  aforesaid  for  public  use  "  ; 

also  William  Kyng  (Draper)  leaves  to  the  Rector  and  Parishioners 

of  St.  James  de  Garlikhithe  his  book  called  'le  Bible, 'which  he  wishes 

placed  for  use  in  the  said  church,  and  to  be  fastened  with  chains  like 


9 

the  book  before  the  Image  of  St.  Mary  in  St.  Paul's,  to  prevent  their 
removal." 

George  Bancroft,  a  clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England,  writing 
in  1548,  speaks  in  bitter  terms  of  the  "  Popish  Mass."  He  says  that 
he  has  "for  the  edifying  of  his  dear  brethren  in  Christ,  and  for  the 
prevention  of  their  deception  by  crafty  connivance,  translated  into  the 
English  tongue  '  Responsio  Predicatorium  EasUensium  Indiapensorium 
recttc  Adminixtrationis  Catiiw:  Dominica1.'  The  preface  is  dedicated  to 
the  right  worshipful  and  his  '  singular  good  master,  Silvester  Butler,' 
and  wishes  him  '  prosperitye  and  healthe  both  of  bodye  and  soule.' 
The  book  speaks  of  the  Church  of  Koine  as  '  devilles  apes,'  '  beastly 
bishops  of  Babylon,'  and  '  maskynge  masse  priestes.'  "  The  title  of  the 
book  is  "  The  Answer  that  the  Preacher  of  the  Gospel  at  Basile  made 
for  the  defence  of  the  true  administration  and  use  of  the  Holy  Supper 
of  our  Lord  Agaynst  the  abhomination  of  the  popishe  Masse."  1548. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  that  at  this  period  the  state  of  affairs  in 
the  Church  was  at  a  very  low  ebb. 

Bishop  Jewell,  writing  to  a  friend  on  a  visitation  he  made  to  the 
Southern  Province  1559,  says: — "We  found  everywhere  the  people 
sufficiently  well  disposed  towards  religion,  and  even  in  those  parts 
where  we  expected  most  difficulty.  It  is,  however,  hardly  credible 
what  a  harvest  or  rather  what  a  wilderness  of  superstition  had  sprung 
up  in  the  darkness  of  the  Marian  times.  We  found  in  all  places  votive 
relics  of  saints,  nails  with  which  the  infatuated  people  dreamed  that 
Christ  had  been  pierced,  and  I  know  not  what  small  fragments  of  the 
Cross.  The  number  of  witches  and  sorceresses  had  everywhere  become 
numerous.  The  cathedral  churches  were  nothing  else  but  dens  of 
thieves  or  worse,  if  anything  worse  or  more  foul  can  be  mentioned." 

Archbishop  Parker,  in  a  paper  which  he  laid  before  Queen 
Elizabeth  in  1562,  draws  her  attention  to  various  irregularities  in  the 
Church  with  which  he  required  power  to  deal.  He  says :  "  Some 
perform  the  divine  service  in  the  chancel,  some  in  the  body  of  the 
church,  some  in  a  seat,  some  in  a  pulpit,  with  their  faces  to  the  people, 
some  keep  to  the  order  of  the  book,  some  intermix  psalms  in  metre, 
some  say  in  a  surplice,  some  without  one.  The  form  and  situation  of 
the  communion  table  was  a  frequent  scandal.  In  some  places  the 
table  stands  in  the  body  of  the  church,  in  some  places  it  stands  altar- 
wise  ;  in  others  in  the  middle  of  the  chancel,  placed  north  and  south ; 


10 

in  some  places  the  table  is  joined  ;  in  others  it  stands  upon  tressells, 
sometimes  covered  with  a  cloth  ;  in  others  a  naked  board.  The 
Administration  of  the  Lord's  supper  was  no  less  irregular.  Some 
administer  the  communion  with  surplice  and  cap,  some  with  surplice 
alone,  others  with  none  ;  some  with  unleavened  bread  and  some  with 
leavened  bread ;  some  receive  kneeling,  others  standing,  others  sitting. 
Baptism  was  variously  administered.  Some  baptise  in  a  font,  some  in 
a  bason  ;  some  sign  with  the  sign  of  the  cross,  others  sign  not ;  some 
minister  in  a  surplice,  others  without ;  some  with  a  square  cap,  some 
with  a  round  cap,  some  with  a  button  cap,  some  with  a  hat,  some  in 
scholars'  clothes,  some  in  others." 

In  another  place  the  good  Bishop  writes  as  to  the  sad  state  of 
affairs  in  the  Church  at  this  time  :  "  The  masters  of  the  work  build 
benefice  upon  benefice,  and  deanery  upon  deanery,  as  though  none 
were  yet  in  England.  The  poor  flock  is  given  over  to  the  wolf ;  the 
poor  crie  out  daily  for  bread — the  bread  of  life,  and  there  is  no  man 
to  break  it  for  them.  The  noblemen  and  gentlemen,  patrons  of 
benifices,  give  their  presentations  either  to  the  farmers  themselves 
or  else  with  exemptions  of  their  own  tithe,  or  with  some  other  con- 
dition that  is  worse  than  this.  The  poor  minister  must  keep  his 
house,  buy  his  books,  relieve  the  poor,  and  live  God  knows  how." 

In  the  "  Life  of  Bishop  Aylmer,"  by  John  Strype,  we  gather  the 
worthy  Bishop's  opinions  as  to  the  Puritan.  Strype  says :  "  In  the 
year  1577,  the  Bishop  met  with  several  persons  of  a  contrary  way  to 
Papists,  of  whom  he  informed  the  Lord  Treasurer  that,  in  respect  of 
their  hindering  unity  and  quietness,  they  were  not  much  less  hurtful 
than  they,  namely  :  Chark,  Chapman,  Field  and  Wilens.  These  he 
had  before  him ;  the  two  former  he  had  some  hopes  of,  but  the  two 
latter  showed  themselves  obstuiate,  and  especially  Field,  who,  notwith- 
standing the  Bishop's  inhibition  had  entered  into  great  houses  and 
taught,  as  he  said,  God  knows  what.  His  advice  concerning  these 
men  was  that  they  might  be  profitably  employed  in  Lancashire, 
Staffordshire,  Shropshire,  and  such  other  like  barbarous  countrys  to1 
draw  the  people  from  Papism  and  gross  ignorance." 

Bushworth,  in  his  "  Historical  Collections,"  gives  some 
"  Directions  concerning  Preachers,"  which  were  issued  by  the  King  in 
1622,  of  which  the  following  is  an  extract :  "  That  no  parson,  vicar, 

*  "  Life  of  Archbishop  Parker." — STRYPE. 


11 

curate,  or  lecturer  shall  preach  any  sermon  or  collation  hereafter  upon 
Sundays  or  Hollidays  in  the  afternoon  in  any  cathedral  or  parish 
church  throughout  the  kingdom,  but  upon  some  part  of  the  catechism, 
or  some  text  taken  out  of  the  Creed,  Ten  Commandments,  or  the 
Lord's  Prayer  (funeral  sermons  only  excepted),  and  that  those 
preachers  be  most  approved  of  who  spend  the  afternoon  exercise  in  the 
examination  of  children  in  their  Catechism,  which  is  the  most  ancient 
and  laudable  custom  of  teaching  in  the  Church  of  England. 

"  That  no  preacher  of  what  title  or  denomination  whatever,  under 
the  degree  of  Bishop  or  Dean  at  least,  do  from  henceforth  presume  to 
preach  in  any  popular  auditory  the  deep  points  of  predestination, 
election,  reprobation,  or  of  the  universality,  efficacy,  resistibility,  or 
irresistibility  of  God's  grace,  but  leave  these  themes  rather  to  be 
handled  by  the  learned  men,  and  moderately  and  modestly  by  way  of 
use  and  application,  rather  than  by  way  of  pointed  doctrine  being 
fitter  for  the  schools  than  for  simple  auditories." 

The  following  is  an  Ordinance  issued  by  the  Lord  Mayor  in  1629, 
"  for  reforming  abuses  on  the  Sabbath  day." 

"  Whereas,  I  am  credibly  informed  that,  notwithstanding  good 
laws  provided  for  the  keeping  of  the  Sabbath  day  according  to  the 
express  command  of  Almighty  God,  divers  inhabitants  and  other 
persons  of  this  City  and  other  places,  having  no  respect  of  duty 
towards  God  and  His  Majesty  or  his  laws,  but  in  contempt  of  them  all 
do  commonly  and  of  custom  greatly  prophane  the  Sabbath  day  in 
buying,  selling,  letting,  and  vending  their  wares  and  commodities  upon 
that  day  for  their  private  gain.  All  inn-holders  suffering  markets  to 
be  kept  by  carriers  in  most  rude  and  prophane  manner,  or  selling 
victuals  to  hucksters,  chandlers,  or  other  comers;  also  carriers,  carmen, 
clothworkers,  water-bearers,  or  porters,  carrying  of  burdens,  and 
watermen  plying  their  fares,  and  divers  others  working  in  their  calling ; 
and  likewise  I  am  further  informed  that  vintners,  ale-house  keepers, 
tobacco  and  strong  water  dealers  greatly  prophane  the  Sabbath  day  by 
suffering  company  to  sit  drinking,  bibbing  in  their  houses  on  that  day, 
and  likewise  divers  by  cursing  and  swearing  and  such  like  behaviour, 
contrary  to  the  express  Commandment  of  Almighty  God,  His 
Majesty's  laws  in  that  behalf,  and  all  good  government.  For  the 
reformation  thereof  I  do  hereby  require,  and  in  His  Majesty's  name 
strictly  command  all  His  Majesty's  living  subjects  whatever,  and  also 


12 

all  constables,  headboroughs,  beadles,  and  all  other  officers  whatsoever, 
to  be  aiding  and  assisting  the  bearer  hereof  in  finding  out  and  appre- 
hending all  and  every  such  person  or  persons  as  shall  be  found  to 
offend  in  any  of  these  kinds,  and  then  to  bring  before  me  or  some 
other  of  His  Majesty's  justices  to  answer  for  all  such  matters  as  shall 
be  brought  against  them,  and  to  answer  for  their  good  behaviour. 

"  EICHARD  DEANK,  Mayor." 

The  poet  Milton,  writing  about  1680,  has  left  us  the  following 
scathing  lines  on  the  Arminian  clergy,  who  were  at  this  period 
beginning  to  assert  their  opinions  : 

"  .     .     .     .     Such  as  for  their  bellies'  sake 
Creep  and  intrude  and  climb  into  the  fold ; 
Of  other  care  they  little  reckoning  make 
Than  how  to  scramble  at  the  shearer's  feast, 
And  shove  away  the  worthy  bidden  guest. 
Blind  mouths  that  scarce  themselves  know  how  to  tell 
A  sheep  hook,  or  have  learnt  aught  the  least 
That  to  the  faithful  herdsman's  art  belongs." 

In  1638,  complaints  were  made  to  the  Chief  Justices  as  to 
"  Revels,"  "  Church-Ales,"  &c.  Dr.  Prince,  Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells, 
gives  an  account  of  them  and  the  great  good  which  in  his  opinion  they 
did  by  promoting  benevolence  and  good  feeling.  "  After  church  the 
people  went  to  their  sports  and  pastimes  in  the  church  yard,  or  in 
some  other  public  house,  where  they  made  money.  Under  the  in- 
fluence of  beer  their  liberality  expanded  and  they  collected  money  for 
such  objects  as  re-casting  the  church  bells,  called  '  church-ales ' ; 
mauling  the  parish  clerk,  called  « clerk-ales '  ;  setting  up  a  poor 
parishioner,  called  a  '  bid-ale.'  " 

On  the  23rd  June,  1640,  the  House  of  Commons  ordered  that 
"  Commissions  be  sent  into  all  counties  for  the  defacing,  demolition, 
and  quite  taking  away  of  all  images,  altars,  or  tables  turned  altarwise, 
crucifixes,  superstitious  pictures,  monuments,  and  relics  of  idolatry  out 
of  all  churches  or  chapels." 

Hall,  Bishop  of  Norwich,  1644,  gives  a  most  graphic  account  of 
the  scene  in  his  cathedral  at  this  time.  He  says  :  "  It  is  no  other 
than  tragical  to  relate  the  carnage  of  that  furious  sacrilege,  whereof 
our  eyes  and  ears  are  the  sad  witnesses.  Lord  !  What  work  is  here ! 


13 

What  clattering  of  glass  !  What  tearing  down  of  walls  !  What  tearing 
up  of  monuments !  What  pulling  down  of  seats  !  What  twisting  out 
of  irons  and  bars  from  the  windows  and  graves !  What  defacing  of 
arms !  What  demolition  of  curious  stone  work  that  had  not  any 
reputation  in  the  world,  hut  only  of  the  cast  of  the  founder  and  skill 
of  the  mason  !  What  tooting  and  piping  upon  the  destroyed  organ 
pipes  !  And  what  a  hideous  triumph  on  the  market  day  before  all  the 
county,  when,  in  a  kind  of  sacrilegious  and  profane  procession,  all  the 
organ  pipes,  vestments,  both  copes  and  surplices,  together  with  the 
leaden  cross,  had  been  newly  sawn  down  from  over  the  greenyard 
Pulpit,  and  the  service  books,  and  the  singing  books  that  could  be 
had  were  carried  to  the  fire  in  the  market  place. * 

In  connection  with  this  part  of  our  subject  we  have  "  The  Journal 
of  William  Dowsing,  of  Stratford,  Parliamentary  Visitor,  appointed 
under  a  warrant  from  the  Earl  of  Manchester  for  demolishing  the 
Superstitious  Pictures  and  Ornaments  in  Churches  within  the  County 
of  Suffolk,  1643-44,"  first  printed  in  1786.  The  following  is  a  copy 
of  the  warrant: — "A  Commission  from  the  Earl  of  Manchester. 
Whereas,  by  an  Ordinance  of  the  Lords  and  Commons  assembled  in 
Parliament  bearing  date  the  28th  day  of  August  last,  it  is  amongst 
other  things  ordained  that  all  crucifixes,  crosses,  and  all  images  of  any 
one  or  more  persons  of  the  Trinity  or  Virgin  Mary,  and  all  other 
images  and  pictures  of  Saints  and  superstitious  inscriptions  in  or  upon 
all  and  every  the  said  churches  or  chapels,  or  other  places  of  public 
prayer  belonging,  or  in  any  other  open  place,  shall  be  taken  away  and 
defaced,  as  by  the  said  Ordinance  more  at  large  appeareth ;  and 
whereas  many  such  crosses,  crucifixes  and  other  superstitious  images 
and  pictures  are  still  continued  within  the  associated  counties  in 
manifest  contempt  of  the  said  ordinance,  these  are  therefore  to  will 
and  require  you  to  make  your  repair  to  the  several  associated  counties 
and  put  the  said  Ordinances  into  execution  in  every  particular ;  hereby 
requiring  all  mayors,  sheriffs,  bailiffs,  constables,  headboroughs,  and  all 
others  of  His  Majesty's  officers,  and  every  subject  to  be  aiding  and 
assisting  you  whereof  they  may  not  fail  at  their  peril.  Given  under 
my  hand  and  seal  this  19th  day  of  December,  1643.  To  William 
Dowsing,  Gent.,  and  to  such  as  he  shall  appoint." 

Master  Dowsing  was  evidently  a  man  of  business  and  went  to  his 

*  "  Church  and  the  Puritans." — CREIGHTON. 


14 

sacrilegious  work  in  good  earnest.  In  his  diary  he  tells  us  that  on 
January  6th,  1644,  at  Clare,  "  we  brake  down  one  thousand  pictures 
superstitious.  Three  of  God  the  Father,  three  of  Christ  and  the  Holy 
Lamb,  and  three  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  like  a  dove  with  wings,  and  the 
twelve  Apostles  were  carved  in  wood  on  the  top  of  the  roof,  which  we 
gave  orders  to  take  down,  and  twenty  Cherubims  to  be  taken  down, 
andrthe  sun  and  moon  in  the  east  window,  by  the  King's  Arms,  to  be 
taken  down." 

At  Ufford,  June  27th,  1644,  "  we  brake  down  thirty  superstitious 
pictures,  and  gave  directions  to  take  down  thirty-seven  more,  and 
forty  Cherubims  to  be  taken  down  of  wood,  and  the  Chancel  levelled. 
There  was  a  picture  of  Christ  on  the  Cross,  and  God  the  Father  above 
it.  I  left  thirty-seven  superstitious  pictures  to  be  taken  down,  and 
took  up  six  superstitious  inscriptions  in  brass." 

On  August  81st,  1644,  this  iconoclast  again  commenced  his  work 
of  destruction :  "  Some  of  the  thirty-seven  superstitious  pictures  we 
had  left  we  brake  down  now,  in  the  Chancel  we  brake  down  an  Angel, 
three  Orare  pro  anima  in  the  glass,  and  the  Trinity  in  a  triangle  ;  also 
twelve  Cherubims  in  the  roof  of  the  Chancel,  and  one  hundred  Jemm 
Maria  in  capital  letters,  and  the  steps  to  be  levelled.  We  brake  down 
the  organ  cases  and  gave  them  to  the  poor.  In  the  church  there  was 
on  the  roof  a  Crosier  Staff  in  glass  and  also  twenty  stars  to  be  broken. 
There  is  a  glorious  cover  over  the  font,  like  a  Pope's  triple  crown, 
with  a  Pelican  on  the  top  picking  its  breast  all  gilt  over  with  gold."::: 

The  distracted  state  of  affairs  with  respect  to  religion  is  forcibly 
shewn  in  the  account  of  a  disturbance  which  took  place  in  Fleet 
Street,  and  is  described  in  a  pamphlet  (1641)  bearing  this  title  :  "The 
Discovery  of  a  Swarm  of  Separatists  in  a  Leather  Seller's  Shop,  being  a 
most  true  and  exact  relation  of  the  tumultuous  combustion  in  Fleet  Street 
last  Sabbath  day,  truly  describing  how  Barebon,  a  Leather  Seller,  had 
a  conventicle  of  Brownists  at  his  house  that  day,  about  the  number  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty,  who  preached  there  himself  about  five  hours 
in  the  afternoon,  shewing  likewise  how  they  were  discovered,  and  by 
what  means,  as  also  how  the  constable  scattered  their  nest,  and  of  the 
great  tumult  in  the  street.  London  :  Printed  for  John  Grunsmith. 
1641."  The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  work  :  "  At  length  they 
catcht  one  of  them  alone,  but  they  kickt  him  so  vehemently  as  if  they 
*  Notes  and  Queries,  2nd  and  3rd  Series. 


15 

meant  to  break  him  into  a  jelly.  It  is  ambiguous  whether  they  have 
kill'd  him  or  no,  but  for  a  certainty  they  did  knock  him  as  if  they 
meant  to  pull  him  to  pieces.  I  confess  it  had  been  no  matter  if  they 
had  beaten  the  whole  tribe  in  the  like  manner." 

From  the  life  of  Marshall,  in  Brook's  "  Life  of  the  Puritans,"  we 
gather  a  little  information  as  to  the  character  and  length  of  the  services 
at  many  of  the  parish  churches  at  this  period  (1643-44).  "Dr.  Tvviss, 
who  was  prolocutor  to  the  Assembly  of  Divines,  commenced  the  public 
service  with  a  short  prayer ;  Mr.  Marshall  followed,  and  prayed  with 
great  power  and  pathos  for  two  hours  ;  Mr.  Arrowsmith  then  preached 
an  hour,  and  a  psalm  was  sung ;  Mr.  Vines  now  prayed  nearly  two 
hours  ;  Mr.  Palmer  preached  an  hour,  and  Mr.  Seaman  followed,  and  , 
preached  nearly  two  hours ;  Henderson,  the  great  Scotch  divine,  then 
addressed  the  congregation  on  the  evils  of  the  times  and  their  remedies, 
and  at  length  Dr.  Tvviss  closed  a  service  of  at  least  nine  hours'  duration 
with  a  short  prayer."* 

In  1692,  was  published  a  list  of  churches  (now  in  the  British 
Museum)  in  the  City  and  around,  in  which  daily  prayers  were  said, 
also  where  "  The  Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was 
administered  weekly  " ;  also  "  The  Lectures  in  and  about  the  City  of 
London."  The  compiler  heads  his  list  with  these  remarks :  "  And 
now,  considering  the  ways  and  methods  which  Satan  and  his 
emissaries  have  taken  to  fill  HIS  churches,  the  theatres,  with 
votaries  have  been  (not  by  bells,  which  make  a  great  noise  near  hand 
and  are  not  heard  afar  off,  but)  by  silently  dispensing  their  bills,  and 
setting  them  up  at  the  corners  of  the  streets  whereby  they  do  draw 
people  from  all  parts  to  their  contagious  assemblies.  I  'was  easily 
convinced  of  the  necessity  of  the  like  undertaking  for  the  services  of 
Almighty  God,  and  therefore  would  no  longer  excuse  myself  for  the 
omission.  These  are,  therefore,  dearly  beloved  in  Christ  Jesus,  to 
acquaint  you  where  you  may  daily  with  the  congregation  of  the 
faithful,  assemble  together  in  the  house  of  prayer.  Where  you  may 
in  imitation  of  the  Apostles  of  our  Lord  every  Lord's  Day  partake  of 
the  Blessed  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  And,  lastly,  where 
there  are  any  extraordinary  regular  lectures  to  be  heard,  for  your  good 
I  have  spared  no  pains  for  the  certainty  of  my  own  information,  nor 
charges  in  the  dispensing  hereof  for  yours ;  and  now  know  that  the 

*  Marsden's  "History  of  the  Later  Puritans." 


16 

wilful  neglect  of  these  means  will  one  day  have  a  sad  after  reckoning, 
and  that  this  paper  will  then  rise  up  in  judgement  against  you.  If 
this  paper  have  its  desired  effect,  I  trust  Almighty  God  will  fire  the 
hearts  of  His  faithful  labourers  to  set  up  daily  prayers  and  weekly 
Communion  in  many  of  their  own  churches  where  at  present  it  is  not. 
For  the  sake  of  such  as  during  the  whole  time  this  is  dispensing  may 
happen,  either  by  sickness,  absence,  or  otherwise,  not  to  come  into  the 
way  of  it,  there  shall  be  of  them  to  be  bought  price  one  half-penny, 
which  is  also  certain  and,  therefore,  put  into  the  hands  but  of  one 
person  to  sell,  who  ever  else  therefore  does  sell  them,  does  also  print 
them,  and  consequently  does  not  only  rob  this  bookseller  of  his  copy 
(which  cost  the  author  so  much  labour  to  perform),  but  the  poor  also 
of  their  just  due  therein,  which  it  is  hoped  every  Christian  buyer  will 
remember  and  consider.  Sold  by  Samuel  Kebble  at  the  "  Turk's 
Head,"  Fleet  Street,  1692.  Price  one  half-penny." 

The  following  churches  in  the  City  had  daily  services  : — 
All  Hallows,  Barking,  8  in ;  S.  Andrew,  Holborn,  6,  11,  3  ;  St. 
Andrew,  Leadenhall  Street,  6  m. ;  St.  Antholin,  Watling  Street,  6  m. ; 
St.  Austin  by  St.  Paul's  School,  6  e. ;  St.  Bartholomew-the- Great, 
10  m. ;  S.  Bartholomew-the-Less,  11,  8;  St.  Benet,  Gracechurch, 
11,3;  St.  Botolph,  Aldgate,  7  m.  ;  St.  Botolph,  Aldersgate,  10,  8; 
St.  Christopher,  Threadneedle  Street,  6  m.,  6  e. ;  St.  Dionis,  Lime 
Street,  8,  5 ;  St.  Dunstan  West,  7,  10,  3  ;  St.  Edmund,  Lombard 
Street,  11,  7;  St.  Lawrence,  Jewry,  11,  8;  St.  Martin,  Ludgate,  11,  3; 
St.  Mary,  Aldermanbury,  11 ;  St.  Mary-le-Bow,  8,  5 ;  St.  Mary  Mag- 
dalen, Old  Fish  Street,  6  m. ;  St.  Mary  Woolnoth,  11,5:  St.  Peter, 
Cornhill,  11,  4;  St.  Sepulchre,  7,  3;  St.  Stephen,  Walbrook,  11,  5; 
St.  Swithin,  11,  4.  Lectures  were  given  at  St.  Michael,  Cornhill,  on 
Sunday  Mornings,  6.  At  St.  Antholin,  Watling  Street,  there  was  a 
lecture  every  morning  at  6.  . 

The  following  is  the  full  text  of  the  Petition  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Council  to  the  House  of  Peers  on  the  subject  of  the  City 
Meeting  Houses  : 

"  Tue  Humble  Petition  of  the  Lord  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and 
Commoners  of  the  City  of  London  in  Common  Councill  assembled 
concerning  Church  Government.  Presented  to  the  House  of  Peers 
upon  Fryday,  the  16th  day  of  January,  1645,  Showeth,  that  in 


17 

November  last  the  petitioners  made  in  their  humble  request  to  this 
honourable  house  that  Church  Government  might  be  settled  and 
are  most  humbly  thankfull  for  your  favourable  interpretation  thereof, 
proceeding  from  the  good  intention  of  the  Common  Councill  who  are 
resolved  according  to  their  duty  to  have  a  tender  respect  to  the 
privileges  of  Parliament,  which  by  the  liberties  of  the  City  and 
Kingdom  are  preserved.  That  in  December  last,  at  the  choice  of  new 
Common  Councillmen  for  the  year  ensuing,  the  inhabitants  of  most 
of  the  Wards  of  the  City  petitioned  their  respective  aldermen  in 
their  wardmotes  to  move  your  petitioners  to  make  their  further 
addresse  to  this  Honourable  House  of  Parliament  for  the  speedy  set- 
tling of  Church  Government  within  this  City  and  against  toleration 
as  by  copy  of  one  of  the  said  petitions  annexed  appeareth.  That 
private  meetings,  especially  on  the  Lord's  day  (of  which  there  are  at 
least  eleven  in  one  parish)  are  multiplyed,  whereby  the  publique  con- 
gregations, ordinances,  and  godly  orthodox  Ministers  are  very  much 
neglected  and  contemned,  as  if  they  were  Anti-Christian,  and  our 
present  times  are  like  the  primitive  persecutions,  or  as  if  we  were 
still  under  the  tyranny  of  the  Prelatical  Government,  and  by  reason 
of  such  meetings,  and  the  preaching  of  women  and  other  ignorant 
persons,  superstition,  heresie,  schisme  and  profanenesse  are  much 
increased,  families  divided,  and  such  blasphemies,  as  the  petitioners 
tremble  to  thinke  on,  uttered,  to  the  high  dishonour  of  Almighty  God. 
That  the  petitioners  are  informed  that  divers  persons  have  an  intention 
to  petition  this  Honourable  House  for  the  toleration  of  such  doctrines 
as  are  against  our  covenant  under  the  notion  of  liberty  of  conscience. 
The  petitioners,  therefore,  having  no  power  of  themselves  to  suppresse 
or  overcome  these  growing  evils,  doe,  according  to  their  covenant, 
reveale  and  make  the  same  knowne  to  this  Honourable  House,  and 
for  timely  provision  and  removall  thereof,  doe  hereby  praye  that  the 
premisses  might  be  taken  into  your  most  consideration,  and  that 
Church  Government  may  speedily  be  settled  according  to  our  most 
solemn  covenant  with  the  most  High  God,  in  such  manner  and  forme 
as  to  your  wisdomes  shall  seeme  most  agreeable  thereunto,  before  we 
be  destroyed  one  by  another  through  rents  and  divisions.  And  that 
no  toleration  be  granted  either  of  Popery,  prelacy,  superstition, 
heresie,  schisme,  prophanesse,  or  of  anything  contrary  to  sound 
doctrine  and  the  power  of  Godlinesse,  and  that  all  private  meetings 


18 

contrary  to  the  said  covenant  (the  rather  in  regard  of  the  said  effects 
thereof)  be  restrained. "* 

And  your  Petitioners,  &c., 

"  MICHELL." 

In  the  twelve  years  from  1688  to  1700,  Dissenters  had  taken  out 
licences  for  no  fewer  than  2418  places  of  worship.  De  Foe,  who  knew 
as  much,  if  not  more,  of  their  condition  than  any  other  man,  reckoned 
their  number  at  this  period  at  no  fewer  than  ten  millions,  and  at  the 
same  time  states  that  they  were  the  most  numerous  and  the  wealthiest 
section  in  the  kingdom ;  but  it  is  almost  impossible  to  accept  this 
statement.  I 

A  broadsheet  in  the  British  Museum  contains  the  following : 

"  A  List  of  the  Conventicles  or  Unlawful  Meetings  within  the 
City  of  London,  and  Bills  of  Mortality,  with  the  places  where  they  are 
to  be  found,  as  also  the  names  of  divers  of  the  preachers  and  the 
several  Factions  they  profess.  To  the  Right  Hon.  the  Lord  Mayor  of 
the  City  of  London  and  to  the  Bight  Worshipful  the  Recorder  and 
Aldermen  of  the  said  City,  the  Churchwardens,  Overseers  of  the  Poor 
and  all  other  Officers  and  Ministers  of  the  Peace,  the  perusal  of  the 
following  List  of  Unlawful  Conventicles  is  humbly  printed — 

"  Leadenhall  Street,  near  Creed  Church — Independent.  Bishops- 
gate  Street  Within,  Crosby  House — Presbyterian.  Bishopsgate  Street 
Without,  Devonshire  Buildings — Independent.  A  Quaker  Meeting  at 
the  same  house.  Meeting  House  Alley,  near  Bishopsgate  Church — 
Anabaptist.  A  Meeting  House  in  Petit  France — Independent.  Pin- 
makers'  Hall,  near  Broad  Street — Presbyterian.  Near  All  Hallows- 
the-Wall,  Independent.  White's  Alley  in  Little  Moorfields — Presby- 
terian. Another  in  the  same  alley — Independent.  Ropemakers' 
Alley,  near  White's  Alley — Presbyterian.  Lorriners'  Hall,  near  the 
Postern,  between  Moorgate  and  Cripplegate — Presbyterian.  Between 
White  Cross  and  Red  Cross  Street,  near  the  Peacock  Brewhouse — 
Independent.  Paul's  Alley  in  Red  Cross  Street,  at  the  Old  Play 
House — Anabaptist.  Beech  Lane,  at  Glovers'  Hall — Presbyterian. 
In  the  same  lane,  near  it — Independent.  Jewin  Street — the  same. 
Westmoreland  House,  Aldersgate  Street — the  same.  Bartholomew 

*  This  Petition  is  referred  to  later  on  in  the  portion  of  this  work  relating  to 
Chapels. 

t  "  History  of  the  Free  Churches,"— SKEATS. 


19 

Close — Presbyterian.  St.  Martin's-le-Grand,  Bull  and  Mouth — 
Quakers.  Embroyderers'  Hall — Presbyterian.  Near  Cripplegate — the 
same.  Stayning  Lane — the  same.  High  Wall,  near  St.  Sepulchre — 
the  same.  Cow  Lane,  in  a  Schoolhouse — Independent.  Stone  Cutter 
Street,  near  the  Fleet  Ditch — Presbyterian.  Wine  Office  Court,  Fleet 
Street — Independent.  Goldsmith  Court  in  Fetter  Lane — Presbyterian. 
Blackfryers,  near  the  King's  Printing  House — Scotch  Presbyterian. 
Another  near — the  same.  Broken  Wharfe,  George  Yard — Anabaptist. 
Three  Cranes  in  Thames  Street,  near  Dowgate,  over  stables — Presby- 
terian. Joyners'  Hall,  near  Dowgate — Independent.  Ayner  Yard, 
in  Dowgate  Hill — Anabaptist.  Bell  Inn,  in  Walbrook — Presbyterian. 
Exchange  Alley,  at  a  coffee  house — Independent.  Bartholomew  Lane, 
by  the  Exchange — Presbyterian.  Freeman's  Yard,  near  the  Ex- 
change— the  same.  Gracechurch  Street — Quakers. 
"  London.  Printed  by  Nat  Thompson.  1688." 
Sir  Humphrey  Edwin,  who  was  Lord  Mayor,  1697,  was  a  strong 
Nonconformist.  Soon  after  his  admission  to  the  office,  he  gave  great 
offence  by  attending  public  worship  at  a  conventicle  on  two  Sundays 
in  full  state.  A  meeting  of  the  Court  of  Aldermen  was  held  to  consider 
a  complaint  from  the  sword  bearer  against  the  Lord  Mayor  for  com- 
pelling his  attendance  on  the  occasion  when  the  Lord  Mayor  was 
deserted  by  all  his  officials  except  the  sword  bearer,  whom  one  of  the 
chapel  officials  had  locked  in  a  pew.  The  Court  took  notice  that  the 
Lord  Mayor  had  "  for  two  Lord's  Dayes  past,  in  the  afternoon,  gone 
to  private  meetings  with  the  sword,"  whereupon  his  Lordship 
promised  to  forbear  the  practice  for  the  future.  Edwin  had,  on  his 
election,  received  the  Sacrament,  according  to  custom  and  in  accordance 
with  the  rules  of  the  Church  of  England.  His  friend,  De  Foe,  took 
him  very  seriously  to  task  for  so  doing,  charging  him  with  having 
"  played  Bo-Peep  with  God  Almighty." 

The  first  edition  of  Sternhold's  and  Hopkins'  Psalter  was 
published  in  1549,  with  the  following  title:  "All  such  Psalms  of 
David  as  Tho.  Sternhold,  late  groom  of  the  King's  Majesty's  robes, 
did  in  his  lifetime  draw  into  English  metre."  This  work  was 
published  by  Edward  Whitchurch,  Oxford,  and  dedicated  to 
Edward  VI.  In  this  dedication  the  compiler  says  :  "  Seeying  that 
youre  tender  and  godly  zeale  doth  more  delyghte  in  the  holye  songes 
of  veritie  than  in  anye  feygned  rimes  of  vanitie,  I  am  encouraged  to 


20 

travayle  further  in  the  sayd  booke  of  Psalms,  trustyng  that  as  youre 
grace  taketh  pleasure  to  heare  them  sunge  sometymes  of  me,  so  ye 
wyll  also  delighte  not  onlye  to  see  and  reade  them  yourselfe  but  also 
to  commande  them  to  be  sange  to  you  of  others." 

The  following  is  the  First  Psalm  as  it  originally  appeared  from 
the  pen  of  the  compiler : — 

The  man  is  blest  that  hath  not  gone 

By  wicked  rode  astraye  ; 
He  sate  in  chayre  of  penitence, 

Nor  walked  in  sinners'  waye ; 

But  in  the  lawe  of  God,  the  Lorde, 

Doth  sette  his  whole  delyght, 
And  in  that  lawe  doth  exercise 

Hymselfe,  both  daye  and  night. 

And  as  the  tree  that  planted  is 

Faste  by  the  river  side; 
E'en  so  shall  he  bring  foorth  his  fruite 

In  his  due  time  and  tide. 

His  leafe  shall  never  fall  awaie, 

But  flourishe  still  and  stande ; 
Eche  thing  shall  prosper  wondrious  well 

That  he  doth  take  in  hande. 

So  shall  not  the  ungodlie  doe 

They  shall  be  nothyng  so; 
But  as  the  duste  which  from  the  earth 

The  windes  dryve  to  and  fro. 

Therefore  shall  not  the  wicked  man 

In  judgemente  stande  uprighte ; 
Nor  yet  in  conseill  of  the  juste, 

But  shall  be  voide  of  might. 

For,  why  ?  the  waye  of  godlie  men 

Unto  the  Lorde  is  knowne ; 
And  eke,  the  waye  of  wicked  men 

Shall  quite  be  overstrowne. 


21 

There  is  also  in  the  Library  of  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  a  selection 
of  hymns,  with  the  following  title  : — "  Canticc  Sacra,  or  the  Hymns 
and  Songs  of  the  Church,  being  a  Collection  of  these  Parables  of  Holy 
Scripture  which  either  have  been  or  may  be  as  properly  sung  as  the 
Psalmes,  together  with  other  of  the  Ancient  Songs  usually  sung  in  the 
Church  of  England,  faithfully  and  briefly  translated  into  lyritic  verse, 
fitting  the  use  and  capacitie  of  the  vulgar,  and  dedicated  to  the  King's 
most  excellente  Majestie.  By  George  Withers.  London,  1023." 


The  following,  among  many  other  authorities,  have  been  referred 
to  in  this  work  : — 

BROOKS.—"  History  of  the  Puritans." 

CALAMY. — "  Ejected  Ministers." 

COOPER. — "  Athene  Cantab." 

"  Dictionary  of  National  Biography." 

FOSTER. — "  Alumni  Oxon." 

HENNESSY. — "  Nnnim  Repertorium  Ecclesiasticum." 

HEYLIN. — "  History  of  the  Reformation." 

NEAL. — "  History  of  the  Puritans." 

NEWCOURT. — "  Repertorium" 

PALMER. — "  Nonconformists'  Memorial  Report." 

"  Royal  Commission  on  Historical  Manuscripts." 

RILEY. — "  Memorials  of  London  Life." 

SHARPE,  DR.— "  Calendar  of  Wills." 

STOUGHTON. — "  Church  of  the  Commonwealth." 

STOW. — "  Survey  of  London." 

WALKER. — "  Sufferings  of  the  Clergy." 

WEEVER. — "  Ancient  Funeral  Monuments." 

WILSON.—"  History  of  Dissenting  Churches." 

WOOD. — "  General  Baptists." 

WOOD. — "  Athente  Oxon." 


HU  Ifoallows,  Ibones  Xane. 

This  was  a  small  church  situate  on  the  present  site  of  Honey 
Lane  Market,  Cheapside,  the  ground  being  until  recently  occupied  by 
the  City  of  London  School  previous  to  its  removal  to  the  Thames 
Embankment.  The  Lane,  according  to  Stow,  was  "  very  narrow  and 
somewhat  dark,  near  the  '  Standard '  in  Chepe,  and  a  place  not  so 
called  for  its  sweetness." 

In  old  records  the  name  is  written  "  Huni  Lane."  Thus  in  a 
deed  of  the  reign  of  Edward  I.  :  "  John  Bucointe  gives  to  Hubert 
Antiocha  all  his  lands  in  Huni  Lane,  provided  that  Hubert  shall  not 
convey  the  premises  to  the  Church  or  to  a  Jew  without  his 
permission." 

There  was  a  parsonage  house,  the  site  of  which  was  sold  to  the 
Corporation  in  1687  for  £120. 

There  were  not  any  monuments  of  note  in  the  church,  which  was 
repaired  at  the  cost  of  the  parishioners,  1625. 

A  little  information  can  be  gained  as  to  the  church  from  the 
following  entries  : — 

1612. — Margaret  Spatche  was  buried  close  to  a  pillar  in  the 
cloisters,  and  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  person  buried  there. 

1616. — Arthur  Coleby,  merchant,  was  buried  at  the  upper  end  of 
the  cloister  between  the  east  wall  and  the  uppermost  pillar. 

1307. — Emma  de  Honilane  left  a  tenement  in  the  parish  to 
maintain  a  waxlight  in  the  church  on  Sundays  and  Festivals. 

The  value  of  the  living  was  small  in  1636.  The  yearly  profits 
were  returned  as  follows  : — "  Tythes,  £40  ;  Casualtyes,  £4  ;  Glebe,  £13  " 
(Newcourt). 

1360. — -William  de  Machford  left  to  the  church,  to  the  parish 
chaplain,  and  to  his  children,  cups  of  silver  and  of  mazer,  four  best 
shears,  his  feather  beds,  a  brass  pot  and  basin. 

1861. — John  de  Bowynden,  apothecary,  by  his  will  desired  to  be 
buried  in  the  churchyard  and  under  the  same  stone  as  Marjory,  his 
late  wife,  his  corpse  to  be  covered  with  a  cover  of  russett  white  on  the 
bier,  and  five  round  tapers,  each  of  six  pounds  of  wax,  to  burn  around 
him,  six  poor  persons  to  be  clothed  in  coats  and  hoods  of  russett,  and 
each  to  hold  a  torch,  of  nine  pounds  of  wax,  around  his  corpse.  He 


28 

also  left  to  the  church  his  priest  vestments  and  chalice,  two  cruets  and 
towels  ;  also  money  for  chantries. 

John  Norman,  draper,  who  was  Mayor  in  1353,  and  was  buried 
in  the  church,  gave  to  the  Drapers'  Company  his  tenement  near  the 
church,  to  pay  13s.  4d.  yearly  for  the  support  of  a  beam  light,  and 
also  for  a  lamp  to  hang  in  the  lane  leading  to  the  "  '  Standard  '  in 
Chepe." 

This  Mayor  was  the  first  who  was  rowed  to  Westminster  by  water 
in  order  to  take  the  oath.  He  had  a' barge  built  for  the  purpose.  The 
Companies  also  had  smaller  ones  built,  in  order  to  accompany  him.  In 
his  honour  the  watermen  made  a  song,  beginning  with  the  words 
"  Row  thy  boat,  Norman,"  &c. 

RECTORS. 

1327. — Simon  de  Crapping,  a  citizen,  presented  William  de 
Coventre.  1328— John  de  Clukeron,  died  1357.  John  English,  1362 
—1373.  John  Poynders,  1385—1395,  Richard  Jepp,  1398—1429. 
Thomas  Trumpyngton,  haberdasher,  left  to  this  Rector  and  Church- 
wardens a  tenement  in  the  parish  of  St.  James,  Garlickhithe,  to  main- 
tain a  chantry  and  for  the  ornaments  of  the  church.  Richard  Oppey, 
1429—1463.  Henry  Hoddes,  1471—1476.  Edward  Supron,  1476— 
1479.  John  Young,  D.D.,  New  College,  Oxford,  1510—1526.  He 
was  also  Rector  of  St.  Christopher-le- Stock,  St.  Magnus-the-Martyr, 
and  Archdeacon  of  London.  Buried  in  the  Chapel  of  New  College, 
under  a  marble  stone  that  he  had  laid  there  before  his  death. 

Robert  Freeman,  1527,  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  Bishop, 
and  was  charged  that  "forasmuch  as  he  had  despised  the  con- 
demnation of  Martin  Luther,  and  had  kept  in  his  possession  the 
books  and  works  of  the  said  Martin  Luther,  by  which  he  was  mingled 
in  the  sentence  of  excommunication  by  the  authority  of  Pope  Leo  X., 
of  happy  memory,  and  for  other  just  and  lawful  causes,  the  said 
Father  inhibited  and  interdicted  the  said  Freeman  that  hereafter  he 
should  not  celebrate  Mass  nor  preach  publicly  before  the  people  until 
he  should  otherwise  be  dispensed  with,  under  the  pain  of  law." 

Thomas  Garrett,  "  Curate,"  1527,  "  a  forward  and  busy 
Lutheran,"  was  afterwards  presented  to  the  living.  He  was  a  member 
of  a  strong  anti-church  party,  which,  at  this  time,  came  into  existence 
under  the  name  of  "  The  Christian  Brethren."  Books  were  circulated 


24 

by  them,  in  which  the  principles  and  practices  of  the  Church  were 
strongly  denounced.  These  books  were  afterwards  forbidden  by  the 
King  and  the  Pope.  Garrett  went  down  to  Oxford  to  disseminate  his 
opinions,  "  whereby  many  in  that  university  were  enlightened  in  the 
truth  of  religion."  He  was  taken  before  Wolsey,  who  imprisoned 
him  for  a  time  and  then  dismissed  him,  "  after  a  ready  abjuration." 
In  connection  with  this  "abjuration,"  the  "  Greyfriars  Chronicle" 
has  the  following :  1540. — Also  this  same  yer  at  St.  Mary  bpittell, 
the  iij  dayes  in  Ester  weke  preched  the  vicar  of  Stepney,  one  Jerome, 
doctor  Barnes  the  ijed  daye ;  and  the  iijed  Gerrard,  parsonne  of  Hony 
lane  ;  and  these  recantyd,  and  askyd  the  peopell  forgiveness  for  that 
they  had  preched  before  contrary  to  the  lawe  of  God." 

Garratt  was  subsequently  burnt  at  the  stake  about  1540. 

Dr.  Cooke,  "  Parson,"  1537.  Of  this  gentleman  we  read  in 
"  Fabyan's  Chronicle  "  that  in  1537  "  one  Andrew  Hewitt,  and  Master 
Frith  were  burnt  at  Smithfield  at  one  stake,  and  that  Dr.  Cooke,  who 
was  Master  of  the  Temple,  willed  the  people  to  pray  no  more  for 
them  than  they  would  pray  for  dogges,  at  which  uncharitable  words 
Frith  smyled  and  prayed  God  to  forgive  them." 

Dr.  Norman,  1540,  "  Parson  of  Huni  Lane,"  "  found  himself  in 
trouble  through  heresy." 

Richard  Benese,  1540-1546,  afterwards  Canon  of  Lincoln. 

Thomas  Paynell,  1545-1563,  was  Canon  of  Merton  Priory, 
Surrey. 

Simon  Todbury,  who  died  1586,  held  with  this  a  number  of 
other  livings.  He  was  Eector  of  St.  Peter's,  Cornhill;  Vicar  of 
Fulham  ;  Vice-Chancellor  of  Oxford  ;  Prebendary  of  Lincoln ;  also 
Precentor  ;  and  was  there  buried. 

Thomas  Wilcox,  born  1549;  Fellow  of  St.  John's  College, 
Oxford.  Upon  leaving  there  he  became  "  a  very  painful  minister  of 
God's  Word  in  Huny  Lane."  1572,  he  took  part  in  the  composition 
of  "An  Admonition  to  Parliament,"  a  document  in  which  "  the 
Puritan  party  in  the  Church  of  England  declare  their  hostility  to 
episcopacy."  For  this  he  was  committed  to  Newgate,  but  was 
released  in  1573,  and  was  then  deprived  of  his  living.  1577,  he 
appeared  before  the  Bishop  of  London  for  contumacy.  1581,  and 
again  in  1591,  he  was  censured  and  sent  to  prison.  Died  1608,  aged 
fifty-nine.  He  wrote  and  translated  a  large  number  of  works,  among 


25 

them  being  "  A  Short  but  yet  Sound  Commentarie  on  that  worthie  worke 
called  :  '  The  Proverbs  of  Solomon,'  and  now  published  for  the  profite 
of  God's  people.  London,  1589,  4to."  "  A  Right  Godly  and  Learned 
Exposition  upon  the  whole  Booke  of  Psalmes;  Lond.,  1586.  2nd 
Edition,  1591." 

John  Astor  was  also  "  minister "  here,  but  resigned  in  con- 
sequence of  the  Act  of  Uniformity,  1662.  Dr.  Calamy  says  :  "  By  the 
special  favour  of  the  Court  of  Aldermen,  he  liv'd  and  dy'd  Ordinary 
of  the  Wood  Street  Compter." 

Henry  Virtue,  "  Parson."  There  is  a  sermon  by  this  gentleman 
in  the  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  Library,  preached  at  the  Cathedral  on 
July  9th,  1637.  The  sermon  is  entitled  "  A  Plea  for  Peace." 

The  advowson  belonged,  in  1315,  to  Ralph  de  Hunilane,  who  left 
directions  that  it  should  be  sold  together  with  his  house  and  cellar. 
Thomas  Knowles,  who  was  Mayor,  1399,  presented  it  to  the  Grocers' 
Company,  of  which  he  was  a  member.  It  still  belongs  to  this 
company. 

The  registers  date  from  1538. 


HU 

This  was  a  small  church  standing  on  the  south  side  of  Thames 
Street.  The  site  is  now  a  churchyard  at  the  corner  of  the  brewery 
premises.  In  old  records  it  was  called  "  Omnium  Sanctorum,  super 
Cellar-in  in,"  that  is,  the  Church  of  All  Saints  over  the  Cellars,  so  called 
from  having  vaults  underneath.  In  other  writings  "  Omnium 
Sanctorum  parva,"  or  All  Hallows-the-Less,  to  distinguish  it  from  the 
larger  neighbour,  "  All  Hallows-the-Great." 

The  steeple  and  choir  were  built  over  an  arched  gate  leading 
down  to  a  large  house  called  "  Cold  Harbour." 

In  the  twentieth  year  of  Richard  II.,  Philip  St.  Cleur  gave  two 
tenements  towards  enlarging  the  Church  and  churchyard. 

1594. — The  choir,  having  fallen  down,  it  was  rebuilt  at  the  cost 
of  the  parishioners,  and  again,  in  1616,  the  church  was  repaired  at 
their  cost,  when  "  the  interior,  being  very  dark  and  gloomy,"  dormer 
lights  were  made  on  the  south  side. 


26 

1633. A  "  large  gallery  "  was  built  on  the  north  side  as  well  as 

two  other  galleries. 

The  following  inscriptions  were  on  monuments  in  this  church  :— 

"  Jesu,  that  suffrayd  bitter  passion  and  payn, 
Have  mercy  on  my  soule,  John  Chamberlayn  ; 

And  my  wyfs,  too, 

Agnes  and  Jane,  also. 

The  said  John  deceased,  the  truth  for  to  say, 
In  the  monyth  of  Decembyr,  the  fourth  day, 
The  yere  of  our  Lord  God,  reck'ned  full  evin, 
A  thousand  four  hundred  four  score  and  sevin." 


"  Before  this  time  that  here  you  have  seen, 

Lyeth  buried  the  body  of  William  Greene  ; 

Barber  and  surgeon,  and  late  Master  of  that  Company, 

And  dark  of  this  church,  yeeres  fiftie  ; 

Which  William  deceased,  the  truth  for  to  say, 

The  month  of  December,  the  fourth  day, 

The  yeere  of  our  Lord  God,  as  by  Bookes  doth  appere, 

One  thousand  five  hundryd  and  eighteen  yere." 

The  following  articles  were  in  the  possession  of  the  church  : — 
Two  flagons  of  silver  and  two  plates  for  the  flagons  to  stand  upon. 
Two  little  gilt  plates  and  one  large  plate  of  silver  to  lay  bread 
upon. 

Two  gilt  bowls  or  chalices  with  covers,  and  one  silver  bason. 
The  registers  date  from  1558. 

RECTORS. 

William  Hurdel,  1242.     Robert  de  Ereby,  1323-1328.     William 
de  Talworth,  1333.     William  Latymer,  1546.     William  Dykes,  1561. 
John  Atkinson,   1589.       Peter    Geston,    1597.       Nicholas   Alsoppe, 
Christ   Church,    Oxford,    "  Parson,"    1603.      John    Trebicke,    1631.-* 
William  Seeker,  1662.     William  Carr,  1679  ;  Delected  Richard  Watts ,     , 
parish  clerk  of  the  united  parishes. 

The  patronage  belonged  to  the  Bishop  of  Winchester  until  about 
1347,  when  Sir  John  Pountney  purchased  it  and  appropriated  it  to  his 

" 


27 

college  next  to  St.  Laurence  Pountney.     It  has  now  passed  into  the 
hands  of  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 


St.  Hnfcrew  tmbbarfc. 

This  church,  originally  called  St.  Andrew  Juxta,  Eastcheap,  was 
founded  ante  1361,  when  the  Earl  of  Pembroke  presented  Kobert 
Clayton  in  the  room  of  Walter  Palmer,  a  former  rector,  who  had  died. 
The  church  stood  in  what  was  then  called  Rope  Lane,  afterwards 
called  Lucas  Lane,  now  Love  Lane,  at  the  corner  of  Little  Eastcheap. 
After  the  Fire,  a  portion  of  the  site  was  thrown  into  the  public  way 
for  improvement,  the  purchase  money  being  given  towards  the  pewing 
of  the  church  of  St.  Mary-at-Hill.  On  another  part  of  the  site  was 
erected  the  King's  Weigh  House,  to  be  afterwards  occupied  by  the 
Weigh  House  Chapel  before  its  removal  to  Fish  Street  Hill.  Close 
to  the  Weigh  House  the  parish  built  a  "  Vestry  Boom,  under  which 
was  a  portico  with  public  stocks,  a  cage,  and  a  little  room." 

1693. — A  further  portion  of  the  site  was  sold  to  the  City  for  £75. 

1295. — Ralph  de  Wynton  left  money  for  maintaining  a  lamp  in 
the  church  and  for  the  poor. 

1304. — John  de  Falmin  left  some  rents  in  the  parish  for^ro- 
viding  a  torch  at  the  Elevation  of  the  Host  and  for  a  chantry. 

1309. — John  de  Dene  left  money  to  maintain  a  chantry  in  the 
Chapel  of  St.  Mary  in  the  Church. 

1349. — Richard  de  Lambethe  left  money  to  provide  a  torch  and 
lamp  to  burn  in  the  church. 

1353. — John  Hastyng  (baker)  left  a  bequest  for  the  maintenance 
of  a  chantry  by  the  Brethren  of  the  Guild  of  the  Assumption  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 

A  letter,  dated  4th  March,  1628,  from  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Court 
of  Aldermen  to  the  Lord  Keeper  (Coventry)  states  that  "  they  had 
received  a  petition  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  parish  of  St.  Andrew 
and  certificates  from  the  churchwardens  and  others,  that  the  church 
was  in  a  great  and  dangerous  decay,  and  could  not  be  repaired  under 
such  a  sum  of  money  as  by  the  certificates  and  petition  enclosed 
appeared,  in  which  also  was  shewn  their  poverty  and  utter  inability 


28 

to  repair  it,  being  mostly  of  mean  trades,  such  as  basket  makers  and 
turners.  This  Court  therefore  requested  him  to  intercede  with  the 
King  for  the  grant  of  Letters  Patent  for  a  supply,  by  way  of  charity 
to  the  work,  out  of  such  parts  of  the  Kingdom  as  should  be  thought 
fittest." 

This  petition  must  have  had  some  effect,  for  Stow  says  that,  in 
1630,  "  the  church  was  repaired  and  richly  decorated,  at  a  cost 
of  £600." 

In  Holy  Week  it  used  to  be  the  custom  for  cakes  to  be  thrown 
from  the  church  tower  by  someone  dressed  to  represent  an  angel,  for 
the  boys  below  to  scramble  for.  In  the  accounts  of  this  church  for 
1520,  there  is  an  item  charged  for  the  hire  of  "an  angel  "  to  serve  on 
this  occasion.  In  1537  he  only  receives  fourpence. 

RECTORS. 

h 

Thomas  Snodiland,  1361.  He  left  directions  to  be  buried  before 
^the  image  of  St.  Botolph  on  the  south  side  of  the  High  Altar.  He 
also  left  money  for  a  chantry  and  for  the  welfare  of  the  Brethren  of 
the  Chapel  of  St.  Mary  in  the  Church. 

Sir  John  Wolde,  1384.  One  of  his  parishioners  (Christina  Coggin), 
who  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  tomb  of  her  late  husband,  left  this 
rector  a  bequest,  also  to  the  Fraternities  of  St.  Mary  and  St.  Katherine. 

William  Rooney,  1468.  Julianne,  wife  of  William  Fairhed 
(butcher)  who  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  church  near  her  late  husband,- 
left  to  this  rector  money  to  maintain  churches,  roads,  and  bridges. 

Thomas  Pulter,  1480.  Edward  Sprontesbury,  1499-1537. 
Thomas  Greene,  1537-1545.  William  Swift,  1545-1568.  Henry 
How,  1593-1598. 

John  Randall,  1599-1622,  was  a  staunch  Puritan,  and  considered 
a  good  preacher.  He  died  at  his  house  in  the  Minories ;  was 
buried  in  the  church.  His  portrait,  painted  when  he  was  a 
Fellow  of  Lincoln  College,  Oxford,  is  still  to  be  seen  there 
in  the  common  room.  Anthony  Wood  says  of  him:  "After 
some  time  he  became  so  great  a  labourer  in  God's  vineyard 
by  his  frequent  and  constant  work  in  the  ministry,  as  well  as 
resolving  of  doubts  and  cares  of  conscience  as  in  preaching  and  teaching 
that  he  went  beyond  his  brethren  in  the  City  to  the  benefit  of  all." 
He  died  1622,  aged  fifty-four  years,  and  was  buried  in  his  church. 


29 

By  his  will  he  left  a  tenement  in  St.  Mary-at-Hill  to  Lincoln  College. 

Eichard  Chambers,  1622.  "  He  was  dispossessed  for  loyalty  to 
the  Established  Church." 

Nathaniel  Raveno,  born  1602,  appointed  1627,  in  succession  to 
Richard  Chambers,  from  whom  the  living  had  been  sequestrated. 
Remained  until  1647,  when  he  removed  to  Felsted,  in  Essex.  Calamy 
says :  "  He  was  a  judicious  divine,  generally  esteemed  and  valued." 
Raveno  was  the  author  of  "  Solitude  Improved  ;  or,  a  Treatise  proving 
the  Duty  and  Demonstrating  the  Necessity,  Excellency,  Usefulness, 
Natures,  Kinds,  and  Requisites  of  Divine  Meditation.  First  intended 
for  a  person  of  honour,  and  now  published  for  general  use.  London, 
1670." 

William  Wiggins  was  "minister"  for  about  fifteen  years,  but 
resigned.  At  the  Restoration  was  appointed  preacher  at  the  Poultry 
Compter,  where  he  continued  till  1662.  Died  1669,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-five,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields.  Dr.  Calamy  says  of 
him  :  "  He  was  an  excellent  Hebrecian  and  Grecian,  and  never  had 
any  other  Bible  with  him  in  his  closet  or  pulpit  but  the  Originals." 

Thomas  Parkin,  presented  by  Algernon,  Earl  of  Northumberland, 
was  Rector,  1666. 

An  annual  sermon,  in  commemoration  of  the  Great  Fire,  which 
commenced  near  the  spot  where  the  old  church  stood,  was  preached  in 
the  adjoining  parish  church  for  a  century  afterwards. 

The  patronage  in  1389  was  with  the  Earl  of  Pembroke,  who  was 
killed  in  a  tournament  at  Woodstock,  after  the  battle  of  Northampton. 
It  then  devolved  on  Edward  IV.,  subsequently  coming  to  the  family  of 
the  Earl  of  Somerset. 


St,  Bun,  Blacfefriars, 

This  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  the  city  parishes,  from  the 
fact  that  enclosed  within  its  precincts  was  located  the  great  religious 
house  of  the  Dominicans,  or  Black  Friars,  who  were  lords  of  the 
precinct,  shutting  out  all  civic  power  and  authority,  at  the  same  time 
enclosing  within  their  four  gates  a  busy  community  of  artificers  and 
shopkeepers. 


80 

At  the  dissolution  of  monasteries,  under  Henry  VIII.,  the  whole  of 
the  buildings  were  destroyed  by  Sir  Thomas  Cawarden,  Knight, 
Master  of  the  Rolls,  to  whom  they  had  been  granted  by  the  King. 
Sir  Thomas  being  compelled  to  find  a  church  for  the  parishioners  in 
place  of  the  one  which  he  had  destroyed,  allowed  them  the  use  of  a 
building  which  was  in  a  ruinous  state. 

Two  documents,  of  1558-5,  found  about  fifteen  years  since,  in 
the  Record  Office,  show  that  during  the  reign  of  Philip  and  Mary, 
two  tennis  "  courtes,"  or  "  playes,"  occupied  the  interior  of  the  old 
church,  and  that  Cawarden  had  converted  it  into  the  headquarters  of 
masques  and  revels.  The  name  "  Tennis  Court  "  still  survives  in  the 
parish. 

The  building  which  Cawarden  provided  fell  down,  1597,  when 
the  parishioners  purchased  an  additional  piece  of  ground,  for  the 
purpose  of  enlarging  the  church,  which  was  rebuilt  by  subscriptions, 
and  consecrated  on  the  llth  December,  1595.  It  was  then  ordered  to 
be  called  "  The  Church  or  Chapel  of  St.  Ann,  within  the  Precinct  of 
Blackfriars." 

Some  additional  land  was  purchased  in  1613,  of  Sir  George 
Moore,  when  an  aisle  was  added,  and  a  vault  constructed  underneath. 
In  1642,  the  building  having  become  much  decayed,  was  repaired  at  a 
cost  of  £500. 

The  purchase  of  ground,  with  the  new  buildings,  new  pews,  and 
pulpit,  cost  £1546.  A  portion  of  the  old  churchyard  is  still  to  be 
seen  in  Church  Entry,  Ireland  Yard. 

The  heart  of  Queen  Eleanor,  of  Castile,  wife  of  Edward  I.,  was 
interred  in  the  church  with  that  of  her  son  Alphonso. 

The  following  were  buried  in  the  church  : — John  of  Elsham, 
brother  of  Edward  III. ;  Hubert  de  Burge,  Earl  of  Kent ;  Sir  Edmond 
Cornewall ;  Sir  Thomas  Brandon,  Duke  of  Suffolk,  a  great  favourite  of 
Henry  VIII. ;  Sir  Thomas  and  Dame  Parr,  the  parents  of  Katharine 
Parr,  wife  of  Henry  VIII. ;  Margaret,  Queen  of  Scots ;  Oliver 
Cromwell's  daughter,  wife  of  General  Ireton  ;  Nathaniel  Field,  the 
author  and  dramatist,  who  was  born  1587,  in  the  parish  of  St.  Giles, 
Cripplegate,  and  died  1633.  Several  of  his  children,  from  1619  to 
1627,  were  christened  at  St.  Ann's ;  Dick  Robinson,  the  player,  1647  ; 
William  Faithorne,  the  engraver,  1691  ;  Earl  of  Worcester,  beheaded, 
1470, 


81 

The  following  lived  in  the  parish,  and  were  buried  in  the 
church : — 

Isaac  Oliver,  the  miniature  painter  (1617).  His  son  erected  a 
monument  to  his  father's  memory  with  his  bust  in  marble.  This 
perished  in  the  Great  Fire. 

John  Bill,  King's  printer  (1630),  by  will  directed  his  body  to  be 
buried  here,  and  left  £300  for  the  expenses  of  his  funeral ;  also  money 
for  the  poor  of  the  parish. 

The  following  is  the  translation  of  a  Latin  inscription  on  a 
monument  to  his  memory  in  the  church  : — 

"  Peace  to  the  memory  of 

John  Bill,  Bookseller,  who  imported  during  many  years,  literary 
works  from  many  nations  to  this  Kingdom  as — 

"  '  The  Thesaurus  of  Books ' ; 
" '  The  Parent  of  Libraries  ' ; 
"  '  The  Mercury  of  Accadimies.' 

May  be  deservedly  mentioned  also  as  typographer  to  their  Royal 
Highnesses  Kings  James  and  Charles,  performing  faithful  service  in 
this  work  for  thirteen  years,  who  died  deserving  well  of  the  estate  of 
letters,  but  best  of  his  own  relations,  not  without  grief  and  sorrow  on 
the  part  of  his  friends,  in  the  year  of  his  age  fifty-six,  and  of  the 
salvation  of  the  world,  1630.  Who  during  his  life  had  honourably 
married  two  wives,  Ann,  daughter  of  Thomas  Montfort,  Doctor  of 
Theology,  who  died  without  children,  and  Jane,  daughter  of  Henry 
Francklin,  who  increased  the  family  by  five  children.  This  monument 
of  faithfulness  and  love  I,  Jane,  his  most  sorrowing  wife,  have 
erected." 

There  was  also  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  Queen  Elizabeth  : — 

"  Sacred  unto  memory. 

Religion  sincerely  restored ;  peace  thoroughly  settled ;  coin  to  the 
true  value  refined  ;  rebellion  at  home  extinguished  ;  France  nearly 
ruined  by  internal  mishaps  reduced ;  Netherlands  supported ; 
Spain's  Armada  vanquished ;  Ireland,  with  Spaniards,  expulsed ;  and 
traitors  corrected  and  quieted ;  both  Universities,  by  a  law  of 
provising,  exceedingly  augmented.  Finally,  all  England  enriched 
and  forty-five  years  prudently  governed.  Elisabeth,  a  Queen,  a 


32 

Conqueror,  triumphed.     The  most  devoted  to  piety,   the  most  happy, 
after  seventy  years  of  her  life  quietly  in  death  departed." 

Upon  the  reverse  side  of  this  monument  was  written : — 

"  Unto  Elisabeth,  Queen  of  England,  France,  and  Ireland, 
daughter  of  King  Henry  the  Eighth,  grandchild  of  King  Henry  the 
Seventh,  great  grandchild  of  King  Edward  the  Fourth,  the  mother  of 
this  her  country,  the  nurse  of  religion  and  learning.  For  perfect  skill 
in  many  languages,  for  glorious  endowments  of  mind  as  well  as  body, 
and  for  regal  virtues  beyond  her  sex." 

"  I  have  fought  the  good  fight." 

Sir  Samuel  Luke,  the  original  of  "  Hudibras,"  and  one  of  Crom- 
well's officers,  was  married  here  in  1624  ;  also  several  of  his  children 
christened.  There  is  also  no  doubt  that  Vandyke,  the  painter,  lived  in 
the  parish,  as  appears  from  the  parish  books.  He  also  left  £800  to  the 
poor  of  the  parish. 

The  registers  contain  the  following  entries : — 

Baptisms:  1596,  December  29. — "  Eponelep  (Penelope),  son  of 
the  Eecorder.  1641,  December  9. — "  Justinian,  daughter  of  Sir 
Anthony  Vandyke  and  his  lady." 

Burials:  1579,  August  4. — "John  Lacone  infamously  buried  for 
killing  himself  desperately."  1580,  March  21. — "William,  fool  to  my 
lady  Jerningham."  1594. — "  Robert  Halle,  servant  to  Tysse  Cutler, 
who  did  hang  himself  and  was  buried  at  the  Thames  head  by  Black- 
friars."  1638,  March  14. — "  Martin  Ashunt,  Sir  Anthony  Vandyck's 
man."  1648. — "  Jaspar  Lanfranck,  a  Dutchman,  from  Sir  Anthony 
Vandycke's." 

On  July  18th,  1578,  an  interdict  was  placed  on  this  church  because 
the  minister  did  not  celebrate  the  Sacrament  according  to  the  ritual  of 
the  Church  of  England  in  not  using  a  surplice. 

The  famous  doctor  and  discerner  of  the  circulation  of  the  blood 
lived  in  this  parish.  Among  the  entries  in  the  church  books  is  a 
license  to  eat  flesh  granted  to  Elisabeth  Knight,  "by  reason  of  her 
weakness."  This  is  certified  by  "  William  Harvey,  Doctor  of  Physic," 
24th  February,  1628. 

A  license  to  eat  flesh  is  granted  to  Elisabeth  Frost,  "  by  reason  of 
her  sickness."  This  is  dated  19th  February,  1618.  This  license  is 
renewed  27th  September,  1618,  "  because  her  sickness  continued." 


88 


HECTORS. 

Stephen  Egerton,  Peterhouse  College,  Cambridge,  "  Preacher," 
1588,  was  buried  in  the  church  1622. 

John  Sprint,  Student  of  Christ  College,  Cambridge,  was  minister, 
or  lecturer,  1592  ;  died  1623;  was  buried  in  the  church.  "  He  was 
cried  up  by  the  citizens  for  a  godly  and  frequent  preacher,  and  by 
them  much  followed,  but  was  cut  off  in  the  prime  of  his  years  when 
great  matters  were  expected  from  him."  He  was  the  author  of  several 
works,  among  which  were  "  Cassander  Anylicanux,  shewing  the 
necessity  of  conforming  to  the  prescribed  Ceremonies  of  the  Church 
in  case  of  Deprivation."  Lond.,  1618.  "  The  Christians'  Shield  and 
Buckler ;  or  a  letter  sent  to  a  man  seven  years  grievously  afflicted  in 
Conscience  and  fearfully  Troubled  in  Mind."  Lond.,  1623.  (Wood.) 

David  Englishe,  1597.  John  Handler,  1604.  Theodore  Crowley, 
1612.  Humphrey  Mason,  1618. 

Dr.  William  Gouge,  King's  College,  Cambridge,  born  1578,  and 
educated  at  St.  Paul's  School,  was  connected  with  the  parish  for  the 
long  term  of  forty-six  years.  When  he  came,  finding  it  without  any 
church  of  its  own,  he  raised  among  the  Puritans  the  sum  of  £  1,500  for 
the  purchase  of  a  building  and  also  the  erecting  of  a  Rectory  House. 
He  preached  twice  every  Sunday  and  held  a  Wednesday  lecture, 
which  for  thirty-five  years  maintained  a  great  popularity.  During  his 
stay  at  Cambridge  it  is  related  that  he  never  omitted  attending 
Divine  Service  in  the  chapel  of  his  college  for  nine  years  in  succession, 
and  made  it  a  point  to  read  every  day  fifteen  chapters  of  the  Bible. 
In  1638  he  refused  to  read  in  his  church  the  Book  of  Sports. 
1643,  he  was  nominated  a  member  of  the  Westminster  Assembly  of 
Divines,  and  also  assisted  in  writing  annotations  on  the  Bible, 
published  under  the  name  of  "  The  Assembly's  Catechism."  He  died 
1653,  and  was  buried  in  the  church. 

Granger  says :  "  For  forty- six  yeara  he  was  the  laborious,  the 
exemplary,  the  much-loved  minister  of  St.  Ann's,  Blackfriars,  where 
none  ever  might  or  could  speak  ill  of  him,  but  such  as  were  inclined 
to  think  or  speak  ill  of  religion  itself."  He  was  at  one  time  offered 
the  precentorship  of  King's  College,  but  declined  it.  His  usual 
saying  was  that  it  was  his  highest  ambition  "to  go  from  Blackfriars 
to  Heaven." 


34 

Mr.  Gouge  published  a  work  on  the  Sabbath  with  the  following 
title  : — "  The  Sabbath.  Sanctification  Herein.  (1)  The  Grounds  of 
the  Morality  of  the  Sabbath  ;  (2)  Directions  for  Sanctifying  it ;  (8) 
Proofs  that  the  Lord's  Day  is  the  Christian  Sabbath  ;  (4)  Aberrations 
about  it ;  (5)  Motives  to  Sanctify  the  Sabbath.  Herewith  is  added  a 
Treatise  of  Apostacy  and  of  Receiving  from  Apostacy,  by  W.  G. 
London  :  Printed  by  G.  M.,  for  Joshua  Kirton  and  Thos.  Warren,  in 
their  shop  in  Paul's  Church  Yard  at  the  White  Horse,  1641." 

As  this  Book  of  Sports  caused  such  heart  burnings,  not  only  in 
the  minds  of  many  of  the  City  Clergy,  but  with  many  others  at  this 
time,  the  text  of  the  Act  is  here  inserted.  Looked  at  in  the  more 
liberal  view  of  Sunday  observance  which  is  taken  in  the  present  day, 
we  can  hardly  realise  the  position  three  hundred  years  ago.  "  As  for 
our  good  people's  lawful  recreation,  our  pleasure  is  that,  after  the  end 
of  Divine  Service,  our  good  people  be  not  disturbed,  letted  or 
discouraged  from  any  lawfull  recreation,  such  as  dancing,  either  men 
or  women,  archery  for  men,  leaping,  vaulting,  or  any  other  such  harmless 
recreation ;  nor  from  having  of  May  games,  Whitsun  ales,  and  Morris 
dances,  and  the  setting  up  of  May  poles,  and  other  sports  therewith 
used;  so  as  the  same  be  had  in  due  convenient  time  without 
impediment  or  neglect  of  Divine  Service.  And  that  women  shall 
have  leave  to  carry  rushes  to  the  church  for  the  decoring  of  it 
according  to  their  old  custome.  But,  withall,  we  do  here  account  as 
prohibited  all  unlawfull  games  to  be  used  upon  Sundays,  onely  as 
Beare  and  Bull  baiting,  interludes,  and  at  all  times  in  the  meaner 
sorte  of  people  by  law  prohibited,  bowling. 

"  And,  likewise,  we  barre  from  this  benefite  and  liberty  all  such 
known  recusants,  either  men  or  women,  as  will  abstaine  from  comming 
to  a  church  or  Divine  Service,  being  therefore  unworthie  of  any 
lawfull  recreation,  after  the  said  service,  that  will  not  come  first  to 
the  church  and  serve  God.  Prohibiting  in  the  like  sorte  the  saide 
recreation  to  any  that,  though  conforme  in  religion  are  not  present  in 
the  church  at  the  service  of  God,  before  their  going  to  the  said 
recreations.  And  we  likewise  straightly  command  that  every  person 
shall  resorte  to  his  owne  parish  church  to  hear  Divine  Service,  and 
each  parish  by  itself  to  use  the  said  recreation  after  Divine  Service. 

"  Our  pleasure  is  that  our  ordination  shall  be  published  by  order 
from  the  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  through  all  the  parish  churches,  and 


85 

that  both  our  judges  of  our  circuit  and  our  justices  of  our  peace  be 
informed  thereof.  Given  at  our  Mannour  of  Greenwich,  the  four 
and  twentieth  day  of  May,  in  the  sixteenth  yeare  of  our  Raigne  of 
England,  France,  and  Ireland,  and  of  Scotland  the  one  and  fiftieth." 

William  Jenkyn  was  for  a  short  time  Lecturer.  Benjamin 
Whitchcott,  1662.  John  Good,  1664. 

The  alternate  patronage  of  the  living  is  with  the  parishioners  and 
the  Mercers  Company. 


St.  Benet  Sbereog. 

The  church  of  St.  Benet  Shereog  stood  in  Pancras  Lane  on  the 
site  of  the  present  churchyard.  On  the  wall  of  the  churchyard  there 
is  a  stone  with  this  inscription  : — "  Before  the  dreadfull  fire,  anno  1666, 
stood  the  parish  church  of  St.  Benet  Shereog." 

Sise  Lane,  in  this  parish,  is  a  corruption  of  St.  Osyth  Lane, 
St.  Osyth,  Queen  and  Martyr,  having  been  the  patron  saint  of  the 
church  until  displaced  by  St.  Benedict. 

Among  the  records  at  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  is  one  dated  from  the 
Lateran,  1300,  in  which  the  Commissary  of  the  Pope  mentions  the 
appeal  of  the  Prior  and  Convent  of  St.  Mary  Overie,  Southwark, 
against  the  Bishop  of  London,  with  regard  to  some  pensions  in  the 
Church  of  St.  Benet. 

1260. — Ralph  Faire  left  to  his  wife,  Lecia,  his  mansion  for  life, 
and  also  to  pay  five  marks  annually  for  the  maintenance  of  a  chaplain 
to  celebrate  "  Dei  Sancta  Maria.*' 

A  tenement  of  William  de  Mazalenn  in  the  parish  is  mentioned 
in  1287,  when  the  church  is  referred  to,  taking  its  name  perhaps,  as 
suggested  by  Mr.  Biley,  in  his  "  Memorials,"  from  the  fact  of  hogs 
wallowing  on  the  shores  and  ditches  connected  with  the  course  of  the 
old  Walbrook,  or  it  may  be,  as  suggested  by  Mr.  Loftie,  from  the  fact 
of  a  "  Willolmus  Serehog,"  who  lived  near  the  church  of  St.  Osyth 
in  the  Tenth  Century.  There  are  two  chapels  mentioned  as  existing 
in  the  old  church.  1848,  Eoger  Carpenter  (Pepperer)  wished  to  be 
buried  in  St.  Mary's  Chapel,  and  1898  John  Frash  (Mercer)  wished  to 
be  buried  in  St.  Sithe's  Chapel. 

A    monument    was    erected    "To    Sir    Robert    Warren,   Knt., 


36 

Alderman  and  twice  Lord  Mayor,   Merchant  of  the  Staple  at  Callis, 

with  his  two  wives  Dame  Christian  and  Dame  Joan,  which  said  Sir 

Ralph  departed  this  life  llth  July,  1558." 

Also  the  following  epitaph  to  the  memory  of  a  young  wife,  who 

died  12th  July,  1618,  in  her  28rd  year  :— 

"  Here  was  a  bad  beginning  for  her  May, 

Before  her  flower  death  took  her  hence  away ; 

But  for  what  cause  ?     That  friends  might  joy  the  more. 

She  is  not  lost,  but  in  those  joys  remaine 

Where  friends  may  see,  and  joy  in  her  againe." 

On  a  monument  in  the  chancel  was  the  following : — 
"Here  lyeth  Katherine  Prettyman,  a  mayde  of  seventeen  yeares, 
In  Suffolk  born,  in  London  bred,  as  by  her  death  appears  ; 
With  Nature's  gifts  she  was  adorned,  of  honest  birth  and  kin, 
Her  virtuous  minde,  with  modest  grace,  did  love  of  many  win ; 
But  when  she  should  with  honest  match  have  lived  a  wedded  life, 
Stay  thee,  quoth  Jove,  the  world  is  naught,  for  she  shall  be  my  wife. 
And  death,  since  then,  hast  done  thy  due,  lay  nuptial  rites  aside ; 
And  follow  her  unto  the  grave,  that  should  have  been  your  bride, 
Whose  honest  life  and  faithful  end,  her  patience  thou  withall 
Doth  plainly  show,  that  she  with  Christ  now  lives,  and  ever  shall. 

She  departed  this  life  the  llth  day  of  August,  1594." 

The  following  extract  is  from  Strype  : — 

"  On  the  19th  June,  1557,  was  old  Mrs.  Hall  buried  in  the 
church  of  St.  Benet  Shereog.  She  gave  certain  good  gowns  both  for 
men  and  women,  and  twenty  gowns  to  poor  people.  She  was 
memorable  as  being  the  mother  of  Edward  Hall,  of  Gray's  Inn,  who 
set  forth  the  chronicle  called  "  Hall's  Chronicle,"  and  I  conjecture 
this  was  that  Mrs.  Hall  that  was  a  great  reliever  of  such  as  were 
persecuted  for  religion  in  this  reign,  and  to  whom  several  of  the 
martyrs  wrote  letters  which  are  extant." 

This  same  Edward  Hall,  who  was  Gentleman  of  Gray's  Inn, 
Common  Serjeant  of  the  City,  and  also  Under- Sheriff,  was  buried  here, 
1644.  Also  Mrs.  Katharine  Phillips,  "  the  matchless  Orinda."  An 
epitaph  on  an  infant  buried  in  the  church  was  composed  by  her. 

1628. — The   church,   being   much    decayed    and    perished,   was 


87 

repaired  at  the  cost  of  the  parishioners,  and  "  some  marble  stones  that, 
had  lay  hid  under  the  pews,  were  removed  to  the  body  of  the  church, 
and  it  was  said  added  much  to  its  grace  and  beauty." 

About  this  time  Mr.  Ferrar  (father  of  Nicholas  Ferrar)  repaved 
and  seated  at  his  own  expense  the  church  and  chancel,  and,  as  there 
was  no  morning  preacher,  he  at  his  own  expense  brought  from  the 
country  Mr.  Francis  White,  who  afterwards  was  successively  Bishop 
of  Carlile,  Norwich,  and  Ely.  Mr.  Ferrar  lived  in  St.  Osyth  Lane. 

The  following  Mayors  were  buried  in  the  church : — Henry 
Frowicke  (mercer),  1478;  Sir  Ralph  Warren,  1558;  Sir  John  Lion, 
1554.  Machyn  gives  an  account  of  the  funeral  of  the  wife  of  this  Lord 
Mayor  :— 

"  September  10th,  1555,  was  bered  my  Lade  Lyonys,  the 
Ma'res  of  London,  with  a  goodly  herse  mad  in  Saint  Benet  Shereog 
perryche,  with  two  branchys  and  twenty-four  gowns  of  blake  for  pore 
men,  and  three  of  emages  and  six  dozen  pensselds,  and  six  dozen  of 
schochyons,  and  the  aldermen  folohyng  the  corrse  and  after  the 
Compane  of  Grossers,  and  the  morow  the  Masse,  and  Master  H — 
did  pryche,  and  after  a  grett  dener." 

It  is  stated  that  the  plate,  bells,  and  some  other  ornaments  of  the 
church,  which  they  had  before  the  Fire,  were  since  that  date 
"  embezzled  by  the  churchwardens." 

RECTORS. 

Nicholas,  1284-5,  "  Parson."  He  directs  his  executors  to  sell  two 
shops,  which  he  had  in  "  Estcep."  John  Vycent  de  Waltham,  1326-8. 
Sir  John  Newton,  "  Parson,"  1898,  left  to  the  churchwardens  a  quit 
rent  to  maintain  a  chantry,  died  1426.  John  Wakering,  Prebendary 
of  St.  Paul's,  1896-1426  ;  died  at  Thorpe,  Norwich.  John  Mowyer, 
1453-1477.  Nicholas  Kyrkeby,  1526-1583.  Anthony  Richardson, 
1547-1556.  Thomas  Banks,  1583-1588 ;  presented  by  Queen 
Elizabeth.  Arthur  Laurence,  ditto,  ditto,  1597-1603.  Roger  Fenton, 
Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's  ;  died  1615  ;  was  buried  beneath  the  Altar  of 
St.  Stephen's.  Griffith  Williams,  Jesus  College,  Cambridge ; 
presented  by  James  I.,  1614-1616 ;  was  Dean  of  Bangor,  1634 ; 


38 

Bishop  of  Ossory,  1661  ;  died  1671.  Hugh  Morris,  St.  Edmond's 
Hall,  Oxford,  1626  ;  Vicar  of  Chobham,  1631.  Cadwallader  Morgan, 
University  College,  Oxford,  1626. 

Matthew  Griffith,  born  1579,  Brazenose  College,  Oxford,  was 
presented  to  the  living,  1640,  by  Charles  I.,  to  whom  he  was  chaplain. 
He  was  also  lecturer  of  St.  Dunstan-in-the-East,  and  after  the 
Restoration  Master  of  the  Temple.  For  preaching  in  St.  Paul's 
Cathedral  a  sermon  in  1642,  entitled  "  A  Pathetical  Persuasion  to 
Pray  for  Publick  Peace,"  the  living  was  sequestered,  and  he  was 
placed  in  prison.  At  the  Restoration  he  was  greatly  excited,  and  on 
the  25th  March,  1660,  preached  a  Royalist  sermon  from  Proverbs  iv., 
21,  in  the  Mercers'  Chapel,  Cheapside.  This  was  published  under  the 
title  "  The  Fear  of  God  and  the  King,  Together  with  a  Brief  Historical 
Account  of  our  Unhappy  Distractions  and  the  only  way  to  heal  them." 
The  sermon  gave  great  offence,  for  which  he  was  lodged  in  Newgate. 
He  afterwards  obtained  the  living  of  Bladon,  Oxfordshire ;  died  1665. 
He  published  several  works,  among  them  being  "  A  General  Bill  of 
Mortality  of  the  Clergie  of  London  which  have  been  deprived  by 
reason  of  the  contagious  breath  of  the  Sectaries.  1646." 

Nicholas  Lockyer  was  also  minister  here,  but  was  deprived  of  the 
living.  He  was  also  Provost  of  Eton  College  ;  but  of  this  he  was  also 
deprived.  He  had  been  chaplain  to  the  Protector  ;  died  at  Woodford, 
1685,  "  a  wealthy  man,"  and  was  buried  at  St.  Mary,  Whitechapel. 

The  patronage  of  the  church  was  originally  with  the  Prior  and 
Convent  of  St.  Mary  Overie,  South wark,  until  the  dissolution,  when  it 
came  to  the  Crown,  to  whom  the  alternate  patronage,  together  with 
St.  Stephen's,  still  belongs. 


St.  JSotolpb, 

This  church  stood  opposite  Botolph  Lane,  in  Thames  Street,  and 
is  said  to  have  existed  as  early  as  the  time  of  Edward  the  Confessor. 

The  following  epitaph  to  the  memory  of  John  Rainwell 
(haberdasher),  Mayor,  1426,  was  in  the  church : — 


39 

"  Citizens  of  London,  call  to  rememmbrance 

The  famous  John  Kaimvell,  some  time  your  Mayor. 
Of  the  Staple  of  Calice,  so  was  his  chance. 
Here  now  lys  his  corps,  his  soul  bright  and  fair 
Is  taken  to  heaven's  bliss,  thereof  is  no  despair. 
His  acts  bear  witness,  by  matters  of  accord, 
How  charitable  he  was  and  of  what  record ; 
No  man  hath  been  so  beneficial  as  he 
Unto  the  city  in  giving  liberally." 

He  also  gave  a  stone  house  to  be  a  vestry  for  the  church  for  ever, 
and  left  money  "  to  clear  arid  cleanse  the  shelves  and  other  stoppages 
of  the  River  Thames." 

John  Rainwell  was  evidently  a  man  of  some  determination.  In 
1426  information  was  given  him  that  the  Lombard  Merchants  were 
guilty  of  adulterating  their  wines.  On  finding  this  charge  to  be  true, 
he  at  once  seized  and  ordered  150  butts  to  be  thrown  down  the 
kennell. 

At  this  church,  on  the  25th  August,  1559,  "  the  rood  and  the 
images  of  Mary  and  John,  and  of  the  patron  of  the  church,  were  burnt, 
with  books  of  superstition ;  where,  at  the  same  time,  a  preacher 
standing  within  the  church  wall  made  a  sermon,  and  while  he  was 
preaching  the  books  were  thrown  into  the  fire,  also  a  cross  of  wood 
that  stood  in  the  churchyard." 

The  building  was  repaired  at  the  cost  of  the  parishioners,  1624. 
Stow  says  "  that  it  was  a  proper  church."  He  also  says  "  that  there 
were  buried  there  many  persons  of  good  worship,  whose  monuments 
were  all  destroyed  by  bad  and  greedy  men  of  spoil." 

After  the  Fire  the  ground  on  which  the  chancel  of  the  church 
had  stood  was  rented  by  Sir  Josiah  Child,  in  1693,  for  £100  per 
annum.  He  formed  out  of  this  the  passage  to  Botolph  Wharf,  while 
the  ground  on  which  the  nave  had  stood  was  let  for  building  at  £6  a 
year  for  ground  rent. 

The  presentation  was  given  by  Ordgar,  in  the  twelfth  century,  to 
the  Canons  of  St.  Paul's,  and  continues  a  joint  presentation  with 
them  and  the  Crown  until  the  present  day. 

In  this  church  seveial  persons  were  "presented"  for  religious 
oftences.  John  Marlor,  grocer,  "  For  calling  the  Sacrament  of  the 
Altar  the  baken  god ;  for  saying  that  the  Mass  was  called  beyond  the 


40 

seas  "Miss,"  for  that  all  was  amiss  with  it.  Nine  persons  were 
"  presented "  for  "  that  they  had  not  confessed  in  Lent  nor  had 
received  in  Easter."  Another  that  "  He  came  to  the  church  with 
loud  reading  of  the  English  Bible,  and  that  he  disturbed  the  Divine 
Service."  Another  "  That  he  was  a  railer  against  the  Mass." 

1318. — William  Pickman  left  some  rents  to  be  devoted  to  the 
maintenance  for  six  years  of  a  chantry  in  the  church. 

1322.— Oliver  de  Kent  (fishmonger)  left  a  bequest  for  the  supply 
of  wax. 

The  church,  similar  to  so  many  others  in  the  old  city,  possessed 
a  fraternity. 

1397. — Richard  Tyknore  (draper)  wished  to  be  buried  in  the 
church,  leaving  a  bequest  to  it,  and  also  to  the  fraternity  of  St.  Mary 
therein. 

Stephen  Forster  (fishmonger),  Mayor,  1454,  was  buried  in  the 
church  with  Agnes  his  wife. 

1622. — Thomas  Barker  left  £4  for  poor  maids  and  widows,  who 
should  be  married  in  the  parish,  2s.  6d.  each  to  the  churchwardens, 
6d.  to  the  sexton,  and  Is.  to  the  clerk. 

1656. — John  Wardell  left  funds  in  the  hands  of  the  Grocers' 
Company  in  order  to  pay  £4  to  provide  "  a  good  and  sufficient  iron 
and  glass  lantern,  with  a  candle,  for  the  direction  of  passengers  to  go 
with  more  security  to  and  from  the  water  side  all  night  long,  to  be 
fixed  at  the  N.E.  corner  of  St.  Botolph  Church,  from  Bartholomew 
Day  to  Lady  Day,  and  Is.  to  the  sexton  to  take  care  of  such  lantern." 

RECTORS. 
' 
.••          Thomas  de  Snodilande,   1343—1349.     He  wished  to  be  buried 

before  the  image  of  St.  Botolph,  on  the  south  side  of  the  High  Altar. 
He  also  left  money  for  a  chantry,  and  for  the  welfare  of  the  brethren 
of  the  Chapel  of  St.  Mary  in  the  Church.  William  Rose,  1413—1441. 
Lawrence  Bathe,  1444,  while  yet  a  deacon,  was  ordained  priest  1446, 
afterwards  deacon  of  St.  Paul's  and  Bishop  of  Durham.  Walter 
Countre,  1508—1520.  Edward  Marmyon,  1535.  John  Mullins,  1557; 
Archdeacon  of  London,  1559  ;  died  1591.  Griffith  Williams,  New 
College,  Oxford,  1559 ;  was  also  Vicar  of  Shoreditch  and  Canon  of 
Hereford  and  Worcester ;  died  1573.  Robert  Harvey,  1595.  Michael 
Gifford,  1597—1629.  William  Kinge,  Christ  Church,  Oxford,  1629. 


41 

Thomas  Wykes,  Precenter  of  St.  Paul's,  1639,  also  Rector  of  Finchley; 
died  1644.  Jacob  Tice,  "  Pastor,"  1648.  Philemon  King,  Prebendary 
of  St.  Paul's,  1640 — 1666.  "  He  was  a  most  charitable  preacher  and 
good-natured  man,  and  an  excellent  Christian." 

In  the  Guildhall  Library  there  is  a  very  fine  old  manuscript, 
printed  on  vellum,  which  was  purchased  for  the  sum  of  £'65,  with  the 
following  title  : — 

"  Original  Register  Book  of  the  Charters,  Writings,  Close  Rolls, 
Wills,  Indentures,  Memorandums,  and  all  the  Monuments  of  the 
Church  of  St.  Botolph,  Billingsgate,  written  in  the  year  1418,  by  the 
consent  of  William  Rose,  the  Rector,  and  John  Aylesham  and  William 
Bell,  churchwardens." 

The  manuscript  commences  with  the  will  of  Oliver  de  Kent,  1322, 
and  finishes  with  that  of  Thomas  Wall,  1530. 


St.  jfaitb  linger  St.  Paul. 

Originally  this  church  was  a  distinct  building,  standing  at  the 
eastern  end  of  the  Cathedral.  It  is  recorded  that  Falk  Bassett,  Bishop 
of  London,  1241,  "  began  in  1256  to  build  the  church  of  St.  Faith  on 
the  spot  which  King  John  had  formerly  given  to  the  Bishop  and 
Chapter  of  St.  Paul's  for  a  market."  The  Bishop  died  .of  the  plague 
in  1259,  and  was  buried  in  St.  Paul's,  where  he  founded  two  chantries 
for  his  father  and  mother.  He  also  bequeathed  to  St.  Paul's  a  golden 
apple,  two  rich  chests  for  relics  and  vestments,  and  some  books. 

The  church  was  taken  down  to  provide  for  the  enlargement  of  the 
Cathedral  which  took  place  in  1261,  after  which  the  vaults  at  the 
west  end  of  Jesus  Chapel  under  the  choir  were  appropriated  to  the  use 
of  the  parishioners  ;  this  was  called  "  Ecclesia  sancta  Fidel  in  cryptix." 

This  chapel,  which  was  an  extremely  beautiful  building,  was 
entered  by  a  flight  of  twenty-six  steps,  and  measured  one  hundred  and 
eighty  feet  in  length,  eighty  feet  in  width,  consisting  of  four  aisles 
divided  by  three  rows  of  columns,  eight  in  each  row.  Over  the  door 
leading  into  the  chapel  was  "  curiously  painted  "  the  image  of  Jesus, 
also  a  figure  of  Margaret,  Countess  of  Shrewsbury,  who  was  buried 
before  the  iniase. 


42 

There  was  at  the  east  side  of  the  churchyard  a  bell  tower,  with  a 
high  wooden  spire,  covered  with  lead,  called  "  La  Clouchier"  On  the 
top  a  fine  statue  of  St.  Paul.  In  the  tower  were  four  large  bells  called 
"  Jesus  Bells,"  so  called  as  belonging  to  the  chapel  under  the  Cathedral. 
These  were  all  standing  until  Sir  Miles  Partridge,  Knt.,  having  won 
them  from  Henry  VIII.  at  one  cast  of  the  dice,  broke  the  bells  as  they 
hung,  pulled  down  the  tower,  and  sold  all  the  materials.  Sir  Miles 
was  afterwards  executed  on  Tower  Hill.  Jesus  Chapel  being  suppressed 
by  Edward  VI.,  the  parishioners  of  St.  Faith,  in  the  year  1551,  were 
permitted  to  remove  into  it.  The  building  thus  remained  their  parish 
church  until  the  destruction  of  the  Cathedral. 

"Gregory's  Chronicle"  says:  "  1551. — Item,  xxiij  day  of  Augusts, 
the  periche  of  Seynt  Faith  entered  furst  into  Jesus  Chappelle  as  their 
periche  church,  and  had  servys  there." 

Sir  Christopher  Barker,  Garter  King  at  Arms  and  Suffolk 
Herald  to  King  Henry  VIII.,  died  1549,  and  was  buried  "  in  the  Long 
Chappie,  next  to  St.  Faith's  Church,  in  St.  Paul's."  He  possessed 
large  property  in  Lime  Street,  in  Nicholas  Lane,  and  Ivy  Lane,  in  the 
City. 

Robert  Johnson  was  buried  in  Jesus  Chapel,  1558.  He  was 
principal  Registrar  of  the  Diocese  of  London,  and  one  of  the  Actuaries 
at  the  trial  of  Bishop  Hooper,  1554. 

On  his  tomb  was  the  following  inscription  :— 

"  Of  your  charite  pray  for  the  sowlys  of  Robert  Johnson,  late  one 
of  the  Proctors  of  the  Arches,  and  Alyce,  his  wyf,  who  lyeth  both 
buried  under  this  stone,  which  Robert  endyd  this  lyfe  the  x\  day  of 
November,  Anno  Domini  1558  ;  and  the  sayd  Alyce  endyd  her  lyfe 
the  xxi  day  of  April,  1555,  on  whose  sowlles,  and  all  Christian  sowlles, 
our  Lord  have  mercy." 

Machyn  records  that  the  funeral  took  place  "  with  two  white 
branches,  fourteen  grete  staffe  torches,  four  grete  tapers,  two  dozen 
and  a  half  of  eschoins  of  arms,  thirty  mourners  in  black,  and  all  the 
masters  of  Jesus  Guild  in  their  black  satin  hoods."  "  There  was  also 
a  morrow  Mass,  together  with  a  sermon,  a  grete  dinner  and  a  dole  of 
money." 

On  a  raised  stone  in  the  middle  aisle  was  an  inscription  to  the 
memory  of  William  Balham  and  Alice,  his  wife,  A.D.  1577 :— 


43 

"  So  here  the  certain  end  of  every  mortal  one, 
Behold  !  Alive  to  day,  to-morrow  dead  and  gone  ; 
Live  well,  so  endless  life  (by  death)  you  shall  obtaine, 
Nought  lose  the  good  by  death,  since  life  thereby  they  gaine." 

Also  a  tablet  with  the  following  inscription  :  — 

"  Here  buried  is  Elizabeth,  of  honour,  worthy  dame, 

Her  husband,  ers't  Lord  Shandoys  was  her  sonne,  hath  now  like 

name ; 

Her  father  was  of  Wilton  Lord,  a  Gray  of  puissant  fame ; 
Her  brother  left,  with  us  behinde,  now  Lord  is  of  the  same  ; 

Her  vertuous  life  yet  still  doth  live,  her  honour  shall  remain  ; 

P 
Her  corps,  though  it  be  growne  to  dust,  her  soule  the  heavens 

containe." 
"  Quae  obit  29  JJecewbrix,  Ann.  JJoin.  1559." 

"  The  vault,  which  before  the  Fire  was  the  parish  church  of  St. 
Faith,  under  the  present  choir  of  St.  Paul's,  is  about  seventeen  feet 
below  the  area  or  floor  of  the  church,  and  probably  one  of  the  most 
capacious  and  every  way  curious  vaults  in  the  world.  Here  the  coffins 
are  buried  in  the  ground,  and  do  not  lay  on  the  surface  as  in  other 
vaults."  (Hughson's,  London.) 

William  Lamb,  born  1595,  was  buried  here.  He  was  master  of 
the  Cloth Avorkers'  Company,  1669.  In  early  life  he  lived  in  London 
Wall,  and  left  money  and  a  chapel  there  to  the  Company  to  provide 
clothing  for  twenty-four  poor  men  and  women.  Lamb's  Chapel,  with 
some  almshouses,  were  pulled  down  in  1825. 

In  the  church  of  St.  James,  Prebend  Square,  Islington,  which 
was  built  from  funds  of  this  charity,  there  is  a  fine  bust  of  the  founder 
in  his  livery  gown,  with  purse  in  one  hand  and  his  gloves  in  the  other. 
It  bears  date  1712,  and  was  removed  from  the  old  chapel  in  London 
Wall.  He  died  1680.  His  tomb,  which,  with  St.  Faith's  Church,  was 
destroyed,  bore  a  brass  plate  with  a  figure  of  himself  in  armour  and 
his  three  wives,  Joan,  Alice,  and  Joan.  The  last  survived  him  and 
was  buried  in  St.  Olave,  Silver  Street. 


44 

The  tomb  bore  the  following  inscription  : — 

"  I  pray  you  all  that  receive  bread  and  pence, 

To  say  the  Lord's  Prayer,  before  you  go  hence; 

As  I  was,  so  are  ye, 

As  I  am  you  shall  be  ; 
,  That  I  have,  that  I  gave ; 

That  I  gave,  that  I  have ; 

Thus  I  end  all  my  cost, 

That  I  left,  that  I  lost." 

Lamb  was  noted  for  his  piety  and  benevolence.  An  old  biographer 
says:  "  He  hath  bene  seene  and  marked  at  Pawle's  Cross  to  have  con- 
tinued from  eight  of  the  clocke  until  eleven  attentively  to  listen  to  the 
preacher's  voice  and  to  have  endured  the  ende,  being  weak  and  aged, 
when  others,  both  strong  and  lustie,  went  away." 

Mrs.  Masters,  1665,  left  40s.  in  the  hands  of  the  churchwardens 
to  repair  the  pews.  She  also  gave  for  the  use  of  the  church  a  silver 
flagon,  a  silver  cup,  and  a  silver  plate  for  the  bread. 

In  "  A  Brief  Account  of  the  Charities  of  the  Parish,"  published  in 
1878  by  the  Rector,  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Milman,  he  gives  a  copy  of  returns 
to  articles  by  Commissioners  of  the  Crown  in  the  reign  of  Edward  VI. 
(preserved  in  the  Public  Record  Office).  These  returns  show  that  early 
in  the  reign  of  that  monarch,  and  apparently  in  anticipation  of  coming 
spoliation  by  a  Royal  Commission,  both  the  parishioners  of  St.  Augus- 
tine and  also  of  St.  Faith,  authorised  the  churchwardens  to  sell  all  the 
plate  and  vestments  belonging  to  their  respective  churches,  save  the 
small  quantity  of  each  required  for  the  actual  celebration  of  Divine 
service.  By  this  sale  the  parish  of  St.  Augustine  realised  nearly  £200, 
of  which  the  sum  of  £103  was  laid  out  in  the  purchase  of  three  houses 
which  were  vested  in  trustees,  the  rents  to  be  applied  to  the  "  better 
maintenance  of  God's  Divine  Service  in  the  said  church."  The  less 
wealthy  parish  of  St.  Faith  realised  by  the  sale  no  more  than  £88  11s., 
the  whole  of  which  they  expended  in  throwing  into  their  church  in  the 
crypt  of  the  Cathedral  that  further  portion  of  the  crypt  which  had  hith- 
erto served  as  "  The  Chapel  called  the  Crowds,"  and  for  setting  up  a 
choir  therein  and  for  furnishing  and  adorning  the  same.  "Certain  old 
books  of  the  church  were  sold  to  one  John  Rogerson  for  12s." 

In  the  Library  of  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  there  are  some  most  inter- 
esting documents  referring  to  this  parish  : 


"  A  Kelease  by  Robert,  Prior  of  St.  Bartholomew  to  Sir  Godfrey 
de  Acre,  Canon  of  St.  Paul's,  of  a  rent  of  5s.  from  a  house  in  Elders 
Lane  in  the  parish  of  St.  Faith,  which  they  had  of  his  gift  for  the 
purchase  of  wine  for  Divine  service,  A.D.  1257." 

An  old  document  says :  "  In  the  lane  of  old  tyme  called  Aldens 
Lane,  but  now  cawled  Warwic  Lane."  It  also  appears  that  Ivy  Lane 
was  formerly  called  Folkmares  Lane. 

Another  deed  shows  that  the  "  Dean  and  Chapter  of  St.  Paul's 
assign  to  different  members  of  their  body  the  inns  called  '  Hospitium 
Johannis  de  Sancto  Laurentio '  and  Stamford  Inn,  both  situate  in  Ivy 
Lane  in  the  parish  of  St.  Faith,  for  the  rest  of  their  lives,  or  as  long 
as  they  shall  remain  Canons." 

A  grant  by  "  Brother  Robert,  Proctor  of  the  Hospital  of  St. 
Thomas  at  Southwark,  and  the  brethren  and  sisters  of  that  place,  to 
Master  Robert  de  Arches,  of  land  and  houses  in  the  parish  of  St. 
Faith,  'juxta  vicum  regis  occidentalim,'  to  hold  in  fee,  rendering  a 
pound  of  frankinsense  or  4d.  yearly  on  St.  Thomas  Day.  A.D.  1217." 
There  is  a  very  fine  ecclesiastical  seal  attached  to  this  document. 

The  following  is  an  inventory  of  articles  belonging  to  the  church 
in  1298 :  A  copper  cup  gilt  and  a  pyx  of  ivory.  Two  censers.  A 
flabellum.  A  cross  of  Limoges  work,  with  a  painted  wooden  staff  and 
two  other  crosses.  A  hand  bell  and  a  little  bell  to  be  sounded  at  the 
Elevation.  Three  super  Altars,  blest.  Seven  osculatoria.  One  fan  of 
peacocks'  feathers.  A  Crismatory.  Several  vestments,  a  chasuble  of 
green  samite  embroidered  with  figures  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  the 
Crucifix,  St.  Mary  and  St.  John,  St.  Peter  and  St.  Paul,  and  other 
saints  (the  gift  of  Hugh  de  Vienne),  a  vestment  embroidered  with 
doves  sitting  upon  branches,  a  cope  embroidered  with  vines,  the  Agnus 
Dei,  and  four  shields.  A  Lent  veil.  A  missal  of  the  use  of  St.  Paul's. 
An  antiphonarium.  A  legendarium.  Three  graduals.  A  psalter.  A 
manual.  An  office  for  the  Dedication.  Another  with  the  lives  of  St. 
Thomas  and  the  Blessed  Edward.  A  chest  with  a  lock  for  the  afore- 
said books.  A  paschal  candlestick."  * 

In  1509  a  parishioner  refused  to  pay  his  share  of  the  parish  clerk's 
salary,  the  proportion  in  which  it  had  been  taxed  by  the  churchwardens 
and  parishioners,  deducting  it  from  his  other  assessments.  On  5th 

"  St.  Paul's  "— BEV.  W.  S.  SIMPSON. 


46 

September  he  was  ordered  to  pay  it  within  eight  days.  On  the  Mon- 
day after  All  Saints'  Day  it  was  certified  as  paid,  and  he  was 
discharged. 

Among  the  bequests  recorded  by  Dr.  Sharpe  to  this  church  is  one 
in  1393,  by  Martin  Ely,  one  of  the  Minor  Canons  of  St.  Paul's.  "  To 
the  church  of  St.  Faith  he  leaves  his  chalice  and  portifory,  with  music, 
of  the  use  of  St.  Paul." 

The  following  interesting  bequest  of  books  is  also  made : — 

"  To  his  brethren  the  Minor  Canons  living  in  their  common  hall  he 
leaves  his  books  '  Deere  tales  Sum  mart  inn,'  and  ecclesiastical  stories  of 
the  weaknesses  and  virtues  of  the  four  evangelists  with  glossers,  a 
book  called  '  Radonale  Dirin»nnn,'  a  book  in  quires  and  unbound  of 
divers  treatises  after  the  manner  of  concordances,  "  A  Briton  "  (this 
book  Dr.  Sharp  considers  refers  to  a  treatise  on  law,  written  in  French, 
attributed  by  some  to  John  Breton,  Bishop  of  Hereford,  and  a  judge) 
and  a  "  Legend  of  Saints." 

John  Norton,  Printer  in  Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew  to  Queen 
Elizabeth,  an  Alderman  in  the  reign  of  James  I.,  left  £150  to  the 
minister  and  churchwardens  in  order  to  distribute  weekly  to  twelve 
poor  persons  (six  to  be  appointed  by  the  parish  and  six  by  the 
Stationers'  Company,  of  which  he  was  three  times  master),  "  twopence 
each  and  a  penny  loaf,  the  vantage  loaf,  that  is,  the  thirteenth 
allowed  by  the  baker  to  be  given  to  the  clerk.  Ten  shillings  to  be 
paid  annually  for  a  sermon  at  St.  Faith's  on  Ash  Wednesday  :  the 
residue  to  be  laid  out  on  cakes,  wine,  and  ale  for  the  Company  of 
Stationers,  either  before  or  after  the  sermon."  This  sermon  is  still 
preached  as  directed  at  St.  Augustine's  Church. 

RECTORS. 

Sir  Robert,  called  "Le  Seneschal,"  1277.  Martyn  Elys,  1367. 
Robert  Dale,  1424—1486.  Richard  Heyman,  1436-1464.  Richard 
Layton,  LL.D.,  Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's,  1535,  also  Rector  of 
Stepney ;  Dean  of  York,  1539 ;  died  1544.  John  Denman,  1547. 
John  Cooke,  1572—1582.  William  Woodford,  1624. 

It  is  related  by  Walker,  in  his  "  Sufferings  of  the  Clergy,"  that 
Mr.  Brown  "was  sequestered  from  the  living  because  he  had  given 
offence  to  godly  Mrs.  Charnock,  by  bowing  towards  the  Altar  at 
Whitehall."  "  He  was  an  admirable  plain  preacher,  and  of  such  a 


47 

venerable   aspect    that   as    he   passed   along   those   who   reviled   his 
brethren,  reverenced  him." 

J.  B.  Saunders,  who  was  "  minister  "  here  for  a  short  time,  was 
called  "  Chaplain  of  Noah's  Ark,"  from  the  circumstance  of  his 
congregation  in  the  afternoon  numbering  but  eight  persons. 

Arthur  Jackson,  who  had  been  Rector  of  St.  Michael,  Wood 
Street,  was  appointed  to  St.  Faith,  1642.  In  1624,  while  a  great 
sickness  was  raging  in  the  City,  he  was  one  of  those  who  continued 
faithfully  to  discharge  all  his  duties,  and  was  preserved  from  infection. 
He  was  a  strong  Royalist,  was  fined  £500  for  refusing  to  give  evidence 
in  a  case,  and  committed  to  the  Fleet,  where  he  remained  seventeen 
weeks.  He  was  afterwards  appointed  one  of  the  Commissioners  at 
the  Savoy  Conference.  At  the  Restoration  he  was  chosen  by  the 
Provincial  Assembly  of  London  to  wait  at  the  head  of  the  City  clergy 
in  order  to  present  a  Bible  to  Charles  II.,  when  he  passed  through 
the  parish  in  his  triumphal  progress  through  the  City.  Mr.  Jackson 
would  not  read  the  "  Book  of  Sports."  This  was  reported  to  Archbishop 
Laud,  who  answered  "  Mr.  Jackson  is  a  quiet  peaceable  man,  and 
therefore  I  will  not  have  him  meddled  with."  He  had  a  strong 
objection  to  the  use  of  music  in  churches,  as  the  following  extract 
from  one  of  his  sermons  will  show  :  — 

"  I  appeal  to  the  experience  of  every  ingenuous  person  whether 
curiosity  of  voice  and  musical  sounds  in  churches  does  not  tickle  the 
fancy  with  a  carnal  delight,  and  engage  a  man's  ear  and  most  diligent 
attention  unto  these  sensible  motions  and  sounds,  and  therefore  must 
necessarily  in  great  measure  recall  him  from  spiritual  communion 
with  God,  seeing  the  mind  of  man  cannot  attend  to  two  things  at 
once,  and  when  we  serve  God  we  must  do  it  with  all  our  might." 

On  the  passing  of  the  Act  of  1662,  he  resigned  the  living  and 
retired  to  Hadley,  Middlesex,  where  he  died,  1666,  aged  seventy-three 
years. 

He  published  in  four  volumes  "  Annotations  On  Several  Parts  of 
the  Bible." 

John  Geree,  born  1601,  was  appointed  "  Preacher,"  1647.  He 
lived  in  Ivy  Lane.  His  sermons  were  largely  attended  by  Puritans. 
His  reverence  for  the  person  of  the  King  was  such  that  Baxter  says 
"  he  died  at  the  news  of  the  King's  death,  1649."  He  was  buried  in 
the  church.  He  wrote  and  published  a  considerable  number  of  works, 


48 

among  them  being  "  The  Character  of  an  Old  English  Puritan,  or 
Nonconformist.  Lond.,  1646."  Also  the  following :— "  The  Red 
Horse  ;  or,  the  Bloodiness  of  War.  Represented  in  a  sermon  (to 
persuade  to  peace)  preached  at  Paul's,  July  16th,  at  five  of  the  clocke 
in  the  afternoon,  By  Jo.  Gerce,  M.A.,  and  Pastor  of  St.  Faith  under 
Paul's,  and  now  published  to  cleare  the  Preacher  from  Malignancy 
imputed  to  him  by  several  left-eared  Auditors.  Lond.,  1648." 

The  patronage  of  the  living  is  and  always  has  been  with  the 
Dean  and  Chapter  of  St.  Paul's. 

This  old  church  is  mentioned  in  the  following  extracts  from 
"Pepys'  Diary  "  : 

1666,  September  7th. — "  Up  by  five  o'clock  and  blessed  be  God. 
Find  all  well,  and  by  water  to  Paul's  Wharf e.  Walked  thence  and 
saw  all  the  towne  burned,  and  a  miserable  sight  of  Paul's  Church, 
with  all  the  roof  fallen  and  the  body  of  the  quire  fallen  into  St. 
Fayth's." 

1666,  September  26th. — "  By  Mr.  Dugdale,  I  hear  the  great  loss  of 
books  at  Paul's  Church  Yarde  and  at  the  Stationers'  Hall,  and  which 
they  value  at  £150,000,  some  booksellers  being  wholly  undone,  and 
among  others  they  say  my  poor  Kirton.  And  Mr.  Crumlan  and  his 
household  stuff  burned,  they  trusting  to  St.  Fayth's,  and  the  roof  of 
the  church  falling  broke  the  arch  down  into  the  lower  church,  and  so 
all  the  goods  burned.  A  very  great  loss." 

1666,  October  5th — "  That  the  goods  laid  in  the  church  yarde 
fired  through  the  windows  those  in  St.  Fayth's  Church,  and  these 
coming  to  the  warehouses'  doors  fired  them,  and  burned  all  the  books 
and  pillars  of  the  church,  so  as  the  roof,  falling  down,  broke  quite 
down,  which  it  did  not  do  in  other  places  of  the  church  which  is  alike 
pillared  (which  I  knew  not  before),  but  being  not  burned  they  stand 
still." 

1666,  November  12th. — "In  Convocation  House  Yard  I  did  there 
see  the  body  of  Robert  Braybrook,  Bishop  of  London,  that  died  1404. 
He  fell  down  in  his  tomb  out  of  the  great  church  into  St.  Fayth's  this 
late  fire,  and  is  seen  here  his  skeleton  with  no  flesh  on,  but  all  rough 
and  dry,  like  a  spongy  dry  leather,  or  touchwood,  all  upon  his  bones, 
many  flocking  to  see  it." 

1667,  June  7th. — "  But  that  the  burning  of  the  goods  under  St. 
Fayth's  arose  from  the  goods  taking  fire  in  the  church  yard,  and  so 


49 

got  into  St.  Fayth's  Church,  and  that  they  first  took  fire  from  the 
draper's  side,  by  some  timber  of  the  houses  that  were  burned  falling 
into  the  church." 

1668,  September  16th. — "  I  stopped,  too,  at  Paul's,  and  there  did 
go  into  St.  Fayth's  Church,  and  also  into  the  body  of  the  west  part  of 
the  church,  and  do  see  a  hideous  sight  of  the  walls  of  the  church  ready 
to  fall,  that  I  was  in  fear  as  long  as  I  was  in  it,  and  here  I  saw  the 
great  vaults  underneath  the  body  of  the  church.  No  hurt  I  hear  is 
done  of  it,  since  then  going  to  pull  down  the  church  and  steeple,  but 
one  man  on  Monday  this  week  fell  from  the  top  to  a  piece  of  the  roof 
of  the  east  end  that  stands  next  to  the  steeple,  and  there  broke  himself 
all  to  pieces.  It  is  pretty  here  to  see  how  the  last  church  was  but  a 
case  over  the  old  church,  for  you  may  see  the  very  old  pillars  standing 
whole  within  the  walls  of  this." 


St.  Gabriel,  jfencburcb. 

This  church  stood  in  Fenchurch  Street,  between  Rood  Lane  and 
Mincing  Lane,  nearly  opposite  C^llum  Street.  The  ground  on  which 
it  stood  was  after  the  Fire  thrown  into  the  public  way.  It  was  called 
St.  Mary's-  until  1517,  when  the  name  was  changed  to  All  Saints,  after 
which  it  was  again  changed  to  the  present  one. 

A  small  portion  of  the  churchyard  still  exists  in  Fen  Court. 

1372. — John  Somushane,  Woolman,  left  directions  to  be  buried 
before  the  Altar  of  St.  John  the  Baptist  in  the  church,  "if  the 
parishioners  will  consent." 

Helming  Leggatt,  in  1376,  gave  a  tenement  with  yard  and  garden 
to  the  parson  and  his  successors  for  ever.  "  The  house  to  be  a  parsonage 
house  and  the  garden  to  be  a  churchyard  for  the  parish." 

1631. — The  church  was  enlarged  by  adding  nine  feet  to  the  length. 
It  was  also  "  very  worthily  beautified  at  the  proper  cost  and  charges  of 
the  parish,"  the  amount  expended  being  £537  10s. 

"  A  very  fair "  figure  of  the  King's  Arms  in  the  glass  of  the 
chancel  window  was  the  gift  of  Thomas  Clark,  Glazier,  on  which  were 
the  words  "  Touch  not  Mine  Anointed." 


50 

Pepys  in  his  diary  mentions  this  church  : — 

1665,  October  9th.—"  To  church  with  my  wife  in  the  morning  in 
her  new  light-coloured  silk  goune,  which  is  with  her  new  point  very 
noble.  In  the  afternoon  to  Fenchurch,  the  little  church  in  the  middle 
of  Fenchurch  Street,  where  a  very  few  people  and  few  of  any  rank." 

The  alternate  presentation  is  with  the  Crown  and  Corporation. 

RECTORS. 

John  Peynell,  1321.  John  Trutheriff,  1462-1499.  Thomas 
Marshall,  "  Vicar,"  1527-1529.  Thomas  Osmond,  1540-1556.  James 
Meadows,  Chaplain  to  James  I.,  1603;  also  Rector  of  Snodiland,  Kent, 
1614;  died  1631.  George  Palmer,  Fellow,  Lincoln  College,  Oxford, 
1682  ;  was  sequestered,~1543,  by  the  Westminster  Assembly  of  Divines. 
Ralph  Cook,  1637  ;  "  was  dispossessed  of  the  living  "  ;  restored  1660. 
John  Wallis,  Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge,  Savilian  Professor  of 
Geometry,  "Minister,"  1645  ;  died  1703.  Thomas  Harward,  1662. 

The  parish  registers  date  from  1571. 


St.  (Bresors  b£  St.  Paul. 

This  church  stood  at  the  south-west  angle  of  the  Cathedral,  con- 
tiguous to  the  Lollards'  Tower,  which  had  been  at  one  time  used  for  the 
imprisonment  of  heterodox  divines,  and  on  the  site  of  the  clock  tower 
of  the  present  Cathedral,  the  northern  wall  of  this  little  sanctuary 
touching  the  Cathedral  wall. 

The  church  had  been  in  existence  as  early  as  1010,  when  Bishop 
Alwynn  removed  the  remains  of  King  Edmund  the  Martyr  from  St. 
Edmund's  Priory  to  St.  Gregory's,  where  they  remained  for  three 
years,  while  the  Danes  were  ravaging  East  Anglia. 

1276. — Thomas  Everard  left  to  the  church  four  shillings  annual 
rent  of  a  shop. 

We  read  of  Richard  II.  presenting  a  rector  to  this  living.  In  his 
reign  the  Petty  Canons  of  St.  Paul's  obtained  Letters  Patent  to  be  a 
body  politic,  by  the  name  of  the  "  College  of  the  Twelve  Petty  Canons 
of  St.  Paul's  Church."  They  had  the  church  of  St.  Gregory  appor- 
tioned, to  them  for  their  better  support, 


51 

In  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  Library  there  are  some  interesting  docu- 
ments relating  to  this  old  church. 

An  agreement  between  the  Dean  and  Chapter  and  Robert  de 
Keteryngham,  the  Rector,  concerning  the  chantry  of  Gilbert  de  Bruer, 
dated  1356.  Two  very  fine  ecclesiastical  seals  are  attached. 

1398. — John  Tykhill,  chaplain,  resigned  the  chantry  of  Isabel 
Bokerel,  in  St.  Paul's,  on  being  presented  to  the  rectory  of  St. 
Gregory. 

In  an  inventory  of  articles  belonging  to  the  churchwardens  are 
the  following : — A  wooden  pix  for  the  oblations.  A  wooden  cross  with 
images  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  St.  John.  Two  other  crosses  of 
copper  of  Limoges  with  one  wooden  staff.  A  leaden  vase  for  the  holy 
water,  the  gift  of  Walter  (Galfridi  de  Criptix  Rcctorix). 

After  the  fire  at  St.  Paul's,  in  1561,  which  destroyed  the  steeple 
and  a  considerable  portion  of  the  building,  we  read  that,  on  the  23rd 
June,  1571,  "  began  the  service  to  be  said  at  St.  Gregory's  Church  by 
the  Paul's  quire  till  St.  Paul's  might  be  got  ready."  The  services 
continued  to  be  held  in  St.  Gregory's  until  November  of  the  same  year, 
when  "  was  begone  the  serves  at  Powlles  to  synge  and  there  was  a 
great  Communion." 

The  following  were  buried  in  the  church  :— 

1558,  August  23rd. — Dr.  Cook,  Dean  of  the  Arches  and  Judge  of 
the  Admiralty,  "  a  right  temporizer."  "  The  church  hanged  with  black 
and  four  "hundred  and  fifty  arms.  There  were -present  all  the  Brethren 
of  Jesus  in  satin  hoods  and  I.H.S.  upon  them,  with  all  the  priests  of 
Paul's.  In  January  following  was  set  up  for  him  a  coat,  armour,  and 
a  pennon  of  arms  and  two  banners  of  saints." 

1558,  November  22nd. — Robert  Johnson,  Gentleman,  and  Officer 
to  the  Bishop  of  London,  "  buried  honourably  in  Jesus  Chapel.  Many 
mourners  in  black,  and  all  the  masters  (or  brothers)  of  Jesus  in  their 
black  satin  hoods  ;  the  morrow  Mass  and  a  sermon  ;  and  after  a  great 
dinner  and  a  dole  of  money." — (STRYPE). 

Thomas  Redman,  Proctor  of  the  Arches,  1601. 

Valentine  Dale,  Ambassador  to  Flanders,  1512  ;  Archdeacon  of 
Surrey,  1573  ;  Ambassador  to  France,  1573-6 ;  Dean  of  Wells,  1574  ; 
and  for  some  years  representing  Chichester  in  Parliament.  Died  at 
his  house,  near  St.  Paul's,  November  17th,  1589. 

Stephen  Collye,  "  The  Protestant  Joiner,"  convicted  and  executed 


52 

for  treason  at  Oxford,  1681,  after  a  London  jury  had  ignored  the 
indictment. 

Alison,  second  wife  of  George  Heriot,  20th  April,  1612,  and  Dr. 
Thomas  White,  the  deprived  Bishop  of  Peterborough. 

Martin  Brown,  Master  of  the  Barber  Surgeons'  Company  in 
1653.  He  died  1654.  In  his  will  he  describes  himself  as  of  the 
Parish  of  St.  Gregory,  "  full  of  years,"  and  desires  to  be  buried  in  his 
parish  church  near  his  dead  children,  "  which  was  partly  under  my 
own  pewe  where  now  of  late  I  satt." 

The  registers  of  St.  Gregory  date  from  1589. 

The  following  extracts  are  interesting : — 

Baptism.— 1629,  June  26th.—"  Moyses  and  Aaron,  two  children 
found  in  the  streete." 

Burials.— 1600,  February  10th.—"  Mr.  Tracey,  a  yonge  gent  who 
was  slain  in  the  uprore  between  Paule's  and  Ludgate,  the  eighth  day 
of  February." 

1600,  February  12th. — "  Captayne  William  Wayte,  who  was  slayne 
in  resistance  to  the  Erie  of  Essex  and  other  his  associates,  the  eighth 
day  of  February." 

1600,  February  16th. — "  Edward  Neot,  servant  to  Sir  Christopher 
Blount,  who  was  wounded  in  the  uprore  the  eighth  of  February." 

1580,  March  14th. — "  One  of  the  Bishoppe  of  Asaph  his  men, 
being  slayne  at  Pawle's  Chayne." 

1589,  April  25th. — "  Lawrence  Middleton,  Gent.,  who  had  his 
deathe's  wound  in  the  church  yard." 

1592,  June  2nd.—"  Morgan  Aubrey,  slain  at  Pawle's  Chayne." 

1594,  October  3rd. — "  Francis  Bourne,  Gent.,  slayne  in  St.  Pawle's 
church  yard." 

1595,  August  29th.— "John  Pendringe,  Gent.,  who   received  his 
deathe's  wound  by  Pawle's  Chayne  in  ye  streete." 

1595,  August  29th. — "  John  Bartlet,  serving  man,  slayne  at  the 
west  ende  of  St.  Pawle's  Church." 

1610,  February  14th. — "  Job  Fitzwilliam,  servant  to  Sir 
Edmonde  Dymmocke,  Knight,  slayne  in  a  tavern." 

1586,  December  9th. — "A  woman  killed  by  the  Lord  Windsor's 
waggon  horses." 

1575,  July  10th. — "  A  rogue,  against  my  Lord  of  London's  Gate." 

1658,  June  9th,— *"  Dr,  John  Hewyett,  a  minister," 


53 

These  extracts  throw  a  lurid  glare  on  the  state  of  the  London 
streets  at  the  period  in  question. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  fifteenth  century  the  neighbourhood  of 
the  Cathedral  appears  to  have  been  in  a  very  bad  state.  A  document 
in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  dated  1405,  recites  that  "  a  house  belonging 
to  the  Chapter  of  St.  Paul's,  at  the  north-east  corner  of  Sermonarius 
(Sermon)  Lane,  in  the  parish  of  St.  Gregory,  which  Sir  John  Danys, 
late  Minor  Canon,  inhabited  during  his  life,  has  been  assigned  to 
Sir  Nicholas  Housebonde,  likewise  Minor  Canon  of  St.  Paul's,  for  his 
residence.  The  said  Nicholas  has  made  complaint  that  it  is  incon- 
venient for  the  purpose,  on  account  of  the  grievous  perils  which  are  to 
be  feared,  by  reason  of  its  distance  from  the  Cathedral  church,  and  the 
crossing  of  dangerous  lanes  by  night,  and  the  attack  of  robbers  and 
other  ill-disposed  persons,  which  he  had  already  suffered,  and  also  on 
account  of  the  ruinous  condition  of  the  building,  and  the  crowd  of 
loose  women  that  lived  around  about  it.  The  Chapter,  therefore, 
assigns  to  him  a  piece  of  ground  at  the  end  of  the  schools  bounding 
the  gardens  of  the  Chapter." 

In  November,  1633,  the  question  was  debated  before  Charles  I., 
in  council,  as  to  moving  the  Communion  table  from  the  middle  of  the 
chancel  to  the  upper  end  of  it,  and  placing  it  there  in  the  form  of  an 
Altar.  As  this  was  enjoined  upon  the  churchwardens  by  the  Dean 
and  Chapter  of  St.  Paul's,  w.thout  the  consent  of  the  parishioners, 
they  opposed  it,  and  appealed  to  the  Court  of  Arches.  The  King 
decided  that  such  a  matter  was  "  not  to  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  the 
parish,  much  less  to  the  fancies  of  a  few  humorous  persons,"  and 
decided  that  the  order  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter  was  "  to  be  obeyed  and 
complied  with." 

In  a  report  by  Inigo  Jones,  dated  14th  June,  1631,  upon  the 
repairs  of  St.  Gregory's  Church,  he  says  "  that  the  church  is  in  no 
way  hurtful  to  the  foundations  or  walls  of  St.  Paul's,  nor  will  it  take 
away  the  beauty  of  the  aspect  when  it  shall  be  repaired.  It  abuts  on 
the  Lollards'  Tower,  which  is  joined  on  the  other  side  by  another 
tower,  unto  which  the  Bishop's  hall  adjoins.  Conscious  that  neither 
of  them  is  any  hindrance  to  the  beauty  of  the  church." 

During  the  repairs  to  the  Cathedral,  in  1645,  some  portion  of  the 
material  gathered  together  for  that  purpose,  by  order  of  Parliament, 
was  given  to  the  parishioners  of  St.  Gregory  to  rebuild  their  church, 


54 

which  had  been  pulled  down,  because  it  was  thought  to  be  an  eyesore 
to  the  Cathedral."  * 

The  church  is  mentioned  several  times  by  John  Evelyn  in  his 
diary.  He  writes : — 

"  Went  to  London,  March  18th,  1655,  to  hear  the  famous  Dr. 
Jeremy  Taylor  preach  at  St.  Gregorie's  on  Matthew  6,  48,  concerning 
Evangelical  Perfection." 

April  15th,  1655. — "  I  went  to  London  with  my  family  to  cele- 
brate ye  feast  of  Easter.  Dr.  Wild  preached  at  St.  Gregorie's,  the 
ruling  powers  conniving  at  ye  use  of  the  Liturgy,  &c.,  in  this  church 
alone." 

June  8th,  1658. — "  That  excellent  preacher  and  holy  man,  Dr. 
Hewitt,  was  martyred  for  having  intelligence  with  His  Majesty  thro' 
the  Lord  Marquis  of  Ormond." 

This  clergyman,  who  was  an  ardent  Royalist  (born  1614),  was 
appointed  minister  of  St.  Gregory's  about  1645.  He  was  educated  at 
Pembroke  Hall,  Cambridge,  and  was  noted  for  his  preaching  as  well  as 
for  his  devout  and  distinct  reading  of  the  prayers.  He  made  several 
collections  in  his  church  for  the  exiled  King,  urging  his  congregation 
"  to  remember  a  distant  friend." 

By  order  of  Cromwell's  High  Court,  Dr.  Hewitt  was  beheaded  on 
Tower  Hill,  2nd  Jime,  1658,  and  was  buried  in  his  church.  His 
speech  and  prayer  on  the  scaffold  were  afterwards  printed  and  largely 
circulated.  This  speech,  and  a  letter  that  he  wrote,  were  read  at  his 
funeral.  "  They  are  fine  specimens  of  eloquence,  nervous  English 
composition,  and  pious  resignation."  Mourning  rings  were  afterwards 
distributed  among  his  friends. 

Clarendon  makes  these  remarks  as  to  Dr.  Hewitt : — 

"  Dr.  Hewitt  was  born  a  gentleman  and  lived  a  scholar,  and  was 
a  divine  before  the  beginning  of  the  troubles.  He  lived  in  Oxford,  and 
in  the  Army  until  the  end  of  the  war,  and  continued  afterwards  to 
preach  with  great  applause  in  a  little  church  in  London,  where  by  the 
affection  of  the  parish  he  was  admitted,  since  he  was  enough  known 
to  be  notoriously  under  the  brand  of  malignity.  When  the  Lord 
Falconbridge  married  Cromwell's  daughter  (who  had  used  secretly  to 
frequent  his  church,  after  the  ceremony  of  the  time),  he  was  made 


*  "  St.  Paul's,"  by  S.  Simpson. 


55 

choice  of  to  marry  them  according  to  the  order  of  the  Church,  which 
engaged  hoth  that  Lord  and  Lady  to  use  their  utmost  credit  with  the 
Protector  to  preserve  his  life,  but  he  was  inexorable." 

After  his  death  a  volume  of  sermons  was  published  with  the 
following  title  : —  4 

"  Nine  Select  Sermons  Preached  upon  Special  Occasions  in  the 
Parish  Church  of  St.  Gregory  by  St.  Paul's,  By  the  late  Kev.  John 
Hewitt,  D.D. ;  Together  with  his  Publick  Prayers  before  and  after 
Sermon.  Printed  by  Henry  Ernsden,  at  "  The  Greyhound,"  in  St. 
Paul's  Church  Yard,  against  the  Pump,  and  Thos.  Rooks,  at  the  "  Holy 
Lamb,"  at  the  West  End  of  St.  Paul's,  near  St.  Austin's  Gate.  1658." 

"  Thus  wee  can  onely  see  thee  by  thine  own, 
Fair  Pencill,  though  by  death  the  curtain  drawn, 
Which  shows  thee  sooner  to  our  weeping  eye 
There  could  be  hop'd  from  thine  own  modestie 
Unequalled  chance !  that  the  same  blow  should  give 
An yet  make  thee  thus  to  live." 

Samuel  Pepys  was  in  the  habit  of  sometimes  attending  this 
church,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  extracts  from  his  diary  : — 

1661,  October  9th. — "So  home  to  dinner  and  to  church  in  the 
afternoon  to  St.  Gregory's  by  Paul's,  where  I  heard  a  good  sermon  of 
Dr.  Buck,  one  I  never  heard  before,  a  very  able  man." 

1661,  November  10th. — "  Lord's  Day.     At  our  own  church  in  the 
morning,  where  Mr.  Mills  preached.     In  the  afternoon  went  and  sat 
with  Mr.  Turner  in  his  pew  at  St.  Gregory's,  where  I  heard  our  Queen 
Katherine,  the  first  time  by  name  as  such  publicly  prayed  for,  and 
heard  Dr.  Buck  upon  '  Woe  unto  thee,  Corazin,'  &c.,  when  he  stated 
a  difficulty  which  he  left  to  another  time  to  answer  about  why  God 
should  give  means  of  grace  to  these  people  which  He  knew  would  not 
receive  them,  and  deny  to  others  which   He  Himself  confessing  they 
had  had  them  would  have  received  them,  and  they  would  have  been 
effectual,  too.     I  would  I  could  hear  him  explain  this  when  he  do 
come  to  it." 

1662,  November  9th. — -"  Lord's  Day.     Walked  to  my  brother's, 
while  my  wife  is  calling  at  many  churches,  and  then  to  the  Temple, 
hearing  a  bit  there,  too,  and  observing  that  in  the  streets  and  churches 
the  Sunday  is  kept  in  appearance  as  well  as  I  have  known  at  any  time. 


56 

Then  to  dinner  with  my  brother,  and  after  dinner  to  see  Mr.  Moore, 
who  is  pretty  well,  and  I  to  St.  Gregory's,  where  I  escaped  a  great  fall 
down  the  stairs  of  the  gallery.  So  into  a  pew  there,  and  heard  Dr. 
Bull  make  a  very  good  sermon,  though  short  of  what  I  expected  as  for 
the  most  part  it  do  fall  out." 

RECTORS. 

Laurence  the  Prior,  1181.  Gillut  de  Newton,  1340—1344.  John 
Tylehill,  1398—1423,  Thomas  Kent,  1531—1538. 

Thomas  White,  D.D.,  Magdalen  Hall,  Oxford.  Born  1550. 
Took  Holy  Orders  1593,  and  "  became  a  frequent  and  noted  preacher 
of  God's  word."  Presented  to  St.  Gregory's  about  1575.  Was  also 
Rector  of  St.  Dunstan's,  Fleet  Street,  and  Canon  of  St.  Paul's.  Canon 
of  Christ  Church,  Oxford,  1591,  and  of  St.  George's,  Windsor,  1593. 
Died  1623,  and  was  buried  in  the  church  of  St.  Dunstan,  Fleet  Street. 
Fuller  says:  "He  was  accused  of  being  a  great  pluralist,  though  I  can- 
not learn  that  at  once  he  had  more  than  one  cure  of  souls,  the  rest  being 
dignities,  as  false  is  the  aspersion  of  his  being  a  great  usurer."  Dr. 
White  will  always  be  remembered  as  the  munificent  founder  of  Sion 
College,  London,  leaving  a  donation  of  £3,000  for  the  purchase  of 
premises  "fit  to  make  a  college  for  a  corporation  of  all  the  ministers, 
parsons,  vicars,  lecturers,  and  curates  within  London  and  the  suburbs 
thereof,  as  also  for  a  convenient  house  or  place  fast  by  to  make  a  con- 
venient almshouse  for  twenty  persons,  namely,  ten  men  and  ten 
women." 

A  few  of  Dr.  White's  sermons  were  published.  Among  them  was 
"  a  sermon  preached  at  Paule's  Crosse,  17th  November,  1589,  in 
joyfull  remembrance  and  thanksgivinge  unto  God  for  the  peaceable 
years  of  Her  Majesty's  most  gracious  Reigne  over  us,  now  thirty-two. 
By  Tho.  White,  Professour  in  Divinitye.  Printed  by  Robert 
Robinson,  1589." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  Dr.  White's  will : — 

"  I  give  my  curate  a  gown  ;  my  clark  and  sexton  two  clokes  of 
ten  shillings  the  yard.  I  give  ten  pounds  to  St.  Dunstan's,  and 
£6  13s.  4d.  to  St.  Gregory's,  where  I  would  have  reasonable  diet,  be  it 
dinner  or  supper,  for  sixty  of  the  ancientest  men  and  women  in 
St.  Dunstan's,  and  for  twenty  others  likewise  in  St.  Gregory's  parish, 


57 

the  day  of  my  buriall,  and  I  would  have  the  diet  for  St.  Gregory's  to 
be  at  the  '  Green  Dragon.'  " 

Ambrose  Golding,  Sub-Dean  of  St.  Paul's,  1591-1606  ;  died  1619  ; 
buried  in  the  Cathedral. 

Thomas  Atkinson,  Minor  Canon  of  St.  Paul's,  1607  ;  died  1616. 
Simon  Stubbs,  1616-1621. 

Thomas  Adams,  "Preacher,"  1618—1623.  He  was  "observant 
chaplain  "  to  Sir  Henry  Montague,  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  England,  to 
whom,  in  1618,  he  dedicated  a  work,  entitled  "  The  Happiness  of  the 
Church  ;  or,  a  Description  of  those  Splendid  Prerorations  wherewith 
Christ  hath  endowed  her,  considered  in  contemplations  upon  part  of 
the  twelve  chapters  of  Hebrews,  being  the  sum  of  divers  Sermons 
preached  in  St.  Gregorie's,  London,  by  Thomas  Adams,  preacher 
there."  In  1629  he  collected  and  published  in  one  large  folio  volume 
his  numerous  occasional  sermons,  which  he  dedicated  to  the  parishioners 
of  St.  Benet,  near  the  Paul's  Wharf,  London.  "  Thomas  Adams 
stands  in  the  forefront  of  our  great  English  preachers."  The  date  of 
his  death  is  uncertain. 

Robert  Skinner,  Trinity  College,  Oxford,  "Preacher,"  1621-1630; 
Chaplain  to  Charles  I. ;  imprisoned  in  the  Tower,  1641  ;  Bishop  of 
Worcester,  1663  ;  died  1670. 

Matthew  Stiles,  1630;  also  Rector  of  St.  George,  Botolph  Lane. 
"  Was  an  excellent  grammarian  and  casuist,  and  had  gained  great 
knowledge  and  experience  by  his  travels  into  several  parts  of  Italy." 
Walker  says  :  "  He  was  plundered  ;  also  his  family,  wife,  and  several 
children,  who  were  all  sequestered  of  their  necessary  support  of  victuals 
and  apparel." 

The  following  lines  were  written  at  the  time  on  the  sequestered 
clergy  :— 

"  Thanks  to  such  lights  as  you  are  who  have  stay'd 
In  that  firm  Truth  from  which  they  fondly  strayed  ; 
Endured  reproach  and  want,  all  violent  shocks 
Which  rowled  like  billows,  while  you  stood  like  rocks, 
Unmoved  by  all  their  fury,  kept  your  ground, 
Fix't  as  the  poles,  whilst  they  kept  twirling  round ; 
Submitted  to  all  rage,  and  lost  your  all, 
Yet  ne'er  complied  with,  or  bow'd  knees  to  Baal." 


58 


This  church  stood  at  the  north-east  corner  of  Little  Trinity  Lane. 

The  patronage  was  originally  with  the  Prior  and  Convent  of 
St.  Mary  Overie,  Southwark,  with  whom  it  remained  until  the  time  of 
Henry  VIII.,  when  it  passed  to  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  Canterbury, 
with  whom  it  still  remains. 

1313. — David  de  Hereford,  baker,  left  some  rents  for  the 
maintenance  of  a  chantry  in  the  church. 

1365.- -John  de  Clark,  Ropere,  left  money  for  the  same  purpose, 
and  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  chancel  of  the  church. 

1606. — The  church,  which  was  small  and  was  in  a  ruinous  state, 
had  to  be  propped  up  to  prevent  falling  down.  It  was  subsequently 
pulled  down  and  rebuilt  at  the  cost  of  the  parishioners. 

1629. — The  building  was  under  repair.  At  this  time  two  large 
boards  were  set  up  in  the  church,  giving  the  names  of  the  benefactors 
to  the  building  fund,  with  the  amount  subscribed.  We  are  told  that 
collections  were  made  for  the  repairs  of  the  building,  "  but  that  they 
would  not  stretch  so  far,"  but  a  general  collection  was  subsequently 
made  after  public  notice  of  it  had  been  given  in  the  church. 

1541. — The  following  parishioners  were  "  presented"  for  religious 
offences : — 

William  Wyders :  "  denied,  two  years  before,  the  Sacrament  to  be 
Christ's  Body,  and  said  that  it  was  but  only  a  sign." 

William  Stokesby :  "  for  rebuking  his  wife  at  the  church  for 
taking  holy  water." 

Roger  Davy:  "  for  speaking  against  worshipping  of  Saints." 

Mr.  Blage:  "  for  not  coming  to  his  parish  church,  not  confessing 
nor  receiving." 

After  the  Fire,  Protestant  Lutherans  obtained  consent  to  build  a 
church,  which  was  erected  on  the  same  spot  on  which  the  old  church 
had  stood.  This  building  was  removed  when  Queen  Victoria  Street 
was  formed. 

The  register  books  of  this  parish  commence  in  1547.  These  books 
show  that  during  the  plague  of  1563,  sixty-five  deaths  occurred  ;  in 
1593,  sixty-six;  in  1603,  one  hundred  and  twelve;  in  1625,  one 
hundred  and  twenty-eight ;  and  in  1665,  eighty-one. 

The  following  is  one  of  the  entries : — "  Alice  Melecke,  the  daur.  of 


59 

John  Melecke,  Xyned  being  the  daye  the  Kinge  Phillipp  came  from 
beyond  the  seas  and  landed  att  Greenwich  att  five  o'clock  att  night." 

Henry  Machyn,  the  well-known  diarist,  was  connected  with  this 
parish.  His  diary  was  published  by  the  Camden  Society  in  1848.  It 
is  called  "  The  Diary  of  Henry  Machyn,  Citizen  of  London,  from 
1550  to  1568." 

The  following  entries  occur  in  the  register  books  : 

27th  September,  1557. — "  Katharyn,  daughter  of  Henry  Machyn, 
was  christened." 

Among  the  entries  of  burials  is  the  following : 

llth  September. — "  John  Sonne,  the  son  of  John  Sonne,  and 
servant  of  Henry  Machin." 

On  llth  November  the  register  shows  that  Henry  Marcham, 
Taylor,  Clerk  of  the  Parish  Church  of  Trinity-the-Less,  was  buried. 
This,  no  doubt,  records  the  burial  of  the  diarist. 

Machyn  records  in  his  diary  that  in  1556,  in  the  reign  of  Philip 
and  Mary,  three  Altars  were  consecrated  in  the  Church  by  the  Suffragan 
of  Norwich. 

He  appears  to  have  been  a  supplier  of  funeral  trappings  on  a  con- 
siderable scale.  The  notices  on  which  the  diarist  bestowed  most  care 
were  those  of  great  funerals.  His  grammar  and  spelling  are  so  bad  as 
sometimes  to  make  his  meaning  obscure.  The  Lord  Mayors'  Shows 
on  each  29th  September  he  carefully  particularized. 

On  the  17th  November,  1558,  he  recorded  Her  Grace  Queen  Mary's 
death  in  the  following  sentence,  thus  spelt : — 

"  The  XVIIth  day  of  Nov.,  between  V.  and  VI.  in  the  mornyng, 
ded  Quun  Mare,  the  VI.  yere  of  her  grace  rayne,  the  whyche  Jhesu 
have  mercy  on  her  solle.  Amen."  And  with  the  same  pen  he  wrote 
how  "  the  same  day,  at  after-noon,  all  the  chyches  in  London  dyd 
ryng,  and  at  night  dyd  make  bonfyres,  and  set  tabelles  in  the  strete, 
and  did  ett  and  drynke  and  made  mere  for  the  new  Quun,  Elisabeth, 
Quen  Mare's  syster." 

Here  is  another  entry,  1557  : — 

"  The  4th  of  May  did  ride  before  the  King  and  Queen  in  Her 
Grace's  privy  garden  Sir  James  Granado,  and  so  the  bridle  bit  did 
break,  and  so  the  horse  ran  against  the  wall,  and  so  he  break  his  neck, 
for  his  horse  threw  him  against  the  wall,  and  his  brains  ran  out." 

25th   July,    1560,   he   writes : — "  The    second    year    of    Queen 


60 

Elizabeth  were  all  the  rood  lofts  taken  down  in  London,  and  writings 
written  in  the  same  place." 

RECTORS. 

John  Port,  1323.  Wm.  Grace,  1434-1453.  Richard  Walsall, 
1485-1490.  Thomas  Lane,  1503-1532. 

John  Rogers,  who  was  burnt  at  Smithfield,  1555,  was  Rector  from 
1532  to  1534.* 

Sir  Thomas  Chambers  was  presented  to  Holy  Trinity  by  the  Dean 
and  Chapter  of  Canterbury.  He  had  by  no  means  a  satisfactory  pre- 
vious history,  having  been  lodged  in  Wood  Street  Compter,  and  also  in 
Bridewell  for  an  assault,  and  in  other  ways  his  character  was  not  good. 
After  leaving  Holy  Trinity,  he  was  presented  by  the  same  Dean  and 
Chapter  to  the  rectory  of  St.  Mary  Bothaw.  He  stayed  there  but  a 
short  time,  no  doubt  going  from  bad  to  worse. 

Christopher  Riley,  1578—1603. 

Dr.  Francis  Dee,  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge,  1606.  He  was 
presented  in  succession  to  his  father,  who  had  also  been  Rector  of  St. 
Bartholomew-the-Great.  Dr.  Dee  resigned  the  living  1620  ;  was  also 
Rector  of  All  Hallows,  London  Wall ;  Chancellor  of  Salisbury  Cathe- 
dral, 1619  ;  Dean  of  Chichester,  1630  ;  Bishop  of  Peterborough,  1634. 
His  name  appears  as  one  of  those  first  connected  with  the  foundation 
of  Sion  College.  He  died  at  Peterborough,  1638,  and  was  buried  in 
his  cathedral.  Wood  says  of  him  :  "  He  was  esteemed  a  person  of 
pious  life  and  connection,  and  of  very  affable  behaviour." 

Ralph  Hatfield,  1620—1625. 

Edward  Harrison,  Emmanuel  College,  Oxford,  1625.  "  Was 
sequestered,  and  died  of  grief  soon  after." 

Matthew  Haviland,  St.  Alban's  Hall,  Oxford,  1648.  "  Was  ejected 
from  the  living."  Calamy  says  of  him  : — "  He  was  a  man  mighty  in 
prayer,  and  a  savoury  preacher." 

Samuel  Cheney,  1662. 


*  See  also  St.  Margaret  Moses. 


61 


St.  3obn-tbe-  Baptist  upon  Malbroofe. 

This  church  stood  upon  the  site  of  the  remains  of  the  churchyard 
now  existing  on  Dowgate  Hill.  When  first  built  it  was  situate  on  the 
banks  of  the  Walbrook,  near  the  "  Horse  Shoe  Bridge." 

The  church  was  founded  at  any  early  date,  1181.  It  was  a 
rectory  in  the  patronage  of  the  Canons  of  St.  Paul's,  who  granted  it 
to  the  Convent  of  St.  Helen's.  From  them  it  passed  to  the  Crown  in 
the  reign  of  Henry  VIII. 

1842. — Adam  de  Dockford  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  church,  and 
left  to  Matilda  his  wife,  all  his  movable  goods  and  chattels,  one 
hundred  marks,  together  with  his  entire  chamber,  beds,  vessels, 
napkins,  towels,  jewels,  and  other  small  necessaries  belonging  to  his 
trade  lying  in  his  shop  in  the  parish  of  St.  Antholin. 

1858. — William  de  Voystre  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  chancel  of 
the  church,  near  the  body  of  Alice  his  late  wife. 

1484. — John  Penne,  Skinner,  left  to  the  rector  and  parishioners 
lands  and  tenement  at  the  corner  of  Walbrook,  charged  with  the 
maintenance  of  a  chantry  for  the  soul  of  the  late  King  Henry  IV.  and 
Olive  his  late  wife.  Distributions  to  be  made  to  poor  householders  in 
the  parish  and  the  residue  to  be  kept  in  a  box  in  charge  of  the  church- 
wardens for  pious  and  other  uses. 

1461. — William  Gregory  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  parish  church 
beside  the  seat  in  the  chancel  where  he  used  to  sit.  To  Agnes,  his 
wife,  all  his  stuff,  except  his  wearing  gowns  with  fur,  his  furs  wrought 
and  unwrought,  and  all  other  stuff  pertaining  to  his  craft  as  skinner. 

William  Clinch  was  in  1541  "presented,"  for  "calling  the 
Bishop  of  Winchester  a  false,  flattering  knave,  for  burying  his  wife 
in  the  churchyard  without  Dirge,  and  causing  the  Scot  of  St. 
Katherine's  to  preach  the  next  day  after  the  burial." 

The  following  particulars  are  taken  from  an  interesting  paper 
read  by  Mr.  H.  Matthews  before  the  members  of  the  London  and 
Middlesex  Archteological  Society,  1885  :— 

In  1412,  "  The  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  the  City  of  London 
•granted  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  parish  of  St.  John  a  piece  of  ground 
twenty-one  feet  by  seventeen  feet,  for  the  purpose  of  enlarging  their 
church,  which  was  then  -about  to  be  rebuilt,  and  William  Comberton 
gave  lands  to  endow  the  same." 


62 

The  old  structure  was  situate  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Walbrook, 

This  old  brook  was  spanned  at  various  places  by  bridges,  one  of 
which  was  Horse  Shoe  Bridge. 

Cloak  Lane  was  then  Horse  Shoe  Bridge  Street,  and  the  church 
stood  on  the  north  side  of  this  ancient  thoroughfare. 

From  various  entries  in  the  churchwardens'  book,  about  1595,  it 
would  appear  that  the  church  at  this  date  was  then  about  one  hundred 
and  seventy-seven  years  old,  of  rectangular  form,  and  illustrated  the 
Decorated  Gothic  period,  not  exceeding  sixty-five  feet  in  length  by 
about  thirty- six  feet  in  width,  a  window  at  the  east  end,  and  others  on 
the  south  side,  flanked  with  buttresses  and  finished  with  an  embattled 
parapet.  There  were  three  entrances  on  the  south  side,  and  a  parson's 
door  on  the  north.  The  tower  was  at  the  west  end,  containing  a  peal 
of  five  bells  and  a  clock. 

There  was  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  John  Stone,  Tailor, 
Sheriff  in  1464,  and  also  one  to  Wm.  Comberton. 

The  building  was  not  rendered  quite  useless  by  the  Fire,  but 'was 
repaired  and  fitted  for  public  worship  at  a  cost  of  about  £80,  and  was 
\  then  named  "  The  Tabernacle."       When  St.  Antholin's  Church  was 
opened  for  Divine  worship  the  tabernacle  was  then  disused. 

Newcourt  says,  speaking  of  the  ground  on  which  the  old  church 
stood:  "That  it  appears  by  the  presentment  made  by  the  Rector,  in 
1698,  there  have  been  great  encroachments  made  since  the  Fire,  to  some 
of  which  the  parish  had  consented,  and  others  have  been  made  by  the 
Lord  Mayor  and  Corporation  without  the  consent  of  the  Archbishop 
and  Bishop  of  London,  and  the  Chamberlain  of  London  receives  the 
rents  for  the  same." 

1597. — Sir  Richard  Sulton,  a  member  of  the  Skinners'  Com- 
pany, was  chosen  Lord  Mayor.  He  and  his  company  went  to  the 
Church  of  St.  John-the-Baptist  on  Corpus  Christi  Day,  "  when  a  peAV 
was  newly  fitted  up,  and  the  iron  standard  for  holding  the  sword  of 
state,  was  newly  repainted." 

In  the  reign  of  James  I.,  under  an  order  from  the  King,  that  "all 
churches  should  be  repaired  and  made  fit  for  the  service  of  God," 
the  mason's  work  of  the  church  was  repaired  from  top  to  bottom', 
and,  in  1610,  the  churchwardens  bought  a  copy  of  the  new  translation 
of  the  Scriptures,  then  just  completed,  selling  the  old  one  for  20s. 

On  the  enforcement  of  the  Act  of  Uniformity,  contributions  were 


68 

given  to  many  of  the  clergy,  who  had,  in  consequence,  resigned  their 
livings,  the  entries  of  the  churchwardens  shewing  that  these  were  often 
not  more  than  Is. 

There  is  also  an  entry  of  4d.,  "  to  him  who  brought  the  precejpt 
from  Laud  to  prohibit  the  eating  of  flesh  on  fast  days." 

When  afterwards  Laud,  who  was  then  Archbishop  of  Canterbury, 
issued  a  proclamation,  requiring  all  churches  to  be  repaired,  St.  John's 
churchwardens  seem  to  have  met  it  with  a  very  bad  grace,  as  they  ex- 
pended only  £54  16s.,  and  that  sum  included  certain  works  to  the 
parson's  house. 

Upon  the  execution  of  Charles  I.,  the  religious  enthusiasm  of  the 
parishioners  prompted  them  immediately  to  collect  funds  for  the  com- 
plete repair  and  restoration  of  the  church.  Between  May  and  November, 
1649,  £910  was  collected,  and  with  £230  in  hand,  they  at  once  com- 
menced work.  A  dinner  was  afterwards  indulged  in  at  a  cost  of  18s. 
per  head.  The  internal  alteration  consisted  of  the  removal  of  the 
Alta'r  and  the  substitution  of  a  plain  communion  table. 

From  this  time  it  would  appear  that  the  parishioners  chose  the 
ministers. 

In  1653,  lectures  are  mentioned,  with  regard  to  which  there  is 
the  following  entry  : — 

"Layed  out,  when  the  ministers  preached  every  morning  (during 
the  whole  month),  for  bread,  butter,  bacon,  pipes,  candles,  and  a 
gammon  of  bacon,  and  a  half-hour  glass,  £8  17s."  The  pay  of  the 
minister  weekly  was  20s.  During  the  year  "  £36  was  paid  to  the 
several  ministers  for  preaching  as  per  bill." 

Upon  the  re-establishment  of  Episcopacy,  £8  10s.  was  paid  for  the 
purchase  of  a  prayer  book,  a  surplice,  a  book  of  canons,  and  the 
Thirty-Nine  Articles. 

Laurence  Campe,  a  benefactor  to  this  parish,  died  1613.  In  the 
Guildhall  Library  there  is  an  old  account  book  containing  receipts 
and  expenditure  of  moneys  left  by  him  for  the  benefit  of  the  parish- 
ioners. The  following  is  the  title : — 

"  This  Booke  conteyneth  the  sum  and  substance  of  such  charitable 
and  memorable  gifts  as  were  eriven  by  Lawrence  Campe,  late  of  the 
parish  of  St.  John  upon  Wallbrook,  Silkman,  wherewth  he  put  the 
parishioners  of  the  saide  parish  in  trust ;  with  a  true  note  of  the 
severall  assurances  made  by  the  saide  Lawrence  to  the  saide  parish- 


64 

loners,  and  of  the  uses  therein  expressed.  And  in  this  booke  is  noted 
the  proceedings  of  the  said  parishioners  in  performing  the  trust  in 
them  reposed." 

"  Memorandum — the  said  Laurence  Campe,  departed  this  life  on 
Thursday,  the  thirtieth  day  of  December,  1618,  and  was  buried  the 
fourth  day  of  January  then  followinge." 

The  accounts  of  the  trust  commence  in  1614.  The  funds  were 
confiscated  under  the  "  Parochial  Charities  Act." 

Lawrence  Campe  also  left  monies  derived  from  the  house  in  Wall- 
brook,  known  by  the  sign  of  "The  Lamb,"  to  pay,  among  other  things, 
40s.  for  the  relief  of  the  poor  of  the  parish  ;  40s.  for  the  provision  of 
faggots  against  Christmas  for  the  poor  of  the  Ward  ;  and  40s.  to  be 
paid  to  the  Deputy  of  the  Ward  to  be  distributed  by  him. 

RECTORS. 

Peter  the  Priest,  1150.  Sir  Arthur  Odiham,  1861.  Robert 
Brown,  1394—1416.  Master  John  Braughynyng,  1422—1434. 
Henry  Croise,  1453—1469.  Thomas  Appelby,  1486—1505.  Henry 
Symonds,  1505—1545.  Clement  Erington,  1556,  appointed  by  Philip 
and  Mary.  Hugh  Lewis,  1570 — 1581.  Robert  Peterson,  1619. 

Richard  Walmsley,  St.  Mary's  Hall,  Oxford,  1633,  when  the 
living  was  sequestered ;  was  also  Rector  of  Mulion,  Cornwall. 

Christopher  Fowler,  St.  Edmond's  Hall,  Oxford ;  born  1610 ; 
Fellow  of  Eton  College,  1641  ;  was  also  Minister  of  St.  Margaret, 
Lothbury.  After  the  Restoration  he  lost  his  Fellowship,  and  retired 
to  Kennington,  where  he  preached.  He  died  1675,  and  was  buried  in 
St.  John's  Church.  Wood  says  of  him  :  "  He  used  gestures  and  antic 
behaviour  in  the  pulpit,  enlivening  the  serious  gravity  of  the  place, 
but  which  made  him  popular  in  these  times."  Mr.  Cooper,  who 
preached  his  funeral  sermon,  said  of  him  :  "  An  able,  holy,  faithful, 
indefatigable  servant  of  Christ." 

William  Rayner,  1643,  was  a  member  of  the  Westminster 
Assembly  of  Divines. 

Zaccheus  Montagu,  Magdalen  Hall,  Oxford,  1660,  was  also 
Rector  of  Radmall,  Sussex. 

The  register  books  date  from  1682. 

On  a  wall  adjoining  the  church  yard  is  a  tablet  with  the  following 
inscription : — 


65 

BEFORE  THE  LATE  DREADFULL 

FIRE,  ANNO  DOMINI  1666,  HERE 

STOOD  THE  PARISH  CHURCH  OF 

ST.  JOHN  THE  BAPTIST  UPON  WALLBROOKB. 

WILLIAM   WILKINSON, 

NICHOLAS  COTTON, 
CHURCHWARDENS,  THIS  PRESENT 
YEAR  ANNO  DOMINI,  1671. 

There  is  also  a  monument  with  the  following  inscription  : — 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  dead  interred  in  the  ancient  church 
and  churchyard  of  St.  John-the-Baptist  upon  Walbrook.  during  four 
centuries." 

"  The  formation  of  the  District  Railway,  having  necessitated  the 
destruction  of  the  greater  part  of  the  churchyard,  all  the  human 
remains  were  carefully  collected  and  re-interred  in  a  vault  beneath 
this  monument,  A.D.  1884." 

During  the  progress  of  the  work  of  this  railway,  an  immense 
thickness  of  rubble  wall,  consisting  of  the  foundations  of  the  old 
church  and  tower,  was  discovered. 


St.  3obn-tbe-Ev>anaelist. 

This  church  stood^  at  the  corner  of  Friday  Street  and^Watling 
Street,  on  the  site  of  the  present  churchyard.  Friday  Street  was  so 
called  on  account  of  fishmongers  residing  there,  and  selling  the  Lent 
fish  on  Fridays.  The  church  was  founded  about  1365,  and  was 
anciently  called  St.  Werburgh's,  the  presentation  being  with  the  Prior 
and  Convent  of  Christ  Church,  Canterbury,  from  whom  it  passed  to 
the  Archbishop. 

1360. — William  de  Aungre,  Citizen  and  Merchant,  gave  to  the 
Rector  and  his  successors  "  one  small  chamber  with  two  garretts 
built  above  them,  lately  erected,  with  free  ingress  and  egress,  as  he 
had  held  and  inhabited  them,  the  churchyard  being  on  the  west  and 
his  fountain  on  the  east." 

1617. — Sir  Walter  Craven,  Lord  Mayor,  1610,  left  to  the  parish, 


66 

"  where  I  was  first  apprentice,  the  sum  of  £100  for  the  reparation  of 
the  church  of  St.  John-the-Evangelist,  to  be  employed  at  the 
discretion  of  the  parson  and  churchwarden  for  the  time  being." 

Sir  William  Crane,  1620,  gave  to  the  rector  and  churchwardens, 
for  the  repair  of  the  church,  a  ground  rent  of  £5  6s.  8d.  on  the 
"Bell  Inn,"  Friday  Street.  This  house  is  now  known  as  No.  12  in 
the  street. 

1626.— The  church  was  repaired  at  the  cost  of  the  parishioners, 
when  a  gallery  was  built  at  the  sole  cost  of  Thos.  Goodyear,  Citizen 
and  Draper. 

The  following  were  buried  in  the  church : — John  Doggett, 
Sheriff  and  Alderman,  1509.  Sir  Christopher  Ayscough,  Knt., 
Draper,  Sheriff,  1525 ;  Mayor,  1584.  Thomas  Garrett,  son  of  Sir 
George  Garrett,  1664. 

The  following  entries  appear  in  the  vestry  minutes : — 

1665. — "  Paid  at  the  '  Swan,'  on  Holy  Thursday,  for  a  quarter  of 
a  pound  of  rhubarb,  2s.  Paid  for  new  books  to  be  read  in  church  for 
the  victory  against  the  Dutch,  Is.  2d." 

1667. — "  Paid  a  man  for  getting  the  great  belle  down,  and  the  ledd 
frome  the  top  of  the  church,  10s." 

"  Given  the  poor  that  were  burnt  out,  by  order,  £23  5s." 

"  Given  the  man  that  brought  some  iron  from  the  church  that 
was  taken  from  the  tombs,  Is." 

RECTORS. 

John  Hanvill,  1854.  Edward  Wymondswolde,  1372—1894. 
John  Flamsted,  1425—1427. 

Walter  Adam,  Minor  Canon  of  St.  Paul's,  1435  ;  also  Eector  of 
St.  Christopher  le  Stock  ;  died  1445. 

James  Goldwell,  LL.D.,  All  Souls,  Oxford  ;  Prebendary  of  St. 
Paul's,  1459  ;  Bishop  of  Norwich,  1472  ;  died  1498  ;  was  buried  in 
his  cathedral.  He  rebuilt  the  Church  of  Great  Chart,  in  Kent. 

John  Grey,  1546—1553.     Eichard  Judson,  1579—1585. 

Robert  Wright,  Trinity  College,  Oxford,  1589—90 ;  Chaplain  to 
Queen  Elizabeth ;  Bishop  of  Lichfield  and  Coventry,  1630 ;  died 
1643. 

William  Stepeny,  1579—1608. 

George  Walker,  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge ;  born  1581  ;  was 


67 

presented  by  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  Canterbury,  1614.  He 
continued  here  all  his  life,  often  refusing  higher  preferment.  He  was 
a  strong  Puritan,  which  much  displeased  Archbishop  Laud,  who 
mentions  Walker  in  one  of  his  reports  to  Charles  I.,  as  one  "  who  had 
all  his  time  been  but  a  disorderly  and  a  peevish  man,  and  now  of  late 
had  very  frowardly  preached  against  the  Lord  Bishop  of  Ely's  book 
concerning  the  Lord's  Day,  set  out  by  authority,  but  when  a  canonical 
admonition  given  him  to  desist  he  hath  recollected  himself,  and  I 
hope  will  be  advised."  1638,  he  was  committed  to  prison  for  "  some 
things  tending  to  faction  and  disobedience  to  authority  "  in  a  sermon 
which  he  had  preached.  He  published  a  mimber  of  works,  one  being 
"  The  Summe  of  a  Disputation  Betweene  Master  Walker,  Pastor  of 
John  Evangelist,  in  Watling  Street,  London,  and  a  popish  prieste 
calling  himself  Mr.  Smith,  but  indeed  Norrice,  assisted  by  other 
Priests  and  Papists  ;  Held  in  the  house  of  one  Thomas  Baterson,  in 
the  Old  Bailey,  in  the  prescence  of  some  worthy  Knights,  with  other 
Gentlemen  of  both  Religions.  Printed  1624."  The  concluding 
paragraph  is  as  follows  :  "  To  him  (Mr.  Smith)  Mr.  Walker  answered 
that  he  knew  himselfe  inferiour  to  many  hundreds  in  the  Church  of 
England,  that  it  was  not  any  power  in  himselfe  but  the  power  of  the 
true  cause  which  made  him  to  prevale,  for  maynus  est  ueritas  prei-alebit. 
A  gentleman  overhearing  laughed,  and  sayd  '  I  am  glad  that  you  finde 
some  of  our  ministers  more  learned  than  your  priests,  contrary  to 
your  common  bragging  and  boasting  that  all  learning  is  among  your 
priests  and  Jesuites.'  And  so  they  parted,  Mr.  Smith  saying  to  Mr. 
Walker  '  I  pray  God  we  may  meet  in  Heaven ; '  Mr.  Walker 
replying  and  saying  '  I  desire  so  also,  and  hope  we  shall  so  doe,  if  you 
will  forsake  your  errours  and  embrace  the  truth  which  is  professed  in 
the  reformed  churches  of  Christ.' 

"  Soli  Deo  Gloria.     Finis." 

Walker  was  a  member  of  the  Westminster  Assembly  of  Divines. 
On  the  29th  January,  1644,  he  preached  a  Fast  Day  Sermon  before 
the  House  of  Commons.  Fuller  said  of  him  :  "  A  man  of  a  holy  life, 
humble  heart,  and  bountiful  hand."  He  was  said  to  be  an  excellent 
logician,  Orientalist,  and  divine,  strongly  deprecated  in  his  sermons 
the  profanation  of  the  Sabbath  and  other  evil  practices  so  common  in 
those  days.  Died  1651,  aged  seventy,  and  was  buried  in  the  church, 
having  been  rector  nearly  forty  years.  During  his  life  he  advanced 


68 

the  sum  of  £1000  for  the  maintenance  of  "  preaching  ministers  "  in 
his  native  country. 

Seth  Ward,  a  famous  mathematician  and  astronomer,  was  rector 
for  a  short  time.  1648,  he  was  imprisoned  at  Cambridge,  and  resigned 
his  living ;  1662,  was  made  Bishop  of  Exeter  ;  1667,  was  translated  to 
Sarum,  where  he  founded  a  college  for  the  widows  of  clergymen,  and 
also  eight  almshouses.  Was  afterwards  made  Chancellor  of  the  Order 
of  the  Garter.  Died  1688,  and  was  buried  in  his  cathedral. 

Robert  Tatnal,  "  minister,"  1640 ;  resigned  1662 ;  Fellow  of 
Trinity  College,  Cambridge.  Dr.  Calamy  says  of  him  :  "  He  was  a 
man  of  great  skill  in  vocal  and  artificial  musick,  which  rendered  him 
so  acceptable  to  many  of  the  gentry  in  and  about  the  City."  He 
published  a  discourse  in  quarto  about  the  "  Fear  of  Death ;  or,  the 
Sinful  Palpitation  of  the  Heart." 

Samuel  Annesly,  D.C.L.,  Queen's  College,  Oxford  ;  "  fell  in  with 
the  rebellious  times,  preached  long  and  loud  at  Clitt'e,  Kent,  and  at 
St.  John-the-Evangelist,  Friday  Street."  He  was  afterwards  preacher 
at  St.  Paul's,  and  pastor  of  St.  Giles,  Cripplegate  ;  after  preaching  in 
conventicles. 

In  the  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  Library  there  are  two  sermons  with 
the  following  title  : — 

"  Communion  with  God.  In  Two  Sermons  preached  at  Paul's,  the 
first  September  3rd,  1654  ;  the  second  March  25th,  1655 ;  by  Samuel 
Annesly,  LL.D.,  Minister  of  the  Gospel  at  John  Evangel.  Lond., 
1655." 

In  the  Sion  College  Library  there  is  also  a  sermon  with  the 
following  title : — 

"  The  First  Dish  at  the  Wiltshire  Feast,  November  9th,  1654  ; 
or,  a  Sermon  preached  at  Lawrence  Jury  to  those  that  there  offered 
their  Peace  Offerings  and  went  thence  to  dine  at  Merchant  Taylors' 
Hall;  By  Samuel  Annesly,  LL.D.,  Minister  of  the  Gospel  at  John 
Evangelist.     London,  Printed  by  C.  T.  for  Nathaniel  Webb  and  Wm. 
Grantham,  at  the  'Black  Beare,'  in  Paul's  Church  Yard,  1655." 
Mr.  Annesly  died  1696,  aged  seventy-seven. 
John  Stoning,  Exeter  College,  Oxford,  1663. 
From  the  earliest  records  until  the  union  of  the  parish  with  All 
Hallows,  Bread  Street,  there  appear  to  have  been  thirty-eight  rectors 
here, 


69 

The  parish  is  a  small  one.  We  find  from  the  register  that  in 
1654  there  were  only  four  baptisms  and  eight  burials. 

During  the  formation  of  the  Underground  Railway,  some  old 
foundations  of  the  church,  also  some  fragments  of  monuments,  were 
discovered. 


St.  $obn 

This  church  was  originally  dedicated  to  St.  John  the  Baptist,  but 
was  by  an  ancient  grant  bestowed  on  a  person  (its  builder  or  holder) 
named  Zachary,  from  which  no  doubt  the  additional  name  was 
derived  in  order  to  distinguish  it  from  St.  John  the  Baptist  upon 
Walbrook. 

Among  the  manuscripts  at  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  is  a  copy  of  the 
grant  to  ZacMary,  for  a  payment  of  two  shillings,  which  he  was  to 
make  annually  in  "  the  mother  church."  This  way  of  describing  St. 
Paul's  certainly  favours  the  presumption  that  the  Chapter  had  built 
the  church,  and  it  is  remarkable  that  the  document  is  witnessed  by 
the  incumbents  of  other  churches  which  were  probably  built  by  the 
authorities  of  St.  Paul's.  They  are  Osbert,  Priest  of  St.  Alphege ; 
Robert,  priest  of  St.  Mary ;  John,  priest  of  St.  Faith  ;  and  Unfred, 
priest  of  St.  Olave's. 

The  church  stood  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  churchyard  at 
the  corner  of  what  was  formerly  called  Maiden  Lane,  now  Gresham 
Street,  and  was  considered  a  handsome  structure. 

As  early  as  1181  it  was  rated  to  pay  a  certain  annual  sum  to  the 
Canons  of  St.  Paul's,  with  whom  the  patronage  still  remains. 

Roger  B/yvin  left  money  (1277)  for  chantries  in  the  chapel,  which 
he  had  erected  in  the  church. 

John  Walsh,  Goldsmith  (1384),  left  money  to  the  work  of  the 
belfry. 

Sir  Nicholas  Twyford,  Goldsmith,  who  was  knighted  with  Sir 
William  Walworth,  and  Mayor,  1388,  was  a  great  benefactor  to  the 
church.  He  was  buried  (1390),  "between  the  two  south  pillars  next 
the  high  Altar.  Also  Margery,  his  wife." 

William  de  Burton,  Goldsmith,  desired  to  be  buried  in  the  chapel 
of  St.  Mary  in  the  Church.  He  left  a  missal  and  a  portifory  to  be 


70 

used  in  praying  for  his  soul ;  also  a  bequest  to  Sir  Henry  de  Sponden, 
who  in  1388  was  Kector.  This  gentleman  left  directions  that  he 
should  be  buried  in  the  middle  of  the  church,  a  small  stone  to  be 
placed  on  his  grave  with  his  image  thereon  made  of  brass  from  the 
breast  upward. 

Hugh  Wetherby,  Goldsmith,  left  money,  1426,  to  maintain  a 
chantry  at  the  Altar  of  St.  Dunstan. 

One  of  the  most  conspicuous  monuments  in  the  church  was  to 
the  memory  of  Si£  Dru  Barentin,  Goldsmith,  Sheriff  1393,  Mayor 
1398.  His  house  stood  opposite  Goldsmiths'  Hall  in  Foster  Lane, 
with  Avhich  it  had  a  connection  by  means  of  a  bridge  built  across  the 
street.  This  bridge  or  gallery  appears  to  have  remained  until  the 
latter  part  of  the  sixteenth  century,  as  it  is  clearly  shown  on  Aggas's 
map. 

Sir  Dru  Barentin  was  a  great  benefactor  to  the  Goldsmiths' 
Company.  He  is  said  to  have  built  the  first  hall  at  his  own  cost  (1406). 
He  died  in  1415. 

The  history  of  this  parish,  as  will  be  seen,  points  to  a  very  close 
connection  with  the  Goldsmiths'  Gompaay,  whose  arms  were  set  up  in 
the  church,  and  whose  Hall  has  for  many  generations  past  stood  in 
this  parish,  and  was  close  to  the  old  church  of  St.  John.  The  same 
fact  is  shown  in  the  parish  records. 

The  following  interesting  notes  are  taken  from  "  Memorials  of  the 
Goldsmiths'  Company,"  by  Sir  Walter  S.  Prideaux  : 

1354. — "  £10  is  paid  to  the  work  in  St.  John  Zacharie's  church." 

1359. — "  A  dinner  on  St.  Dunstan's  Day  is  mentioned,  also  St. 
Dunstan's  Light  in  St.  John  Zacharie's  Church." 

1374. — "  The  light  in  St.  John  Zacharie's  is  twelve  wax  candles, 
and  two  torches  weighing  iwelve  pounds." 

1461. — "  Sir  Thomas  Bagot  was  admitted  to  tne  chantry  of  Dru 
Barentin  in  this  church." 

1510. — "The  Company  to  find  a  priest  in  St.  John  Zachary's 
church,  with  a  stipend  yearly  for  ever  of  ten  marks,  the  said  priest  to 
be  always  at  the  nomination  of  the  Fellowship." 

1558.—"  Sir  William  Testtwwua,  of  St.  John  Zachary's,  to  be  talked 
with  for  the  saying  of  Mass  before  the  almsmen  on  Wednesdays  and 
Fridays.  It  is  agreed  that  he  shall  have  therefore  6s.  8d.  per 
annum." 


1610. — "  Ten  pounds  is  given  towards  the  repair  of  St.  John\  - 
church." 

1624. — "  Forty  shillings  is  given  to  the  parishioners  for  the 
repair  of  Lady  Read's  monument  in  fcbe  church." 

1629. — "  Petitions  from  the  churchwardens  and  parishioners  of 
St.  George's,  Southwark,  and  St.  John  Zachary,  for  assistance  towards 
the  repair  of  those  churches,  and  also  the  steeples.  The  Court  agree 
to  send  to  St.  George's  church  £3  (the  parishioners  not  to  know  from 
whom  the  money  is  sent),  and  to  the  repair  of  St.  John  Zachary 
twenty  nobles  is  sent." 

1632. — "  The  Wardens  and  others  of  the  Fishmongers  Company 
to  the  number  of  eight  repair  to  Goldsmiths'  Hall,  and  in  solemn 
manner  go  with  the  Warden  and  assistants  of  this  Company  to  the 
parish  church  of  St.  John  Zachary,  and  there  hear  a  sermon,  after 
which  they  return  to  the  Hall,  and  dine  according  to  ancient  custom, 
which  amitie  God  long  continue." 

1636. — "  The  parson  of  St.  John  Zachary  makes  a  demand  on  the 
Company,  for  an  addition  to  his  tithe  by  reason  of  their  having  pulled 
down,  for  rebuilding  the  Hall,  no  less  than  eight  or  nine  adjoining 
houses,  from  which  he  used  to  receive  tithe."  The  letter  concludes  : 
"  These  containing  in  extent  and  value  one- sixth  part  of  this  small 
parish,  which  amounts  in  the  whole  net  to  £60  per  annum,  I  beseech 
you,  gentlemen,  to  consider  and  determine  of  it  as  in  wisdom  and 
justice  you  shall  think  meet,  that  you  may  render  to  God  that  which 
is  God's,  and  prevent  any  further  complaining. — PHIL.  EDLIN,  St.  John  •"; 
Zachias  (Rector)." 

1640. — "  Francis  Robinson,  for  twenty  years  parish  clerk,  is  made 
porter  with  40s.  a  year.  He  is  not  to  intrude  himself  upon  the 
Company  when  they  or  the  wardens  go  to  the  Lord  Mayor  or  Sheriffs."  ^  s 

1642. — "  Mention  of  the  death  of  -John  Dyos,  a  pensioner,  who 
desired  that  he  might  be  buried  in  the  church  of  St.  John  Zachary. 
This  is  arranged  with  the  churchwardens  at  a  cost  of  50s." 

1646. — "  Ten  pounds  is  given  to  Mr.  Barton,  minister  of  St.  John 
Zacharie's  parish,  in  regard  to  his  necessities,  charge  of  children,  and 
small  means.  It  is  alleged  that  many  refuse  to  pay  him  that  which  of 
right  belongs  to  him." 

1647. — "The  Clerk  reads  a  letter  from  Mr.  Browne,  father \of    ' 

— —         '   /C*v 

Mr.  Rotherham,  the  late  Rector  of  the  parish,  desiring  that  the  tithes 


72 

due  from  the  Company  to  Mr.  Barton,  the  present  Rector,  may  be 
stay'd  in  the  Company's  hands  until  the  end  of  next  term,  because  of 
an  order  which  he  pretends  to  have  been  made  in  that  behalf.  As, 
however,  the  order  is  in  no  way  directed  to  the  Company,  it  is  decided 
that,  notwithstanding  the  same,  the  Wardens  shall  pay  Mr.  Barton 
the  tithes." 

1649. — "John  Hastings  is  elected  beadle,  vice  Ralphe  Robinson, 
who  is  to  be  buried  this  afternoon  in  St.  John  Zacharie's  church." 

1659,  4th  March. — "  The  Commissioners  for  ejecting  scandalous, 
ignorant,  and  insufficient  ministers  and  schoolmasters  within  the  City 
of  London,  represent  unto  the  Wardens  the  sequestration  of  the 
benefice,  and  that  upon  the  occurrence  of  such  sequestration,  the  Com- 
missioners did  lately  order  that  the  said  John  Heardman  (the  late 
Rector)  should  be  allowed  and  paid  from  the  time  of  his  ejection  out 
of  the  profit  of  the  said  benefice  the  sum  of  £8  per  annum,  and  did 
direct  that  the  Company  and  all  the  parishioners  should  pay  their 
tithes  to  the  Commissioners,  who  should  make  provision  for  such 
payment  of  £8,  and  hand  over  the  balance  to  the  incumbent  for  the 
time  being." 

1659,  15th  April. — "  Mr.  Strettell,  minister  of  St.  John  Zacharie 
in  the  place  of  John  Heardman,  petitions  the  sequestrators  with 
reference  to  the  £8  allowed  to  Heardman  out  of  the  income  of  the 
benefice,  and  the  petition  is  forwarded  to  the  Company  and  debated, 
Mr.  Strettell  and  his  counsel  being  also  heard  touching  the  matters 
alledged  in  the  same.  The  Company,  however,  decide  to  continue 
paying  their  tithes  to  the  sequestrators." 

1659,  18th  November. — •"  Mr.  Strettell  conies  and  demands  the 
tithes  for  the  Hall  for  three  quarters  now  past,  being  45s.  a  quarter, 
who  is  told  by  the  Wardens  that  the  money  has  been  already  paid,  and 
that  there  is  a  receipt  for  it  by  the  sequestrators  for  the  parish  (author- 
ised by  the  Commissioners  who  sequestrated  Mr.  Heardman,  the  late 
minister),  whereupon  Mr.  Strettell  shows  an  order  of  the  Committee 
for  plundered  ministers,  which  is  read,  after  which  Mr.  Strettell 
desires  the  Wardens  that  he  may  receive  the  future  tithes  as  they 
shall  fall  due,  but  the  Wardens  tell  him  that  the  matter  must  be  con- 
sidered by  the  full  court.  Subsequently,  at  a  court  held  on  the 
19th  December,  Mr.  Strettell  is  informed  that  what  the  Company 
have  to  pay  for  the  tithes  on  the  Hall,  they  are  resolved  to  keep  in 


73 

their  own  hands  until  the  controversy  which  is  depending  between 
him  and  Mr.  Heardman  shall  be  settled." 

1660,  24th  October. — "  The  Parson  of  St.  John  Zacharye's  parish 
comes  before  the  court  and  petitions  them  to  bestow  something  toward 
the  new  '  tryming  up '  of  the  church  and  for  the  '  refreshing  '  of  the 
two  monuments  therein  of  Sir  Bartholomew  Keade  and  his  lady,  and 
Sir  James  Pemberton,  in  regard  that  the  Lord  Mayor  elect  intends 
to  keep  his  Mayoralty  in  the  parish,  in  the  house  which  belongs 
to  the  Company,  late  in  the  occupation  of  Sir  James  Drax  as  tenant 
thereof.  £3  is  given." 

In  the  Ordinances  of  the  Company  we  read  that  they  attended 
St.  Paul's  on  St.  Dunstan's  Eve  (at  this  time  St.  Dunstan  was  their 
patron  saint)  and  "  thence  after  service  to  St.  John  Zachary,  and 
attend  service  there." 

It  Avas  one  of  the  Beadle's  duties  to  warn  the  Company's  twelve 
almsmen  called  the  "  Almsmen  of  St.  Dunstan  that  they  should  be 
present  at  St.  John  Zachary's  church  every  Wednesday  and  Friday  at 
eight  o'clock  to  hear  Mass."  There  they  were  to  pray  for  the 
good  estate  of  all  the  brethren  of  the  craft,  whether  living  or  dead. 
They  had  also  to  come  weekly  to  the  Goldsmiths'  Mass  "  at  St.  John 
Zachary's  in  their  blue,  and  to  every  obit  in  their  black  gowns." 

There  was  a  Chapel  of  St.  Dunstan  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  for 
which  the  Company  supplied  yearly,  fourteen  days  before  the  Feast  of 
St.  Dunstan,  "clothes  of  silk,  jewels,  and  plate,  and  also  arras  for 
hanging  of  the  chapel  without." 

Sir  Bartholomew  Eeade,  Alderman,  left  directions  that  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Company  should  attend  at  this  church  on  the  day  of  his 
decease.  To  the  minister,  for  a  sermon,  he  gave  £1  lls.  6d. ;  to  the 
organist,  10s.  6d. ;  and  the  clerk,  8s.  6d." 

In  the  accounts  of  the  Company  appears  a  charge  for  maintaining 
in  the  church  "  the  St.  Dunstan's  Light." 

"  Mr.  Henderson,  the  minister,  receives  45s.  for  a  quarter  tithe  of 
the  Hall,  and  for  the  houses  and  cellars  within  and  under  the  same." 

The  following  were  buried  in  the  church  : 

Sir  John  Francis,  Mayor  1400. 

Sir  Eichard  Martin  (Goldsmith),  Mayor  1589.  ^> 

There  was  a  monument  erected  to  the  memory  of  Sir  James 
Pemberton,  Knight,  with  the  following  inscription  : 


74 

"  This  Monument  is  erected  to  the  memory  of  Sir  James 
Pemberton,  Knight,  who,  being  Sheriff  of  this  City  at  the  coming  in 
of  King  James,  entertained  near  forty  earls  and  barons  in  his  house 
on  the  day  of  the  King's  being  proclaimed. 

"Afterwards  (anno  1612)  was  elected  Mayor  of  this  Most 
Honorable  City  of  London. 

"He  erected  a  free  school  in  the  parish  of  Eccleston  in  Lancashire 
sixteen  years  before  his  death,  and  gave  £50  by  the  year  to  the  main- 
taining thereof  for  ever.  He  gave  also  £500  to  Christ's  Hospital  and 
£200  to  the  Company  of  Goldsmiths,  besides  many  liberal  gifts  to  the 
poor  of  his  kindred  and  many  other  most  charitable  uses. 

"He  died  the  8th  day  of  December,  1612,  aged  sixty-eight  years. 
"  Marble,  nor  torch,  nor  alabaster  can 
Reveale  the  truth  of  the  long  buried  man ; 
For  oft  we  see  men's  goods,  when  they  are  gone, 
Doe  pious  deeds,  when  they  themselves  did  none. 
Mine,  while  I  lived,  my  goodnesse  did  expresse, 
Tis  not  inscriptions  make  them  more  or  less  ; 
In  Christ  I  hope  to  rise  among  the  just — 
Man  is  but  grass,  all  must  to  worms  and  dust." 
There  was  also  a  monument  to   the   memory  of  John   Sutton, 
Citizen,  Goldsmith  and  Alderman,  who,  on  the  6th   July,  1450,  was 
killed  in  the  defence  of  the  City  in  the  battle  on  London  Bridge  against 
the  rebel  Jack  Cade. 

The  church  was  repaired  on  several  occasions  between  1616  and 
1631  at  a  cost  of  £120. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  old  account  books  of  the  parish 
are  of  interest : 

1633. — "  There  is  a  charge  for  re-hanging  the  third  bell,  also  the 
great  bell.  £1  9s.  8d.  for  a  perambulation  dinner.  At  the  end  of  the 
year  the  total  sum  received  is  £57  7s.  3d. ;  the  total  paid  is 
£54  3s.  4d." 

1636. — "  Paid  to  Mr.  Boyond,  for  one  whole  year  to  read  Divine 
service,  £4.  In  this  year  the  wine  for  Holy  Communion  cost 
£4  17s." 

1641. — "  Revenues  arose  from  the  following  sources — Rents  and 
annuities,  £16  16s.  4d. ;  fines  and  casualties,  £16  12s.  6d. ;  burials  in 
the  church,  £6  16s.  4d. ;  burials  in  the  churchyard,  17s." 


75 

1642. — "Ringing  out  the  King's  Coronation,  3s.  4d.  To  Richard- 
son,  the  joyner,  for  making  a  ^eme-  in  ye  chancell,  16s.  6d.  For 
making  sett  of  parish  lanthorns,  Is.  6d.  For  maintenance  of  a 
woman  that  fell  in  travail  in  ye  parish,  and  to  discharge  ye  parish  of 
her,  16s.  lOd." 

1644. — Received  of  the  Company  of  Goldsmiths  towards  the 
money  that  was  lay'd  out  for  the  relieving  of  ye  poor  when  they  were 
visited,  £2." 

1645. — "Paid  for  candles  to  hang  out  in  ye  night,  and  for  other 
necessarys  for  ye  church,  £2  Is.  Paid  for  mending  large  lanthorn, 
and  one  new,  6s." 

1647. — "  Paid  for  the  Account  Dinner,  £1  15s.  Given  to  the 
boys  who  beat  the  boundaries  of  the  parish,  6d." 

1648.—"  Paid  for  the  Account  Dinner,  £4  2s.  lOd." 

1660. — "Paid  on  Ascension  Day,  for  ribbons  and  cakes,  14s.  lOd. 
The  same  for  a  dinner,  £2  2s.  7d.  The  same  day  to  the  poor  of  the 
parish,  2s.  Paid  for  the  King's  Arms,  £2.  Given  to  the  Widow 
Steyns  to  buy  a  coffin  and  bury  her  husband,  15s." 

1663. — "  Paid  for  a  parish  dinner  at  the  '  Globe,'  Moorfields, 
£3  7s.  lOd." 

1664. — "  Paid  for  rosemary  and  bay  at  Christmas,  5s." 

RECTORS. 

Robert  de  Barentin,  1217.  Henry  de  Spondon,  1366-1383. 
John  Hale,  1407-1412.  John  Statharne,  1414-1422.  William 
Byngham,  1424-1451.  William  Westwode,  1452-1457.  John 
Jenkynson,  1513-1540.  William  Tofte,  1560.  Hugh  Andrews 
(Minor  Canon  of  St.  Paul's),  1585-1604.  Henry  Hammond,  1608- 
1623.  William  Carter,  1625-1630.  Philip  Edlin,  1635-1642;  was 
dispossessed  by  Parliament.  Thomas  Rotherham,  1642.  John ;'  I 
HJardman,  1662. 


St.  Xaurence  pountnes. 

This  church  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  church  yard  in 
Laurence  Pountney  Hill.  The  building  consisted  of  a  porch,  north 
and  south  aisles,  chancel,  battlements,  and  a  steeple.  There  was  a 


76 

High  Altar,  an  Altai*  dedicated  to  Our  Lady,  one  dedicated  to  the 
Martyr,  St.  Stephen,  and  one  to  St.  Thomas  of  Canterbury,  an  image 
of  St.  Leonard,  and  images  and  arms  of  the  founder.  There  was  also 
a  preaching  cross. 

In  connection  with  the  church  was  a  college  dedicated  to  "  The 
Holy  Jesus  and  Corpus  Christi,"  founded  by  Sir  John  Pountney, 
Draper,  about  the  year  1245,  from  whence  the  church  took  its  name. 
It  was  endowed  by  the  founder  for  a  master,  wardens,  thirteen  priests, 
and  four  choristers.  All  were  to  reside  in  the  manse  appointed  for 
their  residence  adjoining  the  church.  Sir  John  Pountney  was  Mayor 
of  London  on  four  occasions,  but  does  not  appear  to  have  served  the 
office  of  Sheriff.  He  was  noted  for  his  wisdom,  his  piety,  and  wealth. 
His  will  is  dated  14th  November,  28rd  Edward  III.  He  built  also  a 
chapel  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  where  he  was  buried. 

In  1631  the  steeple,  which  was  celebrated  for  its  height  and  pic- 
turesque details,  was  newly  leaded.  Aubrey  says  that  "  this  was  the 
only  London  church  which  could  boast  of  a  leaded  steeple,  except 
St.  Dunstan-in-the-East." 

In  the  same  year  five  new  bells  were  hung  and  frames  renewed, 
the  aisles  were  raised  and  levelled,  and  the  entire  church  repaved 
within  and  without,  at  the  cost  of  the  parishioners. 

The  following  memorial  was  in  the  church,  dated  1628 : 

"  In  memory  of  Sir  Allen  Cotton,  Lord  Mayor,  who  had  fourteen 
children  and  lived  to  the  age  of  seventy.  His  sons  placed  this  tablet. 

"  When  he  left  earth,  rich  Bounty  dyed ; 
Mild  Courtesie  gave  place  to  Pride. 
Soft  Mercie  to  bright  Justice  said : 
'  0,  sister,  we  are  both  betrayed.' 
While  Innocence  lay  on  the  ground 
By  Truth,  and  wept  at  either's  wound. 
The  sons  of  Levi  did  lament, 
Their  lamps  went  out,  their  oil  was  spent. 
Heaven  hath  his  soul,  and  only  we 
Spin  out  our  lives  in  misery. 
So  Death,  thou  missest  of  thy  ends, 
And  kill'st  not  him,  but  kill'st  his  friends." 

There  was  also  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  "  Elisabeth,  the 


77 

wife  of  Emmanuel  Lucar,  a  very  ingenious  person  in  all  sort  of  needle- 
work, could  write  three  hands  very  well,  was  a  good  accompanist,  could 
play  well  on  the  viol,  lute,  and  virginals ;  she  read,  spoke,  and  wrote 
Latin,  Italian,  and  Spanish,  and,  which  crowned  all,  was  endued  with 
many  virtues.  She  died  at  the  early  age  of  27.  An.  dom.  1537." 

1306. — William  de  Guliford  left  the  rent  of  his  house  for  six  years 
after  his  decease  for  repairing  the  north  part  of  the  church. 

1349. — Dyonisia  la  Tonge  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  cloister  of 
the  College  of  Corpus  Christi,  near  the  church  of  St.  Laurence.  To 
the  chapel  in  the  church  she  left  her  brewery,  charged  with  the  main- 
tenance of  a  lamp  to  burn  day  and  night  before  the  image  of  Blessed 
Mary  in  the  church. 

1350. — Katharine  Estmare  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  church 
before  the  Altars  of  the  Martyrs  Stephen  and  Thomas,  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury.  To  the  church  and  ministers  she  left  two  pieces  of  tapestry 
and  a  mazer  enamelled  with  the  image  of  the  Blessed  Mary. 

1 389. — Idonia,  wife  of  Robert  Salisbury,  Fishmonger,  wished  to  be 
buried  in  the  church,  and  left  to  Christina,  wife  of  Sir  Thomas  Pyke, 
her  new  gown  of  scarlet,  with  fur  and  hood ;  to  Sir  John  Norwiche, 
sub-master  of  the  college,  a  chalice  and  paten ;  and  to  each  of  the 
chaplains  a  sum  of  money. 

1393. — William  Wight  desired  to  be  buried  in  the  cloister  of  the 
church. 

1497. — Johanna,  Avife  of  John  Carre,  Gentleman,  desired  her 
estate  to  be  divided  into  four  parts  :  the  founding  of  a  chantry  in  the 
church,  marriage  portions  for  four  poor  maidens  having  few  friends, 
the  relief  of  poor  householders  and  parishioners,  the  repair  of  the 
church  ornaments. 

1657. — Eliab  Harvey  left  property  in  Duck's  Foot  Lane  for  the 
relief  of  nine  of  the  most  ancient  watermen  of  the  parish  or  others, 
the  same  to  have  6s.  8d.  a  year,  also  16s.  yearly  to  the  sexton  for  his 
pains  in  making  clean  the  tomb  of  the  said  Harvey,  the  tomb  to  be 
made  clean  once  in  every  week  for  ever  in  dry  weather,  taking  special 
care  to  make  clean  the  said  tomb  at  any  time  or  in  any  weather  when 
any  moisture  or  any  sweat  shall  be  upon  the  tomb ;  16s.  in  each  year 
to  the  churchwardens  to  brush  down  the  walls  and  make  clean  the 
pews  and  wash  clean  the  pavements  of  the  parish  church  against  the 
feasts  of  Christmas  and  Whitsuntide,  the  residue  to  keep  and  maintain 


78 

and  as  often  as  need  make  new  curtains  and  curtain  rods  now  before 
the  said  tomb,  and  once  in  every  year  to  paint  in  oil  the  black  circle 
round  about  the  tomb  and  all  the  whole  wall  within  the  black  circle ; 
and  upon  the  Feast  Day  of  the  Annunciation  of  St.  Mary  the  Virgin 
an  exact  account  of  the  rents  received  shall  be  made  at  the  same  feast 
and  all  the  particulars  fairly  written  and  entered  in  a  book  to  be  kept 
in  the  parish  for  that  purpose." 

John  de  Bland,  13th  January,  1302,  "  being  the  Friday  next  before 
the  Feast  of  St.  Hilary,  bound  himself  and  all  his  rents  and  lands  to 
keep  the  City  indemnified  from  peril  of  fire  which  might  arise  from  his 
houses  covered  with  thatch  in  the  parish  of  St.  Laurence,  and  he 
agreed  that  he  would  have  the  said  houses  covered  with  tiles  about  the 
Feast  of  Pentecost  then  next  ensuing." 

In  a  patent  of  Henry  VI.,  approving  certain  persons  to  pursue  the 
study  of  alchemy  for  the  King's  emolument,  the  following  names 
occur  : — 

Thomas  Harvey,  an  Austin  Friar  ;  Robert  Grattely,  a  Preaching 
Friar ;  William  Attclyffe,  the  Queen's  Physician  ;  and  Henry  Stamp, 
the  Master  of  the  College  of  St.  Laurence. 

The  two  following  names  also  occur  as  masters  of  the  college  : — 

1398. — Nicholas  Mockyng,  Treasurer  of  St.  Paul's,  "  Keeper  of 
the  Corpus  Christi  Chapel." 

1466. — Henry  Sharpe,  LL.D.,  Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's. 

The  oldest  registers  in  the  parish  date  from  1538. 

The  first  volume  is  thus  headed  : 

"  M.D.,  that  on  the  first  day  of  December,  in  the  XXX.  yeere  of 
the  raigne  of  our  Suffrane  Lord  King  Henry  the  Eight,  This  Booke 
begun  to  be  kept  in  the  Parish  Church  of  St.  Laurance  Pountney  in 
the  form  following.  In  the  presence  of  Mr.  Powle  Withipole  and 
William  Chande,  Churchwardens,  and  William  Latimer,  Parson  ot  the 
same." 

The  register  of  burials  dates  from  1542. 

The  following  were  buried  in  the  church  : 

Adrian  Poultney,  one  of  the  builders  of  the  church. 

The  first  and  second  Earls  of  Sussex. 

1552,  October  15th. — Thomas  Beale,  Parish  Clerk. 

1561,  November  12th; — Mr.  Woodly,  Minister  of  the  Church. 

1568,  February  8th. — John  Uprise,  the  Common  Cryer. 


79 

1577.— Sir  John  Olyffe,  Knt.,  Sheriff. 

1578,  September  15th. — Alice,  wife  of  Mr.  Robert  Hales,  Minister. 
1584,  September  4th. — Robert  Faulkner,  Parish  Clearke. 
1597,  August  30th. — Edward  Moore,  Parish  Clearke. 
1601,  July  6th. — "Jeremy  Sands,  being  frant,  and  lept  into  the 
Thames  and  ther  drowned  the  V.  day  of  July." 

1601,  October  8th.— "  Olyf,  wyf  to  Willm.   Spackman,   late  of 
Ambridge  in  Essex,  being  lunatick,  cam  hither  to  be  cured." 

1602,  February  2nd. — "Margery,  wyf  to  Jeremy  Crewes,  Needle- 
maker,  upon  the  banck  side,  she  lept  into  the  Tames,  but  died  in  the 
house." 

1602,  March  4th. — "  Thomas  Stevenson,  a  prentis,  died  under 
Wido  Stevenson's  window  in  Katharine  Wile  Alley." 

1609. — "  Edmond  Bramston,  a  seller  of  aqua  vitey." 

1611. — "Francis,  servant  to  Mr.  Scott,  scalded  in  the  mashe 
fatt." 

1628. — "  Robert  Silvester,  Clarke  of  the  church,  by  trade 
Haberdasher." 

1624. — "  Elyas,  the  son  of  Elyas  Crabtree,  minister  of  this  parish, 
and  Mary  his  wife." 

1681. — "Alice  Gratwyck,  swane  to  Mr.  Crabtree,  minister  of  this 
parish." 

1641,  December  12th. — Mr.  John  Goldwell,  Curate. 

The  churchwardens'  accounts  date  from  1530.  The  oldest  book  is 
thus  headed : 

"  This  is  the  accompt  of  us,  William  Pape  (Draper)  and  Anthony 
Herne  (Stock  fishmonger),  Churchwardens  of  the  parish  church  of  St. 
Laurence  Pountney,  London,  for  the  space  of  one  whole  year,  ending 
the  first  day  of  May,  anno  domini  1530,  and  yielded  and  given  up  on 
the  fourteenth  day  of  the  present  month  in  the  presence  of  the  most 
discrete  honest  men,  parishioners  of  the  same."  On  the  first 
leaf  of  the  book  is  written :  "  Deliver  all  things  in  number  and 
weight,  and  put  all  in  writing,  that  you  givest  out  or  receivest 
in. — Ecclesiastics  Lvii.,  7." 

The  following  are  a  few  extracts  from  the  accounts  : 

1580. — "  Recei\d>  of  John  Wernes  for  Mr.  Canwicke's  pit  and 
knell,  13s.  4d." 

"  Paid  to  John  Ingolrl,  Carpenter,  for  four  quarters  to  fasten  the 


80 

bars  in  the  glass  windows,   and  nine  foot  of  board  for  Mrs.  Bird's 
maid's  pew." 

1583. — «To  the  clerke  for  watching  on  Easter  Eve,  Is."     "To 

the  clerke's  wife  for  washing  the  Vestry  gear,  4s." 

1536. — «  Making  the  pit  for  the  child  that  layeth  before  Our 
Lady,  8d." 

1538.—"  For  a  Bible  in  English,  4s." 

1547. — "  To  the  clerke,  for  the  ringing  of  a  knell  at  the  burial  of 
King  Henry  VIII.,  Is.  8d." 

1549. — "  To  the  plasterer,  for  mending  the  quire  and  whiting  it, 
six  days'  work  at  lOd.  the  day,  5s."  "  For  taking  down  the  sepulchre, 
2s." 

1579. — "  To  Goodman  Peter,  for  wainscoting  the  quire,  agreed  by 
a  vestry,  £8  18s." 

1588. — "  Paid  to  the  clerk,  for  his  two  year's  wages,  and  for  his 
attendance,  and  light  for  the  lecture,  £  10." 

1596. — For  turned  pillars  to  hang  hats  and  caps  upon,  for  setting 
up  three  benches  iu  the  church,  and  work  in  the  quire,  and  a  new 
seat,  2s.  4d." 

1597. — "  For  two  prayers  set  forth  for  the  good  success  of  His 
Majesty's  Navy,  7d." 

1601. — "  Mending  two  Lan thorns  to  serve  in  the  church  on  lecture 
nights,  2s.  4d." 

1612. — "  Spent  on  our  dinners  these  two  years,  when  we  came  from 
St.  Magnus,  and  when  we  went  our  perambulations,  £3  13s.  4d."  "To 
Mr.  Flood,  to  buy  Bishop  Jeule's  Works,  £1." 

1615. — "  Paid  for  being  presented  for  not  having  the  King's  arms 
in  the  church,  Is.  4d."  "Paid  for  the  King's  arms  and  then  Ten 
Commandments,  £7  7s.  lOd." 

1617. — "Eecd-  of  Eichard  Lewis,  for  the  shop  in  the  churchyard, 
15s."  "Paid  to  a  poor  man  towards  redeeming  four  cushions  from 
the  Turks,  Is.  6d." 

1618. — "  Reca-  of  the  butcher,  for  the  shop  in  the  churchyard, 
5s."  "  Paid  for  new  paving  the  alley  to  the  church,  18s.  6d." 
"  Making  three  long  benches  for  the  maids,  2s.  2d." 

1623. — "  Gift  to  a  poor  woman  that  had  a  wolf  on  her  arm,  6d." 

1629. — "  To  a  poor  minister  that  was  cut  of  the  stone,  Is." 


81 

The  following  minute  of  vestry  occurs  on  the  13th  February, 
1641: 

"  There  shall  be  no  allowance  made  to  any  churchwardens  for  the 
usual  dinners  heretofore  made  at  the  coming  in  of  any  churchwarden 
into  his  office,  or  at  the  perambulation  of  the  parish  for  the  dinner 
heretofore  made,  and  that  no  churchwarden  for  the  time  being  shall 
give  any  of  the  parish  money  to  any  poor  minister,  lame  or  maimed 
soldier,  captive,  or  any  poor  dwelling  out  of  the  parish,  and  not  being 
an  inhabitant  of  the  parish." 

Eobert  Nelson,  author  of  the  "Fasts  and  Festivals  of  the  Church,'' 
was  baptized  here  July  8th,  1656.  His  father,  Mr.  John  Nelson, 
Merchant,  was  buried  here  in  the  following  September. 

Thomas  Creede,  the  great  printer  of  plays  in  the  reign  of  Queen 
Elizabeth,  lived  in  the  parish. 

Anne  Clargis  was  married  28th  February,  1632,  to  Thomas 
Radford,  Farrier,  of  the  parish  of  St.  Martin's-in-the-Fields.  She 
was  afterwards  married  to  Monk,  Duke  of  Albemarle. 

The  patronage  of  the  church,  together  with  that  of  St.  Mary 
Abchurch,  belongs  to  Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge. 

William  Latimer,  a  Curate  of  the  church,  complained,  jointly  with 
Bishop  Hooper  (in  the  reign  of  Edward  VI.)  against  Bishop  Bonner, 
for  leaving  out  of  his  sermon  at  Paul's  Cross  the  article  of  the  King's 
authority,  whilst  a  minor,  contrary  to  the  royal  injunction,  and  for 
various  neglects  in  his  episcopal  office  unduly,  for  which  the  bishop 
was  prosecuted  and  deprived.  In  connection  with  this,  "  The  Grey 
Friars  Chronicle  "  has  the  following : 

"  1549. — Item,  the  first  day  of  September :  the  bysshoppe  of 
London,  then  Edmond  Boner,  preached  at  Pawle's  Crosse,  and  after 
was  accuysed  on  to  the  cownsell  by  two  persons,  as  William  Latimer, 
parsonne  of  Sent  Lawrens  Pountney,  and  John  Hopper,  that  some 
time  was  a  whyte  monke." 

Edward  Gregory,  Rector  1536.  He  was  also  Hector  of  All 
Hallows-the-Less. 

Richard  Archbold  (1556)  was  appointed  by  Philip  and  Mary. 

Thomas  Wadsworth,  born  in  the  parish  of  St.  Saviour's,  South- 
wark,  1630,  and  Fellow  of  Christ's  College,  Cambridge,  was  minister 
here.  He  was  Lecturer  at  St.  John  the  Baptist,  and  lectured  on 
Saturday  mornings  and  Tuesday  evenings  at  St.  Antholin's ;  was  also 


82 

lecturer  at  St.  Margaret's,  New  Fish  Street.  He  resigned  all  these 
appointments  in  1G62.  On  the  Saturday  before  the  Act  of  Uniformity 
came  into  force,  his  parishioners  desired  him  to  preach  them  a  fare- 
well sermon  from  Malachi  iii.,  6,  with  which  he  readily  complied. 

Dr.  Calamy  says :  "  He  was  an  able  judicious  man,  devoted  wholly 
to  God,  and  to  do  good."  He  afterwards  gathered  a  congregation  in 
Southwark.  It  is  related  "  that  he  received  nothing  for  his  labours, 
but  was  content  to  spend  and  be  spent  in  his  Great  Master's  service." 
His  diary,  printed  at  the  end  of  his  life,  contains  "  the  strongest  proof 
of  his  being  an  excellent  Christian,  and  it  is  no  less  evident,"  says 
Granger,  "  from  his  private  works,  that  he  strove  to  make  others  as 
good  Christians  as  himself."  He  died,  1676,  aged  forty-six.  His 
funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Mr.  Bragge.* 

Tobias  Conyers,  of  Peterhouse,  Cambridge,  succeeded  Mr.  Wads- 
worth.  He  was  an  "  Independent  Arminian,"  and  published  "  A 
Pattern  of  Mercy,  opened  in  a  Sermon  preached  at  St.  Paul's  before 
the  Right  Hon.  The  Lord  Mayor  and  the  Lord  General  Moncke." 
Bishop  Kennett  says  of  him:  "A  very  learned  and  extraordinary 
person." 

Thomas  Palmer  was  chosen  minister  1644  ;  remained  until  1646 ; 
when  he  removed  to  Aston-upon-Trent.  The  following  appeared  in 
"  Kennett's  Register  and  Chronicle":  "It  was  advised  soon  after  from 
London  that  whereas  among  the  late  conspirators  there  was  mention 
made  of  one  Palmer,  a  minister,  near  Nottingham,  it  was  proper  to 
notify  that  the  Palmer  intended  by  His  Majesty's  Proclamation  is  not 
Laurence  Palmer  the  minister  of  Gidling,  within  two  miles  of  Notting- 
ham, who  lives  quietly  and  in  obedience  to  the  Government,  but  one 
Thomas  Palmer,  sometime  minister  of  Laurence  Pountney,  London, 
a  great  assister  of  the  late  rebellion,  both  with  his  sword  and  pen. 
The  last  settled  place  of  his  abode  was  at  Aston,  in  Derbyshire,  where 
he  was  ejected,  and  since  that  time  has  been  an  itinerant  preacher  and 
gatherer  of  churches  here  and  there.  About  four  months  since  he 
was  secured  at  Nottingham  for  preaching  in  conventicles.  To  give  a 
personal  description  of  him,  he  is  a  tall  man,  flaxen  hair,  between 
forty  and  fifty  years  of  age." 

At  the  great  Fire,  some  circumstances  in  connection  with  the 

*  See  also  St.  Margaret,  New  Fish  Street. 


83 

destruction  of  this  church  seem  to  have  given  rise  to  suspicions  that 
the  fire  was  begun  and  maintained  by  design.  These  are  related  in  a 
tract  published  soon  after  the  event,  and  which  is  now  in  the  Guildhall 
Library.  It  is  there  related :  "The  Information  of  Thomas  Middleton, 
Chyrugion,  late  inhabitant  of  St.  Bride's,  London.— I,  the  said  Thomas 
Middleton,  do  hereby  certifie  that  upon  the  Sunday  in  the  afternoon 
(the  day  upon  which  the  dreadful  fire  broke  out  in  Pudding  Lane 
which  consumed  the  City),  hearing  the  general  outcry  that  the  City 
was  fired  by  Papists  and  French,  I  repaired  to  the  top  of  a  church 
steeple  near  The  Three  Cranes  in  the  Vintrey,  where  myself  and  several 
others  observed  the  motion  of  the  fire  for  two  or  three  hours  together, 
and  we  all  took  notice  that  the  fire  did  break  forth  out  of  several 
houses,  while  those  which  were  then  burning  were  at  a  good  distance 
from  them  every  way,  and  more  especially  I  saw  the  fire  brake  out 
from  the  inside  of  St.  Lawrence  Pountney  steeple  when  there  was  no 
fire  near  it.  These  and  such  like  observations  begat  in  me  a  persuasion 
that  the  fire  was  maintained  by  design." 

Some  further  evidence  is  given  by  a  Mr.  Citman.  "Mr.  Citman 
did  inform  that  our  Mr.  Carpenter,  late  a  preacher  on  Colledge  Hill, 
did  in  discourse  tell  Citman  that  the  judgement  of  God  on  this 
Kingdom  of  the  Plague  last  yeare,  and  lately  by  the  Fire  in  London, 
were  come  upon  this  land  and  people  for  their  forsaking  the  true 
Roman  Catholique  religion  and  casting  off  obedience  to  the  Pope, 
and  that  if  they  would  return  to  the  Church  of  Rome  the  Pope  would 
rebuild  this  City  at  his  own  charge.  Carpenter  said  likewise  to  the 
said  Citman  that  if  he  would  come  and  hear  him  preach  the  next 
Sunday  at  his  house  in  Queen  Street,  he  would  give  twenty  reasons 
to  prove  that  the  Roman  Catholique  was  the  true  religion,  and  his 
false,  and  that  our  Bible  had  a  thousand  falsities  in  it.  And  that 
there  was  no  true  Scripture  but  at  Rome  and  their  Church." 

Samuel  Pepys,  in  his  diary,  on  one  or  two  occasions  mentions  this 
church,  and  also  a  curate  there,  of  whom  he  does  not  seem  to  have 
formed  a  very  high  opinion. 

1662,  January  6th. — "I  to  St.  Paul's  Church  Yard,  to  my  book- 
sellers, and  then  into  St.  Paul's  Church,  and  there  finding  Elborough, 
my  old  schoolfellow,  at  Paul's,  now  a  parson,  whom  I  know  to  be  a 
silly  fellow,  I  took  him  out,  and  walked  with  him,  making  Mr.  Creed 
and  myself  sport  with  talking  with  him  and  so  sent  him  away." 


84 

1662,  February  6th. — "Thence with  Mr.  Elborough  to  a  cook-shop 
to  dinner,  but  I  found  him  a  fool,  as  he  ever  was,  or  worse." 

1664,  February  12th. — "  To  church  to  St.  Laurence  to  hear  Dr. 
Wilkins,  the  great  scholar,  for  curiosity,  I  having  never  heard  him, 
but  was  not  satisfied  with  him  at  all.  I  was  well  pleased  with  the 
church,  it  being  a  very  fine  church." 

1666,  September  2nd. — "Having  staid,  and  in  an  hour's  time  seen 
the  fire  rage  every  way,  and  nobody  to  my  sight  endeavouring  to 
quench  it,  but  to  remove  their  goods  and  leave  all  to  the  fire,  and 
having  seen  it  get  as  far  as  the  Steele  Yard,  and  the  wind  mighty  high, 
and  driving  it  into  the  City,  and  everything,  after  so  long  a  drought, 
proving  combustible,  even  the  very  stones  of  churches,  and,  among 
other  things,  the  poor  steeple  (St.  Laurence  Pountney)  by  which  pretty 
Mrs.  -  -  lives,  and  whereof  my  old  schoolfellow,  Elborough,  is 
parson,  taken  fire  in  the  very  top,  and  then  burned  till  it  fell  down." 

This  Mr.  Elborough  published  a  sermon  with  the  following  title  : 
"  London's  Calamity  by  Fire  bewailed  and  improved  in  a  Sermon 
preached  at  St.  James's,  Duke's  Place,  wherein  the  Judgements  of  God 
are  asserted,  the  times  of  these  Judgements  specified,  the  reasons  for 
these  Judgements  assigned,  and  all  in  some  measure  suitably  applied. 
By  Eobert  Elborough,  Minister  of  the  Parish,  that  was  lately  St. 
Laurence  Pountney.  London,  1666." 


St.  Xeonarfc,   Eastcbeap. 

This  church  was  an  ancient  foundation,  as  both  Strype  and  Stow 
refer  to  a  monument  in  the  old  church  dating  as  far  back  as  1280. 
Newcourt  says  that  it  was  originally  called  "  St.  Leonard  Milk 
Church,"  after  "  William  Milker,"  the  builder  of  it. 

1259.— Walter  de  Stocke  left  to  the  Hospital  of  St.  Thomas  rents 
"  of  a  shop  near  the  church  of  St.  Leonard  in  Estcheap,"  and  two 
shillings  for  the  maintenance  of  a  wax  taper  in  the  church. 

1314. — William  Mollyng  left  five  marks  for  the  maintenance  of  a 
torch. 

1349. — Geoffry  Fairher  wished  to  be  buried  in  "  the  chapel  of  the 
church  of  St.  Leonard," 


85 

1351. — Thomas  Doggett,  "  to  be  buried  in  St.  Mary's  Cbapel  in 
the  church."  He  also  left  money  to  the  High  Altar,  the  fabric,  and 
the  ministers.  A  monument  to  his  memory  was  in  the  church.  He 
left  to  his  son  Walter,  two  pairs  of  best  sheets  and  two  pieces  of  his 
best  silver. 

1857. — John  Edward  wished  to  be  buried  in  St.  Mary's  Chapel, 
and  left  to  the  Fraternity  of  Butchers  money  to  provide  a  wax  taper 
at  his  funeral. 

1861. — Kobert  Forneux,  Fishmonger,  "to  be  buried  in  the 
chancel  of  the  church,  where  his  children  lie  buried." 

1363. — William  Doket  (Vintner),  "  to  be  buried  in  the  choir  of 
the  church,  near  the  tomb  of  Sir  John  de  Lichfield." 

•  1890. — William  Young  (Butcher)   left  money  to   buy  two   new 
missals  and  for  the  repair  of  the  belfry. 

We  gather  from  these  various  directions  that  the  old  church  con- 
sisted of  chancel,  choir,  chapel  of  St.  Mary,  and  a  belfry  and  steeple. 

At  the  time  of  the  excavations  in  Eastcheap  for  the  Metropolitan 
District  Railway,  the  site  of  the  old  church  was  plainly  shewn.  The 
foundation  shewed  a  long  chancel  and  a  nave,  the  latter  having 
masonry  of  great  antiquity  on  its  north  side,  made  up  with  fragments 
of  Roman  brickwork. 

In  a  document  of  the  fifteenth  century  is  a  demise  by  John 
Carpenter,  Town  Clerk  of  the  City  of  London,  to  John  Staples,  Citizen 
and  Vintner,  of  a  tenement  called  "  Le  Greyhound,"  which  John 
Carpenter  had  lately  rebuilt,  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  church,  on 
the  south  by  a  tenement  called  "Le  Boole,"  on  the  east  by  the  country, 
on  the  west  by  the  King's  highway,  together  with  an  underground 
cellar  between  "  Le  Boole  "  and  "  Le  Sterre." 

There  was  a  monument  with  the  following  inscription  : 

"  Here  under  this  stone  lyeth  Joane,  wife  of  William  Allyn, 
Citizen  and  Alderman,  who  died  in  childbed  of  her  ninth  child,  the 
22nd  of  May,  1560." 

William  Allyn,  Leather  seller,  was  Sheriff,  1562  ;  Lord  Mayor, 
1572.  He  lived  in  Bow  Lane,  and  afterwards  in  Tower  Street.  Was 
buried  in  St.  Botolph,  Bishopsgate. 

Maitland  refers  to  an  inscription  which  was  "in  a  green  shop" 
[the  late  vestry  room.] 


86 

"  Time  out  of  minde  this  vestry  stoode, 

Till  work'd  with  adge  my  strength  I  lost, 
And  in  November,  with  full  consent, 

Was  built  at  ye  parish  cost, 
When  Queen  Elizabeth  raigned  had 

To  England,  peace,  twenty-six  yeeres, 
John  Heard,  Parson  at  that  time, 

Richard  Founts  and  Hary  Barker 
Churchwardens  were,  Anno  Dom.  1584.     R.P." 

1618. — The  church  was  much  injured  by  a  fire  caused  by 
"  whiteing  of  baskets  in  the  house  of  one  Jerome  Baynton,  a  Turner." 
"  The  steeple  was  fired,  and  quenched,  but  not  without  great  pains 
and  much  danger  to  several  persons  (who  have  not  been  rewarded  by 
the  parish),  before  any  great  harm  was  done  to  it  more  than  the 
defacing  of  it  and  other  parts  of  the  church."  During  the  same  year 
the  steeple  was  rebuilt  and  the  structure  repaired. 

Immediately  after  the  Fire  in  October,  1066,  a  vestry  was  held  at 
"  The  Gun,"  Aldgate,  at  which  the  churchwardens  were  directed  to 
"  make  sale  of  the  iron  and  lead  convenient  to  be  taken  down  from 
the  church  and  to  receive  all  rents  due  to  the  parish." 

RECTORS. 

John  Taurner  de  Lichfield,  1848.  William  Wexcombe  de 
Tessington,  Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's,  1861,  afterwards  Rector  of 
Maidstone.  Sir  Geoffrey  Launde,  1890.  John  Lyle,  1416-1419. 
Sir  Thomas  Kiggle,  1423.  Sir  Robert  Pyrington,  1441. 

Thomas  Still,  1457,  was  appointed  when  a  minor,  but  had  a  dis- 
pensation from  the  Archbishop.  Died  1498. 

Thomas  Wills,  D.D.,  New  College,  Oxford,  1513-1516.  Was 
Canon  of  St.  Paul's  and  Prior  of  St.  Gregory  in  Canterbury. 

Peter  Potkin,  New  Inn  Hall,  Oxford,  1516-1520. 

John  Towner,  1540.  Was  also  Rector  of  St.  Dunstan-in-the-East. 
He  did  penance  in  1554  for  getting  married. 

Abraham  Colfe,  Christ  Church,  Oxford,  born  1580.  Was 
presented  to  this  living  in  1609  by  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  Canter- 
bury, of  which  his  father  was  Prebendary.  He  was  presented  to  the 
vicarage  of  Lewisham,  1610,  of  which  place  (in  1604)  he  had  been 


87 

Curate.  He  held  both  livings  until  1646  (or  1647),  when  he  was 
displaced  in  his  City  living  by  Henry  Robino,  a  member  of  the 
Assembly  of  Divines.  Several  attempts  were  made  to  deprive  him  also 
of  the  Vicarage  of  Lewisham,  but  these  failed.  He  died  Vicar  of  the 
parish,  1657,  aged  seventy-eight.  In  his  will  he  says  "  I  desire  my 
executors  to  see  my  body  buried  in  a  decent  and  Christian  manner  in 

the  churchyard  of  Lewisham And  my  will  is  that  a  freestone 

of  about  one  foot  broad  and  square  any  way  and  three  foot  long  shall 
be  set  deep  and  upright  in  the  ground  over  my  grave  to  uphold  a  thick 
strong  plank  of  oak  which  shall  be  put  there  all  along  close  by  the 
wall,  between  the  two  buttresses,  for  people  to  sit  upon  when  they 
resort  to  the  public  church  meetings. ":;:  A  kindly  thought  for  those 
who  came  from  a  distance. 

In  Evelyn's  Diary  we  find  Abraham  Colfe  referred  to  : 

"  14th  March,  1652. — I  went  to  Lewisham,  where  I  heard  an 
honest  sermon  on  2  Corinthians  v.,  7,  being  the  first  Sunday  I  had 
been  at  church  since  my  returne,  it  being  now  a  rare  thing  to  find  a 
priest  of  the  Church  of  England  in  a  parish  pulpit,  most  of  which 
were  filled  with  Independents  and  Phanaticks." 

"  25th  December,  1652. — Christmas  Day.  No  sermon  anywhere, 
no  church  being  permitted  to  be  open,  so  observed  it  at  home.  The 
next  day  we  went  to  Lewisham,  where  an  honest  divine  preached." 

Colfe  was  a  great  benefactor  to  the  parish  of  Lewisham.  He 
built  and  endowed  a  free  school,  also  some  almshouses,  which  still 
exist,  and  are  carried  on  under  the  management  of  the  Leathersellers 
Company,  of  which  he  was  a  member. 

Seth  Wood,  who  had  been  for  about  five  years  minister  at  St. 
James,  Garlick  Hill,  was  appointed  to  St.  Leonard's,  1650,  and 
remained  until  about  1662,  when  he  resigned  because  (as  he  says  him- 
self) "  he  was  not  able  to  satisfy  himself  on  some  things  required  of 
him  about  Conformity."  Died  1698,  aged  eighty  years. 

Mr.  Wood  is  said  to  have  been  "  an  eloquent  and  awakening 
preacher  and  an  ingenious  scholar." 

Matthew  Barker,  born  1619,  was  here  for  a  short  time,  but 
resigned  on  account  of  the  Act  of  Uniformity.  He  then  formed 
the  first  Independent  Church,  which  met  in  Miles  Lane,  where  he 

*  The  parish  church  of  St.  Mary  Lewisham. — DUNCAN. 


88 

ministered  for  nearly  forty  years.  In  1660  he  signed  the  declaration 
of  the  congregational  and  public  preachers  against  "  the  late  horrid 
insurrection  and  declaration  of  rebellion  in  the  saide  City." 

Mr.  Barker,  in  1651,  preached  a  sermon  at  St.  Paul's  before  the 
Lord  Mayor  and  Corporation.  This  was  published  with  the  following 
title  :  "Jesus  Christ,  the  Great  Wonder,  Discover'd  for  the  Amazement 
of  Saints.  A  Sermon  preached  by  Matthew  Barker,  Preacher  of  the 
Gospel  at  Leonard's,  Eastcheap.  Printed  by  R.W.  for  Eapha  Harford 
at  the  'Bible  and  States  Arms'  in  Little  Brittain,  1651." 

He  also  published  another  sermon  with  the  following  title  :  "  The 
Faithful  and  Wise  Servant,  discovered  in  a  Sermon  preached  to  the 
Parliament  of  the  Commonwealth  of  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland, 
at  their  late  private  Fast  in  the  Parliament  House,  January  9th,  1656. 
By  Matthew  Barker,  a  Servant  of  Christ  and  His  Church  in  the  work 
of  the  Ministry  at  Leonard's,  Eastcheap.  London.  Printed  by 
J.  Macock  for  Luke  Fawn,  and  are  to  be  sold  at  his  Shop  at  the  sign 
of  '  The  Parrot '  in  Paul's  Church  Yard,  1657."  Mr.  Barker  died  1698. 
Calamy  says  of  him :  "  He  was  one  of  considerable  learning,  great 
piety,  and  universal  candour  and  moderation." 

The  patronage  belongs  to  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  Canterbury, 
together  with  that  of  All  Hallows,  Lombard  Street. 

One  of  the  church wai  dens  of  this  parish  in  1599  was  John 
Wallington,  who  lived  in  Eastcheap.  He  had  a  family  of  twelve 
children,  one  of  whom  was  Nehemiah  Wallington,  who  was  a  rigid 
Puritan  and  a  profuse  writer.  Some  of  his  notes  and  recollections  are 
of  an  interesting  nature,  and  are  given  here. 

He  has  written  for  us  the  means  he  took  in  order  to  overcome  his 
hasty  temper :  "  The  outward  means  that  I  have  used  to  overcome  this 
hasti  crabbit  nature  of  mine  are  these.  Sometimes  I  have  gone  into 
another  roome  by  my  selfe  til  my  anger  is  over,  and  then  com  again. 
Sometimes  I  went  abroad  and  then  com  again  when  my  wrath  is  past. 
Sometime  I  have  gone  to  bead  when  I  have  been  angered,  and  lay 
awhile  til  my  anger  is  past,  and  then  I  have  rose  and  put  on  my 
cloes  and  have  bin  friends  again." 

Nehemiah  was  by  trade  a  turner,  had  gone  into  business  on  his 
own  account  shortly  before  his  marriage,  taking  a  house  in  Little 
Eastcheap.  His  father  occupied  one  in  the  same  street  at  the  corner 


89 

of  Pudding  Lane,  and  the  one  which  Nehemiah  had  selected  was 
between  his  father's  and  Fish  Street  Hill. 

Nehemiah  writes:  "On  the  beginning  of  October,  1641,  at 
Leonard's,  Eastcheap,  being  our  church,  the  idol  on  the  wall  was  cut 
down  and  the  superstitious  pictures  in  the  glass  to  pieces,  and  the 
superstitious  things  and  the  prayers  for  the  dead  in  brass  was  picked 
up  and  broken,  and  the  picture  of  the  Virgin  Mary  on  the  branches 
of  candlesticks  was  broken.  And  some  of  these  pieces  of  broken  glass 
I  have  to  keep  for  a  remembrance,  to  show  to  the  generation  to 
come  what  God  hath  done  for  us  to  give  such  a  reformation  that  our 
forefathers  never  saw  the  like.  His  Name  ever  have  the  praise !  " 

On  the  election  of  Common  Councilmen,  St.  Thomas's  Day,  he 
makes  these  remarks  :  "  The  latter  end  of  December,  1641,  there  were 
putting  out  of  those  Common  Council  men  that  were  not  well  affected, 
and  there  were  chosen  in  most  wards  very  wise  and  sound  Common 
Council  men,  which  was  a  great  mercy  of  God." 

"  This  finger  of  God  makes  me  call  to  mind  another  great  work  of 
God,  which  I  did  hear  of  very  creditably,  which  was  in  the  year  1625, 
when  those  wicked  and  cruel  bishops  caused  that  reverend  minister  of 
God,  Mr.  Elton  his  books  on  the  Commandments  to  be  burned  in 
Cheapside.  While  they  were  a-burning,  a  man  that  brought  more 
quires  of  these  books  (which  he  had  found  out),  and  laid  them  on  the 
fire ;  and  that  great  and  mighty  God  that  hath  the  command  of  wind 
and  fire,  did  command  his  wind  to  blow  one  of  these  sheets  of  paper 
out  of  the  fire  again  and  to  lap  about  this  man's  face  (as  he  stood  to 
see  them  burn),  and  it  did  so  burn  his  face  very  much  that  he  was  in 
miserable  pain." 

A  judgment  on  organs  :  "  At  Boston,  in  Lincolnshire,  Mr.  Cotton 
being  their  former  minister,  when  he  was  gone,  the  Bishop  desired  to 
have  organs  set  up  in  the  church,  but  the  parish  was  unwilling  to 
yield.  But,  however,  the  Bishop  provided  to  be  at  the  cost  to  set 
them  up.  But  they  being  nearly  up,  a  violent  storm  came  in  at  one 
window  and  blew  the  organs  to  another  window,  and  brake  both  organs 
and  window  down,  and  to  this  day  the  window  is  out  of  reputation, 
being  boarded  and  not  glazed." 


90 


£t.  Xeonarfc,  poster  Xane. 

This  church,  known  in  old  records  as  "  Ecclesia  Sancti  Leonardi 
in  Venella  S.  Vedasti,  London,"  originally  belonged  to  the  College  of 
St.  Martin.  It  was  founded  about  the  year  1236  by  William  Kirkham, 
Dean  of  St.  Martin's.  The  building  was  small,  and  stood  in  the 
courtyard  of  the  Collegiate  Church  on  the  western  side  of  Foster  Lane 
on  land  now  occupied  by  the  Post  Office,  being  originally  built  for  the 
use  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Sanctuary. 

When  the  excavations  for  the  buildings  of  the  General  Post 
Office  were  in  progress,  a  large  quantity  of  bones  and  other  remains 
were  discovered,  also  various  pieces  of  Gothic  architecture — finials, 
crockets,  and  glazed  tiles — which  no  doubt  had  formed  part  of  the 
old  church. 

The  patronage  was  anciently  with  the  Dean  and  Canons  of  St. 
Martin's,  with  whom  it  continued  until  that  deanery  was  annexed  to 
the  Abbey  of  Westminster,  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  which  still 
retain  it,  together  with  the  Governors  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital. 

1533. — A  very  fair  window  was  placed  at  the  upper  end  of  the 
chancel  at  a  cost  of  £500. 

1618. — The  church  and  spire  were  almost  totally  destroyed  by 
fire,  but  were  afterwards  rebuilt. 

1631. — The  building  was  again  repaired,  and  at  the  same  time 
enlarged. 

1291. — John  de  Marsland  left  rent  for  the  maintenance  of  wax 
in  the  church. 

Francis  Quares,  the  poet,  who  died  1641,  was  buried  here.  Also 
Mrs.  Jodosin  Frankland,  "a  Good  Benefactress  to  Brazen -Nose 
College,"  Oxford. 

An  engraved  brass  was  in  the  chancel  to  the  memory  of  Eobert 
Parfitt,  1507.  Also  a  stone  without  a  name,  but  with  the  following 
inscription  : 

"Live  to  dye.' 

"  All  flesh  is  grass  and  needs  must  fade; 
To  earth  again,  whereof  'twas  made." 

In  the  "  Memorials  of  the  Goldsmiths  Company,"  by  Sir  Walter 


91 

Prideaux,  the  two  following  entries  in  connection  with  this  old  church 
occur  : 

"Memorandum — William  Daniell,  now  Upper  Warden  of  this 
Company,  departed  this  life  the  tenth  day  of  this  instant  July  (1652), 
and  on  the  15th  day  of  the  same  month  was  buried  at  St.  Foster's 
church,  his  corpse  being  accompanied  from  the  Hall  by  the  Livery 
and  the  Governors  of  Christ's  Hospital  (whereof  he  was  a  member), 
the  velvet  pall  being  held  up  by  six  assistants  of  the  Company,  three 
of  the  degree  in  which  he  died,  and  three  next  beneath  him." 

"  Memorandum — That  Mr.  Edward  Fagham,  Upper  Warden  of  this 
Company,  departed  this  life  on  Sunday  morning,  --the  20th  day  of 
August,  1654,  and  was  buried  at  St.  Foster's  Church  on  Wednesday, 
the  80th  of  the  same  month,  his  corpse  being  carried  out  of  the  hall 
attended  by  the  Livery  of  this  Company,  and  the  Governors  of 
Christ's  Hospital,  the  pall  of  velvet  being .  borne  up  by  six  of  this 
Company,  whereof  three  were  of  the  degree  he  died  in,  and  three  of  the 
degree  next  beneath  him." 

The  following  entry  occurs  in  the  minute  book  of  this  parish, 
June  29th,  1646. 

"  It  was  unanimously  consented  that  the  Ordinance  of  Parliament 
touching  the  Presbyterian  Government  should  go  forward  and  be  put 
in  execution." 

Beneath  this  some  commentator  has  written  : — 

"  Impious  Error. 

Thus  did  mad  people,  void  of  fear  and  grace, 
Besiege  ye  churche,  and  stormed  ye  sacred  place." 

In  the  margin  is  the  following  : 

"  Who's  this  that  comes  from  Egypt,  with  a  story 
Of  a  new  pamplet  called  a  Directory  ? 
His  cloke  is  something  short,  his  looks  demure ; 
His  heart  is  rotten,  and  his  thoughts  impure. 
In  this  our  land  this  Scottish  hell-hatch'd  brat, 
Like  Pharoah's  lean  kine,  will  devour  ye  fat ; 
Lord,  suffer  not  thy  tender  vine  to  bleed, 
Call  home  thy  shepherds  which  thy  lambs  may  feed. 
"  Quare  fremuverunt  yentes  ! !  " 


92 


RECTORS. 

John  de  Musland,  1291.  William  de  Kymbunton,  1325—1329. 
John  Kityn,  1388—1393. 

John  Sayle,  1417;  Minor  Canon  of  St.  Paul's  ;  died  1425. 

William  Lambart,  Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's,  1479 ;  died  1492. 
John  Norbury,  1520—1525. 

Richard  Grant,  All  Soul's  College,  Oxford,  1520—1524. 

Thomas  Browne,  1567;  was  appointed  Head  Master  of  West- 
minster School,  1564;  was  also  a  Canon  of  the  Abbey.  He  was 
presented  to  the  Rectory  of  St.  Leonard  by  the  Dean  and  Chapter  on 
the  llth  July,  1537  ;  resigned  the  living  1574,  on  being  presented  to 
the  rectory  of  Chelsea.  He  was  the  author  of  several  poems  in  Latin 
and  English  verse  ;  was  buried  at  Westminster.  While  Archbishop 
Laud  was  a  prisoner  in  the  Tower  he  was  asked  to  present  to  this 
living  Mr.  Geo.  Smith.  He  declined  to  do  so  without  first  examining 
the  candidate.  Laud's  autograph  petition  in  this  case  is  still 
preserved  in  the  House  of  Lords. 

William  Ward,  1640,  was  sequestered.  Walker  says  :  "  His 
crime  was  in  preaching  boldly  and  honestly  against  the  Scots' 
Rebellion." 

James  Walton,  born  1600,  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  minister 
1644.  He  remained  for  sixteen  years.  On  the  29th  April,  1646,  he 
preached  before  the  House  of  Commons  at  St.  M-argaret's, 
Westminster,  on  "  The  Delay  of  Reformation  provoking  God's  further 
Indignation."  He  resigned  the  living  in  1662.  Richard  Baxter 
describes  him  "as  a  good  linguist,  a  man  of  primitive  sincerity,  and 
an  excellent  and  zealous  preacher."  Less  than  a  year  before  he  died 
Baxter  writes  :  "  He  fell  into  a  grievous  fit,  in  which  he  often  cried 
out  '  Omit  one  spirit  of  grace  !  Not  a  good  desire  or  thought ;  I  can 
no  more  pray  than  a  post '  (though  at  that  time  he  did  pray  very 
well)."  He  was  commonly  called  "  the  weeping  prophet,"  his 
seriousness  often  expressing  itself  in  tears.  He  died  1662,  occasioned 
by  grief,  "  at  the  sad  state  of  the  church,  the  multitudes  of  silenced 
ministers,  and  his  own  unserviceableness,  together  with  the  fear  lest 
he  and  his  family  should  come  to  want." 

Samuel  Bolton,  Lincoln  College,  Oxford,  1663,  had  previously 
been  Rector  of  St.  Peter-le-Poor,  was  Chaplain  to  Charles  II.,  and 


98 

preached  before  the  House  of  Commons  at  St.  Margaret's, 
Westminster.  On  the  15th  January,  1661,  he  was  made  a  Prebendary 
of  the  Abbey.  Among  the  records  of  the  Corporation  there  is  a  letter 
from  the  King  to  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  recommending 
Mr.  Bolton  for  the  rectory  of  St.  Peter,  Cornhill,  in  place  of  the  late 
incumbent,  who  had  been  removed  for  non-subscription.  It  does  not 
appear  that  this  application  was  acceded  to.  Mr.  Bolton  died  1669, 
and  was  buried  in  Westminster  Abbey. 

LJp  to  1818  the  following  inscription  appeared  on  a  gate  at  the 
entry  of  the  precinct: — "Before  the  dreadful  fire,  A.D.  1666,  here 
stood  the  Parish  Church  of  St.  Leonard,  Foster  Lane." 


St.  Margaret 

This  church  was  one  of  the  most  ancient  foundations  in  the  City, 
the  living  having  been  given  to  the  Priory  of  St.  Faith,  Hersham, 
Norfolk,  in  1105,  by  the  founder,  Robert  Fitzwalter.  This  priory  was 
annexed  as  a  cell  to  the  Abbey  of  Cloches,  in  France,  in  fulfilment  of 
a  vow  which  he  had  made  to  St.  Faith  for  releasing  himself  and  his 
wife,  Sibyl,  from  prison,  into  which  they  had  been  cast  by  thieves 
who  had  robbed  them  as  they  were  returning  from  Eome,  where  they 
had  been  on  a  pilgrimage. 

The  patronage  afterwards  devolved  to  the  Crown. 

The  name  of  the  church,  similar  to  many  others  in  the  City,  was 
no  doubt  given  to  it  in  addition  to  the  Saint,  from  the  fact  that  a 
person  named  Moses  was  either  the  builder  or  a  great  benefactor. 
Part  of  the  site  of  the  old  church  was  sold  to  the  City  for  the  widening 
of  an  alley  between  Friday  Street  and  Bread  Street.  The  money  so 
obtained  was  applied  to  the  pewing  and  decoration  of  the  church  of 
St.  Mildred.  The  remainder  of  the  site  was  the  churchyard,  but  this 
has  now  disappeared  in  Queen  Victoria  Street. 

The  church  was  repaired  in  1627,  Simon  Price  and  John  Whit- 
comb  being  churchwardens. 

In  the  "  Calendar  of  Letters,"  preserved  at  the  Guildhall,  is  one 
under  the  seal  of  the  Mayoralty  1368-9,  certifying  "  that  it  had  been 


94 

proved  in  full  hustings  by  Geoffrey,  the  parson  of  St.  Margaret  in 
Friday  Street,  that  Dame  Maude  Serce  de  Kine,  the  particulars  of 
whose  decease  had  given  rise  to  dispute  in  the  county  of  Devon,  had 
died  in  the  said  parish  of  St.  Margaret  about  midnight  next  following 
the  Feast  of  St.  Giles  last  past." 

From  old  accounts  we  learn  that  John  Brightwise,  late  parson  of 
St.  Margaret,  had  a  pension  of  £4  a  year,  and  Thomas  Griffiths,  a  late 
parson,  6s.  a  year.  Both  of  these  had  been  probably  chantry  priests. 

The  inventory  of  goods  belonging  to  this  church  in  the  reign  of 
Edward  VI.  contains  items  of  plate  and  vestments  of  an  extremely 
rich  character. 

1260. — Simon  de  Cochrane  left  an  annual  rent  of  half  a  mark, 
charged  on  his  mansion  at  the  corner  of  Distaff  Lane,  for  the  main- 
tenance of  a  light  in  the  church,  "  where  shall  repose  his  body  and  that 
of  his  wife." 

1345. — John  Brabason  (Fishmonger),  left  3s.  4d.  for  lighting  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary  in  the  church.  Edith  Barry  left  2s.  to  the  High 
Altar. 

1350. — William  de  Trumpton  left  a  bequest  for  lights  in  the 
church.  To  Alice  his  wife  and  Margery  his  daughter,  he  left  his 
brewery  situate  in  Distaff  Lane,  the  sum  of  3s.  4d.  to  be  devoted  to 
the  making  of  two  crosses  to  place  on  the  tomb  of  Margery  his  wife. 
To  the  Rector,  Sir  Geoffrey  de  Schaunfield,  six  silver  spoons  and  a 
brass  pot  holding  two  gallons. 

1367. — Adam  Brabason  left  to  his  daughter  £50  for  her  marriage, 
a  silver  cup  and  a  flat  piece  of  silver  with  an  image  of  St.  Katharine 
on  the  bottom. 

1512. — Gerrard  Darryll  (Fishmonger),  left  to  the  Parson  and 
Churchwardens  of  St.  Margaret,  lands  and  tenements  charged  with 
the  payment  of  £4  a  year,  to  observe  an  obit  in  the  church ;  and 
13s.  4d.  to  the  Masters  of  the  "  Bachelors "  of  the  fishmongers  of 
London  attending  the  obit,  to  be  expended  for  the  said  "Bachelors." 

The  parish  registers  date  from  1559. 

The  following  inscriptions  were  recorded  on  monuments  in  the 
old  church : 

"  Pray  for  the  sowlyys  of  Michael  Forcase  and  Mary  hys  wyf,  and 
in  the  worshipp  of  God  and  our  Ladie,  for  theyr  Faders  and  Moders 


95 

wyth  the  Sowlyys  of  al  Christn  of  your  charite  say  a  Pater  Noster  and 
an  Ave  Maria." 

"  Body,  I,  Mary  Pawson,  ly  below  sleeping. 
Soule,  I,  Mary  Pawson,  sit  above  waking. 
Both  we  hope  to  meet  againe." 

"  A  Monument  to  the  memory  of  Sir  John  Allott,  Knt.,  Lord 
Mayor  and  Mayor  of  the  Staple  of  England,  who  died  15th  September, 
1591,  in  the  year  of  his  Mayoralty,  aged  66." 

Machyn  records  in  his  diary  the  burial  of  Master  Burse  (Skinner) 
one  of  the  masters  of  Christ's  Hospital,  in  the  following  words : 

"  The  30th  day  of  January,  1559-60,  was  bered  in  sant  Margeter's 
mbyses  master  Busse,  Skynner,  on  of  the  masters  of  the  hospetall, 
with  grew  stayfi'es  in  their  handes,  and  all  the  masters  of  ye  compene 
in  their  leverey  and  a  xx  clarkes  syngyng,  and  he  gaff  a  xii  mantyll 
frys  gownes  vi.  men  and  vi.  women,  and  ther  dyd  preche  master 
Juell,  the  new  byshope  of  Salysbere,  and  ther  he  sayd  playnly  that 
ther  was  no  purgatore,  and  after  to  ye  howse  to  diner,  and  there  was 
a  xvi.  morners  in  blake  gownes  and  cottes." 

And  again  on  October  15th,  1561,  he  records  the  funeral  of  Lady 
Dobbes,  "late  the  wyff  of  Sir  Eichard  Dobes,  Knyght,  and  Skynner, 
late  Mayre,  with  a  harold  of  armes,  and  she  had  a  pennon  of  armes 
and  iij.  dozen  and  d'f  Skoychons  ;  in  the  parryche  of  Sant  Margat 
Moyes,  in  Friday  Street.  She  gayff  xx.  good  blake  gowns  to  xx. 
powre  women  ;  she  gayff  xi.  blake  gowns  to  men  and  women.  (Master) 
Recherdsun  mad  the  sermon  and  the  clerkes  syngyng,  and  a  dolle  of 
money  and  a  grett  diner  after,  and  the  compene  of  the  Skynners  in 
the  levery."  Sir  Richard  Dobbs  was  Mayor,  1552. 

RECTORS. 

Robert,  1300.  William  Dapin,  1381—1386.  Sir  William 
White,  1419—1429. 

John  Selon,  Minor  Canon  of  St.  Paul's,  1436. 

George  Underwood,  1468 — 1481  ;  was  also  Prebendary  of  St. 
Paul's  and  Rector  of  Bradwell,  Essex  ;  died  1504.  Thomas  Groome, 
1486—1496.  Richard  Brooke,  1510—1532.  John  Hunt,  1532— 
1542. 


96 

John  Kogers,  educated  at  Cambridge,  burnt  in  the  reign  of 
Queen  Mary,  was  Rector  1550.  He  resigned  on  becoming  Prebend  of 
St.  Pancras.  The  "  Mattheus " ;  or,  the  "Bugge  Bible,"  was 
published  by  Rogers,  under  the  assumed  name  of  Thomas  Mattheus. 
This  Bible  is  so  called  from  the  fact  that  in  the  5th  verse  of  the 
91st  Psalm,  where  it  reads  "  so  that  thou  shalt  not  need  to  be  afrayd 
for  any  bugges  by  night."  *  John  Rogers  was  Chaplain  to  the 
Merchant  Adventurers'  Company  of  Antwerp.  He  left  a  wife  and 
eleven  children. 

William  Collingwood,  1556,  was  presented  by  Philip  and  Mary. 

Robert  Hill  was  appointed  1607 ;  resigned  1618  in  order  to 
become  Rector  of  St.  Bartholomew-by-the-Exchange.  He  was  a 
prolific  author.  Among  his  books  was  "Life  Everlasting;  or,  the 
True  Knowledge  of  One  Jehovah,  Three  Elohim  and  Jesus  Immanuel, 
collected  out  of  the  best  modern  Divines  and  compiled  into  one 
volume.  Cambridge.  1601."  Died  1603. 

Nehemiah  Rogers,  born  1598,  Fellow  of  Jesus  College,  Cam- 
bridge, was  appointed  assistant  to  Mr.  Thomas  Wood,  Rector.  He 
officiated  here  until  1620,  when  he  was  appointed  to  a  living  in  Essex. 
He  was  a  staunch  friend  of  Archbishop  Laud,  and  an  uncompromising 
Royalist.  Died  1660. 

Benjamin  Needier,  born  1620,  Fellow  of  St.  John's  College, 
Oxford,  was  appointed  1648.  He  was  one  of  those  who,  in  January, 
1648,  signed  the  "  Serious  and  Faithful  Representation  to  General 
Fairfax,  petitioning  for  the  life  of  the  King,  the  maintenance  of 
Parliament,  and  against  the  Proceedings  of  the  Army."  He  resigned 
the  living  1662,  and  retired  to  Hampshire,  where  he  died  1682. 
Richard  Baxter  says  of  him  :  "A  very  humble,  grave,  and  peaceable 
divine."  At  Cambridge  he  was  said  to  be  "  a  worthy  man." 
Culverwell  Needier,  his  son,  who  was  christened  at  St.  Margaret's, 
5th  March,  1656,  was  Clerk-Assistant  to  the  House  of  Commons, 
which  he  retained  until  1710,  when  he  was  "  disabled  by  palsie." 


*  See  also  Holy  Trinity-the-Less. 


97 


&t.  /l&argaret,  iRew  jfisb  Street. 

This  church  occupied  the  site  on  which  the  Monument  now 
stands. 

Stow  calls  it  "  a  proper  church." 

There  was  but  one  monument  of  any  note  ;  this  was  to  Johannis 
de  Coggeshall,  a  famous  citizen. 

1381. — John  Rows  (Fishmonger)  left  a  bequest  to  the  church,  to 
its  ministers,  and  the  light  of  the  Holy  Cross  upon  the  High  Berne ; 
also  to  Orders  of  Friars,  for  providing  each  of  their  houses  with  bread 
and  cheese,  and  two  barrells  of  beer  to  be  consumed  on  the  morrow, 
after  "Placebo"  and  "Dirige";  also  to  provide  tapers  to  burn  in 
the  churches  of  St.  Magnus  and  St.  Margaret. 

1385. — John  Coggeshall  desired  to  be  buried  in  the  tomb  which 
he  had  caused  to  be  made  in  the  church  wall,  under  the  marble  stone 
in  the  window  next  to  St.  Peter's  Altar,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
church.  He  also  left  money  for  tapers  to  hang  in  basins  before  the 
Altars  of  St.  Mary  and  St.  Margaret. 

1400. — John  Whaplade  desired  to  be  buried  before  the  "  poolpit " 
in  the  church  of  St.  Margaret,  and  also  left  money  for  rebuilding  the 
belfry. 

1572. — Thomas  Jenyn  left  a  sum  of  18s.  4d.  a  year  to  provide 
charcoal  for  the  poor  of  the  parish. 

In  Riley's  "  Memorials  of  London  Life  "  the  following  incident  is 
recorded  : — 

1811. — "  Hugh  Maffrey,  Fishmonger,  was  called  to  answer  before 
the  Mayor  that  he  had  bought  six  pots  of  Lampreys  from  Thomas 
Lespicer,  of  Portsmouth,  which  he  had  stood  away  in  the  house 
against  the  custom  of  the  City,  seeing  that  he  ought  to  have  exposed 
the  same  for  sale  under  the  wall  of  St.  Margaret's  Church,  and  there 
to  have  stood  for  the  purpose  of  selling  them.  The  two  were  forgiven 
the  trespass  they  had  committed  on  undertaking  that  in  future  they 
would  not  sell  them  elsewhere  than  in  the  place  appointed." 


98 

The  alternate  patronage,  together  with  that  of  St.  Magnus-the- 
Martyr,  and  St.  Michael,  Crooked  Lane,  is  with  the  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury  and  the  Bishop  of  London. 

RECTORS. 

Hugh  de  Hemmude,  "  Chaplain,"  1283. 

"  James,"  another  Chaplain,  1283,  desired  his  garden  of  Coleman 
church  to  be  sold,  except  that  part  which  he  devised  to  his 
parishioners  of  Coleman  church,  for  tiling  the  church  and  paying  his 
debts. 

Roger  de  Bradfield,  1308,  presented  by  Edward  II. 

Roger  de  Nosterfield,  1362—1371.     John  Philp,  1409—1425. 

Henry  Hounsaid,  1441.  He  was  left  by  Thomas  Duste 
(Fishmonger),  together  with  the  churchwardens,  a  shop  in 
"  Broggstate,"  to  be  devised  to  the  repair  of  the  image  of  St. 
Christopher,  in  the  churchyard,  and  of  the  gateway  beyond  the 
image. 

John  Alcock,  1461,  was  presented  by  Thomas  Kemp,  Bishop  of 
London.  He  was  the  founder  of  Jesus  College,  Cambridge  ;  Dean  of 
St.  Stephen's,  Westminster,  1462 ;  Master  of  the  Rolls,  1468 ; 
Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's  and  Salisbury ;  Bishop  of  Rochester,  1471  ; 
Lord  High  Chancellor  of  England,  1472.  Translated  to  Winchester, 
1476  ;  Bishop  of  Ely,  1486. 

It  is  related  that  in  1488  he  preached  a  sermon  in  St.  Mary's, 
Cambridge,  which  lasted  from  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  till  past 
three.  He  died  1500,  and  was  buried  in  Ely  Cathedral,  at  the  east 
end,  where  he  had  erected  a  sumptuous  chapel  for  the  purpose,  and 
which  is  a  noble  specimen  of  his  skill  in  architecture.  His  effigy  is 
on  the  tomb. 

John  Cracoll,  1463,  was  charged,  together  with  the  "  Wardens  of 
the  Fraternity  or  Society  of  Fishmongers  of  Brogg  Strete,"  with  the 
observance  of  an  obit  of  Thomas  Wayte  (Fishmonger). 

Geoffrey  Wren,  1512—1527. 

John  Young,  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge,  1554 — 1556  ;  was 
also  Canon  of  Ely  ;  died  1580. 

William  Aston,  Queen's  College,  Cambridge,  1577  ;  Bishop  of 
Exeter,  1598  ;  died  1621  ;  was  buried  in  his  cathedral. 

Samuel  Hensnett,  Pembroke  Hall,  Cambridge,  1598 ;    was  also 


99 

Vicar  of  Chigwell,  Essex ;  Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's,  Bishop  of 
Chichester,  1609  ;  Bishop  of  Norwich,  1619 ;  Archbishop  of  York, 
1628.  He  was  accused  (1624)  in  the  House  of  Commons  of  "  putting 
down  preaching,  setting  up  images,  and  praying  to  the  east,"  but  all 
these  articles  he  answered  to  the  satisfaction  of  Parliament.  He  died 
1680,  and  was  buried  at  Chigwell,  leaving  directions  that  "  a  marble 
stone  should  be  laid  upon  my  grave  with  a  plate  of  brass  molten  into 
the  stone  an  inch  thick,  having  the  effigies  of  a  bishop  stamped  upon 
it,  with  his  mitre  and  crozier  and  staff,  but  the  brass  to  be  rivetted 
and  fastened  clean  through  the  stone,  as  sacrilegious  hands  may  not 
rend  off  the  one  without  breaking  the  other."  He  bequeathed  his 
library  to  the  Corporation  of  Colchester  for  the  use  of  the  clergy. 
.John  Cowlings,  1604-1610. 

Edward  Abbott,  Balliol  College,  Oxford,  1611-1616.  Was  also 
.Rector  of  All  Hallows  Barking  ;  died  1634. 

Robert  Porey,  Christ  College,  Cambridge,  1640  ;  Prebendary  of 
St.  Paul's,  Archdeacon  of  Middlesex,  and  Rector  of  Much  Hadham, 
Hertfordshire  ;  "  was  silenced,  sequestered,  plundered,  and  forced  to 
fly."  Was  restored  to  his  living  1660.  "  1669,  November  20th.— Dr. 
Porey,  a  Prebend  of  St.  Paul's,  reputed  a  rich  prelate,  died  this  day." 

David  Barton,  Magdalen  Hall,  Oxford,  1662  :  Rector  of  Chisle- 
hurst  1670. 

Sydrach  Sympson  was  a  celebrated  preacher  of  the  period.  Was 
Curate  and  Lecturer  1635.  He  gave  serious  offence  to  Archbishop 
Laud,  who,  in  his  annual  account,  which  he  presented  to  the  King  as 
to  matters  in  his  province,  reports  that  Mr.  Sympson,  among  others 
in  the  City,  had  been  "  con  vented  "  by  the  Bishop  of  London  for 
"  Breach  of  Canons  of  the  Church  in  sermons,  in  practice,  or  both. 
But  because  all  these  promised  amendments  for  the  future,  and 
submitted  to  the  Church  in  all  things,  my  Lord  very  moderately 
forbore  further  proceedings  against  them."  Subsequently  Mr. 
Sympson  was  suspended  for  "  breach  of  canons,"  on  which,  in  1638, 
he  went  to  Holland.  1641,  he  resumed  his  lectures  at  St.  Margaret's, 
and  was  also  Lecturer  at  St.  Ann's,  Blackfriars.  1643,  was  chosen  to 
be  a  member  of  the  Westminster  Assembly  of  Divines.  He  was 
afterwards  appointed  Rector  of  St.  Mary  Abchurch.  1653,  was 
appointed  to  St.  Bartholomew-by-the-Exchange.  Died  1655,  and  was 
buried  at  St.  Bartholomew's. 


100 

Thomas  Wadsworth,  who  had  been  Eector  of  Newington  Butts, 
but  in  1660  had  resigned,  was  Monday  Evening  Lecturer  at  St. 
Margaret's,  drawing  together  very  large  congregations.  * 

1648. — Thomas  Brooks  was  preacher  at  the  church  of  St. 
Thomas-the-Apostle.  He  was  transferred  to  St.  Margaret's  1652,  and 
preached  on  several  occasions  before  the  House  of  Commons, 
resigning  the  living  in  1662,  after  which  he  ministered  in  a  building 
in  Moorfields.  He  was  one  of  those  clergymen  who,  during  the  entire 
period  of  the  plague,  1665,  remained  in  the  City,  after  which  he 
published  his  "  Heavenly  Cordial  "  "for  such  as  had  escaped."  Died 
1680,  aged  seventy-two  years. 

A  copy  of  his  funeral  sermon,  by  John  Reeve,  dated  1680,  is  in 
Dr.  Williams'  library. 

Mr.  Brooks  does  not  seem  to  have  given  entire  satisfaction  to  his 
parishioners  in  New  Fish  Street,  if  we  may  judge  from  the  following 
petition  from  them,  which  is  in  the  Sion  College  Library.  The  petition 
is  as  follows : 

"  To  the  Honourable  Committee  for  Plundered  Ministers. — The 
Humble  Petition  of  the  Parishioners  of  St.  Margaret,  New  Fish  Street, 
whose  names  are  hereunto  described,  Sheweth — That  one  Mr.  Thomas 
Brooks  was,  by  order  of  your  Honours  dated  the  23rd  March,  1651, 
appointed  to  preach  for  a  month  next  ensuing  as  Probationer  to  the 
end,  that  upon  the  Parishioners  and  the  said  Mr.  Brooks  mutual  tryal 
of  each  other  the  said  Mr.  Brooks  might  continue  or  your  Petitioners 
have  some  other  to  officiate  among  them.  Your  Petitioners  are 
humbly  bold  to  offer  to  your  Honours'  consideration  that  they  have 
had  tryal  of  the  said  Mr.  Brooks  ever  since  your  Honours'  order,  but 
cannot  find  that  comfort  to  their  soules  they  hoped,  nor  indeed  is  the 
said  Mr.  Brooks  so  qualified  to  your  Petitioners'  understandings  as  to 
remain  any  longer  with  them.  And  further,  your  Petitioners  say  that 
the  said  Mr.  Brooks  refuseth  to  afford  your  Petitioners  the  use  of  the 
Ordinances  of  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper,  nor  will  he  bury  their 
dead. 

"  The  Petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray  that  your  Honours  will  be 
pleased  to  make  your  Order  and  give  liberty  to  your  Petitioners  for  six 
months  to  present  a  fit  person  to  your  Honours  to  be  their  minister, 

*  See  also  St.  Lawrence  Pountney,  .  i| 


101 

and  in  the  mean  time  that  Sequestrators  may  be  appointed  to  provide 
for  the  service  of  the  cure  out  of  such  money  as  shall  arise  for  tithes 
out  of  such  parish." 

These  charges  were  replied  to  by  Mr.  Brooks  in  a  pamphlet  of 
about  seventy  or  eighty  pages,  bearing  the  following  title : 

"  Cases  Considered  and  Kesolved  between  all  the  tender,  godly 
conscientious  Ministers  in  England  (whether  for  a  Congregationall  or 
a  Presbyteriall  way)  are  concerned,  Pills  to  Punje  Malignant*  and  all 
Prophane,  Ignorant,  and  Scandalous  Persons  (but  more  particularly 
calculated  for  the  Meridian  of  Margaret,  New  Fish  Street)  from  these 
grosse  conceits  that  they  have  of  their  Children  rights  to  Baptism,  and 
of  their  own  Eight  to  the  Supper  of  the  Lord.  Also  Good  Counselle 
to  Bad  Men,  or  Friendly  Advise  in  several  particulars  to  Unfriendly 
Neighbours.  By  Thomas  Brooks,  a  willing  servant  unto  God  and  the 
Faith  of  His  People  in  the  Church  of  Christ  at  Margaret's,  New  Fish 
Street,  London.  Printed  by  Mr.  Simmons  for  John  Hancock,  and  are 
to  be  sold  at  the  first  shop  in  Pope's  Head  Alley  next  to  Cornhill. 
1643." 

Mr.  Brooks  published  several  works  and  volumes  of  sermons, 
some  of  which  are  in  the  Sion  College  Library.  The  f  till  titles  of  two 
of  his  works  are  here  given  : 

"  The  Crown  and  Glory  of  Christianity  ;  or,  Holiness  the  only 
way  to  Happiness.  Discovered  in  fifty-eight  sermons  from  Hebrews 
xii.,  14.  Where  you  have  the  Necessity,  Excellency,  Earity,  Beauty, 
and  Glory  of  Holliness  set  forth,  with  the  Eesolution  of  many  weighty 
Questions  and  Cases.  Also  Motives  and  Means  to  perfect  Holiness. 
With  many  other  things  of  very  high  and  great  importance  to  all  the 
Sons  and  Daughters  of  Men  that  had  rather  be  Blessed  then  Cursed, 
Saved  then  Damned.  By  Thomas  Brooks,  late  Preacher  of  the 
Gospel  at  St.  Margaret,  New  Fish  Street,  and  still  Preacher  of  the 
Word  in  London  and  Pastor  of  a  Congregation  there.  London  : 
Printed  for  H.  Cripps,  J.  Sims,  and  H.  Mortlock,  and  are  to  be  sold 
at  their  Shops  at  the  Entrance  into  Pope's  Head  Alley,  out  of 
Lombard  Street,  and  at  the  sign  of  the  '  Cross  Keyes,'  and  at  the 
'  Phffinix '  in  St.  Paul's  Churchyard,  near  the  little  North  Door, 
1662." 

"  Paradice  Opened  ;  or,  the  Secrets,  Mysteries,  Earities  of  Divine 
Love,  of  Infinite  Wisdom  and  of  Wonderful  Counsel,  laid  open  to 


102 

Publick  View.  Also  the  Covenant  of  Grace,  and  the  High  and 
Glorious  Transactions  of  the  Father  and  the  Son  in  the  Covenant  of 
Eedemption,  opened  and  improved  at  large  with  the  Resolution  of 
divers  Important  Questions  and  Cases  concerning  both  Covenants. 
You  have  further  several  singular  Pleas  that  all  sincere  Christians 
may  supply  and  groundably  make  to  those  Ten  Scriptures  in  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments  that  speaks  of  the  General  Judgement,  and  of 
that  Particular  Judgement  that  must  certainly  pass  upon  them  all 
after  Death.  With  some  other  points  of  high  importance  that  tend 
to  the  Peace,  Comfort,  Settlement,  and  Satisfaction  of  all  serious  sincere 
Christians.  To  which  is  added  a  sober  and  serious  Discourse  about 
the  Favourable,  Signal,  and  Eminent  Presence  of  the  Lord  with  his 
people  in  their  greatest  Troubles,  deepest  Distresses  and  most  Deadly 
Dangers.  Being  the  Second  and  Last  Part  of  the  Golden  Key.  By 
Thomas  Brook,  late  Preacher  of  the  Gospel  at  St.  Margaret,  New 
Fish  Street,  London.  Printed  for  Dorman  Newman  at  the  '  King's 
Arms  '  in  the  Poultrey,  and  at  the  '  Ship  and  Anchor,'  at  the  Bridge 
Foot  on  South wark  side,  1675." 

The  same  gentleman  also  writes  a  "  Discourse  on  the  Great  Fire," 
under  the  title  of  "  London's  Lamentations  ;  or,  a  Serious  Discourse 
against  that  late  fiery  Dispensation  that  turned  our  (once  renowned) 
City  into  a  Euinous  Heap.  Also  the  several  Lessons  that  are 
incumbent  upon  those  whose  Houses  have  escaped  the  consuming 
Flames.  By  Thomas  Brooks,  late  Preacher  of  the  Word  at  St. 
Margaret,  New  Fish  Street,  where  that  Fatal  Fire  first  begun  that 
turned  London  into  a  Euinous  Heap.  There  is  but  the  distance  of 
one  day  between  a  great  City,  and  none,  said  Seneca,  when  a  great 
City  was  burnt  to  ashes.  '  Come  !  behold  the  works  of  the  Lord,  what 
Desolation  He  hath  brought  upon  the  Earth.'  (Psalm  46,  5.)  London  : 
Printed  for  John  Hancock  and  Nathaniel  Ponder,  and  are  to  be  sold 
at  the  first  Shop  in  Pope's  Head  Alley,  in  Cornhill,  at  the  sign  of  the 
'  Three  Bibles,'  or  at  his  shop  in  Bishopsgate  Street,  and  at  the  sign 
of  the  '  Peacock  '  in  Chancery  Lane.  1670." 

The  book  is  dedicated  to  Sir  William  Turner,  Knt.,  Lord  Mayor. 

The  two  following  short  extracts  from  the  work  are  here  given, 
and  show  the  style  of  discourse  at  the  time  in  question : 

"  Ah,  Sirs,  God  by  that  dreadful  fire  that  has  destroyed  our 
houses  and  burnt  up  our  sustenance  and  banished  us  from  our  habi- 


103 

tations  and  levelled  our  stately  monuments  of  Antiquity  and  Glory 
even  with  the  ground,  has  given  us  a  very  high  evidence  of  His 
Sovereignty  both  over  our  persons  and  all  our  concernments  in  this 
world.  Ah,  London,  London,  were  there  none  within  or  without  thy 
walls  that  did  deny  the  Sovereignty  of  God,  that  did  belye  the  Sover- 
eignty of  God,  that  did  fight  the  Sovereignty  of  God,  that  did  make 
head  against  the  Sovereignty  of  God.  Were  there  none  within  or 
without  thy  walls  that  did  say,  We  are  Lords,  and  we  will  come  no 
more  unto  Thee ;  that  did  say,  Is  not  this  great  Babylon  (is  not  this 
great  London)  that  we  have  built ;  that  did  say,  The  kings  of  the 
earth  and  all  the  inhabiters  of  the  world  would  not  have  believed  that 
the  adversary  and  the  enemy  (the  flaming  and  the  consuming  fire) 
should  have  entered  into  the  gates  of  Jerusalem  (into  the  gates  of 
London)  ;  that  did  say,  Who  is  the  Lord  that  we  should  obey  His 
Voice.  Ah,  London,  London,  if  there  are  any  such  within  or  without 
thy  walls,  then  never  wonder  that  God  has  in  a  flaming  and  con- 
suming fire  proclaimed  His  Sovereignty  over  you,  and  that  He  hath 
given  such  Atheists  to  know  from  woful  experience,  that  both  them- 
selves and  all  their  concernments  are  in  the  hands  of  the  Lord  as  the 
clay  in  the  hands  of  the  potter,  and  that  the  sorest  judgements  that 
any  city  can  fall  under  are  but  the  demonstrations  of  his  Sovereignty. 
Psalm  ix.,  16 — '  The  Lord  is  known  by  His  Judgements  which  he 
executeth,  the  Power,  Justice  and  Sovereignty  of  God  shines  most 
gloriously  in  the  execution  of  His  Judgements  upon  the  world." 

"  Ah,  poor  London,  how  has  God  taught  thee  with  bryers  and 
thorns,  with  sword,  pestilence,  and  fire,  and  all  because  thou  wouldst 
not  be  taught  by  prosperity  and  mercy  to  do  justice,  to  love  mercy, 
and  to  walk  humbly  with  thy  God.  God  delights  in  the  reformation 
of  a  nation,  but  He  does  not  delight  in  the  desolation  of  any  nation. 
If  God  will  but  make  London's  destruction  England's  instruction,  it 
may  save  the  land  from  total  desolation.  Ah,  London,  London,  I 
would  willingly  hope  that  this  Fiery  Rod  that  has  been  upon  thy  back 
has  been  only  to  awaken  thee  and  re-instruct  thee,  and  to  refine  thee, 
and  to  reform  thee,  that  after  this  sad  desolation  God  may  delight  to 
build  thee  and  beautifie  thee  and  make  thee  an  eternal  excellencie  in  a 
joy  of  many  generations." 


104 


St.  Martin 

This  church  stood  in  Martin's  Lane,  at  the  top  of  Cannon  Street, 
on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  clock  tower  and  churchyard. 

It  was  a  very  ancient  foundation.  By  the  register  of  Ralph 
Diceto,  Dean  of  St.  Paul's,  1181,  it  appears  to  have  been  in  the  gift, 
at  that  time,  of  the  Canons  of  the  Cathedral,  with  whom  it  still 
remains. 

The  name  Orgar  added  to  it  was  taken  from  "  Ordgarus,"  the 
founder  and  builder  of  the  church.  He  was  an  eminent  and  wealthy 
citizen,  whose  name  is  frequently  mentioned  in  the  records  of  the 
twelfth  century.  He  also  built  the  church  of  St.  Botolph, 
Billingsgate. 

In  a  deed  of  agreement  entered  into  with  the  Chapter  of  St. 
Paul's,  he  is  described  as  "  Orgar,  the  Deacon." 

The  old  church  was  not  entirely  destroyed  in  the  Great  Fire,  a 
porch  entrance  and  the  tower  being  saved.  These  were  taken  down, 
and  the  site  was  let  to  the  French  Protestants,  who  erected  a  wooden 
building  which  they  used  for  public  worship,  until  about  1826,  when 
the  lease  expired. 

The  present  tower  and  rectory  house  were  built  in  1852,  when 
Cannon  Street  was  widened.  The  old  tower  was  a  plain  low  structure 
of  the  fifteenth  century  date. 

In  the  parish  was  a  large  house  called  "  Beauchamp  "  Inn. 

Thomas  Arundel,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  1397 — 1414,  often 
lodged  here.  This  house  was  destroyed  in  the  Great  Fire. 

Not  much  information  can  be  gleaned  as  to  the  church.  Stow 
calls  it  "  a  small  thing." 

Sir  William  Cromer,  who  was  Mayor  in  1413  and  1423,  gave  his 
house  in  Sweeting's  Alley,  Cornhill,  his  house  and  garden  in  Crutched 
Friars,  and  also  a  house  in  St.  Swithin's  Lane,  "  to  God,  the  church 
of  St.  Martin  and  the  Rector,  the  day  of  his  death  to  be  celebrated  as 
an  anniversary  for  ever  in  St.  Martin's ;  6s.  8d.  to  be  given  to  the 
poor  ;  13s.  8d.  to  the  Rector,  and  him  holding  the  plate  ;  6d.  to  the 
clerk ;  4d.  to  each  servant ;  lOd.  for  ringing  the  bell ;  Is.  for  candles  ; 
4s.  for  meat  and  drink ;  6s.  8d.  to  the  four  wardens  of  the  Drapers' 
Company,"  with  the  direction  "  They  shall  drynke  in  the  church." 
He  died  1433,  and  was  buried  in  the  church. 


105 

1273. — Milo  de  Wynton  left  a  bequest  for  the  maintenance  of  a 
lamp  and  chantries  in  the  church. 

1861. — Letitia,  wife  of  Thomas  Attewych,  desired  to  be  buried 
in  the  porch  of  the  church. 

1376. — Robert  de  Fawkys  desired  to  be  buried  in  the  church  under 
the  marble  slab  where  lies  the  body  of  Johanna,  his  wife.  To  Sir 
Geoffrey  atte  Crouch,  Rector  of  Abbechurch,  he  leaves  the  Psalter 
pledged  with  the  testator  for  twenty  shillings,  or  that  sum  of  money 
itself. 

The  parish  registers  date  from  1625. 
The  following  were  buried  here  : — 

Sir  William  Cromer,  Mayor,  1418  and  1423 ;  Member  of 
Parliament,  1406  and  1417. 

John  Matthew,  Mayor,  1490. 

Sir  William  Hewitt   (Clothworker),   Alderman  of  Vintry,   after- 
wards of    Candlewick ;     Sheriff,  1553 ;    Mayor,  1559.      He  lived  in 
Philpot  Lane.     Died  1566.     His  wife  was  also  buried  in  the  church. 
Sir  Humphrey  Browne,  Knt.,  Lord  Chief  Justice,  1562. 
Sir  Allen  Cotton  (Draper),  Mayor  1625.      A  monument  to  his 
memory  had  the  following  inscription  (also  Charity,  his  wife) : 
"  When  he  left  earth,  rich  bounty  died, 
Mild  courtesy  gave  place  to  pride  ; 
So  Mercy  to  bright  Justice  said 
0,  Sister,  we  are  both  betrayed  ; 
While  Innocence  lay  on  the  ground 
By  Truth,  and  wept  at  either's  wound. 
The  Sons  of  Levi  did  lament, 
Their  lamps  went  out,  their  oil  was  spent ; 
Heaven  hath  his  soul,  and  only  we 
Spin  out  our  lives  in  misery. 
So,  death,  thou  missest  of  thy  ends, 
And  kill'st  not  him,  but  kill'st  his  friends." 
And  also  the  following  : 
"  In  memory  of  Maria,  the  faithful  wife  of  John  Moore,  Mercer, 

December  10th,  1632. 

MEMENTO  Mom 

Hie 

MILES  ANNANS,  HUMILIE  PICE 

PULCHRA,  PUDICA,  MODESTA, 

GRATIA  DEO,  SPONSO  CHARA 

MAKIA  JACES." 


106 

1548. — "Information  was  given  to  the  Court  of  Aldermen  of 
preachers  having  used  '  certain  words '  touching  the  Mass  in  the 
churches  of  St.  Dunstan-in-the-East  and  St.  Martin  Orgar."* 

RECTORS. 

Sir  John  Jay  de  Ledbury,  1348.  According  to  Newcourt,  in  this 
year  he  obtained  the  King's  license  to  exchange  with  John  de  Alyngton, 
the  vicarage  of  Clare  in  the  diocese  of  Norwich. 

John  Houghton,  1851-1375.  Thomas  Totterton,  1407.  Alexan- 
der Brown,  "Parson,"  1452-1459.  Thomas  Shell,  1554-1557. 
Thomas  Mortiboys,  1570-1593.  Roger  Andrew,  Cambridge  University, 
1603.  Rector  of  Chigwell,  1005,  died  1615.  William  Harris,  New 
College,  Oxford,  1605-1614.  John  Tournal,  1625. 

Brian  Walton,  Peterhouse,  Cambridge,  was  admitted  Rector  1635. 
From  all  that  can  be  learnt  of  his  early  history,  he  seems  to  have  been 
of  very  humble  origin.  He  had  begun  as  a  sizar  at  Cambridge,  and 
before  he  was  forty  years  of  age  he  had  worked  his  way  into  three 
rectories — St.  Martin  Orgar,  St.  Giles-in-the-Fields,  and  Sundon,  in 
Kent — with  a  prebendal  stall  at  St.  Paul's.  He  was  also  one  of  King 
Charles's  chaplains.  He  was  a  staunch  adherent  of  Archbishop  Laud, 
in  1636  incurring  the  displeasure  of  his  parishioners  by  moving  the 
Communion  Table  from  the  centre  of  the  church  to  the  eastern  end, 
and  also  for  bringing  various  actions  for  libel.  1641,  a  tract  was 
published  under  the  title  "  The  Articles  and  Charges  prov'd  in  Parlia- 
ment against  Dr.  Walton,  Minister  of  St.  Martin  Orgar  in  Cannon 
Street,  wherein  his  Subtile  Tricks  and  Popish  Innovations  are  dis- 
covered, as  also  his  impudence  in  defaming  the  House  of  Commons." 
1642,  he  was  sent  to  prison  and  deprived  of  his  living.  1660,  was 
made  Bishop  of  Chester,  but  only  lived  one  year  afterward.  He  died 
at  his  house  in  Aldersgate  Street,  1661,  and  was  buried  in  St.  Paul's 
Cathedral,  where  a  monument  was  erected  to  his  memory.  The  work 
which  made  Dr.  Walton's  name  so  well  known  was  "  Walton's 
Polyglot  Bible,"  published  and  brought  out  by  subscription  1654. 
The  remaining  five  volumes  were  published  between  this  date  and 
1657.  Dr.  T wells  said  of  this  work  :  "  It  was  the  glory  of  that  age, 
and  of  the  English  Church  and  Nation,  a  work  vastly  exceeding  all 

*  "London  and  the  Kingdom." — SHABPE. 


107 

former  attempts  of  that  kind,  and  that  came  so  near  perfection  as  to 
discourage  all  future  ones." 

A  copy  of  this  work  is  in  the  library  at  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  and 
bears  the  following  title :  "  Biblia  Sacra  Poly  (/latter  Compleetentia 
Textits  Virt/inales,  Hebraicum,  cum  Pentateticta  Hamaritano,  Chaldaicum, 
Qracwn,  Versionumque  Antaquarum  Samaritance  Ch-ccca'  Ixxii.,  Interp. 
Chaldaicd',  Stjriaca:,  Arabics,  ^theopicu;  Persicir,  Vuly.  Lat.,  1657-60. 
Six  volumes  bound  in  twelve." 

Dr.  Walton  had  twenty-eight  assistants  in  this  work,  the  greater 
part  of  them  being  among  the  deprived  clergy,  as  Ussher,  Thorndike, 
Pocock,  Hammond,  Fuller,  and  Casaubon.  Two  at  least  were  Presby- 
terians :  John  Lightfoot  and  Andrew  Young.  Some  of  them  were  not 
deprived,  as  Saunderson  and  Whitelock.  Some  were  laymen,  as  John 
Siddon.  Of  some  of  the  others  nothing  is  known. * 

In  the  course  of  this  work  no  less  than  nine  languages  are  used  : 
Hebrew,  Chaldee,  Samaritan,  Syriac,  Arabic,  Persian,  Ethiopic, 
Greek,  and  Latin.  Some  portions  of  this  Bible  are  printed  in  seven 
languages,  all  opening  at  one  view.  In  its  compilation  Dr.  Walton 
was  assisted  by  Dr.  Bruno  Ryves,  Rector  of  St.  Martin  Vintry.  The 
work  is  also  in  the  library  at  Sion  College.  Dr.  Walton's  wife  died  in 
1640.  The  following  lines  were  written  in  her  memory : — 

"  If  will  to  live  and  will  to  die, 

If  faith  and  hope  and  charity, 

May  crown  a  soul  in  endless  bliss, 

Thrice  happy  her  condition  is — 

Vertuous,  modest,  godly  wise, 

Piety  flowing  from  her  eyes, 

A  loving  wife,  a  friend  most  deare, 

Such  was  she  who  now  lyes  here." 

RECTORS. 

Matthew  Smallwood,  Brasenose  College,  Oxford,  1661,  was 
Chaplain  to  Charles  II.  and  Canon  of  St.  Paul's.  Died  at  Lichlield, 
1683,  of  which  Cathedral  he  was  a  Canon,  and  was  there  buried. 

Joseph  Swinnocke,  Chaplain  of  New  College,  Oxford,  1662. 

Michael  Ogilvy,  1662  ;  died  1666. 

*  "  Religious  Thought  in  England." — HUNT. 


108 

On  a  brass  tablet  in  St.  Clement's  church  is  the  following 
inscription : — 

"  The  church  of  St.  Martin  Orgar,  which,  until  1826,  stood  in 
Martin's  Lane,  Cannon  Street,  was  dedicated  to  St.  Martin,  Bishop 
of  Tours,  who  died  A.D.  397.  It  was  presented  by  Ordgarus,  the 
Dane,  to  the  Canons  of  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  A.D.  900.  After  the 
Fire  of  London,  the  parish  was  united  to  St.  Clement's,  near  Eastcheap. 
St.  Clement's  became  the  church  of  the  united  parishes.  Bryan 
Walton,  the  learned  and  famous  author  of  the  '  Biblia  Polyylotta ' 
was  one  of  the  Hectors  of  St.  Martin's.  He  was  consecrated  Bishop 
of  Chester,  A.D.  1660,  and  was  buried  in  the  crypt  of  St.  Paul's 
Cathedral,  of  which  he  was  Canon,  A.D.  1661." 


£t.  /Ifcartin  pomerop. 

This  church  stood  on  the  east  side  of  Ironmonger  Lane,  Cheapside, 
on  part  of  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  churchyard. 

1627. — A  large  part  of  the  north  wall  was  rebuilt  at  the  cost  of 
the  parish.  It  contained  a  window  with  the  following  inscription  : 
"  This  window  was  new  built  and  finished  at  the  sole  cost  of  John  and 
Humphry  Slaney,  1627."  His  arms  were  also  in  the  window. 

The  church  was  again  repaired  at  the  cost  of  the  parishioners, 
1629. 

The  advowson  belonged  to  the  Priory  of  St.  Bartholomew, 
Smithfield.  From  thence  it  passed  to  the  Crown. 

1305. — John  de  Coftrur  left  a  tenement  to  maintain  a  chantry  in 
the  chapel  of  St.  Mary. 

1327. — William  Lowe  left  a  bequest  to  maintain  a  chantry  in  the 
church  and  also  the  convent  opposite  the  church  of  St.  Thomas  de 
Aeon. 

1388. — John  Frere  left  a  bequest  for  the  purchase  of  two 
candelabra,  to  maintain  the  light  of  the  Fraternity  of  St.  Katharine, 
and  for  the  rood  light. 

The  curate  and  churchwardens  of  this  parish  were  brought  before 
the  Privy  Council  on  the  10th  February,  1548,  charged  by  the 
Bishop  of  London  and  the  Lord  Mayor  with  having  "  of  their  own 


109 

hedd  and  presumption  "  removed  from  the  church,  "  images,  pictures 
of  the  saints,  and  also  the  crucifixes  "  and  set  up  in  their  places  about 
the  church  certain  texts  of  scripture,  with  the  arms  of  His  Majesty. 
The  offending  curate  and  wardens  meekly  explained  to  the  council  that 
the  church  roof  was  in  such  ruin  as  for  fear  it  would  fall  on  the  people's 
heads  "  they  were  fain  to  take  them  down,"  the  crucifix  and  other 
images  being  so  rotten  by  the  time  that  the  church  roof  was  repaired 
that  they  fell  to  powder,  and  "  were  not  fitt  to  be  sett  uppe  againe." 
It  was  intimated,  moreover,  that  they  were  in  want  of  funds.  In 
consideration  of  their  repentance  and  lowly  submission,  and  for  other 
respects,  which  did  partly  mitigate  and  make  the  "  haynousness  of 
their  facte  less  or  then  it  appeared  at  the  furst  face,"  the  Lord 
Protector  and  others  of  the  Privy  Council  pardoned  the  curate  and 
wardens,  but  they  were  held  to  bail  xxs.  a  head  with  iiij  sureties." 
They  were  ordered,  moreover,  to  erect  within  two  days  a  new  image  of 
the  crucifix,  or  at  least  within  that  time  to  cause  "  somme  payntures 
representing  the  crucifixe  to  be  sett  uppe  there  for  the  while,  and  that 
they  should  by  the  firste  Sunday  in  Lent  next,  coming  at  the  fardiste," 
set  up  there  an  image  of  the  crucifix. 

RECTORS. 

Sir  Nicholas  Huberd  de  Spalding,  "  Chaplain  "  1348.  John  de 
Overtyne,  1361.  Eichard  Parker,  1428—1443.  James  Beecke, 
1443—1456.  Richard  Westmore,  1483—1499.  John  Elmett, 
1524—1532.  Richard  Gwyer,  1541—1550. 

John  Hardiman,  D.D.,  was  "  Preacher,"  1541,  "  when  he  came 
forth  openly  and  boldly  in  the  cause  of  the  Reformation."  He  was 
presented  for  preaching  openly  that  confession  is  confusion  and 
defamation,  and  that  the  butcherly  ceremonies  of  the  Church  were  to 
be  abhorred  ;  also  for  saying  "  What  a  mischief  this  is  to  esteem  the 
Sacrament  to  be  of  such  virtue,  for  in  so  doing  they  take  the  Glory 
of  God  from  Him,  and  for  saying  that  Faith  in  Christ  is  sufficient 
without  any  other  Sacrament  to  justifie." 

1560. — Queen  Elizabeth  appointed  him  one  of  the  twelve 
Prebendaries  of  Westminster.  1567,  he  was  summoned  before  the 
High  Commissioners  and  deprived  of  his  benefice.  Brooks,  in  his 
"History  of  the  Puritans,"  says  that  Dr.  Hardyman  "is  charged  with 
breaking  down  the  altars  and  defacing  the  ancient  utensils  belonging 


110 

to  the  church  of  Westminster,  but  with  what  degree  of  justice  we  are 
unable  to  ascertain." 

Edward  Stevenson,  1556,  appointed  by  Philip  and  Mary.  George 
Barton,  1560;  "dispossessed"  1568.  Andrew  Castleton,  1576;  died 
1617.  Joseph  Symonds,  1632—1639. 

Edward  Sparke,  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge,  was  presented 
September,  1639;  sequestered  1645.  At  the  Kestoration  he  was 
restored,  but  resigned  1661.  He  was  subsequently  minister  of  St. 
James,  Clerkenwell ;  afterwards  Vicar  of  Tottenham,  and  also  of 
Walthamstow.  From  1662  to  1666  was  Chaplain  to  Charles  II. ; 
died  1692.  Several  works  were  written  by  him,  among  them  being 
"  Santilala  Altaris :  or,  a  Pious  Reflection  on  Primitive  Devotion  as 
to  the  Feasts  and  Fasts  of  the  Christian  Church.  Orthodoxically 
Revived.  London,  1652."  This  work  was  long  held  in  great  esteem, 
and  passed  through  six  editions. 

John  Fuller  was  also  minister  here.  Calamy  says  of  him  that 
"  he  was  a  most  pious  man  and  practical  preacher.  He  had  three 
sons  that  were  scholars  and  ministers  of  note." 

Joseph  Symonds  was  for  a  short  time  Rector,  but  in  the  time  of 
Archbishop  Laud  seceded  from  the  Church  and  settled  at  Rotterdam. 
He  preached  more  than  once  before  Parliament.  There  is  a  sermon  of 
his  still  extant,  published  with  this  title  :  "  A  Sermon  lately  preached 
at  Westminster  before  sundry  of  the  Honourable  House  of  Commons, 
1641.  By  Joseph  Symonds,  late  Minister  in  Iron  Monger  Lane, 
London  ;  now  Pastor  of  the  Church  at  Rotterdam." 

John  Wallis,  "  Pastor,"  1648. 

Thomas  Neast,  Fellow  of  New  College,  Oxford,  1661 ;  Rector  of 
St.  Stephen,  Coleman  Street,  1671.  "He  was  a  mathematician  and 
an  adept  at  decyphering." 

The  parish  registers  date  from  1539. 


St.  /IDartin 

This  church  stood  at  the  south  corner  of  Tower  Royal,  or,  as  it 
was  formerly  called,  Tower  Street,  at  the  corner  of  Thames  Street. 
The  addition  of  "Vintry"  to  the  name  is  said  to  be  taken  from 


Ill 

an  ancient  building  in  the  parish,  and  for  the  general  reception  of 
imported  wines,  in  the  reign  of  Edward  I.  It  was  an  ancient  founda- 
tion, having  been  given  in  the  time  of  the  Conqueror  by  Ralph 
Perrill  to  the  Abbey  of  St.  Peter,  Gloucester,  the  Abbots  of  which 
presented  to  the  living  in  1388.  It  afterwards  came  to  the  Crown 
until  the  time  of  Edward  VI.,  who  granted  the  advowson  to  the 
Bishop  of  Worcester  and  his  successors.  The  presentation  is  now 
with  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 

In  an  old  manuscript  in  the  Guildhall  Library  there  is  an  inter- 
esting account  of  the  building  of  the  church  in  1306,  from  which  we 
find  that  in  this  year  Margaret,  Queen  of  Edward  I.,  built  the  quire, 
to  which  she  gave  two  thousand  marks.  She  was  buried  before  the 
High  Altar. 

John  of  Brytaine,  Earl  of  Richmond,  built  the  body  of  the  church 
at  a  cost  of  £300,  and  gave  many  jewels  and  ornaments. 

Lady  Mary,  Countess  of  Pembroke,  gave  £70. 

Gilbert  de  Clare,  Earl  of  Gloucester,  gave  twenty  great  beams 
from  his  forest  at  Tunbridge,  and  also  £20. 

There  were  many  other  donations  and  gifts. 

In  the  following  year  the  building  was  surveyed  and  covered,  and 
in  the  three  following  years  it  was  plastered,  whitened,  glazed,  and 
leaded,  the  ceiling  ornamented,  and  then  stored  with  books. 

The  charges  amounted  to  £456  16s.  lOd.  Richard  Whittington 
gave  £400. 

There  was  paid  for  the  writings  of  Doctor  de  Livra  one  hundred 
marks  for  two  volumes  laying  in  chains. 

One  window  was  glazed  at  the  cost  of  the  Lady  Isabella,  Queen 
Mother  of  Edward  I. 

The  clothiers,  or  drapers,  of  the  City  glazed  the  great  window 
over  the  great  Altar. 

Sir  John  Cobham,  Knt.,  glazed  the  third  window. 

The  names  of  others  who  glazed  the  remaining  windows  are  all 
recorded. 

It  is  stated  that  one  window  is  glazed  from  small  sums  collected, 
the  names  not  being  recorded. 

1420. — The  ceiling  of  the  choir  was  new  made  from  the  alms  of 
divers  persons  at  a  cost  of  two  hundred  marks. 

The  church  was  three  hundred  feet  in  length,  eighty-nine  feet  in 


112 

width,  forty-four  feet  in  height,  all  the  columns  and  pavement  being 
of  marble. 

The  account  of  the  building  concludes  with  these  words:  "  May 
they  who  assisted  in  building  this  church,  and  they  who  shall  keep  to 
maintain  it,  be  blessed  of  the  Lord,  and  have  life  eternal  for  their 
reward.  Amen." 

A  monument  with  the  following  inscription  was  in  the  church  : 

"  Thomas  Banks,  Barber-Cherugion,  1598,  Deputie  to  this  Ward, 
who  had  to  wife  Joan  Laurence,  by  whom  he  had  seven  sons  and  ten 
daughters." 

The  Vintners  Company,  or,  as  it  was  called,  "  The  Fraternitie  of 
St.  Martin,"  had  an  Altar  in  the  church  dedicated  to  St.  Martin,  their 
patron  saint. 

In  the  books  of  the  Company  are  some  entries  relating  to  the 
repairs  of  vestments  of  the  church,  and  other  charges ;  also  of  a 
bequest  towards  the  repairs. 

"  Item — Payd  to  a  vestment  maker  to  amende  the  ornaments  in 
St.  Martyn's  Chappell  and  for  stuff  to  the  same  xiis.  vjd." 

"  Item,  received  the  x.  day  of  December  A°  v.  Hen  viij  for  the 
bequeste  of  Maister  Yegge,  towardes  the  reperacions  of  the  Churche  of 
Seint  Martyn  in  the  Vyntry,  xxs." 

The  following  payments  are  also  recorded :  4s.  Gd.  for  three  Altar 
cloths,  one  of  "  bokeram,"  and  two  diaper,  "  and  for  the  halowyng  of 
theym." 

1514. — 2s.  lOd.  for  "  makyng  the  lighte  afore  Seint  Martyn  and 
for  new  wax." 

The  following  is  a  note  in  "  London  and  the  Kingdom  "  (SHARPE)  : 
"  After  the  redyng  of  the  preposycioun  made  yesterday  in  the  Sterre 
Chamber  by  the  Lorde  Chaunceler,  and  ye  declaracioun  made  by  my 
Lorde  Mayer,  of  suche  communicioun  as  his  lordshyp  had  w*  the 
Bysshop  of  Canterberye,  concernyng  the  demeanor  of  certein  prechers 
and  other  dysobedyent  persones,  y*  was  ordered  and  agreyed  that  my 
Lord  Mayer,  and  all  my  maisters,  th'  aldermen,  shall  this  afternone 
att  ij  of  ye  clok,  repayree  to  my  lorde  protector's  grace  and  the  hole 
counsill,  and  declare  unto  theim  the  seid  mysdemeanor,  and  that  thei 
shall  mete  att  Saint  Martyn's  in  the  Vyntrey  att  one  of  the  clok." 

John  Gysors,  Mayor,  1311,  desired  to  be  buried  before  the  rood  in 
the  church  of  St.  Martin,  He  also  left  money  for  a  chantry.  The 


118 

chaplain  was  to  have  a  chanter  allowed  him,  and  to  be  provided  with 
a  chalice,  a  missal  in  two  volumes,  a  gradual  with  epistles  and  com- 
munion of  the  saints,  and  the  other  volume  containing  the  Gospels, 
a  psalter,  a  vestment  with  apparel  complete,  and  a  cope  of  fine  linen 
for  the  deacon  and  sub-deacon,  a  white  amice  and  a  maniple  for  winter, 
a  cloth  of  silk  and  gold,  and  a  chest  for  keeping  them  in. 

His  son,  Henry  Gysors,  was  buried  here,  1343,  and  John  Gysors, 
his  brother,  1350. 

Sir  John  de  Stoyde,  Knt.,  Alderman  of  the  Ward,  Sheriff  1332. 
Mayor  1357,  by  his  will  dated  1375,  desired  his  body  to  be  buried  in 
the  church  of  St.  Martin  in  the  Vintry  in  a  new  chapel  on  the  north 
side  of  the  church  before  the  Altar  of  the  Assumption  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin  Mary,  and  of  the  Apostles  John  the  Evangelist  and  John  the 
Baptist. 

1397. — Henry  Venner  desired  to  be  buried  in  the  chancel  and  left 
money  for  lengthening  the  church  and  raising  the  belfry. 

Gilbert  Nursch  left  ten  marks  for  the  work  of  the  church  on 
condition  that  a  vacant  space  near  the  belfry  should  be  built  upon. 
He  also  left  to  Sir  Philip  Kays,  parson  of  the  church,  a  tenement  in 
the  parish  of  St.  Michael's,  Cornhill,  to  maintain  a  chantry. 

Simon  Adam,  1448,  left  money  to  maintain  a  chantry  at  the 
Altar  of  St.  Eutropius  in  the  church. 

A  portion  of  the  church  was  rebuilt,  1399,  by  the  executors  of 
Matthew  Columbus,  a  merchant  of  Gascoigne.  His  arms  were  placed 
in  the  east  window. 

Sir  Ealph  Astray  (Fishmonger),  Mayor  1494,  newly  roofed  the 
church  with  timber,  covered  it  with  lead,  "  and  beautifully  glazed  it." 
He  was  buried  in  the  church  with  his  two  wives,  Margaret  and 
Margery. 

Thomas  Cornwallis,  Sheriff,  was  buried  in  the  church,  1384. 

The  building  was  repaired  1605,  and  again  in  1632,  at  the  expense 
of  the  parishioners,  the  cost  being  £460. 

Henry  Villard,  Mayor,  1356,  entertained  with  great  magnificence 
at  his  house  in  the  Vintry  near  the  church,  the  King  of  France,  who 
had  been  taken  prisoner  at  Poictiers;  also  the  Kings  of  England, 
Scotland,  Denmark  and  Cyprus, 


114 

RECTORS. 

"  John,"  1250.  Mastur  Nicholas  de  Drayton,  "  Parson,"  1376. 
Sir  Philip  Kayes,  1392—1421.  Thomas  Coles,  LL.D.,  1485—1489. 
John  Westlake,  1444—1450.  Walter  Hart,  1467  ;  also  Prebendary 
of  St.  Paul's;  died  1484.  John  Kipplingham,  1488—1519.  Edward 
Saunders,  1540—1556.  William  Neal,  1556—1574.  John  Bateman, 
1578-1605.  Francis  Marbury,  1605-1610. 

John  Whitney,  Emanuel  College,  Cambridge,  1611  ;  Canon  of 
St.  Paul's,  1615  ;  also  Vicar  of  East  Ham ;  died  1624. 

Bruno  Eogers,  New  College  and  Magdalen  College,  Oxford,  1628  ; 
Chaplain  to  Charles  I.,  1640  ;  deprived,  1642.  He  was  plundered, 
forced  to  fly,  and  shift  from  place  to  place ;  was  afterwards  restored, 
made  Dean  of  Windsor,  1660 ;  where  he  died,  1667.  A  long  Latin 
inscription  to  his  memory  is  on  the  walls  of  St.  George's  Chapel.  He 
was  the  author  of  "  Mercuriits  Ruxticux ;  or,  The  Countrie's 
Complaint  of  the  Barbarous  Outrages  committed  by  the  Sectaries  of 
this  late  Flourishing  Kingdom." 

We  find  that  this  church  possessed  a  great  window  over  the 
High  Altar,  a  rood,  a  new  chapel  on  the  north  side,  an  Altar  of  the 
Assumption,  an  Altar  of  St.  Eutropius,  St.  Martyn's  Chapel,  a  belfry 
with  a  peal  of  bells  in  the  tower. 

It  was  at  this  church  that  the  ancient  Society  of  Bell  Ringers, 
called  "  The  Ancient  Society  of  College  Youths,"  first  met  in  1637, 
the  tower  containing  a  peal  of  six  bells  on  which  they  practised.  The 
society  was  established  by  Lord  Brereton  and  others  for  the  practise  of 
ringing.  It  still  retains  the  same  name,  derived  from  "  College  Hill," 
near  which  the  old  church  stood.  The  following  were  also  .members 
of  the  society :  Sir  George  Bolles,  Alderman  of  Dowgate  Ward, 
afterwards  coming  to  Walbrook  Ward,  Sheriff,  1608  ;  Mayor,  1617. 
And  Slingsby  Bethell,  Alderman  of  Walbrook  ;  Mayor,  1755. 


St. 

This  church  stood  on  the  west  side  of  St.  Mary  Axe,  on  the  site 
of  the  present  schools. 

It  was  so  called  from  the  sign  of  the  axe  which  hung  from  a 
house  opposite  the  eastern  end  of  the  building.  Mr.  Wheatley  says 


115 

that  Stow  is  not  quite  correct  in  this,  the  church  deriving  its  name 
from  a  holy  relic  which  it  possessed — an  axe  that  had  been  used  to 
behead  some  of  the  eleven  thousand  virgins.  The  church  was  also 
named  St.  Mary  Philliper,  or  St.  Mary-the-Virgin  ;  St.  Ursula  and  the 
Eleven  Thousand  Virgins. 

The  patronage  was  held  by  the  Convent  of  St.  Helens  until  1540, 
when  it  was  seized  by  Edward  VI.,  who  presented  to  it  in  1549. 
Elizabeth  gave  the  patronage  to  the  Bishop  of  London. 

In  connection  with  this  old  church,  the  following  extract  is  taken 
from  "  Gregory's  Chronicle  " : 

"  1437. — On  Estyr  day  there  was  on  John  Gardyner  take  at 
Synt  Mary  at  the  Axe  in  London,  for  he  was  an  here ty tyke,  for  when 
should  have  been  houselyd  (taken  the  sacrament),  he  wypd  his  mouth 
whithe  a  foule  clothe,  and  layde  the  oste  thereyon,  and  so  he  was  taken 
by  the  parson  of  the  chyche,  and  the  xiij  day  of  May  he  was  burnt  at 
Smithfielde." 

1561. — •"  This  year  did  the  Bishop  unite  the  parish  church  of  St. 
Mary  at  Axe,  which  was  of  the  Queen's  patronage,  unto  the  church 
of  St.  Andrew  Undershaft.  The  reason  whereof  was  that  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  parish  might  resort  to  Divine  service,  and  have  the  benefit 
of  a  minister  to  officiate  to  them  in  their  spiritual  exigencies. 

"  They  had  been  several  years  without  an  incumbent  because  of  the 
narrow  value  of  the  living,  for  whatsoever  this  church  yielded  to  the 
parson  in  former  times,  which  by  offerings  and  gifts  might  have 
amounted  to  some  considerable  matter,  being  dedicated  to  several  she- 
saints,  as  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  St.  Ursula,  with  eleven  thousand 
virgins  besides  (and  so  might  well  have  been  resorted  toby  the  rich  devout 
citizens'  wives  and  daughters,  and  have  partaken  of  their  bounties), 
yet  now,  as  the  instrument  of  the  union  imputed,  the  church  was  so 
bound  of  late  time,  and  the  former  rents,  incomes  and  emoluments  so 
decreased,  that  it  would  not  suffice  for  the  sustentation  of  a  minister, 
the  fruits  and  rents  not  exceeding  £5  yearly,  and  therefore  it  was  left 
desolate,  and  without  any  office  performed  in  it  for  no  small  time,  and 
the  cure  of  souls  was  neglected.  Upon  these  reasons  the  parishioners 
petitioned  the  Bishop  that  they  might  be  joined  to  the  next  parish,  St. 
Andrew's,  that  lay  near  and  convenient,  and  Edward  Eiley,  the  present 
incumbent  of  the  said  parish,  and  both  parishes  consenting,  the  Bishop 


116 

consented,  and  signed  an  instrument  to  unite  the  said  St.  Mary's 
with  it."  * 

1283. — William  de  Chillingford  left  an  annual  rent  to  this  church 
arising  from  houses  in  the  parish. 

1363. — Richard  Hackneye  desired  to  be  buried  in  the  church 
before  the  great  rood. 

1562. — The  church  was  given  to  the  Spanish  Protestant  refugees 
for  divine  service. 

"  And  so  was  the  church  of  St.  Mary  at  the  Axe  suppressed  and 
letten  out  to  be  a  warehouse  for  a  merchant." — MARSLAND. 


St.  /IDars  Botfoaw. 


There  is  no  doubt  that  the  name  of  St.  Mary  Bothaw  was  derived 
from  a  boat  house,  or  haw,  connected  with  Dowgate  Dock,  the  stream 
running  up  Walbrook  into  Bai'ge  Yard,  Bucklersbury.  The  added 
name  was  given  in  order  to  distinguish  it  from  other  churches  in  the 
City,  so  many  of  which  were  dedicated  to  St.  Mary. 

As  early  as  1167  we  read  that  certain  lands  and  houses,  specified 
as  lying  on  the  north  side  of  the  church,  were  granted  by  Wibert  the 
Prior  and  Convent  of  Christ  Church,  Canterbury,  to  one  Ermin  and 
his  successors,  in  consideration  of  an  annual  payment  of  ten  shillings 
in  money,  a  towel  of  the  value  of  eightpence,  two  pitchers,  and  a  salt 
cellar,  which  were  to  be  delivered  to  the  Prior  for  the  use  of  his  house. 

The  Dean  and  Chapter  are  now  the  alternate  patrons  of  the 
living. 

The  church,  which  was  considered  handsome,  and  had  a  small 
cloister,  stood  on  the  site  of  the  old  churchyard  in  Turnwheel  Lane, 
now  covered  by  the  Cannon  Street  Station.  Stow  says  that  this  was 
a  little  lane  with  a  turnpike  in  the  middle,  and  also  the  church,  which 
he  calls  "  a  proper  parish  church." 

There  was  a  tablet  with  the  following  inscription  : 

"  This  church  was  repaired  and  beautified  at  the  charge  of  the 
parishioners  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1621.  John  Bennett,  Thomas 
Digby,  Churchwardens." 

*  "Life  of  Archbishop  Grindall." 


117 

There  was  also  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  Queen  Elizabeth, 
with  the  following  inscription  : — 

"  Elisabeth,  Queen  of  England,  France,  and  Ireland,  <tc.,  Daughter 
to  King  Henry  VII.  by  Elisabeth,  eldest  daughter  of  Edward  IV. 
Having  restored  true  religion,  reduced  coyne  to  the  just  value,  assisted 
France  and  the  Low  Countries,  and  overcome  the  Spanish  Invincible 
Navy,  enriched  all  England,  and  administered  most  prudently  the 
Imperial  State  thereof  forty-five  years  in  true  piety,  in  the  seventieth 
year  of  her  age,  in  most  happy  and  peaceable  manner,  $he  departed 
this  life,  leaving  her  mortal  parts  interred  at  the  famous  church  at 
Westminster.  '  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my 
course.'  " 

Henry  Fitz-Alwyn  (Draper),  the  first  Mayor  of  London,  who  died 
1190,  lived  in  the  adjoining  parish  of  St.  Swithin. 

Munday,  in  his  edition  of  Stow,  says  that  in  1614  the  house  was 
still  standing,  but  divided  into  two  or  three  tenements.  The  house  had 
been  left  by  Fitz  Alwyn  as  a  gift  to  the  Drapers'  Company.  He  was 
buried  in  the  church,  where  there  was  a  monument  to  his  memory. 
His  arms  were  also  emblazoned  on  the  windows. 

1350. — John,  son  of  Adam  de  Salisburi  (Pepperer)  left  directions 
to  be  buried  in  the  church.  He  also  left  to  Idonice,  his  wife,  two 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  his  entire  chamber,  with  robes,  beds,  chests, 
&c.,  all  his  vessels  and  utensils  of  gold,  silver,  brass,  iron,  and  wood. 
"  An  iron  bound  chest  to  be  deposited  in  the  church,  and  in  it  are  to  be 
placed  forty  pounds  sterling,  to  be  lent  to  poor  parishioners  upon 
certain  securities,  to  be  repaid  at  a  fixed  time,  so  that  no  loan  exceed 
sixty  shillings,  and  the  security  must  be  greater  than  the  loan.  Three 
parishioners  to  have  each  a  key,  so  that  it  may  be  opened  and  closed 
with  the  consent  of  all  three  and  one  of  the  keys  in  his  custody  so  long 
as  he  shall  reside  in  the  parish." 

Kobert  Chichely,  Mayor,  1422,  was  a  parishioner.  He  appointed 
by  his  will  "  that  on  his  birthday  a  complete  dinner  should  be  given  to 
two  thousand  four  hundred  poor  men,  householders  of  the  City,  and 
every  man  to  have  2£d.  in  money."  He  also  gave  a  plot  of  land  in 
Walbrook,  on  which  to  build  the  new  parish  church  of  St.  Stephen. 

John  Net  (Pepperer),  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  church.  He  also 
left  money  for  lights  to  burn  there.  His  executors  were  to  purchase 
cloth  in  Candelwyke  Strete  to  make  hoods  for  distribution  among  the 


118 

porters  of  Soper's  Lane,  who  customarily  served  the  Pepperers,  and 
also  all  his  balances,  weights,  brass  mortars  and  pestles  in  his  shop  to 
be  sold. 

1393. — John  Dymock  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  chancel  of  the 
church. 

1419. — Johanna  Falstof  to  be  buried  in  the  church  near  the 
sepulchre  of  Simon  Donsarty  her  grandfather. 

In  the  parish,  on  the  east  side  of  Dowgate  Hill  and  close  to  the 
church,  was  a  large  mansion  called  "  The  Erber,"  belonging  to 
Richard,  Earl  of  Warwick,  who  here  lodged  his  father,  the  Earl  of 
Salisbury,  with  five  hundred  men,  in  the  Congress  of  Barons,  1458,  in 
which  Henry  VI.  may  be  said  to  have  been  deposed. 

In  the  time  of  Richard  III.  the  building  was  called  the  King's 
Palace.  It  was  rebuilt  by  Sir  Thomas  Pullison,  Mayor  1584,  and  was 
afterwards  the  residence  of  the  great  navigator,  Sir  Francis  Drake. 
The  house  was  destroyed  in  the  Great  Fire  and  not  rebuilt. 

During  the  progress  of  some  buildings  in  Cannon  Street,  a  cloister 
of  the  old  church  was  laid  open,  and  also  a  small  vaulted  building 
composed  of  very  massive  and  elaborate  masonry.  The  cloister  was 
constructed  with  strong  ribs,  much  depressed,  with  a  chalk  roof. 
There  were  also  the  remains  of  a  pointed  doorway. 

In  the  churchyard  were  the  fragments  of  the  south  wall  of  the 
church,  with  a  window  bricked  up,  and  part  of  a  pannelled  tomb. 

The  registers  date  from  the  year  1536,  but  those  up  to  the  year 
1564  are  evidently,  to  a  large  extent,  copied,  being  written  all  in  one 
hand. 

In  1687  occurs  the  only  mention  of  a  Rector  of  St.  Mary  Bothaw. 
"  The  Rev.  William  Lushington,  Rector  of  St.  Mary  Bothaw,  was 
buried,  8th  January,  1637." 

In  the  minute  books  of  St.  Swithin's  parish  the  following  entries 
occur : — 

"  1669,  August  10th. — An  order  is  received  from  the  Lord  Mayor 
that  the  churchwardens  shall  cause  the  walls  and  steeple  of  the  late 
church  of  St.  Mary  Bothaw  to  be  forthwith  taken  down,  the  materials 
thereof  to  be  preserved  and  to  be  employed  towards  the  repairing  and 
rebuilding  of  the  church  of  St.  Swithin." 

"  1670,  December    19th. — Ordered    that    the  churchwardens  of 


119 

St.  Mary  Bothaw  bring  in  their  plate,  bells  and  vestments  into  the 
church  of  St.  Swithin,  according  to  Act  of  Parliament." 

"  1676,  November  llth. — Ordered  that  the  vestry  do  meet  some  of 
the  parishioners  of  St.  Mary  Bothaw,  and  discourse  with  them  about 
the  rebuilding  of  the  parish  church." 

RECTORS. 

Adam  Lambyn,  1281.  William  Roberts,  1381-1402.  Sir  Thomas 
Walton,  1426-1466.  Richard  Underbill,  1470-1476.  Peter  Potkin, 
New  Inn  Hall,  Oxford,  1506-1516.  Hugh  Gyffard,  1528-1534.  Richard 
Taylor,  1552-1560.  Robert  Coley,  1567-1574.  Thomas  Colfe,  1588- 
1599.  Christopher  Topham,  1606-1620.  Thomas  Copping,  1638. 
Nathaniel  Stamforth,  1648,  "  Pastor."  John  Meriton,  New  Inn  Hall, 
Oxford,  1666. 


Colecburcb. 

This  church  stood  in  a  corner  at  the  south  end  of  Coney  Hoop 
Lane,  on  the  site  of  what  is  now  Frederick  Place,  and  was  built  upon 
arches,  the  entrance  to  the  building  being  up  several  steps. 

The  church  was  repaired  at  the  cost  of  the  parishioners,  1623. 

There  was  no  parsonage  house. 

Henry  IV.  granted  a  license  to  found  a  Brotherhood  of  St. 
Catherine  in  the  church,  because  St.  Thomas  a  Beckett  and  St. 
Edmund  were  baptized  there. 

1262. — A  fierce  quarrel  broke  out  in  this  church  between  a 
Christian  and  a  Jew,  relative  to  money  matters.  The  Jew,  having 
wounded  his  adversary,  fled  out  into  the  Jewry  for  refuge.  He  was 
captured  in  his  own  house  and  killed.  The  mob  then  fell  upon  the 
inhabitants  of  the  quarter,  plundering  and  burning  their  houses. 

The  church  is  described  in  a  petition  of  the  Mercers'  Company  to 
the  House  of  Commons,  the  Company  desiring  to  remove  the  church 
and  build  their  grammar  school  on  the  site  : 

"  Whereas,  the  Wardens  and  Commonalty  of  the  Mystery  of 
Mercers  of  the  City  of  London,  at  the  time  of  the  late  fire,  were  seized 
in  fee  of  the  rectory  and  parish  church  impropriate  of  St.  Mary 


120 

Colechurch,  the  said  church  being  an  upper  room  about  ten  feet  higher 
than  the  street,  and  lying  over  certain  rooms  and  arched  vaults  and 
cellars  of  the  said  Wardens  and  Commonalty,  upon  the  site  of  which 
church  they  had  designed  to  build  a  free  school  and  other  buildings, 
and  to  remove  the  dead  bodies  and  bones  of  such  as  have  been  buried 
upon  the  arches,  and  to  cause  them  to  be  decently  reposed  within  the 
body  of  their  chapel  called  Mercers'  Chapel." 

The  church,  no  doubt,  derived  its  name  from  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  name  of  Cole.  The  steeple  contained  four  bells,  also  a  Sanctus 
bell. 

1278. — William  de  Wantrate  left  money  for  maintaining  a  lamp 
to  burn  at  all  hours  in  the  chapel  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  in  the 
church. 

1390 Johanna  Northburgh  left  a  bequest  to  the  High  Altar. 

1557. — Robert  Downe  (Ironmonger)  left  directions  to  be  buried 
in  the  church  of  St.  Mary,  to  which  he  left  twenty  shillings  for  his 
"  laye  stall."  To  twelve  poor  men  who  were  to  carry  twelve  "  staffe 
torches "  at  his  burial,  he  left  each  a  ready-made  gown  and  eight 
pence  in  money ;  also  to  the  Livery  of  his  Company  attending  his 
funeral  six  pounds  for  a  dinner. 

RECTORS. 

Roger  de  Musendene,  1252.  John  Tenterden,  1466.  Robert 
Downes,  1537.  Andrew  Castleton,  1570  (this  Rector  was  blind). 
Richard  Turnbull,  1581—1592.  Richard  Cowdale,  1593—1638. 

Thomas  Horton,  Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge,  1638.  Was 
"  silenced "  1642.  He  afterwards  "conformed,"  and  was  appointed 
Preacher  to  the  Honourable  Society  of  Gray's  Inn  ;  Rector  of  St. 
Helens,  1666  ;  died  1673. 

Samuel  Cheney,  1640. 

The  patronage  is  vested  in  the  Crown  and  the  Bishop  of  London 
alternately. 

The  Vestry  minute  books  date  from  1621.  The  following  are  a 
few  of  the  entries  : 

"  It  is  agreed  toadventur  sixe  pounds  for  the  proffit  of  our  church, 
stock  in  the  lottery  for  the  plantation  of  Verginya,  and  what  benefit 
cometh  shall  be  for  the  good  of  the  church." 


121 

Then  follows  "  For  the  adventur  our  church  had  two  spoons  price 
twenty  shillings. 

"  The  old  church  Bible  was  sold  to  Mr.  Thomas  Allen,  for  fourteen 
shillings  with  concent  of  the  parish." 

"  Paide  Mr.  Williams  for  the  Booke  of  Martyrs  £1  5s."  (1685). 

"  Paide  for  prayers  for  the  Prince  of  Orange  "  (1688). 

Fines. — "  Person  working  at  his  trade  on  Sunday,  3s.  4d.  Person 
drunk  and  swearing  two  oaths,  9s."  (1712). 

The  following  statement  appears  in  the  Vestry  minute  books  of 
1660: 

"  The  goods  and  implements  belonging  to  the  parish  of  St.  Mary 
Colechurch,  delivered  by  me,  Francis  Hall,  unto  Mr.  John  Clarke, 
churchwarden,  upon  the  day  of  May,  when  I  delivered  up  my 

account. 

"  Two  large  bottle  flagons  of  silver  gilt,  given  by  Mr.  Rob  Wilson. 
Two  large  gilt  silver  Communion  cups  for  wine,  and  two  plates  gilt 
for  the  bread,  and  a  case  to  put  them  in.  Two  large  pewter  flagons, 
five  pewter  dishes.  A  pair  of  brasse  scales  and  a  beame,  with  a  pile 
of  Troy  weights,  and  a  little  case  to  keep  them  all  in.  Two  large 
pewter  candlesticks,  given  by  Coll.  Jackson.  A  trunke,  a  locke  and  a 
key  to  keep  them  all  in.  Three  tablecloths  and  two  napkins  of  diaper. 
A  pulpitt  cloth  with  a  green  cushion  belonging  to  it.  Another  pulpitt 
cloth  with  some  green  velvet  with  a  pillow  to  it.  Light  green  cushions 
of  Kersey  on  both  sides.  Four  green  cushions  lined  with  leather. 
Two  covers  for  the  Communion  table,  one  of  green  Kersey,  the  other 
of  .  One  greate  Bible,  a  greate  booke  in  folio  of 

Bishop  Juvell's  works.  The  paraphrase  of  Erasmus  upon  the  four 
Evangelists,  and  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles.  A  register  book  for 
christenyngs  and  marriages  and  burialls.  A  table  standing  in  the  Vestry 
house.  Three  tables  of  orders  and  duties.  Thirty-six  small  candle- 
sticks, with  a  board  to  carry  them  on.  A  Communion  table  in  the 
Chancell.  Eight  halberds,  with  cases  of  leather  placed  on  a  rack. 
Thirteen  leather  bucketts,  with  a  staple  to  hang  them  up.  Three 
coffins,  with  a  pair  of  trussels,  and  a  black  howsell  cloth.  Four  pick- 
axes, three  shovells,  with  a  crow  of  iron.  Five  bells,  one  grate  and 
four  small.  Four  ladders  and  a  fire  hooke,  two  of  which  are  placed  in 
the  alley  by  the  great  conduite  with  the  hooke,  the  other  at  the  stockes. 
A  desk,  where  are  some  wrightings  about  the  house  that  Coll, 


122 

Mannering  lives  in.     Tenn  forms  standing  about  the  church.      An 
yron  cheste  in  the  belfry,  wherein  is  the  coloured  glasse." 


St.  /Ifear^  /Ifcaafcalene,  fliMife  Street. 


This  is  a  very  ancient  parish,  there  being  a  royal  charter,  quoted 
by  Newcourt,  in  which  Henry  I.  desires  the  Dean  and  Archdeacon  of 
St.  Paul's  to  give  the  church  its  own  parish,  and  an  agreement  follows 
in  which  Galfridus,  a  canon  of  the  Cathedral,  is  named  as  "  owner  " 
of  this  church,  and  his  son  Bartholomew  is  named  as  his  successor. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  this  church  and  parish,  from  its  close 
proximity  to  the  Guildhall,  occupied  an  important  position  in  the 
City.  This  is  also  proved  by  the  number  of  Aldermen  and  other 
citizens  who  were  from  time  to  time  buried  in  the  church. 

The  church  was  small,  standing  in  Milk  Street  at  the  west  end  of 
Honey  Lane  Market.  The  Dean  and  Chapter  of  St.  Paul's  are  the 
patrons.  There  was  no  parsonage  house. 

Sir  William  Dugdale,  in  his  "  History  of  St.  Paul's,"  observes 
"  that  the  church  of  St.  Mary  Magdalene  was  of  no  value."  It  was 
repaired  at  the  cost  of  the  parish,  1619. 

The  chancel  window  was  built  by  Mr.  Benjamin  Hensha\v 
(Merchant  Taylor)  at  a  cost  of  £60,  1638.  "  A  fair  Communion 
table  "  was  added  and  the  church  repaired  at  a  cost  of  £30. 

1383.  —  Johanna  Mitford  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  church  of 
St.  Mary,  of  which  she  is  a  parishioner.  She  left  bequests  for  tapers 
and  torches  to  burn  on  the  day  of  her  funeral,  the  torches  afterwards 
to  be  given  to  the  church.  Her  executors  are  to  hire  the  larger  tapers 
of  twelve  pounds,  according  to  custom,  the  lesser  tapers  of  six  pounds 
remaining  in  the  church  for  the  use  and  relief  of  the  poor  who  die  in 
the  parish.  A  cloth  of  russett  to  be  put  over  her  coffin  at  her  funeral, 
the  same  to  remain  in  the  hands  of  the  rector  and  churchwardens, 
with  one  of  her  own  sheets  for  the  use  of  the  poor  of  the  parish  when 
they  die. 

Henry  Cantilow,  Mercer  and  Merchant,  of  the  Staple,  built  a 
chapel,  and  was  there  buried.  His  monument  had  these  words  : 
"  Pray  for  the  soul  of  Henry  Cantilow,  Mercer,  Merchant  of  the  Staple 


123 

at  Callays,  the  builder  of  this  chappell,  wherein  he  lieth  buried, 
1495." 

John  Kendall,  "presbiter,"  1517.  He  desired  to  be  buried  in 
the  chapel  of  St.  Mary  Magdalene,  "  near  the  Guyld  Hall,  London," 
or  in  any  other  holy  place  "  in  olio  xancto  loco."  He  also  left  a 
bequest  to  the  church  of  St.  Oswald  of  Sturby,  Lincoln,"  ubi  baptisatita 
fni." 

The  following  monuments  were  also  in  the  church  : — 

"  Of  your  charitie  pray  for  the  soul  of  William  Campion,  Citizen 
and  Grocer,  some  time  one  of  the  Masters  of  the  Bridge  House." 

"  Here  lieth  the  corpse  of  Thomas  Skinner,  late  Citizen  and 
Alderman,  who  in  the  sixty-third  year  of  his  age,  December  5th,  1596, 
being  then  Lord  Mayor,  departed  this  life." 

A  monument  in  the  south  aisle  to  the  memory  of  Mary  Collett, 
wife  of  John  Collett,  who  died  1613,  had  the  following  lines  : 
"  This  marble  witness,  dew  dropt  with  the  eies 
Of  grieved  Niobe,  tells  thee  that  here  lies 
Her  second  husband,  joys,  her  first  content, 
Her  parents  comfort,  her  friends  ornament ; 
Her  neighbours  welcome,  her  deare  kindred's  losse, 
Her  own  health  foe,  deeming  all  pleasure  drosse ; 
The  world  a  jayle,  whence  through  much  paine  we  see, 
Her  soule  at  length  hath  purchased  liberty, 
And  soared  on  high,  where  her  Redeemer  lives, 
Who,  for  her  torment,  rest  and  glory  gives." 
A   monument   at   the   east   end   of    the    fourth    aisle    had    the 

following : — 

"  This  stone,  this  verse,  two  Mountfords  doe  present, 

The  corpse  of  one,  the  other's  monument, 

Two  lovely  brethren,  by  their  virtues  known, 

Whom  Cambridge  and  Kings  Colledge  called  their  own, 

Osbert  and  Richard,  of  which  worthy  paire, 

The  first's  employed  by  sea  in  great  affaire, 

Made  Heaven  his  Haven,  and  at  that  Port  the  other, 

By  land,  did  overtake  his  eldest  brother ; 

So,  now,  the  bones  of  both  are  laid  asleepe, 

These  in  this  church,  these  in  the  eastern  deepe, 

Till  all  the  dead  shall  wake  from  sea  and  lande, 

Before  the  Judge  of  Quick  and  Dead  to  stand." 


124 

On  the  tomb  of  Sir  W.  Stone,  Alderman  and  Fishmonger,  was 
the  following  : — 

"  Grave  of  levity, 
Span  in  brevity ; 
Glorius  felicity, 
Fire  of  misery ; 
Winds  stability, 
In  mortality." 

He  died  14th  September,  1609,  aged  sixty-three  years. 

"  Here  lie  the  bodies  of  Gerard  Gore,  Citizen,  Merchant  Taylor, 
and  Alderman,  and  of  Helen  his  wife,  who  lived  together  married 
fifty-seven  years.  The  said  Gerard  died  in  his  ninety-first  yeare, 
llth  December,  1G07,  and  Helen  being  seventy-five  years  old,  died 
18th  February  in  the  foresaid  yeare." 

The  following  were  buried  in  the  church  : — 

John  Omey,  Mayor,  1375.  John  Mitford,  Sheriff,  1375.  Thomas 
Meschampe,  Sheriff,  14G3.  Richard  Lawson,  Sheriff,  1477.  Sir 
John  Brown,  Mayor,  1497  (was  Master  of  the  Mercers  Company,  1450). 
Edward  Alison,  Priest,  1510.  Sir  William  Brown,  Sheriff  1491  and 
1504,  Mayor  1513.  Died  during  his  mayoralty.  John  West,  Alder- 
man, 1517.  Thos.  Exmew,  Mayor  1518.  He  gave  £40  to  the  church. 
Was  Prime  Warden  of  the  Goldsmiths'  Company.  John  Marchal, 
Alderman,  1558.  Thomas  Skinner,  Mayor,  1596.  Died  soon  after 
his  election.  Sir  W'illiam  Stone,  Mayor,  1609. 

The  register  books  of  this  parish  were  supposed  to  have  been 
burnt  in  the  Great  Fire,  but  were  found  by  the  parish  clerk  of  St. 
Lawrence  Jewry  in  an  old  chest  in  St.  Lawrence's  church. 

In  this  parish  lived  Bishop  Latimer's  "  good  nurse,  good  Mrs. 
Lathom,"  who,  when  he  was  "in  a  faint  sickness "  (as  he  writes 
November  8th,  1537)  "seeing  what  case  I  was  in,  hath  fetched  me 
home  to  her  house,  and  doth  pamper  me  with  all  diligence." 

Four  years  afterwards  she  was  "presented"  for  "maintaining  in 
her  own  house  Latimer,  Barnes,  Garrett,  Jerome,  and  divers  others." 

Thomas  Cappers  was  also  "presented"  for  saying  these  words : 
"  That  the  Sacrament  of  the  Altar  was  but  a  memory  and  in  remem- 
brance of  the  Lord's  death." 

The  following  entry  occurs  in  the  baptismal  register,  1619 : 

"  Anne  Henshaw,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Anne  Henshaw,  of 


125 

the  parish  of  St.  Mary  Magdalene,  Milk  Street  (because  the  great  east 
window  of  the  same  church  was  then  formed  and  builded  at  the  proper 
cost  and  charges  of  the  aforesaid  Benjamin  Henshaw,  the  father), 
was  baptized  in  our  parish  church,  June  6th." 


RECTORS. 

"  Galfridus,"  Vicar  1162,  the  first  Treasurer  of  St.  Paul's. 

Henry  de  Holkenton,  1328—1336.  William  de  Sommerdaby, 
1354;  died  1380.  William  Belgrave,  1392—1402.  John  Burton, 
1414—1419.  John  Lovency,  1426  ;  died  1439.  Roger  Ayerst,  1441 
—1459.  Thomas  Wharton,  1511 ;  died  1521.  Geoffry  Page,  1535— 
1547. 

William  East,  D.D.,  1554  ;  afterwards  Canon  of  Windsor. 

John  Bullingham,  Fellow  of  Magdalene  College,  Oxford,  1565  ; 
was  Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's ;  died  1598 ;  buried  in  Gloucester 
Cathedral. 

Thomas  Edmonds,  Fellow  of  Lincoln  College,  Oxford,  and  who 
had  been  a  chorister  at  Magdalene  College,  1571. 

Thomas  Spain,  Brasenose  College,  Oxford,  1577. 

James  Speight,  Christ's  College,  Cambridge,  1592 — 1637 ;  Rector 
of  St.  Clement,  Eastcheap,  1611. 

Anthony  Farindon,  Trinity  College,  Oxford,  born  1598,  and  who 
since  1634  had  held  the  vicarage  of  Bray,  in  Ireland ;  was  in  1647, 
through  the  influence  of  Sir  John  Robinson,  a  kinsman  of  Archbishop 
Laud,  chosen  "  minister."  He  was  also  Divinity  Reader  to  Charles  I. 
at  Chapel  Royal,  Windsor. 

Brunston  says  that :  "  In  a  short  time  the  congregation  so  much 
increased  that  it  was  very  difficult  to  find  a  seat."  He  published  two 
large  volumes  of  sermons,  which  were  dedicated  to  his  patron, 
Alderman  Sir  John  Robinson. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  dedication  : — 

"  As  a  witness  or  manifesto  of  my  deep  apprehension  of  your 
many  noble  favours  and  just  charity  to  me  and  mine,  when  the 
sharpness  of  the  weather  and  the  roughness  of  the  times  had  blown  all 
from  us  and  well  nigh  left  us  naked." 

Farindon  had  among  his  hearers  Hammond  and  Saunderson. 
He  complied  with  the  existing  restrictions  by  not  using  the  Book  of 


126 

Common  Prayer,  but  this  did  not  save  him  from  the  effect  of  the 
harsh  measures  which  pursued  the  sequestered  clergy. 

He  resigned  the  living  1651  (or  1652). 

On  the  two  Sundays  preceding  his  departure,  a  clerical  friend 
preached  for  him,  when  the  parishioners  made  a  collection  at  the 
church  doors  and  presented  him  with  £400. 

He  died  at  his  house  in  Milk  Street,  1658,  and  was  buried  in  the 
church. 

Walker  says  that  at  the  University  he  had  been  "  a  noted 
preacher,  and  his  discourses,  though  more  remarkable  for  force  of 
style  than  polish  of  manner,  will  always  be  valued  for  their  grasp  of 
learning  and  strength  of  thought." 

His  executors  published  in  1663  three  folio  volumes,  each 
containing  between  forty  and  fifty  sermons. 

Thomas  Vincent,  born  1634,  Christ  Church,  Oxford,  was 
presented  1656,  and  on  St.  Bartholomew's  Day,  1662,  "  was  deprived 
for  nonconformity."  He  wrote  and  published  an  account  of  the 
Plague  and  Fire,  entitled  "  God's  Terrible  Voice  in  the  City."  This 
account  is  still  extant,  and  is  in  the  Guildhall  Library.  He 
continued  his  residence  in  the  City  during  the  whole  time  of  the 
Plague,  1665.  He  also  wrote  a  work  called  "  God  Wanting  to  be 
Gracious  unto  His  People,  together  with  England's  Encouragements 
and  Causes  to  Wait  on  God,  Delivered  in  Certain  Sermons  at  Milk 
Street,  in  London.  Printed  in  1642."  This  volume  was  dedicated 
to  Major-General  Skippon,  and  Kichard  Ainsworth,  Esq.,  two  of  his 
parishioners.  "  They  abound  in  that  kind  of  oratory  which  at  that 
time  was  very  popular.  His  resentment  against  the  late  episcopal  f 
government  is  very  deep." 

He  asserts  that  the  "  Anglican  Church  is  the  Babylon  of 
Revelations  xviii.,  4,  and  he  enumerates  his  idolatrous  doings, 
crossings,  altars,  crosses  and  ceremonies,  false  worship,  false 
doctrine,  &c." 

He  afterwards  retired  to  Hoxton,  where  he  preached  to  a  large 
congregation  which  met  in  a  wooden  building  erected  for  him.  He 
died  1678,  and  was  buried  in  Cripplegate  Churchyard.  Samuel 
Slater  preached  his  funeral  sermon. 

Dr.  Calamy  says  of  him  :  "  He  was  a  worthy,  humble,  eminently 
pious  man  of  sober  principles  and  great  zeal  and  diligence."  He 


127 

had  the  whole  of  the  New  Testament  and  Psalms  by  heart.  He 
took  that  pains  as  not  knowing  but  they  (as  he  has  often  said)  who 
took  from  him  his  pulpit,  and  his  cushion  might  in  time  demand  his 
Bible  also." 

Richard  Baxter  preached  here  1661,  "  for  the  period  of  one  year, 
for  which  he  was  allowed  the  sum  of  £40." 

Thomas  Cartwright,  Magdalene  Hall,  Oxford,  1665  ;  Prebendary 
of  St.  Paul's ;  was  Chaplain  to  John  Robinson,  Alderman  and 
Sheriff ;  Bishop  of  Chester,  1686  ;  died  in  Dublin,  1689. 

At  the  time  of  the  Civil  War  in  1642,  a  service  was  established 
here  called  "The  Morning  Exercises."  Many  of  the  citizens  having 
friends  or  relatives  in  the  army,  so  many  requests  were  sent  up  to  the 
preachers  in  the  various  pulpits  on  each  Sunday  for  their  safety  and 
preservation  in  the  field,  that  the  ministers  had  not  time  to  notice 
them  in  prayer  or  even  to  read  them.  It  was  therefore  agreed  to  set 
apart  one  hour  each  morning  at  seven  o'clock,  half  of  the  time  to  be 
spent  in  prayer  for  those  who  were  engaged  in  the  war,  the  other  half 
to  be  spent  in  exhortation. 

Thomas  Case,  Christ  Church,  Oxford,  who  had  been  appointed 
"  Minister  "  here  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Jones  (who  had  been  sequestered 
1641)  was  the  first  to  commence  these  meetings  in  St.  Mary's,  and  in 
order  that  those  living  in  other  parts  of  the  City  should  have  an 
opportunity  of  joining,  the  services  were  continued  in  other  churches, 
in  rotation,  a  month  at  each.  A  number  of  the  most  eminent 
ministers  conducted  these  services,  which  were  attended  by  large  con- 
gregations. Many  were  held  at  St.  Giles,  Cripplegate,  and  some  at 
St.  Giles-in-the-Fields. 

These  sermons  were  afterwards  collected  and  published  in  six 
volumes  from  1661  to  1690.  Another  edition  was  published  in  1844 
by  William  Tegg,  Cheapside.  This  work  is  in  the  Guildhall  Library. 

Mr.  Case  was  also  Lecturer  of  St.  Martin-in-the-Fields,  preaching 
there  every  Sunday  afternoon  and  each  Thursday.  He  was  also 
Lecturer  at  St.  Mary,  Aldermanbury,  and  St.  Giles,  Cripplegate. 
1643,  he  was  selected  a  member  of  the  Westminster  Assembly  of 
Divines.  1649,  in  consequence  of  refusing  "  to  be  true  and  faithful 
to  the  government  without  a  king  or  house  of  peers,"  he  lost  his  place 
at  Milk  Street,  and  in  1651  was  committed  to  the  Tower  on  a  charge 
of  high  treason,  where  he  remained  six  months.  1660,  he  was  one  of 


128 

the  ministers  deputed  to  wait  upon  the  King  at  The  Hague  to  con- 
gratulate him  on  his  restoration. 

It  is  related  that  Mr.  Case,  in  administering  the  Holy  Communion, 
instead  of  the  words  "  Ye  that  do  truly  and  earnestly  repent,"  used  the 
following  :  "  You  that  have  freely  and  liberally  contributed  to  the 
Parliament  for  the  defence  of  God's  cause  and  the  Gospel,  draw  near," 
&c.  He  was  said  to  be  "  a  scripture  preacher,  a  great  man,  a-nd  one 
that  brought  home  many  souls  to  God."  There  can  be  no  doubt  that 
with  all  his  republican  zeal  he  was  a  man  of  true  piety.  He  died  1682, 
aged  eighty-four  years,  and  was  buried  at  Christ  Church,  Newgate 
Street.  Dr.  Jacomb  preached  his  funeral  sermon. 


Itfountbaw. 

This  church,  which  was  very  small,  stood  on  the  east  side  of  Fish 
Street  Hill,  or  as  it  was  formerly  called,  Labour-in-vain  Hill,  leading 
from  Old  Fish  Street  into  Upper  Thames  Street.  It  is  known  to 
have  been  originally  the  private  chapel  of  the  Monthaults,  an  old 
Norfolk  family,  and  from  them  the  church  took  its  name.  They 
inhabited  a  large  stone  house  in  the  parish,  which  in  1234  was  sold  to 
the  Bishop  of  Hereford. 

1609. — The  church  was  rebuilt  and  enlarged,  Robert  Bennett, 
Bishop  of  Hereford,  being  a  benefactor,  also  his  successor,  Edward 
Fox,  who  was  much  employed  by  Henry  VIII.  in  various  negotiations. 

1610. — The  church  was  glazed  at  the  cost  of  Thomas  Tyler 
(Haberdasher)  and  Richard  Tichborne  (Skinner). 

In  the  south  aisle  was  a  painting  of  James  I.,  with  the  figures  of 
Peace  and  Plenty  on  each  side  of  him,  Peace  with  an  olive  branch  and 
Plenty  with  a  sheaf  of  wheat.  This  was  given  by  Robert  Plunkett, 
churchwarden. 

1345. — John  Gloucester,  Alderman,  founded  a  chantry,  and  gave 
Salt  Wharf  in  Thames  Street  for  its  maintenance.  He  was  buried  in 
the  church. 

John  Skip,  Bishop  of  Hereford,  1539,  was  buried  here  1552. 

Stephen  de  Gloucester,  Alderman  (Fishmonger),  1366,  was  buried 
in  the  church,  and  left  a  bequest  of  £10,  and  the  same  to  St,  Mary 


129 

Somerset.  He  also  left  to  his  wife  £10,  the  utensils  of  his  house,  all 
his  jewels  except  his  money  of  silver  and  gold,  and  also  his  stock  of 
fish. 

RECTORS. 

Nicholas  de  Alvington,  1344.  Nicholas  de  Stoke,  1387—1391. 
John  Fawne,  1397—1421.  John  Barrett,  1436—1460.  John  Hotoft, 
1460—1475. 

John  Oliver,  Dean  of  Christ  Church,  Oxford,  1522 ;  resigned 
1527  ;  died  in  Doctors'  Commons,  1532. 

Gregory  Permay,  1527 — 1537. 

Thomas  Soadley,  1547  ;  resigned  1554  ;  died  1564. 

John  Horsfall,  1574—1587. 

John  Heyn,  Brasenose  College,  Oxford,  1594 ;  Kector  of  St. 
Mary  Somerset,  1585—1596 ;  of  St.  Martin  Orgar,  1594—1603. 

Thomas  Whytehand,  1603—1622. 

Thomas  Thrall,  1630.  This  Rector  was  sequestered,  several 
charges  being  brought  against  him  :  "  That  he  was  a  common  haunter 
of  taverns  and  alehouses,  who  not  only  read  the  Book  of  Sports  from 
the  pulpit,  but  invited  his  hearers  to  practise  them,  he  himself  setting 
the  example  by  playing  at  'cudgels.'"  "That  he  neither  preached 
or  catechised  on  the  Lord's  Day  in  the  afternoon,  nor  suffered  his 
parishioners  to  do  so,  though  they  desired  it  at  their  own  charge, 
spending  much  of  his  time  in  alehouses,  and  hath  been  often  drunke, 
and  doth  ordinarily  swear  and  curse  and  useth  superstitious  bowing 
and  cringing  to  the  Communion  Table." 

The  parish  registers  date  from  1568. 

The  patronage  is  with  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  St.  Paul's. 


St.  /Ifears  Staining 

This  was  a  small  church  standing  on  the  north  side  of  Oat  Lane. 
Part  of  the  site  was  after  the  Fire  thrown  into  the  public  way,  and 
part  is  now  occupied  by  the  churchyard. 

The  following  inscription  is  placed  on  a  tablet  in  the  churchyard : 
"  Before  the  dreadful  Fire,  Anno.  Dom.  1666,  here  stood  the  parish 
church  of  St.  Mary  Staining." 


130 

There  was  no  parsonage  house. 

1630. — The  church  was  repaired  at  the  cost  of  the  parishioners. 

1247. — We  read  in  the  "  Liber  Alb  its  "  that,  "  in  the  wardenship 
of  William  de  Haverhill,  warden  of  the  City,  one  Ludovic,  a 
goldsmith,  slew  his  wife  and  fled  to  the  church  of  Saint  Mary,  of 
Staininge  Lane,  and  then  by  permission  of  the  Justiciars  he  abjured 
the  King's  realm." 

The  following  circumstance  in  connection  with  this  old  church  is 
related  by  Eiley : 

"  On  Thursday,  the  Feast  of  St.  Dunstan  (19th  May),  1278,  the 
Chamberlain  and  Sheriffs  were  given  to  understand  that  one  Henry 
de  Lanfare  was  lying  dead  in  the  house  of  Sibil  le  Feron  (the 
Ironmonger),  in  the  ward  of  Chepe,  in  the  parish  of  Colechurche. 
Upon  hearing  which,  etc.  And  having  called  together  the  good  men 
of  that  Ward,*  and  of  the  Ward  of  John  de  Blakethorne,  t  and  the 
Ward  of  Henry  de  Fro  wick,  diligent  inquisition  was  made  thereon. 
Who  say  that  one  Richard  de  Codesfold,  having  fled  to  the  church  of 
St.  Mary,  Staniges  Lane,  in  London,  by  reason  of  a  certain  robbery 
being  by  one,  William  de  London,  Cutler,  imputed  to  him,  and  the 
said  William,  pursuing  him  on  his  flight  thereto,  it  so  happened  that 
on  the  night  following  the  Day  of  the  Invention  of  the  Holy  Cross 
(5th  May),  in  the  present  year,  there  being  many  persons  watching 
about  the  church  aforesaid,  to  take  him,  in  case  he  should  come  out, 
a  certain  Henry  de  Lanfare,  Ironmonger,  one  of  the  persons  on  the 
watch,  hearing  a  noise  in  the  church,  and  thence  fearing  that  the 
same  Richard  was  about  to  get  out  by  another  part  of  the  church,  and 
so  escape  through  a  breach  that  there  was  in  a  certain  glass  window, 
therein  went  to  examine  it.  The  said  Richard  and  one  Thomas,  the 
then  clerk  of  that  church,  perceiving  this,  the  said  Thomas,  seizing  a 
lance,  without  an  iron  head,  struck  at  Henry  beforementioned,  through 
the  hole  in  the  window,  and  wounded  him  between  the  nose  and  the 
eyes,  penetrating  almost  to  the  brain.  From  which  wound  he 
languished  until  the  day  of  St.  Dunstan  (19th  May),  when  he  died 
about  the  third  hour.  They  say  also  that  as  well  the  said  Richard,  as 
Thomas,  beforementioned,  are  guilty  of  that  felony,  seeing  that 
Richard  was  consenting  thereto.  And  the  said  Thomas  was  taken  and 
imprisoned  in  Newgate,  and  afterwards  delivered  before  Hamon 

*  Aldersgate  Ward,     f  Cripplegate  Ward. 


131 

Hawetlyn,  Justiciar  of  Newgate.  And  the  said  Richard  still  keeps 
himself  within  the  church  beforenamed.  Being  asked  if  they  hold 
any  more  persons  suspected  as  to  that  death,  they  say  they  do  not. 
They  have  no  lands  or  chattells.  And  the  body  was  viewed  upon 
which  no  other  injury  or  wound  was  found,  save  only  the  wound 
aforesaid.  And  the  two  neighbours  nearest  to  the  spot  where  he  was 
wounded  were  attached,  and  the  two  neighbours  nearest  to  the  place 
where  he  died,  and  the  said  Sibil  was  attached  in  whose  house  he 
died."  * 

There  was  a  monument  in  the  south  wall  of  the  chancel  to  the 
memory  of  Sir  Arthur  Savage,  one  of  Queen  Elizabeth's  generals  in 
Spain,  where  he  was  wounded,  1596;  he  died  1615. 

1837. — William  de  Schivborn,  Rector  of  Stone,  near  Rochester, 
left  a  tenement  in  the  parish  of  St.  Mary  Staining,  to  his  nephew, 
William,  reserving  to  his  nephews,  Richard  and  John,  a  lower 
chamber  with  free  ingress  and  egress  for  their  lives.  William  and  his 
successors  are  to  go  out  at  the  time  of  his  anniversary  to  the  place 
where  his  body  lies  buried,  there  to  remain  for  two  days,  and  make 
solemn  service  as  for  a  body  present,  so  that  not  less  than  ten  shillings 
be  expended  on  the  ceremony. 

1388. — John  Knott  (Fishmonger)  wished  to  be  buried  "  in  St. 
Ann's  Chapel,"  in  the  church  of  St.  Mary  Stayning. 

Lady  Rowlet,  one  of  the  learned  daughters  of  Sir  Anthony  Cook, 
the  youngest  of  five,  wife  of  Sir  Ralph  Rowlet,  Knt.,  was  buried  here 
8th  December,  1557  ;  also  Sir  Arthur  Savage,  Knt.,  General  of  Queen 
Elizabeth's  Forces  in  France,  1632. 

In  the  "  Memorials  of  the  Goldsmiths  Company  "  by  Sir  Walter 
Prideaux,  is  the  following  extract  from  their  old  records  : 

"  Memorandum,  that  on  Tuesday,  the  llth  day  of  July  instant 
(1614),  the  Right  Worshipful  and  Worthy  Member  of  the  City,  George 
Smithers,  Alderman,  departed  this  transitory  life,  and  that  on 
Thursday,  the  10th  of  August  following,  he  was  interred  in  the 
chauncel  of  the  church  of  St.  Marye  Steyning.  There  being  present 
at  the  funeral  the  Right  Honourable  the  Lord  Mayor  of  the  City,  with 
many  of  the  Aldermen  his  bretheren,  and  other  worshipful  persons, 
who  dined  at  Goldsmiths'  Hall  that  day.  The  wardens  give  license  to 
Mrs.  Smithers  to  have  the  use  of  the  hall,  plate,  linen,  and  other 

*  "  Memorials  of  London  Life." — RILEY. 


132 

necessaries  for  the  funeral  dinner.  The  plate,  &c.,  she  is  to  receive 
by  inventory,  and  to  deliver  in  good  plight  without  prejudice  or  charge 
to  the  Company,  the  next  day  after  the  funeral  at  the  latest." 

The   advowson   of   the   rectory   belonged   to    the    Prioress    and 
Convent  of  Clerkenwell. 


RECTORS. 

Adam  de  Doncaster,  1270.  John  Forster,  1892—1398.  Roger 
Willbye,  1427—1432.  John  Bakster,  1439—1444.  Walter  Choltron, 
1460—1483.  William  Jackson,  1543—1547.  John  Taylor,  1567— 
1578.  Rowland  Heryng,  1574—1581.  John  Lownde,  1584—1607. 
Samuel  Phillips,  1607—1625. 

Isaac  Tongue,  born  1621,  University  College,  Oxford,  was 
presented  by  Bishop  Henchman  1666.  He  had  not  enjoyed  the  living 
more  than  three  months  before  both  church  and  parish  were  burnt  to 
the  ground.  He  had  previously  been  keeping  a  school  at  Islington. 
After  the  Fire  he  accepted  a  chaplaincy  at  Tangier.  After  two  years' 
residence  there,  he  returned  to  London,  and  was  presented  to  the 
united  rectory  of  St.  Michael,  Wood  Street,  and  St.  Mary  Stayning, 
and  held  with  this  the  living  of  Aston,  Herefordshire.  He  died  1685, 
and  was  buried  in  the  churchyard,  his  funeral  sermon  being  preached 
at  St.  Michael's,  Wood  Street. 

"  He  was  a  good  chronologist,  and  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  the 
study  of  alchymy,  and  was  well  read  in  Latin,  Greek,  and  poetry." 
Burnet  says  :  "  He  was  a  very  mean  divine,  and  seemed  credulous  and 
simple."  He  also  relates  that  Mr.  Tongue  was  the  first  discoverer  of 
the  plot  of  Titus  Gates,  1678. 

Nathaniel  Holmes,  Magdalen  College,  Oxford,  1643 — "  a  man 
well  skilled  in  the  tongues,  particularly  the  Hebrew."  Calamy  says  of 
him  :  "  He  was  a  Millinerian,  but  did  not  contend  for  a  carnal,  selfish, 
and  worldly  liberty  to  be  enjoyed  by  the  Saints  before  the  general 
resurrection,  but  for  a  spiritual,  purified,  and  refined  freedom  from  sin 
and  corruption."  Died  1678.  He  wrote  and  published  a  considerable 
number  of  theological  works,  among  which  were  the  two  following : 

"  Ecclt'siatitica  Mathamessentica,  or  Church  cases  cleared.  Wherein 
are  held  forth  some  Things  to  reclaim  Professors  that  are  slack 
principled,  Anti-Churchians,  Non  Church  Seekers,  Church  Levellers,  in 


133 

a  Discurs  of  twelve  Questions,  with  a  Pacificatory  Preface.  London, 
1652." 

"  The  Resurrection  Revealed,  or  the  Dawning  of  the  Day  Star 
about  to  rise  and  radiate  a  visible,  incomparable  Glory  far  beyond  any 
since  the  Creation  upon  the  Universal  Church  on  Earth  for  a  thousand 
years  yet  to  come  before  the  ultimate  Day  of  the  general  Judgement 
to  the  Raising  of  the  Jews.  London,  1654.  In  seven  books." 

Mr.  Holmes  was  a  rigid  Calvinist.  He  would  admit  no  one  to 
the  Sacrament  but  such  as  were  members  of  his  church,  nor  would  he 
baptize  any  children,  although  born  in  the  parish,  "  but  of  such  only 
that  should  enter  into  their  new  covenant."  He  resigned  1662,  then 
spending  most  of  his  time  in  the  parish  of  St.  Giles,  Cripplegate, 
"where  he  kept,  or  at  least  frequented,  conventicles." 

Samuel  Fawcet,  "Pastor,"  1651.  This  gentleman  preached  "A 
Seasonable  Sermon  for  these  Troublous  Times "  on  the  23rd 
November,  1651,  "  before  the  Right  Worshipful  Companie  of  the 
Haberdashers."  This  was  afterwards  "  Printed  for  R.  Cotes  and  John 
Sweeting  and  are  to  be  sold  at  his  shop  at  the  sign  of  the  '  Angell ' 
in  Pope's  Head  Alley." 


St.  /I&an?  Moolcburcb  1baw. 

This  church  was  an  ancient  foundation,  dating  from  the  time  of 
William  I.,  when  it  was  given  to  the  Abbot  and  Convent  of  St.  John's, 
Colchester,  with  whom  it  remained  until  the  time  of  Henry  VIII. 
It  then  came  to  the  Crown,  with  whom  it  still  remains. 

The  name  was  derived  from  the  circumstance  that  a  beam  was 
.fixed  in  the  churchyard,  which  was  used  for  weighing  wool.  This 
custom  was  here  continued  until  the  sixth  year  of  Henry  II.,  when  it 
was  removed  to  the  Custom  House  Wool  Quay,  Thames  Street. 

The  church  was  rebuilt  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VI.,  and  was 
"  reasonably  fair  and  large."  It  was  then  ordered  to  be  placed  fifteen 
feet  from  the  Stocks  Market,  in  order  that  the  light  to  the  market 
should  not  be  damaged.  The  Mansion  House  now  stands  on  the  site. 

1861. — William  Walman  (Skinner)  desired  to  be  buried  near  the 
tomb  of  Margery,  his  late  wife.  He  also  left  money  for  tolling  his 


184 

knell,  digging  his  grave,  and  other  funeral  expenses ;  also  his  brewery 
in  the  parish  to  Alice,  the  wife  of  William  Peart. 

1868. — John  Fairher  (Fishmonger)  left  money  to  the  Fraternity 
in  the  church  of  St.  Mary,  of  which  he  was  a  member. 

1881. — Thomas  Terricant  left  a  bequest  to  the  Chaplain  of  the 
Fraternity  of  St.  Mary's  Chapel. 

1888. — Richard  Hall  (Fishmonger)  left  money  to  the  High 
Altar  ;  and  also  to  the  Fraternity  of  the  Salve. 

1429. — Margaret  Cornweillo  left  a  shop  in  the  parish,  called  "  Le 
Cok  in  the  Hop,"  for  the  repair  of  the  nave  of  the  church  ;  also  a 
brewery  in  the  parish,  called  "  Le  Swan  in  the  Hop." 

Sir  John  Winger  (Grocer),  Sheriff,  1498 ;  Mayor,  1604  ;  was  a 
great  benefactor  to  the  church.  He  also  gave  £20  and  two  large 
basins  of  silver. 

Richard  Shore  (Draper),  Sheriff,  1505  ;  probably  a  nephew  or 
brother-in-law  of  Jane  Shore.  Gave  £20  to  build  a  porch  at  the  west- 
end,  where  he  was  buried. 

John  Handford  gave  a  font,  which  was  "  very  curiously  wrought, 
painted  and  gilt." 

1578. — Richard  Pelter  (Brewer),  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  choir 
of  the  church.  He  left  legacies  to  the  poor  living  in  Scalding  Alley, 
in  the  parish  of  St.  Mildred ;  to  each  of  his  customers  a  barrell  of  ale ; 
to  his  daughter  £60,  a  standing  cup  of  silver  gilt,  a  towel  of  damask 
work,  and  eighteen  napkins. 

A  "  very  fair  screen "  at  the  west  door  was  given  by  Captain 
Edward  Ditchfyld,  who  was  churchwarden,  1670. 

On  a  stone  at  the  chancel  door  was  the  following  inscription  : — 
"  In  Sevenoke  into 
The  world  my  mother  brought  me, 
Howeden  House,  in  Kent, 
WTith  armes  ever  honoured  me. 
Westminster  Hall 

(Thirty- six  years  afterwards)  knew  me, 
Then,  seeking  Heaven, 
Heaven  from  the  world  took  me, 
Whil  'in  alive ; 
Thomas  Scott  men  call'd  me, 
Now  laid  in  grave, 
Oblivion  covereth  me." 


135 

There  was  a  tablet  with  the  following  inscription  to  the  memory 
of  Queen  Elizabeth  : 

"  The  admired  princesse,  through  the  world  applauded 

For  supreme  virtues  rarest  imitation  ; 

Whose  sceptre's  rule  Fame's  loud-voiced  trump  hath  lauded 

Unto  the  eares  of  every,  foreign  nation  ; 

Canopied  under  powerful  angels'  wings, 

To  her  immortal  praise  sweet  science  sings." 

1493. — Certain  parishioners  were  brought  before  the  Archdeacon's 
Court  for  not  paying  their  dues  for  the  stipend  of  the  "  Holy  Water 
Clerk,"  and  for  the  "  Berne  Light." 

Nicholas  Newell,  a  Frenchman  and  a  parishioner,  was,  in  1541, 
"  presented  "  for  being  "  a  man  far  gone  in  the  new  sect ;  that  he  was 
a  great  jester  at  the  saints  and  at  Our  Lady." 

The  church  was  repaired  in  1629  at  the  cost  of  the  parishioners. 

This  church,  no  doubt  from  its  close  proximity  to  the  most 
wealthy  part  of  the  City,  was  evidently  one  of  some  importance. 
Placing  all  the  particulars  we  have  of  it  together  we  find  it  possessed 
a  porch,  a  chancel,  a  choir  screen  at  the  west  door,  a  font,  rood  loft, 
peal  of  bells,  images  of  the  Virgin  Mary  and  of  the  saints,  a  clock 
with  two  dial  plates,  one  shewing  outside  and  one  inside  the  church. 

From  the  bequests  made,  the  parishioners  must  have  been  men  of 
no  small  importance  and  wealth.  There  are  also  mentioned  several 
breweries  in  the  parish. 

There  was  also  a  College,  or  Fraternity  of  St.  Mary  in  connection 
with  the  church. 

1636. — The  yearly  profits  of  the  church  were  returned  as  follows  : 
"  Tythes,  £50  16s.  6d. ;  Glebe,  £22  13s.  4d. ;  Casualties,  £13  6s.  8d." 

The  Churchwardens'  Accounts  commence  in  the  year  1560, 
Thomas  Alen  (Citizen  and  Pewterer)  then  being  the  churchwarden.  The 
following  are  a  few  extracts  from  them.* 

There  is  a  direction  dated  1526,  "  The  Clerke  to  have  for  tollynge 
of  the  passynge  belle,  if  it  be  in  the  day,  iiijd.,  if  it  be  in  the  night  for 
the  same,  viijd." 

1560. — "Paid  for  taking  awaye  the  holy  water  stone  and  mending 

*  These  extracts  are  taken  from  "Transcripts  of  the  Registers  of  this  Parish," 
by  the  Kev.  J.  M.  S.  Brooke. 


136 

of  the  rose  of  the  water  in  the  college,  viiid."  "  Paid  for  carrynge  of 
the  tymber  of  the  rood  lofte  into  the  churchyarde,  viiid." 

1560. — Paid  to  Mr.  Bullock  for  wryting  of  the  Scriptures  and 
paynting  of  the  church,  iiii£  viis." 

1570. — "  Paid  for  ringing  the  bells  when  the  Queen's  Majestie 
throughe  the  citie  to  the  Royal  Exchange." 

1587. — "  Paid  for  carriage  of  an  Irish  woman,  viiid.,  into 
Fynsburie  feildes  who  was  delivered  of  a  childe  under  the  stockes — 
allowed  out  of  poors  box." 

1590. — "  Payd  a  certyficatt  of  pennance  done  by  Sheppard's  wyfe 
and  the  powlter  for  openinge  three  wyndowes  on  the  Sabathe  daie, 
xvid." 

1601. — "  Paid  to  Andrewes  for  whipping  the  vagrants  for  one 
whole  yeare,  5s.  4d." 

8B£.  1606. — "  Paid  for  answering  the  26  articles  and  for  a  bill  to 
certify  whether  all  our  parishioners  received  the  Communion  at 
Easter,  3s." 

1643. — "  Paid  Robert  Miles,  free  stone  mason,  for  scaffolding  and 
use  of  boards  and  poles,  with  his  and  other  masons'  and  labourers' 
wages,  in  taking  away  the  superstitious  images  of  the  Virgin  Mary  and 
the  angels  attending  her  and  framing  them  into  another  decent 
shape,  in  all  as  by  agreement,  £9." 

"  Paid  the  carvers  for  worke  done  by  them  in  the  like  kinde  in 
altering  of  images  £8  8s.  6d." 

"  Paid  the  carver  for  taking  up  and  laying  down  with  brass  pins 
the  monuments,  and  defacing  the  superstitious  inscriptions  and 
cutting  others  in  their  stead  that  are  not  offensive,  the  some  of 
£4  9s.  6d." 

"  Paid  Robert  Miles  for  filling  up  the  places  where  the  superstitious 
images  of  brass  were  taken  up  and  not  fit  to  be  put  downe  againe, 
£1  4s.  6d." 

1646. — "  Paid  in  the  tyme  when  we  had  no  parson  to  several 
ministers  for  forty-four  sermons,  at  10s.  per  sermon,  £22." 

1649. — "  Paid  for  breade,  beere,  ale,  and  sugar,  for  the  minister 
that  preached  the  morning  exercise  in  our  church,  £1  4s.  4d." 

1653. — "  Paid  for  two  hower  glasses  for  the  church,  2s.  6d." 

1660. — "  Paid  to  the  ringers  when  my  Lord  Munc  declared  for  a 


137 

free  parliament,  7s.  Paid  to  the  ringers  when  King  Charles  the 
Second  was  proclaimed,  5s." 

1663. — "Paid  Mr.  Robert  Freeston  for  the  stocks  and  whipping 
posts,  and  for  mending  and  painting  them,  £1  6s." 

1616. — "  Mr.  Geo.  Scott,  Grocer,  gave  the  clocke  to  strike  in  the 
great  hall,  and  with  two  dyalls,  one  towards  the  streete,  the  other 
within  the  church." 

1666  to  1669. — "  Paid  for  removing  the  vest,  [ments]  plate,  bookes, 
and  cushings  in  the  tyme  of  the  Fyre  to  severall  places  in  the  country, 
and  bringing  them  into  London  againe,  and  then  removing  them  to 
severall  places  to  secure  them,  and  carriage  about  the  same,  £5  6s." 

"  Paid  to  severall  watchmen  to  secure  what  was  left  unburnt  about 
the  church,  £9  18s." 

"Paid  for  repaaring  Eigby's  Shed,  the  things  being  broken  by 
taking  down  the  stocks,  £2  11s." 

"  Paid  Mr.  King,  Vintner,  since  the  Fire  with  the  parishioners  at 
severall  meetings  about  parish  business,  at  the  '  Rose '  Taverne,  and 
one  at  the  '  Dog  '  Taverne,  in  all  £8  2s.  6d." 

1669,  December  22nd. — The  materials  of  the  old  church  were 
sold  to  Mr.  Richard  Tompson  for  £50,  and  were  paid  for  "  out  of  the 
cole  money." 

The  parish  registers  date  from  1538. 

Similar  to  so  many  of  these  old  City  churches,  this  one  had  its 
chantries  connected  with  it.  From  a  return  made  by  the  church- 
wardens in  1545  of  chantries  within  their  church,  the  following  occurs  : 

"  To  a  Conducte,  beying  a  pore  perishen  of  the  said  perishe  of 
Seynt  Mary  Woolchurche  to  helpe  to  syng  in  the  quere  yerely, 
Ivjs.  viijd. 

The  rectors  of  this  church  received  four  marks  a  year  from  tithes 
of  the  Stocks  Market,  which  were  paid  to  them  by  the  Masters  of  the 
Bridge  House,  to  whom  the  land  on  which  the  market  stood 
belonged. 

RECTORS. 

John  de  Hatfield,  1349.  He  desired  to  be  buried  in  the  chancel 
of  his  church,  or  where  God  shall  dispose.  He  left  to  the  Rector  of 
St.  Benet  Shereog  all  his  books,  robes,  beds,  vessells  of  brass,  wood, 
and  utensils. 


138 

William  Tankervylle,  1382;  died  1385.  John  Wyles,  1386— 
1391.  John  Skypton,  1432  ;  died  1442. 

Robert  Kyrkeham,  Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's,  1447  ;  Master  of  the 
Rolls  ;  was  also  Rector  of  St.  Dunstan-in-the-East  and  St.  Martin 
Vintry. 

John  Benet,  1454  ;  resigned  1485.  John  Archer,  1485  ;  died 
1504.  Richard  Chester,  Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's,  1488. 

John  Corney,  1504 — 1517.  He  directed  by  his  will  to  be  buried 
in  the  "  Quyre."  He  also  left  a  bequest  to  the  Abbot  of  Colchester, 
who  had  presented  him  to  the  Rectory  of  St.  Nicholas  in  that  town. 

Simeon  Matthew,  King's  College,  Cambridge,  1533 ;  Canon  of 
St.  Paul's  ;  Rector  of  St.  Botolph,  Bishopsgate,  1534  ;  died  1541. 
He  wrote  several  sermons  against  the  Pope,  and  was  a  great  benefactor 
to  his  college. 

Geoffrey  Jones,  1539  ;  dispossessed  1538.  John  Hay  ward,  1593 
-1618.  Richard  Crook,  1618;  died  1641.  John  Tireman,  B.D., 
1611,  "was  soon  afterwards  forced  to  forsake  it."  Philip  Harris, 
1645. 

Thomas  Whately,  1648.  Charles  Mason,  King's  College, 
Cambridge,  1661 ;  Canon  of  St.  Paul's,  1663  ;  Rector  of  St.  Peter  le 
Poor,  1669. 

Thomas  Leaver,  who  was  preacher  to  King  Edward  VI.,  and 
seventh  Master  of  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge,  published  the 
following  in  connection  with  this  church  :  "A  Meditation  upon  the 
Lord's  Prayer,  made  at  Saynte  Mary  Woolchurch  Hawe.  London, 
Anno.  1551.  John  Daye,  16mo."  Thomas  Baker  says  of  Leaver: 
"  One  of  the  best  masters,  as  well  as  one  of  the  best  men,  St.  John's 
College  ever  had." 

Bearbinder  Lane,  in  this  parish,  is  mentioned  in  City  records  as 
early  as  1858.  It  is  now  called  George  Street,  and  was  the  spot  at 
which  the  plague,  in  1665,  first  made  its  appearance. 

Defoe,  in  his  "  History  of  the  Plague,"  says :  "  To  the  great  afflic- 
tion of  the  City,  one  died  within  the  walls  in  the  parish  of  St.  Mary 
Woolchurch,  that  is  to  say,  in  Bearbinder  Lane,  near  the  Stocks 
Market." 


189 


St.  4Dfcbael*le«<!luerne. 

This  church,  formerly  called  "  St.  Michael  ad  Bladum,"  or  St. 
Michael  "  at  the  Cross,"  was  so  named  from  a  corn  market  which  was 
held  near  the  spot.  It  stood  fronting  Cheapside,  on  the  ground  now 
occupied  by  the  statue  of  Sir  Kobert  Peel,  at  the  western  end. 
The  building  was  erected  in  the  time  of  Edward  III. 

At  the  east  end  stood  a  cross,  called  the  "  old  crosse  in  weste 
chepe."  This  was  taken  down  in  1890. 

At  the  west  end  was  a  small  passage  still  existing,  called 
"  Panyer  Alley." 

About  1390  the  church  was  taken  down,  rebuilt,  and  enlarged, 
the  Mayor,  William  Eastfield,  and  Commonalty  of  the  City  granting 
the  ground  for  that  purpose  three  and  a  half  feet  on  the  north  side, 
and  four  feet  at  the  east. 

This  was  a  small  building,  sixty  feet  long,  with  a  square  tower 
fifty  feet  high,  and  a  clock  on  the  south  face. 

This  same  Mayor  also  built  a  conduit,  which  stood  at  the  east 
end  of  the  church. 

On  the  8th  April,  1378,  application  was  made  by  the  Common 
Sergeant  on  behalf  of  the  Ward  of  Farringdon  Within  to  the  Mayor, 
that  Roger,  "Rector  of  St.  Michael,  and  the  churchwardens,  "  had 
lately  blocked  up  with  a  stone  wall  the  doorway  of  the  church,  through 
which  time  out  of  mind  there  had  been  a  common  passage  for  the 
people  through  the  church  all  the  day,  which  blocking  was  injurious, 
as  being  an  impediment  to  their  common  passage." 

The  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Sheriffs  went  in  person  to  the  church, 
and,  after  inspection,  they  named  a  day  for  reason  to  be  shown  why 
the  doorway  had  been  so  blocked  to  the  grievous  damage  of  the 
commonalty.  Appearance  was  made,  and  not  having  anything  to 
show  for  themselves,  they  were  ordered  under  a  penalty  of  £20  to  pull 
down  the  wall,  so  that  the  old  door  should  stand  open  for  common 
passage  through  ihe  said  church  during  the  day,  as  from  of  old  it  had 
been  wont  to  do." 

The  building  was  repaired  at  the  cost  of  the  parishioners  in 
1G17. 

The  church  was  built  from  the  foundation  with  free  stone,  and 
the  pulpit,  pews,  and  galleries  also  made  new  in  the  year  1638,  and 


140 

the  "  condit  adjoyning  unto  it  began  to  be  built  from  the  foundation 
with  free  stone  in  the  year  1643,  in  the  mayoralty  of  Sir  John 
Wooleston  (Grocer),  and  was  finished  in  the  year  1644,  in  the 
mayoralty  of  Thomas  Atkins  (Mercer)." — Notes  on  London  Churches, 
1631—1638. 

1368.— Adam  de  Eylesham  (Gpldsmith)  left  money  for  tapers  to 
burn  before  the  image  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  in  the  church. 

Geoffrey  Bernese  left  a  legacy  to  the  Brethren  of  the  Guild  of 
St.  Hilda.  He  also  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  church  under  the 
stone  "which  covers  the  body  of  Eliza,  his  late  wife";  also  he  left 
the  sum  of  twenty  shillings  for  gathering  together  the  chief 
parishioners  of  St.  Michael  and  their  "  friends  and  neighbours  within 
one  year  from  his  decease  and  giving  them  drinks." 

A  parishioner  in  1340  was  cited,  for  refusing  to  pay  for  the 
"  beme  light  "  and  also  the  wages  of  the  clerk. 

1531. — Sentence  of  condemnation  was  read  by  the  Bishop  of 
London  against  Tewkesbury,  a  Leath  seller,  of  St.  Michael-le-Querne, 
"  an  excellent  proficient  in  the  Gospel  of  reading  the  Books  of  the 
Scripture." 

There  was  in  this  church  a  monument  to  the  famous  antiquary 
and  writer,  John  Leland  (1552),  who  was  born  in  the  parish  : 

"  Here  lieth  interred  the  body  of  John  Leland,  native  of  this 
honourable  Citie  of  London,  brought  up  in  the  Universities  of  England 
and  France,  where  he  greatly  profited  in  all  good  learning  and 
languages.  Keeper  of  the  libraries  he  was  to  King  Henry  the  Eight, 
in  which  office  he  chiefly  applied  himselfe  to  the  study  of  antiquities, 
wherein  he  was  so  laborious  and  exquisite,  that  few  or  none  either 
before  or  since  may  be  with  him  compared,  which  will  best  appear  by 
his  New  Years'  gifts  to  the  said  King  Henry,  written  in  Latin  and 
translated  into  English  by  his  contemporary  companion,  John  Bale, 
and  by  him  intituled  '  The  Calseyouse  Journey  and  Serche  of  Johan 
Leylande  for  England's  Antiquities,'  given  of  him  as  a  New  Yeere's 
Gift  to  the  Kynge  Henry  the  Eighte,  in  the  thirty-seventh  yere  of 
his  Reyne." 

Stephen  Spelman,  Chamberlain  and  Sheriff,  1405. 

John  Banks  (Deputy),  Bassishaw  Ward,  1634. 

The  parish  registers  date  from  1558. 


141 

RECTORS. 

John  de  Mundene,  1274. 

Thomas  de  Newentone,  1351—1374.  "He  was  buried  in  the 
quire."  Eoger  Frysbury,  1378—1387.  Nicholas  Bury,  1399—1410. 
John  Holborn,  1413—1426.  John  Craas,  1427—1434. 

William  Eadcliffe,  LL.D.,  1454  ;  Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's ;  died 
1458. 

Henry  Hickman,  1535.     Thomas  Whitmore,  1547. 

Gervase  Smith,  Magdalene  College,  Oxford,  1568 ;  also  Rector  of 
St.  Martin,  Ludgate. 

John  Gravitt,  1571. 

Joshua  Gelpin,  Fellow  of  Queen's  College,  Oxford,  1577—1603  ; 
was  Rector  of  St.  Ann  and  Agnes,  1575  ;  St.  Vedast,  Foster  Lane, 
1578. 

George  Downham,  Christ  College,  Cambridge ;  Prebendary  of 
St.  Paul's,  1614—1616;  also  Rector  of  St.  Margaret,  Lothbury;  died 
1634  ;  was  buried  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral. 

William  Lawrence,  1620 — 1641.  "  A  most  excellent  pastor,  and 
extremely  beloved  by  his  parish.  Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Rebellion  was  sequestered." 

Anthony  Tuckney,  D.D.  ;  born  1599  ;  presented  to  the  living, 
1648.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Westminster  Assembly  of  Divines, 
in  the  deliberations  of  this  body  taking  a  very  important  pait.  1645, 
was  made  Master  of  Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge,  where  he  had 
been  educated.  1666,  he  deposited  all  his  library  at  Scriveners' 
Hall,  where  it  perished  in  the  Great  Fire.  He  died  1670,  and  was 
buried  in  the  church  of  St.  Andrew  Undershaft.  Richard  Baxter  says 
of  him  :  "  An  ever  humble  man."  Calamy  says  :  "  He  had  the  character 
of  an  eminently  pious  and  learned  man,  a  true  friend,  and  an 
indefatigible  student ;  a  candid  disputant  and  an  earnest  promoter  of 
truth  and  godliness." 

Matthew  Pool,  born  1624,  Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge,  1649  ; 
was  one  of  the  preachers  of  the  "Morning  Exercises"  at  St.  Giles, 
Cripplegate.  On  the  26th  August,  1660,  he  preached  a  sermon  at 
St.  Paul's  before  the  Lord  Mayor,  entitled :  "  Evangelical  Worship  is 
Spiritual  Worship,  discussed  in  a  Sermon  preached  at  Pawle's  by 
Matthew  Pool,  Minister  of  the  Gospel  at  Michael  Quern,  London,"  in 
which  he  endeavoured  to  make  a  stand  for  simplicity  of  public  worship, 


142 

especially  deprecating  "  curiosity  of  voice  and  musical  sounds  "  in 
church.  1662,  he  resigned  the  living.  He  was  one  of  those  who  in 
1672  presented  to  the  King  "a  cautious  and  moderate  thanksgiving 
for  the  Indulgence  of  March,  1672."  Died  at  Amsterdam,  1679,  aged 
fifty-six,  and  was  there  buried.  He  printed  and  published  a  large  number 
of  books  and  tracts,  one  of  them  being  '  Dialogues  between  a  Popish 
Priest  and  an  English  Protestant,  wherein  the  Points  and  Agreements 
of  both  Religions  are  truly  Proposed  and  fully  Examined.  1667." 
Dr.  Calamy  says  of  him  :  "  He  was  a  very  diligent  preacher  and  a 
hard  student ;  very  facetious  in  his  conversation,  very  true  to  his 
friends,  very  strict  in  his  piety,  and  universal  in  charity.  He  wrote  a 
voluminous  work  on  the  Bible  called  '  Synopsis  Criticorum,'  which  was 
published  in  five  large  volumes  folio,  and  was  said  to  be  '  an  admirable 
and  useful  work.'  ' 

The  presentation  belongs  to  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  St.  Paul's, 
with  whom  it  has  been  for  many  centuries. 


St.  TFUcbolas  Hcons. 

This  church  stood  on  the  west  side  of  Nicholas  Lane,  on  the  site 
of  the  present  churchyard.  It  must  have  been  a  very  ancient 
foundation,  for  we  read  that  as  early  as  1084  "  Godwin  with  his  wife, 
Terena,  for  the  redemption  of  their  souls  gave  the  church  of  St. 
Nicholas  and  St.  Aldehm  the  Confessor,  to  the  Church  of  Malmesbury 
for  ever." 

In  old  deeds,  dated  the  thirteenth  century,  this  church  is  said  to 
be  situate  in  Hakon  Lane,  or  Hakoun  Lane,  and  later  on  in  Aeon 
Lane. 

At  the  dissolution  the  living  came  to  the  Crown,  with  whom  it 
still  remains. 

1258. — "Ralph"  is  mentioned  as  "Chaplain  cf  St.  Nicholas 
Hakon." 

1297. — Gilbert  de  Chipsvede  left  his  tenement  in  the  parish 
charged  with  supplying  a  torch  annually  in  the  church  at  the 
Elevation  of  the  Host. 

1341. — Lawrence  de  Camn'eld  wished  to  be  buried  before  the  font, 


148 

and  left  money  to  maintain  a  lamp  before  the  rood ;  also  the  money 
for  a  fountain  situate  within  the  parish. 

1849. — John  de  Northall  (Clerk),  wished  to  be  buried  in  St. 
John's  Chapel  in  the  church  of  St.  Nicholas. 

1361. — Alice,  wife  of  John  de  Northall  (Clerk),  desired  to  be 
buried  near  her  late  husband  in  the  chapel  of  St.  John-the-Baptist. 

John  Botiler  (Draper)  left  for  the  use  of  the  church  of  St. 
Nicholas  a  silver  cup,  with  the  Royal  Arms  of  England  enamelled  on 
the  bottom  for  making  a  chalice,  and  two  silver  gilt  stands  and  five 
mazer  cups  for  making  a  thurible ;  also  all  his  broken  silver  and  a 
large  seal  with  a  shield  engraved  upon  it  with  a  cross  hanging  by  a 
chain. 

1408. — John  Walcote  desired  to  be  buried  near  the  chancel  of  the 
church,  and  also  left  to  the  Eector,  Sir  Richard  Chaundler,  lands  and 
tenements  in  the  parish  for  the  fabric  of  the  church. 

1383. — John  Barryll  desired  to  be  buried  before  the  rood. 

1423. — Solomon  Oxmaye  (Goldsmith)  left  to  the  Rector,  James 
Parayer,  tenements  in  Lombard  Street  for  religious  purposes,  the 
residue  of  the  profit  to  be  kept  in  a  box  in  the  church  under  the  care 
of  the  Rector  and  churchwardens,  to  be  devoted  to  the  fabric  and 
ornaments  of  the  church. 

1520. — Sir  John  Brydges,  Mayor  (Draper),  repaired  the  church, 
"  embellished  "  it,  and  was  there  buried. 

1553. — Joseph  Alleyn  (Draper)  wished  to  be  buried  in  the  church 
"  if  he  chanced  to  die  in  the  parish,  otherwise  in  the  parish  church 
where  he  may  happen  to  die,  '  withoute  anye  pompe  or  pride  of  vaine 
glorie.'  " 

On  a  tablet  in  the  church  was  the  following  inscription : 

"  0  ye  dere  frendys  whych  sail  hereaftyr  lie, 

Of  yowr  devotion  plese  ye  to  remembyr 

Me,  Richard  Payne,  which  of  this  noble  cite 

Somtym  whylst  I  lived  was  citizen  and  drapier, 

And  now  thro  Godd's  grace  buryd  am  I  here 

For  mercy  to  abyd  aftyr  this  life  present ; 

Trestyng  by  preyer  celestiall,  joy  to  be  my  judgement, 

Wherefor,  0  my  frendys  dere,  my  soul  ye  like, 

And  eve  Elisabeth,  my  wyf  and  children,  on  by  on  assist, 

And  I  sell  prey  God  for  peyne  yowr  souls  to  resist, 


144 

The  sooner  by  mediation  of  blessyd  St.  Albion, 
On  whos  day  in  June  on  cccclx.  and  thrice  on, 
Then  being  the  yere  of  God  as  hit  him  did  plese, 
Out  of  this  present  world  did  I  discease." 

There  was  a  monument  to  Francis  Bowyer,  Alderman  and  Sheriff, 
1580,  with  the  following  inscription : 

"  This  picture  is  for  others,  not  for  me, 
For  in  my  heart  I  wear  thy  memory  ; 
It  is  here  placed  that  passengers  may  know 
Within  thy  grounds  no  weeds  but  corn  did  grow  ; 
That  there  did  flow  within  thy  vital  blood, 
All  that  could  make  one  honest,  just,  and  good ; 
Here  is  no  elbow  room  to  write  of  more, 
An  epitaph  yields  taste,  but  seldom  more ; 
And  now  attend  thee  at  the  court  in  Heaven, 
Thy  worth,  sweet  Charles,  deserves  the  rarest  wit 
Thy  Jane  for  such  a  task  is  most  unfit." 

Sir  John  Hawkins,  Knt.,  the  famous  Naval  Commander,  was 
buried  here  ;  also  John  Briggs  (Draper),  Mayor,  1520,  who  lived  in 
Crooked  Lane. 

The  parish  registers  were  preserved  from  the  Fire.  They  date 
from  1539,  and  are  written  on  vellum.  There  are  entries  of  several 
marriages  during  the  time  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  when  the  ceremony  was 
performed  before  the  '  Aldermen  and  Justices  of  the  Peace." 

It  may  be  of  some  interest  to  give  here  the  principal  condition  of 
this  most  extraordinary  Act.  It  was  passed  24th  August,  1653.  It 
enacts  "  that  publication  of  the  intention  of  the  pastors  shall  be 
made  on  three  several  Lord's  Days,  at  the  close  of  the  morning 
exercise,  in  the  church  or  chapel,  or  in  the  market  place  next 
adjoining  on  three  market  days,  between  the  hours  of  eleven  and  two. 
That  all  persons  intending  to  be  married  should  come  before  some 
Justice  of  the  Peace  of  the  same  city  or  town.  The  ceremony  is  also 
directed,  the  man  taking  the  woman  by  the  hand  pronounced  the 
words  :  '  I,  A.  B.,  do  here,  in  the  presence  of  God,  the  searcher  of  all 
hearts,  take  thee,  C.  D.,  for  my  wedded  wife,  and  do  also  in  the 
presence  of  God,  and  before  these  witnesses,  promise  to  be  unto  thee  a 
loving  and  faithful  husband.'  The  same  words  were  repeated  by  the 
woman,  with  the  addition  of  '  an  obedient  wife.'  The  parties  were 


145 

then  declared  by  the  justices  to  be  man  and  wife.  It  was  also  added 
in  the  Act,  '  and  no  other  marriage  whatsoever  within  the  Common- 
wealth of  England  after  the  29th  September,  1553,  shall  be  held  or 
accounted  a  marriage  according  to  the  laws  of  England.'  " 

William  Lambarde,  the  historian  of  Kent,  was  born  in  this 
parish,  18th  October,  1536.  He  was  made  Bencher  of  Lincoln's  Inn 
1578  ;  a  Master  in  Chancery,  and  Keeper  of  the  Records,  1597  ;  Keeper 
of  the  Records  in  the  Tower,  1601 ;  died  1601,  and  was  buried  at 
Greenwich. 

RECTORS. 

.  Master  Nicholas,  1250.  Adam  Navrealton,  1345.  William 
Benington,  1371—1381.  John  Claypole,  1381—1401.  Richard 
Perry,  1435.  Richard  Lofthouse,  1444  ;  died  1462.  William  Sheriffe, 
1462—1472.  John  Willys,  1472;  died  1493.  Nicholas  Urswick, 
1497  ;  died  1506.  Robert  Portland,  1506—1531.  Maurice  Griffith, 
1531  ;  died  1558.  Thomas  Knell,  1570 ;  resigned  1572.  Robert 
Hales,  1579—1588. 

Robert  Temple,  Magdalene  College,  Oxford;  Prebendary  of  St. 
Paul's,  1592  ;  was  also  Rector  of  St.  George,  Botolph  Lane ;  died 
1598. 

Henry  Bird,  1604—1612.     John  Jones,  1612—1636. 

Matthew  Bennett,  1636,  was  presented  by  Charles  I.  Walker 
says :  "He  was  a  learned  and  genteel  man,  and  valued  by  Bishop 
Usher." 

William  Jenkyn ;  born  1612  (Cambridge) ;  was  appointed  Lecturer 
1636.  He  was  presented  by  Charles  I.  to  St.  Leonard's,  Colchester  ; 
was  also  Vicar  of  Christ  Church,  Newgate  Street,  to  which  he  was 
presented  by  the  Governors  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital.  On  his 
declaring  himself  a  Royalist  Presbyterian,  his  living  was  sequestered, 
but  on  the  next  vacancy  he  was  again  presented,  and  remained  there 
until  1662,  when  he  resigned.  He  held  also  a  Lectureship  at  St. 
Ann's,  Blackfriars.  It  is  recorded  that  at  Christ  Church  "  he 
exercised  his  ministry  morning  and  afternoon  to  a  crowded 
congregation  with  eminent  success."  "  Upon  the  destruction  of  the 
Monarchy  he  refused  to  observe  the  public  Thanksgiving.  For  this  he 
was  suspended  from  the  ministry."  In  1663  he  is  reported  "  as 
holding  a  conventicle  at  Mr.  Cleyton's,  in  Wood  Street ;  at  Mr. 


146 

Angell's,  in  Newgate  Market ;  and  at  the  '  Rose  and  Crown,'  in  Blowe 
Bladder  Street."  Upon  the  issuing  of  the  Act  of  Indulgence,  1672, 
he  took  out  a  license  for  himself  as  a  Presbyterian  preacher,  and 
another  for  his  "  house  or  chamber  in  Home  Alley,  Aldersgate  Street, 
as  a  worship  place,  where  he  had  large  congregations."  He  was  also 
chosen  to  preach  the  Merchants'  Lecture,  Pinners'  Hall.  September 
2nd,  1684,  "  Being  engaged  with  three  other  ministers  spending  the 
Lord's  Day  in  prayer  in  a  place  where  they  thought  themselves  safe 
and  out  of  danger,  the  soldiers  broke  in  upon  them,  and  Mr.  Jenkyn 
was  lodged  in  Newgate,"  where  he  died,  19th  January,  1685,  aged 
seventy-two  years.  A  nobleman,  having  heard  of  it,  said  to  the  King  : 
"  May  it  please  your  Majesty,  Jenkyn  has  got  his  liberty."  "  Eh  !  " 
he  replied,  eagerly,  " who  gave  it  to  him?"  The  nobleman  replied, 
"  A  greater  than  your  Majesty,  the  King  of  kings."  Upon  which  the 
King  seemed  much  struck.  Baxter  says  of  Mr.  Jenkyn,  "  A 
sententious. elegant  preacher."  He  was  buried  with  great  honour  in 
Bunhill  Fields. 

Thomas  Peck,  1648. 

John  Meriton,  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge,  1661  ;  resigned 
1664  ;  was  also  Rector  of  St.  Michael's,  Cornhill. 


St.  IKUcbolas  ©lave. 

This  church  in  the  twelfth  century  belonged  to  Gilbert  Foliot, 
Bishop  of  London,  and  was  by  him  given  to  the  Chapter  of  St.  Paul's, 
with  whom  the  presentation  still  remains. 

It  stood  on  the  west  side  of  Trinity  Lane,  was  of  great  age,  much 
dilapidated,  and  very  small.  1609,  it  was  taken  down  and  a  new 
building  erected  in  its  place. 

Between  the  consecration  of  the  new  building,  on  the  9th  April, 
1610,  and  its  destruction  by  fire  in  1666,  no  monuments  of  any  note 
were  erected,  with  the  exception  of  one  to  John  D'Arcy,  second  son  of 
John,  Lord  D'Arcy,  who  died  1593 ;  and  one  to  Gresield  Windesor, 
daughter  of  Henry,  Lord  Windesor,  who  died  January  27th,  1600. 

1628. — The  church  was  repaired  at  a  cost  of  £24. 

1628. — "  The  South  He,  that  was  like  a  cottage  before,  only  tiled, 


147 

was  ceiled,  and  that  gracefully  and  decently  finished,  which,  with  some 
cost  bestowed  on  the  steeple,  did  arise  to  the  sum  of  £22  at  the  cost  of 
the  parish." 

1632. — The  church  was  enriched  with  a  very  fair  gallery  at  the 
cost  of  Richard  Turner  and  John  Nowell. 

1662. — The  building  was  repaired  at  a  cost  of  £50  7s.  6d. 
After  the  Fire   the   parishioners   met    for    twenty    years    in   a 
temporary  building  called  the  "  Tabernacle." 

1557. — Thomas  Lewin  (Ironmonger)  left  some  houses  charged 
with  the  maintenance  of  a  mass  priest  in  the  church.  "  He  was  to 
dwell  in  the  fairest  of  the  five  new  tenements,  which  the  testator  was 
about  to  erect  in  the  churchyard,  the  remaining  four  to  be  set  apart 
for  dwelling  houses  for  four  poor  and  honest  men  to  live  rent  free  and 
to  receive  each  twenty  pence  quarterly." 

Blitheman,  Organist  of  the  Queen's  Chapel,   was  buried  here,  in 
whose  memory  the  following  inscription  was  placed : 
"  Here  Blitheman  lies,  a  worthy  knight 

Who  feared  God  above ; 
A  friend  to  all,  a  foe  to  none, 

Whom  riche  and  poore  did  love ; 
Of  Prince's  Chappell,  Gentleman, 

Unto  his  dying  day, 
Whom  all  took  great  delight  to  heare 

Him  on  the  organs  play  ; 
Whose  passing  skill  in  musicke's  art 

A  scholer  left  behinde. 
John  Bull  (by  name),  his  master's  veine, 

Expressing  on  each  kinde. 
But  nothing  here  continues  long, 

Nor  resting  place  can  have, 
His  soule  departed  hence  to  Heaven, 

His  body  here  in  grave." 
He  died  on  Whit- Sunday,  Anno  Domini  1591. 
William  Newport,  Sheriff,  1875,  was  buried  here, 


148 


RECTORS. 

John  Perochier,  1327.  Henry  de  Welwyn,  1336—1392.  Walter 
Trewethy,  1428—1434.  John  Puson,  1437—1456. 

Sir  John  Sason,  1498 — 1519,  "  prest  and  parson  of  St.  Nicholas 
Oluff,  in  Bred  Street,  London.  He  desired  to  be  buried  in  the  quer 
on  the  left  side  of  Maister  Harry  Willows,  some  time  parson  of  the 
sayd  churche,  or  before  Seint  Nicholas,  with  a  littell  tombe  for  the 
resurrection  of  Ester  Day,  and  he  gives  twenty  shillings  to  the  parish 
church  of  Bloxam,  where  I  was  born." 

Edmund  Cowper,  1546—1562.  Peter  Lillye,  1589—1601.  John 
Greenwood,  1610—1612.  Richard  Cheshire,  1612—1642,  "  molested 
and  forced  to  resign." 

Oliver  Whitbie,  Trinity  College,  1643;  resigned  1660;  Arch- 
deacon of  London  ;  Canon  of  Chichester,  1672. 

Joseph  Cart,  1660. 


St.  ©lave,  Silver  Street. 

This  church  is  generally  supposed  to  have  been  a  timber 
structure.  It  was  of  great  age,  and  in  1609  was  pulled  down,  a  new 
building  being  erected  in  its  stead. 

The  church  possessed  a  picture  of  the  King,  there  being  in  1662 
a  charge  for  £1  for  it,  "  and  the  rest  that  was  paid  more  for  it  was 
given  by  them  that  desired  not  to  be  known." 

The  building  was  repaired  1662,  at  a  cost  of  £50  7s.  6d. 

The  churchyard  is  small. 

For  a  considerable  period  the  parish  held  an  additional  piece  of 
ground  in  Noble  Street,  which  was  called  the  "  anatomizer's  "  ground. 
The  record  of  the  burial  of  "  anatomies  "  is  frequent. 

The  number  of  burials  registered  in  1665-6  is  119. 

The  situation  of  the  church  is  denoted  by  a  stone  in  the  wall  of 


149 

the  present  churchyard,  with  the  following  inscription  beneath  a  skull 
and  cross  bones  : 

"  THIS  WAS  THE  PARISH  CHURCH 
OF  ST.  OLAVE,  SILVER  STREET, 
DESTROYED  BY  THE  DREADFULL 
FIRE  IN  THE  YEAR  1666." 

On  the  left  of  the  gate  is  another  stone  with  the  inscription  : 

"  THIS  KAIL  AND  RAILINGS  WAS  ERECTED  BY 

VOLUNTARY  SUBSCRIPTIONS  ANNO  DOM.  1796. 

WILLIAM  WEBSTER, 

CHURCHWARDEN." 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  report  of  a  visitation  of  London, 
made  in  1527,  for  the  detection  of  heresy,  by  Jeffrey  Wharton,  D.D., 
acting  for  the  Bishop  of  London  : 

"  The  said  Hacker  confessed  that  he  and  others  met  once  a 
quarter  in  his  own  house,  and  that  they  read  sometimes  in  a  Book  of 
Paul  and  sometimes  in  a  Book  of  the  Epistles  ;  and  that  he,  and 
Russell,  and  Maxwell,  of  St.  Olave,  Silver  Street  (Bricklayer),  were 
much  conversant." 

Strype  relates  that  "  the  29th  of  July,  being  St.  Olave's  Day, 
was  the  church  holiday  in  Silver  Street,  the  parish  church  whereof 
being  dedicated  to  that  saint.  And  at  eight  of  the  clock  at  night, 
began  a  stage  play  of  a  goodly  matter  (relating  it  is  like  to  that  saint) 
that  continued  unto  twelve  at  midnight,  and  then  they  made  an  end 
with  a  good  song." 

John  Banister,  a  well-known  London  surgeon,  lived  in  the  parish 
in  Silver  Street,  and  was  buried  in  its  churchyard.  He  was  born 
1540  ;  died  1610.  One  of  the  works  which  he  published  was  entitled  : 
"  The  History  of  Man,  Suck'd  from  the  Sap  of  the  most  approved 
Anatomists,"  in  nine  books,  London,  1578. 

After  his  death  a  collected  edition  of  his  surgical  works  was 
published  entitled  :  "  The  Works  of  that  Famous  Chyrurgion,  Mr. 
John  Banister,  in  six  books." 

In  the  churchwardens'  book  of  accounts,  1630,  are  charges  for 
"  making  the  lanthorn  in  the  belfry  "  ;  also  its  repairs,  the  supply  of 
candles  at  6d.  the  lb.,  and  the  salary  of  the  sextoness  for  cleaning  and 
hanging  out  the  lanthorn. 


150 

There  are  also  chronicled  the  ringing  of  the  bells  on  the  birthday 
of  Queen  Elizabeth ;  the  coronation  of  Charles  I.  ;  the  birth  "  of  our 
young  prince,"  1630 ;  the  princess,  1632 ;  the  duke,  1634  ;  and  the 
Queen  being  brought  to  bed  1636.  On  the  King's  "  coming  out "  of 
Scotland  the  ringing  was  kept  up  for  two  days,  and  the  victory  at 
Naseby  was  not  forgotten.  The  swearing-in  of  the  Lord  Protector, 
1653  ;  the  proclamation  of  Charles  II.,  and  his  dining  at  Guildhall 
were  also  commemorated. 

The  churchwardens'  receipts  for  1631-2  were  £89  15s.  2d.,  and 
the  payments  £76  6s.  lid. 

There  were  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  ratepayers.  The  rate 
books  show  that  Judge  Jeffreys  was  owner,  if  not  occupier,  of  premises 
in  the  parish  from  the  time  of  his  being  Common  Sergeant,  in  1676, 
until  his  fall,  1685-6. 

Among  the  inhabitants  were  Sir  Robert  Tichborne,  Alderman. 
His  lectures,  1657-8,  are  frequently  referred  to ;  also  the  names  of  Dr. 
Gifford  and  Lord  Winsor,  1637. 

The  parish  possessed  a  whipping-post,  but  it  is  not  mentioned 
after  1638. 

The  price  of  iron  bars  for  the  vestry  windows  is  stated  at  3^d. 
a  pound. 

The  loss  by  light  gold  is  more  than  once  alluded  to,  especially  that 
"  that  came  from  the  Lord  Mayor,"  in  1637,  causing  a  debit  against 
the  parish  of  2s.  6d.  Also  an  entry — "  Paid  for  a  proclamation  for 
avoiding  the  gentry,  3d." 

Some  of  the  entries  relating  to  the  relief  of  the  poor  in  1630  are 
quaint : 

"  Item — Given  to  a  lame  man  born  in  the  parish  to  set  him  going, 
Is." 

"1631. — Given  to  a  poor  woman  converted  from  Popery  by  cer- 
tificate, Is." 

"  1637. — For  a  bedstead  for  a  poor  woman,  and  to  be  rid  of 
her,  8s.  4d." 

"  A  sick  woman,  4d."     "  To  get  her  away,  4d." 

In  1662,  relief  to  the  amount  of  4s.  was  given  to  "  one  poor 
minister  having  seven  children  ready  to  starve." 

1638. — 2s.  was  given  to  two  poor  "  Irishmen  whose  houses  were 
burnt  by  the  Turks." 


151 

RECTOKS. 

Roger  de  Shawdelane,  1343.  William  de  Abinton,  1349.  William 
de  Burton,  1380. 

Thomas  de  Middleton,  Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's  1391.    Died  1414. 

John  Maunsfield,  1412.  Died  1414.  Edward  Hyke,  1512.  John 
David,  1530.  George  Newton,  1535.  William  Ashton,  1547. 

Abraham  Wright,  "  Minister,"  1555.  Died  1600,  at  Oakham, 
Lincolnshire,  where  he  was  Vicar. 

Anthony  Simpson,  1566.     Died  1567.     Rowland  Herring,  1570. 

Rowland  Hill,  "  Clerk  Parson,"  1581.  This  gentleman  was 
appointed  trustee  of  some  charities  in  the  parish. 

John  Donne,  1589.  Resigned  1592.  Was  also  Rector  of  St. 
Benet,  Gracechurch. 

John  Flint,  1592.  Thomas  Boothe,  LL.B.,  1610.  Died  1616. 
Thomas  Mamie,  1621.  Died  1641.  John  Bellchawne,  Magdalene 
Hall,  Oxford,  1644.  Walter  Taylour,  Queen's  College,  Cambridge, 
1644. 

Abraham  W'right,  Fellow  of  St.  John's  College,  Oxford,  1655.  This 
gentleman  was  born  in  Black  Swan  Alley  in  the  parish  of  St.  James, 
Garlickhithe,  1611 ;  was  educated  partly  at  Mercers  School,  Cheapside, 
and  also  at  Merchant  Taylors  School.  He  was  accounted  "  an  elegant 
preacher,"  and  frequently  filled  the  pulpit  of  St.  Mary's,  Oxford,  and 
of  St.  Paul's  Cathedral.  He  was  chosen  by  the  parishioners  of  St. 
Olave  as  their  rector,  and  remained  four  years,  resigning  in  1660, 
going  from  there  to  Okeham.  "He  was  a  person  of  open  and  professed 
affections  for  conformity,  and  no  favourer  of  sectarians  and  their 
conventicles  ;  was  therefore  not  beloved  by  the  Dissenters  of  his  parish, 
which  was  full  of  them."  He  died  1690  ;  was  buried  at  Okeham. 
He  wrote  and  published  several  works,  among  them  the  two  following: 
"  Five  Sermons  on  Five  Several  Stiles  or  Ways  of  Preaching ;  the 
first  in  Bishop  Andrewe's  Way,  before  the  late  King  upon  the  first  day 
of  Lent ;  the  second  in  Bishop  Hall's  Way,  before  the  Clergie  at  the 
Author's  own  Ordination  in  Christ  Church  in  Oxon  ;  the  third  in  Dr. 
Mayne's  and  Mr.  Cartwright's  Way,  before  the  Universitie  at  St. 
Mary's  in  Oxford;  the  fourth  in  the  Presbyterian  Way,  before  the 
City  at  St.  Paule's  in  London  ;  and  the  fifth  in  the  Independent  Way, 
never  preached.  Lond.  1656." 

"  A   Practical   Commentary   or   Exposition   upon    the    Book    of 


152 

Psalms,  wherein  the  Text  of  every  Psalm  is  practically  expounded 
according  to  the  Doctrine  of  the  Cath.  Church  in  a  way  not  usually 
trod  hy  Commentators,  and  wholly  applyed  to  the  Life  and  Salvation 
of  Christians.  Lond.  1641." 

Dr.  Bossie,  1661.     "  He  was  abused  and  died  with  grief." 

William  King,  Caius  College,  Cambridge,  1662. 

Thomas  Douglas,  "minister,"  resigned  1662.  He  afterwards 
took  his  degree  as  Doctor  of  Physic,  but  ran  into  debt.  Afterwards 
went  to  Ireland,  where  he  died.  He  wrote  a  book  called  "  The  Great 
Mysterie  of  Godliness,  opened  by  way  of  Antidote  against  the  Great 
Mysterie  of  Iniquity  now  awork  in  the  Eomish  Church." 

The  alternate  patronage  is  with  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  St. 
Paul's  and  the  Provost  and  Fellows  of  Eton  College. 


St.  jpancras,  Sopei*  Xane. 

This  church,  first  erected  in  the  twelfth  century,  stood  in  Pancras 
Lane  and  Queen  Street,  or  as  the  latter  was  called,  Soper  Lane.  The 
present  churchyard  points  the  spot.  It  is  but  a  short  distance  from 
that  of  St.  Benet  Shereog  in  the  same  lane.  The  church  was  also 
at  the  corner  of  a  small  lane  called  Needles  Lane,  but  this  was  not 
a  thoroughfare. 

The  building  was  small,  with  a  handsome  porch,  steeple  and 
tower  containing  five  bells. 

There  was  a  chapel  in  the  north  side  of  the  church  dedicated  to 
the  Holy  Virgin,  a  chantry  having  been  founded  in  it,  1353,  by  John 
de  Causton  (Mercer).  There  was  also  an  Altar  of  Our  Lady.  Margaret 
Eeynolds,  who  had  given  £68  towards  rebuilding  the  north  wall  of 
the  church,  left  money  for  a  Mass  to  be  said  daily  at  this  Altar. 

In  the  same  year,  Koger,  Bishop  of  Waterford,  granted  forty  days 
pardon  to  those  who  offered  for  this  church  and  prayed  for  the  welfare 
of  the  kingdom. 

1374. — William,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  granted  an  indulgence 
of  forty  days  to  all  those  truly  penitent  and  confessed  who  should  con- 
tribute to  the  support  of  the  bell  called  "  Le  Clok,"  in  the  tower  of  the 
parish  church  of  St.  Pancras. 


153 

Richard,  Bishop  of  Bifancon,  also  issued  a  pardon  of  forty  days  to 
those  pious  persons  who  gave  oblations  to  God  and  the  church  of  St. 
Pancras,  for  the  support  of  the  structure,  books,  and  ornaments,  and 
who  also  would  in  charity  pray  for  the  prosperity  of  the  church. 

Henry  Deyner  (Ironmonger)  left  money  for  the  maintenance  of 
the  clock. 

1375. — John  Biernes  (Alderman,  Mayor  1370),  desired  to  be 
buried  in  the  church,  near  the  tomb  of  Christina  (his  wife). 

1419. — John  Haddele  (Grocer)  left  a  bequest  to  Sir  John  Wykyng- 
stone,  the  Rector,  in  aid  of  maintaining  the  church  clock. 

1427. — John  Everard  left  money  for  the  same  purpose. 

This  church  must  have  held  an  important  position  in  the  old 
city,  for  we  read  that  on  the  23rd  June,  1561  :  "  Gilbert,  Bishop  of 
Bath  and  Wells,  by  license  from  the  Archbishop,  ordained  six  deacons 
in  the  church  of  St.  Pancras,  belonging  to  the  deanery  of  the  church 
of  the  Arches,  and  on  the  20th  July  the  same  Bishop  ordained  two 
deacons  and  four  priests." 

1617.— Thomas  Chapman,  a  wealthy  member  of  the  congregation, 
presented  to  the  church  a  monument  bearing  the  figure  of  "  that  our 
famous  Queen  Elisabeth." 

The  following  was  the  inscription  : 

"  To  the  most  happy,  blessed,  and  precious  memory  of  the  late 
famous  and  never-to-be-forgotten  Monarch,  Queen  Elisabeth,  the 
Restorer  of  our  Religion,  a  tender  nursing  Mother  of  the  Church  of 
God,  a  powerful  Protector  (under  Almighty  God)  of  her  own 
Dominions,  a  ready  Helper  of  her  neighbouring  Princes,  a  hearty  and 
unfeigned  Lover  and  beloved  of  her  subjects,  who  lived  gloriously  full 
of  days,  and  whom  the  Eternal  Jehovah  blessed  with  the  longest  life 
of  any  Prince  of  England  since  the  Conquest.  By  way  of  due 
Thankfulness  to  the  most  Holy  Sacred  and  Individual  Trinity,  and 
her  ever-honoured  Royal  Virtues,  this  Memorial  of  hers  was  here 
erected,  set  up  and  consecrated,  the  17th  November,  1617." 

In  the  same  year  a  son  of  this  gentleman  built  at  his  own  cost  a 
porch.  He  also  left  two  pounds  for  a  dinner  for  the  parson  and 
churchwardens  with  such  relatives  of  Mr.  Chapman  as  might  be  in 
town  on  the  same  day  as  that  on  which  the  dinner  was  given ;  two 
pounds  twelve  shillings  for  sweeping  the  pulpit  at  Paul's  Cross  once  a 
week ;  one  pound  for  two  lanthorns  with  candles  to  be  hung  up  in 


154 

Soper  Lane ;  twenty  shillings  for  teaching  scholars  of  the  name  of 
Chapman  at  Barley,  in  Herts. 

On  a  monument  in  the  north  wall  of  the  choir  was  this  inscription  : 

"  Here  underlyeth  huried  James  Huyish,  Citizen  and  Grocer, 
London,  third  son  of  John  Huyish,  of  Beaufort,  in  the  County  of 
Somerset,  Esq.,  which  James  had  to  his  first  wife  Margaret  Bouchier, 
by  whom  he  had  issue  eleven  children,  and  to  his  second  wife,  Mary 
Moffatt,  hy  whom  he  had  issue  eighteen  children.  He  died  on  the 
20th  day  of  August,  An.  Dom.  1590." 

The  following  were  buried  in  the  church :  John  Barnes  (Mercer), 
Mayor,  1370.  He  gave  a  chest  with  three  locks  and  one  thousand 
marks  to  be  lent  to  young  men  on  security.  He  was  also  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  church  of  St.  Thomas-the-Apostle. 

John  Hadley  (Grocer),  Mayor,  1379. 

John  Stokton  (Mercer),  Mayor,  1470.  He  was  one  of  the  twelve 
Aldermen  who  was  knighted  by  Edward  IV.  on  the  field,  as  a  reward 
for  suppressing  the  insurrection  of  Falconbridge. 

Richard  Gardener,  Mayor,  147H. 

Stow  relates  :  "  That  in  this  church  do  lie  the  remains  of  Robert 
Packington,  merchant,  slain  with  a  gun  as  he  was  going  to  Morrow- 
Mass  from  his  house  in  Chepe  to  St.  Thomas  of  Aeons,  1536." 

In  Hale's  Chronicle,  ed.  1548,  fo.  231,  this  circumstance  is  more 
fully  recited : 

"  In  this  yere  [November,  1536] ,  one  Robert  Packynton,  Mercer 
of  London,  a  man  of  good  substance,  and  yet  not  so  riche  as  honest 
and  wyse,  this  man  dwelled  in  Cheapside,  at  the  sign  of  the  "  Legg," 
and  used  daily  at  foure  of  the  clocke,  winter  and  summer,  to  rise  and 
go  to  Masse  at  a  churche  then  called  St.  Thomas  of  Acres,  but  now 
named  the  Mercers'  Chapel,  and  one  mornyng,  emong  all  other  beying 
a  greate  mistie  mornyng,  such  as  hath  seldome  be  seene,  even  as  he 
was  crossyng  the  strete  from  his  house  to  the  churche,  he  was  sodenly 
murdered  with  a  gonne,  whiche  of  the  neighbors  was  playnly  herd, 
and  by  a  great  nombre  of  labourers  at  the  same  tyme  standyng  at 
Soper  Lane,  and  he  was  both  sene  to  go  forth  of  his  house,  and  also 
the  clap  of  the  gonne  was  hard,  but  the  dede  doer  was  never  espied  or 
known.  Many  were  suspected  but  none  could  be  found  fauty ;  howbeit, 
it  is  true  that  forasmuch  as  he  was  knowen  to  be  a  man  of  great 
courage,  and  one  that  could  both  speke  and  also  could  be  harde ;  and 


155 

that  the  same  tyme  he  was  one  of  the  burgesses  of  the  parliament  for 
the  Citye  of  London,  and  had  talked  somewhat  against  the 
covetousnesse  and  crueltee  of  the  clergie,  he  was  had  in  contempte 
with  them,  and  therefore  mooste  lykely  by  one  of  them  was  shamefully 
murdered  as  you  perceive  that  Master  Honne  was  in  the  sixth  year  of 
the  reign  of  this  Kyng." 

On  boards  fixed  in  the  porch  were  written  the  names  of  benefactors 
to  the  parish. 

We  read  that  when  an  occasional  service  was  held  in  the  evening, 
"  the  church  was  lighted  with  candles,  and  the  rich  folk  brought  with 
them  their  male  servants  with  staves  to  beat  off  the  rogues  as  they 
returned  from  church  on  dark  nights,  and  torches  were  made  use  of. 
The  journey  to  and  fro  was  often  one  full  of  adventure,  if  not  risk." 

1882. — William  Islip  was  "Parson."  Stow  mentions  a  monu- 
ment to  his  memory  in  the  old  church  of  St.  Dunstan-in-the-East. 
William  Islip  was  a  relation  of  Simon  Islip,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury, 
to  whom  the  patronage  of  St.  Pancras  was  conveyed  the  24th  April, 
1365,  by  the  Prior  and  Chaplain  of  Christ  Church,  Canterbury.  The 
grant,  which  is  in  Latin,  includes  in  the  transfer  of  patronage  the 
churches  of  St.  Pancras  and  All  Hallows,  Bread  Street. 

The  alternate  patronage  still  belongs  to  the  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury  and  the  Grocers  Company. 

William  Sawtre  was  "Parson  "  of  this  church  1399,  the  living 
being  in  the  gift  of  the  Prior  and  Canons  of  St.  Mary  Overie,  South- 
wark.  He  was  one  of  the  first  victims  of  the  Act  passed  in  the  reign 
of  Henry  IV.  for  dealing  with  heretics.  On  the  12th  February,  1401, 
he  was  summoned  by  Archbishop  Arundel  to  appear  before  the 
Convocation  at  St.  Paul's,  the  following  charges  being  made  against 
him — "  Refusing  to  adore  the  true  Cross  save  as  a  '  symbol  by  vicarious 
adoration ' ;  with  maintaining  that  priests  might  omit  the  repetition 
of  the  '  hours '  for  more  important  duties,  such  as  preaching  ;  that  the 
money  expended  in  pilgrimages  for  the  attainment  of  any  temporal 
good  might  be  more  profitably  distributed  to  the  poor  ;  that  men  were 
more  worthy  of  adoration  than  angels,  and  that  the  Bread  of  the 
Eucharist  after  consecration,  though  it  was  the  Bread  of  Life,  remained 
bread."  Sawtre  was  burnt  at  Smithfield,  10th  March,  1401. 

Foxe,  in  his  "Book  of  Martyrs,"  says  :  "  As  King  Henry  IV.  was 
the  first  of  all  English  kings  that  begun  the  unmerciful  burning  of 


156 

Christ's  saints  for  standing  against  the  Pope,  so  was  this  William 
Sawtre  the  true  and  faithfull  martyr  of  Christ,  the  first  of  all  them  in 
Wicklyffe's  time,  which  I  find  to  be  burned  in  the  reigne  of  the  afore- 
said King,  which  was  in  the  yeare  of  our  Lord  1401." 

The  decree  of  Henry  IV.  ordering  the  burning  of  Sawtre  is  dated 
at  Westminster,  February  26th,  1401. 

RECTORS. 

Henry  de  Elmynstone,  1312.  John  \Vykington,  1403-1413. 
Richard,  1416;  died  1450.  John  Kyrkeby,  Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's, 
1448.  Thomas  Bromhall,  1452 ;  resigned  1459.  John  Rurnpayne, 
1508-1539. 

Henry  Bedell,  1561-1568 ;  also  Rector  of  Christ  Church, 
Newgate  Street,  and  St.  Stephen,  Walbrook  ;  died  1576. 

Francis  Purefoy,  1568 ;  Rector  of  Horncastle,  Lincolnshire, 
1585. 

Richard  Turnbull,  Corpus  Christi  College,  1582  ;  died  1593. 

George  Walker,  "  Parson,"  1540,  was  charged  with  preaching 
against  confession,  holy  water,  praying  for  saints,  purgatory.  He  was 
also  presented,  suspended,  and  committed  before  the  Ordinary  for 
certain  books.  He  was  also  curate  of  All  Hallows-the-Less. 

Thomas  Mountain,  1558  ;  was  Rector  of  St.  Michael  Royal,  1550; 
sent  to  the  Marshalsea  Prison  by  Bishop  Gardner,  1553.  Soon  after 
this  he  went  to  Antwerp.  On  his  return  was  presented  to  St.  Pancras, 
which  he  resigned  1561.  He  compiled  a  '•  Relation  of  the  Troubles 
he  underwent  for  the  sake  of  Religion,"  1553. 

Abraham  Lambe,  1593.  He  wrote  a  tract,  entitled  "  A  Memoriall, 
&c.,  of  Mr.  William  Lambe,  Esquier  "  ;  also  "  An  Epitaph,  or  Funerall 
Inscription,  upon  the  Godlie  Life  and  Death  of  the  Right  Worshipfull 
Maister,  William  Lambe,  Esquier,  Founder  of  the  New  Conduit  in 
Holborne,  deceased  the  21st  April,  1580." 

Abraham  Fleming ;  died  1607.  He  was  the  earliest  translator 
into  English  of  the  "  Bucolics  and  Georgics  of  Virgil." 

Gerrard  Ecop,  1636.  In  1649  the  living  was  sequestered,  and 
another  Rector,  by  Order  of  Parliament,  was  put  in  his  place.  Walker 
says  "  that  he  was  plundered,  forced  to  fly,  his  wife  and  children 
turned  out  of  doors." 

Christopher  Goade  was  chosen  lecturer,  1644,  to  preach  on  Sunday 


157 

afternoons,  "  £50  to  be  collected  annually  to  pay  him."  It  is  recorded 
that  Mr.  Ecop,  the  Rector,  objected  to  this  appointment.  A  short  time 
after  Mr.  Goade  was  appointed  Rector,  but  soon  after  "  was  turned  out 
of  office  "  for  refusing  to  preach  at  some  particular  request  of  the 
parishioners. 

Joshua  Sprigg,  New  Inn  Hall,  Oxford,  1650;  also  preacher  at 
St.  Mary  Aldermary  ;  buried  at  Crayford,  1684. 

George  Cockayn,  Sidney  Sussex  College,  Cambridge,  was  a 
celebrated  minister  of  this  church,  and  a  strong  Puritan.  The  year  of 
his  appointment  is  not  clear,  but  in  1646  he  wrote  himself  "  minister 
of  Pancras,  Soper  Lane."  During  his  incumbency  the  church  had  an 
increasing  and  fashionable  congregation.  One  of  these  was  Sir 
Balstrode  Whitelocke,  one  of  the  Lord  Commissioners  of  the  Great 
Seal.  Under  the  ministration  of  Mr.  Cockayn  it  is  related  "  that  the 
service  of  the  church  was  strictly  Independent.  No  use  was  made  of 
the  Prayer  Book,  but  the  minister  prayed  extempore.  The  Psalms 
were  sung  by  the  congregation,  and  the  sermon  occupied  the  chief 
portion  of  the  service."  In  1648,  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine,  he  was 
chosen  to  preach  before  the  House  of  Commons  at  St.  Margaret's 
Church.  The  service,  we  are  told,  lasted  between  three  and  four 
hours.  In  January,  1658,  he  preached  a  funeral  sermon  at  St. 
Stephen's,  Walbrook,  on  Colonel  William  Underwood,  an  Alderman 
of  the  City.  In  consequence  of  the  Act  of  Uniformity  he  resigned 
the  living,  but  it  is  said  "  he  preached  in  several  City  churches  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  his  friends,  where  he  was  always  welcome."  Died 
1691,  aged  seventy-two. 

Nicholas  Lockier,  Fellow  of  Eton  College,  "  Preacher,"  1662. 

Samuel  Dillingham,  1662. 

Among  the  records  of  the  parish  are  the  following  : 

"  A  copy  of  the  charge  given  to  this  parish  anno  1555,  October 
30th. 

"  To  make  up  the  Altars  by  November  8th. 

"  To  make  up  the  rood  loft  with  the  rood  Mary  and  John  of  five 
feet  long  by  Candlemas 

"  To  bring  in  a  bill  of  presentment  to  Mr.  Warrington  within 
fourteen  days,  containing  the  names  of  the  spoilers  of  the 
church,  and  who  have  any  of  the  church  goods,  and  the 
names  of  them  that  come  not  to  the  church,  or  receive  not 


158 

the  Sacrament  there,  and  of  those  that  do  come  and  use 
themselves  there  irreverently." 

May  30th,  1641. — The  Vestry  assembled  in  order  "to  subscribe 
the  protestation  of  their  abhorrence  to  restore  the  Roman  Catholics 
and  their  determination  to  maintain  the  Protestant  religion." 

15th  October,  1641. — The  Vestry  resolved  to  remove  a  picture 
which  was  either  hung  or  painted  upon  the  wall  over  the  font,  all 
inscriptions  on  grave  stones  tending  to  superstition,  all  the  crosses  on 
the  walls,  and  that  on  the  candlestick  for  the  pulpit,  the  initials 
"I.H.S."  the  word  Christ  by  the  commandments,  and  the  statues  in 
the  church  porch.  "  A  silver  flagon  lately  given  by  Mrs.  Wightman, 
and  which  had  the  initials  '  I.H.S.'  engraved  upon  it.  This  idolatrous, 
Jesuitical,  and  superstitious  mark  "  was  to  be  rubbed  off. 

The  parish  registers  date  from  1538. 


St.  jpeter,  Paul's  Wbart 

This  was  a  small  church  standing  in  Upper  Thames  Street  at  the 
corner  of  Benet's  Hill.  The  foundation  was  ancient,  as  it  is  stated 
that  in  1181  it  belonged  to  the  Canons  of  St.  Paul's,  who  received  a 
rent  of  12d.  from  Rudulphus,  the  priest. 

There  were  no  monuments. 

It  was  repaired  at  the  cost  of  the  parishioners  1655,  and  a  "  fair 
table  of  the  commandments  placed  in  the  chancel,  1619." 

On  the  wall  of  the  old  churchyard  is  inscribed : 

BEFORE  YE  LATE  DREADFULL  FYER 

THIS  WAS  YE  PARISH  CHURCH 

OF  ST.  PETER'S,  PAUL'S  WHARFE. 

DEMOLISHED  SEPTEMBER,  1666. 

AND    WAS    ERECTED 

FOR  A  CHURCH  YARDE 
ANNO  DOMINI.  1675. 

THIS  STONE  WAS  NEW  FAC'D  AND  LETTER'D, 
THE  WALL  AND  IRON  PALLISADES  ERECTED. 


MR.  BOXALL  TARVBR  j 
L.LIAM  HOLME  j 
ANNO  DOMINI  1779. 


,»      TT7  TT  \  CHURCHWARDENS. 

MR.  WILLIAM  HOLME 


159 

Evelyn,  in  his  "  Diary,"  says : 

"  March  25th,  1649. — I  heard  the  Common  Prayer  [a  rare  thing 
in  those  days]  in  St.  Peter's  at  Paul's  Wharf." 

"  During  the  time  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  in  this  church  was  con- 
tinued without  interruption  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England  and 
the  dispensation  of  the  Sacraments.  Many  of  the  nobility  resorted 
here  at  this  time." 

Newcourt  relates  that  "the  galleries  for  their  accommodation  were 
richly  hung  with  Turkey  carpets,  &c." 

RECTORS. 

Hugh  de  Mavary,  1315.  Robert  de  Kyrkeby,  136G-1389.  John 
Spicer,  1397-1407.  John  Dowell,  1429-1434.  John  Horsfell, 
1572-1587.  James  Barley,  1626. 

Edward  Maubury,  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  1632 ;  sequestered 
by  the  Westminster  Assembly  of  Divines,  1645. 

Andrew  Geare,  born  1622;  "Minister,"  1651.  He  held  the 
living  for  six  years,  removing  then  to  Woburn,  Beds.  Some  time  after 
he  was  a  minister  at  Dartmouth,  where  he  died,  1662. 

The  patronage  belongs  to  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  St.  Paul's. 


St.  peter,  Mestcbeap. 

This  church  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  churchyard,  at  the 
end  of  Wood  Street,  Cheapside.     In  ancient  records  it  is  named  in  a 
variety  of  ways  :    "  St.  Peter  at  the  Cross  in  Chepe  "  ;    "  St.  Peter, 
Cheap  "  ;  "  St.  Peter  le  Chepe  "  ;  "  St.  Peter  de  Woode  Streete  "  (and 
Newcourt  says)  "  Kcdesia  S.  Petri  de  Went  Chepe." 

The  patronage  anciently  belonged  to  the  Abbot  and  Convent  of 
St.  Albans,  who  retained  it  until  the  dissolution  of  religious  houses, 
when  Henry  VIII.  granted  it  to  Lord  Wriothesly,  from  whom  it  passed 
through  the  Montagu  family  to  the  Dukes  of  Buccleugh,  with  whom 
the  alternate  presentation  still  remains,  together  with  the  Bishop  of 
London. 

1285. — Falk  de  Wagefeurd  (Vintner)  left  a  house  in  the  parish 
for  the  maintenance  of  a  chantry  in  the  church. 


160 

Nicholas  de  Coffren,  1300,  directed  his  house  to  be  sold,  the 
proceeds  to  be  devoted  to  the  maintenance  of  three  chaplains  to 
celebrate  in  the  churches  of  St.  Peter,  St.  Bartholomew-the-Less,  and 
St.  Mary  de  Colechurch. 

1311. — William  de  Winton  left  the  residue  of  his  estate  to 
maintain  a  chaplain  in  the  parish  church. 

1341. — Peter  de  Coffren  directed  his  body  to  be  buried  in  the 
church  before  the  rood. 

1348. — Simon  de  Bockyng,  Citizen  and  Goldsmith,  left  the 
tenement,  which  he  inhabited  in  Wood  Street,  "  for  ever  to  the  alms 
of  the  Goldsmithery  of  London  for  his  soul,  finding  a  chaplain  to 
celebrate  Divine  Service  in  the  church  of  St.  Peter,  by  the  view  of  the 
Wardens  of  the  Goldsmithery  of  London." 

The  Rev.  W.  Sparrow  Simpson,  formerly  Rector  of  the  united 
parishes,  read  before  the  London  and  Middlesex  Archaeological 
Society  a  most  interesting  and  exhaustive  paper  on  the  ancient  records 
of  the  parish.  It  is  from  this  paper  that  much  of  the  following 
information  is  taken. 

Soon  after  his  presentation  to  the  Rectory,  he  says  : 

"  My  curiosity  was  much  excited  by  finding  in  the  tower  of  St. 
Matthew's  Church,  Friday  Street,  a  large  oak  chest.  It  was  locked, 
and  the  keys  were  nowhere  to  be  found.  According  to  the  testimony 
of  the  sexton,  it  had  certainly  not  been  opened  for  twenty  years,  and 
perhaps  not  for  a  much  longer  period.  With  the  help  of  the 
locksmith,  however,  I  was  soon  master  of  its  contents,  and  had  the 
satisfaction  of  drawing  out  one  by  one  a  Black  Letter  Prayer  Book  of 
1662,  a  folio  of  the  Homilies,  and  vestry  minute  books,  ranging  from 
1574  to  1713." 

From  incidental  notices  scattered  through  the  register  of  burials, 
Mr.  Simpson  is  able  in  a  great  measure  to  reconstruct  the  ground 
plan  of  the  ancient  church.  "  It  had  a  nave,  two  aisles  and  chancel, 
with  north  and  south  chapels ;  a  vestry,  to  which  access  was  gained 
from  the  north  chapel  by  some  steps.  It  was  duly  furnished  with 
screens  separating  the  chancel  from  the  nave  and  aisles,  with  a  poor 
man's  box,  an  hour  glass,  with  women's  pews  on  the  north  side  of  the 
nave,  a  reader's  pew,  a  gallery  '  for  the  maydens  '  of  the  parish,  the 
stairs  of  which  were  at  the  north-west  angle  of  the  church." 

The  "  masters  "  of  the  parish  sat  at  the  east  end  of  the  south  aisle. 


161 
i 

7th  February,   1434. — Three  altars  were  dedicated,  one  on  the 

north  side,  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  a  second,  on  the  south  side,  io 
St.  Dunstan,  a  third  in  the  nave  near  the  entrance  of  St.  Dunstan's 
Chapel,  in  honour  of  the  Holy  Cross.  At  this  last-named  Altar  a 
chaplain  of  the  Brothers  of  the  Holy  Cross  celebrated  Mass  every 
morning. 

One  of  the  chief  relics  of  the  church  was  a  "  pece  of  the  Cross  of 
Chryste." 

In  24  Henry  VIII.  the  chaplain  received  "  for  his  wages  one  hole 
yere  \}£  xiis.  iiijd." 

Thomas  Wood,  Goldsmith  and  Sheriff,  1491,  was  a  great 
benefactor  to  the  church. 

The  nave  roof  is  said  to  have  been  supported  by  figures  of 
wood  men,  to  commemorate  his  generous  gift. 

In  1481  we  find  that  this  church  possessed  two  child's  copes  for 
St.  Nicholas  (the  Boy  Bishop),  one  mitre,  one  tunicle,  one  chasuble, 
and  "  a  croune  for  the  Bysshope." 

The  Goldsmiths  Company  agreed  to  keep  on  the  18th  April, 
1509,  which  was  their  election  day,  the  obits  of  Alderman  Thomas 
Woode  and  Robert  Bolder  on  the  2nd  August  ensuing,  with  Mass  on 
the  morrow,  also  a  dinner.  * 

There  were  three  monumental  brasses.  In  the  "  south  ile  was 
the  grave  stone  of  William  Perryn,  having  iiij  pictures  of  brasse  upon 
the  stone." 

1602. — The  registers  speak  of  "a  greate  stone  that  hath  the 
crosse  of  brasse  in  it  in  the  middest  of  the  middle  ile  "  ;  and,  in  1637, 
mention  is  made  of  a  "  brasse  image  under  the  communion  table." 

1555-6,  we  learn  from  the  accounts  that  "  a  New  Rood  with 
Mary  and  John  "  is  purchased,  and  in  the  following  year  an  image  of 
the  patron  saint. 

1558-9. — "  xxd.  is  paid  for  taking  down  the  Rood  and  for  other 
work." 

By  the  last  will  of  Sir  John  Shaw,  Knt.,  Alderman,  Citizen,  and 
Goldsmith,  made  the  26th  day  of  December,  1503,  he  desired  his  exe- 
cutors to  "performe  and  fulfill  the  last  will  of  myn  uncle,  Sir  Edmonde 
Shaw,  Knyght,  concerning  the  contynuance  of  dayly  s'vyce  to  be  songe 

*  Herbert's  "  History  of  the  Livery  Companies. " 


162 

and  done  w'yn  the  parish  church  of  St.  Peter  in  Chepe,  London,  if  it 
canne  reasonably  be  brow'ht  aboote.  And  also  wh.  the  same  bondis 
and  goodys  I  wyll  that  my  saide  execute's  shall  cause  ye  saide  churche 
of  Saint  Peter  to  be  bylded  and  made  wh.  a  flatte  roofe.  And  also  the 
stepull  there  to  be  made  up  in  gode  and  convenient  manr." 

Sir  John  Shaw  seems  to  have  been  a  great  benefactor  to  the 
church  and  clergy,  for  in  his  will  he  makes  mention  of  "  my  tenement 
in  the  paroche  of  Seint  Peter  in  West  Chepe  of  London,  wherein 
Maister  Chaunterelle,  p'son  of  the  same  churche,  dwellyth." 

The  church  possessed  a  chantry  founded  by  Nicholas  de  Farndon, 
Goldsmith,  1861.  This  person  was  evidently  a  man  of  note.  From 
him  the  Ward  of  Farringdon  takes  its  name.  He  was  four  times 
Mayor.  This  chantry  was  dedicated  to  the  Altar  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
"  in  the  south  part  or  chappelle  of  the  same  church."  The  surplus 
was  to  be  given  in  aid  of  the  work  of  the  church.  The  chantry  was 
to  be  "  served  by  a  cou'nable  and  honest  chapelyn  for  the  soule  of 
Nich's  Farenden  in  the  saide  churche  of  Seynt  Peter  in  West  Chepe  of 
London  divynely  to  synge."  "The  for  s'd  chapelyn"  is  not  "to  defyle 
or  willingly  any  grevouse  trespas  do,  or  be  overcome  of  customable 
dronke,  or  be  rebel  or  contu'mous  ageynst  the  p'son  of  the  said 
churche."  The  document  from  which  this  is  quoted  then  proceeds  to 
assign  nim  "  x  marc  in  the  name  of  his  wages  and  salarye  ....  yearly 
for  ev'rmore,  atte  said  iiij  termes  of  the  yere  by  even  porcions."  A  mark 
is  13s.  4d.  The  chaplain's  salary  of  ten  marks  would  therefore  amount 
to  £6  13s.  4d. 

The  rector  and  churchwardens  were  patrons  of  the  chantry. 

Farringdon  was  Warden  of  the  Goldsmiths  Company  1338  and 
1352.  He  was  buried  in  the  church,  and  left  out  of  his  lands  in  the 
parish  4s.  to  maintain  a  light  "to  be  burning  before  Our  Lady  there 
for  ever." 

The  volume  from  which  these  extracts  are  taken  contains  a  copy 
of  the  will,  dated  1470,  of  "  Robarde  Botiler,  citysen  and  goldsmith  of 
London,"  who  was  buried  in  St.  Dunstan's  Chapel  in  the  church  of 
St.  Peter.  He  bequeaths  "  to  ye  hy  auter  of  ye  saide  chirche  [of  St. 
Peter]  so  that  ye  p'son  of  the  same  chirche  pray  for  my  sowle,  xxs." 

The  diary  of  Henry  Machyn  contains  the  following : 

"  1554. — The  ij  day  of  November  was  bered  at  Sant  Peter  in  Chepe 
one  Master  Pickeryng  with  ij  whyte  branchys  and  viii  torchys,  iiij 


163 

grate  tapers,  and  he  gayffe  unto  xij    (pore  men)   xij   gownes  that  dyd 

here  them  and  eldyd  the divers  morners  and  the  felowshype  of 

the and  the.morow  the  masse  of  requiem." 

"  1557. — The  v  day  of  Juin  was  bered  in  Sant  Peter's  in  Chepe 
Master  Tylwith,  Goldsmyth,  with  mony  morners  and  with  ij  whyt 
branchys  and  xij  stayffes,  torchys,  and  the  xij  pore  men  had  gownes  of 
mantyll  frysse  and  iiij  grate  tapers  and  ye  mas  was  kepth  on  "Wysson 
Monday,  and  after  there  was  a  gratt  diner." 

1570. — The  following  occurs  in  the  register :  "  The  L'die  Mayre's 
wyffe  to  the  Eight  Honourable  Lorde  Maior  then  of  this  cittie, 
Alexander  Avenon,  was  buried  in  this  p'she  in  the  quere  upon  the 
sowthe  syde  there'f  neore  unto  the  towe  pyllars  of  the  same  syd  in  the 
vawte  of  brycke  contayning  viij  fowt  in  length  and  towe  fowte  and  a 
half  of  brea'th,  with  three  staers  at  the  hede  there'f  the  xvi  daye  of 
Julye.  This  vawte  of  brick  was  fyrst  mayde  for  the  Lady  Mundye, 
layte  wyffe  to  Sir  John  Mundye,  sum  tyme  Lord  Mayre  of  this  cittie, 
and  she  was  the  fyrst  that  ever  was  bered  in  this  vawte." 

One  more  extract  from  Henry  Machyn's  diary  is  worth  quoting. 
He  says : 

"  1556-7. — On  the  23rd  March  was  a  grand  procession  with  the 
crafts  and  their  liveries,  trompettes  blohing  with  oder  instruments  with 
grete  joye  and  plesur,  and  great  shutyng  of  gones  at  the  Tower,  and 
the  waytes  plahyng  on  Sant  Peter's  in  Chepe." 

A  monument  to  Augustine  Hin@  (Clothworker),  Alderman  and 
Sheriff,  1554,  had  these  lines  : 

"  God  grant  us  all  such  race  to  run 
To  end  in  Christ,  as  they  have  done." 

The  following  were  buried  in  the  church  : 

William  Bees,  Sheriff,  1429. 

Sir  John  Maunde  (Goldsmith),  Knt.,  Mayor  1527. 

William  Dayne,  Alderman,  and  Margaret,  his  wife,  1529. 

Thomas  Knowles,  twice  Lord  Mayor. 

Sir  Alexander  Avenon,  Sheriff,  1561  ;  Mayor  1570  ;  eight  times 
Master  of  the  Ironmongers'  Company.  He  kept  his  Mayoralty  at  a 
house  in  the  parish  of  All  Hallows,  Bread  Street.  Died  1580. 

It  was  at  this  church,  on  the  14th  January,  1559,  that  Queen 
Elizabeth,  on  one  of  her  royal  progresses  through  the  City,  stopped  in 


164 

order  that  a  Bible  in  English  should  be  presented  to  her  at  the  door 
of  the  church. 

The  building  was  repaired  at  the  cost  of  the  parishioners  in  1616, 
at  a  charge  of  £341. 

RECTORS. 

William  de  Stenham,  1302  ;  presented  by  Edward  I. 

The  next  is  recorded  in  the  following  words  : 

"  1306. — Thomas  de  Wynton,  clericnx,  prcsentatus  ad  ecdesiam 
Sancti  Petri  de  Wood  Street,  London,  nostri  diocese  racante  per 
Religiotum  rerum  Adam  de  Sancto  Albano  ipsius  ecclesial  patronuin  xexto 
die  Martiifu.it  adinixxn*  at  Hector  institution  canonice  in  eadem." 

William  de  Kelm,  1349—1364  ;  presented  by  Edward  III. 

John  Joye  de  Ledbury,  1372—1392.  Richard  Kesteven,  1408— 
1419.  Robert  Wright,  1433—1460.  John  Alcock,  1462—1491. 
John  Chaundell,  B.D.,  1491  ;  died  1509.  William  Robinson,  1509— 
1516. 

William  Bobyn,  1516-1529;  Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's; 
Archdeacon  of  Winchester. 

Thomas  Goodrich,  Fellow  of  Jesus  College,  Cambridge ;  presented 
by  Cardinal  Wolsey,  1529  ;  Canon  of  Westminster.  He  was  appointed 
as  one  of  the  syndics  to  convey  an  answer  from  the  University  of 
Cambridge  to  the  King  concerning  his  marriage  with  Catherine  of 
Arragon,  and  from  his  readiness  to  oblige  the  King  in  that  business 
was  recommended  to  royal  favor  and  made  one  of  the  chaplains.  Was 
Lord  High  Chancellor,  1531  ;  Bishop  of  Ely,  1534.  He  was  a  zealous 
promoter  of  the  Reformation,  and  sent  a  mandate  to  all  the  clergy  of 
his  diocese  with  orders  to  erase  the  name  of  the  Pope  from  all  their 
books,  and  to  publish  in  all  their  churches  that  the  Pope  had  no 
further  authority  in  these  realms.  He  was  a  strong  adherent  of 
Cranmer,  and  took  some  part  in  writing  the  "  Godly  and  Pious 
Institution  of  a  Christian,"  as  well  as  taking  a  large  share  in  the 
compilation  of  our  English  Prayer  Book.  On  the  death  of  Edward  VI., 
he  supported  Lady  Jane  Grey,  in  consequence  was  attainted  as  a 
traitor ;  but  his  great  piety  induced  Mary  to  pardon  him.  He  died 
1554,  and  was  buried  in  his  cathedral,  where  there  is  a  brass  with  his 
figure  in  ecclesiastical  habit  with  the  great  seal.  Burnet  says  :  "  He 
was  a  secular  spirited,  busy  man,  and  had  given  himself  up  wholly  to 
factions  and  intrigues  of  State,  so  that,  although  his  opinions  had 


165 

always  leaned  to  the  Reformation,  it  is  no  wonder  if  a  man  so  tempered 
would  prefer  the  keeping  of  his  bishopric  before  the  discharge  of  his 
conscience."  ("  History  of  the  Reformation  "). 

Richard  Gwent,  Prebendary  of  St.  Paul's,  1534  ;  died  in  the  same 
year. 

John  Gwynnett,  1543. 

Edward  Simpson,  Peterhouse,  Cambridge,  1571  ;  Rector  of  St. 
Dunstan-in-the-East,  1574. 

Richard  Judson,  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  1585 — 1615. 

Daniel  Vichiere,  1615-1647.  "  Died  with  grief  not  long  after  his 
sequestration." 

Dr.  Roger  Drake,  1653,  Pembroke  College,  Cambridge.  "  A  rigid 
Presbyterian,"  he  resigned  the  living  on  the  passing  of  the  Act  of 
Uniformity,  1662.  Was  one  of  the  Commissioners  at  the  Savoy 
Conference,  and  occasionally  preached  at  the  "  Morning  Exercises  " 
at  St.  Giles  in-the-Fields,  and  at  St.  Giles,  Cripplegate.  Baxter  says 
"he  was  a  wonder  of  humility  and  sincerity."  Dr.  Annesly  says 
"  That  his  writings  will  be  esteemed,  while  there  are  books  in  the 
world,  for  the  stream  of  piety  and  learning  that  runs  through  his  '  Sacred 
Chronology.'  '  He  was  the  author  of  "  Sacred  Chronologic  drawn  by 
Scripture  Evidence  during  that  vast  body  of  time  from  the  Creation  of 
the  world  to  the  Passion  of  our  Blessed  Saviour,  by  the  help  of 
which  alone  sundry  difficult  places  of  Scripture  are  unfolded.  4to." 
London,  1648."  He  died  at  Stepney,  where  he  had  for  some  time 
lived,  1649. 

Thomas  Brook  was  for  a  short  time  "  Preacher."  Mr.  Calamy 
says  "He  was  a  very  affecting  preacher  and  useful  to  many."  Died 
1680. 

George  Woodward,  Magdalene  Hall,  Oxford,  1665.  After  the 
destruction  of  the  church  the  living  of  East  Mersey  was  given  him, 
where  he  died  1667. 

This  church  seems  to  have  suffered  much  loss  in  the  confusion 
caused  by  the  Great  Fire,  the  churchwardens  reporting,  1693,  "  We 
have  no  parsonage  house,  nor  any  glebe  belonging  to  our  minister." 


166 

St.  Ubomas  tbe  Hpostle  an& 

This  church  was  of  great  antiquity.  We  find  that  as  early  as 
1181  the  patronage  of  the  living  belonged  to  the  Canons  of  St.  Paul's, 
with  whom  it  still  remains.  It  stood  on  the  north  side  of  Great  St. 
Thomas  Apostle,  or,  as  it  was  anciently  called,  Wringwren  Lane,  and 
was  repaired  by  the  parishioners  at  a  cost  of  £300. 

In  the  parish  stood  a  building  called  "  La  Real,"  or  "  La  Riole." 
In  1831  Edward  III.  granted  "  La  Real "  to  his  consort  Phillipa  for 
the  term  of  her  life  that  it  might  be  used  as  a  depository  for  her  ward- 
robe. It  was  here,  Froissart  tells  us,  that  Joan  of  Kent,  the  mother  of 
Richard  II.,  took  refuge  during  Wat  Tyler's  rebellion,  when  forced  to 
fly  from  the  Tower  of  London.  It  was  this  building,  no  doubt,  that 
gave  rise  to  the  name  of  "  Tower  Royal  "  in  this  parish. 

There  were  no  monuments  of  antiquity  except  some  arms  in  one 
of  the  windows,  which  were  supposed  to  be  those  of  John  Burnets 
(Mercer),  Mayor  1871,  who  built  a  great  part  of  the  church.  He  also 
gave  a  chest  with  three  locks  and  keys  containing  a  thousand  marks 
to  be  lent  to  young  men  on  sufficient  "pawne." 

Another  benefactor  was  Sir  William  Littlesbury,  Mayor,  alias 
Horn,  this  name  being  given  him  by  Edward  IV.,  as  he  was  a  good 
player  upon  that  instrument.  He  was  a  Salter  and  Merchant  of  the 
Staple ;  was  buried  in  the  church.  He  left  by  his  will  money  to 
change  the  bells  for  four  "  good  new  ones  of  sound  and  tune."  This 
bequest  was  never  carried  out.  His  house  in  Bread  Street,  with 
garden,  he  gave  to  the  Salters  Company,  they  to  find  a  priest  for  the 
church  and  pay  him  annually  £Q  13s.  4d.  He  was  buried  in  the 
church  1487. 

1285. — Roger  de  Chaundler  left  his  seven  shops,  near  the  church 
of  St.  Thomas,  to  be  sold. 

1829. — Rosina  de  Burford  left  her  houses  for  the  maintenance, 
for  a  term  of  twenty  years,  of  chantries  in  the  new  chapel  which  she 
had  built  on  the  south  side  of  the  church. 

1336. — Roger  atte  Vyne  left  a  bequest  to  the  rector,  clerks  and 
chaplain  of  St.  Thomas  for  a  knell  to  be  tolled  on  the  eve  of  his 
anniversary,  for  keeping  his  obit,  and  for  the  maintenance  of  a 
perpetual  chantry.  , 

In  1360  is  mentioned,  in  connection  with  the  church,  "  The 
Wardens  and  Fraternity  of  St.  Eligius." 


Eobert  Westmall  desired  to  be  buried  before  the  Altar  of  St. 
Eligius  (Bisbop  and  Confessor). 

1576.— Margaret  Dane  left  £2000  for  (amongst  other  things) 
providing  fuel  for  the  poor  of  the  twenty-four  Wards  of  the  City. 

From  the  history  of  the  Merchant  Taylors  Company,  we  find  that 
Sir  Thomas  White,  who  was  Master  of  this  Company,  probably  1535, 
and  Lord  Mayor  1553-4,  lived  in  Size  Lane  in  this  parish.  The 
churchwardens'  accounts  show  that  "  Thomas  White  and  Avice,  his 
wife,  took  a  lease  of  the  garden  and  garden  plot  in  the  parish  of  St. 
Thomas  Apostle,  with  all  the  brick  walls  compassing  the  same,  except 
and  reserving  to  the  Rector  (the  lessor)  the  door  within  the  brick  wall 
over  against  his  parsonage  door,  with  liberty  for  the  Eector  and  his 
friends  to  walk  in  the  said  garden  and  to  take  erbys  for  his  commoda- 
tion,  without  waste  or  destruction,  from  Lady  Day  next  coming  for 
twenty-six  years  at  the  yearly  rent  of  20s.  by  half-yearly  payments."  * 

William  Bromwell,  Mercer,  left  to  Jonan,  his  wife,  a  tenement 
and  a  piece  of  void  land  in  the  parish,  the  remainder  to  the  parson  and 
churchwardens  of  St.  Thomas.  The  churchwardens  to  find  yearly  the 
Paschal  light  of  the  said  parish  church,  so  that  all  the  parishioners 
may  be  discharged  of  contributing  to  the  same  ;  they  are  also  to  provide 
tapers  at  Christmas  to  stand  in  the  great  candlesticks  before  the  High 
Altar,  there  to  burn  before  the  Sacrament  on  festival  days,  as  of  old 
time  had  been  accustomed. 

The  mission  is  given  to  the  churchwardens  to  build  upon  the 
piece  of  void  land  mentioned. 

Under  the  Communion  table  was  a  tablet  with  the  following 
inscription  : 

"  Here  lyes  interred  the  body  of  Mr.  John  Foy,  Citizen  and 
Merchant  Taylor  of  London,  who  departed  this  life  the  First  of 
December,  1625,  and  left  issue  four  sons.  He  lived  and  died  in  the 
true  faith  of  Jesus  Christ,  which  he  hath  amply  expressed  in  a  worthy 
annual  contribution  towards  the  poor  of  this  parish." 

There  were  five  epitaphs  in  Greek  and  Latin  to  "  Katharine 
Killigrew"  ;  also  a  monument  to  John  Martin,  Sheriff,  1583. 

Edmund  Allen,  an  "  ancient,  eminent  protestant  divine,"  Bishop- 
elect  of  Rochester,  was  on  the  30th  August,  1559,  buried  in  this 

*  "  History  of  the  Merchant  Taylors  Company." — CLOPE. 


168 

church,  "  a  few  clerks  attending,  and  his  funeral  sermon  preached  by 
Mr.  Huntingdon,  the  preacher."  Mr.  Allen  had  a  wife  and  eight 
children. 

Thirteen  parishioners  were,  in  1541,  "  presented  "  and  put  up  by 
the  Inquisition  for  giving  small  reverence  at  the  Sacring  of  the  Mass. 

RECTORS. 

Sir  William  de  Sleford,  1365.  William  Champneys  (Baker),  left 
to  this  Rector  the  residue  of  his  goods  and  chattels  for  pious  uses. 

Robert  Goodall,  1418-1446. 

Richard  Howell,  1446-1462.  To  this  Rector  is  left  a  tenement 
in  the  parish  of  Holy  Trinity  for  pious  uses. 

Richard  Dean,  1536. 

Nicholas  Wilson,  Corpus  Christi,  Cambridge,  1508 ;  was  also 
Vicar  of  Thaxted,  Essex  ;  Confessor  to  Henry  VIII. ;  Archdeacon  of 
Oxford,  1528;  was  committed  to  the  Tower,  1534;  for  refusing  t) 
take  the  oath  relative  to  the  supremacy  and  succession  of  the  Crown, 
where  he  remained  two  years.  The  benefice  being  declared  void,  he 
was  at  length  brought  to  swear,  and  so  escaped  for  the  time,  "  but  it 
was  but  a  dissembling  of  the  matter."  Sent  again  to  the  Tower,  1540, 
for  giving  alms  to  persons  who  denied  the  King's  supremacy ;  died 
1548.  He  was  the  author  of  a  book  printed  at  Paris  against  the 
divine  right  of  Henry  VIII. 

Richard  Alison,  1591  ;  died  1612.     Csesar  Walpole,  1612  ;  died 

1617. 

William  Cooper,  1636.  Walker  says  :  "  That  he  was  dispossessed 
of  the  living  1643,  at  which  time  he  was  plundered  and  sent  prisoner 
to  Leeds  Castle,  Kent,  where  he  died  of  grief." 

John  Romany,  1658  ;  died  1666. 

Thomas  Cartwright,  D.D.,  Magdalene  Hall,  Oxford,  1659  ;  was 
also  preacher  at  St.  Mary  Magdalene,  Fish  Street ;  Prebendary  of  St. 
Paul's,  1677  ;  Dean  of  Ripon,  1686  ;  Bishop  of  Chester.  He  received 
this  appointment  for  boldly  asserting  in  one  of  his  sermons  that  the 
King's  promises  to  Parliament  were  not  binding  upon  him.  He 
accompanied  James  II.  to  Ireland  after  his  abdication,  where  he  died 
1689,  and  was  sumptuously  interred  in  the  choir  of  Christ  Church, 
Dublin. 


169 

The  following  is  the  title  of  the  register  book  of  this  parish. 
The  contents  of  the  book  have  been  carefully  transcribed  and  published 
by  the  Harleian  Society,  1881. 

A  few  extracts  from  it  are  here  given  : 

"  The  Booke  of  the  Christenings,  Marriages,  and  Burials  (within 
the  parish  of),  St.  Thomas  (the  Apostle),  in  the  first  yere  of  the  most 
Lappy  raigne  of  our  sov'aigne  Lady  Elizabeth,  Queen  of  England, 
Ffrance  and  Ireland,  defender  of  the  faith  (&c.),  according  to  the 
constitution  of  the  Church  of  England,  made  in  that  behalf.  This 
Booke  being  made  anno  1598.  Thomas  Millne  and  Eichard  Powell 
being  then  churchwardens  of  the  same  p'ish  of  St.  Thomas  Apostle. 
London.  Baptisms." 

1629,  March  19. — "  Susanna,  the  daughter  of  a  wandering  woman 
brought  into  this  parish  by  St.  Antholin's  watch." 

1682,  January  29. — "  Peter,  the  son  of  a  wandering  woman,  being 
St.  Peter's  day." 

1658  (no  date). — "  A  female  of  Alice  Hodgson  (as  is  supposed)  of 
Francis  Savage,  was  stillborn,  14th  December." 

The  baptisms  from  1680  to  1704  were  probably  entered  in  the 
register  of  St.  Mary  Aldermary,  but  if  not  the  volume  containing  them 
is  hopelessly  lost. 

Thomas  Roman,  Mayor,  1379,  was  buried  in  the  church  with  Julia, 
his  wife. 


FINIS. 


LONDON 

C.  E.  GKAY,  Printer, 
32    Kenuington  Park  Road,  S.E. 


VA  xf>  Vf>  \lp  xf>  V>  x 
^^^^^^^ 


©t  tbe  ©lo  /IBeetfna  Ibouses  wbfcb  ba\>e  eststeo 
witbin  tbe  Cft£  of  Xonoon,  ourlno  tbe  last 

TTwo   Centuries; 

TKIUtb  a  sbort  account  of  tbosc  wbo  bave 
mintetereD  in  tbem. 

3.  <3.  Tld. 
1900. 


[HERE  is  no  doubt  that  during  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth 
centuries  many  more  meeting  houses  existed  in  the  old 
City  than  those  mentioned  in  the  following  pages,  but  it  is 
only  in  some  instances  through  passing  allusions  that  any  particulars 
as  to  their  existence  can  be  obtained. 

It  is  intended  in  this  small  work  to  give — as  far  as  can  be  ascer- 
tained— a  short  history  of  these  most  interesting  old  buildings,  and  at 
the  same  time,  a  short  account  of  the  good  and  worthy  men  who,  from 
time  to  time,  filled  the  pulpits,  fulfilling  their  duties  nobly  and  well 
in  times  when  to  declare  oneself  openly  a  Christian  required  no  small 
degree  of  courage,  fortitude,  and  grace. 

The  large  number  of  meeting  houses  in  the  City  at  this  period  is 
referred  to  in  a  petition  by  the  Court  of  Common  Council  as  follows : 

"  The  Humble  Petition  of  the  Lord  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and 
Commons  of  the  City  of  London  in  Common  Council  assembled  : 
concerning  Church  government.  Presented  to  the  House  of  Peers 
upon  Friday,  16th  January,  1645(6)." 

This  petition  "  sheweth,  that  in  November  last  the  Petitioners 


2 

made  it  their  humble  request  to  this  Honourable  House  that  Church 
Government  might  be  settled ;  and  are  most  humbly  thankful  for  your 
favourable  interpretation  thereof :  that  private  meetings,  especially  on 
the  Lord's  Day — of  which  there  are  at  least  eleven  in  one  parish — are 
multiplied ;  whereby  the  Public  Congregations'  ordinances  and  Godly 
orthodox  Ministers  are  very  much  neglected  and  condemned,  as  if 
they  were  anti-Christian.  And  by  reason  of  such  meetings,  and  the 
preaching  of  women  and  ignorant  persons;  superstition,  heresy,  schism, 
and  profaneness  are  much  increased. 

"That  the  Petitioners  are  informed  that  divers  persons  have 
an  intention  to  petition  this  Honorable  House  for  a  Toleration  of 
such  doctrines  as  are  against  our  Covenant,  under  the  notion  of 
'  Liberty  of  Conscience.' 

"  The  Petitioners  therefore,  having  no  power  of  themselves  to 
suppress  or  overcome  these  growing  evils,  do  according  to  their  Covenant 
reveal  and  make  known  the  same  to  this  Honourable  House,  and  for 
timely  presenting  and  removal  thereof,  do  humbly  pray  that  the 
premises  may  be  taken  into  your  most  serious  consideration." 

In  1586,  John  Greenwood  was  arrested  for  reading  the  Scriptures 
to  twenty-one  persons,  at  the  house  of  Henry  Martin,  in  the  parish  of 
St.  Andrew-by-the- Wardrobe. 

In  January,  1641,  we  read  of  a  celebrated  Brownist  pastor  in  the 
following  lines  : 

"  And  at  the  '  Nag's  Head,'  near  to  Coleman  Street, 
A  most  pius  crew  of  brethren  there  did  meet, 
When  their  devotions  was  so  pure  and  ample, 
To  turn  a  sinful  tavern  to  a  temple. 

A  worthy  brother  gave  the  text,  and  then 

The  cobbler  How  his  preach  most  straight  began, 

Extem'ry  without  any  meditation, 

But  only  by  the  Spirit's  revelation. 

He  went  through  stitch,  now  hither  and  now  thither ; 

And  took  great  pains  to  draw  both  ends  together, 

For  (like  a  man  inspired  from  Amsterdam) 

He  scorned — ne  sutor  ultra  crepidam — 

His  text  he  clouted,  and  his  sermons  welted 

His  audience  with  devotion  nearly  melted." 


3 

Also,  on  the  12th  November,  1645,  eighty  Anabaptists  met  at  a 
house  in  Bishopsgate  Street,  many  of  them  belonging  "  to  the  church 
of  one  Barber,"  when  five  new  members  were  received. 

A  large  number  of  the  meeting  houses  in  the  City  belonged  either 
to  the  Independents,  Presbyterians,  or  Baptists.  The  Independents 
first  formed  themselves  into  a  church,  about  the  year  1592,  at  the 
house  of  Mr.  Fox,  in  Nicholas  Lane,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following 
extract. 

Strype,  in  his  annals,  mentions  the  case  of  Daniel  Buch,  a 
scrivener,  who,  in  1593,  was  examined  before  some  of  the  Queen's 
justices  as  to  his  religious  opinions  and  doings.  This  gentleman 
refused  to  take  any  other  oath  "  than  to  protest  before  God  that  all 
his  sayings  were  true."  Being  asked  who  was  his  parson,  he  replied 
"  that  Mr.  Francis  Johnson  was  chosen  pastor,  and  Mr.  Greenwood 
doctor,  and  Bowman  and  Lee  deacons,  and  Stuchley  and  George 
Keniston,  apothecary,  were  chosen  elders,  in  the  house  of  one  Fox, 
in  St.  Nicholas  Lane,  all  in  one  day  by  their  congregation,  or  at  Mr. 
Bilson's  house  in  Creechurch,  he  could  not  remember  which.  And 
that  the  sacrament  of  baptism,  as  he  called  it,  was  delivered  there  to 
the  number  of  seven  persons  by  Johnson,  and  that  he  took  water  and 
washed  the  faces  of  them  that  were  baptized." 

The  following  is  the  title  of  a  book  published  by  the  Independent 
Church  soon  after  its  formation  : 

"Anno  Domini  1616.  A  Confession  and  Protestation  of  the 
Faith  of  Certain  Christians  in  England,  holding  it  necessary  to 
observe  and  keep  all  Christ's  true  Substantial  Ordinances  for  His 
Church  Visible  and  Political.  That  is,  Indued  with  Power  of  Outward 
and  Spiritual  Government,  under  the  Gospel,  though  the  same  do 
differ  from  the  Common  Order  of  the  Land.  Published  for  the  Clearing 
of  the  said  Christians  from  the  Slander  of  Schism  and  Novelty,  and 
also  of  Separation  and  Undutifulness  to  the  Magistrate,  which  their 
rash  adversaries  do  falsely  cast  upon  them  ;  also  an  Humble  Petition 
to  the  King's  Majesty  for  Toleration  therein.  Colos.  2,  4,  Psalm  116, 
9,  10.— 16  mo." 

There  is  no  imprint,  and  the  book  is  not  paged,  but  pages  69. 

The  following  is  the  title  of  another  work  published  in  1646 : 
"  The  Schismatick  Sifted,  or  the  Picture  of  the  Independents 
Freshly  and  Fairly  Wash'd  over  again,  wherein  the  Sectaries  of  these 


Times  (I  mean  the  principal  Seducers  to  that  dangerous  and  subtile 
Schisme  of  Independency)  are  with  their  own  proper  Pensils  and 
Self-mixed  Colours  most  likely  set  forth  to  be  a  generation  of 
notorious  Dissemblers  and  sly  Deceivers  collectors  (for  the  most  part) 
under  their  own  Hands  in  Print  for  the  more  fair  and  full  satisfaction 
and  undeceiving  of  moderate  and  much-misled  Christians,  especially 
by  the  outward  appearance  of  their  Piety  of  Life,  and  a  Pretence  of 
their  Preaching  sound  Doctrine.  By  John  Vicars,  London.  Printed 
for  Nathaniel  Webb  and  William  Grumham,  at  the  Grey  Hound,  in 
Paul's  Churchyard,  1646." 

This  book  bears  the  following  dedication  : 

"  To  the  Eight  Honourable  and  most  worthy  to  be  highly 
honoured  Thomas  Adams,  Esquire,  Lord  Mayor  of  the  most  famous 
and  renowned  City  of  London.  J.  V.  prayeth  all  increase  of  Gracious 
Honour  now,  and  of  Glorious  Happiness  hereafter." 

The  first  Presbyterian  Church  was  formed  at  Wandsworth  on 
the  20th  November,  1572,  by  Mr.  Field,  lecturer,  of  Wandsworth. 
Eleven  elders  were  chosen,  and  their  offices  inscribed  in  a  register 
entitled  "  The  Orders  of  Wandsworth."  This  place  was  selected  as 
being  a  retired  spot,  and  but  four  miles  from  London. 

On  the  26th  May,  1646,  the  Lord  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Common 
Council  presented  a  remonstrance  to  the  parliament,  in  which  among 
other  things  they  requested  that  all  private  and  separate  congregations 
should  be  suppressed,  that  all  sectaries  refusing  to  conform  to  the 
public  discipline  might  be  proceeded  against,  and  that  none  disaffected 
to  the  Presbyterian  government  might  be  admitted  to  any  office  of 
public  trust.  The  Lords  respectfully  acknowledged  the  merits  of  the 
city,  and  gave  the  authorities  thanks  for  this  expression  of  their  zeal, 
but  the  Commons  were  indignant  at  their  assumption,  and  after  a 
warm  debate  simply  replied  that  they  would  take  the  remonstrance 
"  into  consideration  at  a  convenient  time."  * 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  following  pages  that  on  several  occasions 
the  civil  magistrate  was  called  upon  to  inflict  penalties  upon  citizens 
on  account  of  their  religious  belief.  On  this  subject  it  is  interesting 
to  note  what  Judge  Blakstone  said.  "  The  sin  of  schism  is,"  he  says, 
"  as  such  by  no  means  the  object  of  temporal  coercion  and  punishment. 
If,  through  weakness  of  intellect,  through  misdirected  piety,  through 
*  Price :  History  of  Nonconformity. 


perverseness  and  acerbity  of  temper,  or  (which  is  often  the  case) 
through  a  prospect  of  secular  advantage  in  herding  with  a  party,  men 
quarrel  with  the  ecclesiastical  establishment,  the  civil  magistrate  has 
nothing  to  do  with  it,  unless  their  tenets  and  practice  are  such  as 
threaten  ruin  or  disturbance  to  the  State." 

Walker,  in  his  book,  "  The  Sufferings  of  the  Clergy,"  has  the 
following  : 

"  The  pharisaical  House  of  Commons  voted  on  June  1st,  1649, 
for  a  day  of  thanksgiving  to  set  off  King  Oliver's  victory  over  the 
Levellers  with  the  more  lustre.  The  wise  Lord  Mayor  and  his 
brethren — in  imitation— invited  the  Parliament,  Council  of  State,  the 
General,  and  his  Officers,  to  a  thanksgiving  dinner.  The  7th  June, 
the  thanksgiving  was  solemnized  in  the  city.  The  Lord  Mayor 
meeting  the  speaker,  resigned  to  him,  as  formerly  was  used  to  the 
king,  the  Sword  of  State,  as  had  been  ordered  by  the  House  the  day 
before,  and  received  it  again  from  him.  And  then  the  Mayor 
conducted  them  all  to  Christ  Church,  where  the  Commons,  Council  of 
State,  General  and  his  officers,  together  with  the  Mayor,  Aldermen, 
and  Common  Council,  etc.,  mocked  God  with  their  devotions,  when 
Mr.  Thomas  Goodwin  and  Mr.  Owen  preached  out  of  the  politics  to 
them.  From  thence  they  were  conducted  to  a  great  dinner  at 
Grocers'  Hall,  and  entertained  in  the  quality  of  a  '  Free  State.'  They 
were  all  strongly  guarded  with  soldiers,  and  every  cook  had  an  oath 
given  to  be  true  to  them,  which  showed  they  had  more  of  fear  and 
guilt  than  of  confidence  and  innocency  within  them.  Great  presents 
of  plate  given  to  His  Excellency  Fairfax,  and  to  His  Super-Excellency 
Cromwell,  and  to  others,  fit  to  be  chronicled  in  Stowe's  and 
Hollingshead's  volumes  amongst  other  solemn  fooleries.  Let  it  not 
be  omitted  that  Hugh  Peters,  and  many  other  saints,  were  too  full  of 
the  creature — drunk." 

Lathbury,  in  his  "  History  of  the  English  Episcopacy,"  thus 
writes  :  "  Many  of  the  sermons  of  the  most  eminent  of  the  Presbyterian 
clergy  during  the  war  were  not  only  stimulants  to  rebellion  and  blood- 
shed, but  specimens  of  the  wildest  enthusiasm." 

A  Scotch  clergyman  of  the  same  period  thus  addressed  his  Maker : 
"  To  be  free  with  you,  Lord,  we  have  done  many  things  for  thee  that 
never  entered  into  thy  noddle,  and  yet  we  are  content  that  thou  take 
all  the  glory." 


Another,  speaking  of  malignants,  asks :  "  Lord,  what  wilt  thou 
do  with  these  malignants?  I'll  tell  thee.  E'en  take  them  up  by  the 
heels  and  roast  them  in  the  chimney  of  hell.  Lord,  take  the  pestle  of 
thy  vengeance  and  the  mortar,  price  of  thy  wrath,  and  make  the  brains 
of  malignants  a  hodge-podge,  but  for  thine  own  bairns,  Lord,  feed  them 
with  the  prunes  and  raisins  of  thy  promises,  give  them  the  boots  of 
hope  and  the  spurs  of  confidence." 

In  1643,  a  Presbyterian  minister  asks  in  his  prayer:  "0  Lord, 
when  wilt  thou  take  a  chair  and  sit  among  the  house  of  peers ;  when 
wilt  thou  vote  among  the  Honourable  Commons." 

"  We  know,  0  Lord,"  said  another,  "  that  Abraham  made  a 
covenant,  and  Moses  and  David  made  a  covenant,  and  our  Saviour 
made  a  covenant,  but  thy  Parliament's  covenant  is  the  greatest  of  all 
covenants."* 

"  On  St.  Bartholomew's  Day,  24th  August,  1662,  was  passed  an 
Act  of  Parliament,  usually  known  by  the  name  of  "  The  Act  of  Uni- 
formity." Neal,  in  his  "  History  of  the  Puritans,"  gives  the  following 
as  the  principal  conditions  of  this  Act : 

"  1. — The  ordination,  if  they  had  not  been  Episcopally  ordained 
before.  2. — A  declaration  of  their  unfeigned  assent  and  consent  to  all 
and  everything  contained  in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  and 
administration  of  sacraments,  and  other  rites  and  ceremonies  of 
the  Church  of  England,  together  with  the  Psalter  and  the  form  and 
manner  of  making,  ordaining  and  consecrating  of  bishops,  priests  and 
deacons.  8. — To  take  the  oath  of  canonical  obedience.  4. — To  abjure 
the  solemn  league  and  covenant  which  many  conscientious  ministers 
could  not  disentangle  themselves  from.  5. — To  abjure  the  banefulness 
of  taking  arms  against  the  king,  or  any  commission  by  him  on  any 
pretence  whatever." 

To  these  conditions  a  large  number  of  beneficed  clergymen  of 
the  church,  to  the  number  of  about  2,000,  found  themselves  totally 
unable,  conscientiously,  to  subscribe.  In  consequence  of  this,  many 
seceded  from  the  church  and  went  into  private  life,  others,  to  a 
considerable  number,  set  up  meeting  houses  of  their  own  in  various 
parts  of  the  City,  the  districts  around  the  City,  and  in  various  parts  of 
the  country.  So  far  as  the  City  is  concerned,  from  this  date  com- 
menced the  birth  of  many  of  the  meeting  houses  and  chapels,  which, 
*  Lathbury's  History  of  Episcopacy. 


for  more  than  a  century,  continued  to  exist  and  flourish  in  the  old  City 
of  London.  Only  about  three  of  these  now  survive ;  the  remainder  have 
disappeared,  but  many  of  the  spots  on  which  they  stood  are  well- 
known,  while  of  many  others  not  a  vestige  remains. 

In  the  year  1670,  the  twenty-second  year  of  Charles  II.,  an  Act 
was  passed  for  suppressing  conventicles.  On  the  15th  June,  public 
notice  was  given  that  the  "  places  undermentioned,  late  made  use  of 
for  conventicles  and  unlawful  assemblies,  are  now,  by  His  Majesty's 
particular  command,  in  Council  appointed,  to  be  used  every  Lord's 
Day  for  the  celebration  of  divine  worship,  and  preaching  the  Word  of 
God  by  approved  orthodox  ministers  approved  by  the  Bishop  of 
London,  to  commence  on  the  Sunday  following,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  adjacent  parishes  respectively  where  parish  churches 
were  consumed  by  the  late  dreadful  fire,  viz. : 

"  In  Fisher's  Folly,  in  Bishopsgate  Street,  a  convenient  place, 
with  two  galleries,  pews,  and  seats. 

"  In  Hand  Alley,  in  Bishopsgate  Street,  a  large  room  properly 
built  for  a  meeting  house,  with  three  galleries,  thirty  large  pews,  and 
many  benches  and  forms,  known  by  the  name  of  Vincent's  congregation. 

"  In  St.  Nicholas  Lane,  a  large  room  with  two  galleries  and 
thirty-nine  forms. 

"  In  Mugwell  Street,  Mr.  Doolittle's  meeting  house,  built  of  brick, 
with  three  galleries  full  of  large  pews  below,  with  locks  and  keys  to 
them,  besides  benches  and  forms. 

"  The  Cockpit  in  Jewin  Street,  a  meeting  house  with  three 
galleries,  many  pews,  forms,  and  benches. 

"  In  Salisbury  Court,  four  rooms  opening  into  one  another  in  the 
posession  of  John  Ford,  a  schoolmaster. 

"  In  New  Street,  Shoe  Lane,  four  rooms  opening  into  one  another, 
with  seventeen  pews  and  divers  benches  in  the  posession  of  Mr. 
Turner." 

By  this  act  it  was  enacted  that  any  person  attending  such  meetings 
was  to  be  fined  five  shillings  for  the  first  offence  and  ten  shillings  for 
the  second  ;  the  preacher  was  to  be  fined  twenty  shillings  for  the  first 
offence  and  forty  shillings  for  the  second,  and  the  person  in  whose 
house  the  conventicle  was  held  was  subject  to  the  same  fines  as  the 
preacher. 

Thomas  Scott,  the  commentator,  makes  the  following  remark : 


8 

"Many  of  the  Puritans,"  he  says,  "  were  factious,  ambitious  hypocrites, 
but  I  must  think  that  the  tree  of  liberty,  sober  and  legitimate  liberty, 
civil  and  religious,  under  the  shadow  of  which,  we  in  the  Establishment, 
as  well  as  others,  repose  in  peace,  and  the  fruit  of  which  we  gather, 
was  planted  by  the  Puritans  and  matured,  if  not  by  their  blood,  at 
least  by  their  tears  and  sorrows.  Yet  it  is  the  modern  fashion  to  feed 
delightfully  on  the  fruit,  and  then  revile,  if  not  curse,  those  who 
planted  and  watered  it."* 

"  On  the  10th  January,  1703,  the  following  proclamation  appeared 
in  the  London  Gazette  : 

"  Whereas,  Daniel  Defoe,  alias  De  Fooe,  is  charged  with  writing 
a  seditious  pamphlet  entitled  '  The  Shortest  Way  with  Dissenters.' 
He  is  a  middle-sized,  spare  man,  about  forty  years  old,  of  a  brown 
complexion,  and  dark-brown  coloured  hair,  but  wears  a  wig,  a  hooked 
nose,  a  sharp  chin,  grey  eyes,  and  a  large  mole  near  his  mouth,  was 
born  in  London,  and  for  many  years  was  a  hose  factor  in  Freeman's 
Yard  in  Cornhill,  and  now  is  owner  of  the  brick  and  pantile  works 
near  Tilbury  Fort  in  Essex.  Whoever  shall  discover  the  said  Daniel 
Defoe  to  one  of  Her  Majesty's  principal  Secretaries  of  State,  or  any 
of  Her  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Peace,  so  he  may  be  apprehended, 
shall  have  a  reward  of  £50,  which  Her  Majesty  has  ordered  immediately 
to  be  paid  on  such  discovery." 

Kev.  William  Nicholls,  an  Anglican  divine,  who  wrote,  in  1707, 
a  Latin  treatise,  entitled :  "  Nicholls'  Defence  of  the  Doctrine  and 
Discipline  of  the  Church  of  England,"  gives  a  curious  description  of 
the  preaching  of  the  Nonconformists  of  the  day. 

"  Most  Nonconformists,"  he  says,  "  have  left  off  their  obstreperous 
din  and  ravings.  They  don't  strain  their  lungs  and  their  sides  as 
formerly.  They  don't  fling  about  and  shake  their  heads,  as  though 
they  were  tossed  about  in  a  boat,  nor  beat  the  pulpit  as  if  they  were 
in  fits,  nor  trust  to  extempore  effusions,  nor  abound  in  that  canting 
phrase  and  expression  which  so  mightily  took  with  the  people.  Now 
their  discourses  are  sober  and  correct,  they  study  and  compose  them, 
they  have  purged  out  the  old  musty,  obsolete  words,  they  take  care 
not  to  be  abrupt  and  incoherent.  They  have  learned  of  us  to  clothe 
the  bones  of  a  discourse,  as  I  may  say,  with  good  flesh  and  blood. 
Their  way  of  reasoning  is  not  fallen  from  the  dotages  of  Baxter  and 
*  Evil  of  Separation.  8vo.  London,  1817. 


9 

Jenkins,  but  from  the  clear  method  of  our  Sharps  and  Tillotsons. 
Now  they  say  nothing  but  what  is  fit  for  the  preacher  to  say,  and  the 
congregation  to  hear.  There  is  little  difference  between  them  and  us 
in  the  method  of  composing  and  speaking.  The  theatrical  way  of 
agitation  and  vociferation,  the  awkward  style  and  blunders  of  the  old 
Nonconformists,  are  now  to  be  found  only  among  Quakers  and 
Anabaptists.  Those  that  are  in  love  with  them  must  visit  their  dark 
conventicles  for  them.  But  whatever  refinements  are  made  among 
other  dissenters  from  the  absurd  preachments  of  their  rough-hewn 
ancestors,  they  must  allow  the  men  of  our  church  to  be  still  more 
refined.  For  if  ever  there  was  an  age  or  church  since  the  Apostles' 
time  that  abounded  in  eloquent  preachers,  it  is  certainly  ours,  which 
has  produced  perfect  masters  of  this  art.  If  solid  reasoning,  just 
explications  of  Holy  Scriptures,  well-chosen  words,  with  all  the 
ornaments  of  style  and  language  proper  for  the  gravity  of  the  subject, 
are  sufficient  to  make  good  sermons,  ours  certainly  are  such  in  all  the 
most  celebrated  congregations  of  the  kingdom,  but  especially  in  this 
great  City  of  London,  for  the  truth  of  which  1  appeal,  not  to  the  gross 
taste  of  the  vulgar,  but  to  your  most  learned  foreigners,  Swedes, 
Danes,  Hollanders,  Switzers,  who  come  here  to  sojourn  in  our 
Protestant  Athens,  London,  for  the  opportunity  of  hearing  and  reading 
our  sermons,  which  you  propose  as  most  perfect  patterns  for  your 
imitation." 

At  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century  it  was  the  custom  for 
the  dissenting  ministers  of  the  City  and  Metropolis  to  meet  at  Baker's 
Chop  House,  Cornhill,  for  an  hour  or  two  every  Tuesday  afternoon  for 
general  conversation  on  any  public  question.  It  was  here  that  the 
first  idea  of  the  London  Missionary  Society  was  formed.  Afterwards, 
for  greater  convenience,  a  more  suitable  room  was  taken  at  the  Castle 
and  Falcon,  Aldersgate  Street.  In  connection  with  the  formation  of 
this  society,  the  committee  made  application  to  the  directors  of  the 
East  India  Company  for  permission  to  send  out  some  missionaries, 
with  their  families,  to  the  Company's  territories  for  the  purpose  of 
making 'known  the  Gospel  to  the  natives  of  India. 

The  following  was  the  reply  received  to  this  application,  dated 
from  the  East  India  House,  12th  January,  1797  : 

"  Gentlemen, — The  Court  of  Directors  of  the  East  India  Company 
have  had  under  consideration  your  letters  of  the  ?.9th  ultimo,  requesting 


10 

permission  to  proceed  to  India  with  your  families,  and  reside  in  the 
Company's  territories  for  the  purpose  of  instructing  the  natives  of 
India  in  the  knowledge  of  the  Christian  religion ;  and  I  have  received 
the  Court's  commands  to  acquaint  you  that,  however  convinced  they 
may  be  of  the  sincerity  of  your  motives,  and  the  zeal  with  which  you 
appear  to  be  actuated,  in  sacrificing  your  personal  convenience  to  the 
religious  and  moral  purposes  described  in  your  letter  ;  yet  the  Court 
have  weighty  and  substantial  reasons  which  induce  them  to  decline  a 
compliance  with  your  request. — I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
humble  servant,  "  WILLIAM  RAMSAY,  Secretary. 

"  To  Robert  Haldane,  Esq.,  The  Rev.  David  Bogue,  The  Rev. 
Greville  Ewing." 

Among  the  earliest  editions  of  metrical  versions  of  the  Psalms  is 
"  The  Book  of  Psalms :  Englished  both  in  Prose  and  Metre.  With 
Annotations  opening  the  words  and  sentences  by  conference  with 
other  Scriptures.  By  Henry  Ainsworth.  Eph.  v.,  18,  19.  Imprinted 
at  Amsterdam,  by  Giles  Thorp,  An.  Do.  1612.  4  to  pp.  348." 

The  metrical  versions  are  some  of  them  printed  in  score,  and 
others  are  referred  to  those  which  have  their  tune  against  them.  The 
following  is  one  of  the  Psalms  (No.  23) : 

"  Jehovah  feedeth  me,  I  shall  not  lack. 

In  grassy  fields,  He  down  doth  make  me  lie : 
He  gently  leads  me  quiet  waters  by. 
He  doth  return  my  soul ;  for  His  Name's  sake 
In  paths  of  justice,  leads  me  quietly. 

"  Yea,  though  I  walk  in  dale  of  deadly  shade, 
I'll  fear  none  ill ;  for  with  me  Thou  shalt  be, 
Thy  rod,  thy  staff  eke,  they  shall  comfort  me. 
'Fore  me  a  table,  Thou  hast  ready  made 
In  their  prescence,  that  my  distresses  be. 

"  Thou  makest  fat  my  head,  with  oincting  oil. 
My  cup  abounds.     Doubtless,  good  and  mercy 
Shall  all  the  days  of  niy  life  follow  me. 
Also  within  Jehovah's  house,  I  shall 
To  length  of  days  repose  me  quietly." 

The  following  is  the  title  of  another  work  published  at  this  time  : 
"  The  Schismatic,  Sifted  through  a  sieve  of  the  largest  size  ;  but 


11 

is  now  more  purely  drest.  Wherein  the  Chaff,  the  Froth,  and  the 
scum  of  Mr.  John  Vicars,  his  Siftings  and  Paintings  prove  him  to  be 
a  lame  Draughtsman,  a  smeary  Washer,  his  Colours  foolishly  mixt, 
and  his  Pencil  as  coarse  as  his  Colours.  Collected  out  of  his  own 
words,  under  his  own  hand.  By  T.  C.,  a  well-wisher  to  Truth  and 
Peace.  Printed  according  to  order,  1646.  4to.  pp.  11." 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  following  pages  that  the  halls  of  the 
various  livery  companies  were  utilise!  to  a  considerable  extent  by  the 
Nonconformists  for  their  services. 

In  "Malcolm's  Manners  and  Customs  of  London "  we  read  the 
following  in  connection  with  the  end  of  the  seventeenth  century  : 

"  The  halls  of  the  different  companies  appear  at  this  period  to 
have  been  used  for  almost  every  public  purpose,  but  particularly  for 
the  sighings  and  groanings  of  grace  and  our  righteousness,  and  to 
reverberate  in  thrice  dissonant  thunder  the  voices  of  the  elect,  who 
saved  themselves  and  dealt  universal  misery  to  all  around  them. 

"  Sunday,  a  world  of  women  with  green  aprons  get  on  their 
pattens  after  eight,  reach  Brewers'  Hall  and  White  Hart  Court  by 
nine,  are  ready  to  burst  with  the  spirit  a  minute  or  two  after,  and  are 
delivered  of  it  by  ten.  Much  sighing  at  Baiters'  Hall  about  the  same 
hour,  great  frowning  at  St.  Paul's  while  the  service  is  singing,  a 
tolerable  attention  to  the  sermon." 

We  will  now  proceed  through  the  streets  and  lanes  of  the  old 
City  of  two  hundred  years  ago,  taking  care  not  to  forget  the  many 
courts  and  alleys,  because  in  them  are  hidden  away  several  old  meeting 
houses  of  great  interest.  We  will  commence  our  walk  from  a  central 
point,  taking  an  easterly  route  as  far  as  the  confines  of  the  City,  then 
retracing  our  steps,  notice  those  in  the  centre,  then  proceeding  west- 
wards, afterwards  taking  the  northern  district,  and  so  completing  our 
interesting  round. 


%ane. 

For  more  than  a  century  a  church  belonging  to  the  Independents 
existed  in  Miles  Lane,  or  as  it  was  formerly  called,  St.  Michael's  Lane, 
from  the  church  of  St.  Michael,  Crooked  Lane,  which  stood  there. 

The  old  building  stood  in  a  paved  court  called  Meeting  House 
Yard,  on  the  right  hand  side  from  Cannon  Street.  Mr.  Wilson  says 


12 

that  "  it  is  a  large  substantial  brick  building,  with  three  good  galleries, 
and  is  one  of  the  oldest  places  of  worship  among  the  dissenters." 

Soon  after  the  fire  it  was  taken  possession  of  by  the  rector  of 
St.  Michael's,  who  retained  it  until  his  own  church  was  rebuilt. 

The  first  minister  was  the  Rev.  Matthew  Barker,  who  had  been 
minister  of  St.  James,  Garlick  Hill,  in  1641,  and  in  1650  was  made 
rector  of  St.  Leonard,  Eastcheap.  This  he  resigned  in  1662.  He 
gathered  a  congregation  in  Miles  Lane,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death  in  1698,  aged  eighty  years.  Dr.  Calamy  says  of  him  :  "  He  was 
a  man  of  considerable  learning,  great  piety,  and  great  candour  and 
moderation,  no  lover  of  covetousness." 

Another  famous  minister  here  was  the  Rev.  Matthew  Clarke, 
who,  in  1694,  succeeded  to  a  declining  cause,  but  soon  gathered  a 
large  and  prosperous  congregation.  He  was  also  one  of  the  merchant 
lecturers  at  Pinners'  Hall.  He  died  in  1726,  aged  sixty-three  years, 
and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields,  where  a  long  Latin  inscription, 
written  by  Dr.  Watts,  was  placed  on  his  tomb.  At  the  conclusion  of 
it  are  the  following  four  lines  : 

"  Go,  traveller,  and  wheresoe'er 
Thy  wandering  feet  shall  rest 
In  distant  lands,  thy  ear  shall  hear 
His  name  pronounced  and  blest." 

Calamy  says  of  Matthew  Clarke :  "A  very  valuable  man  and 
eminent  for  his  skill  in  oriental  languages,  for  the  promotion  of  the 
study  of  which  he  took  much  pains." 

In  1781,  the  Rev.  Stephen  Addington  was  appointed  minister, 
and  continued  so  until  his  death  in  1796.  He  also  at  the  same  time 
opened  an  evangelical  academy  for  young  men  at  Mile  End.  After 
his  death  the  church  was  closed  for  some  little  time,  when  it  was 
taken  by  some  seceders  from  the  Church  of  Scotland  under  the  Rev. 
Alexander  Easton  from  the  chapel  in  Red  Cross  Street. 

In  1805,  the  Rev.  John  Rae,  of  Scotland,  was  appointed  the 
pastor.  The  congregation  at  this  time  seems  to  have  been  small. 
Soon  after  the  building  was  required  for  the  new  approaches  to 
London  Bridge. 


18 


1bouse  Gbapel. 

This  congregation  first  met  in  the  reign  of  Charles  II.,  and  soon 
became  a  large  and  important  society.  The  first  minister  was  the 
Eev.  Samuel  Slater,  who  had  been  minister  of  the  collegiate  church 
of  St.  Katherme  near  the  Tower,  where  he  preached  the  Gospel  for 
nearly  forty  years.  In  1662,  on  account  of  the  Act  of  Uniformity,  he 
left  the  church,  and  was  one  of  those  worthy  ministers  who,  during 
the  plague  in  1625,  remained  in  the  city  during  the  entire  period,  in 
order  to  attend  to  the  needs  of  his  congregation.  He  died  in  1670, 
at  an  advanced  age.  The  original  chapel  was  situate  at  the  corner  of 
Love  Lane  in  Little  Eastcheap,  near  the  site  formerly  occupied  by 
the  church  of  St.  Andrew  Hubbard. 

The  King's  Weigh  House,  which  before  the  fire  stood  in  Cornhill, 
was  after  that  event  removed  to  Eastcheap.  In  1695,  Mr.  Thomas 
Keynolds,  who  had  been  ordained  in  1694  at  the  meeting  house  in 
Little  St.  Helen's,  and  afterwards  assistant  to  Mr.  Howe  at  Silver 
Street,  was  invited  to  the  pastorate,  when,  the  old  meeting  house 
becoming  too  small,  a  new  one  was  built,  the  Weigh  House  occupying 
the  ground  floor.  This  building  was  opened  in  1697.  Mr.  Wilson 
says  that  it  was  "  a  large,  handsome,  oblong  building,  with  three  deep 
galleries,  and  an  upper  one  for  a  charity  school." 

Mr.  Reynolds  was  one  of  the  preachers  appointed  to  the  Merchant 
Lecture.  He  died  in  1727,  aged  sixty  years. 

A  Friday  evening  lecture  was  established  in  this  chapel  for  the 
purpose  of  "  encouraging  and  defending  "  the  use  of  psalmody  in  the 
services  of  the  church  in  1708.  A  volume  of  sermons  on  this  subject 
was  published  at  "  The  Golden  Candlestick,"  at  the  lower  end  of 
Cheapside.  About  this  time  there  was  a  strong  controversy  on  the 
subject,  and  the  Weigh  House  ministers  were  early  pledged  to  defend 
the  use.  The  volume  was  entitled  "  Practical  Discourses  on  Singing." 

In  1736,  Dr.  William  Langford,  who  had  been  co-pastor  with  Mr. 
Bures  at  Silver  Street  Church,  was  invited  to  be  an  assistant  at  the 
Weigh  House.  On  the  death  of  the  pastor  (Mr.  Wood),  Dr.  Langford 
accepted  the  pastorate,  and  remained  for  thirty-three  years,  until  his 
death  in  1775  at  the  age  of  seventy-one.  He  was  buried  at  Bunhill 
Fields. 

Upon  the  death  of  Dr.  Langford,  Dr.  Wilton,  in  1776,  was  invited 


14 

to  the  church.  The  interest,  which  had  then  sunk  very  low,  began 
gradually  to  revive.  Mr.  Wilson  says  of  him  :  "Dr.  Wilton  was  never 
a  popular  preacher ;  his  style  was  not  simple.  He  was  very  long  in 
his  services,  and  took  very  little  pains  with  his  composition  and 
delivery."  This  is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  sins  of  the  dissenters 
in  the  age  in  which  Dr.  Wilton  lived.  He  died  in  1778,  at  the  age  of 
thirty-four,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields,  where  a  monument  was 
erected  to  his  memory. 

To  him  succeeded  in  1779  the  Eev.  John  Clayton,  whom  Robert 
Hall  spoke  of  as  "  the  most  favoured  man  I  ever  saw  or  heard  of." 
This  well-known  minister  had  been  for  some  little  time  assisting  at  the 
chapel,  when,  on  the  death  of  Dr.  Wilton,  he  was  unanimously  elected 
minister — with  the  exception  of  one  member  of  the  congregation,  who 
persistently  objected  to  him,  but  soon  afterwards  became  Mrs.  Clayton. 
He  was  pastor  for  nearly  fifty  years,  and  died  in  1843  at  the  age  of 
eighty-nine.  It  has  been  said  that  "although  John  Clayton  achieved 
some  reputation  for  preaching  power,  and  gained  a  position  of  con- 
siderable influence  in  his  own  sphere,  his  crude  political  creed  pre- 
vented his  ever  becoming  a  representative  man  among  the  dissenters." 

In  1829,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Binney  accepted  the  pastorate,  and  on 
the  16th  October,  1834,  laid  the  foundation  stone  of  the  new  buildings 
on  Fish  Street  Hill.  It  was  at  this  ceremony  that  he  startled 
society  and  the  Church  by  saying  "  that  the  Church  of  England  had 
destroyed  more  souls  than  she  had  saved."  In  later  years  it  is  pleasant 
to  relate  that  he  became  much  more  charitable  in  his  views,  and 
gathered  very  large  congregations  to  his  church.  In  consequence  of 
the  formation  of  the  District  Railway,  the  land  on  which  the  chapel 
stood  was  required.  It  was  freehold,  and  originally  had  been  purchased 
for  £7000.  The  price  given  by  the  railway  company  was  £95,000. 
In  1883,  service  was  held  in  the  old  chapel  for  the  last  time,  the 
church  being  removed  to  the  West  End. 


Court,  6reat  Eastcbeap. 

This  was  a  large  square  building  with  three  galleries,  holding 
about  700  people.  Underneath  the  chapel  were  shops,  and  the  way 
to  it  from  Great  Eastcheap  was  through  a  passage  into  the  court. 


15 

The  origin  of  the  church  is  involved  in  much  obscurity,  but  about  the 
beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century  we  read  that  two  societies  of  the 
Baptist  denomination,  at  the  time  destitute  of  pastors,  agreed  to  unite 
under  the  ministry  of  Mr.  John  Noble,  who  had  then  charge  of  a 
congregation  meeting  at  Tallow  Chandlers'  Hall,  Dowgate  Hill. 
"  While  young  he  suffered  a  long  imprisonment.  He  was  a  man  of 
excellent  parts,  though  outsiders  accused  him  of  uncharitable  conduct. 
His  friends  declare  that  his  moderation  was  exemplary."  He  remained 
here  for  the  long  period  of  thirty-four  years. 

The  congregation  at  this  time  was  in  a  very  prosperous  state,  the 
people  "  expressing  a  very  great  love  for  the  Gospel,  and  generously 
contributing  towards  it,  manifesting  strong  affection  for  its  aged  and 
honoured  pastor  by  the  most  kind  and  generous  treatment,  even  to  the 
end  of  his  life."  Mr.  Noble  generally  attended  the  meetings  at  the 
Gloucestershire  Coffee  House,  and  when  present  appears  usually  to 
have  taken  the  chair.  This  distinction  rose,  doubtless,  from  a  respect 
for  his  age  and  usefulness.  The  last  time  he  attended  the  meeting 
was  20th  March,  1726-7.  He  died  in  June,  1730,  aged  seventy-one 
years,  and  was  buried  in  the  Baptist  burying  ground  in  the  Park, 
Southwark.  His  funeral  sermon  is  still  extant ;  the  title  page  is 
emblazoned  with  a  death's  head,  a  skeleton's  limbs,  and  a  mattock  for 
grave  digging. 

During  the  time  of  his  successor,  Mr.  Samuel  Dew,  the  congre- 
gation much  declined.  He  was  known  as  a  hyper-Calvinist.  Mr. 
Ivimey  says  the  result  of  his  ministry  was  the  "  exciting  a  captious 
and  censorious  spirit  among  the  members  of  the  church,  which  led 
them  to  bite  and  devour  one  another,  and  as  no  others  were  induced 
to  join  their  fellowship,  they  were  soon  destroyed  one  of  another." 

Another  minister  here  was  the  Eev.  John  Gill,  the  Calvinistic 
commentator,  who  commenced  a  Wednesday  evening  lecture,  which 
he  carried  on  for  thirty  years. 

The  commentary  referred  to  was  an  arduous  work  published  in 
nine  folio  volumes. 

In  1760,  the  lease  of  the  chapel  expired,  when  the  members  dis- 
persed themselves  among  various  societies.  For  a  short  time  the 
building  was  occupied  by  the  Swedenborgians,  and  afterwards  by  the 
German  Lutherans. 

About  the  year  1820  the  old  chapel  was  taken  down. 


16 


^Turners'  Iball. 

This  was  one  of  the  largest  of  the  companies'  halls,  and  stood  in 
Philpot  Lane. 

It  was  first  used  by  the  General  Baptists  in  1688,  the  pastor  being 
the  Eev.  Eichard  Allen,  who  had  been  excluded  from  the  Church 
meeting  in  White's  Alley,  on  account  of  his  views  on  the  subject  of 
baptism.  He  ministered  in  this  church  for  about  seven  years. 
Mr.  Wilson  says  "  that  he  preached  in  this  hall  to  a  small  but 
affectionate  people." 

He  remained  here  for  about  seven  years,  when  he  removed  with 
his  people  to  the  church  in  Paul's  Alley,  Barbican. 

About  1700,  the  minister  was  the  Rev.  George  Keith,  who  after- 
wards seceded  to  the  Church  of  England,  and  ministered  at  St. 
George's,  Botolph  Lane.  Soon  after  this  we  find  him  one  of  the 
marrying  parsons  in  the  Fleet,  when  he  was  excommunicated  by  the 
bishop. 

It  was  in  this  hall  that  John  Wesley  once  preached,  it  is  said,  to 
2000  persons,  when  the  flooring  gave  way,  and  had  it  not  been  for 
some  casks  of  tobacco  in  the  cellar  beneath  a  serious  accident  would 
have  happened.  As  it  was,  the  beams  sunk  but  a  foot  or  two,  but,  says 
John  Wesley,  "  I  went  on  without  interruption." 

In  1726,  the  Church  in  Devonshire  Square  signified  a  wish  that 
the  church  at  Turners'  Hall  should  be  united  with  them. 

On  December  26th,  two  messengers,  Messrs.  Blackwell  and  Webb, 
delivered  the  following  message  in  writing :  "Brethren  and  sisters-: 
we,  as  messengers  from  the  Church  of  Christ,  meeting  in  Devonshire 
Square,  late  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Mr.  Mark  Key,  deceased,  to 
this  Church  of  Christ  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Mr.  Sayer  Rhudd, 
request  that  you  will  please  to  remove  from  the  place  of  your  meeting 
to  that  of  Devonshire  Square  (each  church  keeping  up  its  own  church 
state  for  some  time)  till  a  union  of  both  may  be  agreed  upon  to  mutual 
satisfaction,  and  that  our  brother  Rhudd  be  the  pastor  over  the  whole 
community,  to  which  our  request  we  hope  for  a  favourable  answer." 

The  messengers  being  withdrawn,  and  the  church  having 
approved  their  application,  they  were  on  their  return  informed  by  Mr. 
Rhudd  "  That  they  took  the  invitation  kindly  and  designed,  God 


17 

willing,   to   meet   with    them    in    Devonshire    Square,    Lord's   Day 
sennight." 

In  the  minute  books  of  the  Turners'  Company  it  is  recorded  that 
the  Anabaptists  held  their  services  in  the  hall,  and  that  on  one  occasion 
the  court  considered  that  the  last  sermon  the  Company's  chaplain 
preached  was  not  sufficiently  clear  on  some  abstruse  point  of  theology. 
"  The  Committee  determined  to  see  the  chaplain,  to  urge  a  more 
intelligible  treatment  of  the  question." 


(Bracecburcb  Street. 

In  the  reign  of  Charles  II.,  the  Particular  Baptists  had  a  church 
in  this  street,  but  the  precise  spot  where  it  stood  is  not  known. 

The  church  is  referred  to  in  an  old  manuscript  of  the  year  1692. 

Crosby,  in  his  "  History  of  the  Baptists,"  says  that  about  this 
time  the  pastor  of  the  church  was  Dr.  Lee  Viel,  a  foreign  divine  of 
Jewish  parents,  but  who  afterwards  embraced  Christianity.  Not  being 
master  of  the  English  language,  he  was  never  popular  as  a  preacher. 
"  He  was,  however,  a  grave  and  judicious  divine,  a  skilful  grammarian, 
and  a  pious  good  man." 


'  1baU. 

This  hall,  situate  in  Lime  Street,  like  so  many  of  the  old  livery 
halls,  was,  for  a  few  years,  in  the  reign  of  Charles  II.,  appropriated  to 
the  use  of  the  Nonconformists. 

An  independent  congregation  met  here  for  some  time  under  the 
care  of  the  Eev.  Robert  Bragge,  Fellow  of  Wadham  College,  Oxford, 
whose  father  was  a  captain  in  the  Parliamentary  army.  For  a  few 
years  he  had  held  the  living  of  All  Hallows-the-Great,  in  Thames 
Street,  but  this  he  soon  resigned.  Afterwards  he  gathered  together  a 
small  church  in  the  parish,  removing  subsequently  to  Lime  Street. 
Dr.  Calamy  says  of  him  :  "  He  was  a  man  of  great  humility  and  sincerity, 
and  a  very  peaceable  temper."  He  died  in  1704. 

Mr.  Bragge's  successor  was  the  Eev.  Ralph  Yenning,  who  had 
previously  held  a  lectureship  at  St.  Olave's,  Southwark.  Mr.  Yenning 


18 

was  a  popular  preacher,  and  during  his  time  there  is  no  doubt  that  the 
church  in  Lime  Street  was  in  a  flourishing  condition.  He  died  in  his 
fifty-third  year,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields.  Dr.  Calamy  says  of 
him  :  "He  was  a  most  importunate  and  prudent  pleader  for  the  poor, 
who  were  very  numerous  in  his  parish.  He  yearly  got  some  hundreds 
of  pounds  for  them,  having  such  a  way  of  recommending  charity  as 
has  prevailed  with  several  to  give  who  had  gone  to  church  with  a 
resolution  to  the  contrary." 

The  church  here  did  not  have  a  very  long  existence  after  this. 
We  find  that  in  1715  the  hall  was  used  for  the  last  time  as  a  place  of 
worship. 


jpav>et>  HUe£,  Xtme  Street, 

This  was  an  alley  in  the  Leadenhall  Street  end  of  Lime  Street. 
The  chapel  was  a  large  building  with  three  galleries.  The  congrega- 
tion, which  had  been  formed  at  a  meeting  place  in  Lower  Thames 
Street,  met  as  early  as  1640,  imder  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas 
Godwin.  In  1672,  the  chapel  in  Lime  Street  was  erected,  and  for 
many  years  had  a  large  and  rich  congregation. 

In  1755,  the  East  India  Company  bought  the  site,  one  branch  of 
the  church  going  to  Miles  Lane,  where  they  remained  for  about  ten 
years. 

In  1643,  Dr.  Godwin  was  selected  a  member  of  the  assembly  of 
divines,  meeting  at  Westminster,  and  was  also  one  of  the  ministers 
composing  the  synod  of  congregational  churches  which  met  at  the 
Savoy  in  1658.  He  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  nearly  the  whole  of  his 
valuable  library  in  the  great  fire.  He  died  in  1680,  aged  eighty 
years.* 

A  noted  minister  of  this  church  was  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Mather. 
In  1656,  he  was  presented  by  Oliver  Cromwell  to  the  living  of 
Barnstaple,  Devon.  At  the  Restoration  he  lost  this  preferment,  and 
in  1688  undertook  the  charge  of  the  congregation  in  Lime  Street. 
He  was  also  one  of  the  Merchant  Lecturers  at  Pinners'  Hall.  He  died 
in  1697,  aged  sixty-eight  years,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields. 

*  A  further  account  of  this  minister  is  given  in  connection  with  the  Poultry 
Chapel. 


19 

The  Rev.  John  Collins  was  also  one  of  the  ministers  here  for 
twenty-five  years.  He  died  in  1687. 

The  Eev.  Thomas  Bragge  was  appointed  minister  of  the  church 
in  1697,  and  remained  until  1737,  being  pastor  of  the  congregation 
for  forty  years.  He  was  a  very  famous  divine  of  his  day. 

It  was  his  custom  to  make  the  most  of  his  subject  by  preaching 
(as  was  the  custom  in  those  days),  several  discourses  upon  the  same 
text.  It  is  related  that  in  one  part  of  his  life  he  was  employed  no  less 
than  four  months  in  developing  the  mysteries  of  Joseph's  Coat,  "  and 
he  made  him  a  coat  of  many  colours."  The  following  lines  were 
written  of  him — 

"  Eternal  Bragge,  in  never-ending  strains, 
Unfolds  the  wonders  Joseph's  Coat  contains  ; 
Of  every  hue  describes  a  different  cause, 
And  from  each  patch  a  solemn  mystery  draws." 
He   died   in    1738,  aged   seventy-two  years,  and  was  buried  in 
Bunhill  Fields,  beneath  a  handsome  tomb,  under  which  also  rest  the 
remains  of  John  Bunyan. 

The  building  was  taken  down  in  1755,  when  the  church  was 
divided,  one  portion  going  to  Miles  Lane,  the  remainder  to  Camomile 
Street. 

The  following  interesting  particulars  are  taken  from  an  old  minute 
book  of  the  chapel  now  in  the  Guildhall  Library. 

"  1734,  22  July. — Considering  how  many  thousands  have  lost 
their  lives  by  the  wars  that  are  in  Europe,  and  that  the  sword 
still  goeth  on  to  destroy,  this  church  came  to  a  resolution  on 
the  31st  inst.,  to  spend  some  hours  in  prayer  to  beg  of  God  that 
negotiations  may  be  set  on  foot  and  meet  with  success  for  the 
reconciliation  of  the  contending  parties  on  the  earth. 

"  1735,  20  October.— A  letter  from  the  church  of  Christ, 
meeting  near  the  '  Three  Cranes,'  London,  to  this  church  of  Christ, 
was  this  day  read  acquainting  us  that  they  had  called  the  Eev.  Mr. 
John  Hill  to  succeed  their  late  worthy  pastor,  the  Eev.  Dr.  Thomas 
Eigby,  deed.,  and  that  they  desire  the  presence  of  our  pastor  and  two 
messengers  to  be  witnesses  to  their  Faith  and  Order  in  the  Gospel, 
which  request  being  taken  into  consideration,  the  church  was  pleased 
to  appoint  Messrs.  John  Hargrave  and  Thomas  Baddington  to  attend 
the  meeting  of  the  church  on  Thursday  next,  the  23rd  inst. 


20 

"  1735,  17  November. — Notice  was  given  to  the  church  that 
for  some  time  past  our  brother,  Mr.  John  Watts,  had  absented 
himself  from  communion  with  the  church,  whereupon  our  brethren, 
Messrs.  Joseph  Alderney  and  Thomas  Adams,  were  desired  to  wait  on 
him  and  enquire  the  reason  thereof. 

"  1736,  6  September. — After  some  time  spent  in  prayer,  a 
motion  was  made  for  the  church  to  send  a  letter  to  the  Eev.  Mr. 
Thomas  Scott  to  invite  him  to  come  to  London  and  give  us  a  taste  of 
his  gifts,  and  for  his  encouragement  so  to  do  it  was  proposed  that  we 
should  bear  his  travelling  charges  and  expenses  whilst  here,  which 
motion  and  proposal  was  for  a  considerable  time  debated,  and  then  the 
question  was  put — '  So  many  of  you  as  are  for  having  a  letter  sent  to 
invite  Mr.  Scott  to  come  to  London  and  give  us  a  taste  of  his  gifts 
hold  up  your  hands.'  After  which  the  contrary  question  was  put,  and 
thereby  it  was  resolved  in  the  negative." 

The  following  is  the  minute  on  setting  apart  a  joint  minister  with 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Bragge  : 

"  1737,  3  August. — This  being  the  day  agreed  on  for  the 
setting  apart  our  brother,  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Richardson,  we  desired 
the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Hubbard  to  begin  with  prayer,  which  accordingly 
he  did,  and  when  he  had  ended  the  same  he  desired  to  know  for  what 
cause  he  had  called  together  himself  and  his  brethren,  the  pastors  of 
other  churches,  with  their  messengers,  or  words  to  that  effect, 
whereupon  our  brother,  Mr.  John  Butt,  in  words  to  the  following 
effect,  and  in  the  name  of  the  church,  declared  that,  we  having 
several  times  sought  the  Lord  by  prayer  for  direction  in  the  choice  of 
a  fit  pastor  to  be  joint  or  co-pastor  and  teacher  to  this  church  of 
Christ  with  our  reverend  pastor  and  teacher  Mr.  Robert  Bragge,  and 
having  given  a  call  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Richardson,  who  was  pleased  to 
accept  of  the  same,  and  he  having  by  word  of  mouth  declared  unto  us 
his  hope  in  what  God  had  done  for  his  soul,  and  at  the  same  time 
made  a  confession  of  his  faith  as  to  doctrine  and  church  government, 
and  two  of  the  brethren  thereupon  acquainting  the  church  of  the 
character  they  had  received  as  to  his  life  and  conversation,  the  church 
did  receive  him  into  full  communion  and  fellowship  with  them,  after 
which  the  brethren  unanimously  chose  and  ordained  him  to  be  joint 
pastor  and  teacher  with  our  rev.  pastor  and  teacher,  Mr.  Bragge, 
and  that  the  pastors  and  messengers  now  called  together  may  be 


21 

witnesses  to  our  order  and  walk,  as  also  to  the  recognizing  of  out 
choice  and  appointment ;  and  our  brother  Butt  further  said  '  So 
many  of  the  brethren  as  are  now  present  are  desired  to  recognize  their 
choice  and  ordination  by  the  holding  up  of  their  hands,'  which  they 
did  accordingly. 

"  Then  our  brother,  Mr.  Richardson,  gave  an  account  of  his 
acceptance  of  their  choice  and  ordination,  and  assured  his  brethren, 
the  ministers  there  present,  that  they  would  pray  for  his  being 
enrolled  to  perform  so  great  a  trust,  and  that  his  ministry  might  be 
blessed  to  the  conviction  of  sinners,  edification  of  saints,  and  building 
up  of  the  church,  or  words  to  that  effect. 

"  After  which  the  Eev.  Mr.  Goodwin  spent  some  time  in  prayer, 
and  then  the  Rev.  Dr.  Guise  gave  us  a  word  of  exhortation,  with  a 
particular  charge  to  the  church  and  our  brother  now  setting  apart. 

"  After  which  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hall,  not  being  come,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Stevens  was  desired  to  spend  some  time  in  prayer,  and  then  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Richardson  concluded  with  prayer,  looking  for  a  blessing  on  our 
present  transactions. 

"  1738,  13  February. — According  to  the  resolution  of  our  last 
church  meeting,  the  church  now  met  again,  and  tho'  it  pleased  God 
yesterday  in  the  evening  to  take  to  Himself  our  late  rev.  brother,  Mr. 
Robert  Bragge,  we  spent  a  considerable  time  in  prayer,  and  our  rev. 
brother,  Mr.  Richardson,  gave  us  a  word  of  exhortation,  and  then  we 
went  on  with  prayer,  after  which  a  motion  was  made  for  adjourning 
our  usual  church  meetings  to  the  27th  inst.,  which  was  agreed  to,  and 
then  the  church  meeting  was  concluded  with  prayer. 

"  1738,  4  December.. — Oar  brother  Adams  acquainted  the  church 
that  he  had  met  with  our  brother  Edward  Bidale  and  notified  to  him  the 
church's  desire  that  he  would  attend  in  his  place  this  day,  which  he 
refused  to  do,  but  delivered  him  a  letter  directed  to  the  members  of 
that  church  of  Christ  meeting  in  Lime  Street,  signed  Edward  Bidale 
and  dated  the  27th  November,  1738,  which  being  given  to  our  pastyr, 
he  read  the  same  to  the  church,  wherein  he  declares  that  he  does 
thereby  acquit  us  from  any  care  or  charge  over  him,  so  He  desires  we 
would  dash  out  his  name  without  any  further  form,  which  with  the 
report  of  his  disorderly  walk  being  taken  into  consideration,  it  was 
unanimously  resolved  we  should  withdraw  from  him,  which  sentence 


on  behalf  of  the  church  and  in  the  name  of  Christ  our  pastor  solemnly 
pronounced,  as  he  had  not  walked  with  us  according  to  the  Gospel. 

"  And  our  brethren,  Messrs.  Hancock  and  Adams,  were  desired  to 
acquaint  him  therewith. 

"  1740, 21  April. — After  some  time  spent  in  prayer,  the  experiences 
of  Mrs.  Mary  Alder  were  read  to  the  church  and  were  by  them  ap- 
proved of,  as  was  also  the  account  given  of  her  life  and  conversation, 
upon  which  she  was  told  if  she  was  present  on  our  next  Lord's  Supper 
Day  and  we  met  with  no  discouragement,  she  should  then  be  received 
into  full  communion  and  fellowship  with  us,  and  then  this  church 
meeting  was  concluded  with  prayer. 

"  1745,  27  May. — After  some  time  spent  in  prayer,  John 
Baddington  told  the  church  some  of  the  brethren  had  been  with  him 
and  signified  their  offence  at  his  having  for  some  time  past  attended  the 
Moravian  ministry,  and  the  reason  he  gave  them  for  so  doing  was  because, 
under  their  ministry,  he  found  his  dear  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  whilst 
he  hungered  in  bondage  in  Lime  Street,  and  then  several  of  the 
brethren  spoke  their  minds  in  respect  to  what  he  had  declared,  and 
our  pastor  reproved  him,  and  then  gave  the  Blessing,  and  we 
adjourned. 

"  1746,  14  August. — After  some  time  spent  in  prayer,  the  office 
relating  to  our  sister,  Sarah  Bryan,  was  taken  into  consideration,  and 
after  long  debates  thereon,  by  holding  up  of  hands,  it  was  unanimously 
resolved  to  cut  her  off  from  communion  and  fellowship  with  us  by 
excommunication,  whereupon  our  pastor,  in  the  name  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  the  power  of  the  church,  did  deliver  up  to  Satan 
our  sister,  Sarah  Bryan,  for  the  destruction  of  her  flesh  that  her  spirit 
might  be  saved  in  the  day  of  the  Lord ;  and  our  brother  Butt  was 
desired  to  let  her  know  what  sentence  the  church  had  passed  on  her, 
and  that  we  no  longer  esteemed  her  as  a  member  with  us. 

"  1748,  30  January. — After  some  time  spent  in  prayer,  the 
church  was  informed  that  several  of  our  members  were  dissatisfied 
at  sitting  down  in  communion  at  the  Lord's  Supper  with  our  brethren, 
Mr.  John  Duck,  John  Hamer,  and  Charles  Richards,  who  were 
reported  to  hold  such  damning  errors  in  religion  that  unfitted  them 
for  membership  with  a  church  of  Christ,  whereupon  our  brethren, 
Mr.  Cranke  and  Mr.  Harwood,  were  deputed  to  acquaint  them  the 


23 

church  desired  they  would  abstain  from  sitting  down  with  us  at  the 
Lord's  Supper  until  they  had  given  the  church  full  satisfaction  as  to 
what  in  due  time  shall  be  arraigned  against  them,  and  then  this 
church  meeting  was  closed  with  prayer  and  thanksgiving. 

"  1749,  9  October. — After  some  time  spent  in  prayer  a  motion 
was  made  that  we  should  lay  aside  the  Scotch  version  of  the  Psalms 
and  instead  thereof  sing  the  hymns  and  spiritual  songs  composed  by 
the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Watts,  which  occasioned  very  long  debates,  and 
some  desired  the  further  consideration  thereof  might  be  adjourned.  It 
was  carried  to  the  contrary,  and  thereupon  our  pastor  put  the  question 
'  All  you  that  are  for  having  Dr.  Watts'  psalms  sung  by  the  Church, 
instead  of  the  Scotch  version,  hold  up  your  hands,'  and  on  the  contrary 
question  being  put,  the  first  question  was  carried  in  the  affirmative, 
and  then  this  meeting  was  concluded  with  prayer  and  thanksgiving. 

"  1753,  28  May. — After  some  time  spent  in  prayer,  a  report  was 
made  that  the  Court  of  Directors  of  the  United  East  India  Company 
(who  had  given  us  notice  that  they  would  require  the  ground  on  which 
the  chapel  stood)  had  taken  our  memorial  into  consideration  and 
given  us  liberty  to  remove  every  thing  in  the  chapel  which  we  thought 
we  had  a  right  to  do  ;  after  which  we  considered  who  might  be 
proper  to  view  and  appraise  the  same ;  and  it  was  agreed  that 
Mr.  Blatherdin,  in  Coleman  Street,  and  Mr.  Price,  in  Houndsditch, 
should  do  it,  but  both  of  them  not  knowing  any  other  person  was  to 
or  had  valued  the  same  (the  articles  in  question  being  the  pulpit, 
pews,  and  fittings  of  the  chapel),  then  it  was  thought  convenient 
that  proper  notice  should  be  given  when  we  intended  to  remove  to 
Miles  Lane ;  and  it  was  agreed  that  next  Lord's  Day  our  pastor  should 
declare  from  the  pulpit  that  from  and  after  the  Lord's  Day  following, 
being  the  10th  June,  there  would  be  no  more  preaching  in  this  place, 
but  we  should  remove  to  Miles  Lane,  in  Cannon  Street,  and  that 
written  advertisement  should  be  fixed  on  our  present  meeting  house 
doors  to  notifie  the  same,  and  then  this  church  meeting  concluded 
with  prayer,  thanksgiving,  and  the  Blessing. 

"  1755,  7  August. — After  some  time  spent  in  prayer,  one  of  the 
brethren  stood  up  and  acquainted  the  church  (when  several  of  the 
brethren  were  then  present)  that  Mr.  Richardson  had  been  requested 
to  give  a  meeting  of  five  or  six  of  the  brethren  to  talk  over  the  affairs 
of  the  church,  which  he  had  absolutely  refused  to  do.  So  that  he 


24 

was  obliged  to  take  this  method  of  informing  the  church  of  our  present 
situation,  the  substance  of  which  was  there  was  a  general  uneasiness 
and  dissatisfaction  amongst  the  members  concerning  Mr.  Richardson's 
preaching,  and  also  his  behaviour  to  them. 

"  Many  had  absented  themselves,  and  others  about  asking  for 
their  dismissions,  and  from  once  a  crowded  auditory  now  dwindled 
away  to  nothing,  by  which  means  the  collection  for  the  poor  and  for 
the  rent  of  the  place  fell  vastly  short,  and  he  designed  to  have  added 
the  subscription  for  the  minister  also,  but  that  he  had  just  heard 
Mr.  Richardson  in  the  vestry  declare  to  some  of  the  brethren  that  he 
had  enough,  he  wanted  no  more.  He  said  further,  that  our  collection 
for  the  fund,  which  formerly  was  the  largest  of  any  church  in  London, 
has  been  entirely  laid  aside  these  three  or  four  years,  and  we  have  not 
been  able  to  raise  anything  upon  that  occasion,  so  that  we  have  not  a 
name  in  the  fund  book,  and  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  eminent 
of  all  the  churches  are  sunk  so  low  as  hardly  to  be  respected  or  owned 
as  a  church.  It  is  evident  there  is  a  cause  for  so  great  a  declaration, 
and  it  appears  plainly  enough  to  many  where  it  lays,  for  not  one  of 
the  absenting  members  ever  complained  of  the  church  ;  therefore  it 
must  needs  be  in  the  minister,  and  that  if  some  method  was  not  taken 
speedily  in  order  to  restore  peace,  we  could  not  long  subsist  as  a 
church.  Then  several  of  the  brethren  then  present  spoke  their  minds 
freely,  being  much  to  the  same  purport.  Mr.  Richardson  also  made 
answer  that  there  might  be  causes  assigned.  The  first  was  that  many 
of  late  had  conformed  to  the  Established  Church,  and  dissenting 
children  marrying  with  Church  folk,  and  lastly,  the  great  declension 
of  religion  in  general,  but  promised  before  the  church  that  whatever 
had  been  amiss  with  regard  to  his  preaching  or  conduct,  he  would 
endeavour  to  amend  and  do  all  in  his  power  to  restore  peace,  which 
the  brethren  said  was  all  they  required,  and  then  Mr.  Richardson 
concluded  with  thanksgiving  and  the  Blessing. 

"  1755,  6  November. — After  some  time  spent  in  prayer,  our 
brother  and  sister  Gerthon  came  to  desire  their  dismissal,  which  Mr. 
Richardson  again  declared,  he  never  would  give  any  more,  nor  put  his 
hand  to  any  except  into  the  country,  which  caused  some  sharp  debates. 
One  of  the  brethren  endeavoured  to  persuade  him  to  draw  one  up,  but 
he  absolutely  refused,  and  flew  into  a  great  passion,  so  when  it  was 
found  that  persuasion  was  to  no  effect,  it  was  agreed  by  the  brethren 


25 

present  that  one  of  the  deacons  should  draw  one  up  against  our  next 
church  meeting,  and  to  be  read  to  the  church  and  signed  by  one  of 
the  deacons.  Then  some  of  the  brethren  told  Mr.  Richardson  of  his 
preaching,  that  he  did  not  study  his  sermons  nor  his  expositions,  and 
also  of  his  conduct  towards  the  church,  and  his  behaviour  in  life, 
to  all  which  he  seemed  insensible,  and  stood  up  and  concluded  with  a 
short  prayer.  This  behaviour  of  our  pastor  made  some  of  the  church 
very  uneasy.  It  was  afterwards  agreed  by  some  of  the  brethren  to 
write  letters  to  the  rest  to  attend  at  our  next  church  meeting,  and  that 
one  of  the  brethren  should  desire  Mr.  Richardson  to  meet  five  or  six 
of  the  brethren  to  talk  over  the  affairs  of  the  church.  On  the 
llth  December,  1755,  Mr.  Richardson  resigned  the  pastorate  of  the 
church. 

"  1760,  20  March. — After  some  time  spent  in  prayer,  our  rev. 
pastor  gave  us  a  word  of  exhortation,  then  the  affair  of  the  psalms  was 
mentioned  (to  sing  without  giving  out  the  lines,  as  had  been  the 
custom),  whether  it  would  be  agreeable  to  sing  with  the  book.  It  was 
put  to  the  vote  and  carried  unanimous.  Then  our  pastor  was  desired 
to  give  notice  of  four  Lords'  Days  that  the  people  might  provide  them- 
selves with  books,  and  the  deacons  were  desired  to  get  a  proper  number 
for  the  poor  and  the  table  pew,  then  this  church  meeting  concluded 
with  prayer  and  the  Blessing." 


/l&arfe  %ane. 

For  some  years  an  influential  congregation  met  in  this  lane  ;  the 
exact  spot  is  now  difficult  to  find. 

Originally  it  seems  to  have  been  a  few  persons  meeting  together 
in  the  house  of  one  of  the  wealthy  City  merchants  at  that  time 
residing  in  the  lane. 

The  church  was  gathered  together  about  the  year  1662,  by  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Caryll,  who  had  been  rector  of  St.  Magnus,  London 
Bridge.  This  gentleman  was  also  preacher  to  the  Honourable  Society 
of  Lincoln's  Inn,  and  also  a  member  of  the  Westminster  Assembly  of 
Divines.  He  preached  several  fast  and  thanksgiving  sermons  before 
the  Parliament,  and  published,  among  other  works,  "  An  Exposition 
with  Practical  Observations  on  the  Birth  of  Job,"  in  twelve  volumes, 


26 

quarto.  Dr.  Calamy  says  of  him  "  that  he  was  a  man  of  great  piety, 
learning  and  modesty." 

In  the  Sion  College  Library  there  is  a  volume  of  sermons, 
written  by  Thomas  Brooks,  "Preacher  of  the  Gospel  at  St.  Margaret, 
Fish  Street  Hill,"  dated  1660.  The  title  of  the  book  is  "  Heaven  on 
Earth  ;  or,  a  Serious  Discourse,  touching  a  well-grounded  Assurance 
of  Men's  Everlasting  Happiness  and  Blessedness.  Discussing  the 
Nature  of  Assurance,  the  Probability  of  Attaining  it,  the  Causes,  Springs, 
and  Degrees  of  it,  with  the  Kesolution  of  severall  Mighty  Questions." 
Mr.  Caryll  wrote  the  following  introduction  to  this  book :  "  The 
greatest  thing  that  we  can  desire  (next  to  the  glory  of  God)  is  our  own 
salvation,  and  the  sweetest  thing  we  can  desire  is  the  assurance  of 
our  salvation.  In  this  life  we  cannot  get  higher  than  to  be  assured 
of  that  which  in  the  next  life  is  to  be  enjoyed.  All  saints  shall  enjoy 
a  heaven  when  they  leave  this  earth.  Some  saints  enjoy  a  heaven 
while  they  are  here  on  earth.  That  saints  might  enjoy  two  heavens 
is  the  project  of  this  book,  that  this  project  may  be  published,  and 
(by  a  blessing  from  the  third  heaven)  prospered. — Joseph  Caryll." 

Dr.  John  Owen,  who  was  pastor  of  another  church  in  the 
neighbourhood,  succeeded  Mr.  Caryll,  the  two  churches  being  united. 
The  congregation,  we  are  told  at  this  time,  numbered  171  members. 
Mr.  Wilson  describes  Mr.  Owen  as  "  the  prince  of  modern  divines." 

In  1652  he  was  chosen  Vice-Chancellor  of  the  University  of 
Oxford,  where  he  preached  on  alternate  Sundays  at  St.  Mary's  until 
1657,  when  he  resigned.  He  was  the  author  of  a  considerable  number 
of  works.  He  died  in  1683,  aged  sixty-seven  years,  and  was  buried  in 
Bunhill  Fields,  as  many  as  sixty-seven  carriages,  filled  with  friends 
and  admirers,  following  him  to  the  grave. 

Dr.  Chauncey,  a  divine  of  considerable  learning  but  not  popular 
as  a  preacher,  succeeded  to  the  charge  in  1687  and  resigned  in  1702. 
Mr.  Wilson  says :  "  What  rendered  him  chiefly  unpopular  was  his 
frequent  preaching  uppn  the  order  and  description  of  gospel  churches, 
by  which  he  at  last  preached  away  most  of  his  people."  Another  writer 
speaking  of  him  says:  "Dr.  Chauncey,  though  a  learned  divine,  he  was 
not  a  popular  preacher,  and  to  add  to  the  evil,  being  a  stiff,  or  some  would 
say,  a  furious  Independent,  he  tormented  his  people  from  the  pulpit 
with  frequent  dissertations  on  church  government." 

In  1708  this  church  removed  to  Bury  Street,  St.  Mary  Axe. 


27 


Burp  Street,  St.  dDarp  Hr.e. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  recollections  of  this  old  City  meeting 
house  is  the  fact  that  for  nearly  fifty  years  the  Rev.  Dr.  Isaac  Watts 
was  the  pastor. 

On  the  same  day  that  King  William  died  (18th  March,  1702), 
Isaac  Watts  was  "solemnly"  ordained  to  succeed  Dr.  Chauncey,  whose 
assistant  he  had  been  for  some  time.  "  He  was  separated  to  the 
charge  by  fasting  and  prayer.  Matthew  Clarke,  Thomas  Collins, 
Benoni  Eowe,  and  Thomas  Ridgley  prayed  on  the  occasion."  Thomas 
Rowe  preached  from  Jeremiah  hi.,  15. 

This  ordination  service  took  place  in  the  old  meeting  house  in 
Mark  Lane.  At  this  time  Dr.  Watts  was  residing  in  the  lane.  It 
was  also  from  here  that  he  published  his  metrical  version  of  the 
Psalms. 

In  1708  the  Chapel  in  Bury  Street  was  opened  by  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Bradbury.  It  is  described  as  a  building  with  three  galleries, 
and  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  £350. 

Dr.  Watts  is  said  to  have  had  "  a  large  and  respectable  congre- 
gation." A  writer  says :  "  Although  neither  a  fluent  or  popular 
preacher,  many  citizens  who  then  lived  over  their  business  premises 
might  be  seen  on  the  Sabbath  mornings  walking  to  the  sanctuary 
where  Dr.  Watts  preached."  One  of  his  most  devoted  hearers  was 
Sir  Thomas  Abney,  the  Alderman  of  Vintry  Ward,  and  Lord  Mayor 
in  1700.  With  this  worthy  alderman  Dr.  Watts  spent  much  of  his 
time  at  his  mansion  at  Abney  Park,  Stoke  Newington,  and  was  always 
a  welcome  guest. 

Dr.  Watts  died  on  the  25th  November,  1748,  aged  75  years.  His 
remains  were  interred  in  Bunhill  Fields.  A  handsome  marble 
memorial  was  fixed  behind  the  pulpit  of  the  chapel  to  his  memory. 
Dr.  Samuel  Chandler  delivered  the  oration  at  his  grave,  and  Dr. 
Jennys  preached  the  funeral  sermon  from  Hebrews  xi.,  4. 

After  the  death  of  Dr.  Watts,  the  interest  of  the  chapel  continued 
in  a  very  low  state.  There  were  several  ministers,  but  none  succeeded 
in  gathering  a  good  congregation. 

The  following  notice  appears  in  the  Evangelical  Magazine  for 
January,  1797  : 

"  On  December  llth,  at  the  Meeting  House  of  the  Rev.  J.  Beck, 


28 

Bury  Street,  was  opened  a  Sunday  evening  lecture  to  the  Jews.  Dr. 
Haweis,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Greathied,  Rev.  J.  Eyre,  Dr.  Hunter,  Rev.  J. 
Love,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cooper  have  engaged  to  deliver  the  first  six 
discourses  in  the  order  in  which  they  stand,  and  should  any  of  that 
long-neglected  people  attend,  other  ministers  will  be  requested  to 
assist  in  a  course  of  lectures  upon  subjects  suited  to  their  condition." 
In  1823  the  church  was  removed  to  Bethnal  Green. 


Jewry  Street  Gbapel. 

About  the  time  of  Charles  II.,  a  society  of  Presbyterians  met  in  a 
chapel  in  what  was  then  called  Poor  Jewry  Lane.  This  society  met 
for  upwards  of  a  century.  Some  well-known  divines  of  the  day  were 
the  pastors.  The  first  was  Mr.  Timothy  Cruse,  who  had  a  flourishing 
church  and  congregation.  This  was  about  1687.  In  1694,  we  find 
he  was  one  of  the  preachers  at  the  Pinners'  Hall  Lecture.  Mr.  Wilson 
says  of  him:  "He  was  justly  esteemed  one  of  the  greatest  preachers 
of  the  age  in  which  he  lived."  He  died  in  1697,  and  was  buried  in 
Stepney  Churchyard,  where  a  handsome  tomb  with  a  Latin  inscription 
was  erected  to  his  memory. 

The  next  minister  was  the  Rev.  Francis  Fuller,  who  in  1662 
resigned  the  living  of  St.  Martin's,  Ironmonger  Lane.  He  died  in 
1701. 

Dr.  Harris,  who  succeeded  Mr.  Fuller,  was  a  very  popular 
preacher  in  the  City.  He  was  also  for  thirty  years  one  of  the  Friday 
evening  lecturers  at  the  Weigh  House  Chapel  in  Little  Eastcheap. 
He  wrote  the  commentary  upon  the  Epistle  to  the  Philippians  and 
Colossians  in  Matthew  Henry's  work.  He  bequeathed  a  large  number 
of  his  books  and  writings  to  Dr.  Williams's  Library,  where  there  is 
also  preserved  a  very  fine  painting  of  him.  He  died  in  1740,  and  was 
interred  in  Dr.  Williams's  vault  in  Bunhill  Fields. 

Dr.  Nathaniel  Lardner  was  appointed  an  assistant  minister  here 
in  1729.  He  first  commenced  his  ministry  at  a  meeting  house  in 
Hoxton  Square,  and  was  member  of  a  literary  society  consisting  of 
ministers  and  others,  who  met  weekly  at  Chew's  Coffee  House,  in 
Bow  Lane.  He  was  a  most  prolific  author,  his  principal  work  being 
one  entitled  "  The  Credibility  of  the  Gospel  History,  or  the  Principal 


29 

Facts  of  the  New  Testament,  confirmed  by  Passages  from  ancient 
Authors  who  were  contemporary  with  our  Saviour  or  His  Apostles,  or 
lived  near  their  time."  This  was  an  immense  work,  published  in 
twelve  volumes,  the  first  volume  appearing  in  1733,  and  the  last  in 
1755.  After  which  he  published  a  supplement  to  the  work  in  three 
volumes.  He  died  in  1768,  aged  eighty-five  years,  and  was  buried  in 
Bunhill  Fields. 

It  was  in  this  chapel  that  the  Rev.  Joseph  Hart  was  minister. 
He  died  in  1768.  In  the  eighteenth  century  "  Hart's  Hymns  "  were 
very  popular  and  highly  prized  by  a  large  number  of  churches  both 
Dissenting  and  Anglican. 

For  some  years  the  Rev.  Richard  Price,  D.D.,  was  afternoon 
preacher  here.  "  He  was  a  man  of  very  superior  attainments,  a 
profound  mathematician,  and  a  prolific  writer  on  political  subjects  of 
the  day."  In  1763,  he  was  elected  a  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Society,  and 
contributed  continually  to  the  transactions  of  that  learned  body. 

In  1796,  services  according  to  the  Church  of  England  were  held 
in  the  chapel  for  some  time,  after  which  it  passed  back  again  to  the 
Independents. 


Grutcbefc  Jfrtars. 

One  of  the  earliest  meeting  houses  in  the  City  belonged  to  the 
Baptist  interest,  and  was  situate  in  Crutched  Friars,  on  the  site  of  the 
old  Friar's  Hall,  which  was  burnt  down  in  1575.  The  congregation 
was  formed  about  the  year  1639,  the  chief  promoter  being  Mr.  John 
Greene,  who  was  by  trade  a  felt  or  hat  maker.  He  was  chosen 
the  first  minister,  and  became  a  zealous  and  popular  preacher.  In  the 
year  1641,  there  was  published  a  quarto  pamphlet,  entitled  ''The 
Brownist's  Synagogue,  or  a  Late  Discovery  of  their  Conventicles, 
Assemblies,  and  Places  of  Meeting,  where  they  preach  and  the  manner 
of  their  praying  and  preaching,  with  a  relation  of  the  names,  places, 
and  doctrines  of  those  which  do  commonly  preach,  the  chief  of  which 
are  these :  Greene  the  felt  maker,  Marler  the  button  maker,  Spencer 
the  coachman,  Rogers  the  glover  ;  which  sect  is  much  increased  of 
late  within  this  city.  A  kingdom  divided  cannot  stand."  This  Mr. 
Greene  seems  to  have  gone  abroad  for  a  short  time.  On  his  return  in 


80 

1646  "  he  statedly  preached  in  Colnian  Street,  once  on  the  Lord's  Day, 
and  once  on  a  week  day."  Edwards,*  in  his  history,  says  "  There  is 
so  great  -  a  resort  and  flocking  to  hear  him,  that  yards,  rooms,  and 
houses  are  all  so  full  that  he  causes  his  neighbours'  conventicles  and 
others  to  be  oftentimes  very  thin,  and  independents  to  preach  to  bare 
walls  and  empty  seats  in  comparison  of  this  great  rabbi." 

The  following  occurrence  is  related,  which  took  place  most 
probably  in  this  meeting  house  : — 

"About  Aldgate,  in  London,  there  was  a  great  meeting  of  many 
sectaries,  and  among  others  Master  Knollys  and  Master  Jersey,  for  the 
restoring  of  a  blind  woman  to  her  sight  by  anointing  her  with  oil  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord.  It  was  conducted  after  this  manner : — The  old 
blind  woman  was  set  in  the  midst  of  the  room,  and  she  first  prayed 
aloud  (all  the  company  joining  with  her)  to  this  effect :  That  God 
would  bless  His  own  ordinances  and  institutions  for  the  restoring  her 
sight.  After  she  had  done  praying,  Master  Knollys  prayed  for  some 
space  of  time  to  the  same  effect,  for  a  blessing  upon  the  anointing  with 
oil,  and  after  prayer  she  was  anointed  with  oil.  The  person  who 
performed  this  ceremony  repeating  these  words  :  "  The  Lord  give  thee 
or  restore  thee  thy  sight." 

During  the  Civil  War  Paul  Hobson  was  pastor,  who,  on  the  out- 
break of  the  war,  took  his  sword  and  went  into  the  field  on  the 
Parliamentary  side.  He  was  a  man  who  denounced  other  sects  in  no 
measured  terms,  so  that  for  a  time  he  was  lodged  in  Newport  Pagnell 
Gaol. 

Timothy  Cruse,  who  was  his  successor,  was  a  famous  preacher  of 
the  time.  He  is  said  to  have  had  the  charm  of  an  agreeable  voice,  a 
graceful  manner,  and  was  ,esteemed  one  of  the  greatest  preachers  of 
the  age.  His  congregation  here  was  large,  and  during  his  life  the 
church  was  in  a  flourishing  state.  At  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1697,  at  the  early  age  of  forty-one,  an  attempt  was  made  to  introduce  a 
successor  contrary  to  the  wish  of  many  of  the  congregation.  A 
separation  followed,  which  sowed  the  seeds  of  future  decay.  Mr.  Cruse 
was  also  one  of  the  selected  preachers  at  Pinners'  Hall. 

The  succession  of  Mr.  Cruse  was  Dr.  Harris.  He  was  invited  to 
the  pulpit  at  a  very  early  age,  and  was  considered  a  good  preacher,  but 

*  Edward's  Gangrcena.     Part  III. 


31 

very  modest  and  retiring.  He  was  one  of  those  who  preached  the  lecture 
on  Friday  evenings,  at  the  Weigh  House,  to  encourage  psalmody,  and 
on  the  death  of  Dr.  Tong  was  chosen  to  be  lecturer  at  Baiters'  Hall. 
The  works  that  he  published  were  numerous,  chiefly  sermons,  which 
at  the  time  had  a  good  circulation.  He  made  a  valuable  collection  of 
authors  upon  Biblical  criticism,  all  of  which  were  bequeathed  to 
Dr.  Williams's  library.  He  died  25th  May,  1740,  aged  sixty-five 
years. 

To  him  succeeded  Dr.  John  Benson,  of  whom  it  was  said  that, 
"  in  learning  he  was  not  deficient,  of  pains  to  excel  there  was  no  want, 
all  that  toil  could  do  was  done,  but  he  had  not  the  ability  of  his 
predecessors :  he  was  an  impenetrably  dull  man."  During  his 
pastorate  the  congregation  was  gradually  diminishing  until  it  was 
scarcely  entitled  to  that  name,  and  after  a  precarious  existence  of  about 
twelve  years,  it  became  extinct.  Dr.  Benson  died  in  1672,  aged 
sixty-three  years. 

The  building  was  afterwards  opened  by  the  Calvinistic  Methodists, 
William  Aldridge,  who  came  from  Lady  Huntingdon's  College,  at 
Treveca,  being  the  first  minister.  We  are  told  "  that  the  place  was 
once  more  filled  with  serious  and  attentive  hearers." 

A  short  time  after  this  the  church  removed  to  Houndsditch. 

The  site  of  the  old  chapel  is  now  covered  by  the  East  India 
warehouses. 


0rav>el  Xane,  Ibounfcsfcitcb. 

This  chapel  was  erected  for  the  Baptist  church  about  the  year 
1688.  The  exact  spot  on  which  it  stood  is  not  known.  In  the 
"  Confession  of  Faith,"  put  forth  by  the  Particular  Baptists  in  1689, 
Mr.  Edward  More  is  mentioned  as  pastor  of  a  congregation  meeting 
in  Houndsditch. 

The  congregation  first  met  in  Winchester  Street,  afterwards 
removing  to  Gravel  Lane.  Mr.  Wilson  says  that  the  building  was 
made  of  wood,  "  of  very  considerable  dimensions,  and  capable  of 
accommodating  1500  people." 

Dr.    Samuel   Pomfret   was   the   first   minister.      He  was  born   in 
Coventry  in  1650,  was  a  popular  preacher,  and  drew  together  large 


82 

congregations.  He  told  a  friend  that  he  bad  800  members  belonging 
to  his  church. 

In  his  biography  it  is  said  that  "  he  exercised  his  ministry  with 
great  constancy  and  almost  incredible  pains,  and  through  the  blessing 
of  God  upon  his  labours,  with  such  success,  that  some  think  the  like 
has  not  been  known  in  these  latter  times." 

About  1730,  the  congregation  was  much  reduced,  and  shortly 
after,  the  church  removed  to  Great  Alic  Street,  Whitechapel,  the 
building  being  converted  into  business  premises. 


Dall. 

Very  little  is  known  as  to  the  history  of  the  church  meeting  in 
this  hall,  which  was  situate  in  Duke's  Place,  Aldgate.  It  was  one  of 
the  earliest  congregations  belonging  to  the  Baptists,  dating  from  the 
year  1640.  The  numbers  of  the  church  increasing,  it  was  considered 
wise,  on  account  of  the  disturbed  nature  of  the  times,  to  divide  the 
church.  This  was  done  by  mutual  consent,  one  section  going  to  the 
ministry  of  Mr.  Praise  God  Barebone.  Not  much  is  known  of  this 
gentleman  except  that  he  was  a  leather  seller  in  Fleet  Street,  and  was 
considered  a  notable  preacher  of  the  day.  There  were  two  other 
brothers  of  this  family,  each  of  whom,  according  to  the  well-known 
custom  of  the  old  Puritans  of  the  day,  had  a  sentence  of  scripture  for 
his  Christian  name,  one  brother  being  named  "  Christ  came  into  the 
world  to  save  Barebone,"  the  other  brother  being  named  "  If  Christ 
had  not  died  thou  hadst  being  damned  Barebone."  With  regard  to 
the  latter  name,  it  is  related  that  some  are  said  to  have  omitted  the 
first  part  of  the  sentence,  and  to  have  called  him  only  "  Damned 
Barebone." 

In  connection  with  this  preacher,  a  pamphlet  was  published, 
entitled  "  New  Preachers,  New  -  — ."  "  Greene  the  felt  maker, 
Spencer  the  horse  seller,  Quartermine  the  brewers'  clerk,  and  some 
few  others  who  are  mighty  sticklers  in  this  new  kind  of  teaching 
trade  which  many  ignorant  coxcombs  call  preaching.  Whereunto  is 
added  the  last  tumult  in  Fleet  Street  raised  by  the  disorderly  preach- 
ment, pratings,  and  pratlings  of  Mr.  Barebones  the  leather  seller,  and 
Mr.  Greene  the  felt  maker,  on  Sunday  last,  the  19th  June,  near 
Fetter  Lane  and  in  Fleet  Street,  at  the  sign  of  the  '  Lock  and  Key,' 


33 

there  and  then  did  you  (by  turns)  unlock  most  delicate  strange  doc- 
trine, where  were  about  thousands  of  people,  of  which  number  the 
most  ignorant  applauded  your  preaching,  and  them  that  understood 
anything  derided  your  ignorant  prating.  But  after  four  hours'  long 
and  tedious  tatling,  the  house  where  you  were  was  beleaguered  with 
multitudes  that  thought  it  fit  to  rouse  you  out  of  your  blind  devotion, 
so  that  your  walls  were  battered,  your  windows  all  fractions,  torn  into 
rattling  shivers,  and  worse  the  hurly-burly  might  have  been,  but  that 
sundry  constables  came  in  with  strong  guards  of  men  to  keep  the 
peace,  in  which  conflict  your  sign  was  broken  down  and  unhanged  to 
make  room  for  the  owner  to  supply  the  place." 

The  tumult  alluded  to  is  thus  described  : — "  A  brief  touch  in 
memory  of  the  fiery  zeal  of  Mr.  Barebones,  a  reverend,  unlearned, 
leather  seller,  who  with  Mr.  Greene,  the  felt  maker,  were  both  taken 
preaching  or  prating  in  a  conventicle  amongst  a  hundred  persons  on 
Sunday,  the  19th  December,  last,  1641.  After  my  commendations 
Mr.  Rawbones  (Barebones,  I  should  have  said)  in  acknowledgment  of 
your  too  much  troubling  yourself  and  molesting  of  others,  I  have 
made  bold  to  relate  briefly  your  last  Sunday  afternoon's  work,  lest  in 
time  your  meritorious  painstaking  should  be  forgotten  (for  the  which 
you  and  your  associate,  Mr.  G.,  do  well  deserve  to  have  your  heads  in 
the  custody  of  young  Gregory  to  make  buttons  for  hempen  loops)  you 
two  having  the  spirit  so  full  that  you  must  either  vent  or  burst,  did 
on  the  Sabbath  aforesaid  place,  all  which  shows  had  never  been  had 
Mr.  Greene  and  Mr.  Barebones  been  content  (as  they  should  have 
been)  to  have  gone  to  their  own  parish  churches.  Also  on  the  same 
day  a  mad  rustic  fellow  (who  is  called  the  '  Prophet  Hunt ')  did  his 
best  to  raise  the  same  strife  and  trouble  in  St.  Sepulchre's  Church. 
Consider  and  avoid  these  disorders,  good  reader !  " 

Mr.  Henry  Jersey  was  minister  here  for  a  short  time.  He  had 
been  rector  of  St.  George's,  Southwark.  He  died  in  1663,  aged 
sixty-three  years,  and  was  buried  from  Woodmongers'  Hall.  Several 
thousands  of  people,  it  is  said,  attended  his  funeral. 

Anthony  Wood,  a  writer  of  the  time,  thus  relates  the  funeral : 
"  At  length  (says  he),  paying  his  last  debt  to  nature,  September  4th, 
1663,  being  then  accounted  the  oracle  and  idol  of  his  faction,  was  on 
the  seventh  day  of  the  same  month  laid  to  sleep  with  his  fathers  in  a 
hole  made  in  the  yard  joining  to  old  Bedlam,  Moorfields,  in  the 


34 

suburbs  of  London,  attended  with  a  strange  medley  of  fanatics,  mostly 
Anabaptists,  that  met  upon  the  very  point  of  time,  all  at  the  same 
instant,  to  do  honour  to  their  departed  brother." 


Crosby  1ball. 

This  hall,  one  of  the  finest  examples  of  ancient  domestic  archi- 
tecture in  the  City,  was  for  more  than  one  hundred  years  devoted  to 
religious  purposes  by  the  Nonconformists.  Sir  John  Langham,  the 
noble  owner  in  the  time  of  Charles  II.,  was  their  friend.  The  Rev. 
Thomas  Watson,  of  Emanuel  College,  Cambridge,  who  in  1646  was 
presented  to  the  Rectory  of  S.  Stephen,  Walbrook,  and  resigned  it  in 
1662,  became  the  first  minister.  He  soon  gathered  a  large  congregation, 
and  was  author  of  the  tract  "  Heaven  Taken  by  Storm,"  which  is  said 
to  have  been  the  means  of  the  conversion  of  the  celebrated  Colonel 
Gardiner.  Mr.  Watson  died  in  1689,  while  at  prayer  in  his  study. 

Stephen  Charnock,  who  had  been  five  years  co-pastor  with  Mr. 
Watson,  succeeded.  His  work  on  "The  Divine  Attributes"  is  still 
well-known  and  read.  In  one  of  his  works  there  is  an  engraving  of 
the  throne  room  where  the  services  were  held.  He  continued  here 
until  his  strength  failed  him,  when  he  resigned.  He  died  in  1680, 
and  was  buried  beneath  the  tower  of  St.  Michael's  Church,  Cornhill. 
"  He  was  an  able  divine  and  a  prolific  author.  He  wrote  "  A  Body  of 
Divinity,"  which  appeared  as  a  formidable  folio  of  176  sermons  on 
the  "  Assembly's  Catechism." 

The  next  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Samuel  Slater,  M.A.,  who  remained 
here  twenty-four  years.  He  was  considered  to  be  "  a  good  preacher 
and  a  correct  scholar."  The  Rev.  Wm.  Tong,  in  preaching  his  funeral 
sermon,  said :  "  He  passed  through  the  world  with  as  clear  and 
unspotted  a  reputation  as  anyone." 

In  1703,  Dr.  Benjamin  Grosvenor  was  appointed  pastor.  Under 
his  ministration  the  church  and  congregation  soon  rose  to  be  both 
rich  and  powerful ;  in  fact,  during  his  pastorate  this  church  rose  to 
the  height  of  its  prosperity. 

In  1716,  Mr.  Grosvenor  was  chosen  the  Merchants  Lecturer  at 
Salters'  Hall.  He  died  in  1758,  aged  eighty-three  years,  and  was 
buried  in  Bunhill  Fields. 


35 

After  this  the  church  had  several  ministers,  among  them  being 
Dr.  Samuel  Wright,  John  Barker,  Clerk  Oldsworth,  Edward  Calamy, 
Junr.,  Dr.  Jno.  Hodge,  but  in  consequence  of  families  removing  and 
from  other  causes,  the  prosperity  of  the  church  gradully  declined.  The 
last  minister  was  the  Rev.  Richard  Jones,  of  Cambridge. 

On  the  1st  October,  1769,  the  members  assembled  for  the  last 
time.  Bread  and  wine  were  dispensed,  when  Mr.  Jones  delivered  a 
farewell  discourse.  A  short  time  after  this,  James  Kelly,  who  called 
himself  a  Universalist,  and  who  had  been  preaching  at  a  meeting 
house  in  Bartholomew  Close,  took  the  hall  and  remained  until  1778, 
when  it  was  finally  closed,  and  so  concluded  the  religious  life  of 
old  Crosby  Hall. 


OLittle  St.  Ibelens. 

In  1672,  in  what  was  then  called  Little  St.  Helens,  but  now 
known  as  St.  Helen's  Place,  stood  a  Presbyterian  meeting  house  of 
"  moderate  size  with  three  good  galleries." 

The  church  being  conveniently  placed  in  the  City,  a  number  of 
lectures  were  held  here,  among  them  a  Friday  lecture  by  Mr.  Coward. 

The  first  public  ordination  held  by  the  Nonconformists  after  the 
Bartholomew  Act  was  performed  in  this  chapel.  On  June  22nd, 
1694,  we  are  told  that  it  was  one  of  "peculiar  solemnity,"  and  lasted 
from  ten  in  the  morning  until  six  in  the  evening.  Dr.  Calamy  was 
one  of  those  ordained  on  this  occasion. 

The  following  is  an  account  of  this  service,  given  by  one  who  was 
ordained  in  Dr.  Annesly's  time  : — 

"  The  manner  of  that  day's  proceeding  was  this :  Dr.  Annesly 
began  with  prayer,  then  Mr.  Alsop  preached  from  I.  Peter,  v.,  1,  2,  3, 
then  Mr.  Williams  prayed,  and  made  a  discourse  concerning  the 
nature  of  ordination  ;  then  he  mentioned  the  names  of  the  persons  to 
be  ordained,  read  their  several  testimonials,  that  were  signed  by  such 
ministers  as  were  well  acquainted  with  them,  and  took  notice  what 
places  they  were  severally  employed  in  as  preachers  ;  then  he  called 
for  Mr.  Bennett's  confession  of  faith,  put  the  usual  questions  to  him 
out  of  the  directory  of  the  Westminster  Assembly,  and  prayed  over  his 
head  ;  then  Mr.  Thomas  Kentish  did  the  same  by  Mr.  Reynolds. 
Dr.  Annesly  did  the  like  by  me ;  Mr.  Alsop  by  Mr.  Hill  and  Mr.  King ; 


86 

Mr.  Stretton  by  Mr.  Bradshaw  ;  and  Mr.  Williams  again  by  Mr. 
Bayes,  and,  after  all,  Mr.  Sylvester  concluded  with  a  solemn  charge, 
a  psalm  and  a  prayer.  The  whole  took  up  all  the  day  from  before  ten 
till  past  six. 

"  Before  our  being  thus  ordained,  we  were  strictly  examined  both 
in  philosophy  and  divinity,  and  made  and  defended  a  thesis,  each  of 
us,  upon  a  theological  question,  being  warmly  opposed  by  the  several 
ministers  present." 

The  first  minister  here  was  Dr.  Samuel  Annesly,  the  grandfather 
of  John  and  Charles  Wesley.  In  1642  he  was  elected  by  the  unani- 
mous vote  of  the  inhabitant  ministers  of  the  Church  of  St.  John-the- 
Evangelist.  In  1652  he  was  nominated  one  of  the  lecturers  of  St. 
Paul's,  and,  in  1660,  was  presented  to  the  living  of  St.  Giles,  Cripple- 
gate. 

The  father  of  Daniel  De  Foe  worshipped  in  this  church,  and  also 
the  son.  Of  Dr.  Annesly 's  worth,  Daniel  De  Foe  long  entertained  a 
most  affectionate  remembrance.  He  has  drawn  the  doctor's  character 
in  the  following  lines  : — 

"  His  native  candour,  his  familiar  style, 
Which  did  so  oft  his  hearers'  hours  beguile, 
Charmed  us  with  godliness ;  and  while  he  spake, 
We  loved  the  doctrine  for  the  preacher's  sake  ; 
While  he  informed  us  what  those  doctrines  meant 
By  dint  of  practice  more  than  argument." 

Mr.  Wilson  says  of  Dr.  Annesly  :  "  He  was  a  divine  of  con- 
siderable eminence  and  extensive  usefulness."  The  same  author  also 
relates  that  his  goods  were  seized  "for  keeping  a  conventicle."  On 
this  circumstance  Dr.  Calamy  relates  :  "  As  a  judgement  of  God,  that 
a  justice  of  the  peace  died  as  he  was  signing  a  warrant  for  his  appre- 
hension." Dr.  Annesly  died  in  1696,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  Dr. 
Williams  preached  his  funeral  sermon.  The  register  of  St.  Leonard, 
Shoreditch,  has  this  entry  for  December,  1696  :  "  Samuel  Annesly 
was  buried  the  seventh  day,  from  Spittle  Yard." 

In  1700  Mr.  Benjamin  Robinson,  a  learned  and  respectable 
minister,  was  appointed  the  pastor.  He  was  one  of  the  preachers  of 
the  Merchants'  Lecture  at  Salters'  Hall,  and  took  a  considerable  part 
in  the  discussion  of  the  religious  disputes  which  were  held  in  that 
chapel.  In  his  early  days  he  had  kept  a  school,  and  was  for  more 


87 

than  twenty  years  a  minister  of  eminence  in  London.  He  died  in 
April,  1724,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields. 

The  Eev.  Edward  Godwin,  who  had  been  co-pastor  with  Mr. 
Kobinson,  was  invited  to  the  pastorate  in  1724.  He  remained  here 
until  his  death  in  1764.  He  was  considered  a  good  preacher.  The 
congregation,  which  had  considerably  declined  during  the  previous  few 
years,  showed  a  good  increase  of  numbers.  He  was  also  Friday 
evening  lecturer  at  the  Weigh  House.  He  was  buried  in  Bunhill 
•Fields,  where  there  is  an  inscription  over  his  tomb. 

Mr.  Woodhouse,  who  had  been  keeping  a  school  near  Shifnal, 
in  Shropshire,  was  minister  here  for  a  short  time,  but  the  date  is 
uncertain.  "  He  discharged  the  duties  of  his  ministry  with  affection, 
zeal  and  usefulness,  until  within  a  few  days  of  his  death." 

After  this  the  chapel  seems  to  have  experienced  a  rather  varied 
existence.  The  successor  of  Mr.  Godwin  became  a  Sandemanian, 
and  the  next  two  ministers  were  so  unsuited  to  the  congregation  that 
the  members  soon  dwindled  away.  The  Presbyterians  giving  it  up, 
the  chapel  was  taken  by  a  German  Lutheran  divine  from  Brown's 
Lane,  Spitalfields,  but  this  gentleman  did  not  long  remain.  It  was 
then  taken  by  a  society  of  Baptists.  The  last  service  was  held,  and 
the  last  sermon  preached  in  the  old  chapel,  by  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Palmer,  of  Hackney,  on  the  15th  May,  1795.  The  building  was  taken 
down  in  1799. 

Maitland,  in  his  history  of  London,  says  of  Little  St.  Helens  : 
"  A  good  large  place  having  one  or  two  courts  within  it,  with  good 
old  timber  houses,  well  inhabited,  some  by  merchants,  at  the  lower 
end  of  which  is  seated  Leathersellers'  Hall,  and  in  another  part  a 
dissenting  meeting  house." 

In  the  Guildhall  Library  there  is  a  manuscript  book  with  the 
following  title :  "  The  Substance  of  Several  Sermons  Preached  on 
Different  Subjects  at  the  Meeting  House  in  Little  Saint  Helens, 
London,  by  the  Eev.  Mr.  Harman  Hood,  1719,  written  by  me,  S  *  A." 
Then  follow  a  large  number  of  extracts,  all  written  in  a  beautifully 
clear  hand. 


38 


Camomile  Street 

In  1766,  an  Independent  meeting  bouse  was  built  in  this  street. 

The  church  had  been  meeting  for  about  ten  years  in  Miles  Lane.    The 

chapel  is  described  as   "a  good  brick  building  with  three  galleries." 

The  congregation  was  but  small,  and  only  a  few  particulars  can  be 

gleaned  as  to  the  work  carried  on. 

Mr.  Porter,  who  is  described  as  a  lively  and  agreeable  preacher, 
was  the  first  minister,  and  remained  here  for  about  seven  years. 

In  1774,  Mr.  John  Reynolds  was  appointed  and  remained  for 
thirty  years.  As  a  preacher  he  was  not  popular,  and  the  congregation 
much  declined  under  his  charge.  He  died  in  1803,  and  was  buried  in 
Bunhill  Fields. 

The  following  notice  appears  in  the  Evangelical  Magazine  for 
October,  1802  : 

"  In  consequence  of  the  meeting  in  Princes  Street,  Finsbury 
Square,  being  shortly  to  be  taken  down,  the  Rev.  C.  Buck  and 
congregation  are  removed  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Reynolds'  meeting  in 
Camomile  Street." 

In  1805,  John  Clayton,  son  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Clayton,  of  the 
Weigh  House  Chapel,  was  appointed  the  minister,  under  whose 
ministry  the  congregation  for  some  short  time  increased.  Shortly 
afterwards  the  church  removed  to  the  Poultry  Chapel. 


H>ev>onsbire  Square. 

As  early  as  1638  a  church  of  the  Particular  Baptists,  which  had 
migrated  from  Wapping,  met  in  Meeting  House  Yard,  behind 
Devonshire  Square,  Bishopsgate.  The  original  title  of  this  church  of 
time  of  Charles  I.,  written  in  Norman-French,  is  still  preserved. 

The  first  minister  was  the  Rev.  William  Kiffin,  a  wealthy 
merchant  and  noted  controversialist  of  the  day. 

In  1645,  two  books  were  published  with  the  following  titles  : 

"  A  Looking  Glass  for  the  Anabaptists,  and  the  Rest  of  the 
Separatists  :  wherein  they  may  Clearly  Behold  a  Brief  Confutation  of  a 


89 

certain  Unbiassed,  Scandalous  Pamphlet  entitled  '  The  Kemonstrance 
of  the  Anabaptists  by  Way  of  Vindication  of  their  Separation.'  " 

"  The  Impertinences,  Incongruities,  Non-consequences,  Falsities 
and  Obstinacy  of  William  Kiffin,  the  Author  and  Grand  Eingleader 
of  that  Seduced  Sect,  is  Discovered  and  Laid  Open  to  the  View  of 
every  Indifferent-eyed  Reader  that  will  not  shut  his  Eyes  against  the 
Truth.  With  certain  Queries  indicated  from  Anabaptistical  Glosses, 
together  with  others  propounded  for  the  Information  and  Conviction 
(if  possible)  Reformation  of  the  said  William  Kiffin  and  his  Proselytes. 
By  Josiah  Ricroft,  a  Well-Wisher  to  the  Truth." 

A  pamphlet  published  in  the  same  year  by  Mr.  Kiffin  bears  the 
following  title  :  "A  Brief  Remonstrance  and  Grounds  of  those  People 
called  Anabaptists  for  their  Separation,  &c.,  or  certain  Queries 
concerning  their  Faith  and  Practice,  propounded  by  Mr.  Robert  Poole, 
answered  and  refuted  by  William  Kiffin." 

It  is  related  of  Mr.  Kiffin,  that  being  a  wealthy  man,  Charles  II., 
who  we  know  was  frequently  embarrassed  for  money,  requested  the 
Anabaptists  to  lend  him  £40,000.  Mr.  Kiffin  replied  that  he  could 
not  possibly  lend  so  large  a  sum,  but  if  His  Majesty  would  condescend 
to  accept  as  a  gift  the  sum  of  £10,000,  it  was  at  his  service.  The 
King  was  quite  willing  to  accept  this  sum. 

On  Thursday,  July  12th,  1655,  Mr.  Kiffin  was  brought  before 
the  Lord  Mayor  at  Guildhall,  charged  with  preaching  "  that  the 
baptism  of  infants  is  unlawful."  But  the  Lord  Mayor,  "  being  busy," 
the  execution  of  the  penalty  was  deferred  until  the  following  Monday 
morning.  It  seems  most  probable  that  nothing  more  was  heard  of 
the  matter. 

The  new  meeting  house,  built  for  Mr.  Kiffin  by  his  congregation, 
was  opened  on  the  1st  March,  1686.  Mr.  Ivimey  says:  "This  meeting 
house  is  of  an  oblong  form  and  has  three  galleries.  It  will  contain 
about  600  persons.  It  was  originally  fitted  up  without  seats,  and  had 
only  forms.  The  only  marks  of  distinction  in  the  meeting  house  are 
two  raised  seats  expensively  fitted  up  on  each  side  of  the  pulpit. 
These  were  altered  for  the  accommodation  and  at  the  expense  of  the 
Lady  Dowager  Page  when  the  Joiners'  Hall  church  removed  from 
Pinners'  Hall  to  Devonshire  Square  in  June,  1724." 

From  a  church  book  commencing  March,  1664,  it  appears  that 
some  of  the  people  had  deserted  their  brethren.  One  of  these  is  said 


40 

to  have  "  neglected  his  duty  a  long  time  and  forsaken  the  assemblies 
of  his  people,  and  also  frequented  parish  churches,  contrary  to  the 
true  end  of  his  former  profession,  and  taken  upon  him  the  charge  of  a 
churchwarden."  Eefusing  to  appear  before  the  church  at  the  request 
of  the  messengers,  "  brother  Kiffin  and  brother  Cooper,  he  was  separ- 
ated from  their  communion  in  a  solemn  manner  according  to  rule." 
"  Another  person  on  the  same  day,  and  for  similar  conduct,  it  was 
unanimously  conducted  and  judged,  should  be  cut  off  from  them  as  an 
unfruitful  tree." 

Mr.  Kiffin  was  one  of  the  five  Baptists  who  were  made  aldermen 
by  commission  from  James  II.,  when  he  deprived  the  City  of  London 
of  its  Charter.  Mr.  Wilson  says :  "  He  felt  obliged  nominally  to 
accept  the  aldermanship,  but  after  holding  it  for  a  few  months,  without 
meddling  much  in  civic  affairs,  he  obtained  a  discharge  from  his 
troublesome  office." 

Not  much  is  known  as  to  the  later  part  of  Mr.  Kiffin' s  life.  About 
1692,  he  had  a  disagreement  with  his  congregation,  which  led  to  his 
resignation  and  withdrawal  from  the  church.  He  died  in  1701,  aged 
eighty-six  years,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields,  where  there  is  a 
monument  to  his  memory. 

We  read  that  on  the  28th  June,  1666,  Mr.  Thomas  Patient  was 
set  apart  to  assist  Mr.  Kiffin  in  Devonshire  Square,  Mr.  Harrison 
and  Mr.  Knollys  assisting  on  the  occasion,  but  only  about  a  month 
intervened  before  death  took  place.  From  the  church  books  we  read  : 
"July  30,  1666.- — Thomas  Patient  was  on  the  29th  instant 
discharged  by  death  from  his  work  and  office,  he  being  then  taken 
from  the  evil  to  come,  and  having  rested  from  all  his  labours,  leaving 
a  blessed  savour  behind  him  of  his  great  usefulness  and  sober 
conversation.  This  his  sudden  removal  being  looked  upon  to  be  his 
own  great  advantage,  but  the  church's  sore  loss.  On  this  day  he  wacs 
carried  to  his  grave,  accompanied  by  the  members  of  this  and  other 
congregations,  in  a  Christian,  comely,  and  decent  manner." 

From  the  nature  of  this  record  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  plague 
was  the  cause  of  Mr.  Patient's  death.  He  had  only  been  ordained 
about  a  month  when  he  died  on  July  29th,  and  was  buried  on  the 
following  day. 

Daniel  Dyke  was  also  appointed  co-pastor  to  Mr.  Kiffin.  He 
remained  there  until  his  death  in  1688,  aged  seventy,  and  was  buried  in 


41 

Bunhill  Fields.  He  published  "  The  Quaker's  Appeal  Answered ;  or, 
a  Full  Eelation  of  the  Occasion,  Progress,  and  Issue  of  a  Meeting  at 
Barbican  between  the  Baptists  and  the  Quakers.  8vo.,  1694." 

Joseph  Stennett  was  ordained  pastor  in  1690.  He  was  employed 
to  revise  the  metrical  version  of  the  Psalms.  Dr.  Sharp,  then 
Archbishop  of  York,  said:  "He  had  heard  such  a  character  of  Mr. 
Stennett,  that  he  thought  no  man  more  fit  for  that  work  than  he,  not 
only  for  his  skill  in  poetry,  but  likewise  in  the  Hebrew  tongue." 

Mr.  Stennett  wrote  the  following  beautiful  epitaph  for  his  father 
and  mother,  who  were  buried  at  Wallingford  : — 
"  Here  lies  an  holy  and  an  happy  pair, 
As  once  in  grace  they  now  in  glory  share  ; 
They  dared  to  suffer,  but  they  feared  to  sin, 
And  nobly  bore  the  cross,  the  crown  to  win  ; 
So  liv'd  as  not  to  be  afraid  to  die, 
So  dy'd  as  heires  of  immortality. 
Header,  attend  tho'  dread,  they  speak  to  thee, 
Tread  the  same  path,  the  same  thine  end  shall  be." 
Mr.   Stennett  also  wrote  a  metrical  version  of  Solomon's  Song, 
and  also  several  sacramental  hymns. 

Mr.  Richard  Adams,  who  had  been  assistant  to  Mr.  Kiffin, 
succeeded  and  continued  pastor  for  about  twenty  years. 

Mr.  Mark  Key,  who  had  been  assistant  to  Mr.  Adams,  was  then 
appointed.  He  was  ordained  on  the  27th  December,  1706,  Mr.  Joseph 
Maisters,  pastor  of  the  church  at  Joyners'  Hall,  preaching  the  sermon. 
He  died  in  1726,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields.  A  public  funeral 
was  given,  it  being  recorded  "  that  hat-bands,  gloves,  and  cloaks  be 
provided  for  all  the  ministers  invited."  "  All  the  brethren  are  desired 
to  provide  themselves  hatbands,  gloves,  and  cloaks  for  their  more 
decent  attendance  at  the  funeral."  It  is  added  "  to  all  which  the 
church  unanimously  agreed,  and  ordered  it  to  be  entered  in  the  church 
book." 

About  1700,  a  society  from  Pinners'  Hall  occupied  the  chapel  for 
one  part  of  each  sabbath,  for  which  the  sum  of  £10  yearly  was  paid. 

At  this  time  the  Lady  Dowager  Page,  who  was  connected  with  the 
church,  had  a  pew  fitted  up  for  herself  and  attendants  on  each  side  of 
the  pulpit.  In  the  decline  of  life  her  servants  were  accustomed  to 
carry  their  mistress  into  the  old  family  pew.  Two  sermons,  an  ode, 


42 

and  a  funeral  oration  were  published  to  commemorate  her  departure. * 

In  1729,  the  church  at  Turners'  Hall  was  united  with  the  church 
in  Devonshire  Square.  This  was  agreed  to  on  the  condition  "  that 
the  public  services  should  be  held  as  they  had  been  during  the  lifetime 
of  Mr.  Mark  Key." 

Mr.  Sayer  Rhudd  was  the  first  minister  of  the  united  church.  In 
1733  he  gave  great  offence  by  visiting  France,  which  step  the  church 
refused  to  sanction.  It  was  agreed  that  his  salary  should  be  withheld 
until  he  gave  satisfaction.  This  he  refused  to  do,  and  so  left  the 
church. 

Mr.  George  Braithwaite  succeeded,  and  was  minister  fourteen 
years.  He  published  a  work  entitled  "  The  Nation's  Reproach  and 
the  Church's  Grief,  or  a  Serious  Needful  Word  of  Alarm  to  Those  who 
Needlessly  Frequent  Taverns  and  Public  Houses,  and  often  Spend  the 
Evening  There.  In  a  Letter  to  my  Neighbours  and  Countrymen." 
Mr.  Braithwaite  died  in  1748,  aged  sixty-seven  years,  and  was  buried 
in  Bunhill  Fields. 

In  1750,  Mr.  John  Stevens  was  appointed  the  minister,  "and  was 
much  esteemed  by  his  brethren  for  about  ten  years,  but  at  the  end  of 
that  period  he  brought  reproach  upon  his  name,  was  dismissed  from 
his  office,  and  excluded  from  the  church."  He  was  thought  by  many 
persons  to  be  entirely  innocent  of  the  charges. 

Mr.  Walter  Richards  succeeded,  but  did  not  remain  long.  Mr. 
Ivimey  says  in  his  history  that  "  he  was  a  man  of  unsettled  principles, 
eccentric  habits,  and  but  of  little  use." 

The  succeeding  ministers  have  been  Mr.  McGowan,  Mr.  Timothy 
Thomas,  and  Dr.  Price.  During  the  pastorate  of  the  latter,  the  old 
chapel  was  taken  down  and  rebuilt,  the  opening  sermon  being  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Binney  in  1829. 

On  the  9th  April,  1871,  closing  services  were  held  in  the  chapel, 
the  building  being  required  for  the  purposes  of  the  Metropolitan 
Railway,  the  church  removing  to  Stoke  Newington. 

Maitland,  in  his  history,  states  that  "from  an  early  period  the 
Ward  of  Bishopsgate  has  been  a  centre  of  Nonconformity"  ;  and  writing 
in  1725,  he  says  "there  were  three  Presbyterian,  two  Independent,  and 
one  Quaker's  meeting  house  in  the  Ward." 

*  Ancient  Meeting  Houses,     Pike, 


43 


1bant>  Biles,  JSisbopsgate* 

Early  in  the  eighteenth  century,  in  this  alley,  now  called  New 
Street,  stood  for  many  years  an  interesting  old  meeting  house, 
which  had  roomy  pews,  after  the  custom  of  the  time. 

Maitland,  in  his  history  of  London,  describes  it  as  "  a  large  place 
with  three  galleries,  thirty  large  pews,  and  many  benches  and  forms." 
After  the  Great  Fire,  this  place,  like  many  others  in  the  City,  was 
appropriated  by  the  Anglican  party  for  their  services,  the  people 
regaining  possession  after  the  churches  were  rebuilt.  Mr.  Thomas 
Vincent  was  minister  here  until  his  death  in  1678. 

Dr.  Daniel  Williams,  the  founder  of  the  famous  library  known 
by  his  name,  was  chosen  pastor  here  to  a  numerous  congregation. 
He  was  a  great  favourite  with  William  III.,  and  also  Thursday 
lecturer  at  Pinners'  Hall. 

On  the  death  of  Dr.  Bates  in  1699,  his  valuable  library,  consist- 
ing of  about  600  volumes,  was  purchased  by  Dr.  Williams  for  £1500, 
who  afterwards  bequeathed  them,  together  with  his  own,  that  they 
"  should  be  deposited  in  a  convenient  place  in  a  freehold  building,  to 
be  purchased  or  erected  for  that  purpose,"  to  be  "a  public  library, 
whereto  (to  use  the  testator's  own  words)  such  as  my  trustees  appoint 
shall  have  access  for  the  perusal  of  any  book  in  the  place  where  they 
are  lodged."  Among  the  directions  of  his  will  is  one  "  that  the  greater 
part  of  his  own  works  should  be  reprinted  every  twentieth  year  for  the 
term  of  2000  years."  While  he  made  no  provision  for  the  improve- 
ment of  the  library,  he  bequeathed,  by  the  purchase  of  a  single  new 
book,  the  building  which  was  to  receive  the  books  was  to  be  "a 
throwsters'  workhouse  or  the  like,"  or  else  a  new  structure  to  be 
erected  for  the  purpose  on  a  "  small  piece  of  ground,"  with  one  room 
for  a  single  person  who  was  to  give  such  attendances  as  could  be 
purchased  for  £10  a  year.  This  direction,  however,  was  not  followed, 
a  handsome  building  being  erected  in  Red  Cross  Street  for  the  purpose 
of  the  library,  which  was  opened  in  1729.  In  1864,  the  building  being 
required  for  the  railway,  the  books,  amounting  in  all  to  22,000  volumes, 
were  lodged  in  temporary  quarters ;  since  which  time  a  handsome 
building  has  been  erected  in  Gordon  Square,  where  the  library  is  now 
situated.  The  collection  of  books  is  from  three  sources.  First,  the 
collection  of  the  founder ;  secondly,  that  of  Dr.  Bates,  who  died  at 


44 

Hackney,  in  1699 ;  and,  thirdly,  the  collection  of  Dr.  Harris,  the 
minister  at  Crutched  Friars  in  1700.  Dr.  Williams  died  26th  June, 
1715,  aged  seventy-three. 

The  lease  of  the  building  in  Hand  Alley  expired  in  1780,  and  the 
church  was  dissolved. 


JSisbops^ate. 

This  meeting  house  was  situate  in  a  large  paved  thoroughfare 
leading  from  Bishopsgate  Street  into  Moorfields.  The  church,  which 
was  General  Baptist,  met  here  in  the  time  of  Charles  II. 

In  1646,  Mr.  John  Griffith  was  the  minister.  He  was  confined 
in  Newgate  for  some  time,  and  in  1680  published  a  small  work,  entitled 
"  A  Complaint  of  the  Oppressed  against  Oppressors ;  or,  the  Unjust 
and  Arbitrary  Proceedings  of  some  Soldiers  and  Justices  against  some 
Sober  and  Godly  Persons  in  and  near  London,  who  now  Lie  in  Stinking 
Gaols  for  the  Sake  of  a  Good  Conscience,  with  some  Reasons  why  they 
cannot  Swear  Allegiance  to  Obtain  Liberty."  He  was  fourteen  years 
in  prison,  and  returned  to  his  church  in  1684.  He  died  in  1700,  aged 
seventy-nine  years. 

Mr.  Robert  Jennett  succeeded.  He  had  been  pastor  of  a  church  in 
Goodman's  Fields.  In  1724,  he  was  still  living,  but  the  church  was 
much  reduced  in  numbers,  and  so  remained  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  soon  after. 

In  1698,  Captain  Pierce  Johns  left  a  considerable  estate  to  be 
divided  between  six  churches  of  the  denomination  in  London.  In  this 
bequest  five  churches  were  to  have  an  equal  interest,  the  sixth  only  a 
moiety.  This  smaller  share  fell  to  the  lot  of  the  church  in  Dunning's 
Alley. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees,  held  in  February,  1727,  it  was 
resolved  that  the  church  in  Dunning's  Alley  had  misapplied  the  money. 
It  was,  however,  paid  them  until  1729,  when  the  trustees  passed  a 
resolution  that  the  said  church  was  extinct. 


JSisbopsaate  CbapeL 

The  church  meeting  here  was  founded  in  the  year  1700,  by  Mr. 
Richard  Paine,  who,  at  the  time,  was  a  member  of  the  church  at 


45 

Pinners'.  Hall,  the  new  congregation  meeting  in  the  Embroiderers' 
Hall,  Gutter  Lane.  Mr.  Paine,  who  was  an  earnest  and  zealous 
preacher,  in  1710  changed  his  views  on  Baptism,  which  caused  some 
dissension  in  the  congregation. 

Later  on,  the  church  found  a  home  at  a  few  other  halls.  From 
Embroiderers'  Hall  it  removed  to  Brewers'  Hall,  in  Aldermanbury ; 
then  to  Loriners'  Hall,  in  Moorgate  Street ;  and  in  1726,  to  Girdlers 
Hall. 

In  1729,  the  congregation,  which  was  numerous,  but  chiefly  of 
the  poorer  sort,  began  to  seek  for  a  permanent  home,  which  was 
found  in  Boar's  Head  Yard,  Petticoat  Lane. 

In  1734,  Mr.  Paine  left,   after  a  pastorate  of   thirty-four  years 
Mr.   John  Hulrne  being  appointed  as  successor.     He  did  not  long 
remain.     Some  divisions  about  this  time  seem  to  have  occurred.     For 
about  seven  years  the  church  was  without  a  pastor. 

In  1743,  Mordecai  Edwards  was  appointed,  and  soon  gathered  a 
large  and  flourishing  congregation.  After  a  brief  but  brilliant  pas- 
torate, he  died,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields,  Dr.  Guise  preaching 
his  funeral  sermon. 

In  1750,  Mr.  Edward  Hitchin  was  appointed  minister,  and 
remained  twenty-four  years. 

About  1759,  the  church  removed  to  White's  Row.  The  minutes, 
or  records,  from  this  date  have  been  preserved,  and  throw  an  inter- 
esting light  on  some  of  the  questions  which  came  before  the  church. 
Suspensions,  and  even  exclusions  on  account  of  bankruptcy,  are  not 
unusual.  Deputations  are  frequently  appointed  to  visit  members  who 
have  been  absent  from  their  places  for  two  months,  and  generally  they 
report  that  the  absentees  have  irregularly  joined  other  churches. 

In  1767,  it  is  reported  that  a  member  holds  some  strange  views, 
and  he  writes  what  the  minister  calls  "  profane  letters  "  in  regard  to 
the  doctrine  of  original  sin.  Accordingly  he  is  excluded  "  for  denying 
the  imputation  of  Adam's  guilt  and  for  blasphemous  treatment  of 
divine  things."  Certain  members  complain  of  Mr.  Hitchin's  sermons. 
One  says  that  "  he  mixed  "  the  Gospel ;  another  that  "  he  larded  it ;  " 
another  that  "  he  made  a  remark  in  the  pulpit  which  she  did  not 
like  "  ;  and  another  "  that  Mr.  Porter's  ministry  is  more  blessed  to 
her  than  Mr.  Hitchin's,"  to  which  Mr.  Hitchin  replies  "  that  she 
never  attended  the  pastor's  ministry  regularly  during  almost  the  space 


46 

of  ten  years."     In  1774,  Mr.  Hitchin  died,  and  was  buried  in  Bunliill 
Fields,  the  church  defraying  the  funeral  expenses. 

In  1836,  the  church  removed  for  a  short  time  to  the  chapel  in 
Bury  Street,  St.  Mary  Axe.  In  this  year,  the  land  on  which  the  present 
chapel  stands,  in  Bishopsgate  Street,  was  purchased  for  £5000.  A 
flourishing  church  still  exists  here,  the  chapel  being  one  of  the  only 
three  remaining  Nonconformist  churches  in  the  City  of  London. 


Salters'  iball  Cbapcl. 

This  chapel  stood  in  Cannon  Street,  on  the  ground  now  occupied 
by  the  General  Insurance  Company,  and  was  for  many  years  one  of 
the  most  famous  and  important  meeting  houses  in  London. 

The  congregation  originally  assembled  at  Buckingham  House,  a 
spacious  mansion  on  the  east  side  of  College  Hill. 

After  the  fire,  the  chapel  was  built  in  the  grounds  of  the  Salters' 
Company,  St.  Swithin's  Lane,  on  land  which  the  company  allowed 
the  congregation  to  use  for  the  purpose.  Being  in  a  central  position, 
it  was  much  used  for  important  lectureships.  One  of  these,  "  The 
Merchants'  Lecture,"  is  still  delivered  in  the  City. 

The  first  minister  was  Mr.  Richard  Mayo,  one  of  the  seceders  of 
1662,  who  had  held  the  living  of  Kingston-on-Thames.  He  had  also 
been  lecturer  at  St.  Mary's,  Whitechapel,  where  he  drew  crowded 
congregations.  An  account  of  this  popular  preacher  can  be  found  in  a 
small  quarto  funeral  sermon  which  was  sold  at  "  The  Three  Legs, 
over  against  the  Stocks  Market."  The  writer  of  the  sermon  calls  him 
"  the  prince  of  preachers."  He  died  in  1695.  His  funeral  sermon 
was  preached  by  Mr.  Taylor,  who  said,  "  His  end  was  like  the  light  of 
the  evening  when  the  sun  setteth,  an  evening  without  clouds." 

William  Bates,  D.D.,  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  Tuesday 
lecturers  here.  His  popular  talents  drew  great  crowds  to  hear  him. 

On  the  accession  of  William  III.  to  the  throne,  Mr.  Bates  presented 
to  the  King  an  address  of  congratulation  from  the  dissenting  ministers 
of  London. 

Previous  to  his  leaving  the  church,  he  had  been  rector  of  St. 
Dunstan's-in-the-West. 


47 

In  his  farewell  sermon  to  his  parishioners  in  August,  1662,  he 
said  :  "  I  know  you  expect  I  should  say  something  concerning  my 
Nonconformity.  I  shall  only  say  this  much :  it  is  neither  fancy, 
fiction,  or  humour,  which  makes  me  not  comply,  but  merely  the  fear 
of  offending  God." 

In  a  funeral  sermon  on  Dr.  Bates,  preached  by  Mr.  Howe,  he 
said :  "  His  memory,  which  suffered  no  apparent  decay  till  the 
advanced  age  of  seventy-four,  was  so  vigorous  that  when  he  had 
delivered  an  elegant  speech  without  having  penned  a  word,  he  could 
afterwards  repeat  it  to  his  friends  and  relations." 

Nathaniel  Taylor,  who  succeeded  Richard  Mayo,  was  called  by 
Dr.  Doddridge  the  "  Watts  of  Nonconformity."  Matthew  Henry 
speaks  of  him  as '"A  man  of  wit,  worth,  and  courage."  Another 
writer  says  :  "  Nathaniel  Taylor  was  a  popular  preacher  at  Baiters' 
Hall.  Vivacity  of  thought,  brilliancy  of  imagination,  a  retentive 
memory,  warmth  of  affections,  fluency  of  expression,  an  agreeable  voice, 
a  prepossessing  delivery,  rendered  his  public  services  unanimously 
pleasing."  He  died  in  1702,  aged  forty  years. 

In  1702,  William  Tong  succeeded  to  the  pastorate,  and  remained 
twenty-four  years.  During  this  period  the  chapel  was  crowded,  it  was 
said,  by  the  richest  congregation  in  London.  When  in  vigour  he  was 
pronounced  "  the  prince  of  preachers." 

Mr.  Tong  completed  Matthew  Henry's  "  Commentary,"  his  contri- 
bution being  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews  and  the  Apocalypse.  He  wrote 
also  a  life  of  the  commentator. 

Mr.  Tong  died  in  1726,  aged  sixty-three.  It  was  said  that  in 
losing  Mr.  Tong,  the  dissenters  of  that  day  lost  one  of  their  brightest 
ornaments. 

In  1719,  Arianism  began  to  prevail  at  Baiters'  Hall,  where  a  synod 
on  the  subject  was  held,  several  strong  meetings  being  held  on  the 
matter  of  "  a  fixed  creed."  The  meetings  were  at  length  divided  into 
two  parts,  subscribers  and  non-subscribers.  The  meetings  concluded 
by  the  non-subscribers  calling  out  "  You  that  are  against  persecution, 
come  upstairs,"  and  Thomas  Bradbury,  of  New  Court,  the  leader  of  the 
Orthodox  party,  replying,  "  You  that  are  for  declaring  your  faith  in  the 
doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  stay  below."  * 

*  An  old  engraving,  in  the  possession  of  the  Baiters'  Company,  represents  this 
taking  place. 


48 

The  subscribers  proved  to  be  fifty-three,  the  "  scandalous  majority  " 
fifty-seven.  During  this  controversy,  Arianism  became  the  common 
subject  of  coffee-house  talk.  Mr.  Wilson,  in  his  history,  says  of  this 
controversy  :  "  The  ill  temper  discovered  by  both  parties  at  the  Salters' 
Hall  synod,  had  a  very  ill  aspect  in  the  cause  of  religion,  especially  of 
Nonconformity,  and  gave  advantage  to  their  enemies  to  speak  all 
manner  of  evil  against  them." 

In  1730,  the  largest  collection  among  the  Presbyterians  for  poor 
country  churches  was  made  in  this  chapel,  and  amounted  to  £280. 
Among  the  Independents,  Mr.  Thomas  Bragge  furnished  the  largest 
sum,  £300. 

In  1716,  Mr.  John  Newman  was  appointed  pastor,  and  remained 
for  the  long  period  of  forty-five  years.  He  was  buried  at  Bunhill 
Fields,  Dr.  Doddridge  delivering  a  funeral  oration  at  his  grave.  For 
some  years  he  drew  crowded  congregations,  but  towards  the  later  part 
of  his  life  these  materially  decreased.  Mr.  Wilson  says  :  "  When  we 
consider  the  fickleness  of  mankind,  this  is  not  at  all  surprising,  and 
was  no  diminution  of  his  real  worth." 

In  1742,  Mr.  Francis  Spilsbury  was  chosen  minister  of  the  church, 
and  remained  for  the  long  period  of  forty  years.  His  knowledge  of 
Latin  was  so  perfect  that  he  not  only  could  write  it,  but  could  speak  it 
with  as  much  ease  and  fluency  as  his  own  tongue.  He  died  in 
1782,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields,  where  a  monument  was 
erected  to  his  memory. 

Hugh  Farmer  succeeded.  He  was  one  of  Dr.  Doddridge's  first 
pupils  at  the  Northampton  College.  He  wrote  an  exposition  on 
demonology  and  miracles,  which,  at  the  time,  aroused  much  controversy. 
His  manuscripts  were  all  destroyed  at  his  death,  according  to  the  strict 
directions  in  his  will. 

In  course  of  time  the  church  passed  out  of  the  hands  of  the 
Presbyterians  and  was  occupied  for  a  short  time  by  the  Christian 
Evidence  Society, — who  named  it  "the  Areopagus" — from  them 
passing  into  the  hands  of  the  Baptists  in  1827. 

The  services  were  continued  in  the  old  building  until  1830,  when 
a  new  building  was  erected  up  a  narrow  passage  in  Cannon  Street. 
This  building  remained  until  1864,  when  the  church  was  removed  to 
Islington,  the  site  of  the  chapel  being  sold  for  £4,000. 


49 

In  a  small  manuscript  book  (no  date),  at  the  Guildhall  Library, 
is  the  following  short  account  of  this  meeting  house  : 

"  This  meeting,  so  called,  was  no  other  way  connected  with  the 
company  than  being  tenants  to  them  for  the  long  period  of  128  years. 

"It  is  traditionally  reported  that  the  Court  of  Salters  for  a  con- 
siderable period  was  composed  wholly  of  Dissenters,  and  that  it  is 
about  fifty  years  only  since  this  exclusiveness  was  broken  into. 

"  The  former  pastors  were  strict  Calvinists,  the  latter  ones 
Baxterians,  and  the  present  one  is  an  Arian." 

Dr.  Robert  Winder,  who  preached  the  last  sermon  and  published 
it,  says  in  a  note  of  the  minute  book  of  the  congregation,  "  that  they 
met  on  the  3rd  December,  1687,  at  Buckingham  House,  College  Hill, 
which  was  taken  by  Mayor  Broadhurst,  and  on  the  4th  April,  1692, 
agreed  to  a  lease  of  the  Salters'  Company  of  the  ground  on  which  the 
hall  formerly  stood,  and  resolved  to  build  a  meeting  house." 


Walbroofe, 

Mr.  Ivimey,  in  his  "  History  of  the  Baptists,"  relates  the  history  of 
a  church  in  Walbrook.  According  to  his  narrative,  the  members  were 
separatists  from  a  church  meeting  in  Spitalfields,  under  the  care  of 
Mr.  William  Collins.  The  records  of  the  church  are  thus  described  : 
"  A  catalogue  of  the  names  of  the  members  of  the  church  now 
meeting  in  Walbrook  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  E.  Wilson."  Then 
follow  the  names  of  about  120  persons,  men  and  women.  "  A  record 
of  the  acts  of  the  church  commencing  4th  January,  1707."  The 
further  records  "indicate  a  prosperous  state."  June  6th,  1708,  they 
agree  to  "establish  a  prayer  meeting  on  a  Lord's  Day  morning."  The 
last  entry  in  the  church  book  is  by  Mr.  Ebenezer  Wilson  on  5th 
September,  1712.  Mr.  Crosby,  in  his  history,  says  of  Mr.  Wilson  : 
"  Though  he  was  a  worthy  man  and  a  scholar,  yet  he  was  not  a 
popular  preacher,  and  as  the  people  were  but  few  in  numbers,  so  they 
continued,  yet  he  had  a  tolerable  maintenance  from  them.  Some  of 
them  being  rich,  and  he  being  generally  respected,  they  contributed 
largely  to  his  support."  Mr.  Wilson  died  in  1714,  After  his  death  the 


50 

church    left  Walbrook,   and  in    June,   1716,   removed    to  Turners' 
Hall. 


poultry  Cbapcl. 

The  meeting  in  connection  with  this  chapel  originally  commenced 
from  very  small  beginnings.  About  the  year  1641,  a  meeting  house 
stood  in  Anchor  Lane,  Lower  Thames  Street,  in  the  parish  of  St. 
Dunstan-in-the-East.  One  of  the  earliest  preachers  here  was  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Godwin,  where  he  ministered  for  about  ten  years.  During 
the  troublous  days  of  the  Long  Parliament,  this  gentleman,  who  seems 
to  have  been  a  man  of  considerable  influence,  not  only  in  the  City,  but 
in  the  country  generally,  was  appointed  by  the  House  on  several 
occasions  to  preach  the  Fast  Day  Sermons,  which  had  been  appointed 
by  the  Puritans,  in  St.  Margaret's  Church,  in  Westminster  Abbey,  and 
also  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral.  His  name  appears  several  times  in  the 
journals  of  the  House.  On  the  25th  August,  1646,  is  the  following 
entry  :  "  Ordered  that  Mr.  Ball  do  from  this  House  desire  Mr.  Thomas 
Goodwyn  to  preach  before  the  House  of  Commons,  at  the  parish  church 
of  St.  Margaret's,  Westminster,  on  the  Publick  Day  of  Thanksgiving, 
being  Tuesday,  the  8th  September,  now  next  following." 

And  on  the  10th  September,  1646 :  "  Ordered  that  Mr.  Blakiston 
do  from  this  House  give  thanks  unto  Mr.  Thomas  Goodwyn  for  the 
great  pains  he  took  in  the  sermon,  preached  by  him,  at  the  entreaty 
of  this  House,  on  Tuesday  last,  at  St.  Margaret's,  Westminster,  it  being 
a  day  of  Publick  Thanksgiving,  and  desire  him  to  print  his  sermon,  and 
he  is  to  have  the  like  privilege  in  printing  of  it,  as  others  in  the  like 
kind  have  usually  had." 

In  1650,  he  was  appointed  President  of  Maudlyn  College  in 
Oxford. 

In  connection  with  these  old  Puritans,  an  amusing  anecdote  is 
related  in  the  Spectator.  "  About  an  age  ago,"  says  Addison,  "it  was 
the  fashion  in  England  for  everyone  that  would  be  thought  religious 
to  throw  as  much  sanctity  as  possible  into  his  face,  and  in  particular  to 
abstain  from  all  appearance  of  mirth  and  pleasantry,  which  were  looked 
upon  as  the  marks  of  a  carnal  mind.  The  saint  was  of  a  sorrowful 
countenance  and  generally  eaten  up  with  spleen  and  melancholy.  A 


61 

gentleman  who  was  lately  a  great  ornament  to  the  learned  world 
(Anthony  Henley,  Esq.,  who  died  in  August,  1771),  has  diverted  me 
more  than  once  with  an  account  of  a  reception  which  he  met  with  from 
a  very  famous  Independent  minister,  who  was  head  of  a  college  in 
those  times.  This  gentleman  was  a  young  adventurer  in  the  republic 
of  letters  and  just  fitted  out  for  the  University  with  a  good  cargo  of 
Latin  and  Greek.  His  friends  were  resolved  that  he  should  try  his 
fortune  at  an  election  which  was  drawing  near  in  the  college  of  which 
the  Independent  minister  whom  I  have  before  mentioned  was  governor. 
The  youth,  according  to  custom,  waited  on  him  in  order  to  be  examined. 
He  was  received  at  the  door  by  a  servant,  who  was  one  of  that  gloomy 
generation  that  was  then  in  fashion.  He  conducted  him,  with  great 
silence  and  seriousness,  to  a  long  gallery  which  was  darkened  at  noon- 
day and  had  only  a  single  candle  burning  in  it.  After  a  short  stay  in 
this  melancholy  apartment,  he  was  led  into  a  chamber  hung  with 
black,  where  he  entertained  himself  for  some  time  by  the  glimmering 
of  a  taper,  until  at  length  the  head  of  the  college  came  out  to  him  from 
an  inner  room  with  half-a-dozen  night  caps  on  his  head  and  religious 
horror  on  his  countenance.  The  young  man  trembled,  but  his  fears 
increased  when,  instead  of  being  asked  what  progress  he  had  made  in 
learning,  he  was  examined  how  he  abounded  in  grace.  His  Latin  and 
Greek  stood  him  in  little  stead ;  he  was  to  give  only  an  account  of  his 
soul,  whether  he  was  of  the  number  of  the  elect,  what  was  the  occasion 
of  his  conversion,  upon  what  day  of  the  month  and  hour  it  happened, 
how  it  was  carried  on,  and  when  completed.  The  whole  examination 
was  summed  up  with  one  short  question,  namely,  whether  he  was 
prepared  for  death.  The  boy,  who  had  been  bred  up  by  honest 
parents,  was  frightened  out  of  his  wits  at  the  solemnity  of  the  pro- 
ceedings, and  by  the  last  dreadful  interrogatory  ;  so  that,  making  his 
escape  out  of  the  house  of  mourning,  he  could  never  be  brought  a 
second  time  to  the  examination,  as  not  being  able  to  go  through  the 
terrors  of  it." 

Dr.  Godwin  attended  Cromwell  in  his  last  illness,  and  prophesied 
the  Protector's  recovery,  but  in  spite  of  this  he  died,  upon  which  Dr. 
Godwin  said  :  "  Thou  hast  deceived  us,  and  we  are  deceived." 

After  the  death  of  Cromwell,  Dr.  Godwin  preached  for  a  short 
time  in  Fetter  Lane.  He  died  in  1679,  aged  eighty  years,  and  was 
buried  in  Bunhill  Fields. 


52 

About  1672,  the  church  removed  to  Paved  Alley,  in  Lime  Street, 
the  Rev.  John  Collins  being  the  minister.  Mr.  Wilson  says  of  this 
gentleman  that  "  he  was  a  minister  of  uncommon  abilities  and  greatly 
signalised  himself  as  a  preacher."  He  was  one  of  the  lecturers  at 
Pinners'  Hall.  He  died  in  1687. 

In  1755,  the  church,  or  a  portion  of  it,  went  to  Miles  Lane,  where 
it  met  for  about  ten  years,  when  a  new  meeting  house  in  Camomile 
Street  was  built,  to  which  a  portion  of  the  church  removed  in  the  year 
1766. 

During  the  pastorate  of  the  Eev.  John  Clayton,  who  was 
appointed  in  1805,  the  church  determined  to  erect  a  new  chapel  in  the 
Poultry.  The  necessary  land  was  purchased  of  the  Corporation  for 
the  sum  of  £2,000  (being  the  site  of  the  old  Poultry  Compter,  which 
had  been  removed  in  1817),  and  a  building  erected  at  a  cost  of 
£10,000.  This  was  opened  on  the  17th  November,  1819. 

Mr.  Clayton's  connection  with  the  church  extended  over  a  period 
of  more  than  forty  years.  He  resigned  the  pastorate  in  1848,  and 
died  in  October,  1865,  aged  eighty-six  years. 

The  Eev.  S.  B.  Bergne  succeeded,  and  was  pastor  for  seven  years. 

In  1854,  Dr.  James  Spence  was  appointed,  and  remained  until 
his  retirement  in  1867,  when  he  removed  to  the  Old  Gravel  Pit  Chapel, 
Hackney.  He  died,  February,  1876,  aged  sixty-five  years. 

In  1869,  Dr.  Parker,  of  Manchester,  was  appointed,  soon  after 
which  the  land  on  which  the  chapel  stood  was  sold  to  the  London 
Joint  Stock  Bank  for  £50,200,  having  been  purchased  in  1805,  as  before 
stated,  for  the  sum  of  £2,000. 

In  1873,  the  church  was  removed  to  the  City  Temple,  Holborn 
Viaduct,  the  cost  of  the  land  being  £28,000,  and  the  building,  with  its 
fittings,  £70,000. 


The  congregation  worshipping  here  was  first  gathered  together  by 
the  Eev.  Edmund  Calamy,  who,  in  1662,  had  resigned  the  living  of 
Moreton,  in  Essex.  On  coming  to  London,  he  preached  for  some 


53 

time  in  his  house  at  Aldermanbury,  and  afterwards,  Avhen  Charles  II. 
proclaimed  his  "indulgence,"  to  a  congregation  at  Curriers'  Hall. 
It  was  said  that  Calamy  "  was  a  man  born  to  be  loved,  and  who 
embraced  such  liberal  views  concerning  toleration  as  rendered  him 
singular  in  the  midst  of  his  brethren."  He  died  of  consumption  in 
1685. 

Samuel  Borfit,  who  succeeded  Calamy,  had  been  minister  of  High 
Lever,  Essex.  He  was  also  fellow  of  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge. 
He  had  but  feeble  health,  and  in  his  later  years  physical  debility 
prevented  him  from  preaching. 

John  Shower,  an  eminent  preacher  of  the  day,  was  elected  pastor 
in  1691.  He  had  commenced  preaching  in  London  by  undertaking  a 
lecture  which  had  been  established  in  1678  against  Popery  at  a  coffee- 
house in  'Change  Alley.  He  also  assisted  Vincent  Alsop  at  West- 
minster. He  then  went  abroad,  and  returned  to  England  after  the 
Revolution,  when  he  resumed  his  lecture,  and  at  the  same  time  was 
appointed  assistant  minister  to  Mr.  John  Howe  at  Silver  Street,  where 
he  remained  a  year,  and  was  then  invited  to  the  ministry  at  Old 
Jewry,  it  being  agreed  at  the  time  that  no  one  congregation  should 
monopolise  two  such  divines  as  Howe  and  Shower. 

The  congregation  then  removed  to  Curriers'  Hall,  where  the 
numbers  so  increased  that  they  removed  to  Jewin  Street.  This  chapel 
being  soon  found  too  small,  a  new  chapel  was  erected  in  1701  in  the 
Old  Jewry.  This  was  situate  in  Meeting  House  Court,  screened  from 
observation  by  houses  being  built  up  in  front  of  it. 

The  building  is  described  as  an  extensive  and  substantial 
structure.  "  With  its  two  large  central  bow  windows,  one  over  the 
other,  and  four  smaller  ones  on  either  side,  the  Dissenters  of  the  days 
of  Queen  Anne  thought  the  exterior  handsome  and  imposing.  The 
interior  occupied  an  area  of  2,600  square  feet.  There  were  three 
galleries,  furnished  with  seats  five  or  six  deep,  the  entire  building 
being  fitted  up  in  a  style  of  great  elegance."  * 

In  the  later  years  of  his  life,  Mr.  Shower  retired  to  Stoke  Newing- 
ton,  and  made  one  of  a  circle  in  which  he  and  Watts  were  the  chief 
ornaments.      He  died  in  June,   1715,   aged  fifty-nine  years.      It  i 
related  that  "  his  warm  and  devotional  affections  frequently  gave  force 

*  Holden  Pike. 


54 

to  his  earnest  expostulations  by  floods  of  tears,  and  sublimity  to  his 
prayers,  by  the  most  exalted  intercourse  with  God." 

The  following  beautiful  extract  is  from  a  sermon  preached  by  Mr. 
Shower,  being  the  first  that  he  had  delivered  since  the  death  of  his 
wife,  which  occurred  24th  August,  1691.  The  subject  of  the  sermon 
is  "  Communion  with  the  Saints  in  Heaven."  He  thus  concludes : 
"  Let  us,  therefore,  after  what  hath  been  said,  resolve  to  have 
communion  with  them  [the  Saints  in  Heaven] ,  though  they  are 
departed,  by  contemplating  what  they  are  and  where  they  are,  and 
what  they  do,  and  what  they  possess,  and  by  rejoycingin  their  blessed- 
ness more  than  we  would  have  done  for  their  temporal  advancement 
in  any  kind  on  earth.  Let  us  desire  and  endeavour  to  be  as  like  'em 
as  we  can,  by  imitating  temper  and  work  done  in  the  love  of  God  and 
the  delightful,  thankful  praises  of  the  Redeemer.  When  we  look  up 
to  Heaven,  let  us  think  they  are  there.  When  we  think  of  Christ 
in  Heaven,  let  us  remember  they  are  part  of  His  Family  above. 
When  we  think  with  hope  of  ent'ring  into  Heaven  ourselves,  let  us 
think  with  joy  of  meeting  them  there.  Oh  !  Welcome,  welcome, 
happy  morning  with  Christ  and  them,  never  more  to  part, 
never  more  to  mourn,  never  more  to  sin.  0 !  happy  change, 
0 !  blessed  Society  (shall  we  then  cry  out)  with  whom  we  shall 
live  for  ever,  to  know,  to  love,  to  admire,  and  praise  and  serve 
our  Common  Lord.  We  formerly  sinned  together  and  suffered 
together.  But  this  is  not  like  our  old  work  on  state.  Our  former 
darkness,  complaint  and  sorrows,  are  now  vanish'd.  This  body,  this 
soul,  this  life,  this  place,  this  company,  these  visions,  these  fruitions, 
these  services  and  employments,  are  not  like  what  we  had  in  the 
former  world,  and  yet  which  is  the  quintessence  and  spirit  of  all. 
This  happiness  shall  last  to  all  eternity,  and  after  millions  of  ages  be  as 
far  from  ending  as  when  it  first  began.  Fit  us,  Lord,  for  such  a  day, 
and  come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly." 

Simon  Brown,  a  remarkable  preacher  of  the  day,  came  to  the 
Old  Jewry  in  1716,  and  remained  about  seven  years,  when  mental 
affliction  overtook  him,  his  successor  being  appointed  in  1725. 

About  this  time  a  course  of  lectures  was  established  here,  being 
delivered  on  Tuesday  evenings  and  carried  on  by  several  noted 
ministers  of  the  day.  One  of  these  was  Dr.  Nathaniel  Lardner,  the 
subject  of  his  course  being  "  The  Credibility  of  Gospel  History." 


55 

In  1727,  these  lectures,  or  a  part  of  them,  were  printed.  Dr. 
Lardner  died  in  1768,  aged  eighty-five  years.  "  At  the  time  that  he 
became  an  Old  Jewry  lecturer  his  fame  had  scarcely  commenced,  and 
as  his  elocution  was  bad,  his  style  inelegant,  and  the  substance  of  his 
discourses  dry,  his  audiences  were  not  likely  to  be  very  large  or 
much  interested."  * 

In  1726,  Dr.  Samuel  Chandler  was  appointed  assistant  minister, 
and  shortly  afterwards  was  appointed  pastor,  remaining  here  for  the 
long  period  of  forty  years.  This  was  a  period  of  great  prosperity  for 
the  Old  Jewry  church.  It  was  said  that  Dr.  Chandler  "  was  loved  by 
the  people,  respected  by  the  world,  and  admired  by  a  wide  circle  of 
distinguished  friends  "  and  to  have  been  "  an  instructive  and  animated 
preacher."  He  was  the  author  of  a  large  number  of  sermons  printed 
singly,  on  various  occasions.  Four  volumes  of  his  discourses  were 
published  from  his  manuscripts  after  his  death. 

In  order  to  repair  the  loss  of  a  large  sum  of  money  at  the  time 
of  the  South  Sea  Scheme  in  1720,  he  established  a  book-selling 
business  at  the  "  Cross  Keys,"  in  the  Poultry.  Some  of  his  friends 
said  at  the  time  that  such  a  man  would  be  much  better  employed  in 
writing  books  than  in  selling  them.  He  died  in  1766,  aged  seventy- 
three  years,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields.  At  the  sale  of  his 
library  afterwards,  several  original  manuscripts  were  disposed  of. 
One  of  his  Bibles,  interleaved  with  a  large  number  of  notes,  is  still  to 
be  seen  in  Dr.  Williams'  library. 

The  next  pastor  of  the  church  was  Dr.  Abraham  Rees,  the  son  of 
a  celebrated  Welsh  Nonconformist.  The  congregation  had  much 
declined  when  Dr.  Rees  was  called.  His  first  charge  was  in 
South wark.  At  the  time  he  was  considered  the  most  likely  man  to 
effect  the  much-needed  restoration,  and  he  partially  succeeded.  The 
congregation  soon  grew  both  rich  and  influential. 

On  the  accession  of  George  IV.  to  the  throne,  Dr.  Rees  was 
selected  to  take  up  to  the  throne  the  address  of  congratulation  from 
the  Nonconformists.  Much  of  Dr.  Rees'  fame  rests  upon  his 
cyclopedia,  which  he  published,  and  which  is  contained  in  forty-five 
volumes  quarto.  He  died  in  Finsbury  Square,  June,  1825,  aged 
eighty- two  years,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields. 

*  Memoirs  of  Lardner. 


56 

The  last  minister  of  the  church  was  David  Davidson,  but  by  this 
time  the  congregation  had  much  diminished,  and  the  numbers  were 
still  growing  less.  Soon  after,  Mr.  Davidson  resigned  the  charge. 

In  1808,  the  lease  of  the  old  chapel  came  to  an  end,  when  it  was 
removed  to  Jewin  Street. 


'  ifoall. 

There  are  several  halls  close  together,  situate  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  Thames  Street,  which  we  find  during  the  eighteenth  century 
sheltered  dissenting  congregations.  Dyers'  Hall,  which  before  the 
fire  stood  in  Old  Swan  Lane,  and  was  afterwards  removed  to  what 
was  called  Little  Elbow  Lane  (but  now  College  Street),  was  let  to 
a  Nonconformist  church,  the  Rev.  Thos.  Lye,  who  had  held  the 
living  of  All  Hallows,  Lombard  Street,  being  the  first  minister. 

Calamy  states  that  Mr.  Marsden's  church  from  Founders'  Hall 
met  for  some  time,  by  permission  of  Mr.  Lye,  in  Dyers'  Hall. 


Uallow  Cbanfclers'  t>all. 

This  is  another  of  the  old  City  halls,  and  one  more  of  the  group 
clustering  round  and  near  to  Dowgate  Hill,  which  in  the  seventeenth 
and  early  part  of  the  eighteenth  centuries  were  let  out  to  dissenting 
congregations.  Two  congregations  seem  to  have  met  in  this  hall,  one 
under  the  Eev.  Elias  Reach,  who  had  gathered  a  church  at  Wapping, 
then  at  Goodman's  Fields,  then  removing  to  this  hall.  Another 
church  from  Gracechurch  Street  also  met  here. 

One  of  the  early  pastors  of  the  church  meeting  here  was  Thomas 
Cole,  who  had  been  Principal  of  St.  Mary's  Hall,  Oxford.  He  was 


57 

also  one  of  the  Tuesday  lecturers  at  Pinners'  Hall,  to  which  place  his 
congregation  removed,  and  from  thence  to  Loriners'  Hall.  He  is  said 
to  have  been  "  a  man  of  good  learning,  of  polite  manners,  spotless  life, 
and  of  eminent  virtue  and  piety."  He  died  in  1697. 

About  1730,  the  church  was  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  John 
Noble,  when  a  new  meeting  house  was  built  in  Maidenhead  Court, 
Great  Eastcheap,  to  which  it  was  removed.  All  traces  of  this  court 
have  now  disappeared.  Mr.  Noble  belonged  to  the  society  of  ministers 
of  "  The  Particular  Persuasion,"  which  met  "  at  the  Gloucestershire 
coffee-house  on  Monday  afternoons." 

Mr.  Samuel  Wilson  was  assistant  for  a  few  years  to  Mr.  Noble. 
He  also  held  a  weekly  lecture  at  the  hall,  "  which  was  very  numerously 
attended." 


Cutlers'  1ball. 

This  hall,  which  formerly  stood  in  Cloak  Lane,  Dowgate  Hill, 
and  from  thence  removed  to  Warwick  Lane,  was  used  by  an  Inde- 
pendent congregation  from  about  1674  to  1700,  when  it  was  dissolved. 
No  further  trace  of  this  church  can  be  discovered. 


^lumbers'  Ifoall. 

This  hall  was  situate  in  Chequer  Yard,  Dowgate  Hill,  now 
covered  by  the  Cannon  Street  Railway  Station. 

Dr.  Neal,  in  his  history,  relates  that  the  Puritans  met  here,  but 
were  disturbed  by  the  sheriffs  and  many  sent  to  prison. 

There  does  not  appear  to  have  been  at  any  time  a  regular  church 
gathered  in  this  hall. 

Price,  in  his  "History  of  Nonconformity,"  relates  that  "on  the 
19th  of  June,  1569,  some  of  the  principal  leaders  of  the  separation, 


68 

who  had  been  meeting  in  various  places  in  secret,  on  this  day  ventured 
to  meet  openly  in  this  hall,  which  they  hired  for  the  day  under 
pretence  of  a  meeting.  They  were  discovered  by  the  Sheriffs  of  London, 
brought  before  the  Lord  Mayor,  and  committed  to  the  Compter." 


'  Ifoall. 

This  hall,  which  was  situate  in  Thames  Street,  was  used  as  a 
church  for  the  Baptists  at  an  early  period.  It  was  generally  known  as 
the  "  Glass-house  Church." 

We  read  that  Mr.  John  Miles  and  Mr.  Thomas  Proud  were  bap- 
tized here  in  1649,  the  pastors  at  this  period  being  Mr.  William 
Consett  and  Mr.  Edward  Draper,  both  of  whom  afterwards  died  in 
Ireland.  The  latter  published  a  work,  entitled  :  "  Gospel  Glory  Pro- 
claimed Before  the  Sons  of  Men  in  the  Visible  and  Invisible  Worship 
of  God.  Wherein  the  Mystery  of  God  in  Christ,  and  His  Koyal 
Spiritual  Government  Over  the  Souls  and  Bodies  of  His  Saints,  is 
Clearly  Discovered,  Plainly  Asserted,  and  Faithfully  Vindicated  Against 
the  Deceiver  and  his  Servants,  who  Endeavour  the  Assertion  thereof 
upon  what  Pretence  soever.  By  Edward  Draper,  an  unworthy  servant 
of  the  Gospel  of  Christ."  This  was  a  quarto  volume  of  169  pages. 


This  hall  stood  in  what  is  now  called  Joyners'  Hall  Buildings, 
Upper  Thames  Street.  The  place  was  formerly  called  Friars'  Lane, 
and  previous  to  this  Greenwich  Lane. 

The  hall  was  used  as  a  meeting  house  of  the  Particular  Baptists 
about  the  end  of  the  seventeenth  century.  Joseph  Maisters  was  the 
minister  about  1667.  The  congregation  at  this  time  was  considered 
to  be  one  of  the  richest  in  London.  One  writer  says  it  was  "  the 
richest  in  England."  Mr.  Maisters  died  in  1717,  aged  seventy-seven 
years.  Crosby,  in  his  history,  says  that  "  Mr.  Maisters  was  a  very  plain 
and  serious  preacher,  and  though  he  never  used  a  pompous  style,  or 


69 

fierce  delivery,  yet  his  preaching  was  acceptable  almost  to  all,  and  admired 
by  many  serious  and  judicious  Christians  of  different  persuasions, 
though  he  himself  was  a  professed  Calvinist  and  Baptist.  Possessing 
a  very  retentive  memory  to  the  last,  he  only  used  notes  to  his 
sermons." 

A  later  minister  was  Mr.  John  Harris.  During  his  time  the 
church  was  sufficiently  wealthy  to  maintain  their  pastor  and  two 
assistants.  During  the  ministry  of  his  successor  the  church  removed 
to  Pinners'  Hall,  then  vacant  by  the  removal  of  Dr.  Watts'  church  to 
Bury  Street  in  1708.  The  congregation  continued  to  assemble  here 
on  Sunday  afternoons  until  1723,  when  a  portion  of  the  church 
removed  to  Devonshire  Square. 

In  1751,  the  numbers  had  greatly  diminished.  A  short  time  after 
this  the  church  was  dissolved.  Mr.  Ivimey,  in  his  history,  says  (writing 
in  1813) :  "  It  is  likely  that  the  supineness  of  the  people,  and  the 
indolence  of  the  ministers,  contributed  not  a  little  towards  that  event. 
How  disgusting  that  ministers  in  full  health  and  in  the  vigour  of 
youth  should  preach  only  once  a  day  to  the  churches  of  which  they 
were  pastors.  It  was  not  likely  that  spiritual  life,  union,  and  zeal, 
would  be  excited  by  such  scanty  labours,  however  excellent  and  learned 
the  sermons  might  be." 

In  the  minute  books  of  the  Joyners'  Company  there  is  an  entry, 
dated  22nd  May,  1683,  "  that  a  conviction  had  been  sworn  against  the 
master  and  wardens,  before  Sir  James  Smith,  Knt.,  Alderman,  that 
they  did,  with  a  willing  mind,  permitt  and  admitt  a  certain  illegal 
conventicle  or  convencion  at  the  house  in  Joyners'  Hall,  on  the  3rd 
December,  in  the  year  aforesaid."  .  .  .  The  sum  of  £20  is 
assessed  on  them,  either  or  any  of  them,  for  every  such  offence 
according  to  ye  statute." 

In  August,  1683,  the  sum  of  £6  17s.  6d.,  was  "  paid  counsellors' 
fees  and  other  expences  about  the  convencion." 

On  the  29th  December,  1687,  the  court  resolved  that  "  ye  said 
hall  with  ye  stewards'  room  and  ye  lobby  be  let  to  John  and  Richard 
Marriott  for  a  meeting  house  on  every  Sunday  in  ye  year,  and  one  day 
in  every  month  for  one  year  at  ye  yearly  rental  of  twenty  pounds,  to 
make  satisfaction  for  such  damage  as  shall  be  done  to  ye  said  hall 
by  reason  of  ye  said  meeting,  and  to  hang  ye  hall  with  buckram  as  it 
was  when  formerly  used  by  Mr.  Brag." 


60 

On  the  5th  March,  1688-9,  application  was  made  on  behalf  of 
Mr.  Harris,  "  who  meetes  in  the  hall  on  Sabboth  dayes,  to  abate  the 
rent,  and  accept  of  £14  per  annum,  for  that  they  alledged  they  could 
have  a  continuance  much  cheaper."  To  this  application  the  court 
agreed. 


36rofeen  Mbart 

Here  stood,  in  the  reign  of  William  III.,  a  large  old  building, 
formerly  belonging  to  the  Dukes  of  Norfolk.  This  was  let  to  the 
famous  Hansard  Knollys,  who  had  been  for  some  time  preaching  in 
Great  St.  Helens,  where,  it  is  said,  he  had  a  thousand  hearers.  He 
was  afterwards  arrested  "  for  preaching  against  infant  baptism,"  and 
lodged  in  Wood  Street  Compter,  but  was  afterwards  discharged,  having 
liberty  given  him  to  preach  "in  any  part  of  Suffolk  where  the  minister 
of  the  place  did  not  there  preach  himself." 

Crosby,  in  his  "  History  of  the  Baptists,"  says :  "  Mr.  Knollys 
was  as  excellent  and  successful  in  the  gift  of  prayer  as  of  preaching, 
for  God  was  pleased  to  honour  him  with  several  remarkable  answers  to 
his  prayers,  especially  during  the  time  of  the  plague  in  the  City,  divers 
sick  persons  being  suddenly  restored  even  while  he  was  praying  with 
them."  He  was  also  one  of  the  lecturers  at  Pinners'  Hall.  Mr 
Knollys  died  in  1691,  aged  ninety-three  years,  and  was  buried  in 
Bunhill  Fields.  Mr.  Thomas  Harrison  preached  his  funeral  sermon 
at  Pinners'  Hall,  which  was  afterwards  published  ;  and  Mr.  Benjamin 
Keach  published  an  elegy  on  his  death. 

The  following  epitaph  is  inscribed  on  the  tomb  of  Mr.  Knollys : 
"  My  only  wife  that  in  her  life 
Liv'd  forty  years  with  me, 
Lives  now  in  rest,  for  ever  blest 
With  immortality. 

"  My  dear  is  gone,  left  me  alone, 

For  Christ  to  do  and  dye ; 
Who  died  for  me,  and  died  to  be 
My  Saviour  God  most  high." 


61 


In  1691,  the  church  was  removed  to  Bagnio  Court,*  Newgate 
Street,  and  about  1700  from  thence  to  Curriers'  Hall. 


CTree  Cranes,  TUpper  Ubames  Street 

An  Independent  church  met  for  some  time  in  what  was  then 
called  Fruiterers'  Alley,  but  now  Three  Cranes,  Upper  Thames  Street. 
It  was  not  a  large  building,  and  was  erected  about  1739  to  take  the 
place  of  one  which  had  been  in  use  before  the  fire.  Mr.  Thomas 
Gouge,  "whose  praises  are  celebrated  by  Dr.  Watts,"  was  the  first 
minister.  In  1688,  he  was  one  of  the  Merchant  Lecturers  at  Pinners' 
Hall.  He  died  in  1700. 

Dr.  Thomas  Ridgly,  who  had  been  assisting  Mr.  Gouge,  was 
appointed  successor.  At  this  time  the  congregation,  in  consequence 
of  some  disputes  which  had  been  taking  place,  was  in  a  very  low 
state.  It  gradually  increased,  but  was  never  very  large.  Dr.  Eidgly 
also  lectured  on  Thursday  evenings  at  Jewin  Street,  and  on  Sunday 
evenings  at  the  Old  Jewry.  He  died  in  1734,  having  been  pastor  at 
the  Three  Cranes  for  nearly  forty  years.  He  was  a  great  friend  of 
Sir  Isaac  Newton,  and  the  author  of  "  A  System  of  Divinity." 

In  1749,  Mr.  Samuel  Pike  was  appointed  the  minister.  During 
his  charge  a  serious  breach  on  doctrinal  matters  took  place,  which 
ended  in  a  division  of  the  church,  one  section  remaining,  the  other 
section  seceding  to  the  church  at  Little  St.  Helens.  He  died  in  1778, 
aged  fifty-six  years,  but  had  left  the  church  about  thirteen  years 
previously. 

The  congregation  was  now  greatly  reduced,  but  the  church  was 
continued  until  1798,  when  it  was  closed.  A  short  time  after  this 
the  building  was  taken  by  a  body  of  Calvinistic  Methodists,  who 
remained  for  a  few  years,  after  which  it  was  taken  down. 


Great  St.  Ubotnas  Bpostle, 

This  meeting  house,   situate  over  a  gateway,  was  a   small  and 
inconvenient  building  belonging  to  a  congregation  which  had  been 


Now  Bath  Street. 


62 

meeting  at  a  large  room  in  Paternoster  Row.  There  were  not  more 
than  two  or  three  ministers  in  succession  attached  to  the  place,  the 
church  dating  from  about  1684  to  1742. 

The  Rev.  Benjamin  Atkinson  vvas  minister  here  from  1722  to  1741 . 
Ou  his  retirement,  the  church  became  extinct.  The  building  was 
afterwards  taken  for  a  short  time  by  the  Scotch  Presbyterians. 

Also  close  at  hand,  in  Bow  Lane,  a  church  existed  for  a  short 
time.  This  was  closed  about  1729. 


Carter  %ane. 

A  Presbyterian  congregation  was  gathered  here  from  an  early 
date,  and  was  one  of  the  most  important  Nonconformist  churches  in 
London.  The  first  minister  was  Mr.  Matthew  Sylvester,  who  had  for 
some  time  held  the  living  of  Gunnerly,  Lincolnshire  ;  but  on  account 
of  the  Act  of  Uniformity,  had  resigned  it.  He  first  gathered  a  con- 
gregation in  Meeting  House  Court,  Blackfriars,  thence  removing  in 
1734  to  Carter  Lane.  He  was  also  one  of  the  preachers  of  the 
"  Morning  Exercises"  at  Cripplegate  Church.  He  died  in  1707,  aged 
seventy-one  years.  Dr.  Calamy  says  of  him  :  "  Mr.  Sylvester  was  an 
able  divine,  a  good  linguist,  no  mean  scholar,  an  excellent  casuist,  an 
admirable  sextuary,  and  of  uncommon  eloquence." 

This  church  was  honoured  by  the  assistance  of  two  of  the  greatest 
ornaments  of  Nonconformity  of  the  day — Richard  Baxter  and  Edmund 
Calamy.  Both  of  these  ministers  assisted  from  time  to  time  in  the 
work  of  the  church  at  this  place. 

In  1708,  Dr.  Samuel  Wright  was  appointed  to  succeed  Mr. 
Sylvester.  For  thirty-eight  years  he  ministered  here  to  a  numerous 
and  influential  congregation.  He  was  considered  an  eloquent  preacher, 
and  during  his  ministry  the  church  was  in  a  flourishing  condition. 
He  was  also  one  of  the  lecturers  at  Salters'  Hall  and  at  Little  St. 
Helens.  He  died  in  1746,  aged  sixty-four  years. 

For  some  few  years  there  was  a  succession  of  good  men  as 
ministers  here.  Dr.  John  Gill  was  ordained  minister  in  1719,  and 
remained  until  his  death  in  1771.  To  him  succeeded  Dr.  John  Rippon. 
Soon  after  this  the  congregation  gradually  declined. 


63 

Mr.  Wilson,  writing  in  1808,  says  of  this  chapel  that  "it  is  a 
substantial  hrick  building,  square  form,  and  three  galleries,  the  inside 
being  finished  with  remarkable  neatness,  scarcely  equalled  by  any 
place  of  worship  among  the  Dissenters  in  London,  and  in  colour  much 
better  suited  to  the  solemnity  of  Divine  worship  than  the  theatrical 
style  of  decoration  adopted  in  many  of  our  modern  chapels.  Though 
the  morning  congregation  is  far  from  being  large,  the  afternoon 
audience  is  much  smaller,  and  presents  the  melancholy  spectacle  of  a 
noble  place  of  worship  nearly  deserted." 

Other  ministers  followed,  but  none  succeeded  in  regaining  the 
prosperity  which  the  church  had  formerly  enjoyed. 

Henry  Ireson  was  the  last  minister.  He  officiated  at  the  last 
service  held  in  the  old  chapel  on  Sunday,  13th  October,  1861.  The 
church  then  removed  to  Islington. 

The  Christian  Reformer  says,  alluding  to  this  occasion,  that  "  the 
closing  service  would  not  be  one  of  lamentation  over  decay." 

Holden  Pike,  in  his  history,  says  :  "  On  the  memorable  day 
already  mentioned,  a  large  concourse  was  attracted  by  the  last  sermon 
in  a  building  of  so  many  and  great  associations.  Let  us  venture  to 
hope,  notwithstanding,  that  to  many  the  season  was  one  of  mourning ; 
for  although  a  new  chapel  has  arisen  at  Islington,  the  spectacle  descried 
from  our  standpoint  is  that  of  a  noble  barque  wrecked  on  the  breakers 
of  '  unsound  doctrine.'  " 


Bailey 

Towards  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century,  a  meeting  house 
existed  here,  and  was  occupied  by  the  Presbyterians.  Very  little  is 
known  of  its  history,  but  the  church  is  mentioned  in  1738  in  a  list  of 
licensed  places. 


Sboe  %ane. 

After  the  death  of  the  Eev.  William  Romaine,  the  Eector  of  St. 
Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe,  a  few  who  had  been  members  of  his  con- 
gregation took  an  upper  room  in  Eagle  and  Child  Alley,  leading  from 


64 

Fleet  Market  into  Shoe  Lane.  It  was  fitted  up  as  a  place  of  worship, 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Eyles,  a  Calvinistic  Baptist,  being  the  first  minister. 
He  had  another  congregation  in  Cornwall,  where  he  spent  six  months 
in  the  year.  As  his  people  (says  Mr.  Wilson)  could  not  endure  any 
other  preacher,  "  they  met  during  his  absence,  and  employed  them- 
selves in  reading  his  sermons  which  he  wrote  for  their  use." 


Salisbury  Court,  ffleet  Street. 

In  the  reign  of  Charles  II.,  a  small  meeting  house  existed  in  this 
court.  It  consisted  of  four  rooms  opening  into  each  other. 

Maitland,  in  his  history,  mentions  Mr.  John  Fowl  as  occupying 
it  during  the  plague  of  1665. 

Mr.  Christopher  Nesse,  who  came  to  London  in  1675,  preached 
here  for  about  thirty  years.  He  was  the  author  of  "A  History  and 
Mystery  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament,"  which  was  published  in  four 
volumes  folio.  He  died  in  1705,  aged  eighty-four  years,  having  been 
a  preacher  of  the  Gospel  for  sixty  years,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill 
Fields. 


jfetter  Xane. 

There  were  originally  three  chapels  in  this  lane,  two  being  occupied 
by  the  Independents  and  one  by  the  Moravian  Brethren,  who  still  meet 
here.  The  latter  stands  on  ground  occupied  since  the  fire  by  a  meeting 
house  of  some  kind.  The  original  building  is  said  to  have  consisted 
of  four  rooms  opening  into  each  other,  and  contained  seventeen  pews 
and  divers  benches  ;  also  to  have  had  two  entrances,  in  order  that  the 
preacher,  when  danger  was  near,  might  be  able  to  escape. 

Mr.  Turner,  who  had  held  the  living  of  Sunbury,  but  had 
resigned,  was  one  of  the  first  ministers.  This  gentleman  was  very 
active  in  preaching  during  the  plague  of  1665.  We  read  that 
"Richard  Baxter  began  a  Friday  Lecture  on  January  24th,  1671, 
at  Mr.  Turner's,  in  Fetter  Lane,  with  great  convenience  and  a  con- 
siderable blessing,  but  he  never  took  anything  for  his  pains." 


65 

We  also  read  of  meetings  being  held,  and  lectures  given,  at 
"  Mr.  Jollies,  in  Fetter  Lane." 

Richard  Baxter  was  minister  here  for  about  ten  years,  resigning  his 
charge  in  1682. 

The  Independents  then  took  possession  of  the  chapel  under 
Mr.  Stephen  Lobb.  This  gentleman  was  one  of  the  most  popular 
divines  of  the  period,  and  drew  together  very  large  congregations.  He 
was  also  a  great  favourite  with  James  II.,  and  at  the  time  suffered 
very  severe  censure  for  taking  up  to  the  king  an  address  of  thanks  for 
the  indulgence  which  had  been  granted  to  the  Dissenters.  He  died  in 
the  midst  of  his  work  in  1699. 

During  the  latter  part  of  Mr.  Lobb's  pastorate,  Mr.  Thomas 
Godwin,  the  son  of  Dr.  Thomas  Godwin,  was  appointed  to  assist  in  the 
work.  On  the  death  of  Mr.  Lobb,  Mr.  Godwin  removed  to  Pinner. 
This  young  minister,  with  three  others,  carried  on  an  evening  lecture 
at  a  coffee-house  in  the  City.  This  was  attended  by  some  of  the 
most  prominent  merchants  in  London.  Dr.  Calamy  says :  "  Mr. 
Godwin  was  a  person  of  great  and  universal  literature,  of  a  most 
gentle  and  obliging  temper,  and  who  lived  usefully  upon  his  estate." 

Mr.  Benoni  Eowe  was  pastor  here  for  a  short  time.  He  was 
said  "to  be  a  man  of  very  good  qualities,  but  not  popular  as  a 
preacher."  He  died  in  1706. 

In  1710,  Mr.  Thomas  Bradbury  was  appointed.  It  was  during 
his  pastorate  that  the  riots,  caused  by  the  attack  of  Dr.  Sacha^ereu  ' 
on  the  Dissenters,  took  place,  the  chapel  being  burnt  to  the  ground. 
Mr.  Bradbury  had  been  for  about  two  years  minister  of  a  church  at 
Stepney,  from  which  church  the  following  testimonial  was  given  to 
the  church  in  Fetter  Lane  :  "To  the  church  of  Christ  assembling  in 
Fetter  Lane,  whereof  the  Eev.  Benoni  Eowe  was  formerly  pastor. 
Whereas,  our  well-beloved  brother,  Mr.  Thomas  Bradbury,  has  been 
for  about  these  two  years  in  communion  with  the  church  at  Stepney, 
and  has  possessed  a  particular  reputation  and  respect  in  the  hearts  of 
the  congregation,  but  is  now,  by  the  holy  Providence  of  God,  called 
to  settle  with  you.  We  do  therefore,  in  compliance  with  your  desire, 
dismiss  him  from  his  relation  here,  and  heartily  recommend  him  to 
you,  not  as  a  common  brother,  but  as  a  more  public  useful  servant  of 
Jesus  Christ,  with  our  earnest  prayer  that  he  may  be  made  a  singular 


66 

blessing  to  you,  and  an  eminent  instrument  in  God's  hand  to  add 
much  people  to  the  Lord." 

In  1728,  some  unfortunate  differences  arose  between  Mr.  Bradbury 
and  his  congregation,  which  caused  his  retirement  from  the  church, 
and  removing  to  New  Court  Chapel,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death  in  1759.  He  preached  his  last  sermon  on  the  12th  August  of 
that  year. 

In  1732,  a  considerable  section  of  the  church  determined  to  build 
a  new  meeting  house  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  way.  In  this  building 
a  church  has  continued  until  recently  to  meet.  John  Wesley  was  for 
some  time  connected  with  the  church  here.  It  was  in  Fetter  Lane 
Chapel  he  first  met  Peter  Bohler,  a  minister  of  the  Moravian  Church, 
but  it  was  soon  found  that  those  two  good  men  could  not  agree  upon 
several  important  doctrinal  points.  The  matters  in  dispute  were  dis- 
cussed, and  after  a  short  debate  Wesley  was  prohibited  preaching  at 
the  church,  with  the  result  that  he  formed  a  distinct  community,  which 
was  the  beginning  of  the  Methodist  Society.  Ten  days  after  this, 
Wesley  received  a  letter  from  one  of  the  Moravian  Brethren  in 
Germany,  advising  him  and  his  brother  to  deliver  up  "  the  instruction 
of  souls  "  to  the  Moravians,  "  for  you,"  adds  the  writer,  "  only  instruct 
them  in  such  errors  that  they  will  be  damned  at  the  last." 

John  Wesley  was  one  of  the  early  members  of  the  Fetter  Lane 
Society.  The  rules  of  this  society  were  printed  under  the  title  of 
"  Orders  of  a  Religious  Society  meeting  in  Fetter  Lane  in  obedience 
to  the  Command  of  God,  by  St.  James  and  by  the  advice  of  Peter 
Bohler,  1738."  This  society  first  met  at  the  house  of  James  Hatton, 
West  of  Temple  Bar,  where  he  carried  on  the  business  of  a  bookseller. 
Owing  to  increasing  numbers,  they  removed  in  1738  to  the  chapel  in 
Fetter  Lane,  then  known  as  "  The  Great  Meeting  House,"  or 
"Bradbury's  Meeting  House,"  situate  between  Neville's  Court  and 
Fleet  Street. 

In  1803,  the  office  of  pastor  was  vacant  for  fifteen  months,  after 
which  Mr.  G.  Burder  was  appointed.  In  his  time  the  congregation, 
which  had  much  decreased,  soon  grew  in  numbers.  The  building  was 
thoroughly  repaired  and  a  fourth  gallery  added. 

An  original  engraving  of  the  interior  of  the  old  building,  as  it 
doubtless  appeared  at  the  time  of  its  first  occupancy  by  the  United 
Brethren,  shows  a  lofty  edifice,  with  galleries  on  both  sides  and  at  the 


67 

west  end,  a  high  pulpit  at  the  east  end,  unprovided  with  stairs,  but 
entered  from  an  adjoining  room.  The  building  was  lighted  by  two 
rows  of  windows  on  each  side.  Fixed  benches  ran  round  the 
wainscotted  walls,  while  the  middle  was  occupied  by  moveable  seats 
without  backs.  A  drawing  of  the  exterior  of  the  building  about  the 
year  1784  shows  the  roof  surmounted  by  a  cupola  with  the  "Lamb 
and  Flag  "  as  a  vane. 


Silver  Street. 

In  a  narrow  place,  called  Meeting  House  Yard,  in  Silver  Street, 
stood  a  small  chapel.  It  was  built  soon  after  the  fire,  and  was  almost 
entirely  closed  in  from  the  street,  in  order  that,  at  the  time  it  was 
built,  it  should  be  as  far  as  possible  screened  from  public  observation. 
The  building  was  small  and  oblong,  with  three  galleries  plainly  fitted 
up. 

Dr.  Lazarus  Seaman,  an  eminent  Presbyterian  divine,  was  the 
first  minister.  This  was  a  man  of  some  note.  He  was  master  of 
Peterhouse  College,  Cambridge,  and  afterwards  the  lecturer  at  St. 
Martin's,  Ludgate,  and  Rector  of  All  Hallows,  Bread  Street.  These 
appointments  he  resigned  in  1662.  He  was  one  of  the  commissioners 
sent  by  Parliament  to  treat  with  Charles  I.,  when  the  king  was  a 
prisoner  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  and  also  a  member  of  the  Westminster 
Assembly  of  Divines.  Dr.  Seaman  died  in  1657,  leaving  behind  him 
a  valuable  library,  the  first  that  was  sold  by  auction  in  England, 
realising  £700.  Dr.  Calamy  says  of  him:  "Dr.  Seaman  was  an 
excellent  casuist,  a  dext'rous  expositor,  and  both  a  judicious  and 
moving  preacher." 

Dr.  Jacomb,  who  succeeded,  was  a  man  of  considerable  learning. 
He  had  held  the  living  of  St.  Martin's,  Ludgate ;  he  was  Fellow  of 
Trinity  College,  Cambridge ;  Chaplain  to  the  Dowager  Duchess  of 
Exeter,  daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Bridgewater ;  and  also  took  part  in 
the  Conference  at  the  Savoy  in  1661.  He  died  at  the  house  of  the 
Countess  of  Exeter  in  Little  Britain,  in  1687,  aged  sixty-six  years. 
He  left  behind  him  an  incomparable  library  of  the  most  valuable 
books  in  all  parts  of  learning,  which  was  afterwards  sold,  realizing 


68 

£1300.  Dr.  Calamy  says  :  "  Mr.  Jacomb  was  a  Nonconformist  upon 
moderate  principles,  much  rather  choosing  to  have  been  comprehended 
in  the  National  Church  than  to  have  separated  from  it." 

The  celebrated  John  Howe  succeeded  to  the  pastorate.  It  is 
related  that  "  not  a  few  persons  of  figure  attended  his  ministry."  He 
was  for  some  time  Chaplain  to  Cromwell,  and  was  appointed  by  Christ 
Church,  Oxford,  to  the  living  of  Torrington,  Devon.  He  remained 
here  until  the  Act  of  Uniformity  compelled  him  to  resign.  At  the 
time  of  the  Revolution,  1688,  Mr.  Howe  took  up  an  address  from  the 
dissenting  ministers  to  the  Prince  of  Orange,  and,  it  is  related,  "made 
a  handsome  speech  "  on  the  occasion.  Dr.  Calamy,  in  his  history, 
relates  the  manner  in  which  Dr.  Howe  conducted  the  services  on  the 
public  fast  days,  which,  at  that  time,  were  very  frequent.  "He  began 
at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  with  a  prayer  of  a  quarter-of-an-hour, 
in  which  he  begged  for  a  blessing  on  the  work  of  the  day  ;  read  and 
expounded  Scripture  for  about  three-quarters-of-an-hour ;  preached 
another  hour ;  the  people  then  sang  for  about  a  quarter-of-an-hour, 
during  which  time  he  retired  and  took  a  little  refreshment ;  he  then 
went  into  the  pulpit  again,  prayed  for  another  hour,  preached  another 
hour,  and  then,  with  a  prayer  of  half-an-hour,  concluded  the  service 
at  about  four  o'clock  in  the  evening."  The  following  is  from  an  old 
writer  :  "A  young  minister,  who  wishes  to  attain  eminence  in  his 
profession,  if  he  has  not  the  works  of  John  Howe,  and  can  procure 
them  in  no  other  way,  should  sell  his  coat  and  buy  them ;  and  if  that 
will  not  suffice,  let  him  sell  his  bed  and  lie  on  the  floor,  and  if  he 
spend  his  days  in  reading  them,  he  will  not  complain  that  he  lies  hard 
at  night."  Mr.  Howe  died  in  1705,  aged  seventy-five  years. 

The  famous  Lord  Mayor,  Sir  Thomas  Abney,  worshipped  con- 
stantly in  this  church  with  his  family,  and  during  his  Mayoralty,  in 
1701,  publicly  attended  the  services.  It  is  recorded  as  an  evidence  of 
his  piety,  on  the  evening  of  the  day  on  which  he  entered  upon  his 
office,  he  withdrew  silently  from  the  public  assembly  at  Guildhall, 
after  supper,  went  to  his  own  house,  there  performed  family  worship, 
and  then  returned  to  the  Company. 

The  Eev.  Jeremiah  Smith,  one  of  the  pastors  of  the  church  when 
Sir  Thomas  died,  gives  a  short  account  of  the  family  religion  of  this 
famous  Nonconformist  knight.  "  Here  were  every  day  the  morning 
and  evening  sacrifices  of  prayer  and  praise,  and  reading  the  holy 


69 

scriptures.  The  Lord's  day  he  strictly  observed  and  sanctified.  God 
was  solemnly  sought  and  worshipped,  both  before  and  after  the  family's 
attendance  on  public  ordinances.  The  repetitions  of  sermons,  the 
reading  of  good  books,  the  instruction  of  the  household,  and  the  singing 
of  the  Divine  praises  together,  were  much  of  the  sacred  employment  of  the 
holy  day ;  variety  and  brevity  making  the  whole  not  burdensome  but 
pleasant,  leaving,  at  the  same  time,  room  for  the  devotions  of  the 
closet  as  well  as  for  intervening  works  of  necessity  and  mercy.  Through 
the  whole  course  of  his  life  he  was  priest  in  his  own  family,  except 
when  a  minister  happened  to  be  present.* 

In  1705,  the  Independents  met  here  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev. 
Daniel  Neal,  the  well-known  historian  of  the  Puritans.  He  held  the 
pastorate  for  thirty-six  years.  His  congregation  so  much  increased 
that  he  removed  to  a  larger  meeting  house  in  Jewin  Street.  He  died 
in  1743,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields.  This  society  lasted  until 
about  1789,  when  the  congregation  met  in  the  afternoon  only ;  another 
congregation,  which  had  separated  from  the  church  in  Monkall  Street, 
assembling  in  the  morning. 

From  1709  to  1728  the  Kev.  Jeremy  Smith  was  one  of  the 
ministers  here.  He  was  one  of  the  continuators  of  Matthew  Henry's 
"  Commentary,"  and  is  described  as  "  a  man  of  eminent  abilities, 
though  in  the  decline  of  life  the  failure  of  his  voice  occasioned  a  dimi- 
nution of  his  hearers,  and  obscured  his  eminent  worth."  He  died  in 
1723,  aged  seventy  years. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Wills,  who  came  to  the  church  in  1789, 
drew  crowded  congregations  until  1797,  when,  through  infirmity,  his 
popularity  began  to  wane.  In  that  year  a  neighbouring  preacher  fixed 
his  quarters  at  a  meeting  house  in  Grub  Street  close  by.  "  Being 
something  new,  many  of  the  Silver  Street  congregation  floated  to  hear 
him,"  to  the  great  grief  of  Mr.  Wills,  who  was  soon  wholly  laid 
aside. 

Mr.  Wilson,  in  his  history,  says  (writing  in  1808) :  "  From  a 
small  plain  structure  adapted  to  the  use  of  old-fashioned  Non- 
conformists, the  church  in  Silver  Street  has  been  metamorphosed  into 
a  large  and  splendid  chapel,  with  every  attraction  that  can  dazzle  the 
sense  of  the  religious  public.  The  liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England  and 

*  Urine's  Life  of  John  Owen. 


70 

the  Countess  of  Huntingdon's  hynins  were  introduced,  an  organ 
erected,  and  the  name  of  the  place  altered  from  Silver  Street  Meeting 
to  Silver  Street  Chapel." 

On  the  appointment  in  1808  of  Mr.  Evan  Jones,  further  extensive 
alterations  were  made.  Mr.  Wilson  says  :  "  The  fitting  up  is  in  the 
highest  style  of  elegance.  The  pews  and  walls  of  about  half  the  chapel 
are  covered  with  crimson  baize,  and  as  the  place  is  well  lighted  and 
the  congregation  numerous,  the  effect  on  a  winter's  evening  is  par- 
ticularly striking.  The  area  is  fitted  up  with  pews  and  seats,  and  are 
let  out  to  the  public  by  quarterly  tickets.  The  three  large  galleries 
are  also  ticketed.  It  is  evident,  therefore,  that  few  of  the  poorer 
people  attend.  Among  the  attractions  at  Silver  Street,  besides  a 
variety  of  preachers,  are  an  elegant  and  commodious  building,  an 
organ,  and  a  prayer  reciter,  with  his  paraphernalia  of  office,  and  a 
crowded  congregation. 

"  This  constant  change,  which  is  founded  on  policy,  is  also  pro- 
ductive of  a  roving  disposition  in  religious  professors,  who  are  thereby 
rendered  unfit  for  a  stated  ministry." 

In  1828,  Dr.  Bennett  was  appointed  to  the  pastorate.  His  ministry 
was  attended  by  large  congregations.  That  which  brought  Dr.  Bennett 
prominently  before  the  public  was  a  controversy  in  which  he  engaged 
with  an  infidel  named  Eobert  Taylor,  who  made  a  good  deal  of  noise 
in  the  metropolis  in  the  year  1831. 

In  1840,  the  old  chapel  was  used  for  other  purposes,  and,  in  1842, 
the  foundation  stone  of  the  present  building,  in  Falcon  Square,  was 
laid  by  Dr.  Bennett,  the  cost  of  its  erection  being  about  £7, 000.  This 
is  one  of  the  few  Nonconformist  churches  still  remaining  in  the  old 
City.  A  good  work  is  still  being  carried  on,  and  a  good  congregation 
still  attend. 


Ibaberfcasbers*  fball. 

This  meeting  house  was  dedicated  to  religious  purposes  in  the 
reign  of  Charles  II.  It  was  a  very  small  and  inconvenient  building 
of  oblong  shape,  with  galleries.  Both  Independents  and  Presbyterians 
seem  to  have  met  here. 

Mr.  Theophilus  Gale  was  an  early  Presbyterian  minister.     He 


71 

was  a  fellow  of  Magdalen  College,  Oxford,  and  also  preached  in 
Winchester  Cathedral  until  he  left  the  church  in  1662.  It  is  related  of 
him  that,  leaving  London  for  a  short  time,  he  left  all  his  papers  and 
writings  to  the  care  of  a  friend  in  the  City.  On  his  return  he  saw 
London  in  flames,  and  was  much  distressed  as  to  the  fate  of  his 
books  and  papers.  On  meeting  his  friend  he  was  told  that  in  removing 
his  goods  to  a  place  of  safety,  the  last  cart  not  being  full,  they  looked 
about  in  a  hurry  for  something  to  put  in  it,  and,  seeing  a  desk  near, 
they  had  thrown  it  in  to  make  a  load,  "  which  he  was  not  a  little 
pleased  to  hear."  Mr.  Gale  died  in  1678,  aged  forty-nine  years,  and 
was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields,  where  a  memorial  stone  exists  to  his 
memory.  He  left  all  his  estate  "  for  the  education  and  benefit  of  poor 
young  scholars." 

Mr.  Eichard  Stretton  was  an  early  minister  of  this  church.  He 
had  held  the  living  of  Petworth  in  Surrey,  but  resigned  it  in  1662.  In 
1683  he  was  imprisoned  in  Newgate  six  months  for  refusing  to  take 
the  Oxford  Oath.  During  his  imprisonment  he  assisted  the  Ordinary 
in  preparing  the  condemned  criminals  for  their  death.  Dr.  Calamy 
says  :  "  Mr.  Wood,  the  Oxonian,  represents  Mr.  Stretton  as  a  traveller 
on  the  seas,  whereas  he  hath  told  me  himself,  more  than  once,  that  the 
Lambeth  ferry  boat  was  the  biggest  vessell  he  ever  was  in."  Mr. 
Stretton  died  in  1712,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields. 

William  Strong,  another  minister  here,  was  a  member  of  the 
Westminster  Assembly  of  Divines,  and  also  one  of  the  Parliamentary 
preachers. 

Dr.  Theophilus  Lobb,  a  gentleman  who  combined  the  office  of 
doctor  and  preacher,  was  appointed  to  the  church  in  1732,  which  was 
then  in  a  very  low  state.  His  ministry  did  not  tend  to  revive  matters. 
At  its  close,  in  1734,  the  "  congregation  came  to  a  resolution  of  breaking 
up  their  church  state." 

After  this  the  Independents  took  the  church.  The  Rev.  Robert 
Wright,  who  had  a  church  at  Girdlers'  Hall,  removed  here.  He  died 
in  1743.  It  is  said  that,  "  being  of  a  retired  and  melancholy  disposition, 
and  having  a  bad  state  of  health,  his  congregation  latterly  declined." 

Dr.  Thomas  Gibbons  succeeded  to  the  ministry  in  1743.  He  was 
one  of  the  tutors  at  the  Dissenting  Academy  at  Mile  End,  and  one  of  the 
evening  lecturers  at  Monkwell  Street.  He  died  in  1785,  and  was  buried 
in  Bunhill  Fields.  The  small  chapel  continued  to  be  used  until  a  few 


72 

year  3  since,  when  the   congregation,  having  almost  disappeared,  the 
building  was  converted  to  business  premises. 


JSrewers'  1ball. 

This  fine  old  hall  still  stands  in  Addle  Street,  Wood  Street.  It 
was  let  to  the  Nonconformists  during  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth 
centuries. 

The  Rev.  Richard  Payne,  an  Independent  minister,  had  a 
flourishing  congregation  here  for  some  time,  but  being  dissatisfied 
with  something,  the  church  went  to  Loriners'  Hall,  and  then  took 
refuge  in  Petticoat  Lane. 

In  1733,  the  Baptists  had  a  church  here,  but  its  later  history  is 
not  known. 

On  the  5th  July,  1671,  application  was  made  to  the  Court  of  the 
Company  by  the  churchwardens  of  St.  Mary,  Aldermanbury,  "  for  the 
parishioners  of  the  said  parish  to  meet  in  the  rooms  now  used  by  the 
Company  for  their  Court  Room  on  Sabbath  days,  for  that  their  parish 
church  was  not  yet  restored."  Permission  was  granted. 

On  the  29th  March,  1672,  another  application  was  made,  "and 
humble  request  to  the  Court  for  the  use  of  the  hall  for  the  parishioners 
on  Sabbath  days  in  the  morning,  and  gave  the  Company  thanks  for 
the  use  of  the  room  in  which  they  had  leave  to  meet  hitherto." 
This  application  was  also  granted  on  condition  "  that  they  make  good 
such  damage  or  spoil  as  shall  happen  to  be  done  by  reason  of  their 
meeting  there,  which  they  did  promise  to  do." 

On  the  12th  April,  1688,  "  an  agreement  was  made  with  Richard 
Hulog  for  the  letting  of  the  hall,  little  parlour,  long  room,  and  musick 
room  at  £32  per  annum,  the  same  to  be  used  on  every  Lord's  Day  and 
one  week  day  every  month,  if  desired,  for  the  morning  lecture." 

On  the  9th  May,  1729,  "  it  is  ordered  that  Mr.  Edwards  and  the 
other  gentlemen  shall  have  the  use  of  the  great  room  in  the  hall  for 
Divine  worship  at  £22  per  annum,  upon  the  same  terms  as  they  had 
it  before,  for  £30  a  year." 


78 


Coacbmafeers'  fball, 

This  hall,  which  stood  in  Addle  Street,  Aldermanbury,  was  one 
more  of  the  old  livery  halls  let  out  to  the  Nonconformists  for  a  meeting 
house. 

There  is  very  little  to  he  related  in  connection  with  it.  Mr. 
James  Kelly,  an  Anti-Moravian,  occupied  it  for  a  short  time,  then 
going  to  Crosby  Square.  Soon  afterwards  the  hall  was  let  to  some 
Separatists  from  the  church  in  Red  Cross  Street. 


plasterers'  1ball. 

In  this  hall,  which  formerly  stood  in  Addle  Street,  an  Independent 
church  was  formed  by  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Partridge,  who,  according 
to  Dr.  Calamy,  had  been  rejected  from  St.  Michael's  in  the  town  of 
St.  Albans.  From  1666  to  1684  he  was  minister  at  the  hall.  During 
this  time  he  was  tried  for  preaching  and  sent  to  Newgate  for  six 
months.  He  died  in  1684. 

The  Rev.  John  Faldo  succeeded  him.  He  was  a  great  writer. 
Among  his  works  is  one  entitled  "  Quakerism  no  Christianity."  He 
also  preached  a  course  of  sermons  at  the  hall,  in  order  to  bring  about 
a  Union  of  Independents  and  Presbyterians.  Mr.  Wilson  says  of 
him  :  "  He  was  a  sensible  and  worthy  man,  but,  it  is  apprehended,  not 
popular  as  a  preacher."  He  died  1692,  aged  fifty-seven  years,  and 
was  buried  at  Bunhill  Fields. 

A  short  time  after  this  the  hall  was  taken  by  the  society  for 
training  young  men  for  the  ministry  among  the  Independents,  and 
was  known  as  the  "  City  College  for  Independent  Ministers."  The 
earliest  tutor  was  the  Rev.  Dr.  Chauncey,  a  man  well  known  in  the 
City  at  the  time.  Among  the  Professors  was  Dr.  John  Walker. 
"  He  was  a  men  of  very  superior  acquirements,  and  in  the  knowledge 
of  oriental  languages  had  but  few  superiors  in  the  kingdom."  He 
died  in  1770,  in  which  year  the  academy  was  transferred  to 
Homerton. 

The  last  pastor  of  the  church  in  this  hall  was  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Charlton,  who  died  in  1755. 


74 


Embroiderers' 

This  hall,  situate  in  Gutter  Lane,  Cheapside,  was  used  in  SL 
similar  way  to  many  other' of  the  old  civic  halls  for  a  few  years,  as  a 
meeting  place  for  Nonconformists. 

Mr.  Alexander  Shields,  a  Scotchman,  was  here  for  some  little 
time.  In  168£,  he  was  apprehended,  taken  before  the  Lord  Mayor, 
and  sent  to  Bridewell.  Shortly  after  this  he  returned  to  Scotland. 

A  church  seems  to  have  remained  here  for  a  short  time  after, 
as  we  read  of  a  Mr.  Richard  Pain,  who  gathered  together  here  a 
Baptist  Church  ahout  the  year  1700.  He  removed  after  a  short 
period  to  Brewers'  Hall,  Aldermanbury. 


GfrMers'  fball. 

This  hall,  which  stands  on  the  east  side  of  Basinghall  Street, 
sheltered  for  some  few  years  a  small  Independent  congregation.  Mr. 
Wilson  says  that  "  it  was  a  small  building  with  one  gallery." 

Mr.  George  Griffith,  who  about  1G66  was  the  first  minister,  had 
been  preacher  of  the  Charterhouse.  He  also  held  a  weekly  lecture  at 
St.  Bartholomew-by-the-Exchange.  There  is  a  painting  of  him  in 
Dr.  Williams'  Library.  Dr.  Calamy  says  :  "  He  was  much  followed  in 
his  younger  years,  and  reckoned  a  man  of  great  invention  and  devotion 
in  prayer ;  but  when  he  grew  old  his  congregation  declined."  He  died 
in  1694. 

His  successor,  Mr.  Tate,  did  not  remain  long.  The  congregation, 
which  had  never  been  large,  gradually  declined  until  about  1710,  when 
the  church  was  dissolved. 

In  1752  it  was  reported  to  the  Court  of  the  Company  "  that  some 
persons  were  willing  to  take  the  hall  for  the  use  of  a  dissenting  con- 
gregation." It  was  then  resolved  that  the  hall  be  let  for  "not  less 
than  seven  years  at  the  yearly  rent  of  £30." 


75 


Hlfcermanbur^. 

The  Rev.  Edmund  Calamy,  whose  grandfather  of  the  .  ame  name 
had,  in  1662,  resigned  the  living  of  St.  Mary,  Aldermanbury,  gathered 
a  congregation  in  this  street ;  the  exact  spot  is  not  at  present  known. 
The  church  was  afterwards  removed  to  Plasterers'  Hall. 

In  the  vestry  minute  books  of  the  church  of  St.  Mary  appears  the 
following  entry : 

"  1639,  May  27th. — The  late  election  of  our  minister,  Mr.  Edmund 
Calamy,  was  confirmed  by  general  consent,  and  ordered  that  he  shall 
have  for  his  maintenance  £160  per  annum,  which  money  is  to  be 
gathered  by  the  churchwardens  for  the  time  being,  or  some  others,  and 
to  be  paid  quarterly.  And  it  is  ordered  that  Mr.  Calamy  shall  by  him- 
self, or  some  other  preacher,  thrice  a  week,  that  is,  once  upon  the  Lord's 
day  in  the  morning,  and  upon  Wednesday  in  the  afternoon,  preach  the 
ordinary  lecture  by  himself,  and  upon  the  Lord's  day,  in  the  afternoon, 
by  some  other.  And  it  was  propounded  whether  every  man  would  give 
the  same  rate  which  formerly  they  gave  to  Dr.  Stoughton,  and  it  was 
consented  unto  without  any  contradiction,  and  Mr.  Edmund  Calamy  to 
come  to  us  at  Midsummer  next,  or  presently  after,  and  to  preach  as 
formerly  hath  been  done,  that  is,  three-fourths  of  the  year,  from 
Michaelmas  to  Midsummer,  three  sermons  a  week,  and  from  Midsummer 
to  Michaelmas  two  sermons  a  week." 

In  the  following  September  we  read  that  "Robert,  Earl  of  Warwick 
applied  to  the  vestry  for  a  pew  in  their  church,  when  they  offered  him 
that  in  which  Mr.  Calamy's  family  usually  sat,  or  permission  to  build 
himself  one  at  the  end  of  a  little  gallery,  as  His  Honour  shall  think 
fit."  This  circumstance  seems  to  show  that  Mr.  Calamy's  congregation 
was  a  large  one,  or  that  there  was  very  little  space  accommodation  ; 
in  fact,  we  read  that  "  Thither  multitudes  were  accustomed  to  flock  to 
hear  the  Gospel,  and  the  narrow  streets  leading  to  the  place  of  worship 
were  blocked  up,  service  after  service,  with  three  score  coaches,  the 
minimum  number  of  vehicles,  which,  according  to  the  preacher's  grand- 
son, conveyed  the  wealthy  Presbyterian  to  the  old  church  door." 

It  is  related  in  Calamy's  times  how  that  the  good  old  doctor  "  lived 
to  see  London  in  ashes,  the  sight  of  which  broke  his  heart.  He  was 
driven  through  the  ruins  in  a  coach,  and  seeing  the  desolate  condition 
of  a  once  so  flourishing  city,  for  which  he  had  so  great  an  affection, 


76 

his  tender  spirit  received  such  impressions  as  he  could  never  wear  off. 
He  went  home  and  never  went  out  of  his  chamber  more,  but  died 
within  a  month." 

The  following  notice  was  issued,  dated  1st  December,  1645,  and 
signed  by  the  Lord  Mayor : 

"  Whereas,  at  the  entreaty  of  Mr.  Calamy  and  other  ministers, 
as  it  was  represented  to  me  by  certain  citizens,  I  did  lately  give  an 
allowance  to  them  to  meet  and  dispute  with  certain  Anabaptists  ;  and 
whence,  I  understood  you  in  pursuance  of  that  allowance,  there  is  a 
public  dispute  intended  on  Wednesday  next,  December  3rd,  in  the 
church  of  Aldermanbury,  and  there  is  likely  to  be  an  extraordinary 
concourse  of  people  from  all  parts  of  the  city,  and  from  other  places  ; 
and  that  in  these  times  of  distraction  there  may  be  hazard  of  the 
disturbance  of  the  public  peace  ;  I  have,  therefore,  thought  fit,  upon 
serious  consideration,  for  prevention  of  the  inconveniences  that  may 
happen  thereby,  to  forbid  the  said  meeting  on  Wednesday  next,  or  at 
any  other  time  in  a  public  way,  before  I  shall  receive  the  pleasure  of 
the  Honourable  House  of  Parliament  touching  the  same,  which  with 
all  convenience  I  shall  endeavour  to  know. 

"  THOMAS  ADAMS, 

"  Lord  Mayor." 
[This  is  taken  from  a  placard  in  the  British  Museum.] 

The  Kev.  Joseph  Barber  was  minister  of  this  church  for  the  long 
period  of  sixty-four  years.  He  died  in  1810,  aged  eighty-three  years, 
and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields,  where  a  stone  was  erected  to  his 
memory. 

During  the  time  that  Mr.  Calamy  was  rector  here  there  seems  to 
have  been  a  dispute  with  one  of  the  lecturers  at  the  church  on  some 
point  of  doctrine. 

In  1645,  was  published  a  tract  with  the  following  title  :  "  Truth 
Shut  Out  of  Doors  ;  or,  a  Briefe  and  True  Narrative  of  the  Occasion 
and  Manner  of  some  of  Aldermanbury  Parish  in  Shutting  their  Church 
Doors  against  me.  Published  for  the  Cleering  of  the  Truth  from  False 
Reports,  and  more  especially  for  the  Satisfaction  of  those  Worthy 
Underwriters  who  chose  me  to  perform  that  Catechisticall  Lecture,  to 
whom  I  ought  to  give  a  Just  Account  of  my  Carriage  therein.  By  me, 
Henry  Barton.  London :  Printed  for  Giles  Chalvers  at  «  The  Black 
Spread  Eagle,'  at  the  West  End  of  Paul's,  1645." 


77 

To  this  work  a  reply  was  soon  forthcoming,  which  was  published 
with  the  following  title  :  "  The  Door  of  Truth  Opened  ;  or,  a  Briefe 
and  True  Narrative  of  the  Occasion  how  Mr.  Henry  Barton  came  to 
Shut  Himself  Out  of  the  Church  Doors  of  Aldermanbury.  Published 
in  answer  to  a  Paper  called  '  Truth  Shut  Out  of  Doors,'  for  the  Vindi- 
cation of  the  Minister  and  People  of  Aldermanbury,  who  are,  in  that 
Paper,  most  Wrongfully  and  Unjustly  Charged;  and  also  for  the 
Undeceiving  of  the  Underwriters  and  of  all  those  that  are  Misinformed 
about  this  Business.  In  the  Name  and  with  the  Consent  of  the  whole 
Church  of  Aldermanbure.  London  :  Printed  for  Christopher  Meredith, 
at  '  The  Crane,'  in  Paul's  Church  Yard,  1645." 


flDonfewell  Street, 

In  Monkwell  Street,  or  as  it  used  to  be  called,  Mugwell  Street, 
stood,  until  the  beginning  of  the  century,  one  of  the  oldest  of  the 
London  meeting  houses.  It  was  one  of  the  first  built  after  the  fire. 
It  is  described  as  "  a  large  substantial  brick  building,  of  a  square  form, 
with  three  deep  galleries,"  and  being  situate  up  a  gateway  for  the 
purposes  of  concealment.  It  was  built  for  the  Kev.  Thomas  Doolittle, 
who  for  nine  years  was  Rector  of  St.  Alphege,  London  Wall,  and,  in 
1662,  resigned  the  living.  A  dwelling  house  communicated  with  the 
chapel,  which  had  often  been  the  means  of  escape  when  minister  or 
congregation  had  been  interrupted  by  the  soldiers. 

Upon  the  indulgence  being  granted  to  Nonconformists  in  1672, 
Mr.  Doolittle  took  out  a  licence,  which  is  still  preserved  in  Dr.  Williams' 
Library,  Gordon  Square,  being  an  interesting  document.  It  is  here 
given : 

"  Carolus  II. 

"  Charles,  by  the  grace  of  God,  King  of  England,  Scotland,  France, 
and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c.  To  all  mayors,  bailiffs, 
constables,  and  others,  our  officers  and  ministers,  civill  and  military, 
whom  it  may  concern,  greeting.  In  pursuance  of  our  declaration  of 
the  llth  of  March,  1671-2,  wee  allowed,  and  wee  do  hereby  allow,  of  a 
certain  room  adjoining  to  the  dwelling  house  of  Thomas  Doolittle,  in 
Mugwell  Street,  to  bee  a  place  for  the  use  of  such  as  do  not  conforme 


78 

to  the  Church  of  England,  who  are  in  the  persuasion  commonly  called 
Presbyterians,  to  meet  and  assemble  in,  in  order  to  their  public  worship 
and  devotion,  and  all  and  singular,  our  officers  and  ministers,  ecclesi- 
asticall,  civill,  and  military,  whom  it  may  concerne,  are  to  take  due 
notice  hereof,  and  they  and  any  of  them  are  hereby  strictly  charged 
and  required  to  hinder  any  tumult  or  disturbance,  and  to  protect  them 
in  their  said  meeting  and  assembly. 

"  Given  at  our  Court  at  Whitehall  the  2nd  day  of  April,  in  the 
24th  year  of  our  Keign,  1672. 

"  By  His  Majesty's  Command. 

"ARLINGTON." 

Mr.  Doolittle  died  in  1707,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields. 
Two  of  his  works — "  A  Treatise  on  the  Sacraments,"  and  "  A  Call  to 
Delaying  Sinners " — went  through  at  the  time  several  editions. 
Palmer,  in  his  "  Nonconformists'  Memorial,"  says  that  Mr.  Doolittle, 
"  though  a  very  worthy  and  diligent  divine,  was  not  very  eminent  for 
compass  of  knowledge  or  depth  of  thought." 

Mr.  Doolittle,  while  living  in  London,  opened  a  boarding  school 
at  Moorfields,  where  he  had  twenty-eight  pupils,  removing  it  soon  after 
to  Woodford  Bridge. 

Among  these  who  succeeded  to  the  ministry  in  this  church  was 
the  Rev.  James  Fordyce,  who  occupied  the  pulpit  for  some  years,  and 
at  the  same  time  enjoyed  a  large  degree  of  popularity. 

In  1760,  he  had  a  unanimous  invitation  to  become  co-pastor  with 
the  aged  minister  of  the  church,  Dr.  Lawrence.  At  his  death,  soon 
after,  he  was  appointed  successor.  The  congregation  rapidly  increased. 
It  is  said  that  "  eloquence  in  the  pulpit  was  his  study  and  pursuit. 
This  brought  around  him  a  congregation  of  young  gentlemen  and 
young  ladies  of  the  first  respectability  in  the  city,  and  to  them  he 
considered  it  his  business  to  preach.  Though  a  man  of  unfeigned 
piety,  the  radical  defect  consisted  in  his  not  bringing  forward  habitually 
and  abundantly  the  peculiar  principles  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ." 
Towards  the  close  of  his  ministry  the  congregation  declined,  and  in 
1782  he  resigned  the  charge. 

Mr.  Wilson  makes  these  remarks :  "  Fashion  and  curiosity,  it  will 
readily  be  imagined,  had  some  effect  for  a  time  in  producing  the  throng 
of  his  hearers,  but  the  attachment  of  persons  actuated  by  such  motives 
will  be  as  capricious  and  variable  as  their  minds.  They  will  change 


79 

their  preachers  as  they  change  their  dress,  not  from  their  own  taste, 
for,  in  general,  they  have  none,  but  from  the  desire  of  being  where 
others  are,  of  doing  what  others  do,  and  of  admiring  what  others 
admire." 

Dr.  Fordyce  died  in  1796,  aged  seventy-six  years. 

This  chapel  was  one  of  those  honoured  by  the  preaching  of  John 
Bunyan,  who  occupied  the  pulpit  once  or  twice  a  year  on  his  visits  to 
the  metropolis,  after  his  liberation  from  Bedford  Gaol. 

Writing  in  1808,  Mr.  Wilson  says  that  "  Monkwell  Street  Chapel 
exhibits  at  present  a  melancholy  contrast  to  its  former  prosperous 
state.  At  present  the  number  of  pews  greatly  exceeds  that  of  the 
hearers,  who  are  so  few  that  the  ends  of  public  worship  seem  scarcely 
answered  by  their  meeting  together.  With  the  falling  off  of  the 
congregation  there  has  been  an  equal  declension  from  the  doctrines 
taught  by  the  earlier  pastors  of  this  society." 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Fordyce,  this  chapel  had  rather  a  chequered 
existence.  It  was  let  out  to  several  ministers  in  succession,  but  none 
succeeded  in  gathering  together  a  congregation.  In  a  few  years  the 
building  was  finally  closed. 


Sewin  Street 

Near  and  around  this  spot  were  clustered  a  considerable  number 
of  meeting  houses. 

The  street  itself  takes  its  name  from  an  old  burial  ground  belonging 
to  the  Jews  which  existed  here. 

Mr.  Grimes,  who  came  from  Ireland,  was  one  of  the  first  ministers. 
He  was  one  of  those  who  had  left  the  church,  and  opened  a  meeting  at 
"The  Cockpit,"  in  this  street.  He  was  followed  by  Mr.  William 
Jenkyn,  who  had  been  lecturer  at  St.  Nicholas  Aeons,  and  also  at  St. 
Ann's,  Blackfriars.  He  had  also  been  minister  of  Sudbury,  in  Suffolk, 
and  later  on  was  chosen  minister  of  Christ  Church,  Newgate  Street. 
He  was  one  of  the  ministers  who  signed  the  remonstrance  against 
bringing  the  King  to  trial,  and  afterwards  refused  to  observe  the  public 
thanksgiving  ordered  by  the  Parliament,  for  which  he  was  suspended 
from  the  ministry.  Upon  the  Act  of  Indulgence,  1672,  passing,  the 


80 

meeting  house  in  Jewin  Street  was  erected  for  him,  when  he  soon 
gathered  together  a  good  congregation.  He  was  selected,  also,  as  one 
of  the  Merchant  Lecturers  at  Pinners'  Hall. 

In  1684,  together  with  three  other  ministers,  in  the  middle  of  a 
service  in  which  they  were  engaged,  he  was  taken  before  two  aldermen, 
Sir  James  Edwards  and  Sir  James  Smith,  and  required  to  take  the 
Oxford  Oath,  and,  upon  his  refusal  to  do  so,  was  lodged  in  Newgate,  where 
he  soon  afterwards  died  in  1715.  His  daughter,  at  her  father's  funeral, 
gave  away  some  mourning  rings,  on  which  were  inscribed  "  William 
Jenkyn,  murdered  in  Newgate."  He  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields. 

In  1760,  the  Independents  took  the  building,  Mr.  Joseph  Hart 
being  the  first  pastor.  He  remained  until  his  death  in  1768.  He  had 
large  congregations ;  he  also  published  a  volume  of  hymns,  which  for 
many  years  had  a  very  large  circulation.  His  funeral  was  supposed  to 
have  been  attended  in  Bunhill  Fields  by  not  less  than  20,000  persons. 

After  this  the  Baptists  seem  to  have  held  the  chapel  for  a  short 
time,  but  the  history  is  difficult  to  follow. 

Another  meeting  house  in  this  street  was  built  in  1808,  for  a 
congregation  who  had  been  worshipping  in  the  Old  Jewry,  Dr.  Bees 
laying  the  first  stone  of  the  new  building.  It  was  used  as  a  place  of 
public  worship  until  a  few  years  since,  when  the  building  was  taken 
down. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Irons,  of  the  Grove  Chapel,  Camberwell,  had,  in 
1843,  a  Wednesday  evening  lecture,  which  was  always  crowded. 

For  some  years  the  Welsh  Calvinistic  Methodists  had  a  chapel  in 
this  street.  This  chapel  had  been  founded  in  1774  in  Smithfield,  and 
afterwards  removed  to  Wilderness  Row,  from  there  removing  to  Jewin 
Crescent. 

On  September  22nd,  1878,  the  last  sermons  were  preached  in 
this  chapel  previous  to  its  demolition. 

On  April  15th,  1878,  the  memorial  stone  of  a  new  building  in 
Fann  Street,  Aldersgate,  was  laid,  and  on  February  17th,  1879,  the 
new  building,  a  handsome  Gothic  structure,  costing  £10,000,  was 
opened  for  public  worship. 


81 


Curriers'  fmll. 

This  hall  originally  stood  in  London  Wall,  near  old  Oipplegate 
Church.  The  building  was  chiefly  remarkable  for  a  group  of  beautiful 
trees  which  surrounded  it.  This  old  hall  was  removed  in  1820.  It 
was  for  many  years  the  home  of  various  Nonconformist  congregations. 

The  Rev.  Edmund  Calamy,  who  had  been  preaching  in  his  own 
house  in  Aldermanbury,  took  the  hall  about  1672,  which  he  fitted  up 
for  public  worship.  He  remained  here  until  the  time  of  his  death. 
Soon  after  this  the  hall  was  taken  by  the  Particular  Baptists,  under 
the  Rev.  Hansard  Knollys,  who  had  been  preaching  at  Great  St. 
Helens.  He  was  a  famous  minister  of  the  day,  his  hearers  often 
numbering  a  thousand.  After  his  death,  the  hall  still  continued  an 
important  meeting  place  of  the  Nonconformists,  and  was  for  many 
years  known  as  "  the  Cripplegate  Meeting." 

In  1705,  Mr.  David  Crossby  was  appointed  minister,  and  served 
the  church  for  a  few  years. 

At  an  association  of  Baptist  ministers,  held  in  May,  1719,  the 
following  minute  occurs :  "  Mr.  David  Crossby,  who  had  been  an 
eminent  minister,  but  who  had  been  for  some  time  guilty  of  scandalous 
sins,  was  called  before  the  ministers,  who  with  the  deepest  compassion 
reproved  him.  He  seemed  both  sensible  and  sorrowful,  and  the 
ministers  set  apart  seven  days  of  prayer  with  him."  He  seems 
afterwards  to  have  redeemed  his  character.  He  died  in  1744,  aged 
seventy-five  years. 

In  1715,  Mr.  John  Skipp  was  the  minister.  The  following 
account  of  him  is  given :  "  He  was  a  man  of  singular  talents  and 
abilities,  of  very  quick,  strong  natural  parts,  of  great  diligence  and 
industry  in  acquiring  useful  knowledge,  a  warm  and  lively  preacher  of 
the  Gospel,  a  zealous  defender  of  the  special  and  peculiar  doctrines  of 
it,  whose  ministry  was  blessed  to  many  souls  for  the  conversion  of 
some  and  for  the  edification  of  others."  He  died  in  1721. 

The  next  minister  was  the  Rev.  John  Brine.  He  died  in  1765, 
aged  sixty-three  years. 

At  this  period  the  church  was  much  reduced  in  numbers,  the 
members  amounting  to  not  more  than  thirty.  In  1799,  the  lease 
expiring,  the  congregation  removed  to  Red  Cross  Street,  adjoining 
Dr.  Williams'  Library.  After  this  the  hall  was  taken  by  .another 


82 

church,  but  this  remained  only  for  a  very  short  time.     Soon  after  this 
the  building  was  taken  down. 


Tbouse  Hlle^,  1Ret>  Cross  Street. 

This  building  was  a  plain  structure  of  an  oblong  form  with  three 
galleries,  built  about  the  year  1710.  The  alley  is  described  as  a  "  good, 
clean  paved  court  without  a  thoroughfare."  The  chapel  was  first 
occupied  by  the  Independents,  until  about  the  year  1750,  when  it  was 
occupied  by  the  Particular  Baptists. 

The  first  minister  of  the  church  was  John  Lewis.  We  find  him 
"  discharged  from  his  situation  for  not  behaving  in  a  commendable 
manner." 

In  1728,  Mr.  Samuel  Stockell  was  minister,  and  drew  large  con- 
gregations, but  a  manuscript  of  the  day  very  much  qualifies  the  character 
of  this  gentleman.  It  says  :  "  He  pretends  to  be  a  great  admirer  of 
the  Grace  of  God,  although  it  is  to  be  feared  he  had  not  learnt."  After 
this  the  church  was  taken  by  Mr.  John  Stevens,  who  had  been  excluded 
from  the  church  in  Devonshire  Square. 

In  1760,  the  church  was  taken  by  the  Particular  Baptists,  who 
held  it  for  a  few  years,  the  first  minister  being  Mr.  Thomas  Craner, 
who,  we  are  told  by  Mr.  Wilson,  "was  a  man  of  respectable  character, 
but  a  drawling  and  inanimate  preacher,  and  very  high  in  his  notions 
upon  some  doctrinal  points."  Mr.  Wilson  also  says  :  "  We  have  been 
told  that,  when  Mr.  Craner  happened  to  touch  upon  any  doctrine  in 
the  pulpit  which  was  disagreeable  to  his  hearers,  they  would  manifest 
their  displeasure  by  stamping  with  their  feet.  As  Mr.  Craner  did  not 
relish  this  sort  of  harmony,  he,  upon  one  of  those  occasions,  singled 
out  an  old  man  who  was  particularly  active,  and  threatened  that,  in 
case  he  did  not  desist,  he  would  descend  from  the  pulpit  and  lead  him 
by  the  nose  out  of  the  meeting  house."  Mr.  Craner  continued  here 
until  his  death  in  1773,  aged  fifty-seven  years,  and  was  buried  in  the 
ground  behind  Maze  Pond  Chapel. 

In  1793,  the  church  was  let  to  the  Swedenborgians,  who  assembled 
there  until  about  1800.  It  was  then  let  to  a  congregation  of  Seven  h 
Day  Baptists,  who  had  been  assembling  in  Curriers'  Hall. 


88 

This  church  does  not  seem  to  have  lasted  long.  In  1807,  we  find 
that  it  was  taken  by  a  Mr.  Franklyn,  whose  congregation  had  been 
worshipping  in  a  small  wooden  building  in  Mile  End  New  Town,  and 
consisted  of  persons  who  had  seceded  from  the  church  in  Little  Alie 
Street,  Goodman's  Fields. 

Mr.  Wilson  says  that  "  these  persons  were  of  the  supra  capsarian 
cast  (whatever  that  may  mean)  and  separated  from  Little  Alie  Street 
because  the  pastor  there  did  not  preach  to  deny  all  ungodliness." 

The  next  minister,  Mr.  John  Griffith,  seems  to  have  had  a  quarrel 
with  his  church  soon  after  his  connection  with  it.  He  was  excluded 
from  his  own  pulpit,  and  went  with  those  who  adhered  to  him  to  a 
meeting  house  in  White's  Alley,  where  he  preached  for  some  years,  we 
are  told,  with  great  acceptance.  He  afterwards  published  a  book 
containing  "  An  Account  of  his  Conversion,  Call  to  the  Ministry,  and 
some  Hints  relating  to  the  unjust  Proceedings  of  the  above  said  church 
towards  him." 

In  1808,  the  Sandemanians  took  a  lease  of  the  chapel,  and 
remained  there  a  few  years. 


Barbican  Cbapel. 

An  old  Independent  congregation  met  for  many  years  in  Barbican. 
As  early  as  1695  we  find  that  a  Mr.  Andrew  Burnet  was  the  pastor, 
and,  with  his  death  in  1707,  the  church  for  some  time  became  extinct. 

In  1724,  Dr.  Foster  was  appointed  to  succeed  Dr.   Gale  as  co- 
pastor,  with   Mr.   Joseph   Burroughs,   in   this  church,   which  at  this 
period  was  Baptist.     Dr.  Foster  held  the  office  for  more  than  twenty 
years,  and  at  the  same  time  carried  on  an  evening  lecture  at   the  Old 
Jewry  with  a  large  degree  of  popularity.     Pope  has  celebrated  him  in 
the  following  couplet  in  the  epilogue  to  his  satires : — 
"  Let  modest  Foster,  if  he  will  excel 
Ten  metropolitans  in  preaching  well." 

At  the  end  of  1744  he  succeeded  Dr.  Jeremiah  Hunt  as  pastor  of 
the  Independent  congregation  at  Pinners'  Hall.  Two  years  after 
this  it  was  his  melancholy  duty  to  attend  the  Earl  of  Kilmarnock  in 


84 

the  Tower,  and  also  on  Tower  Hill  at  his  execution.  Dr.  Foster  died 
in  1758,  aged  fifty-seven  years. 

The  chapel,  which  is  still  standing,  but  now  used  as  a  warehouse, 
was  built  in  1784,  at  a  cost  of  £1,100,  for  a  famous  minister  of  that 
time,  Mr.  John  Towers.  His  congregation  had,  up  to  this  time,  been 
meeting  in  Bartholomew  Close.  He  died  July  6th,  1804,  aged 
fifty-seven  years,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields,  where  a  memorial 
stone  was  placed  to  his  memory.  He  was  pastor  of  this  church  for 
the  period  of  thirty-four  years. 

The  church  continued  in  a  flourishing  condition  for  a  few  years, 
after  which  the  congregation  gradually  dwindled  away  until  1860, 
when  it  was  removed  to  the  north  of  London. 


Xoriners'  1baU, 

In  1699,  a  congregation  of  Particular  Baptists,  who  had  separated 
from  a  General  Baptist  church  meeting  in  White's  Alley,  met  at 
Loriners'  Hall,  which  then  stood  at  the  north  end  of  Basinghall 
Street.  This  lasted  but  a  short  time.  We  find  in  1704  that  a 
congregation  of  Independents  was  worshipping  here. 

In  1728  the  hall  was  taken  by  the  Methodists,  and  in  1739  it  was 
occupied  by  a  clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England,  who  had  joined 
George  Whitefield's  congregation. 

In  1750,  the  hall  again  changed  hands,  and  soon  after  was  taken 
down. 

On  the  17th  April,  1704,  an  association  of  the  Nonconformist 
churches  met  at  Loriners'  Hall,  when  the  following  matter  was 
considered :  "  The  great  number  of  Dissenting  ministers  in  London, 
and  the  variety  of  talents  and  gifts  at  all  times  possessed  by  them, 
have  had  a  tendency  to  draw  away  persons  of  an  unsettled  mind  from 
their  own  places  of  worship.  And  it  should  seem  there  were  such  at 
that  period  as  the  late  Kev.  John  Newton  used  to  designate  '  the  flying 
camp.'  "  To  check  such  a  practice  the  assembly  determined  :  "  That 
the  members  of  each  church  ought  ordinarily  to  attend  the  worship  of 
God  in  the  church  to  which  they  stand  related  ;  and  that  to  make  a 
common  practice  of  deserting  the  assemblies  to  which  they  belong  is  a 


85 

great  discouragement  to  the  ministers  of  those  churches;  that  it 
occasions  the  neglect  of  the  poor  among  them ;  and  that  the 
continuance  of  such  a  practice  has  a  tendency  to  weaken  and  will 
perhaps  in  time  issue  in  the  dissolution  of  some  churches." 


(Movers'  1ball, 

This  hall  was  situated  at  the  entrance  of  Beech  Lane,  leading 
into  Whitecross  Street.  It  was  placed,  as  usual,  up  a  narrow  passage, 
therefore  not  visible  from  the  street.  It  was  originally  part  of  a 
palace  belonging  to  the  Abbots  of  Ramsey,  and  no  doubt  had  been 
used  by  them  as  a  private  chapel.  In  1662,  it  passed  into  the  hands 
of  the  Glovers'  Company,  who  let  the  hall  to  the  Nonconformists. 

On  the  25th  May  of  this  year  we  read  that  "  the  soldiers  came  to 
Beech  Lane  to  a  meeting  there  with  their  swords  drawn.  The  ensign 
came  with  his  sword  drawn,  holding  it  over  the  head  of  him  who  was 
preaching,  pulling  them  violently  down  the  stairs  and  taking  them  to 
Newgate." 

In  the  year  1702,  the  church  was  extinct,  but  in  1738  the 
Baptists  gathered  a  church  here,  a  Mr.  Lee  being  the  first  minister, 
who,  it  is  stated,  was  reckoned  "  a  great  preacher,  but,  at  the  same 
time,  a  notorious  liar." 

In  1798,  the  church  was  let  to  a  body  of  Baptist  Sandemanians, 
who  continued  there  for  eight  years,  when  they  removed  to  an  old 
meeting  house  in  Bed  Cross  Street.  After  this,  Glovers'  Hall  was  not 
used  again  for  church  purposes. 


Bartbolomew  Close. 

In  Bartholomew  Close  stood  for  many  years  an  ancient  building 
called  Middlesex  House.  The  site  is  now  covered  by  Middlesex  Court 
and  the  offices  of  the  City  of  London  Union.  Being  so  close  to  the 
Priory  Church  of  St.  Bartholomew,  there  is  no  doubt  that  this  ancient 


86 

building  was  originally  a  part  of  the  conventual  church.  At  what 
time  this  place  was  converted  into  a  meeting  house  for  the 
Nonconformists  is  uncertain.  Originally,  no  doubt,  the  place  was 
used  for  Romish  worship,  as  there  was  for  many  years  a  very  ancient 
sculpture  representing  the  figure  of  a  priest  with  a  child  in  his  arms. 
In  the  cellar  underneath  were  evidently  the  fragments  of  an  ancient 
chapel.  There  was  also  a  very  singular  window  in  the  building,  so 
placed  that  a  person  in  the  gallery  of  the  meeting  house  could  watch 
the  course  of  divine  worship  in  the  adjoining  church.  In  several 
parts  of  this  old  building  were  private  doors,  supposed  to  have  been 
made  to  facilitate  egress  in  time  of  need. 

Mr.  John  Quick,  who  had  held  a  living  at  Brixton,  in  Devonshire, 
seems  to  have  been  the  first  minister  of  this  Presbyterian  Church, 
which  continued  to  meet  here  until  1753,  when,  in  consequence  of  its 
reduced  state,  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Methodists. 

John  Wesley  preached  in  this  chapel  in  1768. 

The  following  incident  in  the  life  of  John  Wesley  is  interesting. 
An  entry  in  the  parish  books  of  All  Hallows,  Lombard  Street,  shews 
that  he  preached  in  this  church  on  the  28th  December,  1788.  W7hen 
in  his  86th  year  he  said  :  "  I  remember  preaching  in  this  church  about 
fifty  years  ago  from  this  circumstance.  On  leaving  the  vestry  to  go 
into  the  pulpit,  I  turned  back  in  some  confusion.  The  attendant  said 
to  me  '  What  is  the  matter,  Sir,  are  you  ill  ?  '  '  No,'  I  said ;  '  but  I 
have  forgotten  to  bring  my  sermon.'  She  replied  '  What,  cannot  you 
trust  God  for  a  sermon  ?  '  Upon  this  rebuke  I  went  into  the  pulpit, 
and  preached  with  much  freedom  and  acceptance,  and  from  that  time 
I  have  never  taken  a  manuscript  into  the  pulpit." 

Up  to  the  year  1806,  the  building  was  used  by  the  Methodists, 
but  the  congregation  at  this  time  is  stated  to  have  been  in  a  very 
reduced  state,  and  at  the  same  time  very  poor. 

The  later  history  of  this  church  is  not  known. 


Hl&ersoate  Street. 

About  the  year  1804,  a  meeting  house  was  erected  in  Aldersgate 
Street,  opposite  Westmoreland  Buildings.  It  was  built  for  a 
congregation  of  Calvinistic  Methodists,  who  had  previously  been 


87 

meeting  at  Shaftesbury  House.  Mr.  Madden,  who  for  a  few  years 
had  a  small  congregation  in  Bartholomew  Close,  was  the  first 
minister. 

Mr.  Wilson  describes  the  chapel  as  "  a  large  substantial  brick 
building  of  an  oblong  form  with  three  galleries."  It  has  long  since 
disappeared. 

Mr.  Daniel  Neal,  the  author  of  the  "  History  of  the  Puritans," 
was  minister  of  a  church  in  this  street  in  1702,  having  been  assistant 
to  Mr.  John  Singleton.  This  church  afterwards  removed  to  Jewin 
Street.  Dr.  Neal  died  in  1743,  aged  sixty-five  years. 

Another  chapel  in  this  street  stood  at  the  corner  of  Little  Britain, 
on  the  site  of  an  old  religious  house  belonging  to  the  Fraternity  of  the 
Holy  Trinity.  Dilworth,  in  his  history  of  London,  says  :  "  This  hall 
was  granted  by  King  Henry  V.  to  St.  Botolph  Parish,  after  the 
suppression  of  the  foundations  belonging  to  the  Abbey  of  Cluny,  in 
France,  of  which  this  had  been  one.  Some  of  the  building  is  extinct 
(1760),  the  lower  part  of  which  serves  for  a  coffee  house,  and  in  the 
upper  part  the  ward  and  parish  officers  meet  on  their  parish  affairs  ; 
but  on  Sundays  and  Holy  Days  is  used  in  a  manner  more  suitable  to 
its  institution  in  the  service  of  God,  being  the  place  of  worship  for  a 
congregation  of  Nonjurors." 

Mr.  Wilson  says  of  this  sect  that  "  they  were  a  race  of  men  who 
declined  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  William  and  Mary,  under  the 
idea  that  they  were  usurpers."  He  says  that  "  their  bigotry  was  truly 
contemptible." 

From  this  sect  the  building  passed  to  the  Methodists,  and  from 
an  entry  in  Wesley's  journal  we  find  that  he  paid  a  visit  to  the  place 
on  the  24th  May,  1738,  and  on  the  20th  September  in  the  same  year 
he  mentions  his  preaching  to  the  society  in  the  same  room. 


"bare  Court,  Hlfcersaate  street 

The  congregation  worshipping  at  this  church  was  first  gathered 
together  as  early  as  1660  by  the  Kev.  George  Cokayn.  This 
gentleman,  who  had  been  for  some  time  minister  at  St.  Pancras, 
Soper  Lane,  but  had  resigned,  subsequently  formed  an  Independent 


88 

church  in  Bed  Cross  Street.  In  the  Church  of  England  Mr.  Cokayn 
was  a  man  of  considerable  note,  his  church  in  Soper  Lane,  now  Queen 
Street,  being  always  crowded  with  hearers.  He  was  one  of  the  selected 
ministers  to  preach  at  St.  Margaret's,  Westminster,  on  one  of  the 
Parliamentary  fast  days.  After  leaving  the  church,  his  congregation, 
in  1672,  met  in  his  own  house  in  Red  Cross  Street.  This  house,  at 
that  time,  being  partially  hidden  by  trees,  and  separated  from  the 
adjoining  streets  by  gardens,  was  well  adapted  to  conceal  its 
congregation  from  public  notice.  Mr.  Cokayn  died  in  1691,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-two,  having  ministered  to  his  congregation  for  forty-two 
years.  He  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields.  The  exact  spot  of  his 
earthly  resting  place  is  not  known. 

One  of  the  deacons  of  the  church  was  Mr.  John  Strudwick, 
grocer,  and  member  of  the  Clothworkers"  Company,  who  resided  on 
Snow  Hill.  It  was  at  his  house,  in  1688,  that  John  Bunyan  died 
while  on  a  visit. 

Mr.  John  Nesbitt  succeeded  to  the  pastorate  and  remained  for 
thirty-three  years.  It  was  during  his  ministry  that  the  chapel  in 
Hare  Court  was  built.  We  are  told  that  the  court  at  this  time  was 
fringed  with  poplar  trees,  and  the  pathway  from  Aldersgate  Street  to 
Bed  Cross  Street  was  between  gardens.  This  chapel  was  used  until 
1772,  when  a  new  building  was  erected.  In  this  building  subsequent 
congregations  met  until  1857,  when  the  church  removed  to  Paul's 
Boad,  Canonbury. 

It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  the  church  still  possesses  an  oil 
painting  which  tradition  says  is  a  likeness  of  the  old  minister  at  St. 
Pancras  ;  also  Communion  plate  dating  from  the  same  period. 


Paul's  Sllep,  Brfoaewater  Square, 

Mr.  John  Gosnold  formed  a  church  here  as  early  as  1646.  It 
met  for  120  years  in  a  building  which  had  been  erected  for  a  play-house, 
but  for  which  the  Government  refused  to  grant  a  license.  It  was  a  square 
brick  building  with  three  deep  galleries,  "  conveniently  fitted  up  and 
substantially  built,"  and  would  accommodate  3,000  persons.  Mr. 
Gosnold  was  a  popular  preacher,  the  chapel  being  generally  filled 


I 


89 

"  with  highly  respectable  hearers,"  and  among  them  very  often  "  six 
or  seven  clergymen  in  their  gowns,  who  sat  in  a  convenient  place 
under  a  large  gallery,  where  they  were  seen  by  few." 

After  the  fire  the  overseers  of  Cripplegate,  knowing  the 
congregation  to  be  large,  applied  to  them  to  make  a  collection  for  the 
poor.  This  was  done,  and  the  sum  of  £50  was  collected.  For  twenty 
years  this  collection  was  repeated. 

Mr.  Gosnold  died  in  1678,  aged  fifty-three  years,  and  was  buried 
in  Bunhill  Fields. 

Mr.  Thomas  Plant  succeeded.  He  was  a  popular  preacher.  By 
some  means  he  gave  offence  to  Lord  Bridgewater,  whose  house  then 
stood  where  Bridgewater  Square  now  stands.  It  is  related  that,  by 
his  orders,  the  "  meeting  was  disturbed  and  the  pulpit  and  forms 
broke  to  pieces."  Mr.  Plant  died  in  1699. 

In  1695,  this  church,  and  the  church  meeting  at  Turners'  Hall, 
were  united.  In  the  article  of  union  between  the  two  churches  it  was 
agreed  that  one  psalm  should  be  sung  during  Divine  worship,  and  in 
1719  it  was  agreed  that  there  should  be  singing  twice  in  the  afternoon 
service. 

In  1700,  Mr.  Joseph  Stennett,  who  preached  here  on  one  part  of 
the  Sabbath,  received  a  message  from  the  church  informing  him  that 
"  several  brethren  were  dissatisfied  with  him  for  having  preached  on 
the  controverted  points  between  the  Remonstrants  and  Calvinists,  and 
that  the  church  expected  that  he  would  not  preach  on  those 
controversies  in  the  future,  and  that  the  church  had  been  informed  he 
had  preached  at  Loriners'  Hall,  and  had  thereby  abetted  a  schism  in 
the  church  in  White  Street,  Moorfields,  and  they  expected  he  would 
desist  from  preaching  there  in  future."  To  these  requisitions  Mr. 
Stennett  refused  a  compliance.  He  was,  therefore,  "  respectfully 
dismissed  from  his  situation  as  their  minister." 

In  1717,  Mr.  Joseph  Burroughs  was  appointed  minister.  At 
this  period  it  appears  from  the  books  that  the  church  consisted  of 
about  220  members.  He  died  in  1761,  aged  seventy-seven  years. 
There  is  a  fine  painting  of  him  still  preserved  in  Dr.  Williams' 
Library. 

In  1754,  Mr.  Allen  Edwards,  a  member  and  deacon  of  the  church, 
was  set  down  for  Sheriff,  but  refused  to  take  office  on  account  of  the 
Sacramental  test,  which  he  considered  to  be  "a  vile  prostitution  of  a. 


90 

sacred  office."  This  became  a  test  case,  and  was  at  length  carried  to 
the  House  of  Lords,  when  Lord  Mansfield  gave  judgment  in  favour 
of  the  Dissenters,  at  the  same  time  declaring  "  that  every  attempt  to 
force  conscience  was  against  natural  and  revealed  religion,  as  well  as 
sound  policy." 

Mr.  Richard  Allen  was  a  famous  minister  at  this  church  for 
twenty-two  years.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Calvinistic 
ministers,  who  met  every  week  at  the  Hanover  Coffee  House  in  Finch 
Lane.  He  died  in  1727. 

In  1745,  the  church,  which  had  been  meeting  at  White's  Alley, 
Moorfields,  and  which  for  some  time  had  been  in  a  declining  state, 
was  removed  to  Paul's  Alley.  In  the  minute  book  of  the  former 
are  recorded  the  two  following  resolutions  : — 

"  That  the  church  in  White's  Alley  do  meet  at  Barbican  for  the 
exercise  of  religious  worship,  and  have  the  liberty  of  the  pulpit  every 
Lord's  Day  in  the  afternoon  except  the  first  Lord's  Day  in  the  month." 
"  It  is  also  agreed  that  this  congregation  do  remove  to  Barbican  the 
next  Lord's  Day  ;  also  the  sconces  and  the  candlesticks  ;  that  the  pewter 
be  cleaned  and  afterwards  carried  to  Barbican  ;  also  the  great  Bible." 

The  last  Baptist  minister  here  was  Mr.  John  Noble,  who  was 
chosen  in  1766,  and  remained  until  the  expiration  of  the  lease  in  1777. 
This  gentleman  was  at  the  time  pastor  of  the  Sabbatarian  Baptists, 
meeting  at  Mill  Yard,  Goodman's  Fields.  From  this  date  the  chapel 
was  taken  for  a  short  time  by  the  Sandemanians,  who  had  been 
meeting  at  Glovers'  Hall,  and  subsequently  at  an  old  meeting  house  in 
Bull  and  Mouth  Street,  Aldersgate. 

At  this  meeting  house  was  kept  a  register  of  all  the  persons 
baptised  and  by  whom  performed.  This  book  is  now  at  the  Bethnal 
Green  Road  Chapel,  among  the  archives  of  the  General  Baptist 
Assembly.  The  entries  date  from  19th  October,  1716,  to  19th 
December,  1788.  The  title  page  is  written,  and  is  as  follows  : — "  The 
Register  Books  containing  a  Register  of  the  Name  of  every  individual 
Person  Baptised ;  also  the  Baptistery  made,  Dr.  and  Cr. ;  and  an 
Inventory  of  all  the  Garments,  Furniture,  and  Uttensells  belonging 
thereunto ;  with  an  Alphabet  for  the  more  ready  finding  out  of  any 
Name.  London  :  19th  October,  1716."  The  Inventory  then  follows 
of  the  articles  in  "  three  good  rooms,  for  the  convenience  of  dressing 
and  undressing." 


91 


'  Ifoall. 

This  meeting  house  was  situate  at  the  top  of  Founders'  Hall 
Court,  and  was  only  accessible  by  means  of  a  flight  of  stairs,  the  lower 
part  being  used  as  a  tavern.  Mr.  Wilson  says  that  "  the  building  is 
fitted  up  with  great  neatness,"  and  that  "  the  congregation  is  in  a 
respectable  state."  As  early  as  the  time  of  the  Restoration  the  church 
was  used  by  the  Scotch  Presbyterians. 

Mr.  Jeremiah  Marsden,  who  died  a  prisoner  in  Newgate  in  1684, 
is  mentioned  by  Dr.  Calamy  as  "  the  minister  at  Founders'  Hall." 

In  1700,  a  new  meeting  house  was  built,  which  was  used  by  the 
Scotch  Presbyterians  until  1764,  when  they  erected  a  new  building  in 
London  Wall  at  a  cost  of  £1,700. 

Mr.  Kobert  Fleming,  one  of  the  ministers  here,  was  also  one  of 
the  Merchant  Lecturers  at  Salters'  Hall.  He  was  elected  to  this 
office  in  1701. 

Another  famous  divine  who  ministered  here  was  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Hunter,  who  for  thirty-one  years  was  pastor  of  the  church.  He  died 
in  1802,  and  was  buried  in  Bunhill  Fields,  where  a  handsome 
memorial  was  placed  over  his  grave.  The  inscription  is  here  given,  in 
order  to  show  the  style  of  panegyric  indulged  in  by  admirers  of  the 
departed  at  the  commencement  of  the  nineteenth  century.  The 
inscription  was  written  by  Dr.  Collyer,  of  Peckham  : 

"  Beneath  this  pillar,  raised  by  the  hands  of  friendship,  sleep  the 
mortal  remains  of  the  Rev.  Henry  Hunter,  D.D.,  who  thro'  a  long 
life  deemed  of  those  who  knew  him,  alas,  too  short,  served  with 
increased  assiduity  the  cause  of  religion,  literature,  and  the  poor.  In 
him,  to  distinguished  talents  and  a  capacious  mind  were  united  energy 
of  disposition,  affability  of  manners,  benevolence  of  heart,  and  warmth 
of  affection.  In  the  hearts  of  those  who  were  blessed  with  his 
friendship  is  preserved  the  most  sacred  and  inviolable  attachment. 
But  his  best  eulogium  and  his  most  durable  memorial  will  be  found  in 
his  writings.  There  he  has  an  inscription  which  the  revolution  of 
years  cannot  efface,  and  when  the  nettle  shall  skirt  the  base  of  this 
monument  and  moss  obliterate  this  feeble  testimonial  of  affection, 
when  finally,  sinking  under  the  pressure  of  years,  this  pillar  shall 
tumble  and  fall  over  the  dust  it  covers,  his  name  shall  be  perpetuated 
to  generations  unborn,  Reader,  thus  far  suffer  the  effusions  of 


92 

affectionate  remembrance,  when  no  adequate  eulogium  can  be 
pronounced,  and  when  no  other  inscription  was  necessary  to  per- 
petuate the  memory  of  Henry  Hunter,  thirty- one  years  pastor  of  the 
Scots'  Church,  London  Wall,  and  on  Wednesday,  the  27th  October, 
1802,  left  his  family  and  his  church  to  deplore,  but  never  to  retrieve, 
his  loss,  and  silently  took  his  flight  to  heaven  in  the  sixty-second  year 
of  his  age." 

Mr.  Anthony  Crole,  who  had  been  connected  with  the  church  at 
Pinners'  Hall,  removed  to  Founders'  Hall  in  1778.  He  died  in  1803. 
Two  or  three  ministers  followed,  but  the  church  not  long  after  was 
closed. 

The  following  notice  appears  in  the  Eranyelieal  Magazine  for 
November,  1797  :  "  The  lease  of  Founders'  Hall  having  expired,  after 
having  been  thirty-eight  years  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Towle,  the  church  will  meet  at  the  Postern,  London  Wall.  The 
re-union  took  place  on  the  19th  inst.,  and  Mr.  Towle  with  Mr.  Butter, 
will  preach  alternately." 

In  the  court  minutes  of  the  Founders'  Company  there  are  two  or 
three  references  to  the  letting  of  the  hall  for  religious  purposes : 

"  1672,  April  3 — That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  contract  for 
letting  the  hall  and  parlor  to  such  persons  as  will  desire  to  have  them 
for  a  publick  place  to  preach  in." 

"  1687,  August  16— That  the  Master  and  Wardens  have  full 
power  to  lett  the  hall  or  parlor  to  any  persons  to  preach  or  pray  in. 
Not  to  take  less  than  £20  a  year  and  a  year's  rent  beforehand." 

"  1690 — Received  for  preaching  in  the  hall,  a  year's  rent  before- 
hand, £25." 

"  1821,  May  7— Dr.  Collyer  and  Mr.  Pearce,  from  the  Salters'  Hall 
congregation,  attended  and  offered  to  take  the  meeting  for  one  year  and 
to  quit  at  three  months'  notice." 


Coleman  Street. 

In  this  neighbourhood  from  time  to  time  several  Nonconformist 
churches  existed  for  short  periods.  One  of  these  was  formed  by  the 
Rev,  John  Godwin,  who  was  presented  to  the  living  of  St.  Stephen, 


98 

Coleman  Street,  in  1633,  and  resigned  it  in  1645,  when  he  set  up  a 
private  meeting  house  in  the  parish  on  his  own  account. 

Mr.  Neal,  in  his  "  History  of  the  Puritans,"  says :  "  Mr.  John  Godwin 
was  a  learned  divine  and  a  smart  disputant,  but  of  a  peculiar  mould, 
being  a  republican,  an  independent,  and  a  thorough  Arminian.  He 
was  ejected  from  Coleman  Street  because  he  refused  to  baptize  the 
children  of  his  parishioners  promiscuously,  and  to  administer  the 
sacrament  to  the  whole  of  the  parish."  Dr.  Calamy  says  of  him  :  "He 
was  a  man  by  himself,  was  against  every  man,  and  had  every  man 
almost  against  him." 

There  seems  at  this  time  to  have  been  some  angry  words  between 
the  Presbyterians  and  Independents.  Mr.  Thomas  Edwards,  a  Presby- 
terian who  describes  himself  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  thus  speaks 
of  Mr.  Godwin  :  "  There  is  Master  John  Godwin,  a  monstrous  sectary, 
a  compound  of  Socinianism,  Arminianism,  Litutinism,  Antinomianism, 
Independency,  Popery,  yea,  of  Sceptism."  Mr.  Godwin  then  charges 
Mr.  Edwards  with  "  forgery,  lying,  jugglery,  littleness,  malice,  bloody 
negociation  against  the  saints,  obscene  and  scandalous  writing,"  £c. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  Coleman  Street  was  at  this  time  a  very 
warm  place  so  far  as  religious  teaching  was  concerned. 

In  1648  was  published  a  book  with  this  title :  "  Coleman  Street 
Conclave  Visited,  and  that  Grand  Impostor,  the  Schismatic  Cheater- 
in-Chief  (who  has  long  slyly  lurked  therein),  Truly  and  Duly  Dis- 
covered ;  containing  a  Most  Palpable  and  Plain  Display  of  Mr.  John 
Godwin's  Self -conviction  (under  his  own  handwriting),  and  of  the 
Notorious  Heresies,  Errors,  Malice,  Pride,  and  Hypocrisy  of  this  Most 
Huge  Gargantua  in  Falsely-Pretended  Piety,  to  the  Lamentable 
Misleading  of  his  Too-Credulous  Soul,  Murdered  Proselyte  of  Coleman 
Street,  and  Elsewhere.  Collected  principally  out  of  his  own  Big 
Braggadocio  Wave-like  Swelling  and  Swaggering  Writings,  Full 
Fraught  with  Six  Footed  Terms  and  Fleshly  Rhetorical  Phrases  Far 
More  than  Solid  and  Sacred  Truths,  and  may  fitly  Serve  (if  it  be  the 
Lord's  Will),  like  Belshazzar's  Handwriting  on  the  Wall  of  his  Con- 
science, to  strike  Terror  and  Shame  into  his  own  Soul  and  Shameless 
Face,  and  to  Undeceive  his  Most  Miserably  Cheated  and  Enchanted  or 
Bewitched  Followers.  1648."  Facing  the  title  is  John  Godwin's 
picture,  with  a  windmill  over  his  head,  and  a  weathercock  upon  it. 
The  devil  is  represented  blowing  the  sails,  and  there  are  other  hiero- 


94 

glyphics  or  emblems  about  him  designed  "  to  shew  the  instability  of 
the  man." 

This  Mr.  Edwards  was  the  most  prolific  writer  of  his  time.  One  of 
his  works  was  entitled  "  Antapologia  ;  or,  a  Full  Censure  to  the 
Apologetical  Narration,  &c.,  wherein  is  handled  many  of  the 
Controversies  of  these  times  ;  humbly  also  submitted  to  the  Honourable 
Houses  of  Parliament.  By  Thomas  Edwards,  Minister  of  the  Gospel, 
1644.  4to,  pp.  867."  He  concludes  the  dedicatory  epistle  of  this 
work  as  follows  :  "  I  conclude  this  Epistle  as  Beza  doth  his  Dunlitius' 
Farewell.  The  Lord  keep  thee  and  all  thine  from  all  evil,  and 
especially  from  noonday  devils  which  walk  about  in  this  place,  and  in 
these  times — that  is  from  the  errors  of  Anabaptism,  Brownism, 
Antinomianism,  toleration  of  sects  and  schisms,  under  pretence  of 
liberty  of  conscience." 

In  the  course  of  the  work,  writing  on  the  exile,  voluntary  and 
involuntary,  of  several  ministers  of  the  time,  he  makes  these 
remarks : 

"  Into  what  remote  and  far  country  were  you  banished  ?  And 
what  were  the  companions  of  your  exile  ?  Certainly  the  reader  .  .  . 
will  think,  '  Alas,  good  men  ! '  Into  what  Patmos,  Indies,  or  remote 
wilderness  were  they  banished,  and  forced  to  fly,  and  will  never 
imagine  that  those  men  were  the  exiled  ministers,  and  this  their  exile, 
who,  in  a  time  of  common  danger,  and  suffering  in  their  own  land, 
went  with  their  wives,  children,  estates,  friends,  knights,  gentlemen, 
citizens,  over  into  Holland ;  where  they  lived  in  plenty,  safety,  pomp, 
and  ease,  enjoying  their  own  ways  and  freedom,  and  when  the  coasts 
were  cleared,  came  over  into  England,  were  entertained  and  received 
with  all  respects  and  applause,  and  are  now  members  of  the  Assembly 
of  Divines." 

In  another  work,  the  same  author,  Mr.  Edwards,  who  signs 
himself  "  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel,"  writes  to  Mr.  Godwin  : 

"  Mr.  Godwin,  will  you  never  leave  your  scoffing  and  scorning, 
your  reviling  and  reproaching  of  all  men,  stuffing  your  pages  with 
great  scribbling  words,  and  filling  whole  leaves  with  nothing  but  jeers 
and  multitude  of  six-footed  words,  instead  of  reason  and  argument  ? 
Will  you,  by  all  your  writings  and  preachings,  make  good  that  title 
which,  by  way  of  reproach,  was  first  given  to  you,  namely,  '  The  Great 
Red  Dragon  of  Coleman  Street'?" 


95 

One  of  the  books  published  at  the  time  in  connection  with  Mr. 
Godwin  was  the  following : 

"  The  Great  Accuser  cast  down  ;  or,  a  Public  Trial  of  Mr.  John 
Godwin,  of  Coleman  Street,  London,  at  the  Bar  of  Eeligion  and 
Right  Reason.  It  being  a  Full  Answer  to  a  certain  Scandalous  Book  of 
his,  lately  published,  entitled :  '  The  Triers  Tried  and  Cast,'  &c. 
Whereupon,  being  found  Guilty  of  High  Scandal  and  Malediction, 
both  against  the  Present  Authority  and  the  Commissioner  for 
Approbation  and  Ejection,  he  is  here  sentenced  and  brought  forth  to 
Deserved  Execution  of  the  Press.  By  Marchamont  Needham,  Gent., 
1657.  4to,  pp.  131." 

The  style  of  Mr.  Godwin's  writings  may  be  judged  by  the  title 
of  a  reply  which  he  published  in  a  dispute  with  a  clergyman  of 
the  Established  Church.  The  title  is  "The  Younging  Elder,"  and 
which,  he  tells  his  readers,  was  "compiled  more  especially  for  the 
Christian  Instruction  and  Reducement  of  William  Jenkyn,  a  Young 
Presbyter,  lately  Gone  Away  like  a  Lost  Sheep  from  the  Ways  of 
Modesty,  Conscience,  and  Truth,  occasioned  by  a  late  Pamphlet 
containing  very  little  in  it  but  what  is  chiefly  reducible  to  one  or  both 
of  those  two  Unhappy  Predicaments  of  Youth,  Ignorance,  and  Arro- 
gance, clearly  demonstrated  by  J.  G.,  a  servant  of  God  and  man  in 
the  Glorious  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ." 

Mr.  Godwin  continued  to  preach  at  his  meeting  house  in  Coleman 
Street  Parish  until  his  death  in  1665. 


Swan  HUes,  Coleman  Street, 

This  meeting  house  was  under  the  charge  of  Thomas  Venner,  who 
was  by  trade  a  cooper.  He  was  one  of  the  sect  called  "  Fifth  Monarchy 
Men,"  and  was  accustomed  to  warm  the  zeal  of  his  admirers  with 
passionate  expositions  of  a  fifth  universal  monarchy  under  the  personal 
reign  of  King  Jesus,  who  would  put  the  saints  in  possession  of  the 
kingdoms  and  cause  all  other  human  governments  to  cease.  This 
unfortunate  man  deluded  his  followers  to  take  up  arms,  and  by  this 
means  prove  their  case.  It  is  related  that  "  Thomas  Venner,  taking 
occasion  of  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy  being  enforced  and 


96 

holding  all  swearing  unlawful,  preached  an  inflammatory  sermon 
on  Sunday,  January  6th,  1660,  at  the  meeting  house  in  Swan  Alley 
before  an  auditory  of  Fifth  Monarchy  men.  He  then  sallied  forth 
with  fifty  or  more  well-armed  fellows  towards  St.  Paul's  Cathedral, 
intending  the  subversion  of  the  restored  dynasty,  or  die  in  the  attempt. 
On  the  way  they  were  joined  by  confederates  from  other  districts, 
a  murderous  assault  being  made  upon  all  who  opposed  them."  This 
action  ended  in  a  dismal  failure.  Venner  was  tried  for  insurrection, 
and  found  guilty.  He  was  hanged  in  front  of  the  door  of  his  meeting 
house  in  Swan  Alley. 


Bell  Hlle£,  Coleman  Street. 

In  1640,  a  Baptist  church  was  formed  here  by  Thomas  Lamb. 
In  1643,  Mr.  Henry  Deane  joined  the  church,  and  soon  after  was 
appointed  assistant  to  Mr.  Lamb,  on  which  occasion  Mr.  Deane  was 
baptized  by  immersion.  A  fierce  controversy  on  this  subject  was  then 
raging,  and  a  Dr.  Featley  published  a  work,  which,  at  the  time,  had  a 
large  circulation,  entitled : 

"  The  Dippers  Dipt,  the  Anabaptists  Duck'd  and  Plung'd  over 
Head  and  Ears  at  a  Disputation  in  Southwark.  Also  a  Large  and  Full 
discourse  of  their  (1)  Originall,  (2)  Severall  Sects,  (3)  Peculiar 
Errours,  (4)  High  Attempts  against  the  State,  (5)  Capitall  Punishment. 
The  fifth  edition  augmented  with  (1)  Severall  Speeches  before  the 
Assembly  of  Divines,  (2)  The  famous  History  of  the  Frantick 
Anabaptists,  (3)  Their  wild  Preaching  and  Practices  in  Germany. 
Together  with  an  Application  to  the  Kingdoms,  Especially  to  London. 
By  Daniel  Featley,  D.D.  Printed  for  N.  B.  and  Richard  Royston  at 
the  Angel,  in  Ivy  Lane,  1647." 

Soon  after,  a  reply  to  this  book  was  published  by  Mr.  Lamb,  and 
Mr.  Denne,  entitled  "  An  Apology  for  some  called  Anabaptists  in  and 
about  the  City  of  London  on  behalf  of  themselves  and  others  of  the 
same  judgment  with  them." 

Mr.  Lamb  died  in  1672. 

From  this  church  in  1649  Samuel  Gates  (father  of  Titus  Gates) 
was  sent  out  as  an  itinerant  preacher. 

In  1705,  the  church  ceased  to  exist, 


, 


97 


Hrmourers'  1ball,  Coleman  Street, 

As  early  as  1647  this  hall  was  the  home  of  a  Presbyterian  church. 
The  first  minister  was  the  Rev.  Richard  Steel,  who  had  held  the  living 
of  Hanmere,  Flintshire,  for  about  twenty-five  years.  He  preached 
to  a  congregation  in  the  morning  and  at  the  same  time  ministered 
to  a  congregation  at  Hoxton  in  the  evening.  He  wrote  and  published 
a  work  which  passed  through  several  editions,  entitled  "  An  Antidote 
against  Distractions  in  the  Worship  of  God."  This  book  was  written 
in  prison. 

Kichard  Steel  was  educated  at  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge. 
Dr.  Calamy  says :  He  was  a  good  scholar,  a  hard  student,  and  an 
excellent  preacher."  He  died  in  1692,  aged  sixty-four  years. 

There  were  two  succeeding  ministers  here  until  1709,  when  the 
church  became  extinct. 


jfinsbun?  Cbapel. 

In  the  year  1810  Dr.  Alexander  Fletcher  was  appointed  to  fill 
the  pulpit  at  Miles  Lane  meeting  house.  The  place  was  soon  found 
insufficient  to  accommodate  the  crowds  who  flocked  to  hear  him. 
Accordingly,  Albion  Chapel,  London  Wall,  was  built,  the  foundation 
stone  being  laid  by  Dr.  Waugh,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Fletcher. 

On  the  13th  July,  1825,  the  first  stone  of  Finsbury  Chapel  was 
laid  by  Dr.  Fletcher.  The  building  was  opened  in  1826,  having  cost 
£10,000. 

During  Dr.  Fletcher's  life  the  chapel  was  always  crowded.  He 
died  on  30th  September,  1860,  at  the  age  of  seventy,  and  was  followed 
by  the  Rev.  A.  McAuslane,  who  preached  his  first  sermon  on  the 
16th  March,  1862,  and  resigned  the  charge  in  1880.  From  this  time 
the  congregation  gradually  declined,  and  in  1893  the  building  .was 
taken  down. 


98 


Street 

In  the  neighbourhood  of  what  is  now  known  as  New  Broad  Street, 
but  two  centuries  ago  was  better  known  as  "  Petty  France  "  (a  large 
number  of  French  people  dwelling  there),  stood  two  well-known 
meeting  houses. 

One  of  the  earliest  ministers  here  was  the  Kev.  Mr.  Vincent,  who 
held  for  a  short  time  the  living  of  St.  Mary  Magdalene,  Milk  Street, 
but  on  the  passing  of  the  Act  of  Uniformity  in  1662  had  resigned. 
This  gentleman  was  most  active  in  his  ministrations  to  the  afflicted 
ones  during  the  fearful  plague  of  1665,  and  was  wonderfully  preserved 
through  it  all.  He  wrote  a  graphic  account  of  the  event  in  a  book 
which  is  in  the  Guildhall  Library,  entitled  "  God's  Terrible  Voice  in 
the  City." 

In  a  pamphlet  published  in  1662,  entitled  "  Behold  a  Cry,  or  a 
True  Eelation  of  the  Inhuman  and  Violent  Outrages  of  divers  Soldiers, 
Constables,  and  others  Practised  upon  the  Lord's  People  commonly 
though  Falsely  Called  Anabaptists  in  and  about  London." 

We  read  that,  on  the  15th  June,  1662,  "the  soldiers  came  with 
great  fury  and  rage,  with  their  swords  drawn,  to  the  meeting  in  Petty 
France,  and  took  away  him  that  preached  unto  Newgate."  "  On  the 
29th  June,  the  soldiers  again  came  full  of  rage  and  violence,  with 
their  swords  drawn.  They  wounded  some,  broke  down  the  gallery,  and 
made  much  spoil." 

In  1702,  an  attempt  to  introduce  singing  into  the  services  at 
this  chapel  was  made,  but  without  success. 

In  1708,  the  congregation,  which  had  been  gradually  declining, 
was  in  a  very  reduced  state.  Soon  after  this  the  church  was  dissolved 
and  the  building  taken  down. 

In  1729,  another  meeting  house  was  built  in  this  street.  It  is 
described  as  "a  large  building  with  three  deep  galleries  of  five  seats 
each,  capable  of  accommodating  a  large  congregation." 

This  church  was  formed  by  seceding  members  of  the  church 
in  Miles  Lane,  very  serious  differences  having  arisen  among  the 
congregation  there. 

The  first  minister  was  Dr.  John  Evans,  who  had  been  for  several 
years  Sunday  evening  lecturer  at  Salters'  Hall,  where  his  congregation 
so  much  increased  that  a  larger  meeting  house  was  built  for  him  in 


New  Broad  Street.  He  was  also  one  of  the  Merchant  Lecturers  at 
Pinners'  Hall.  He  acquired  a  considerable  reputation  at  this  time 
from  a  dispute  in  which  he  was  engaged  with  Mr.  John  Gumming, 
minister  of  the  Scotch  Church,  London  Wall,  "  on  the  importance 
of  Scripture  consequences."  "In  the  Arian  controversy  he  refused 
to  subscribe  to  any  articles,  but  maintained  the  orthodox  sentiments." 
He  died  16th  May,  1730. 

The  succeeding  minister  was  the  Kev.  Dr.  Guyse.  Toplady,  in 
his  writings,  relates  that  Dr.  Guyse  lost  his  eyesight  while  preaching 
in  the  pulpit,  and  in  consequence  was  forced  to  conclude  his  sermon 
without  notes.  An  old  lady,  who  was  a  member  of  the  church, 
said  to  him  on  coming  down  from  the  pulpit,  "  God  be  praised  that 
your  sight  is  gone ;  now  we  shall  have  no  more  notes.  I  wish  that 
the  Lord  had  taken  away  your  sight  twenty  years  ago,  for  your 
ministry  would  have  been  much  more  useful  by  twenty  degrees." 

Dr.  Samuel  Brewer  was  one  of  the  Tuesday  evening  lecturers  here. 
Some  people  said  that  when  it  was  his  turn  to  preach,  they  learnt 
from  his  prayers  all  the  religious  news  of  the  city  and  neighbourhood, 
as  he  took  notice  of  every  event.  He  was  a  man  of  great  piety,  and 
beloved  by  all. 

"  Having  many  seafaring  people  among  his  hearers,  whenever  a 
merchant  ship  was  going  to  sail,  he  specified  the  captain,  the  mate, 
the  carpenter,  the  boatswain,  and  all  the  sailors  with  great  affection, 
and  it  is  said  that,  impressed  with  a  belief  of  the  benefit  of  his  prayers, 
they  frequently  brought  him  home,  as  a  token  of  gratitude,  something 
of  the  produce  of  the  country  to  which  they  went."  He  died  in  1796, 
aged  seventy-three  years. 

The  following  notice  appears  in  the  Evangelical  Magazine,  31st 
December,  1800  :  "  The  Rev.  Ben  Gaft'ee,  late  of  Homerton  Academy, 
was  ordained  to  the  pastoral  office  over  the  church  in  New  Broad 
Street,  lately  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Stafford  deceased.  The 
Eev.  Joseph  Brocksbank  began  with  prayer  and  reading  the  scriptures ; 
Dr.  Fisher  explained  the  nature  of  a  Gospel  church,  and  asked  the 
questions  ;  Mr.  Child,  a  deacon  of  the  church,  declared  the  proceedings 
of  the  church  since  the  death  of  their  pastor  ;  Mr.  Gaffee  declared  his 
profession  of  faith ;  Mr.  Gaffee,  of  Hatfield  Heath,  prayed  the 
Ordination  Prayer  ;  Mr.  Good  delivered  the  charge  from  Acts  xviii., 
25  ;  Mr.  Barber  offered  the  general  prayer ;  Mr.  Knight,  of  Southwark, 


preached  to  the  people  from  II.  Chron.  xv.,  2  ;  and  Mr.  Ford,  of 
Stepney,  concluded  with  prayer.  Mr.  Wall  gave  out  the  hymn.  A 
very  large  auditory  attended,  and  the  whole  service  was  conducted 
with  much  solemnity.  This  place  of  worship  was  built  in  1727,  and 
from  that  time  to  the  present  [a  space  of  seventy-three  years]  it  is 
worthy  of  remark  that  the  church  has  had  but  two  pastors — Dr.  Guyse 
and  Dr.  Stafford." 


pinners'  1ball,  ©It)  Broafc  Street. 

This  old  hall  sustained,  for  more  than  a  century,  the  reputation 
of  being  one  of  the  most  celebrated  places  of  worship  among  the 
Dissenters.  The  building  stood  at  the  upper  end  of  Pinners'  Court. 
It  was  an  ancient  structure  with  six  galleries,  having  originally  been 
part  of  an  Augustine  priory,  and  afterwards  converted  into  a  building 
for  the  manufacture  of  Venetian  glass.  For  many  years  it  was  known 
as  the  "  Glass  House  in  Old  Broad  Street."  The  celebrity  of  this 
chapel  was  occasioned  in  a  large  degree  by  the  establishment  here 
of  the  "  Merchants'  Lecture,"  which  was  first  commenced  in  the  year 
1672,  and  conducted  for  many  years  by  some  of  the  most  distinguished 
preachers  of  the  day. 

Four  Independents  were  joined  to  two  Presbyterians  to  preach  by 
turns.  Dr.  Manton,  Dr.  Owen,  and  Mr.  Baxter  were  among  the 
first  lecturers.  Following  these  were  John  Howe,  Matthew  Mead, 
Vincent  Allsop,  and  Daniel  Williams,  the  munificent  founder  of  the 
library  which  still  bears  his  name. 

The  old  hall  was  crowded  with  listeners,  many  of  whom  travelled 
on  foot  from  distant  suburbs  to  attend  these  lectures. 

The  agreement,  however,  which  had  been  entered  into  between 
the  Presbyterians  and  Independents,  did  not  last  very  long,  for  we  find 
that  in  1694  an  open  breach  on  doctrinal  matters  took  place,  which 
was  never  healed  up. 

Four  of  the  dissentients — Dr.  Baker,  Mr.  Howe,  Mr.  Allsop,  and 
Mr.  Williams — removed  to  Salters'  Hall,'  Cannon  Street,  where  a 
rival  lecture  was  set  up  at  the  same  day  and  hour.  Two  only  remained 
at  Pinners'  Hall — Mr.  Cole  and  Mr.  Mead — to  whom  an  addition  of 
four  names  of  the  Independent  connection  was  afterwards  made. 


101 

Mr.  Cole  was  a  very  famous  preacher  in  his  day.  He  had  been 
Principal  of  St.  Mary's  Hall,  Oxford.  Coming  from  there  to  London, 
he  took  an  active  part  in  all  the  religious  controversies  of  the  day.  He 
died  in  1697. 

The  lecture,  after  having  remained  at  Pinners'  Hall  for  one 
hundred  and  six  years,  was  removed  to  a  chapel  in  Great  St.  Helen's, 
after  which,  in  1778,  it  was  removed  to  the  chapel  in  New  Broad 
Street.  In  1844,  the  lecture  was  removed  to  the  Poultry  Chapel,  when 
the  attendances  were  so  small  that  the  services  were  held  in  the 
vestry.  It  was  afterwards  removed  to  the  Weigh  House  Chapel. 

It.  was  to  Pinners'  Hall  that  Sir  Humphry  Edwin,  when  Lord 
Mayor  in  1698,  carried  the  regalia  of  his  office.  Toulmin,  in  his 
"  History  of  the  Dissenters,"  thus  writes  of  this  action :  "  The  conduct 
of  Sir  Humphry  Edwin,  a  Dissenter  and  the  Lord  Mayor  of  London 
this  year,  in  carrying  the  regalia  of  his  office  to  the  meeting  house  at 
Pinners'  Hall,  will  be  deemed  by  many  to  have  been  injudicious,  and 
in  those  times  of  irritation  calculated  to  raise  jealousy  and  influence 
the  passions.  The  fact  is  that  unhappy  consequences  arose  from  it, 
both  in  this  and  the  succeeding  reign.  It  was  represented  by  a  warm 
advocate  for  the  church,  not  only  as  a  reproach  to  the  laws  and  magis- 
tracy of  the  City  that  the  Mayor  should  carry  a  sword  of  state  with 
him,  as  the  divine  elegantly  expresses  himself,  '  to  a  nasty  conventicle ' 
that  was  kept  in  one  of  the  City  halls,  but  as  '  a  horrid  crime.'  " 

The  first  minister  was  the  Rev.  Anthony  Palmer,  who,  quoting  an 
Oxford  historian,  "  carried  on  the  trade  of  conventicling  to  the  last, 
and  was  buried  in  the  phanatical  burying  ground  joining  old  Bedlam 
near  to  Moorfields  by  London."  No  doubt  this  refers  to  Bunhill 
Fields. 

Richard  Worell  succeeded.  He  was  the  son  of  a  Royalist  mayor 
in  the  Isle  of  Wight.  He  had  offers  of  preferment  if  he  would 
conform,  but  he  said  "  I  will  risk  comfort  and  freedom  if  the  people 
at  Pinners'  will  openly  hazard  their  money" — and  they  did  so,  among 
whom  was  Sir  Henry  Tulse,  Lord  Mayor.  Mr.  Worell  died  in  1705. 

Isaac  Watts  preached  here  for  four  years  on  Sunday  afternoons 
previous  to  his  going  to  Bury  Street,  and  on  Saturdays  a  Society  of 
Seventh  Day  Baptists  had  the  old  hall  to  themselves.  Their  minister 
was  Thomas  Bampfield,  who  had  held  a  living  in  Dorsetshire  and  was 
one  of  the  prebendaries  in  Exeter  Cathedral.  These  preferments  he 


102 

resigned  on  the  passing  of  the  Act  of  Uniformity  in  1662,  but  they 
were  restored  to  him  at  the  Restoration.  He  died  in  Newgate,  1684, 
aged  seventy  years,  and  was  buried  "amidst  a  large  concourse  of 
spectators,  in  the  burial  ground  behind  the  Baptist  meeting  house  in 
Glass  House  Yard."  * 

In  1690,  Mr.  Joseph  Stennett  was  appointed  pastor  to  the  church, 
and  it  is  related  that  "  though  they  were  able  to  do  but  little  towards 
the  support  of  his  family,  which  proved  numerous,  yet  no  temptation 
could  ever  prevail  on  him  to  leave  them,  but  he  continued  their  faithful 
and  most  affectionate  pastor  to  his  dying  day"  (Ivimey).  He  died  in 
1718,  aged  forty-nine  years. 

In  1710,  Jeremiah  Hunt,  who  had  come  from  Norwich,  was 
appointed  minister  of  the  church.  Mr.  Pike  observes  that  Mr.  Hunt's 
"  election  was  an  unfortunate  procedure,  for  it  marked  the  fatal  first 
step  towards  a  declension  in  doctrine  and  prosperity." 

In  1727,  Mr.  Edmund  Townsend  was  appointed  minister  of  the 
church.  Mr.  Ivimey  says :  "  He  was  a  worthy  and  respectable  man, 
and  though  not  particularly  distinguished  for  literary  attainments,  was 
yet  a  useful  minister,  and  greatly  esteemed  in  his  day."  He  died  in 
1763,  having  been  for  some  time  incapable  of  preaching.  He  was 
buried  in  the  ground  behind  the  Baptist  meeting  house  in  Mill  Yard. 

The  church  continued  at  Pinners'  Hall  until  1727,  when  it  was 
removed  to  Curriers'  Hall,  and  in  1799  to  Redcross  Street,  and  from 
thence  to  Devonshire  Square.  Writing  in  1808,  Mr.  Wilson  says :  "  The 
last  few  divines  connected  with  this  ancient  meeting  house  were  of  a 
very  different  stamp  to  their  predecessors,  and  preached,  to  a  great 
extent,  to  empty  pews." 

Writing  in  1812,  Mr.  Ivimey,  in  his  history,  says :  "  This  church 
is  reduced  to  about  six  members,  and  the  congregation  is  not  much 
more  numerous." 

It  was  in  this  hall  that  John  Bunyan  preached  his  sermon  on 
"  The  Greatness  of  the  Soul,"  published  in  1683.  It  is  described  on 
the  title  page  as  "  First  Preached  in  Pinners'  Hall." 

A  writer  of  the  day  says :  "  When  Mr.  Bunyan  preached  in 
London,  if  there  were  but  one  day's  notice  given,  there  would  be  more 
people  come  together  to  hear  him  preach  than  the  meeting  house 

*  Vide  Devonshire  Square. 


103 

could  hold.  I  have  seen,  to  hear  him  preach,  by  my  computation,- 
about  eleven  hundred  at  a  morning  lecture  by  seven  o'clock  on  a 
working  day  in  the  winter  time." 

The  following  lines  on  ministers  of  the  day  are  from  the 
Gentleman's  Magazine  for  1736.  They  are  entitled :  "  Verses  Made  on 
the  Dissenting  Ministers  and  Found  at  Hamlin's  Coffee  House.  By  an 
Uncertain  Author": 

"  Behold  how  papal  Wright,  with  lordly  pride 
Divides  his  haughty  eye  on  either  side, 
Gives  forth  his  doctrine  with  imperious  nod, 
And  fraught  with  pride,  addresses  e'en  his  God. 

Not  so  the  gentle  Watts ;  in  him  we  find 
The  fairest  portion  of  a  humble  mind ; 
In  him  the  softest,  meekest  virtue  dwells, 
As  mild,  as  light,  as  soft  as  evening  gales. 
Tuning  melodious  nonsense,  Bradbury  stands 
With  head  uplifted,  and  with  dancing  hands  ; 
Prone  to  sedition,  and  to  slander  free, 
Sackerville  Hore  was  but  a  type  of  thee. 

Mark  how  the  pious  matrons  flock  around, 
Pleased  with  the  tone  of  Guyse's  empty  sound ; 
How  sweetly  each  unmeaning  period  flows, 
To  lull  the  audience  to  a  gentle  doze. 

Eternal  Bragge,  in  never-ending  strains, 
Unfolds  the  wonders  Joseph's  coat  contains ; 
Of  every  hue  describes  a  different  cause, 
And  from  each  patch  a  solemn  history  draws. 

With  soundest  judgment  and  with  nicest  skill, 
The  learned  Hunt  explains  his  Master's  will, 
So  just  his  meaning  and  his  sense  so  true, 
He  only  pleases  the  discerning  few. 
But  see  the  accomplished  orator  appear, 
Refined  in  language  and  his  reasoning  clear, 
Thou  only,  Foster,  hast  the  pleasing  art 
At  once  to  charm  the  ear  and  mend  the  heart." 


104 

We  have  now  completed  our  circuit  round  the  old  City,  and 
have,  in  some  small  degree,  gathered  together  the  histories  of  the  many 
old  chapels  and  meeting  houses  existing  during  the  last  two  centuries, 
the  nature  of  the  work  carried  on  in  them,  and  the  kind  of  men  who 
carried  on  that  work.  Many  serious  imperfections  must  have  been 
noticed  in  their  lives ;  at  the  same  time,  much  noble  and  self-denying 
work  was  carried  on  under  the  most  trying  and  difficult  circumstances. 
Let  us,  who  live  in  the  happier  days  of  true  religious  liberty,  endeavour 
to  follow  the  examples  of  patience  and  fortitude  so  nobly  set  by  those 
old  ministers  now  at  rest. 


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