The History of Leicester in the eighteenth century

Front matter

THE HISTOKY OF LEICESTER IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. By the same Author. THE HISTORY OF LEICESTER, FROM THE TIME OF THE ROMANS TO THE END OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. Royal- Cloth. — Price 2\s. THE HISTORY OF LEICESTER IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. BY JAMES THOMPSON, AUTHOR OF A HISTORY OF LEICESTER FROM THE TIME OF THE ROMANS TO THE END OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. LEICESTER: CROSSLEY AND CLARKE. LONDON: HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO. MDCCCLXXI. LEICESTER : FEINTED BY CR0SSLEY AND CLARKE. His Grace the Duke of Rutland (two copies). The Right Honourable Lord Berners, Keythorpe Hall. The Yenerable the Archdeacon of Leicester. Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Bart., Carlton Park. Sir Henry Dryden, Bart., Canons Ashby. Sir G. H. Beaumont, Bart., Coleorton Hall. The Hon. Sir John Mellor, Knt., 16, Sussex Square, Hyde Park London.

John Dove Harris, Esq., m.p., Ratcliffe Hall (two copies). J. Stafford, Esq., Mayor of Leicester, Stonygate, Leicester. Adcock, Rev. H. H., Brighton. Agar, Mr. T., 48, Lower Hastings Street, Leicester. Allen, T., Esq., Thurmaston. Baines, Mr. G. H., 53, Princess Street, Leicester. Barfoot, Mr. W., Welford Place, Leicester. Barrs, Mr. J., High Street, Leicester. Barwell, Mr. Thomas, 17, Cank Street, Leicester. Bates, Mr. W. H., Narborough Road, Leicester. Bellairs, G., Esq., The Newarke, Leicester. Bennett, J., Esq., The Woodlands, Kirby Muxloe. Billson, A., Esq., Cavendish Road, Birkenhead. BUlson, W., Jun., Esq., New Walk, Leicester. Bland, Mr. T., Redcross Street, Leicester. Brook, C, Esq., J. P., Enderby Hall (two copies). Brookhouse, Miss, London Road, Leicester. Bruxner, Rev. G. E., Thurlaston.

Burdett, Mr. Charles, Lutterworth. Burgin, Rev. W. Roby, Shardlow (two copies). Burley, W., Esq., Rutland Street, Leicester. Caswell, Mr. C, Evington, Leicester. Charlesworth, Mr. T., The Hollow, Leicester. Checkland, G., Esq., Knighton, Leicester. Clarke, I. P., Esq., De Montfort Square, Leicester. Clarke, Mr. R. J., 23, Gallowtree Gate, Leicester. Clephan, E., Esq., South Fields, Leicester. Coleman, W., Esq., Loughborough. VI Colston, John, Esq., Little Hampton. Coltman, Mr. T.. Jun., King Richard's Road, Leicester. Cooper, A., Esq., J. P., Welford Place, Leicester. Cooper, Rev. T., Clayton Parsonage, Accrington. Cooper, Mr. T., Hanover Street, Leicester. Cox, Mr. W. P., Market Place, Leicester. Crick, Mr. S., 14, London Road, Leicester. Crossley, C. R., Esq., J. P., Granby Street, Leicester.

Preface

. A few sentences of explanation are required to introduce this volume to the public. As it may fall into the hands of readers who have not seen the History of Leicester by the same author, published in the year 1849, it is necessary to state that this work is in continuation of that history, which brought the narrative down to the year 1700. In this book an endeavour has been made to trace the various changes in society, local manners, political in stitutions, and popular customs, effected in the course of a century in a provincial town which may fairly be taken as an example of the class of similar places in England. It will thus contribute to a knowledge of the growth of the middle classes of the country during the reigns of Queen Anne and the three first Georges, and in this respect it has a more than merely local interest.

In addition, many events and incidents, spoken of by elderly inhabitants as almost within their direct knowledge, in consequence of their having heard of them from elderly predecessors, and which have now become traditional, are here recorded in an authentic manner, after proper investigation of the evidence on which their relation is based. Several chapters have also been added ; embodying new and interesting information concerning the Town Estate, the Stocking Manufacture, the Parliamentary Representation, and the Religious Denominations, which the Author hopes will not fail to prove acceptable to many persons. X

PREFACE.

. The sources of this History are few but trustworthy : first, the Hall Books and Records of the Town have always been left open to the examination of the Author by Samuel Stone, Esq., the Town Clerk, their custodian, and no restriction whatever has been placed on the making of such extracts from them as were needed in the composition of the work ; second, the file of the Leicester Journal, which commenced its issues in 1753, has been freely placed at the disposal of the Author by its proprietors, Messrs. Jackson and Foster, and has furnished a large proportion of the material given in the volume ; thirdly, the local historians, Nichols and Throsby, have been consulted, though they have not yielded so much information as the Town Records and the file of the Journal ; and, lastly, con temporary magazines have occasionally been laid under contribution in the preparation of the book.

To Mr. Stone and to Messrs. Jackson and Foster my grateful acknowledgments are specially due, and are hereby tendered, for the courtesy they have manifested in the way already described ; and to all others who have rendered me occasional help my thanks are also cordially given. James Thompson. Leicester, November, 1871. CONTENTS.

Chapter I. Tage

Leicester at the commencement of the Eighteenth Century — its Population and Architecture — Dress of the Inhabitants — Review of its History in the reign of William and Mary — The Earl of Stamford and the Corporation — The Nonjurors — Alderman Wilkins and the Water Supply — Introduction of Brick Houses — Complimentary Presents of the Earls of Rutland and Stamford to the Corporation — Sir Nathan Wright's connection with Leicester — Sale of " Reynold's Place" to pay Town Debts — Death of William the Third . . 1

Chapter II

Queen Anne Proclaimed in Leicester — Political Consequences of Anne's Accession — Local Rejoicings on the Victories of the English over the French — Visit of the Earl of Denbigh — The Duke of Marlborough's successes at Blenheim and elsewhere celebrated — The Woolcombers' admission to the Freedom of the Borough — Further Rejoicings on the Triumphs of the English Army abroad — Appointment of Nightly Bellmen — The Rules of Debate at Corporation Meetings — Provision of a Town Workhouse — Corporation Address to the Queen — The Enclosure of the South Fields — Rebuilding of the Conduit — Murder of Captain Farnham — Quarrels among the Aldermen — Mr. Alderman Wilkins and the Corporation — Peace concluded with France — Shops and Sheds in the Market Place— Displacement of Aldermen and Common-Councilmen — The end of Alderman Wilkins — Death of Queen Anne 16

Chapter III

Accession of George the First — Its celebration in Leicester — The popular feeling Jacobite — The Mayor a Public Defaulter — Local Anniversaries — The Easter Hunting — Corporation Resolutions against Canvassing for Public Offices — Death of a Mayor on the day of his Election — Murders in Leicester — Extensive Hosiery Robberies — discovery of the Thieves— then* Execution — Corporation Petition against the South Sea Company's Scheme— Public Balls in the Town — Churchill's Dragoon's stationed in Leicester — New Shambles provided — Baron Carter congratulated on his promotion — Death of George the First . . . . . . . . CONTENTS. XII

Chapter IV

PAl.l George the Second's Accession — its Proclamation— The Corporation and Oath-taking— The Coronation— Non-attendance at the Hall Meetings— Visit of Grecian Princes to Leicester— The Struggle for Town Freedom— Visit of the Prince of the Muscovites — Birth of a Prince of Wales — Dispute respecting the appointment of Gaoler — The Bowling-green finished— Visit of the Corporation to Bradgate — The trick of the Resurrectionist — The Races in St. Mary's Field — The Freemen and the Abbey Meadow — Origin of the Three Crowns 48 Inn — A Fire Brigade instituted— A celebrated Horse Race

Chapter V

The Jacobites and the Election of 1738 — The Treasonable Papers attributed to the Whigs — Printed controversy on the subject — Corporation Address to the King — Proclamation of War with France — Invasion of England by the Young Pretender — Preparations of the Loyal Party — The Drilling of the Whigs and Dissenters in Leicester — The Pretender at Derby — The excitement and terror in Leicester — The retreat of the Rebels — Their defeat at Culloden — Loyal Addresses of the Jacobite Corporation — The outburst of the disaffected at the Election in 1754 — Gradual disappearance of Jacobitism 80

Chapter VI

The Day of Thanksgiving — The Erection of the Exchange — Resumption of the struggle by the Non-Freemen — their success against the Corporation — Proposed Lighting and Watching Act — Erection of the Assembly Rooms, East-gates — An Earthquake felt in Leicester — The Mayor's Dinner — Turnpike Improvements — The Establishment of the " Leicester Journal " 75

Chapter VII

Narrative of the Freemen's resistance to the Enclosure of the South Fields between 1752 and 1757 83

Chapter VIII

Cases of Premature Interment — French Prisoners in Leicester — Loyal Address of the Corporation on tbe French War — Scarcity of Corn — Gratuitous Distribution of Bread — Another Address to the King on the War — Coming of age of Prince George, afterwards George the Third — Early Flower Shows in Leicester — Threatened Invasion of England by the French — Public Subscription to find Funds for Resistance — Resolutions adopted by the Corporation — The Freedom of the Borough voted to William Pitt — An Address to the King — .The Town Water Supply — The Suffolk Militia in Leicester — Theatricals in the Haymarket — Distinguished Visitors to the Town— A Convivial Party — A contrast : Earl Ferrars in the County Gaol — Mr. Meynell's Ball in the Town Hall — The Stage Coach to London — A Flower Show — Mr. Lambert, the benevolent Gaoler — The leading iUdermen of 1760 and their descendants Oil CONTENTS. XIII

Chapter IX. Page

Proclamation of George the Third — Address of Congratulation by the Corporation — The Murder of a Pedlar in Leicester — detection of the Murderers — their Execution in Church Gate — Refusal to serve on the Corporate Body — The King's Birthday — Remarkable Addresses to the young King and Queen — Movements of the Leicestershire Militia — Messrs. Durravan's Company of Players — Mr. Boulton's Concert — Military Movements — The Messiah performed in Leicester — Birth of George the Fourth — A Loyal Address — The Races — A Friends' Wedding — Minor Events — An old-fashioned Mayor's Feast — Disembodiment of the Militia — An Inclement Winter and Public Subscription — Passage of Troops through the Town — Establishment of the Wednesday Market — Conclusion of Peace with France . . . . . . . . 100

Chapter X

A Chase and a Capture — A Robbery at Coventry — The " Foys" Gang — Apprehension of some of its Members at Leicester — John Douglas, the landlord of the Bell Hotel, tried, condemned, and executed for Robbery — Local Deaths and Marriages — Mrs. Linwood's School — The First Bankers in Leicester — Deaths from Drunkenness — The Leicester Flying Machine — The Mayor's Feast — The " March of Intellect" — Death of Lord Rollo in Leicester — Death of Mr. Wigley of Scraptoft — Another Mayor's Feast — Birth of the Sixth Earl of Stamford — A Great Fire — Proposed Foundation of the Infirmary — Cheese Riots at Leicester and Cavendish Bridge — Meetings of Infirmary Promoters — A Jacobite Mayor — Refusal to " Slope the Mace " . . . . . . . . . . 115

CHAPTER XL

Establishment of Leicester Infirmary — Names of its Original Promoters — Selection of the Site — Minor occurrences — The Bath Gardens — Public Amusements — Advertisements in the " Journal" — Visit of the King of Denmark — The Break-down near Harborough- — The Races — The ground set out for the Infirmary — Oil Lamps first used in the Town — Nicholas Richmond, the Miser — The Leicester Fly stopped by Highwaymen — Winter Amusements in 1769 — The Singers' Feast held by St. Margaret's Choir — Mr. Hesilrige's Equipage and Procession in 1770 — John Wesley's visit to Leicester — The general Lighting of the Town with Oil Lamps — Flogging in the Leicestershire Militia — Rules prepared for the Infirmary by Dr. Vaughan — Framework-Knitters' Grievances — Opening of the Infirmary for the reception of Patients — Mr. Cradock's Tragedy performed — Display of Fireworks— An Eagle captured near Leicester — Musical taste in the Town — The Leicestershire Militia — Infirmary Musical Meetings — A most alarming Fire — Another Sheriffs " Turn-out" — The Infirmary Anniversary, with its Religious Service and Concert — The Swearing-in of the Mayor .. .. .. .. .. .. ..131

Chapter XII

Destruction of Machinery by Framework- Knitters — A runaway Marriage in Leicester — An Infirmary Anniversary — Erection of Organs in St. Martin's and St. Margaret's Churches — Mrs. Siddons the Actress in Leicester — The Shrievalty CONTENTS. PAGE of Mr. Winstanley— The old Town Gates taken down— Primitive aspect of the Town— Removal of the Beast Market— A Tea Party at the Vauxhall— The celebrated Infirmary Anniversary— Omai, the Prince of Otaheite — The Death of Viscount Wentworth . . . . . . ■ • • ■ ■ • 1*"

Chapter XIII

The American Revolution — Corporation Address to the King — Recruiting in Leicester — General Washington's Origin — Subscription for the Soldiers — A Severe Winter — Counterfeit Coin introduced — Mr. Kemble in the Town — A Freemason's Funeral — Coach communication with Manchester — A Meteor — A Day of Humiliation — Noticeable Deaths — Events in 1777 — Framework- Knitters' Movements — Murder of a Townsman by Soulfis, a Frenchman — Epitaph upon the Murdered Man — The Militia march to Liverpool . . . . . . 158

Chapter XIV

Former dangers of Birstall Sands — Return of the Militia from Liverpool — The Framework- Knitters' Court of Assistants— A Duel between Militia Officers at Plymouth — French Prisoners in Leicester — Rejoicings for Rodney's victories — Minor Events— Mr. and Mrs. Kemble in the Town — Newspaper Reading in Leicester — A Volunteer Movement — Dutch Prisoners — Town Improvement — Parliamentary Reform agitated — Condemned by the Corporation — Movements of the Militia — Establishment of the Cross Market in Belgrave Gate— The Races — The Coalition Ministry and East India Company — A Masquerade on the Soar — Establishment of the Revolution Club — Mail-Coaches to the North of England — Baptisms and Funerals in 1784 . . . . . . . . 169 '

Chapter XV

Formation of the New Walk — Proposed Canal Communication with the Trent — Establishment of Sundiiy Schools — The Ducking-Stool — Prize-Fighting — The Coventry Cricket Match — The Revolution Club Meetings — Howard, the Philanthropist, in Leicester — The Militia Training under a new Act — Destruction of Mr. Whetstone's Machinery . . . . . . . , , , _ _ 179

Chapter XVI

Agitation against Negro Slavery— Proposed Chamber of Commerce— The Militia Staff in 1788— The Revolution Club — Rozzell's Ode to Freedom — Address to George the Third on recovering his Sanity— The French Revolution— Formation of a Constitutional Society— Meetings of Dissenters— Demonstrations of the Constitutional Society and the Independent Interest— Reorganization of the Revolution Club— List of its Members . . . . . CONTEXTS. XV

Chapter XVII. Page

Erection of the Borough Gaol — Local Improvements — The Sunday Schools — The Loughborough Canal — Revival of Freemasonry — Party feeling — Mr. Phillips and the Permanent Library — The Slave Trade — A House of Industry in Leicester — The Hosiers' Association — Political excitement — Local reaction — The Loyal Victuallers of Leicester — The Constitutional Society — Tory Meetings — The Prosecution of Mr. Phillips — his Sentence — The Leicester Militia — The Mayor's Feast .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 199

Chapter XVIII

First Arrival of Canal Boats at Leicester — Expectation of French Invasion — Proposed formation of Volunteer Yeomanry Cavalry — Peace Movement — The Persecution of Harley Vaughan — his Trial — his Suicide — Apprehension of Mr. Bown — Additional Fairs — The " Anti-Gallican" — The Adelphi Society — The Cap of Liberty — Loyal Demonstrations — Volunteer Movements — The Leicester Fencibles in Action — Famine Riots — The " Barrow Butchery" — Suppression of the Races — Fire at Mr. Phillips's — The Relief Committee in a Dilemma — Sale of the Vauxhall — Peace Petitioning — The Provisional Cavalry — Death of Capt. Heyrick— George Davenport and his Adventures and Execution . . . . 209

Chapter XIX

Admiral Duncan's Victory — Subscription Fund to carry on War — Arrest of Mr. Pares the Printer — Meeting for National Defence — The Leicester Militia offer to march to Ireland — An Asylum for Girls — The Duke of Rutland's Address to the Militia — Opening of a Catholic Chapel — A Local Tradition — An Escape from the Gallows — Scarcity of Bread — The Erection of the Assembly Rooms 221

Chapter I

leicester at the commencement of the eighteenth century its population and architecture dress of the inhabitants review of its history in the reign of william and mary the earl of stamford and the corporation the nonjukors - — alderman wilkins and the water supply introduction of brick houses complimentary presents of the earls of rutland and stamford to the coeporation sir nathan Wright's connection with Leicester — sale of " Reynold's place " to pay town debts death of william the third. At the commencement of the eighteenth century the town of Leicester did not contain more than six thousand inhabitants. The houses in which they lived were in general constructed of wood and plaster ; for bricks were not in common use ; and the appearance of the place had not altered for two or three centuries.

The streets were either badly paved or not paved at all, and in the dark evenings of winter they were neither lighted by oil nor by any other artificial means. Down the middle of the streets ran the gutters. Rows of venerable fabrics presented their gable ends and overhanging storeys, ornamented with carved woodwork, to the public ways ; and the old gates yet idly guarded the main entrances. In the centre of the town was the Market Place, surrounded by quaint houses of timber, without shop windows, and near the south-eastern side stood the public building called the " Gainsborough." How long it had been standing, it is impossible to say ; but we know that part of it had served as a place of confinement early in the sixteenth century, when it was used for B purposes connected with the administration of justice."

It was a two-storey building, of which a chamber in the upper part was devoted to public business. There were shoemakers' shops below, and a balcony with piazza at the side nearest the Cornwall, with a dungeon beneath the adjoining level. Among the inhabitants were old men, probably, who remembered the day when the artillery of Prince Rupert had thundered in their ears, and whose eyes had beheld the streets running with the blood of the parliamentarians, who had defended the walls against the royalist besiegers. The ramparts were in parts unlevelled, and the fosse was still empty ; fragments of the walls yearly crumbling away being left to silent and unhindered decay. The same men who had witnessed the entrance of the cavaliers after the storming of the town had often seen George Fox in their midst, and listened to John Bunyan's quaint discourses.

Through many a change of costume, also, had they lived ; but the dress with which they were familiar would amuse, and perhaps startle us, their descendants. The gentlemen wore hats with upturned brims, the low crown of which was surmounted by feathers. Beneath the hat fell an enormous wig, the extravagant folds of which flowed upon the shoulders, and resembled those now worn by barristers in courts of law; the "dandies" being wont to kill time by combing out their perukes. No man who could afford to indulge in a "mountain of hair" denied himself the pleasure. The coats, of a claret colour, were usually decorated with lace ; their sleeves terminating in large open cuffs, and the seam and edges being embroidered. To a long neckcloth were appended ends of rich Brussels lace. A high-heeled shoe, fastened with buckles, was a marked feature in the costume ; while no gentleman appeared in public without his small sword.

The ladies wore their hair combed upwards, and covered by rows of lace and ribbon ; above which was seen a kerchief or laced scarf. Among the working-classes, the men wore broad-brimmed hats — being invested in capacious coats, buttoned to the chin and descending to the knees ; while over their coats they had cloaks, and on their feet they had high-heeled and long-toed shoes. The women of the same class were clothed in lace bodices, with small sleeves and cuffs ; a bunch of gay ribands being appended to the waist where the apron was fastened, and smart bows being fixed upon the insteps of the high-heeled and sharp-pointed shoes. The head was covered with a hood and a plain hat, the brim being turned slightly upwards. There was a marked distinction in dress * See History of Leicester (1849), p. 250, for a description of "the most vile prison called the Gainsborough," written by Robert Broughton to Mr. Conyngsby, in the reign of Queen Mary (1553, 1554). between persons having any pretension to gentility, and those whose position in life was humble and laborious.

It is with Leicester, when it presented such an aspect to the spectator, and amid such a population, that this history commences ; though it may be desirable briefly to retrace our steps to a date when local events were influenced by a great historical change — the accession of William and Mary. William, Prince of Orange, and Mary, his Queen (the eldest daughter of the King who had abdicated), were crowned in April, 1689. The nation felt — especially the Presbyterians and the Dis senters — that they had in this monarch a protector and deliverer ; but the High Church and Tory party soon manifested their dislike to his government, although they had acquiesced in the opposition offered to that of his father-in-law, James II. In Leicester, it was resolved to celebrate the coronation with every demonstration of rejoicing.

At a meeting of the body, held on the 11th, it was agreed that on that day they should dine at the Angel Inn, and that the costs should be paid by the Corporation — all the gentlemen and "persons of good quality and fashion" to be entertained at the public expense. In the Common Hall it was debated whether the diners should be regaled gratuitously or not ; when thirty-two members of the Corporation voted in favour of the measure, and nine (probably discontented friends of the runaway King), wishing to play the part of the dog in the manger, voted against the proposition. This was a period of bounteous hospitality and epicurean indul gence, as a bill of fare for a Mayor's feast of the time amusingly bears witness. Along the old hall, on such occasions, we learn, extended two tables, called the first and the second : in the Mayor's Parlour, also, were a first and a second table : and in the chamber upstairs was another table.

The first course at the principal table in the hall consisted of three "messes." When they are enumerated, it will be seen the boards groaned beneath a load of substantial dishes and rich viands, while they exhaled odours most grateful to the perceptions of the Mayor, the Twenty-four, the Forty-eight, and their invited guests, and streams of savoury fumes rose to the timbers of the ancient fabric. These three "messes" of the first course consisted of a collar of brawn, a dish of fish, venison pasty, chine and turkey, ham and pullet, mince pies, grand salad, roast geese, venison pasty (again), and tongues and elders. These were served at every table. The second course shows that the jovial Corporators found it necessary to stimulate the jaded appetite with lighter fare as they proceeded. It was composed of a dish of wild fowl, a dish of lobsters, a dish of pullets, wardens and puffs, sturgeon, collared pig, ducks, ham and tongues, tarts, rabbits, and custards.

The ruins at Bradgate, which now attract holiday-makers in summer, and impress the visitor by their associations with Lady Jane Grey and her early history, are those of the mansion inhabited in the reign of William III. by the family of which she was in a previous century a member. Its head was at this date Thomas, the second earl, the grandson but immediate successor of Henry, the first earl, who was the chief of the Parliamentarian party, and whose blue banner had been unfurled in many a deadly skirmish in this district, during the Civil War. The representative of the Greys in the reign of William HI. was avowedly a friend of that monarch, and of the principles of civil and religious freedom with which he identified himself. It was this sympathy which induced the Earl of Stamford to cultivate friendly relations with the Corporation of Leicester.

In September of this year a second civic feast was held at the Ansel, in honour of the Earl. The Common Hall met to deliberate on the subject on the 11th of the month. At such a meeting, one subject was quite sufficient to engross the attention of the collective wisdom of the assembly, and the result was an order which evidently corresponds to the importance of the occasion. "Ordered," says the manuscript record, "that the Earle of Stamford shall be entertained at a feast at the Angel, and that the Companies that dyne there be free and paid for at the Corporation's charge ; and such gentlemen as he shall bring with him, and such other gentlemen and others shall be allowed every person sixpence a piece in wine." This entertainment, it must be understood, was not designed to supersede the Mayor's feast in November, when the two courses in all their variety and redundancy afforded the customary delight to the Corporation, after the newly-chosen Mayor (Mr. Bent) had attended the Castle, accompanied by the macebearers, and there taken the oath of obedience to the Duchy of Lancaster in the usual manner.

The accession of William, and his virtual election by Parliament, instead of a succession by hereditary pretension, were directly at variance with the convictions and sentiments of the advocates of the " right divine " of sovereigns. Several of the temporal and spiritual lords on this account refused to take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, and they and others who pursued a similar course were designated "Nonjurors." It would appear from the petitions of various members of the Corporation, praying to be dismissed from their positions, presented at this time to the Mayor and his colleagues, that there were several persons of this party in Leicester. They assign some other reason than that of disaffection for desiring to secede, but the real motive was probably that here stated. One of this class of politicians thus wrote to the Mayor : " The humble request of John Burdett to the Worshipfull Mr. Mayor and the rest of his bretheren, and to all whome this may conserne.

I having heretofore bene one of the Coman Counsell for this burow, and whilest my contience [conscience] could sarve me to act in my place I am shuer never a one that did belonge to the same sosiatey did give theare Attendance more than I did, and I am very sartin never a one more carefull in doeing of Busenes with the best Judgment and skill that I had ; and novv for sume resons here, and for sume resons I have given heretofore, I hope with your serious consideration of this you will be plesed for to dismis me ; for trewley I am not a fitt person to come amonkest you upon so publick a busenes. And this I must make bould to tell you, that I doe beleave that thare hath not bene the like presedent maide upon anny man in England before, as hath beene made upon mee by this Corporation ; and shuerly K. [King] William will never give any man thanks for chusing sutch men in this sort of publick offis no more, but hoping you will be pleased to pardon my bouldness and grante mee my request, rest your servant, "John Burdett."

"June the 2d. 1690." The Nonjurors found themselves placed as awkwardly under the new order of things as were the Presbyterians and others, who in the reign of Charles II. had been called on to take oaths to which they objected, or otherwise been subjected to disabilities. In this town the system continued in operation until the Corporation adopted a very stringent measure, which was thus recorded on the minutes of their proceedings (July 9, 1691) : " Whereas of late, divers persons who have been elected into the office of a Common Councilman of this Borough have contemptuously refused to take upon themselves the said office or place into which they have been so elected ; or, having accepted the said place, have refused to take the oaths and subscribe the Declaration appointed to be taken by several Acts of Parliament for that purpose ; by reason of which neglect the said persons do cease to be members of the said Company, to the great hindrance of the good government of this Borough.

For the prevention whereof, for the time to come, and to the end that every person who shall be elected to be a member in this body Corporate may be compelled to take upon him the said office, and to qualify himself for the holding thereof, it is ordained and enacted by the Mayor and Aldermen, with the advice of the Common Councilmen, now assembled, that such person or persons, so neglecting or refusing, shall forfeit to the Mayor, Bailiffs, and Burgesses of this Borough, and their successors, the sum of one hundred marks of good money of England ; or such greater or lesser sum as it shall seem meet to the said Mayor or Aldermen to impose upon such person or persons so neglecting or refusing ; to be levied by distress of the goods and chattels of such person or persons, or to be recovered by action of debt, bill, or plaint, in any of their Majesties' Courts of Record.