i Ill sill. 1 1 4 7 ^^ , NOTICES U 01' THE ^ FAMIIY or i WEIBY Ex Libris C. K. OGDEN 1 ^ h> NOTICES FAMILY OF WELBY, COLLECTED FBOM EARLY WILLS, REGISTERS, LETTERS, AND VARIOUS OTHER SOURCES, BT A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. Km PRIVATE CinCULATlON, GRANTHAM : PRINTED BY S. RIIJGE, HIGH-STREET. TO SIR WILLIAM EARLE WELBY, BARONET, THE PRESENT HEAD OF A FAMILY, WHICH, IN THE YEAR 15C2, WAS STYLED ^n ancient ijoUjse lifartnge ai-nte^, THESE FEW PAGES ARE AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED. lC77l.i,3 ARMS AND QUAETERINGS Sir zmnitim i£arlf ZHXtlhiy, Bart, of Ornton ?i>aU. AS AKRANGKD BY THE I.ATE F. TOWNSHEND, KSQ. ROl'GE DRAGON. 1. Welby 10. BiSHOPP (now barons DE LA 2. MULTON ( BAR0X3 DE MLLTOX zouche) TEMP. ED. III ) 11. Heueforp 3. LiSSEY 12. Welby (TorsGEK house) 4. SWABEY 13. MULTON O Fbiskney 14. LiNSEY 6 Stynte 1.-). Swabey 7. Towers l(i. Friskney S. JoLLIEH 17. Stynte «• Bmioi'P ( ANCIENT coat) 18. Welby CUKSTS— WELUY AND TOWERS. m PREFACE. The following rough Notes have been aiTanged and printed at the A^^sh of several Members of the Family, who were anxious to have the contents of the Collector's Portfolio put together in a regular and intelligible form ; as well for their own amusement, as to assist any farther researches, which future opportunities may enable them to make. The period of the earliest note is 1216. All the Genealogies of the Family, of which there are many at the Herald's College, British Museum, and elsewhere, commence at the Conquest; but as the Com- piler is unwilling to admit names and descents which may possibly be only traditionary ; and as he has not hitherto found any proofs previous to the reign of Ilcnry III., he has begun to trace from that date, at which he finds the first authentic record. With reference to the annexed Pedigree, it should be stated, that it has been drawn out solely as a key to illus- trate the notes ; and that no descents nor alliances will be found in it, which cannot ])C authenticated ])y them. It professes to be merely an outline, far less full, as =©5 regards the marriages of the family, than the numerous pedigrees extant, as well as exhibiting fewer generations ; but being authenticated throughout by those dates and proofs which are altogether wanting in every other pedi- gree that the Compiler has hitherto had the opportunity of examining, it will probably be more interesting in a genealogical point of view than the most elaborate document, unsupported by evidence : it should, however, be stated, that in most of the material points there will be found an agreement between this and all other pedi- grees of the different branches of the family. If this little volume should fall into the hands of any, who, not being connected with the family, cannot be sup- posed to take the same interest in it's contents, as those who are so; it is only hoped, that it may suggest to them the advantage of collecting the records of their own name and race ; and thus supplying, by their individual research- es, that deficiency of family history, which is the more remarkable in a County where, it is generally admitted, the descendants of some of the most ancient families in England, are now flourishing in the same independent position which their ancestors maintained centuries ago. Denton Holly January, 1842. ar55: GENEALOGICAL TABLE OF THE FAMILY OF WELBY. FriMton, with Pot&iou H«U, C Wdby bcr.^^ WUhaiD Welby, of Dcnto ; A for the Co. of Line. ItlB John Buck, Bart, of C' shire, by Selina. only cl ied EUnorjnuTied EtiubeOi aaa to Sir Richard and Judith Strs^lethorpe Susanna, 3olmeley, Esq. of £u- WiUJiun, buried i si Wife. Penelopp, dau. of ir JohnGlyime, Duronet, of Boronel, of uled 1801, 171U1. M.P n Eorle Welb High Sheriff."" d at Denton. Welby.^nd Wife. Elizabeth. AUington, Co. Liucoli Sir William EarleWelby. present Boroneu Has represented Granlhoxn in 7, Esq. ried Thomas Welby. of Ai Eorle Wclbv.prc- gue Eorle, ic. Esq. of Clevc Allington, un- .Felicia Eli2^ Knlherinp, dau. of the KUzabeth, Hev. J. Hole. EUnora Cathe- Online Earl*— Frwites, dan. Wiljioni Thomas A Knllimii Welby, M. P of Sir Montague Ewle. Earle. in E for Granlliam, Cbolineley, Bl deceased Holy Or. Bey. T. horn June 20, of EasionHall. yoimg. de» in ing. Prcben. Fynes CUnion. Northmo IKOU. Cnnodo. doty of Sidu- Esq.. deceased, deceosed, huiy. Icoi-ing three has two limg. William Earle Welby, Henry Olmne Eorle, bom JoBUaiy i, 182tt. Waller Hngh Earle, Edward Montague Eorle. Frances Wilhelniina, Mary Eluobetb, I I I 1 1 1 1 NOTICES FAMILY OF WELBY, FROM 1216 TO 1842. The name of Welby appears to have been variously written, viz., Welleby, De Welbye, Welbie, and as now, Welby. The village of Welby, near Grantham, whence this family is presumed to have taken its name, is spelled Welleby in Doomsday Book. 1210. Sir Tlioinas Welby held the Manor of Friesioii, Co. Lin- coln, of King Ileu- n- ]]I, in chief. "Thomas Welby tenuit Manerium de Frieston cum pcrtincntibus de llcgc in Capite." From an Ilarleian JNISS., entitled "Nomina lil)crorum tcncntium intra Com. Line. Temp. lien. III." All (Feudal) Tenures being derived from the King, those that held imme- diately under him, in right of his crown and dignity, were called his tenants in capite, or in chief; which was the most honorable species of tenure, but at the same time subjected the tenants to greater 1216.— 1275 Thomas Welby : — his son and heir. 1216. Richard Welby held lauds iu G ed- uey, Co. Lincoln, of the Abbot of Croland. Sir Adlard Welby held the Manors of Gedney and Goux- hill of the honor of Bolingbroke, by Knight's Service, of King Hen III. Henry Welbie : — his sou and heir. * One of the Manors of Gedney is still known as the Ma- nor of Gedney- Welby. and more burthensome services than in- ferior tenures did. It may be likewise observed, that though a requisition to take upon himself Knighthood was by no means made at this period to every holder of a Knight's Fee, those, who held under the crown in chief, were called to take this honour, in respect of their holding immediately from the Sovereign himself. "Thomas Welby tenuit Manerium de Frieston, cum Poynton Hall, de Domino Rege in Capite." Thomas Welby, ejus filius et hoeres. From the above MSS. " Ricardus Welby tenet Messas in Ged- ney de Abbot de Croland, et quasdam terras in Gosberkirke." From the same MSS. "Adlard Welby held the Manor of Ged- ney* and Gouxhill of our Lord the King, of the honor of Service * * * and Knight's and the Manor of Hoi ton of our Lord the King, of the Honor of Boling- Knight's Service. Henry From the broke and Welbie his son and heir. same MSS. "Haec estlnquisitio facta in Wapentaceo de Ellowe, in Hoylandia, per viginti qua- 1275—1307. 1275. Richard de WeUeby appears as one of a Jiiry empanelled in the Wapentake of EUow, DiNision of HoUaud, Co. Lincoln. 1280. Andrew, son of Robert, son of An- drew de WeUeby, and his Brotlier Alexander, recover property situate at WeUeby, Co. Lin- coln, in a suit in- stituted in Court at Stamford, a- gainst Adiun, son of Robert, son of Andrew de WeUeby. tuor Juratos coram Dominis Will*;, dc Set?. Omero, et Warino de Chaueube, Justic. Domini Regis ad hoc assignatis, per Thoma. de Rodcrwyk de Tjd, per Rob. Fil Joh=^ Rob*. Gallardum de Sut- ton, Rob. Codling, Thom. Hod. de Ged., Simoem Clcmn de Flet, Rich, de Flet, Will, le Blund, Joh"n le Cauf, Ilerbtu- Gowf, Willm Clicii, Nicola fil. Rad, Nigel Kadok, Simoem fil. Adelard, Rich- ard de Wellcby, Nigel F^^neys, Walterum Godard, Thom de Bdehowes, Simoem fil. Willm. fil. Rad. Reginald fil. Jocei, Thom. de Tudechm, Walranu de Pinchebeck, Thom. de Elrefer, Walter fil. Simoem." From the Rotuli Hundredorum, Com. Line. temp. Edw. l'.^ under the head "In Com. Line. Anno Dni. Reg. Edwardi. tcrtio. " "Eodem Modo Mon. R. Andr. Fill. Rob'.', fil. Andr. de WeUeby, et Alex. Frater ejus, q.^ cum ipsi in Curia Regis apud Staumford recupassent seis suam v. Adam fil. Rob^. fil. Andr. de Welleby de duabus partibus imius Messae, quadra- ginta et sex acras terrae, et trium acras prati, cum pcrtinentibus in Welleby." &c. From the Rotulorum originalium ab- breviatio Temp. Edw. 1"'. "E. M. M. R. Adam fil. Rob'.! dc Wcl- 1307—1335. 1307. Adam son of Ro- bert de Welleby, recovers property situate at Welleby from William, son of William de Wel- leby in a snit tried in Court at St. BotoliJb's. Between 1307 & 1310. Sii- William Welbv. Extract from a Pedigree of the Family of Welby, among the Hai-1. MSS. leby q4. cum ipse in curia Regis apud villam de Set*?. Botolpho recupasset seis suam v.'Will™ fil. Willi, de Welleby et al. de duobus toftis viginti et octo acris teni. et dim^.', et una acr. prati et di., cum ptn.'. in Welleby." &c. From the Rot. Orig. Abbreviatio Temp. Ed. 2-^.. The following entry of marriage is ex- tracted from a Pedigree of the Family of "Welby" among the Harleian MSS in the British Museum, — it is inserted like- wise in all the Pedigrees, of which there are many both in the Brit. Mus., Herald's Coll. and elsewhere ; and accounts for the Welbys migrating from Welby (where, it appears by the last two documents, they possessed property) and changing their residence to Multon, now Moulton, in the Division of Holland. " Sir WiUiam Welby was Lord Molton in Holand in y*" righte of Maude his Wife, which was daughter to Sir John Molton, Knight, and they had issue. Sir John Welby, Knight." Multon was a principal possession of the Barons Multon as early as 1246, and passed from them to the sisters and coheiresses of the last Baron, Sir John de Multon, who is stated to have died 1335. without issue, in 1335. The following incident from Dugdale's Baronage, may be adduced in proof of the Barons de Multon having made Multon their principal residence as early as 1246.— "In the year 1246, Lambert de Multon obtained by large gifts an extraordinary privilege from the Pope, viz. that no one should have power to excommunicate him, but by a special mandate from his Hohness. But he, who had this liberty to sin without punishment, and to do in- jury to others, riding with rich trappings very proudly from a trial at law, no sooner alighted from his horse but (merit- ing God's judgment) Avas suddenly smitten with a grievous disease, of which falling to the ground, he died before his spurs could be taken off, being then at his house of Multon, situate in that part of Lincolnshire called Holland." Vide Dugdale's Bai'onage. "Multon of Eg- remont." In some of the Pedigrees of Welb}^, Maude is called a coheiress, in others, heiress of Sir John de Multon. This marriage between the two fami- lies is authenticated by the acquisition of part of the Baronial Estates of Multon 10 1335—1370. 1350. Gilbert de Welby grants land to the Prior of Shirwode 1370. Sir John de Wel- bye, Knight. by the Welbys — by the fact of their re- siding at Mukon soon after this time, as appears from their wills — as well as by the admission of the Arms of Multon into all the quartered shields of Welby at an early period, when quarter- ings were not admitted without undoubted proof of the right of the wearer to use them. "Gilbertus de Welby dedit Priori de Novo Loco in Shirewode quasdam teiTas et Messuag. in Waltringham cum perti- nentibus &c. C?. Notts." From the Calen- darium Inquisitionum ad quod damnum. In a window in the north aisle of Ropsley Church, (the neighbouring parish to Welby) was the representation in painted glass of a Knight in full armour, of the time of Edw. IIR , beneath which were the words "JToljanUf S tit 12lcli)»." This pane, though now destroyed, was fortunately most accurately engraved some time since, by Mr. Fowler, of Winterton. In a curious book in the library of the Earl of Winchilsea, at Eastwell Park, Kent, is an engraving of a monumental figure in complete armour, the inscription under which not only gives the name of the Warrior himself, Thomas de Saperton, but designates him as Esquire to "Sir 1370—1397, 11 Inscription on the monument of Thomas de Sa- pertou. 1376. John de Welby is appointed one of the Trustees to the Manors of Alice, Lady Cha- worth. 1.397. Eoger Welby, High SheriflF. John de Welbye," and gives the precise date of Sir John de Welbye's death, viz. V.^ of June 1370. ** iTijomas tfr SapnlDU qmt vtv, Stru Utti? gtauntf sa mcrri?. jraUts jsnijant iisqutrr a Stve JFoljn Cc 2LStrH)i)f, qxit tie munUc faigijtr son irrpailrr, Bd mots Dr J^uuf If jour jjrrmtn*, Ian tit Cfjmt; mil eCC 3L\*X." "Ahce, Lady Chaworth, formerly wife of Sir Thomas Hethe, made Wilham Carbonnell, Rector of the Church of Alvingham, her attorney, to dehver seizin to Sir John de Loudham, Chevaher, the younger, John de Welby, and to John de Staumford, Rector of E. Brydgforth, of her Manors of E. Brydgforth, Thores- by, Alyngton and Toynton. " — From Thoroton's Histoiy of Notts. Roger Welby, High Sheriff of the County of Lincoln, 20'.^ of Richard 2"^.. Fuller in his Worthies saj's, that his arras were " Sable, a fcss 'twixt 3 Flour de L. Argent," as now borne by this family. In the same book, \n-ittcn in 1G62, speaking of the office of High Sheriff, Ful- ler says " From K. Ed. IH. until our re- membrance, the principal gentry in every Sliire were deputed tor that })lace, keeping 12 1401—1410. 1401. Roger Welby de Miilton, Co. Liu- coln, and others, grant huid to the Chm-ch of St. Bo- tolph. 1410. Roger de Welby de Miilton, — his wm. "My best Beast:" This was generally the most valuable horse, in the pos- session of Persons great attendance and hospitality : so that as some transcripts hath for the fairness of their character not only evened but exceeded the original, the Vice-comes has pro tempore equalled the Count himself and greater Lords in the land for their magnificence." " Rogerus Welby de Multon et alii dede- runt Magistr." Nic". Fleming, parsone ecclie de Sct° Botho., quasdam terras, &c., cum pertinentibus ibi. " From the Testa de Nevil — Co. Line. The following is the Will of Roger de Welby, of Multon. "In the name of God, Amen, I, Roger de Welby, of Multon, on Monday in the feast of St. Dunstan, the Bishop and Confessor, in the year of our Lord one thousand four hundred and ten, do make my Testament in the following manner. " In the first place I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the Saints, and my body to be buried in the Church of Multon, near the grave of my father. " I also bequeath to the Vicar of the same my best Beast, in the name of my rational soul. To the High Altar of the same, for Tithes withheld and forgotten. 1410. 13 of Raiik ; led ca- parisoued, & bear- ing tlie military weapons of the de- ceased, before the corpse at tlie fune- ral, and afterwards delivered up as a morluan'." Rev.I.EUersHist. of Belvoir Casde, Page 27. * With reference to the value of nioue y at tliis jieriod, Hen- jry in his Histoi-y of Great Britain says, that in the fifteenth centiuy, three halfpence would iiurchase as much of the neces- sai'ies of life as fif- teen pence would do at the time when he wrote, xiz. 1780. Hence some esti- mate may be for- med of the value of the numerous bequests to the Chur<;h, contained ill this, and in the other wUls which follow. twenty shillings.* To the three hghts of the same, ten shilUngs. To the Fabric of the Church of Mukon, forty shiUings, and to the Fabric of the Chapel of St. James, in the same, six shillings and eight pence. I also bequeath to the High Altar of the Church of Quaplode, twenty shillings. To the Fabric of the Church of St. Catherine, of Lincoln, six shillings and eight pence. " I also bequeath to the Guild of St, Mary of Spaldyng, on the Eastern side, six shillings and eight pence ; and to every Order of Brothers of St. Botolph, twenty shillings. " I also wish to have four Secular Masses divinely celebrated, that is to say, two in the Parish of Multon for one year next after my decease, and two in the Chapel of St. James, of Multon, for one year, or one for two years ; and the Brethren of the Order of Mendicants to celebrate Divine Service in their Churches for one whole year, for my soul, and the souls of all the faithful. " I also desire that my funeral ex- penses shall not be made excessive for vain show, but soberly and decently to the honor of God, so that the money which would be expended in luxurious 14 1410-^1434. 1421. Eichard Welby, Son and Heir, Kniglit of the Shiie. 1434, Eichaid Welby's name apjieai-s in a list of Gentlemen of the County of Lincoln, returned hy Commissioners api)ointed for that pm'iiose, 12th of K. Henry Vlth. banquets may be distributed amongst the poor, and laid out in works of charity for the good of my soul. " The remainder of my goods and chattels not bequeathed, my debts being first paid, and my last will well and faithfully carried into execution, I give and grant to Margaret my wife, Richard de Pynchcbeck, Richard and Adlard my sons, and William Case, Rector of East Bitham, whom by the advice and counsel of my Lord the present Lord Prior of Spalding, I constitute my executors. " This will is in the Registry of the Cathedral of Lincoln. Richard Welby, Knight of the Shire for the County of Lincoln, 9th of Hen. Vth. " The names of the Gentrie of this County, returned by the Conunissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the Sixth. " W^illiam, Bishop of Lincoln : Lion, de Welles, Chevalier; Thomas Mercs, Pa- tricius Skipwith, Knights of the Shire ; Commissioners. " Johannis Willoughby, Militis ; Ro- bert! Ros, Militis: Humfridi Littlebury, Armig. ; Philippi Tilney, Armig. ; Jo- hannis Copuldik, Armig.; Ricardi Laund, Armig.; Will'y.' Braunch, Armig. ; Ricardi (^m 1448—1465. 15 1448. Thomas Welby. 14!:.l. Nicholas Welby, Knight of the Shire. 1461. 140.'). Richard Welbv, of Multon,— his Will. Pynchebeck : Ricardi Welby ; and sixty four other names." From Fuller's Wor- thies. Thomas Welby, Incumbent of the Church of Billinghay. Nicholas Welby, Knight of the Shire for the County of Lincoln, 29th of Hen. Vlth. How these two persons were related, I have not yet discovered. Richard de Welby was appointed one of the Commissioners for the Sewers of Lincolnshire, about Skegness, &c.; 1st of Edwd. IV th. From Dugdale's History of Embanking and Draining. The following is the Will of Richard Welby, of Multon. " In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I, Richard Welby, the second day of August, being whole in mind, make my Testament, in manner that follows. " First, I bequeath my soul to the most Eternal God, that made it, and with his bitter Passion redeemed it ; and to our Lady St. Mary, and to all the Fellow- ship of Heaven : my body to be buried in St. Catherine's, where, item, ten pounds to the High Ahar for Tithes forgotten ; item, twenty shillings to the Kirkwark ; item, forty i)encc to every light : item, 16 1465. This Sir John Welby was incum- hent of the parish ofHolbeaeh. The tide " Sir" was fre- quently prefixed to the christian name of Priests, at this early period. * By this are meant the four houses of the order of Car- thusian Monks, of which the Chai-ter- house in London, ■was one, foimded by Sir Walter de Manny, 1370. to the Kirkwark of Weston, six and eight pence : item, to our Lady Kirk of Lin- cohi, six and eight pence : item, to the Sisters by Saint Katherine, three and four pence ; item, to the Kirkwark at Farlesthorpe, six and eight pence : item, for my mortuary, my bay foal that goeth into the Marsh. " The residue of my goods I put into disposition of my Executors, which shall be, Janet my wife. Sir John Welby, Rich- ard Welby my son, and Sir Robert Sivet ; they to dispose of my goods to the bless- ing of God and to the health of my soul." This is the last Will of Richard Welby, of Multon, made there the 12th day of the month of August, the year of our Lord 1465. " First, I will have 200 masses done and also many dirges for my soul, upon the day, if it may be, and else as shortly as they may be done after my death: and every Priest or man of religion to have for singing of them 4d.: item, I will that 100 of the said masses be said of the Trinity, and another hundred of our Blessed Lady : item, I will, that the four houses of the Charterhouse* have, ever}' house, for singing dirge and mass for my soul, 40s., and over that, that every Priest of them 1465. 17 do say a mass for my soul ; of the which four houses Mountgrace to be one, if it be content; the Charterhouse at London, another ; the Charterhouse at Shene ; and the Charterhouse at Hull : item, I will, two Priests do sing for my soul in Multon Church, the space of two years ; every Priest to have for his salary 100s. ; and over that, they or each of them daily to say dirge, if they be disposed, for my soul : item, I will have 100 gowns given in Holand, and in other places, where my Lifelode lies, to the most poor men, without any favor shewed : item, I will, that there be bought as many sheets and coverlets, and they to be given in manner and form, as is afore rehearsed, to the sum of 28 marks : item, I will, that my debts be paid before all other bequests ; and if any man can prove that I have had any goods of him unrighteously, I will, he be restored again. Item, I will, that any money that Breknok owcth to me, for wool sometime bought by Thomas Hewe of my father and me, go to the fulfilling of the last will of my said fa- ther, in that he bequeathed to my two sisters part thereof, and the other part thereof to buy two (yojjcs to the said Church of Multon. Item, I will, that the 18 1465. Convent of the Monastery of Croyland have given to them for doing of a dirge and mass for my soul, 40s. ; and over that, every Priest of them to say a mass of requiem for my soul : and also I will, that the Convent of the Monastery of Spalding do in manner and form, as is before rehearsed, and they to be rewarded in likewise. " Item, I will, that the Convent of the Monastery of Bardney have for doing of the same observance, 26s. and 8d. : and also I will, that the Convent of the Mo- nastery of Stykeswould do sing a dirge and mass for my soul, and they to have for their reward, 26s. and 8d. " Item, I will, that the four Orders of Friars in Boston do the same observance, and they to have, every Order, 13s. and 4d. : item, I will, that my Executors give after my decease yearly, by the space of five years, twelve gowns of fi'ieze for my soul. Item, I will, as for my lands, that my Feoffees suffer my Executors to enter in all the messuages, lands, and tene- ments within Floland, that they have to my use within Holand ; and over that, Halsted with the appurtenances, Carleton and other Towns belonging* to the said Halsted, they to receive the profits of 1465. 19 the same, paying yearly to my brother Sir John, 36 marks at 4 terms of the 3'ear ; and also, they to find with the said profits two of my sons, which I find at Cambridge, and other two, that I have at home, to the school, as their natural disposition is given to them, and my son Morys to be found at London. "Item, I will, that a chest be ordained with two locks and two keys, and set in the Abbey of Croland, the Abbot for to have one key, and my Executors the other: and the overplus, that cometh year- ly of the said Lifelode, to be put in the said chest, and this to be continued till all my children come of plain age. And all the issues and profits of the Manor of Farlcsthorpe to be put in the same chest, by the space of five years. "Item, I will, that my Feoffees suffer Richard my son to enter on Wynthorpc, immediately after my decease, with all the appurtenances. " Item, I will, that if my wife can find sufficient surety to my Executors, that she shall never have husband after my decease, that then she be my chief Ex- ecutor, and else to be none, nor to have no more but her jouiture, and the one half of my stuff of household, except 20 1465. * Ralph, last Lord Cromwell, who died 1455. Here- sided atTattershall Castle, in this County. plate, and that napcry that I bought of the Executors of my Lord Cromwell,* which napery I wish to be sold ; it cost me 20 marks, and I had it as it was priced. "Item, I will, that if my wife will not dwell in my house and keep household, that then Richard my son immediately after my decease have the said place, and all the lands and tenements that I have in Multon by the decease of my father. And over that, when all my children that be living come to their plain age, that then my Feoffees make a state to the said Richard in all my lands and tenements, that I had by my father. And as for Far- lesthorpe to the said Richard my son. "Item, I will, that Morys, and my Feof- fees see, that if he will thrive and be virtuously disposed, he have Halsted to him and to his heirs ; and else, John my son to have it, if John be no Priest. And if he be a priest, he to be presented, when he falleth, to the Church of Gedney. "And if he have not Ilalsted, nor be no Priest, that then he have a messuage in Gosberkirke, called Belneys, with all other lands and tenements that I have in Quadring, with a cottage that I purchas- ed in Spalding, to him and to his heirs. 1465. 21 " Item, I will, that Master Thomas my son be presented to the Church of Pinch- beck, when it falleth. " Item, I will, that my son, if he have not all that Lifelode that my Lord Win- chester hath in Saltfleetby, that then he have Wynthorpe to him and to his heirs when he cometh at his plain age. " Item, I will, that Robert my son, if John be a Priest, have all those lands and tenements bequeathed to the said John ; and if John be no Priest, he to have the said benefice of Gedney. " Item, I will, that Roger my son have my messuage in Quadring, with all other lands that I have in the same town ex- cept before bequeathed ; and over that, Barnwell with the appurtenances, and all those lands and tenements that I pur- chased of Thomas Esle, and of Richard Barber, of Boston; and the lands that I purchased of Thomas Skirbeck, in Multon ; and of Coker, in Whaplode ; and of Tyryngton, in Flete ; to him and to his heirs. " Item, I will, that Richard my son have my Saltcote, that I have made in Multon, to him and to his heirs. Item, in case that John have llalsted, that then Roger have those lands and tenements D 22 1465. to John bequeathed, and his own bequest also, so that Robert be a Priest ; and else Robert to have that part bequeathed to John in Gosberlcirk and Quadring. *' Item, I Avill, that every child have forty pounds in money, when he come at his plain age ; and that all the goods laid in the chest aforesaid, before the Abbot of the said place, and my Executors, be evenly divided among my said children, except the eldest. " Item, that Richard have all manner of stuff appertaining to husbandry, as horses, carts, ploughs, with all their ap- parels; and also twelve kye and bull. Item, I will, that the other half of my stuff be evenly divided among my chil- dren, provided always, that if my eldest son will buy any part thereof, that he have it, giving therefor, as it is priced. " Item, I will, if Richard die, as God forbid, that then his brother that hath Halsted, have that which is bequeathed, and Halsted to go to him that is next in descent ; and so likewise, if any of them die, it remain to his brother in descending, so that no one have two parts ; and if all die, except the eldest, all to resort to him, for to have it to him and to his heirs. " Item, I will, that my eldest son have 1465. 23 all the stuff of my Chapel, except plate, and the whole vestment of satin figure. *' Item, in case that my Executoi-s and Feoffees see that any of my children, to whom any thing I have bequeathed, will not thrive, nor be virtuous, that then his part to be taken from him, and to be given to him that will thrive, having regard to none. " Item, I will, that my Executors keep up my year day, and my ancestors', as long as they have the profit of my Life- lode ; and after that, my heir to keep it up, spending at my year-day 2s. " Item, I will have all my plate laid in the said chest at Croland, there to be kept till my children come to plain age. And if my Executors can make any pur- chase to the value of 5 or 600 marks, that then the said plate by them be sold to pay for the said purchase ; and that so purchased, it be given among my chil- dren, where most need may be. And in case there can be none gotten before they come to plain age, that then my ])late be divided among my children, having a special eye to my eldest son. "Item, I will my nephew have 20s., my sister Ilaugh 20s., my sister Braunch 208. 24 1472—1487. 1472. Kicliord Welby, son and heir, High Sherifl". 1473. 1487. Eichard Welhy, of Multon, his Will. " Item, I will, that every Executor have 5 marks for his labour, and that my Executors once in the year take account of the bailiff. Item, that every yeoman that I have, have a jack and his whole year's wages. Item, that Solheds have forty sliiUings and my horse I ride upon, and one of my gowns. Item, that Sar- geant have twenty-six shillings and eight pence, and one horse of my stable." This will is in the Registry of the Cathedral of Lincoln. Richard Welby, High Sheriff for the County of Lincoln, 11th of Edwd. IVth. Richard Welby was appointed one of the Commissioners for the Sewers of Lincolnshire, for his life. From Dugdale's History of Embanking and Draining. The following is the Will of this Rich- ard Welby, of Multon. " In the name of God, Amen, the twelfth day of the month of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand, four hundred, and eighty-seven. I, Rich- ard Welby, of Multon, Esquire, of whole mind and sound memory, do make my Testament in this manner. " In the first place, I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, and the Blessed Virgin 1487. 25 Mary, and all the Saints of God ; and my body to be buried beneath the Mon- astery of Saint Guthlace, of Croyland, in the County of Lincoln ; with my best bondman to be delivered to the Vicar of the Church of Multon, as my customary mortuar}^ according to the usage of the same INIanor. " Also, I bequeath to the High Altar of the Church of Multon, for Tithes by me forgotten, and for oblations by me forgotten, and other offences by me com- mitted, one hundred shillings. And to the High Altar of the Church of IIol- beach for expences, five marks. " Also, I bequeath to the Fabric of the blessed Church of Lincoln, six shillings and eight pence: also, I be- queath to the High Altar of the same, three shillings and four pence : also, I bequeath to the establishment of Orphans without the walls of Lincoln, three shil- lings and four pence. " Also, I will, that immediately after my decease, my Executors cause to be celebrated one thousand masses of repose, with placebo, and dirge, by one thousand fitting secular and regular Chaplains, and also four trcntals of the blessed Pope Gregory, by four discreet secular or 26 1487. regular Chaplains, for my soul, and the souls of my wife, and of my parents, and benefactors deceased ; and the residue of all my effects, by this my present Testa- ment and my last Will not bequeathed, my debts being fully paid and all res- titution faithfully made ; I give and bequeath to the disposal of Thomas Welby, my brother; William Dunthorne, Church Clerk, London ; John Sargeant ; and Richard Coke ; whom I ordain and constitute my true and faithful Executors; that they, having God before their eyes, may dispose of them, according as they hope to appear before the Judge, in the awful day of judgment. Dated the day and year above written. " This is the last Will of me, Richard Welby, of Multon, Esquire, made the 12th day of the month of December, in the second year of the reign of King Henry the Vllth. " First, I will, that before any of my bequests be performed atid paid, that of all wrongs, injuries, hurts, and harms, proved before my Executors, done by me to any, full restitution be made according to right and good conscience. Also I will, that all my debts be fully paid of my goods, by my Executors. 1487. 27 "Also, I will, my Executors buy an Altar Cloth of damask, and a Frontal to the same, and give it for my soul to the High Altar at Multon. "Also, I bequeath to the Church Clerk at Multon, ten pounds, to be spent thereupon by advice of my Executors. " Also, I will have a Priest to sing and to say Divine Service within the Monas- tery of Croland, at the Altar, where my body shall lie for ever, to pray for my soul, and my wife Elizabeth, and Joan, and my father's and mother's souls, and for the souls of my brethren, Morris and Sir John ; and for the souls of Sir John Rumney, Sir Simon Goodwyn, and Sir Thomas Shepard, Priests ; my good friends' souls; and all cousins' sonls; which, I will, shall be performed of my pm'chased lands, and my goods not bequeathed by this my last Will. " Also, I will, that Joan my ^vife have one hundred pounds in money, and all her wine and plate, with all other her stuff of household, that she brought with her, that may be found whole. "Also, I will, that my brother Thomas have my chain of gold, and all the stuff of my Chapel, except plate ; and if he will buy any of my plate, I will that he 28 1487. have it before any other man. Also, I will, that my brother William at the day of his marriage be made worth one hun- dred marks of my moveable goods. Also, I will, that the Will and the Testament of Sir John Rumney, Priest, and Sir Simon Goodwyn, Priest, be performed and ful- filled in every condition of the same. " Also, I will have as much cloth bought for gowns and beds to poor folk, to the value of twenty pounds. " Also, I will have prisoners found at Cambridge, and poor prisoners lying at Lincoln Castle, and at Newgate in Lon- don, for their fees to be loosed and de- livered to the value of forty pounds. Also, I will, that every serving man in my household, have his whole wages paid for the whole year, and the arrears to them due, and horsed and harnessed like a yeoman. " Also, I will, that Sir Wilham Dun- thorn's wife, have ten marks ; and Ellen, that keepeth me, have four pounds ; Robert Clerk, forty shillings; and Robert Howell, forty shillings, of my goods. Also, I will, that each of my Executors have for his labor, ten pounds. " Also, I will, that the residue of my goods, that may be spared after my Will 1487. 29 and my Testament be performed, be disposed at the discretion of my Execu- tors, among my poor kinsfolk. Dame Elizabeth Pulvertoft, Joan Gardyner, and others, to their marriages. Also, especial- ly, in repairing and amending of the drains, gates, and highways, within the towns of Multon and Weston, as shall be thought most necessary. " Also, I will, that no person have any of my goods to him bequeathed, till my debts be fully paid, and restitution made where my Executors shall think that I ought of conscience to restore to any per- son, for any injury or trespass done to them by me. And also, till my expenses of funeral, and my interment, and those things that I have bequeathed for my own soul, be fully contented, satisfied, and paid. " Also, I will, that my brother Thomas have all the houses and lands that I purchased in Stixwould, and in llalsted, and in the meadows and fields of the same ; and also, all the lands in Multon, called Valentynes; so that he pay for them forty marks, and leave them to his heir : to have all the said lands to him, and to his heirs and assigns, for evcnnoro. "Also, I will, that my brotlicr Willinni K 30 1487. have all messuages, places, rents, tene- ments, lands, meadows, and pastures, within the gate of Lincoln, and in the suburbs of the same ; which were be- queathed to me by Sir John Rumney, late Vicar of Multon: to have and to hold, to him and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten. And if the said Wilham happen to die without heirs, then I will, that all the said messuages, places, rents, tenements, lands, meadows, and pastures, with their appurtenances, shall wholly remain to Roger Welby, my brother ; to have and to hold, to him and to his heirs of his body lawfully begotten. Then I will, that all the said messuages, places, rents, tene- ments, lands, meadows, and pastures, with their appurtenances, wholly remain to the right heirs of me, the said Richard Welby, to have to them and to their heirs for evermore. " And also, I will, that my said brother Thomas shall give to my brother William, lands or tenements to the yearly value of four pounds, over all charges ; to leave to him, and to the heirs of his body lawfully coming; to recompense him with all those lands that he hath of his father's in his hands, for Wynthorpe, with this 1487, 31 condition ; that the same William never trouble nor vex the said Thomas, or his heirs, for the lands in Wynthorpe ; and, if the same William trouble or vex the said Thomas, or liis heirs, for the said lands in Wynthorpe, and the same Tho- mas keep this appointment made by me, to the said William, in this my last Will, on his part ; then, I will, the same Wil- liam have neither lands, goods, nor money to him bequest by this my said last Will. " Also, I will, that Roger, my brother, have all my lands in Holbeach, which I purchased there ; and also, all those lands that I had in Holbeach and Fletc, after the death of my cousin John Braunch, to hold, to him and to his heirs of his body lawfully begotten, for evermore. And if it happen the said Roger to die wanting heirs of his body lawfully begotten ; then I will, that all the same lands to him bequest, wholly remain to the right heirs of me, the said Richard Welby, to have to them, and thch- heirs and assigns, for evermore." The above written Testament was proved, together with the before written last Will, at Lambeth, tlie teiilli day of the month of November, in the yi-ar of our Lord one thousand, four hundred. 32 1492—1495. 1492. Thomas Welby, brotlier of Richard Welby, of Multon, High Sheriff. 1495. Joan Welby, widow of Richard Welby, Esq., of Million, —her Wm. and eighty, at Lambeth; before &c. ; on the oaths of Robert Clerk and Robert Howell, witnesses, &c.; and it was allow- ed, &c. ; and administration was granted of all the effects, to Thomas Welby, Esquire, Mr. William Dunthorne, and Mr. Richard Cox, Executors. This Will is in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Thomas Welby, High Sheriff for the County of Lincoln, 7th of Henry Vllth. The following is the Will of Joan, widow of Richard Welby, of Multon. " In the name of God, Amen, Wed- nesday next after the Feast of the Ex- altation of the Holy Cross, in the year of our Lord one thousand, four hundred, and ninety-five, and in the eleventh year of the Reign of King Henry the VHth. " I, Joan Welby, of Multon, widow, being of whole mind and sound memory, do make my Testament together with my last Will, as follows. ^' In the first place, I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, the Blessed Mary, and all the Saints of God ; and my body to be buried in the Church of All Souls, of Multon, aforesaid; with what shall be just, to be paid for the same for my mortuary. " Also, I bequeath to the High Altar 1495. 33 of the same Church, for tithes, oblations, and other things by me forgotten, thir- teen shillings and four pence ; and to the Fabric of the same Church, thirteen shillings and four pence. " Also, I bequeath to the Fraternity of the Guild of the Blessed Mary, at the same place, six shillings and eight pence: to the Guild of Corpus Christi, at the same place, ten shillings : to the three lights in the same Church, three shillings: to the Altar of St. Nicolas, of the same place, three shillings and four pence : to the Altar of the Blessed Mary, at the same place, twenty pence : to the light before the Crucifix, at the same place, three shillings and four pence. " Also, I bequeath to the Mother Church of the Blessed Mary, at Lincoln, for things by me forgotten, two shillings : to the Fabric of the same Church, twenty pence : and to seven old men without the walls of Lincoln, twelve pence. " And the residue of all my effects not bequeathed, I give and bequeath to the disposal of John Sergeant, Richard Coke, Richard Nicoll, and John Garde- ner, whom I appoint my true Executors ; that they, having God before their eyes, may dispose of the same for the wcliare 34 1495. of my soul, as they wish to appear before the Great Judge ; of which my Executors I constitute those worshipful men, the Lord Prior of Coventry, and Thomas Welby, Esquire, Supervisors. " This is the last Will of me, the aforesaid Joan Welby, made and writ- ten at Multon, the day and year above mentioned. " I bequeath to the aforesaid Thomas Welby, my best gold seal : to Richard Welby, his son, one silver gilt standing goblet: to Thomas Welby, his brother, one other silver gilt standing goblet : and to Elizabeth, their sister, one yellow girdle with gold trimming, and my best stomacher of black velvet, with the usual frontlet to the same stomacher. Also, I bequeath to Elizabeth Bassett, if she shall be of good and honest disposition, and not otherwise, two silver cups, with one cover, and my best gown : to Anne, her sister, one girdle of purple damask with silver gilt trimming : to Richard Bassett, their brother, one cup called a sconding nut, without a cover : to his next brother, one silver standing goblet with a falcon on the cover : and to their third brother, one silver salt-cellar with a gilt cover: and to their fourth brother. M/ 1495. one porcelain cup bound with silver and gilt, without a cover. "Also, I bequeath to the Lord Prior of Coventry, one cup called a sconding nut, with the cover of the same : also, I bequeath to the Lord Abbot of Croland, one silver dish : to the Prior of the same house, three shillings and four pence : and to every other Monk there, twenty pence. " Also, I bequeath to the Lord Prior of Spalding, one standing porcelain cup bound with silver gilt, with the cover of the same : to the Sub-Prior of the same house, three shillings and four pence : and to each other Monk there, twenty pence. Also, I bequeath to each Order of Brothers in Weston, three shillings and four pence, for a mass and dirge for my soul, to be performed by them. " Also, I wish to have one fit Chaplain to celebrate a trcntal of Saint Gregory, according as the feasts require ; and all the other funeral rites at the Altar of St. Nicolas, in the Church of Multon, for one whole year; for my soul, and the souls of Richard Welby, Esf[uirc, my late husband, and of William Iladden also, my late man ; and the souls of my pa- rent?, and my benefactors, and all the faithful deceased. 36 1495—1496. 1496. Thomas Welby, buried at Crolaml Abbey,— his Will. " Also, I will, that Rosa Hattc do have one yellow girdle with silver trimming, at the choice of my Executors. Also, I bequeath to Katherine Skirbeck, one violet-colored woollen gown, with hoods : to Joan, her daughter, one old gown: and Elizabeth, her daughter, another old gown. Also, I bequeath for the repair- ing of the Chapel of St. James, at Mul- ton, five shillmgs. " Also, I bequeath to the Blessed Mary of Walsyngham, one old noble, and one penny to improve it. To St. Nunan, in Scotland, one old Noble. Also, I be- queath to each of my godsons, whom I may answer for at the Holy Font, eight pence. "Dated at Multon aforesaid, the day and year above mentioned. " This Will is in the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The following is an extract from the Will of Thomas Welby, one of the brothers of Richard W^elby, of Multon ; taken from Holies' Collection, in the British Museum : vol. 3, p. 682, under the head of " Welby, " Lincolnshire. " The Testator, Thomas Welby, buried in the Conventual Church of Croland, near the tomb of Richard Welby, his 1496. 37 brother; and held lands in Gedney, in the County of Lincoln ; in the County of Norfolk ; also at Halsted, North Carle- ton, and Croyle. " The Testator wills, that Roger Welby and Margaret his wife, should have to them and their heirs, lands in Little Herum. " He wills, that the lands purchased from Richard Halmer, be appointed for the support of one Chaplain, for ever, at Multon, in the said County of Lincoln ; to celebrate mass in future, for the soul of the Testator, and for the souls of Richard Welby and Beatrice his wife, Roger Welby and Margaret his wife, Richard and Grace, Richard and Joan, Richard and Elizabeth, Joan, Thomas, John, John Welby, Clerk, who was Vicar of Pynchebeck, Richard, son of Thomas Welby, John Romney and Alice his wife, John Ronmcy, Vicar of jVIulton, William Braunche and Katherinc his wife, Sic, &c., &c., and all the ancestors of the aforesaid, and their benefactors." His children were, Thomas, under age at his father's death, and Isabel aged nine years. The following TnKcrii)ti()n is on a brat^s plate in the lloor of llolbcach Church. 38 1496—1508. Inscription on a brass plate in Hol- beach Churcli, to Joan, wife of the above ThomasWel- by, Esquire, and ilaugliter of Sir Richard Leake, Knight. 1496. Roger Welby, of Geduey, one of the brothers of Richard Welby, of Miilton, bm-ied at Miilton. 1500. Thomas Welby, of Mnlton, son of the last-mentioned Thomas Welby, and nephew and heir of Richard Welby, Esquire, of MiUton ; buried at Croland Abbey. Inquisition on Thomas Welby. Temp. Henry VII. 1508. "Qijt apcare htfovc rtjc uf gltgnit, coiuarUf, anJj ignorant, anti ht an ffOtcirnt raiusc to nioiir, stinr, antJ fttntlc tijc ijarttfs off mrnn to tijf tim^tacon off Ucrtuf antJ noblntrs. *' 3iucn so Ijati) tijc same ben ann jjctt is contimualbe oijse niitJ to tijmtntt, tijat sudjc as Ijauc Uon commniUaile snujjce, to tijriv prjjncc or CTontrcj?, nnfjrr tn iuarre or jjcacr, ma»c iotij retf j)tte tiut tjonor gn ttjftr Ijjufs, anti also Derjjuc i^t same success^utlie to tijetre posterette after tijenu **^nrj Ujberas 3agei)arU Witlb^t, off l^alsteaO gn tfje eountte off ilimeolne, es= Qupre, is DeseenOiD off an auneient IjoUjse iearinge armes, neuertljelesse ije ijeinge bneertei>ne j.m totjat manner Ijis aunees= tors UiiJ t)se anO lieare flteiv sajjUe CTreaste anH S'jnnber, an0 not hjillinge to Ho ani> tijinge ttjat sijoulUe ht jjreiwtiieiaU to any gentilman of name anU off armes, fjatij jjnstantlte retjuyreti me, tije saiDe ©Iaren= eieulx, ftinge of armes, to orDejine, lre«i?se, asstgne, anU sett fortij i^i^s ^gmiier anti CTreaste eottuenatile anU leafull to he ijorne hp l)i)m : toljnbjjjjon I ttje saiUe \9^ 1562. 43 ClarfUftfuIx, feingc off armcs, constUfr= mgc i)is rrtiurst so iitstc antj vrassonaljlf, ill brrtuf, jJoUjn*, anti auHjoirtir to mi?nc office annaTti a\\Q grauntcO h\j Irttcvs pattf nt ttutJer tijr qitatt scale of iluQlanC, ijauc DcuPScK, orUcnnctJ ant) assiigitctr, Qcucn auQ graimtcD bnto tijc saitJc t\ijcij= aiD 2LKIcHji)C, csquptc, anU to ijts })ostcv= ettc, for i^is Crcastc anU cogiitssauncc, as fjcrcaftcr foIIoUjctf). " t\)nt ts to sayc, bppon t\)t 11l?caulmc, on a iurcatijc argent atiB saiilcs, an armcO arinc, tijc ijanUc cljamcU, rssuingc oiut of a cloiuDc a>urc, in a flame of fme, mantcHiO gtiles, tio«i)lcH argntt, as more jjlai.mclie aijcartti) tJcpictctr ynx tins margent. tTo Jjauc anO to ijoulflc tljc satD ii'cauhnc anir ©reaste, anU ti)tv tijc same to use, licare, antJ sijeiue for eucrmore, tjitijoU)t rmpcUns ment, lett, or mttcrrupcon of anj> jperson or persons. **In iuttttes iMijerof I tfje saiUe Claren* eteitlr, lunge of armcs i)auc signeU tl)cisc prcsentcs bjitt) mi? ijanKc, anU putt tl)crc= bnto ti)c scale of mijnc office, anU tije scale of mijne armcs." Then lollow the date, 21st of" March, 1562, (5th of Ehzabeth,) and the signa- ture of the Herald. This Docinncnt is preserved at Denton. Ilalsted, now Ilawsted Hall, was in 1^ 44 1570. 1570. Adlard Welby, Es- quire, of Gedney, and Cassandra his wife. — Monument at Gedney. the parish of Stixwold. The Welbys of Halsted, who were likewise of Multon, became extinct about the latter part of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth; some however of the Family continued at Mul- ton as late as 1686, according to the registers of that parish. An ancient Stone Chimney Piece, which was kindly sent from the old Mansion of Hawsted, to Denton, by the late Edmund Turnor, Esquire, of Stoke, at that time the possessor of Stixwold ; is sculptured with the arms of Welby, Welby impaling Calthorpe, Rochford, Leake, and Lindsey. The Chimney Piece appears to be of the date of Henry the Vllth. In Gedney Church there is a fine Marble Monument to Adlard Welby, Esquire, and Cassandra his wife, erected by their son. Sir William Welby, Knight of the Bath, and Robert Carr, of As- warby, Esquire, the second husband of Cassandra. The following is the Inscription. " Here-under lyeth buried the Bodyes of Adlard Welby, of Gedney, Esquirer, and Cassandra his Wife, the daughter of William Apryce, of Washyngleys, in the parish of Lutton in the County of Hun- 1570—1589. 45 1589. Alice Welbye, daughter of Tbo- mas Welbye, of Molton, Kscjuire, and wife of Au- tlioiiy Irbj', Es- quire. --Monument. tingdon, Esquier, by whome he had issue, fower sonnes, and one daughter, viz., William, Richard, Robart, John, and Susan, being all livinge at his death ; who departed this life the XI daye of August, Anno 1570, being of the age of LXIII yeares ; and Cassandra, the XXII of February, Anno Domini 1590, being LX yeares of age. " This Monument was made at y^ coste and charges of Sr. Willi''. Welbic, Knight of the Honorable Order of y* Bath, to- gather with Robert Carr, of Aswerbye, Esquier, y^ last husband of Cassandra, mother to y^ forsayd Will™ and wife to y* above named Robart, and was finished in y* month of May, 1605, being in the raigne of our Sovoraignc Lord James, by the Grace of God, of England, Frauncc, and Ireland Kinge the third, and of Scotland the eight and thirtithe." About this time Alice Welby was married to Anthony Irby, Esquire. Vide Collins' Baronetage, "Irby." In Whaplode Church is a handsome canopied monument, to the memory of Sir Anthony Irby, Knight ; the Inscrip- tion on which begins thus: — *' Ilecre licth buried Sir Anthonie Irby, Kt, Sonne of Anthonie Irby, Esquire; 46 1603. 1003. Sir William Wei- bj', Knight of tlie Bath.— High She- riff, 1607. and Alice, his wife, daughter of Thomas Welbye, of Mokon, Esquire," &c. &c. The present Lord Boston is hneally descended from this Anthony Irby, and AHce his wife. Sir Wilham Welby, of Gedney, who assisted in the erection of the monument to his father, Adlard Welby, was created a Knight of the Bath, by King James the 1st, the 24th of July, 1603. The follow- ing description of the proceeding is copied from Stow's Annals. "SonOaj? fi)c tUjtntj? foure (July, I603), toas perfoiinfti tfjc solemnitj? of itntgijts of t^c 33ati^, riUmg ijonoiiraijlg from Saint JTamrs's to t^e Courtc, anU maire &i)ois) bjitij ti)tiv Squtvfs anU pages about ti)t m\t ^artJf, antJ aftn- bjntt «tto ti)t parfee of Saint JTamrs, antJ tijne ligijtfU all from tljfir li^orscs, anU tuntt npjie to ti)t King's l^ta/cstic's presence, in tije Sallerj?, luljere t^e^ reeeibelr ti^e orUer of fenigljtljooH of tlje iSatlj." There were forty Knights who received this honor, among whom is the name of Sir WiUiam Welby. Sir William Welby served the office of High Sheriff, 1607. His portrait in the Robes of a Knight of the Bath, is among the family Pictures at Denton ; under 1603. 47 the Coat of Arms in the corner of the picture, are the words "faict a Gedney," 1616 : on the other side, astat. 57. Sir WilHam's wife, Susan, Lady Welby, was buried at Gedney, 1606, according to an entry in the register there, in which however there appears to be a discrepan- cy. The following is a copy. " The Lady Susan Welby, wyfe of Sir Willm Welby, Knight, was buryed the XX day of May, 1606. The XIX day of June, was solemnized the funeralles of Susan Welby, wyfe of Sir Willm Welby, Knight, 1606." This apparent discrepancy may perhaps be reconciled by supposing that Lady Welby was a Roman Catholic, in which case she might have been buried on the 20th of May, and certain funeral solem- nities in accordance with the rites of her Church, been performed, on the lOtli of the following month. Lady Welby ap- pears to have died, after giving birth to her youngest child, Adlard, wlio only sur^'ived a few days. Sir Wilham's eldest son, Phihp, was liorn at Gedney, 1600. It is stated in some Bai'onctagcs, that tliere was a letter preserved from this Mr. I'liiMp VVclby, addressed to " my much honored Cousin, 48 1613—1636. 1613. William Welby, of Denton, son of John Welby, of Denton. 1627. William Welby, of Denton, eldest son of the former Wil- liam. 16.36. Henry Welby, of Gonxhill, Esquire. Mr. William Welby, at Denton." The letter cannot now be found, and of the contents there is no account. Mr. Philip Welby was allowed to com- pound for his Estates, together with other residents in the County of Lincoln, du- ring the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. Vide Oldfield's History of Wainfleet. A monument in Gedney Church re- cords, that the Welbys of Gedney became extinct about 1700. William Welby, Esquire, buried at Denton, 1613. Vide Denton Register. There is an old stone carving of the arms and crest of Welby, with the date 1602, preserved at Denton. This William Welby married Alice, daughter of R. Worsley, Esquire. Wilham Welby, Esquire, buried at Denton, 1627. Vide Denton Register. He was married at Denton, in 1602, to Judith, daughter of William Newton, Esquire, of Gonerby. In the window of a room in the Bede House, at Denton, ap- propriated to holding the Court of the Manor, are painted the arms of Welby impaling Newton. Henry Welby, Esquire, of Gouxhill, died October 29th, 1636. He had quitted his Family Estate, and 1636. 49 lived the life of a recluse for many 3'cars, in an obscure part of London. The following is abridged from an old book, entitled " The Phccnix of these late times, or the Life of jNIr. Henry Welby, Gentleman, who lived at his house in Grub Street forty-foure 3'eares, and was never scene by any, aged eighty-foure." " This noble and vertuous Gentleman, Mr. Henry Welby, born in Lincolnshire, was the eldest sonne of his Father, and the inheritor of a faire reveiuie, amount- ing to a thousand pounds by the yeere and upward ; first matriculated in the University, and after made a student in one of the Innes of Court, where being accommodated with all the parts of a Gentleman, hee after retyred himself into the Countrye, and matched nobly unto his good liking ; but thinking with him- self that the world could not possibly be contained within this Island, and that England was but the least piece and member of the whole body of the uni- verse, hee (as many, or the most of our young gentlemen doc) had a greatc niinde to travcll, as well to profit him in ex- perience, as benefit himself in language ; and to that purpose, spent some few yearcs, in the Lowe Countrcys, Ger- ti^ 50 1636. * Sir Christopher Hildyard, of York- shu'e. * The christian nanie of this bro- ther was Johu. many, France, and Italy, making the best use of his time. "Such was the manner and behaviour of his life for the space of forty yeeres, (I meane untill he arrived at that age) that hee was respected by the rich, prayed for by the poore, and indeed generally beloved ; having a daughter beauteous and vertuous, furnished with all the ac- complishments, that either nature could give, or education and instruction adorne and rectify; who was espoused to a *Knight of good descent, and a noble family, to the father's great joy and com- fort, but hee almost in a moment retired from all the pleasures and delights of the world. " The occasion whereof, (some say) was the unkindnesse or (which I may rather tearme it) the unnaturalaisse and inhumanity of a younger brother,* who upon some discontent or displeasure conceived against him, rashly and re- solutely threatened his death ; but this innocent gentleman measuring the dis- positions of others by himselfe, and not imagining such barbarous cruelty could be in man, of what condition soever, much lesse in a brother ; hee held them as the rash menaces of unbridled youth. 1636. 51 which by good counsel, or complying with the other's desires, might be easily reclaimed ; reckoning them as Avords that would never break into woundes ; and doubtfuU language that could not easily beget danger ; and, as true inno- cence goeth still armed with confidence, and, he that is guiltless still drcadlcsse ; soe hee neither feared his courage, nor shunned his company, till at the length the two brothers meeting face to face, the younger drew a pistoll charged with a double bullet from . his side, and presented upon the elder, which only gave fire, but by the miraculous providence of God, no further report; at which the elder seizing upon the younger, disarmed him of his tormentary engine, and without any farther violence offered, so left him ; which bearinge to his chamber, and de- sirous to finde whether it were only a false fire, merely to frighte him, or a charge, speedily to despatch him ; when he found the bullets, and apprehended the danger he had escaped, hee fell into many deepe considerations, and grounded an irrevocable resolution, which he kept to his dying day ; which that hee might the bettor observe, he tooke a very faire house in the lower end of Grub Street, 52 1636. near unto Cripplegate ; and having con- tracted a nnmerous retinue into a private and small family ; having the house before prepared for his purpose, he entered the doore, chusing to himself three pri- vate chambers, best suiting with his in- tended solitude ; the first for his diet, the second for his lodging, and the third for his study, one within another : and the while his diet was sett on the Table by one of his servants, an old mayde, hee retired into his lodging chamber; and while his bed was making, into his study ; still doing so till all was cleare : and there he sett up his rest, and in forty foure yeares never upon any occasion, how great soever, issued out of those cham- bers till he was borne thence on men's shoulders: neither in all that time did son in law, daughter, or grandcliild ; bro- ther, sister, or kinsman ; stranger, tenant, or servant ; young or old, rich or poor, of what degree or condition soever, look upon his face, saving the ancient mayde, whose name was Elizabeth ; who made his fire, prepared his bed, provided his diet, and dressed his chamber; which was very seldom, or upon an extraordi- nary necessity that hee saw her, which mayde servant dyed, not above six days « 1636. 53 before him. " He never tasted flesh nor fish ; he never drank wine or strong water, his chiefe foode was oatmeal boyled with water, which some call gruell, and in summer now and then a sallet of some choice cool herbs. For dainties, or when he would feast himselfe upon an high day, hee would eate the yelk of an hen's egg, but no part of the white ; and what bread he did eate, he cut out of the middle part of the loafe, but of the crust he never tasted, and his continual drink was four shillings beer, and no other, and now and then drank red cow's milk, which his mayde Elizabeth fetched for him out of the fields, hot from the cow, and yet hee kept a bountifull table for his servants, with entertainment sufficient for any stranger or tenant, that had any occasion of businesse at his house. " In Christmas holydays, at Easter, and upon all solemn festival days, he had greate cheare provided, with all dishes seasonable with the times, served into his own chamber, which his mayde brought in ; when hee himselfe (after thanks given unto God for his good benefitts) would pinne a clean napkin before him, and putting on a pairc of while holland •riS II 54 1636—1643. 1643. William Welby, of Denton, Esquire. sleeves, which reached to his elbowes, called for his knife, and cutting dish after dish up in order, send one to one poor neighbour and the next to another, whether it were brawn, beefe, capon, goose, &c., till hee had left the table quite empty : then would hee give thanks againe, and cause the cloath to be taken away, and this would hee doe dinner and supper upon these dayes, without tasting one morsel of any thing whatso- ever, and this custom hee kept to his dying day." The following reference to this singu- lar person is extracted from Pennant's London. " In this same street (Grub Street) lived the very remarkable Henry Welby, Esquire, of Lincolnshire, who lived in his house in this street, forty-four years, without ever being seen by any human being. He was to the hour of his death (Oct. 29th, 1636) possessed of a large estate ; but an attempt being made on his life by his ungrateful younger brother, he took the frantic resolution, thus to se- clude himself from the world. He passed his days in most exemplary charity." William Welby, of Denton, Esquire, buried there 1657, — he married Elinor, 1643—1644. 1643. Letter from Larly E^Te, of Kelliam, 1044, to Mr. Wel- by, — original at Dentou. daughter of W. Williams, Esquire, of Denton, 1633. She was buried at Den- ton, 1688. In a window of the Bede Plouse at Denton, are the arms of Welby impaling Williams. Among those persons, inhabitants of Lincolnshire, indicted for high treason, for having joined with the Parliament against Charles the 1st, A. D. 1643, is the name of William Welby, of Denton. Vide Thomson's History of Boston, Appendix. In 1644 the following letter was ad- dressed to this gentleman from Lady Eyre, wife of Sir Gervase Eyre, of Kelham, which is only curious as a specimen of a lady's letter of that period. "June 14, 1644. " Good Mr. Welby, " I return you hearty thanks, for your love and care of mee and mine, as in all other thinges, soe in your last expressions contained in that letter of yours to Mr. Newton, but as concerning that main busincsse wherein you are mooved to bcarc a part, expressing your- selfe to doe nothing to my prejudice, I am bound to thanke you for that, soe I desire to Ictt you know, that I cnn doe nothing but by the advice of some ol" my 56 1645. 1645. Letter from Mr. Newton to Mr. Welby, — origiu al at Denton. friends, with whom I cannot yett speake ; I shall be ready to serve you by myselfe or any of my friends wherein you may be pleased to command. " Your very loving Friend, " Elizabeth Eyre." " For her very loving friend Mr. Wil- liam Welby, these I pray present," The date of the next letter, from Mr. John Newton to Mr. Welby, is 1645; it shews the excitement into which this neighbourhood was thrown, when the Parliamentary forces occupied Grantham, and the surrounding district, preparatory to their attack on Belvoir Castle. The Colonel Rossiter mentioned in the letter, subsequently commanded the garrison at Belvoir, with the rank of a General, after the Castle had surrendered to the Par- liament. " 1645. "Worthy Cosen, " It was my good fortune with y^ leve of Collonell Rossiter to be at Stroxton, when youre letter was deliver- ed to my wife, on y^ pusing of y^ which letter, I thought it very convenient to send you as speedy a message as I coulde, to acquaint you that we have obtained the leve of Collonell Rossiter to be prissoners 1645—1648. 57 1648. Letters from Mr. W. Williams to Mr. Welby,--origi- nals at Denton. The writer was brother-in-law to Mr. Welby. at Grantham, but the Towne being so full, we coulde not get y^ accommodation for y^ presant, which it pleased the Collo- nell to think fitt for us. Soe hee gave us time whilst to-morrow to provide as conveniant lodgings as we coulde. " Sir, my sute to you is, that you would be pleased to doe mc the favoure to come over, that I might advise privately with you, what corse to take, for I am now in the condition that I cannot come to you. Sir, I doe only addresse myselfe to you, hoping that you will doe this favour, and I shall ever rest, " Your ever affectionate " Cosen and Servant, " Sunday, at Night." " J. N." The first of the following letters, which were written from London, alludes to the expected trial of King Charles the 1st; the second gives an account of his execution. The incidental manner in which the writer mentions these events, speaking of the King as Charles Stewart, leaves no doubt as to the party to which he belonged in these troublous times. "Jan. 2nd, 1648. " Most loveinge brother, "You take much pleasure in bestowinge upon me dayly new proofcs 58 1648. of your kindnesses, for y" which I doe acknowledge mrselfe soe deeply engaged, y' I finde in myselfc a greater disabilitye of tearmes to expresse my thankfullnesse, but rather than I w^ould l)e accounted guilty of that abhorred fault of ingrati- tude, I am forced to represent y^ defect of my acknowledgements, hopinge that your consideration of my zcale will give you a far greater testimony than my pen is able, for your good advice that you sent me in your letter, to presse my bro- ther Williams to the payment of my portion (I extreamely thanke you). I have sent a letter to him by this last retourne, to demande y^ sudden payment, that itt may be employed to my better advantage ; and have put him in mind of his kind promisse, hoopinge that he will add somethinge to my portion, of his owne accorde, and interest for y® tyme (since due), but I should be glad, I had y^ principal!. " Sir, I have sent you a muif, 2lb. of tobacco, 2 lemmons sealed up in my brother R. Williams's box, I have de- sired him to send you them, and least my letter to him should miscarry, I have sent his box down by Haly, Why- mondam Carrier, directed itt to be left at 1648. 59 Mr. Clarke's y* Apothecary att Gran- tham ; y^ Carrier is to have by agreement a penny a poimd. " I was with Mr. Hinnicker for a muff, but his was not comparable to this that I have bought, I could have had 2s. profitt of an exchange, soe T hope it will please. " Sir, I pray present my duty to my mother, my best love to your wife and yours, with my brother and sisters, my prayers shall be for your health, who is your faithfuU brother, " W. Williams. " All the newes is y^ trialle of Charles Stewart, whoe is to be tryed by foure lordes, forty commons, eight souldiers, foure Aldermen. If there be any thinge of note, I shall send you by the next post. " Sir, I pray you give my brother 11. Williams this note here enclosed, I have sent him a booke, called The Survey of Husbandry, itt may change his minde for his owne goode. " W. W." "For " Mr. W™- Welbye, " att his House att Denton these present. " near Grantham, " Lincolnshire." Under the seal of the arms of Williams is written " Will. Williams." 60 1648. Second letter of Mr. Williams to Mr. Welby. The writer is not correct as to the number of those, who were appointed to try King Charles ; for it appears from the historians of this period, that 135 persons were appointed Commissioners by the Parliament for the purpose of try- ing the King, and twenty were empower- ed to act. The list of Commissioners included Fairfax, Cromwell, Ircton, Wal- ler, Skippon, Harrison, Whalle}^, Pride, Ewer, and Tomlinson, in all, three Gene- rals and thirty-four Colonels in the Army ; three Lords, Monson, Grey of Groby, and Lisle : twenty-two Baronets and Knights ; the principal Members of the reduced House of Commons ; four Aldermen of the City of London ; three Serjeants at Law, of whom Bradshaw, elected Lord President of the Court, was one ; various Citizens of London, and some few Country Gentlemen, " whose zeal," as Clarendon says, " had been taken notice of for the cause, and who were like to take such a preferment, as a testimony of the Parliament's confi- dence in them." Jan. 30th, 1648. " Most lovinge brother, " The experience I have of your greate kindnesses and favoures 1648. 61 doth by y" often thinkinge on their de- servings deeply imbosome themselves in my grateful affection, ihatt neither tyme nor absence can extenuate ; and though the acquittal of such invaluable curtesies lye not in my poore power, yett y*' wil- lingness of my desires this letter will testifye, in promising my uttermost power in all serviceable endeavoures. " Sir, (in answer to your letter) I sent dowm by Haly a fortnight since such cloth as you wish for, I could not well tell by your letter whether you writt for of 20° or 26" y^ Ell, so that I desire you if y^ occasion bee, to send me word and it shall be sent very speedily. " Such bookes as you writt for I can- not possibly gett in Towne: I have becne at divers shop])s and cannot get the or- dinances for Presbyterian Government, neither can Mr. Tringe help you to them : as yet, all y"" news I can scnde you is, that y*" Kinge was beheaded tliis day before Whitehall Gate : ill nnich discontents y" Citizens, y*' manner of his deportment was very resolutely with some smiHng countenances, intimating his willingness to l)e out of his troubk^s ; ho made no speech to y" peo])le, but to those u})()n y*" stage with him, expressing that they 62 1648. murdered him ; y^ Bishop of London was with him upon the stage ; when he mayde himselfe ready for the blocke, he first pulled off his hatte and gave itt to y*" Bishop, then his cloak and his doublett to two others, and hys George he gave to y* Bishop, which y^ Parliament hath sent for, and after his death proclamation was made, that none should be proclaim- ed Kinge of Englande butt with the Parliament's consent. " Brother, I desire you to excuse my rudeness by reason of the want of tyme, that I cannot enlarge myself in expres- sions of my gratitude. "I pray give my humble duty with many thankes to my mother, with my best love to yourselfe, with my brothers and sisters, "■ " Your faithfull brother, "Will. Williams." This account as far as regards the dis- content of the citizens, agrees with that of an eye witness, whose testimony is quoted in Ellis' Letters on English His- tory. This person says, " that at the instant, when the blow was given, a dismal universal groan was uttered by the people, (as if by one consent) such as was never before heard ; and as soon 1648. 63 as the execution was over, one troop of horse marched rapidly from Charing Cross to King Street, and another from King Street to Charing Cross, to disperse the multitude." The day (the 30th of January) was so cold, that the King was persuaded by Bishop Nixon to put on his cloak, which he continued to wear until the moment of his death, an unusual indulgence under such circumstances. With regard to the "George" alluded to in the above letter, and other orna- ments, we find that on the 31st of Jan- uary, (the day after the murder of the King,) Commissary General Ireton report- ed a paper of divers particulars touching the King's Body, his George, his Dia- mond, and two Seals. The question being put, that the Dia- mond be sent to Charles Stuart, son of the late King, commonly called Prince of Wales, it passed in the negative. The same question was then put separately, as to the Garter, the George, and the Seals: as to each, it passed in the negative. When the King gave the George, on the scaffold, to the Bishop, who after- wards surrendered it, he used the word 64 1648—1653. I(i48. Conveyance of the Manor and Jlanor House at Denton, to Mr. William Welby. Letter from Dr. Saunderson to Mr. WelV)y, — original at Denton. " Remember," which lias been variously interpreted, but not attempted to be explained by Clarendon. 1st of May, 1648. "Sir William Thorold, of Marston, Kt. and Bart, and his son and heir, William Thorold, conveyed to William Welby, of Denton, Esquire, for £2,600, the manor and capital messuage or manor house, wherein Sir William Thorold dwelt." From an old deed of conveyance. Mr. Welby now removed from the house in which his ancestors resided, (part of which is supposed to be still in existence, and is converted into a dairy &c.,) to a house which occupied the site of the present family house. The following letter is principally cu- rious, as having been written by the cele- brated Dr. Saunderson, afterwards Bishop of Lincoln, but at that time Incumbent of Boothby Pagnell, and conveying his opinion upon the just manner of allotting glebe. " Boothby Pagnell, "17th Jany. 1653. " Sir, " I have been desired by Mr. Twish to joyne with yourselfe in his behalf, concerning the enclosure of 1653. 65 Harston, and am to goe this next weeke for London, and my retmii is uncertain ; if any thinge be necessary to be done in the meane time, I doubt not but you in your love and wisdome will soe order the business, thatt he may have ffiiire and equall conditions. All the advyse thatt I can give for the present (being little acquainted with the particulars) is this, in generall, that since the fruits tythable are from time to time visible and forthcoming, but monnics are often to seeke, when they are due, therefore, that which is to be allotted in lieu of Tythes may be plotted out in land, to the knowne vallew and estimate of the Tythes yearly renewing, ffenced at the common charge, and plotted with some reasonable convenicncy for his use. " Sir, I present my service to you, and shall ever rest, " Your loving friend, " Robt. Saunderson." " For my IIon<^- Friend William Wclby, Esq. at Denton, these present." The following brief memoir of the life of Dr. Saunderson, abridged from Wal- ton's Lives, is the contribution of a skilful and valued pen. 66 1653. " Dr. Robert Saunderson was born at Rotherham, in Yorkshire, Sept. A. D. 1587, being the youngest son of Robert Saunderson, Esq., of the same parish. He received his education first at the gram- mar school of his native town, and afterwards at Lincohi College, Oxford; where he became eminently distinguished for learning and piety, and obtained the Fellowship of that College. In the year 1618, he was presented by Sir Nicholas Saunderson, Lord Viscount Castleton, to the Rectory of Wibberton, near Boston, in Lincolnshire, but the next year re- signed it on the ground of ill health ; he was immediately presented to that of Boothby Pannel, in the same County, by Thomas Bamngton, Esquire. Dr. Saunderson then resigned his Fellowship, and was successively presented to the Stalls of Southwell and Lincoln ; and married Anne, daughter of the Rev. Henry Nelson, Rector of Hougham, in Lincolnshire, with whom he enjoyed a most happy life. "In the year 1631, Dr. Saunderson at the recommendation of his friend Arch- bishop Laud, was made Chaplain in Ordinary to King Charles the 1st, who ever afterwards held him in the highest ^■hk 1653. 67 flivour and estimation, and whenever it was his turn to officiate before the good Kino;, the latter was never absent from his sermons, and would usually say, " I carry my ears to hear other preachers, but I carry my conscience to hear Mr. Saunderson,. and to act accordingly." " During several years, Dr. Saunderson (being himself an Episcopalian) was forced to maintain arguments with the Covenan- ters, in which he notwithstanding his natural timidity, reasoned so calmly and so admirably, that at length he was honor- ed with the Regius Professorship of Divinity in Oxford, A. D. 1642. This he retained amidst storms and conflicts with the above named party, for about seven years, when he was expelled from Oxford, and driven back to Boothby, from whence he was soon carried prisoner by the same party to Lincoln, in order that his hberation might procure that of Mr. Clarke, a minister of the parish of Allington near Boothby, then detained by the King's soldiers at Newark ; and the exchange was accordingly effected, and also a restoration of Dr. Saunderson's living, which had been taken from him. " This exemplary man continued in a state of great poverty until the accession 1653—1655. of Charles II, when at the age of 73, A. D. 1660, he was invested with the vacant Bishoprick of Lincohi : this he held till January 1662, when he died at his palace at Bugden, in the 75th year of his age, and conformably to his last will, was buried with most unusual plain- ness, considering the high station he filled ; for his funeral which took place by his desire on the 3rd day after his decease, in the Parish Church of Bugden, was unattended by any friends except the inhabitants of the place ; and without pomp or ceremony they laid him at the upper end of the chancel, where a flat stone of fair marble was afterwards fixed, with a plain epitaph of his own writing upon it, to mark his resting place. " His contemporary biographer, Isaac Walton, from whom the narrative is taken, speaks of him as a pattern of meekness and primitive innocence, joined with great piety, much useful learning, and many other extraordinary qualifications. " In 1654, Mr. Welby was elected a Knight of the Shire for the County of Lincoln. The petition of the inhabitants of Bran- don which is here copied from the original 1655. 69 at Denton, is an instance of a mode of petitioning which no longer exists, viz. that of the petitioners addressing their Representatives instead of tlie whole of the Knights, (Citizens, and Burgesses, in Parliament assembled. The petition appears not to have been presented. "A petition from the inhabitants of Brandon in the parisli of Hough on the Hill, complaining that Mr. Oliver, the Vicar of Hough, does not pci'form the duty at Brandon, as has been done before for time immemorial by his predecessors ; notwithstanding the tithes and offerings arising, as well within the town of Hough as in the hamlet of Brandon, were worth one hundred pounds, per annum, and that the inhabitants of Brandon, in obedi- ence to an ordinance of Parliament, and the commands of the Justices of the Peace of this County pursuant thereunto, have repaired their Chapel, whereon they have expended above forty pounds. " And they therefore pray, that Par- liament will compel the said Oliver duly to perform all spiritual duties, or that the tithes &c., arising in Brandon may l)e scf[uestered, and reserved by some fit person, for and towards the maintenance K 70 1656. of an able orthodox preaching minister there. " To the Ilon"^^ Charles Hussey and William Welby, Esquires, and y^ rest of the Knights of y^ Parliamt for the County of Lincoln. " It was determined at this time, that no members should sit in Parliament unless they were approved by Oliver Cromwell's Council, and before they could take their seats they must produce a certificate to that effect. Mr. Welby was of the num- ber of those who were rejected by this unconstitutional tribunal. Whitelocke in his Memorials, says, " that a report being then made to the House from the Coun- cil, of the reasons why some persons returned for Members were not admitted into the House ; upon the question, it was resolved, " That those persons should make their application to the Council for appro- bation. Upon which, several of the Members that were chosen to serve in Parliament, and not approved by the Council, published a remonstrance. " Here follows a very lengthy and spirit- ed remonstrance, which concludes with this paragraph : " We do therefore appeal unto God and all the good people of ^^ 1656—1657. 71 1057. Elfgj- on tlic Death of Mr. Welbv. England, for assistance and protection in their service, hereby declarino; our readi- ness and earnest desires to attend upon our country's service, to expose our lives and estates to the uttermost hazards there- in, to prevent the ruin and confusion that now threatens it ; if it shall please God to enable them to redeem themselves from their present oppression, that their chosen deputies may meet and consult how to advance the glory of God, pro- mote the true religion, and provide for the safety, liberty, peace, and happiness of the Commonwealth; and in the interim we shall endeavour to pour out our sad complaints before the Lord, against our powerful oppressors ; humbly hoping, that he will come forth speedily to redeem his people out of the hands of wicked and deceitful men." Among a long list of most respectable names attached to this Kemonstrance, is that of " WilHam Welby." Vide White- locke's Memorials. The following year Mr. Welby died, and among tlie papers at Denton is tbis quaint and in part most absurd Elegy, in which allusion is made to the circiun- stance of his being excluded from taking his scat in the House of Commons, as ■3' 72 1657. one of the Members for the County of Lincoln. " An Elegie on the death of that noble and worthil}^ esteemed Gentleman, Wil- liam Welby, sen''- of Denton, Esquire. " Is noble Welby dead ? no art can count The losse, it dotli to such a summe amount, A b)sse t^ be deplor'd (if understood) With no less than an universal flood. He was a most accomplish'd Gentleman, And as rare qualified a Christian : See j'ou in a cleare night the vaulted sky, Bespangl'd all with stars : so verily Was he with gospel graces : he did deeme It better farre to be, than for to seeme Pious ; and justly hated such a one As made a stage play of religion. He acted all those virtues which our late Professors did but onely personate. His faith was such as Scripture dotli approve. No idle faith, but working still by love. His zeal was to the first and second table, To keep them both (could't be) inviolable ; In th' one he serv'd his God, in th' other He serv'd (as need requir'd,) his Xtian Brother. His was a discreet zeal deserving praise, Still burning, tho' it did not always blaze, It never was extinct ; it might retire Into the socket, but not quite expire. No time was overlook'd, no, not an hour. 1657—1660. 73 Willinni Welly, of Dentou, Esquire, son of the above WUlimii Welby, 1660. Wherein he did not goode, unto his power. He was not like our formall gentrie, who Serve God but once a week and faintly too. He with the Magi traced the star both day And night, w^ shew'd him where his Saviour Then being corned into his presence; he [lay; OfFer'd liim gifts upon his bended knee, And did present unto his sacred eares Th' odours, and s'^'^fet incense of his pray'rs. Where so much worth and goodness did dis- Itself in one ; I may be bold to say [ph'^y Pie is not dead ; but for the vile offence Of an ungrateful people taken hence. God saw him here rejected ; for him sent, To be a Member of Heavn's Parliament. Where in the House of Peers above he sits, In such great glory as his state befits. And shall at last upon that general summons. Judge here with Christ tlie Lower House, [the Commons." " Sic flevit Jacobus Twist." Tliis Mr. Welby built and endowed the Bede House at Denton. William Welby, of Denton, Esquire, baptized at Dentou with his twin brother John, November the 7th, 1639. He died unmarried. He was one of the eleven Gentlemen of Lincolnshire, who were selected to have received the Knighthood of the Royal Oak, had that order been instituted. 74 1660—1667. 1067. Three letters from Mr. Williaius to Mr. Welby, — origi- nals at Denton. Vide " List of Knights of the Royal Oak," CoUins' Baronetage. The following note with reference to this intended Order of Knighthood is copied from the same source. "This Order was intended by King Charles II, as a reward to several of his followers; and the Knights of it were to wear a silver medal, with a de- vice of the king in the oak, pendant to a ribbon about their necks ; but it was thought proper to lay it aside, lest it might create heats and animosities, and open those wounds afresh which at that time it was thought prudent should be healed." Mr. Welby was probably included in this list, in consequence of his father having affixed his signature with that of the other Members excluded from the House, to that spirited protest against the monstrous edict, by which it was declared, that no Member should be admitted to take his seat, unless he pro- duced a certificate of approval from the Lord Protector's Council. Mr. Welby was appointed High Sheriff of the County of Lincoln, 1667. The three letters that are here tran- scribed, to Mr. Welby from his uncle ^^^ 1667. to Letter. * The writer sub- scribes himself " Uncle." Mr. Williams, after some suggestions as to his equipage, &c., as High Sheriff, refer principally to a duel, in M'hich Sir Thomas Halford, of Wistow, who had married one of Mr. Welby's sisters, had killed a Colonel Temple. This unfortunate occurrence seems to have caused great anxiety to all those who were connected with Sir Thomas Hal- ford, more especially as Colonel Temple's relations were numerous and powerful. It appears, however, that the matter was compromised, and none of the evil consequences expected fell on Sir Tho- mas, as he died in 1679, and was buried at Wistow, having had, according to Col- lins, twenty-two children by his wife Selina, eldest daughter of William Wclby, Esquire, of Denton, in the County of Lincoln. "London, 22nd Feb., 1667. "Dearest Coz"-* " I hope before you receive this, that you will have receaved a trifle addressed to John Anderson, by Haryng- worth, Can-ier, for that I hope your livery es will be made upp in good tyme against the Assizes. " I could not for my life get the buttons made ready all, but the remainder will 166: certainly come down by Wymondham Carrier the next weeke, with ribbons and more silver purle, and all other thinges whatsoever. "Also your coach, with my cuzcns ; and at y* next assizes my sister Godsall and aunt Williams will wait upon you. It is much wondered att, why you will not ride with pistolls, as all other Sheriffs doe of late, and especially you being a Com- mander. Pray send me word if it be possible to receive your letter by next Wednesday, whether you will send your own horses as farr as Stamford, to receave your coach there, or that I shall hire hackneys through to Denton, which will be more charge, and I feare will cost very deare. After your own business, I must now acquaint you of the bad effects that are like to happen upon y"" quarrel! betwixt Sir Thomas Halford and Colo- nel Temple. This day my brother God- sall meeting with Temple's surgeon, enquired of him, who acquainted him that Colonel Temple was a dying man from y*" wounds that were given him upon the head, and shewed my brother a piece of his skull, having lately trepanned his heade ; he lyes senselesse, and it is much feared he will dye suddenly, which it prove 1667. 77 soe there will follow greate trouble upon Sir Thomas and his Estate, so that there must y* speediest care be taken for the secm'ing of his estate beforehand. Mr. Knollys, Gurney, and Clayton, and all that was present, will be made accessory, and brought to holde their hands at y® barr, to take off their evidence, for that Mr. Knollys is gone this afternoon, and not yett returned, to discourse Temple if hee finde him alive and sensible, and I shall b}^ y*" next give you a further ac- count ; in the mean tyme use y^ best means for the security of Sir Thomas's estate ; as for his person, there will not be much danger : too much of this : I pray for his happinesse, and the hcjilth of all my dear relations, and rest, " Your most affectionate Uncle, " Wm. Williams." "Aldgatc, 3rd March, 1667. "Dearest Cozen, " There is sent by Lincoln Carrier this week, a box of oranges and lemons, and a keg of sturgeon, and also a box directed to Mr. Thomas Goad, of Grantham, to be left with him ; which I desire you will give order to receavc, at y*" Carrier's coming into Grantham, which will be on Fridav next in the afternoon. 1G67, in which is some belts of the best sorte, and a mornynge gowne, which I beg your acceptance off, as my Uverye. I had a most passionate desire to have waited upon you at y^ Assizes, but un- happily prevented ; could I possibly have left Sir Thomas Halford's businesse in trusty handes to have managed itt, I should have seen you this week, but there must be no neglecting of that, it requires a continuall attendance. " Yesterday a Coroner's Jur}^ gave in their verdict to bee manslaughter, tho' violently endeavoured by the adverse party to have made it murder, having, I fear, packed the jury ; there was once eleven of eighteen to make it murder, but the Coroner shewed himselfe an honeste man, and so farr convinced them, that at last they gave it in manslaughter, which is severe enough, but I hope now by some usefull means to procure kinder usage ; to-morrow I hope, that bayle will be taken, so that Sir Thomas may be at Wistow by Satturday nighte with his lady, who, T hear, is brought to bed of a daughter ; I wish her comfort and a happy recovery, and doe assure you, that I shall use my utmost endeavours for liis preservation. 1667. 79 " Sir Robert Carr hath got his two liveries made this week to wait upon you. " Pray let me heare from you, when you are at Lincoln. " I wishe you happinesse and full con- tent in the management of your affaires at Lincoln ; whatever you doc, pray have an especial care that you drink mode- rately, for in so doinge you will gainc the best reputation, and bee not over lavish of your civilities. " I pray God to blesse you, and reste your most affectionate Unkle, "W"^- Williams." "London, 10th March, 1667. " Dearest Cozen, "■ I am so much straightened for tymc at this tymc, that I cannot write soe full as I would, so that I shall only hint to you, that y" most unfortunate Sir Thomas Halford hath brought himselfe into a worse trouble than ever, by his impatiency to goc to Wistow, before we could possibly procm-c bayle to bee taken for him ; neither could he be persuaded to go any road but through Barnett, the same way that he was certainly informed beforehand, that Colonel! 'JV'niplc's friends would relounie from the interment of his corpse ; and soe 80 1667. itt was, that last Saturday in y^ afternoon, as Sir Thomas AA'as going through Bar- nett, he was espied, and pursvied and taken, and carried before y^ next Justice of Peace as a Murderer, who committed him immediately to Newgate, and all the friends that all our interest could make could not prevent itt ; and hee is yett there, though I hope to-morrow morninge to prevaile with the SherifFe, that he may be removed to a private confinement. I shall engage all the interest I have in y* worlde for his removall out of that ugly place, which will be with difficulty pro- cured: the Judges would take no bayle, and this misery (if not his ruin) he hath wilfully brought vipon himselfe ; I must plainly confess to you that his case is too bad to relate to any one but youi-selfe, and occasioned by his late folly, and the most inveterate malice of his too power- ful adversai'ies. " I doe intend to procure a license for you to come upp about a weeke before his triall, which will be the first of April next. I assure you, I was never more troubled and discontented in aU my life ; we must all pray for his happy deliver- ance, and use our utmost interests for him, which is not in y"" least neglected on 1667. 81 my part: pray lett nobody know that thinges are see badd, I have writt to my Lady to acquaint her the occasion of his stay, but very moderately ; in my next, which shall bee by the first, I will pro- cure soe muche tyme as to give you a more full relation of all thynges. I made account to have congratulated you at your Assizes, but prevented by these troubles, pray let me heare from you of all passages, for there's nothinge in y^ world more pleasing to me, than to hear of your happinesse : my true love to my Sister Welby, pray do not deject her, y® like to all my deare friends : I wish you, as I wish myselfe, and am for ever, your most affectionate afflicted Uncle, "W™- WiUiams. " I would not have you feare any dan- ger of life, tho' I write so disconsolately. Sir Thomas's horses are seized upon, and are at the * * * * at Barnett." Mr. Welby had another sister, Elinor, who married Sir Richard Earle, of Strag- glethoi-pc, Baronet : their son dying unmarried, bequeathed a large part of his property, together with Stragglethorpc, to his relations on his mother's side; who have in consequence added the name of Earle to that of Welby. ^^ 82 1667. Exlract. ♦Although flesh had been jjievious- ly prohibited diu'- iug Leut, Hen. VIII. published a Ijroclamatioii, in lo43, aUowiug the use of white meats, which continued in force luitil by proclamations of James I, in 1619 and 1625, and by Charles I, in 1627 and 1631, flesh was again wholly forbidden. Sir Richard Earle's father married Frances, daughter of Sir Edward Hartopp, Baronet, of Buckminster ; in the register of which parish is the following curious entry, noticed in Nicolls' History of Leicestershire. "I;^ William Lloyd, Vicar of Buck- minster, in the County of Leicester, having power by virtue of a statute in that case made, to license sick persons within my parish, to eat flesh on such days as are prohibited by the said statute,* do by these presents license and author- ize the Right Worshipful the Lady Frances Earle, wife to Sir Richard Earle, Baronet, and Mrs. Anne White, wife to Thomas White, Esquire, being both in the house of Sir Edward Hartopp their father, at Buckminster, in the County of Leicester, Baronet ; and being both sick and weak (the one miscarrying of a child, the other lying in childbed), and also Thomas Facie and Margaret Thorpe (serv-ants to the Right Worshipful Sir Edward Hartopp, Baronet), being both of them sick of agues, to eat flesh dming the time of their sickness, for the better and more speedy recovery of their health." "Dated at Buckminster, 27th April, 163L "William Lloyd." 1690. 83 1(190. Richard Welbv, Esquii-e, of Den- ton, youngest bro- ther to the above WiUiaiu Welby. 1G90. Letter to Mr. Welby, from Mr. Edward Payne, — orisrinal at Denton. Richard Welby, Esquii-e, youngest bro- ther of WilHam Welby, Esquire, became eventually heir to the family estates ; his brothers Richard, William and John twins, Thomas, and George, having died unmarried. Mr. Richard Welby was baptized at Denton, according to the Register, 9th of May, 1656, one year before his father's death. lie married Mary^ daughter and heiress of John Towers, Esquire, of Haddenhara Hall, in the Isle of Ely. The first part of this letter alludes to the excitement which prevailed in Lon- don, on the discovery of a Jacobite Plot, during King William's absence with the Congress, at the Hague, of which the fol- lowing accoimt is extracted from Rapin's History of England. " Another project was set on foot by the Jacobites in England, who thought the opportunit}' of the King's going to the Congress at the Hague, was not to be lost. They fancied it would be easy in his absence to bring about the resto- ration of King James, now that there was so small a force left in the kingdom, and the nation so incensed at a l)urdcn of fbiu- milhons of taxes." 1690. " The men that laid this design were the Earl of Clarendon, the Bishop of Ely (Dr. Turner), the Lord Preston, and his brother Mr, Graham, and Pen, the fa- mous Quaker. " It Avas resolved among them, that to prevent delays, some persons of quality and known abilities should go over to France, to transact the affair for the whole party. The Lord Preston, Mr. Ashton, a servant of King James' Queen, and Mr. Elliott, were pitched upon for that purpose, and to carry letters from those who had joined in the design to King James and his Queen. "The Bishop of Ely's letters were written in a very particular style. He undertook both for his elder brother and the rest of the family, which was plainly meant of Sancroft and the other deprived Bishops. "The man however of whom they hired the vessel suspecting all was not right, discovered the conspirators to Lord Car- marthen and others. "When the vessel was boarded. Lord Preston left his letters behind him in the hold, together with King James' signet ; and Ashton took them up, with a design of throwing them into the sea, but they 1690. 85 * Mr. Payne was the second hus- band of LadyEarle at the time of wri- ting to her brother, Mr. Welbv. were secured, and both the conspirators and their papers were brought to White- hall. The termination of the affair was that Ashton was executed, Lord Preston pardoned, Mr. Elliott was not tried for want of proof, the Earl of Clarendon com- mitted to the Tower, but soon released in consequence of his relationship to the Queen ; the Bishop of Ely, Grahame, and Penn absconded." " Jan. 10th, 1690. " Good Brother,* " I beg your pardon for not answering yours sooner, there being no news in Town worth sending was the only occasion ; but now there is a great searching after people concerned in this late discovered Plot ; one that is mightily sought after is the Bishop of Ely, who is deeply concerned and has absconded ; there has been great search- ing to-day after Mr. James Graham, who was Privy Purse to King James, but as yet they are neither of them taken ; yesterday there was a Gentlewoman sent to Newgate, who offered £10,000 bail, but it was refused ; her name I cannot as yet learn. Mr. Attorney General has sent my Lord Preston, Mr, Elyott, and Mr. Ashton word, tbat tht y must i)rc"])are M 86 1690. * Mr. John Welby was liuried at Den- ton, the 27 th of this month. ♦These ladies were daughters of Sir Edward Hussey, Bart., of Lincoln- shire. for their tryalls of Friday, which will bee at the Old Bayly. The King came back yesterday the winds being contrary. " I have here enclosed sent you some p'inted papers, to divert yourselves by the fire-side this cold weather, amongst which are remarked upon Sir Charles Sedley's speech, which I sent brother Welby by the last post. " My Lady Earle and Sir Richard (her son) joyn with me in presenting our services to all relations with you, and should be glad to hear brother John* was of a mending hand, but I fear this cold weather goes hard with him. " There is one piece of news I had almost forgot, and that is, that there is a match concluded between Mr. John New- ton and the Lady Bright,* who is sister to Mr. Pelham's lady at Brocklesby, and has, as is reported, a £1,000 per annum in jointure, and in money, jewels, and plate, £1,000. " Sir Richard and my Lady Earle de- sire your acceptance of their services, as doth 3^our obliged brother and servant, " Edw