1718. Nov. 5th. Edw. Browel302 went in night-gown to visit Sir William Blacket303 soon after his arrival-he begun to banter him, to ask where was the ringing of bells, the joy, and hurras of the mob for his well-come, had the mayor been to wait upon him, or any of the alderman, etc. Sir William] was then just going to ride out, but when he returned he went to Mr. Browel's, enquired for him and caned him, etc.

1718. Nov. 6th. Wood left B. discontented and uneasy, her illnatured sister up[b]raids her, etc. In Judge Hales's304 life a story of a gent. who had a neice, to whom he was guardian-upon a quarrell with the maid she run away-some malicious people reported he had killed his neice, and was brought to his tryal and like to have been condemned, but begged respite till next assizes and at them to the next-and yet could not hear of her, so that he bribed a young girl to appear-who, being discovered, he was condemned and executed, and after his death about a fortnight the neice came home: Judge Hales repented of his rashness.

1718. Nov. 7th. Upon debate about electing Sir W. Blackett mayor, 305 they objected his disaffection, and that General Wills had threatened to send a regiment of soldiers to quarter upon them if they did but he gott a letter from the Secretary of State, signifying their opinion of his loyalty, and he said for himself that he had kissed the king's hand, which was more than they had, or perhaps could do and they were more disaffected than he, etc.

1718. Nov. 8th. The mayor306 objected that Sir W[illiam] came seldom amongst them, and therefore could not be supposed to understand their statutes and customs, etc., he replyed, 'Mr. Mayor, that objection reaches yourself, for you never lived among us till the year of your mayoralty, and when that expires, you will, I suppose, return to Gate-side again.'

1718. Nov. 9th. Alderman Reay, 307 I think, objected that he kept a mistress, and debauched young women-he said, 'but I do not meddle with other men's wives, and in such a place as a church

302 Probably Edward Browell, son of Mark Browell of Newcastle, baptized at All Saints, 11 September, 1689; admitted to St. John's College, Cambridge, 14 June, 1707; rector of Romaldkirk until his death, 23 December, 1763. Cf. Richardson, Reprints of Rare Tracts, Biographies, vol. i.

303 Sir William Blackett of Newcastle and Wallington, bart., by Elizabeth, daughter and eventually heiress of Ralph Ord of West Ord, had a natural daughter, Elizabeth Ord, who was born on the 10th December, 1711. By a family arrangement, she was married to her putative father's nephew, Sir Walter Calverley, bart., who assumed the additional name of Blackett. Cf. Raine, North Durham, p. 253. Welford, Men of Mark, etc.

50 Burnet, Life and Death of Sir Matthew Hale, London, 1682.

305 Sir William Blackett, bart., who was elected mayor of Newcastle in 1718, was suspected to be a Jacobite.

306 Mr. Francis Rudston, the outgoing mayor of Newcastle.

S07 Henry Reay, alderman of Newcastle, and mayor in 1712 and 1729, died 18 October, 1734, aged 63, and was buried at Tynemouth Priory.

porch.' He was about chusing seventeen new common council-men, rakes and rabble-but the alderman opposed him and out-voted him. 1718. Nov. 10th. One esquire Piggot, that gave my uncle a living, was a great fighter-never took an affront-pummeled major Norton, a great fellow. He was reckoned an enemy to clergy because he made them drink their share-but being asked, he said, if they'll go they are welcome, but cared not to have any sober when the rest drunk, to observe their actions, etc.

1718. Nov. 11th. Dan Burgess308 preaching, said, 'I have but one whore in my congregation, and I'll fell her '-and making an offer to throw the bible, a great many bowed to shun the book-at which he said, 'I think I have nothing else but whores.' Of the Apostles leaving all and following Christ, he said, 'marry! what had they to leave but a few old fishing netts,' etc.

1718. Nov. 12th. Had a letter from cousin Robinson-she's very much out of order-begs uncle's charity (he says he'll give her something). One Kay, out of Yorkshire, come to arrest her husband, but by good luck their law allowed them fourteen days' warningand they intended for Ireland.

1718. Nov. 13th. Sugar black before it is boiled-treakle is the dross of the cane after boiling:-three sorts Venice treakle,' called Theriaca Andromachi, from the man that invented it, and 'London' and 'Common.' Rum is distilled from the malossus of

sugar, or what we call treakle. The Scotts begin to drink the Prince and Argyle, etc.

1718. Nov. 14th. Freight of ships but 67. since the peace, for they can go when they please before 177., for then they durst not stir without a convoy. Letter from W. Wood, Edinburgh, gives an

account that G. Snowdon understands not concord, cannot decline a noun, nor form a verb-a specimen of his Lattin in the letter.

1718. Nov. 15th. Jos. Nicholson's wife meets gent. in a wood— Mr. Brown comes to his house, sends him drunk to bed, and then applys to his wife. She takes notice of him and that gang and helps them to meat, the best, etc.; but, says Mr. Colingwood to me, if you or I was there we might fast ere she'd help us or bid us eat. They were both at Mr. Brown's once, and Jos. left his wife behind him all night.

1718. Nov. 16th. All St. John's voted for Dr. Bentley's expulsion save H. Fouch, and they carried the cause by 50:-it is to be tried at the Secretary's office says H. Fetherston. Charles says the family complain of hard usage, etc. Adam Barnes at Stoke, in Suffolk-desires me to solicit for a place here with uncle's-has 307. per annum and dear living.

1718. Nov. 17th. Charles and Harry declined message to the

309 Rev. Daniel Burgess (1645-1713) of Magdalen Hall, Oxford, some time master of Charleville school, co. Cork, afterwards minister of New Court Chapel, Carey Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields. Cf. Dictionary of National Biography.

family and gott Barnes-he says they are provoked highly, their clamours are loud and bitter,-talk of other kindnesses, stock and turn-over, etc., but would not accept satisfaction, and scorned all manner of correspondence with

1718. Nov. 18th. Writt to John Clark to pay Mr. Newcome when he received an account what the sum was-and Mr. Brig, a guinea by the first opportunity. Desired him to try bishop of London again, etc., insinuate that uncle would turn over living-and that granting me such favour should not be interpreted an earnest of another, etc. I insinuated as if I could be glad he would try some of his acquaintance to gett such a privilege of Lord Craven, or otherwould not insist upon a formal title, and thought that one that had qualified their number might give me leave (bare permission by word or writing I desired but), etc., being in an obscure place, etc. 1718. Nov. 19th. Desired to know of John Clark whether Thomas Grainger, senior and junior, had received my lettersbrother thinks he putt them in posthouse. Mr. Colingwood very civil and obliging this time, but when I went with Mr. Brown (about the time uncle had signified his resentments for his toasting M. Anderson, etc.) he seemed inclined to affront me asking if I would smoak, and then himself replied-not at present,' etc., it was either about this or drinking brandy-looked like an insinuation, as if he would have 'em think I did sometimes, etc.

Uncle

1718. Nov. 20th. Mr. Park fell of his horse, coming from Alnwick, into a quarry-was dead when taken up, but came to himself after a sleep, etc. Warrants came out to take up rebels, and they seized G. Storey, and Justice Colingwood lett him go upon the word of his brother, H. Potts and Humphrey Maving, etc. had just then an excommunication against him, and in a letter to Fergus Storey 309 had taken notice of the danger he was in from that quarter, which made some people think (uncle fears) that he had informed, etc.

1718. Nov. 21st. A Capias against Eleanor Robson-she would not go, etc. We churched G. Storey's wife and yet uncle does not allow their marriage-presented for living in fornication. R. Snowdon and Christopher quarrelled about the wall he has builtthe latter in great rage called him sirrah' and rascal, etc. Robin had nothing to say but, there's a fine scholar, to call one sirrah and rascal,' etc. It is on Christopher's own ground and what Robin had before advised, etc.

1718. Nov. 22nd. Uncle for cutting down a tree which Ned Ogle claims, and they say was thought theirs by his father and grandfather. Mrs. Ogle says he shall have her heart blood first. R. Storer has sold John Clennel a house very dear and gott the money -and now when it is found that he cannot give a title without a

309 Mr. Fergus Storey of Harehope and Beanley, married Dorothy, daughter of John Proctor of Shawdon, and died in the month of July, 1727. A pedigree of Storey is given in the new History of Northumberland, vol. vii. p. 185.

fine passing, thô he had promised to pay for one, yet will not do it, and thô John Clennell promises to be 20s. of it and he insists upon 50s.; when the fine both for this and his house, etc., at Harbuttle will cost but 57.-and that nothing to Clennell, etc.

1718. Nov. 23rd. A. Douglas criminal with John Pery's wifefound his father with her once, when he had the same intentionsconfessed it to Mr. Guild and asked his advice, etc., is now very penitent and good, etc. When last at Whickham, uncle would fain have been in with the business of the mill, etc., was for being sharer in the profits, etc., but uncle Robert told him that was against the canons, and had not he been railing against Mr. Nisbet for such doings-who is to be indited at sessions (people say), for farming, forestalling and facturing.

1718. Nov. 24th. Uncle [spoke] of that project of sharing in the profits then he would have the writings drawn in his name for fear alderman Ridley,310 etc., might do uncle Robert some prejudice relating to the lecture-ship of St. Nicholas and when that would not do he was for having uncle Robert to build the mills, when he knew that he had not money, etc., and must apply to him. Would [have] had uncle Robert to enter into bond with alderman Reed for security for the 1,0007. He was to lend the alderman, i.e., in effect to oblige the alderman's father to settle some estate which the alderman has in possession but not writings, which is to be security for the 1,0007.—which how unreasonable, etc.

1718. Nov. 25th. Went to G. Hummell's to dinner-very good. People seem to think uncle guilty of breach of that charity, which he recommends, etc., in Eleanor Robson's case. Said he would have a better school, these masters had no authority, and he had complaints of them-would have Mr. Wood, etc. Mrs. Hall netled said he promised gent. to putt him in preist's orders in a year's time, etc., and had done them harm by making school free.

1718. Nov. 26th. Kate in great passion about taking away the stones-we showed our charity, etc., and John said 'might overcame right,' and Tom that we would have taken down the little house rather than have wanted, etc. R. Storer takes 3d. for half pound of powder and 2d. my bottle of oyl, when Robin getts the first for 24d. and the other for a penny of Fan. Simson.

1718. Nov. 27th. Went to Alnwick-Nicholas Hunter depretiated my mare to uncle most sadly, etc. Mr. Greave311 kind with a neice and plagues his old wife-he was their servant and, out of kindness, her former husband taught him law, and when he died, his wife married him. Mr. Forster's wife was a servant, or very ordinary woman.

310 Notices of Richard Ridley of Heaton, alderman of Newcastle, may be found in Welford, Men of Mark.

311 Richard Grieve of Alnwick, Elizabeth, widow of Thompson. vii. p. 399.

solicitor, and of Swarland, married first See new History of Northumberland, vol.

1718. Nov. 28th. Young Parson Burrell312 courts Mrs. Jane Brown. Her father steward to the earl of Tankerville at Chillingham --he laid out money for Lord Ossalton in cloaths and horse, etc., when he came from Holland in quest of butcher's daughter,313 but the earl would not repay it-nor will not see him, etc.

1718. Nov. 29th. A young woman near the Borders married out of a window, the parson (in a miller's coat) and the bridegroom out of doors-and the father had the key of her chamber in his pocket. Match between T. Selby and M. Grey like to be broke of her father will not give above 20 or 30 guineas.

1718. Nov. 30th. Was at G. Brown's to baptize his child,314 thô it was not sick-is not this partiality, says Mr. Hall. Voted for a supply to the king, etc. Walpole objected against the sum, that it was more by [blank] than Marlborough had in Flanders, but it was carried against him-1 to 97.

1718. Dec. 1st. Witness to a will where uncle and Rob. Snowdon are trustees, for wife and child-to pay for lease compounding and to re-imburse them selves out of yearly profits of it and allow them the remainder-and when they are paid-the wife to have thirds of lease and the rest for son-to make him a fuller-one Fletcher315 of the Hill-head-Will made after his death 5 days, and 3 witnesses to his verbal will, less insufficient. Jane lends- -to the widowRob. Snowdon bound with her for payment.

1718. Dec. 2nd. Dr. Mede in a letter to Dr. Twisse,3 316 supposes no inhabitants in America till since our Saviour, no monuments of antiquity above that, etc. He says the devil being impatient of the sound of the gospell, and foreseeing his kingdom would go near to be destroyed he thought to provide himself of a seed, over which he might reign securely-and so drew a colony of some people on the Northern Ocean to America, promising them by oracle to show them a better country, etc. Out of the memorials of their own kingdom, the Mexicans relate their coming from the North-and not being above 400 years standing when we discovered them-led by their God Vitzilipukli, going before them in an ark, etc.

312 Mr. William Burrell of Broome park, vicar of Chatton (1713-1752), did not marry Miss Jane Brown but Philadelphia, daughter of Bryan Grey of Kyloe. Cf. new History of Northumberland, vol. vii. p. 223.

318 This statement refers to the romantic courtship and subsequent marriage of Charles, third Earl of Tankerville, with Camilla, daughter of Edward Colville of Whitehouse, near Gateshead, a lady who adorned the situation to which she was raised by her marriage. (f. Monthly Chronicle of North Country Lore and Legend, vol. for 1887, p. 274.

314 1718. Nov. 30th. George, filius George Brown, junior, Longhaugh, baptized. Rothbury Registers.

315 1718. Nov. 30th. Robert Fletcher, Hill-head, buried. Registers.

Rothbury

The testator had apparently made a nuncupative deathbed will, which was subsequently reduced to writing.

316 William Twisse, D.D. (1578-1646), rector of Newbury, Berks, was buried in Westminster Abbey. Cf. Dictionary of National Biography.