394 Family of Onley of Northamptonshire. priate rectory of Staverton to the vicarage," and proceeds to relate that "the Doctor's father is said to have attended as a porter to a tavern in the Strand; and a gentleman of the name of Ouley wanting a porter, and old Onley being called, the gentleman was struck with the similarity of their names; and his inquiries respecting the porter's family, connexions, and situaation, proving satisfactory, he adopted Nicholas his only son, sent him to Westminster School, and left him his fortune, part of which was the impropriate rectory and advowson of Staverton. The Doctor was elected from the foundation of Westminster School to Christ's Church College, Oxford, in 1658, was Master of the Savoy and Prebendary of Westminster, and died in 1724." Upon this account may I be permitted to ground two or three questions, not dictated by any suspicion of want of accuracy or authenticity in regard to the passage cited: for the indefatigable industry of the writer of that statement sufficiently secures him, at least in my mind, from any such imputation; but for the purpose of reconciling some seemingly conflicting evidence to be elsewhere met with. But that this may be brought fairly to the test, I must in the first place remark that in the pedigree of Onley of Catesby, in the History of Northamptonshire, Edward Onley, esq. (who succeeded to the estate on the death of his uncle Sir Edward, s. p. in 1638) is said to have "sold Catesby:" and to have died in 1664-5, leaving a daughter Margaret, who was married to George Vernon of Sudbury, co. Derby. In the accompanying account of the family, when speaking of this Edward Onley, esq. nephew and heir-at-law of Sir Edward, &c. he is expressly said to have been the person "by whom Catesby was sold to John Parkhurst, esq. Now I beg leave to say that I have before me the copy of an indenture dated 11 Dec. 22 Car. II., by which George Vernon of Sudbury, com. Derby, esq. conveys to Nicholas Onley of Catesby, com. North'ton, esq. and others, for 18007., "the manor or lordship of Catesby, and the rectory or parsonage impropriate of Staverton, alias Starton, a messuage or farm and lands in Staverton, and the manor of Hellidon." [Nov. Yet in the "Parochial History of Hellidon," the Historian of Northamp tonshire states, that Thomas, son and heir of George Marriott, who was born about 1600, or his immediate successor, alienated that manor to the Onleys, of which family both Catesby and Hellidon were purchased by John Parkhurst, esq." [Baker's History of Northampton, p. 397.] If the period of such alienation could be ascertained, it might explain this discrepancy: but at present cannot but suspect some error either in the authorities upon which Mr. Baker has founded his relation, or in the sources whence have arisen the tradition respecting Dr. Onley, if not in both. In the indenture above-mentioned, both manors of Catesby and Helidon appear to have been conveyed at the same time, to Nicholas Onley, by Vernon, who had married the heiress of Edward Onley; and who sold them in 1670, some years after the death of the latter:-not Onley himself. And Nicholas Onley, to whom those manors were, according to the authority of this instrument, so conveyed, is styled esquire: which, although not incompatible with his having taken his Master's degree in 1664, might rather lead to the supposition that he was not then in holy orders, if he were in reality the same Nicholas whose fortunate advancement has been already noticed: -and yet Nicholas Only was installed Prebendary of Westminster, 17th July, 1672, according to Le Neve, [Fasti, p. 373.] and is designated S. T. P. Í have purposely copied the different modes of spelling the name by Le Neve, in order to remark that amongst the Oxford graduates he is entered as Nich. Onely and it does not appear when or where he obtained his doctor's degree, unless he was that Nicholas Onley, who was so created at Cambridge, per literas Regias, in 1671:which was most probably the fact. According to the pedigree of Onley, as inserted in Mr. Baker's History, p. 287, Edward Onley, who died in 1664-5, was the last of that family seated at Catesby. Who then was Edward Onley of Catesby, esq. party to a deed dated 29 Sept. 22 Car. II.; to which Sir Henry Delves, of Dodington, co. Cest. bart., Thomas Delves, esq, his son and heir, were also parties, as well as Tho. Townsend of Catesby; by which deed 1828.] Onley Family.-Manor of Braunston. the manor, advowson, and rectory of Plumpton in Northamptonshire, with other lands, &c. were conveyed for 10,300l.? Was this Edward Onley the son of Nicholas Onley before-mentioned, and who was called esquire within less than two years before he was D.D. and Prebendary of Westminster: and who is not only so entitled in the indenture before quoted, but in other documents; and by his name of Nich. Onley of Catesby, esq. conveyed to Francis Watson of Willesden, co. Middlesex, esq. the manor of Plump ton? Who was that Edward Onley of Catesby to whom Martin Hardrett of Streatham, co. Surrey, esq. and others, in consideration of a certain sum of money, conveyed, in 1649, the manor of Hellidon cum pert. in Northamp tonshire? Was he that Edward who married Margaret Stanton, and who was father of Margaret Vernon? If so, and he died in 1664-5, as appears by Mr. Baker's pedigree, he could not have been party to the indenture of 29 Sept. 22 Car. II., with Sir Henry Delves, bart., Tho. Delves, and the other persons mentioned therein. If Nicholas Onley, whether esquire or D.D., purchased of Vernon, it must be presumed that Catesby was not sold by Edward Onley, and that it was not a part of the fortune which tradition reports to have been bequeathed to that Nicholas Onley who was "Master of the Savoy and Prebendary of West minster," by the gentleman of "the name of Onley," whose accidental inquiry led to the adoption of this fortunate divine. Perhaps some explanation may be obtained by a continuation of the Onley pedigree from Thomas Onley, uncle of Edward and Richard, and devisee in remainder, and this favour, or any other elucida tion of what appears at present very obscure, will be much esteemed, together with any further particulars in addition to those already mentioned respecting Dr. Onley of Westminster. E. LYON. 395 Braunston, and Farndon in Northamptonshire, with messuages and lands there; and in Overthorpe, Nethurst, Huscote, Grimsbury, Middleton Cheney, Chacombe, Manton St. Lawrence, Wappenham, Whittlebury, Eyden, Woodford, and Badby, &c. &c. were in the reign of Charles the Second, conveyed by one indenture between George Holman of Warksworth, esq. to Ambrose Holbech and another, of which, as that circumstance is unnoticed by his predecessor Mr. Bridges, it may be satisfactory to him to be informed, as it will explain some passages in the last-mentioned author, which, for want of attention to it, are very obscure. Mr. URBAN, Wallingford, Oct. 25. A in some of the public prints, re NEW account having appeared specting the late disinterment of Hampden, differing in some particulars from the former statement, as it appeared in your Magazine for August (pp. 125, 6), pray indulge me with an opportunity of adding a remark or two, to those which I addressed to you on the subject of the original narrative. It seems that Lord Nugent still adheres to the opinion before expressed, of the identity of the body; notwithstanding the doubts acknowledged to have been entertained by some of the parties present at the exhumation, and the observations noticed to have een made upon that affair in your Sept. Magazine, p. 198. The writer of the additional account gives the following reasons for this confidence, and infers from them that there can be no grounds for doubts being longer entertained about the matter. 1st. That the Earl of Buckinghamshire has been lately heard to declare that his lordship entertains a similar opinion. 2dly. That all the coffins in the chancel at Hampden were examined, and from the dates and initials upon them, it was clear that none of the others (besides that which was opened) contained the body of the patriot. 3dly. That no other coffin besides that was covered with crimson velvet: Mr. Baker having expressed, in his account of Braunston, some uncertainty respecting the intermediate pos--and, sessors of that manor between the Isham family and the Webbs, it may not be altogether impertinent to mention that the manor of Warkworth, 4thly. That, being found close to the monument erected in memory of his wife, this must necessarily remove all doubt. 396 Remarks on the Disinterment of Hampden. To these several reasons in their order permit me to reply: 1st. That Lord Buckinghamshire, who certainly never saw Hampden Church until his ancestor had been buried at least a hundred and fifty years, cannot be imagined by any rule of argument to know more of the identity of the body, than those who saw "both arms cut off with a penknife," and yet are admitted by the new narrative to have still entertained doubts. 2dly. That even if all the coffins besides that which was opened had dates and initials upon them (which can scarcely be believed), yet as the one in question had neither date nor initial, nor any other mark whereby it could be known to contain the remains of Hampden, no legitimate inference could have been drawn from such a circumstance. 3dly. That being covered with crimson velvet (although perhaps crimson may be the appropriate livery of a Patriot) can scarcely be considered a satisfactory proof that was Hampden's coffin, even by the searchers themselves: because they would then surely have mentioned the important fact in regard to colour, which was not noticed in the original account! 4thly. In regard to the place in which the body was found:-there has been either a manifest error or a positive contradiction, which by no means strengthens the belief of identity in the minds of those who still presume to doubt. The original statement described the grave to have been "under the western window," "near the tablet to the memory of his beloved wife," and this information is made introductory to the following remark: "Without positive proof, it was reasonable to suppose that he would be interred near his adored partner, and this being found at her feel, it was unanimously agreed that the lid should be cut open," &c. The last statement says that it was found close to the monument, and thence that the identity is further proven. Now, Mr. Urban, the mural tablet which is inscribed to the memory of Hampden's first wife is between the windows: that is eastward of the western window. It is several feet above the pavement: therefore, the words "close to it," must without quibbling be understood to mean below it. There [Νον. it might be reasonable to suppose that Mrs. Hampden's corpse might be found: but if the Patriot were in reality placed at her feet, how could his coffin be discovered under the western window, unless her feet were placed where her head should have been? This I am not willing to suppose, because it would have been at variance with general custom; the feet being I believe in almost every instance placed towards the east. Rather than admit the probability of such a deviation from usual custom, I would suppose the heads of the examiners turned topsy-turvy, or that they could not distinguish the east from the west. If then this were the body of Hampden, and found under the western window, it could not have been close to the monument, nor at the feet of "his beloved wife :" at least of that wife for whom the monument was erected. His second wife was buried at Hampden also. Where were her remains? His eldest son, John Hampden, was buried at Hampden about a year or two years before him. [See Noble's Memoirs of Cromwell, vol. ii. p. 105, for an account of his death.] Another John Hampden was buried in 1696. He was not a patriot, but an adherent of the Duke of Monmouth. Several more John Hampdens were buried at Hampden. It would be as useless to cite the period of their respective deaths, as it would be silly to believe that all their coffins were examined; because some of them have slabs over their remains: but it is not impertinent to add that tradition assigns the nave not the chancel as the spot of the Patriot's interment : with what degree of probability I will not pretend to determine, unless that . Hampden, though he inherited the estate, never resided at Hampden but in his childhood: certainly after his marriage at Pyrton, where he was married to Miss Symeon. One word more about the credibility of his being buried with great pomp and a numerous procession, that is, the whole of the Earl of Essex's army, then having their head-quarters at Thame, who sang psalms all the way to Hampden, and all the way "The Lady Laetitia Vachel, second wife of John Hampden, esq. who was brought from Coley [Cowley] by Reading, and buried 29 March, 1666." 1928.] Extracts from old London Gazettes. back again, the day next following JOHN DE ALTA RIPA. P. S. In Nichols's Literary Anecdotes, vol. iv. p. 478, n., amongst the publications of the celebrated John Wilkes is "An Account of Hampden's Death, in which he differs from Lord Clarendon and all other historians, in describing his wound as not coming from the Enemy." Where are Mr. Wilkes's remarks to be found? Was this in allusion to Horace Walpole's story about the pistol, and Sir Robert Pye's narrative? Mr. URBAN, Oct. 10. PRESUMING that the Gazettes of 397 miliar to most readers, I beg leave to submit a few miscellaneous extracts from the advertisements for insertion in your pages. In making the selection, I have chiefly had in view the manners of the times, and such particulars as may illustrate the state of the arts. LICENSES. 1673, May 19. Advertisement. That all Justices of the Peace and others his Majesties Officers, whom it may concern, do take care that all persons that present publickly any Playes, Shows, or operations upon any Stage, &c. may produce their 'Licence under the hand and seal of Thomas Killegrew, Esquire, now Master of the Revels, and in case they want Licences, that they may be laid hold on, and the said Mr. Killegrew certified of the same. HERALDRY. 1677, May 7. There is newly published a set of Armorial Cards, comprising in a methodical method the whole body of Heraldry, with Rules sufficient to instruct any Gentleman in the knowledge of the said art, and blazoning any Coat of Arms usually born. The price 12d. and if illustrated in colours, 10s. a pair. Sold by Mr. Henry Brome, Bookseller, at the Gun, by the west end of St. Paul's, and by other booksellers. DRYDEN. 1678, March 25. All for Love; or, The World well Lost, a Tragedy, as it is acted at the Theatre Royal, and written in imitation of Shakespear's stile. By John Dryden, servant to his Majesty. Sold by H. Herringman, at the Blue Anchor in the Lower Walk of the New Exchange. Query. Is this tragedy said anywhere else to have been written in Shakspeare's style? IBID. 1679, Dec. 29. Whereas, John Dreyden, esq. was on Thursday, the 18th instant, at night, barbarously assaulted and wounded in Rose-street, in Covent-garden, by divers men unknown, if any person shall make discovery of the said offenders to the said Mr. Dreyden, or to any Justice of the Peace, he shall not only receive fifty pounds, which is deposited in the hands of Mr. Blanchard, Goldsmith, next door to Temple-bar, for the said purpose; but if he be a principal or an accessory in the said fact himself, his Majesty is graciously pleased to promise him his pardon for the same. AUCTIONS-SIR K. DIGBY. 1679, the 17th century are not very fa- March18. BIBLIOTHECA DIGBEIANA: 398 Extracts from London Gazettes.-Brunswick Clubs. or, the Libraries of the learned Sir Kenelm Digby, and the Right Honourable George, late Earl of Bristol, will be exposed to Sale by way of Auction, on Monday the 19th day of April next, at the Golden Lyon, over against the Queen's Head Tavern in Paternoster-row. The Catalogues are delivered by Henry Brome, at the Gun, and Benjamin Tooke, at the Ship, in St. Paul's Church-yard. AN ELEPHANT. 1683, Aug. 6. These are to give notice, that at Captain Francis Willsher's at Deptford, is an Elephant to be sold. A RHINOCEROS. 1684, Oct. 13. A very strange beast, called a RHYNOCEROS, lately brought from the East Indies, being the first that ever was in England, is daily to be seen at the Bell Savage Inn on Ludgate-hill, from nine o'clock in the morning till eight at night. JAMES II. 1684, Feb. 10. New. port [Pagnel], in Buckinghamshire. Yesterday his Majesty was proclaimed here with great joy and duty. Tomorrow the like will be done at Stony Stratford, and on Monday [16th] at Olney. THE POST OFFICE. 1685, Sept. 28. On the 29th instant a Post will be sent from the General Letter Office in London, to Edgeworth [Edgeware], to Barkehamsted, by way of Hemsted, to Ailsbury, by way of Tring, and to Buckingham, on the usual Post nights, three times a week, and return in like manner the usual Post days. [Nov. OTWAY. 1686, Oct. 29. Whereas Mr. Thomas Otway, some time before his death, made four Acts of a Play; whoever can give notice in whose hands the Copy lies, either of Mr. Thomas Betterton, or Mr. William Smith, at the Theatre Royal, shall be well rewarded for his pains. LONDON CRIES. 1688, March 22. There is now published the Cries and Habits of London, newly drawn after the Life, in great variety of Actions, curiously engraven upon fifty Copperplates, fit for the ingenious and lovers of art. Printed and sold by P. Tempest, over against Somerset-house, in the Strand. Many of the characters delineated in these plates, are mentioned by Granger in his Biographical History of England. Yours, &c. CYDWELI. Mr. URBAN, WITHOUT pretending to understand the precise nature or object of the Brunswick Clubs now being established in various parts of the country, or presuming to anticipate their political effects, it is at least evident that their supporters intend well. It may perhaps, therefore, be doubted whether the resolutions which have hitherto appeared as the result of such meetings, go far enough. They appear merely to be an avowal of attachment to principles of religion and policy of which no doubts can be entertained, in regard to those who thus associate, and who cannot be of the number of persons who are indisposed (from whatsoever cause) to the Established Church, or to a Protestant Government. I therefore hope it may not be ill-timed to send you the annexed copy of the declaration of the Association of Oxfordshire, in 1745, which I believe to be a very great curiosity (and apparently is not preserved in your valuable series), having myself never met with By the two rebellions, are probably any other of the circulars which were meant those of Monmouth and Argyle. then distributed, besides that from THE RHINOCEROS. 1685, March which the following is transcribed. It 22. These are to give notice, that is printed on an ordinary folio page, this strange beast, called the Rhyno- and was found amongst the papers of a ceros, will be sent beyond Sea, and Baronet lately deceased, the son of one therefore will not be seen in this City of the subscribers. Amongst the names after the 14th of April next, which it will be recognized many still connectmay be in the mean time at the Belled with Oxfordshire and the adjacent Savage on Ludgate-hill. HISTORICAL CARDS. 1685, Dec. 3. A new Pack of Cards, representing (in curious lively figures) the two late Rebellions throughout the whole course thereof in both Kingdoms. Price one Shilling. Sold by D. Brown, at the Black Swan and Bible, without Templebar, and A. Jones, at the Flying Horse in Fleet-street, near St. Dunstan's Church. This animal appears by another advertisement to have been purchased by John Langley, merchant, of Islington. counties, and the relatives and descendants of the parties may be pleased to see the noble example set by their ancestry: whilst others may perhaps find |