The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 26 · Section 16 – Section 17
Benefactors to the Publike.
THOMAS POPE Knight, was born in this City, as my worthy friend Doctor Seth Ward the Head, and others of the Society of Trinity colledge in Oxford have informed me. I behold him as fortunae suae fabrum, the Smith (who by Gods blessing) hammered out his own fortune without any Patrimonial advantage. Indeed he lived in an Age which one may call the harvest of wealth, wherein any that would work might get good wages at the dissolution of Abbyes.
Herein he was much employed, being under the Lord Cromwell, an instrument of the second magnitude, and lost nothing by his activity therein; however by all the Printed books of that age he appeareth one of a candid carriage, and in this respect stands sole and single by himself. That of the Abby Lands which he received, he refounded a considerable proportion for the building and endowing of Trinitycolledge in Oxford. He died as I collect about the beginning of the raign of Queen Elizabeth.
There are in Oxford shire many descendants from him continuing in a worshipful Estate, on the same token, that King James came in Progress to the house of Sir … Pope Knight, when his Lady was lately delivered of a daughter, which Babe was presented to King James with this Paper of Verses in her hand, which because they pleased the King I hope they will not displease the Reader;
See this little Mistress here,
Did never sit in Peters chair;
Or a triple Crown did wear,
And yet she is a Pope.
No Benefice she ever sold,
Nor did dispence with sins for Gold,
She hardly is a Sevenight Old,
And yet she is a Pope.
No King her feet did ever kiss,
Or had from her worse look then this;
Nor did she ever hope,
To saint one with a Rope.
And yet she is a Pope.
A female Pope you'l say, A second Joan,
No sure she is Pope Innocent or none.
I behold the Earl of Down in Ireland (but living in Oxford shire) the chief of the Family.
THOMAS CURSON born in Alhallows Lumbard street, Armorour, dwelt without Bishop-gate. It happened that a Stage-player borrowed a rusty Musket, which had lien long Leger in his Shop: now though his part was Comical he therewith acted an unexpected Tragedy, killing one of the standers by, the Gun casually going off on the Stage, which he suspected not to be Charged.
O the difference of divers mens in the tenderness of there Consciences! some are scarse touch'd with a wound, whilst others are wounded with a touch therein. This poor Armourer was highly afflicted therewith, though done against his will, yea without his knowledge, in his absence, by another, out of meer chance. Hereupon he resolved to give all his Estate to pious uses, no sooner had he gotten a round sum, but presently he posted with it in his Apron to the Court of Aldermen, and was in pain till by their direction he had setled it for the relief of poor in his own and otherJohn Cheston George Carter Parishes, and disposed of some hundreds of pounds accordingly, as I am credibly informed by the then Church-wardens of the said Parish. Thus as he conceived himself casually (though at great distance) to have occasioned the death of one, he was the immediate and direct cause of giving a comfortable living to many, he dyed Anno Domini 16.
EDWARD ALLIN was born in the aforesaid Parish near Devonshire-house, where now is the sign of the Pie. He was bred a Stage-player, a Calling which many have condemned, more have questioned, some few have excused, and far fewer consciencious people have commended. He was the Roscius of our age, so acting to the life, that he made any part (especially a Majestck one) to become him. He got a very great Estate, and in his old age following Christs Councel, (on what forcible motive belongs not to me to enquire) He made friends of his unrighteous Mammon. Building therewith a fair Colledge at Dulwich in Kent, for the relief of poor people.
Some I confess count it built on a foundred foundation, seeing in a spiritual sense none is good and lawfull money save what is honestly and industrously gotten; but perchance such who condemn Master Allin herein, have as bad Shillings in the bottome of their own bags if search were made therein; sure I am, no Hospital is tyed with better or stricter laws, that it may not Sagg from the intention of the Founder. The poor of his native Parish Saint Buttolph …ishopgate have a priviledge to be provided for therein before others. Thus he who out-acted others in his life, out did himfelf before his death, which happened Anno Domini 16.
WILLIAM PLAT was born in this City (as his Heir hath informed me) son to Sir Hugh Plat, grand-son to Richard Plat Alderman of London. He was a FellowCommo…er b…ed in Saint Johns colledge in Cambridge, and by his Will bequeathed thereunto Lands to maintain Fellows and Scholars, (Fellows at thirty, Schollars at ten pounds per annum) so many as the Estate would extend unto.
But this general and doubtful settlement was liable to long and great suits betwixt the Colledge and the Heirs of the said William, until Anno 1656. the same were happily compoled betwixt the Colledge and John Plat Clerk, (Heir to the foresaid William) when a settlement was made by mutual consent of four Scholars at ten, and two Fellows at fifty pounds per annum. Here I mention not thirty pounds yearly given by him to the poor of Hornsey and High-gate, with a Lecture founded therein. This William Plat died Anno 1637.
ALEXANDER STRANGE son to a Doctor in Law, was born in *So was I inform…d by his car…ful Ex… cutors.London, bred in Peter-house in Cambridge, where he commenced Bachelour of Divinity, and afterwards for *So read I in his Epitaph in the Chappel.forty six years was Vicar of Layston, and Prebend of Saint Pauls, where his Prebenda submersa the Corps whereof were drowned in, the Sea afforded him but a noble year.
Now, because Layston Church stood alone in the fields, and inconveniently for such who were to repair thereunto, he built at Buntingford (a thorow-road market, mostly in his Parish, a neat and strong Chappel è stipe collatitiâ, from the bounty others gave, and he gathered.) Wherefore having laid the foundation, before well furnished for the finishing thereof, he gave for his Motto,
Beg hard or beggard.
None could tax him (with the Scribes and Pharisees) for binding heavy burthens and * Mat. 23. 4.grievous to be born, and laying them on other mens shoulders, whilst he himself would not move them with one of his fingers. First, because the burthens were not heavy, being light in the particulars, though weighty in the total summe. Secondly, he bound them on none, but profest himself bound unto them, if pleased to take them up for a publick good. Thirdly, he put his, and that a bountiful hand unto them, purchasing land out of his own purse to pay for the daily reparation thereof. He also promoted the building of a Free-school in the said place, to which some sisters worsh…pfully born in the same Town, wealthily and honourably married, were the Foundresses, yet so as it will still be thankful to contributors thereunto for better accommodation.
This Master Strange being no less prosperous then painful in compounding all differences among his neighbours, being a man of peace went to eternal peace December 8. in the eightieth year of his age 1650.
To the Readér.
Pauperis est numerare, They have but few who have but a number. It passeth my power to compute the Benefactors Natives of this City, whose names are entred in fair Tables (the Counterpart of the Original no doubt kept in heaven,) in their respective Parishes; so that in this City it is as easy to find a Steeple without a Bell hanging in it, as a Vestry without such a Memorial fixed to it: Thither I refer the Reader for his better satisfaction, and proceed to the