A. D. 1704. Decease of Ambrose Rigge. I have made mention of this Friend in different places in my 2nd Volume (to which the Reader is referred by the Index) and have given in the plate, page 380, a copy of his autograph in the year before his decease. Ambrose Rigge was born at Banton in Westmorland, convinced of the Truth about the year 1652, and thereupon rejected by his parents. In some time after, he thought it his duty to appear as a minister among Friends; and travelled in this service, chiefly as appears in the Southern and Western Counties. He was the author of an Epistle to Friends, dated 1678, on the right conduct of their outward affairs. He suffered severely under all the governments of his time (till the Revolution) by most or all of the variety of penal laws, contrived for the distressing of Non-conformists. The fifth-monarchy-men had no sooner made their insurrection, than he was taken up as he was travelling, and carried before the Lieutenant of the county; who ordered him to be stripped and searched, sent away his mare, kept him all night under a guard, and on his refusing to swear imprisoned him at Winchester, where he lay four months. In 1662 he was taken from a religious Meeting, and committed to prison at Horsham: and at the next assizes indicted, tried immediately, and had sentence of Premunire passed upon him.'-' Upon that sentence he was kept in prison ten years, four months, and some days over! (h) His discharge took place under the Letters patent of Chas. II, by which so many of the Society obtained their freedom: and fourteen besides in the County of Sussex. (i) He was furiously persecuted after (h) Besse i, 713. (i) Idem. 717. skilled in the Mathematics, and in Natural and Moral philosophy; as several pieces of his own writing, in Latin &c. demonstrate; some of which have gone through divers impressions, in different parts of Europe, and are highly esteemed: Among his productions of this nature, his Experimenta Meletemata de plantarum generatione, or his Experiments on the Indian corn, or Maize of America, with his observations arising there from on the generation of plants, published in Latin, at Leyden in 1739, and afterwards in 1747 republished in London, with an English version on the opposite page, by Dr. John Fothergill, are both curious and ingenious. Along with this piece was likewise printed in Latin, at Leyden, another treatise by the same author, entitled, "Canonum pro inveniendis refractionum, tum simplicium, tum in lentibus duplicium focis, demonstrationes geometrica. Autore Jacobo Logan, Judice supremo et Præside provinciæ Pensilvaniensis, in America."—And, in his old age, he translated Cicero's excellent treatise, De senectute; which, with his explanatory notes, was printed in Philadelphia, with a preface or encomium by Benjamin Franklin afterwards Dr. Franklin, of that city, in 1744.-He was one of the people called Quakers, and died on the 31st of October, 1751, aged about 77 years;—leaving, as a monument of his public spirit and benevolence, to the people of Pennsylvania a Library, which he had been fifty years in collecting (since called the Loganian Library) intending it for the common use and benefit of all lovers of learning. It was said to contain the best editions of the best books, in various languages, arts and sciences; and to be the largest, and by far the most valuable collection of the kind, at that time, in this part of the world. "He had several children, who survived him; of whom his eldest son William lately deceased was, many years, a member of the Governor's Council." this for tithes by Robert Pepys, priest of Gatton; who procured his excommunication, with that of his wife and two servants-threatening his life also: and, again, imprisoned above a year for not going to 'Church.' He might well, therefore, say, when his last sickness indicated the approaching end of his troubles, I am going where the weary are at rest! 'He bore his sickness with much patience and resignation to the Divine will; and his love and esteem for the pure Truth abode with him to the last: declaring a little before his departure, If Friends kept to the root of Life in themselves, they would be the happiest people in the world.' (k) His remains were interred at Ryegate, Surrey, the 4th of the Twelfth Month: Aged above seventy, and a Minister about forty-nine years. A. D. John Estaugh and Richard Gove, two Ministers from America, 1704. going to visit Friends in Barbadoes, are taken by a French privateer and carried into Martinique. Being detained here about two months, they dispute with a Romish priest, and with a Major who read prayers to the English prisoners: having obtained their liberty they proceed on their service; after which they return home. (1) The master of the prize, being fifteen days at sea between Barbadoes and Martinique, attributed the tediousness of the passage to the quaker's bibles; which he would therefore sometimes threaten to throw overboard. The Irish priest, being presently worsted by John Estaugh before the other prisoners on the island, made his further assault on the bible (again) and left the marks of his violence on the book. The Major, losing a considerable part of his hearers, was at first provoked, and charged warmly on the Friends. But John Estaugh kept his own temper, against the other's menaces, and proceeded with his argument from Scripture. A text at length occurring of which the Major had no recollection, it occasioned a comparison of the respective bibles of the two disputants: which being found to agree perfectly, the candid officer gave up the point in debate, and treated them afterwards with much respect. When Colonel Byham, who came on the cartel, asked of the governor as a favour that they might accompany him to Antigua, "What-the two Apostles?' said the governor (for by that name they were now known) and consented to the proposal. So that it is probable some imprsession favourable to their doctrine was left on this island. 1705. An Act entitled Heretics, (but directed especially against the quakers) is passed in the colony of Connecticut, New England, and repealed by the Queen. It is grateful now to be occupied, after so much of a contrary nature, in recording acts of kindness and mercy. The following documents will sufficiently explain themselves: but I may add that our historian, in recording them, does justice to the amended temper and policy of the State in question, in his own time: when the quakers had obtained, there, not only the common protection of citizens, but an entire (k) Piety pr: pt. 4. Gough iv, 9: (1) Idem. iv, 149: and see note, forwards. exemption from all contributions to the support of the established ministry—a Century, and more, of advance in reformation before the Legislature at home! "At the Court of Kensington, the 11th day of October, 1705, Present, "His Royal Highness Prince George of Denmark, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Keeper, Lord Treasurer, Lord President, Duke of Somerset, Duke of Ormond, Earl of Ranelagh, Mr. Boyle Mr. Secretary Hedges, Mr. Earle. "A representation from the lords commissioners of trade and plantations, being this day read at the board, upon an act passed in her Majesty's colony of Connecticut, entitled only Heretics; whereby it is enacted, that all who shall entertain any Quakers, Ranters, Adamites, and other Heretics, are made liable to the penalty of five pounds, and five pounds per week for any town that shall so entertain them; That all quakers shall be committed to prison, or sent out of the colony; That whoever shall hold unnecessary discourse with Quakers, shall forfeit twenty shillings; That whosoever shall keep any Quakers' books, (the governor, magistrates, and elders excepted) shall forfeit ten shillings, and that all such books shall be suppressed; That no master of any vessel do land any Quaker without carrying them away again, under the penalty of twenty pounds: "And the said lords commissioners, humbly offering, that the said act be repealed by her majesty, it being contrary to the liberty of conscience indulged to dissenters by the laws of England; as also to the charter granted to that colony: "Her Majesty, with the advice of her privy council, is pleased to declare her disallowance and disapprobation of the said act; and pursuant to her majesty's royal pleasure thereupon, the said act passed in her majesty's colony of Connecticut in New-England, entitled Heretics, is hereby repealed, and declared null and void, and of none effect." In gratitude for this repeal, Friends in London thought it their duty to present an address to the Queen, which address, with her answer, are as followeth: "May it please the Queen, "We thy protestant dissenting subjects, commonly called Quakers, in London, having lately been the Queen's humble petitioners on the behalf of our friends in New England, against a law made in Connecticut colony for their suppression, which law the Queen has been graciously pleased to disallow and make void, "We now find ourselves engaged in duty and gratitude to make the just returns of our thankful acknowledgments to the Queen, for this eminent instance of in-. violably maintaining the Toleration; and do therefore humbly crave leave, on this occasion, to repeat the sincere assurance of our Christian and peaceable subjection, and unfeigned joy for the Queen's mild and gentle government; aiming at the good of all her people. 66 May the blessing of the Almighty so prosper and accomplish the Queen's just desires of union among her subjects, of firm peace in Europe, and of the increase of virtue, that in the delightful fruition thereof, the Queen may enjoy many days, and after a life of comfort be translated to a glorious immortality. Signed on behalf of the said people by John Field, "The Queen's Answer: "Let the gentlemen know I thank them heartily for this address, and that while they continue so good subjects, they need not doubt of my protection. "" 1705. Decease of John Blakeling, Gilbert Latey, Ann Camm. 1. John Blakeling of Draw-well in Sedbergh, Yorkshire, was one amongst the earliest professors of the doctrine of the quakers: himself, his wife, his father and mother, being people in good esteem for sobriety and a religious conversation, were all convinced by the ministry of George Fox in 1652. About the beginning of 1655, John Blakeling appeared as a minister of the same doctrine; and soon after travelled in the counties of Durham, Northumberland and York, extending his labours in the course of time to Scotland, and most of the remaining counties of England. His ministry was plain, substantial in important matter, and acceptable to his Friends: he was also very serviceable in the discipline, zealous for good order and against disorderly and licentious persons, who brought disrepute on the society. It was at his house, at Drawwell, that a memorable meeting was held, for the recovery of the Separatists from the society under Wilkinson and Story, in the year 1676. He had both the qualification and disposition to prevent misunderstandings, and promote peace: being possessed of penetration, judgment, and patience, with impartiality in reconciling differences about temporal things: his reputation for justice, and knowledge in which occasioned his friends to devolve upon him various trusts, which he discharged with integrity; so that his removal, even in an advanced age, was a sensible loss. But these marks of confidence did not prevent his being a considerable sufferer for his profession. In 1661, in company with many others, he was taken from a meeting at South Shields by Major Graham, deputy-governor of Tinmouth-castle. 'They were cast into filthy holes there, where they lay a month, and then he turned them out; having (so far as appeared) neither order, authority, nor warrant for his proceedings. In 1664, he was taken with many other friends from a meeting at Sedbergh, and committed to York castle. In 1683, he was prosecuted in the Archdeacon's court at Richmond, and by a writ de capiendo sent again to York castle, where he was confined several years. Under the infirmities of age, he expressed the comfort he enjoyed in the Lord's peace and presence with him: that his day's work was nigh done, and his reward, and rest with God, sure. He had a short sickness and an easy death, passing quietly out of this world in the eightieth year of his age, and was honourably interred in Friends burying place at Sedbergh. (a) 2. Gilbert Latey has been often mentioned in this work, as concerned in applications on Friends' behalf to the king. He was a Cornish man of reputable parentage, a tailor by trade, and settled in London, 1648. Being of sober conversation and sincerely religious, frequenting sermons with remarkable diligence, and exercising himself much in private prayer-his integrity procured him the employment (a) Gough iv, 23. and cordial regard of many persons of considerable rank in the world. But in the year 1654, in his search after those most eminent for piety and religious experience, he was led to hear Francis Howgill and Edward Burrough, who had lately brought the quaker-doctrine into London. By the powerful and convincing ministry of the latter, he was so effectually reached that he yielded assent to his testimony, and joined Friends. 6 He was now reduced by the power of the cross of Christ' first to plainness in his own apparel, renouncing all superfluity and ornament for himself; and then, to decline furnishing these to others. He lost in consequence the greatest part of his business; but not the esteem of his employers for whom (including King Chas. II) he continued, as it should seem, to work in plain articles of dress, as before: and the frequent access to their persons, consequent on this connexion, he employed for the help of his suffering Friends. He was the Friend who (in concert with George Fox) procured the release of Catharine Evans and Sarah Chevers from the Inquisition at Malta: and when the two Friends, having obtained their liberty, had returned to London, he introduced them to the Lord Daubigny, their benefactor in this release from a long captivity, to thank him. This Lord, who was also a Romish priest, and a man of a rational, liberal and generous spirit,' desired only their prayers for him in return; and said to Latey, Some of our people think your Friends are mad; but I entertain a very different opinion. (b) In 1665, when the pestilence broke out in London, he had provided a retreat for himself in the country: but reflecting on the case of his suffering Friends, immured for their testimony in Newgate and the Gate-house, and exposed to the contagion (of which many of them died) he was not easy to leave them. He kept his habitation and, according to his usual custom, visited those in prison, as well as Friends in their families (where they had the sickness) taking care that nothing should be wanting for their comfort and support: And the hearts of Friends being opened, in brotherly sympathy with those who were afflicted with this epidemical distemper, money was collected and sent up from the country to be distributed where needful. The care of this distribution was committed to Gilbert Latey and one other Friend, to divide amongst poor friends who were lying ill of the contagion; but more especially those that were shut up in their houses in the outparishes which trust they discharged with fidelity and diligence, Gilbert himself having at last an attack of the distemper, when the contagion was much abated; but by the favour of Divine providence came safely through it. (c) He was a minister, and of service in this capacity, chiefly among Friends in London and its neighbourhood: though he twice visited the meetings in his native country and by the way. In his first return from Cornwall, by his interest with a titled gentleman of Exeter, he procured (b) Gough iv, 30. (c) Idem. iv, 34: See also Whitehead, p. 291-313. |