The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

Benefactors to the Publique.

NICHOLAS DIXON, Parson for thirty years together of Cheshunt in this County. He was also Clerk of the Pipe-Office belonging to the Exchequer. See we here why the Officers of that place (as also those of the Chancery) were called Clerks, because Priests in Orders with Cure of Souls did formerly discharge those Offi∣ces. He was also Under-Treasurer, and at last Baron of the Chequer, when partly by his own bounty, and partly by Collection of others, He builded the Parish Church of Cheshunt (and that I assure you is a very fair one) with a Chancel to the Virgin Mary. Now for an Affidavit for the proof hereof, The Reader is referred to this his Epitaph inscribed in Cheshunt Chancel, more to be respected for the truth, then wit thereof.

O miserere Jesu famuli Dixon Nicolai, •…•…ui brevis hospitium tumulus p•…•…stat satis amplum. Istud qui Fanum ter denis Rexerat annis Ad cujus fabricam Bursas proprias, alienas, Solvit & allexit: quo crevit in ardua Templum. Pulchrum cancellum, tibi dat, pia Virgo novellum: Dum laudaris eo, famulo suffragia praestes. Clericus hic Pipae, subthesaurarius, inde Baro Scaccarii, se iuste gessit ubique Pacem pauperibus dans▪ * 1.1 cedat divitis iras. Larga manus relevat quos pauperies fera pressit. Anno Milleno: C. quater, bis bis deca Christi Octavo moriens, mutans terrestria caelis, Octobris Luce ter denâ transit ad astra, Auxiliare prece qui perlegis haec Nicholao, Ut sibi cum sanctis praestetur vita perennis.

The word Rexerat doth intimate that Cheshunt was then a Rectorie or Parsonage, though since impropriated and made a Vicarage. What a deal of doe does this piti∣ful Poet make with words at length, and Figures▪ and Latine, and Greek, to describe the date of his death? which (if I understand his signes aright) was October the thirtieth, one thousand four hundred fourty eight.

Sir RALPH JOSCELINE, son to Jefferie Josceline was born at * 1.2 Sabridgworth in this County, bred a Draper in London, whereof he was twice Mayor. Once Anno 1464, and ere the end of that year, was made Knight of the Bath by King Edward the Fourth, in the Field saith my * 1.3 Author. But seeing there is more of the Carpet then of the Camp in that Order, it is more probable what * 1.4 another writes, that he was invested Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of Elizabeth, Queen to the King aforesaid. He was Mayor again, Anno 1476. when he corrected the Bakers and Victuallers of the City, and by his diligence were the walls thereof repaired. Walls now a mere complement, serving more for the dividing then the defending of the City; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that as some forreign Cities cannot be seen for the walls, here the walls cannot be seen for the City. Sad were the case of London, if not better secured with bones within, then stones about it. Th•…•…s Sir Ralph died October the 25. Anno 1478. and was buried in the Church of Sabridgeworth.

JOHN INCENT, son of Robert Incent, and Katharine his wife was born at * 1.5 Berk∣hamsted in this County. He was afterwards a Doctor of Law, and advanced Anno 1543. (when Richard Sampson was preferred Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield) Dean of Saint Pauls. This John, probably invited by the example of another John (his mediate predecessour) Collet Dean of Pauls, Founded a fair Free-school in the Town of his Nativity, procuring it confirmed by act of Parliament, allowing the Master twenty, the Usher ten pounds Per annum. He died, as I collect, in the beginning of the Reign of King Edward the Sixth.

Sir THOMAS WHITE, son to Thomas White was born at Rixmansworth in this County, and afterwards bred a Merchant-Taylor in London, of which Citie he was Lord Mayor An. Dom. 1553. He first built Glocester-Hal, and afterwards built and endowed St. Johns Colledge in Oxford the Seminarie of many flourishing wits. He bestowed also a va•…•… summe of money on several Corporations to be imployed circularly for the be∣nefit of the poor Freemen therein. Ionce intended to have presented the Reader with an exact particular of his Benefactions, till seasonably I reversed my Resolution on this con∣sideration. Amongst the Jewes it was an injury for one removed further off in blood to do the Office of a Kinsman to the childless Widow, until the next of Kin had first disclaimed his interest therein; as in the Case of* 1.6 Ruth most plainly appeared. A son, I am sure is nearer then a Nephew, therefore it is a more proper performance for one bred in Ox∣ford, to Collect the particulars of his Bounty (who whither soever he went, left the Finger-marks of his Charity behind him;) Then for me distanced a degree farthrr off by my Education in another Universitie.

Since the Reformation.

RICHARD HALE Esquire, was born at Cudicot in this County, and bred a Gro∣cer in the Ciry of London; Where his industrious Endeavours were so blessed, that in a little time he got a great Estate. Wherefore in Expression of his Gratitude to God the giver thereof: He Founded a very fair School, allowing fourty pounds a year to the Master thereof at Hartford in this County. A place very prudently chosen for such a purpose. First because the prime Town in his Native Shire. Secondly, great the want of a School in that populous place. And lastly, because most pure the Aire thereof, so that Parents need not fear their Childrens loss of health for the gaining of Learning. He died Anno Dom. 16—0. Whose wealthy Family do still flourish with worth and worship at Kings-Walden in this County.

EDWARD BASH Knight, was born at Aldnam in this County, in the Mannor∣House then belonging to the noble Family of the Caries, (whereof Francis his Mother afterwards married to George Earle of Rutland was descended He was an hearty Gen∣tleman, and a good English Housekeeper, keeping a full Table with solid dishes on it, and welcome guests about it. And one may tearm him a valiant man, who durst be Ho∣spital in these dangerous dayes. Whilest living he was a Benefactor to Peter-house in Cambridge, wherein he was bred a Fellow Commoner. And at his death bequeathed more thereunto, the particulars whereof I have not yet attained. He gave also twenty ponnds per annum, for the maintenance of a Schoolmaster at Stansted in this County, where he had his constant habitation. He died Anno Dom. 1605.

Many other Benefactours this Shire hath of late afforded, and amongst them one born in Chessunt Parish, who Founded a School and Alms-house therein, whom we leave to be reckoned up by the Topographists of this County.

Notes

• * 1.1

  VVere not that O. thogra∣phy, Pseudogra∣phy, which al∣tereth the O∣riginal Copy. I had writ •…•…e∣dat with an S for so it ought to be written.
• * 1.2

  S•…•…owes sur∣vey of London, page 569.
• * 1.3

  Idem, Ibid.
• * 1.4

  Weavers Fun. Mon. p. 550.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Brit. in Hartford shire.
• * 1.6

  Ruth 4. 4.