Benefactors to the Publick.
A namelesse HERMITE (dwelling in the Hermitage where now the School is)* 1.1 on his own cost, caused Gravel to be digg'd in the Top of Hygate-hill (where now is a fair Pond of VVater) and therewith made a Causway from Hygate to Islington; a two handed Charity, providing water on the Hill, where it was wanting, and cleanesse in the Vale, which before (especially in Winter) was passed with much molestation.
ALICE Daughter of Thomas VVilkes, was a poor Maid born in Islington, where her Cap was casually shot through with an * 1.2 arrow without any hurt to her head. She afterwards was thrice married to Wealthy Husbands (whereof Iustice Owen the last) and built at Islington near to the place of her Deliverance, a proper Alms-house by her well endowed. This Lady expended to charitable uses here and elsewhere, what amounted to the full sum of two thousand three hundred pounds and upwards, and lyeth buryed as I take it in Islington.
Sir JULIUS CAESAR Knight, was born in this County, his Father having a house * 1.3 nigh unto Tottenham. His Father was a Doctor of Physick to Queen Elizabeth, and descended of the ancient Family of the Dalmarii in Italy. This his Son was bred in Oxford, and after other intermediate preferments, was advanced Chancelour of the Dutchy of Lancaster, and sworn a privie Counsellor on Sunday the 6. of July 1607.* 1.4 and afterwards was preferred Master of the Rouls.
A person of prodigious bounty to all of worth or want, so that he might seem to be Almoner General of the Nation. The Story is well known of a Gentleman, who once borrowing his Coach, (which was as well known to poor people as any Hospital in England) was so Rendevouzed about with Beggers in London that it cost him all the money in his purse to satisfie their importunity, so that he might have hired Twenty Coaches on the same Terms. Sir Francis Bacon Lord Verulam was Judicious in his Ele∣ction, when perceiving his Dissolution to approach, he made his last bed in effect in the house of Sr. Julius.
He continued more then 20 years Master of the Rolles, and though heaved at by some Expectants, sate still in his place well poyzed therein, with his Gravity and In∣tegrity. Vir tantarum Elemosynarum non movebitur, a man of so great alms and Pray∣ers (made by him and for him) shall not be removed. Nor was it without a prospe∣rous Omen, that his chief House in Hartford shire was called Benington, that is, Villa Benigna the bountiful Village, as one * 1.5 Author will have it, or as * 1.6 another Villa bene∣ficii the Town of Good Turns, from the River so named running by it. What shall I speak of his Arms, viz. Gules 3 Roses Argent on a Chief of the first, so many Roses of the Second, embleming the fragancy of the Memory he hath left behind him.* 1.7
His Monument in great St. Hellens London, being out of the road of ordinary fan∣cies, was thus designed by himself.
The ensuing Description is contrived in Form of a Deed, and imita∣teth Ruffled Parchment, in Allusion to his Office, as Master of the Rolles.
Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos hoc praesens Scriptum pervenerit. Sciatis, me Iulium Dalmare alias Caesarem Militem: Utriusque Doctorem; Elizabethae Reginae Supremae Curiae Admiralitatis judicem; & unum è Magistris libellorum, Iacobo Regi à Privalis Concilliis, Cancellarium Scaccarii Scriniorum Magistrum haec praesenti Charta mea confirmasse me Annuente Divino Numine naturae debitum libenter sol∣viturum,