Since the Reformation.
Th. Bell, twice Mayor of Glouc. was one of the first that brought the Trade of Capping into the City, and was Knighted by H. 8. He bought from the Crown, Blackfryers by the South-gate, where he built his House, and hard by it an Alms-house, endowing it with Com∣petent Revenues. His Daughter and Heir brought a fair Estate into the Families of the Dennis. He dyed in the beg. of the Reign of Queen Eliz.
Edw. Palmer, Esquire, (Uncle to Sir Th. Overbu∣ry) born at Limington, in this County, where his Ancestry have continued ever since the Conquest, was a curious and diligent Antiquary. He spent vast Sums of Money in pursuance of a design to erect an Acade∣my in Palmers-Island in Virginia; but before it was finished, he was Transplanted to another World, 1625.
Hugh Pirry, born in Wootton-under-edge, Merchant and Sher. in Lond. 1632. derived Water to the Town of Wootton at his own cost; and bequeathed 1000 l. for the building of an Alms-house there. Of 4 Daugh∣ters, the Eldest was Married to the Lord Fitz-Williams of Northam. He dyed An. 163—