Historical antiquities, in two books the first treating in general of Great-Brettain and Ireland : the second containing particular remarks concerning Cheshire / faithfully collected out of authentick histories, old deeds, records, and evidences, by Sir Peter Leycester, Baronet ; whereunto is annexed a transcript of Doomsday-book, so far as it concerneth Cheshire, taken out of the original record.

CHAP. VIII.

A Catalogue of the Recorders of the City of Chester, since the Charter of 21 Hen. 7. 1506. when this City was made a distinct County of it self, to have a Mayor, Recorder, and twenty four Aldermen, with two Sheriffs, and forty of the Common-Council.

1506. RAufe Birkenhead is said to be the first Recorder.

1518. 10 H. 8. Richard Sneyd Esquire, was Recorder 1518, 10 Hen. 8. from whom the Sneyds of Bradwell and Keele in Staffordshire are descended.

1535. 27 H. 8. Raufe Wrine, Son of William Wrine, succeeded Recorder 1535.

1563 & 1574. William Gerard Esquire: I find him mentioned Recorder 5 & 16 Eliz. He was made Chancellor of Ireland, and died in May 1580. buried at the Cathedral of St. Werburge in Chester. Lib D. pag. 174. n.

1575. 17 Eliz. Richard Birkenhead Esquire, chosen Recorder of Chester 13 Martii, 17 Eliz. He surrendred this Office to Thomas Lawton 1601. in regard of his old Age, not able to Execute the same.

This Richard was base Son of John Birkenhead of Crowton, ut dicitur, and pur∣chased Manley at the side of Delamere Forest; and had to Wife Margaret, Daughter of Piers Leycester of Tabley Esquire, and had Issue

1601. 44 Eliz. Thomas Lawton Esquire, chosen Recorder of Chester, 12 Januarii, 44 Eliz. 1601.

1606. Thomas Gamull, a Citizen born, Son to Alderman Edmund Gamull of Chester, cho∣sen Recorder 7 Februarii, 3 Jacobi 1605. He died August 11. 1613.

1613. Edward Whitby, Son of Robert Whitby, then Mayor of Chester, was chosen Recor∣der 13 Augusti, 1613, 11 Jacobi. He died April 8. 1639. at the Bache.

1639. Robert Brierwood, a Citizen born, was chosen Recorder of Chester April 9. 15 Car. 1. 1639. He was Son of John Brierwood, Sheriff of this City: which John was Son of Robert Brierwood Wet-Glover, thrice Mayor of Chester. John had a younger Brother called Edward Brierwood, the famous Schollar of Brasen-Nose Colledge in Oxford, and afterwards Professor of Astronomy at Gresham Col∣ledge in London, who writ many Learned Books; scilicèt, a Treatise of the Sabbath, 1631. The Enquiry of Languages, Printed 1635. De Nummis, Printed 1614. besides his Logical Notes, and Tractate De Oculo, published by Sixsmith of Brasen-Nose.

Robert the Recorder had two Wives; the first was Anne, Daughter of Sir Randle Manwaring of Over-Pever the younger; the second was Katharine, Daughter of Sir Richard Lea of Lea and Dernhall in Cheshire; and had several Children by each of them. He was Sergeant at Law, Judge of three Shires in Wales, and was made Judge of the Common-Pleas, and Knighted at Oxford 1643. He died the eighth of September 1654. at Chester, aged 67 years, and buried in St. Maries Church at Chester.

1646. John Ratcliffe, a Citizen born, Son of Alderman John Ratcliffe, was chosen Re∣corder 17 Novembris, 1646. in the time of the late Rebellion, after the Sur∣render of Chester to the Parliament. He was put out, because he refused the Negative Oath; and Richard Haworth of Manchester Lawyer, was chosen Re∣corder 1651. and because Haworth would not reside constantly at Chester, he surrendred it to John Ratcliffe aforesaid; who was again chosen Recorder 1656. but was put out by the Commissioners for Regulating the Corporations of the City and County-Palatine of Chester, Anno Domini 1662. because he refused to take the Oath enjoyned by Act of Parliament in that behalf.

1662. Richard Lieving of Parridge in Derbyshire Esquire, was chosen Recorder by the Commissioners aforesaid, 1662, He died in the beginning of April 1667.

1667. William Williams, Son of Doctor Williams of Anglesey, was elected Recorder with the King's Approbation, 1667. a very acute young Gentleman.