SIR JOHN STATHAM, OF WIGWELL. 45 
or practiced as an attorny. I name this because it’s comonly 
given out as if I look’d upon it as a disgrace, whereas the greatest 
of the Lords have had that Education, but it happened thus, my 
Father had many great suites under his managem* at his death, of 
which I was to take care & conduct to their desired period, 
(which I did by Mr. Bradbury an attorny,) & then to meddle 
with no new ones, but apply to the direction of these Lords, w™ I 
did, & was brought into Parliamt & was so countenanced 
by them as to have them consulting at my lodgeings dayly, where 
I have had some of the Judges and some that‘are now Lords 
come to Visit me &c. 
1. Then I was admitted & sworne of the Queen’s Privy 
Chamber, w™ gives the title of hon & preceeds the Judges. 
Then I was appointed Envoy to the Court of Turin & knighted 
& that Ambassad‘ with me in the Country. 
2. Then the good Queen died and I fear unfairly, for a 
Messeng" comeing for me I never left the Royal Corps. Was one 
of the 10 Envoys that supported the Canopy, with the 8 Dukes 
bearers. Tho’ my Ambassy was then over, yet it was a 2° claim 
to the title. 
3. Is as a Knight, wis a Degree of hon™ of the inferior 
Nobility, and ever had the title. y 
4. As I have after one life the contingent claime to a Peerage, 
& the Estate. In these licencious times when everyone claimes 
& enjoys titles they have no right to, if I had exerted my right, 
(which I did not,) no one c’ud blame me. 
The sons of Dukes wu’d be angry if you wu’d call ’em only 
Squires, & not Lords, & the Barr® at Law, & Sheriffs after 
their Shreivalties, or Justices of Peace out of Common, still are 
called ’Squires, tho’ really are not so, nor any but a Knight’s 
eldest son & his eldest son for ever. 
I have been more particuler in this, for have had serv’ that 
have lived with gen!" officers & eaven recruiting Officers they give 
that title to, tho’ I have forbid it, yet I have been despised for it 
by ignorant, envious & clownish people. 
5. The last title to it is by being Surveyo" Gen by Patent for 
