Communicated by Mr. James Waylen. 101 
Thus both the sisters suffered terribly, though from opposite 
quarters. Lady Ellen Drake, having been “ totally ruined and un- 
done by the King’s forces,” such is the language of the Commons’ 
Journals, yet being for the present on the winning side, obtained in 
London partial compensation in various forms, as set forth in the 
said Journals, September, 1644, and March, 1647-8; and in the 
settlement of Lord Pawlet’s fine, the sum of £1500 was handed over 
toher, The Countess of Marlborough’s turn for recovered prosperity 
had to come somewhat later, namely, at the Restoration, when her 
husband speedily enjoyed the royal favour. At the same time it 
was deemed advisable that the Drakes, representing as they did the 
illustrious Sir Francis, should not be subjected to political eclipse, 
and a baronetey was accordingly conferred on Mr. Drake, who 
thereupon re-built the mansion of Ashe. But there was another 
Countess of Marlborough prominent at this crisis, whose action 
_ next demands our notice. This was the widow of 
Simm Henry Ley, of Teffont Ewyas, Suconp Eart or Mart- 
_ BoroveH, who himself dying just before the war broke out, left, 
) together with the widow aforesaid, two children, Elizabeth, who 
_ died unmarried very shortly after, and James, his son and successor, 
The widow was Mary, daughter of Sir Arthur Capel, of Hadham, 
Kent. Eventually she became the wife of Colonel William Wancklyn, 
of Westbury ; of which more hereafter. 
Sm James Ley, of Teffont Ewyas, Tuirp Eart or Mariporoven. 
This nobleman, comparatively a mere youth when hostilities com- 
 menced, was for awhile riding in arms along with his kinsman, 
Lord Seymour, of Marlborough Castle; but adopting the naval 
profession he ceased to be conspicuous on land. He was one of that 
small band of officers of the fleet who refused to acknowledge the 
ascendancy of the Parliament; and getting possession of two or 
three ships he continued for many years to play the part of a sea- 
rover in the King’s name. While thus engaged he left his small 
estate in Wiltshire to the care of his mother and of his sister 
Elizabeth; and the following petition presented by that mother to 
the Goldsmiths’ Hall Committee will sufficiently exhibit what was 
F passing’ in his desolate home :— 
