500 
Elizabeth, the wife of the issuer, was a daughter of Walter 
‘Chapman (see No. 12 Bath). 
The M. B. December 3oth, 1650, records :—‘‘ Whether Mr. 
Jobn Masters bee fit to bee Mr. Maiors (John Pearce) ffreeman 
or noe—Agreede that Mr. John Masters shall bee Mr. Maiors 
ffreeman,” the Chamberlain in 1651, notes :— 
“Itm of Mr. John Masters for his 
ffreedome 00 — 02 — oo” . 
On the rst of September, 1651, Masters was elected a member 
of the Council, and in his case accession to office was exceptionally 
rapid, as he was chosen one of the Bailiffs in the following 
October. In the Ch. Ac. for 1652 is the entry, 
“TItm of Mr. John Masters & Mr. Edward 
White ffor their Bayliwicke ffor ye 
yeare last past 13 — 06 — 08 
Itm paid Mr. Masters & Mr. White 
for business done for ye Corporaton or — 10 — 00” 
In the M. B., under date March 29th, 1652, appears :— 
‘“‘ Whether Mr. John Masters shall holde y* Ground called Bathe 
Comons for this yeare beginning y® 25th of March 1652 at y® rent 
of 120% per annum quarterly to be paid and y® feeding of ffower 
Oxen there till St Luke’s day next & finding good securitie for 
y° rent by munday next at y® Guildhall of y°® said Cittie to be 
approved of by y® Maior & Justices or not—Agreede by Genall 
consent that Mr. John Masters shall have y* Comons abovesayd 
under y® Conditions abovesayd.” On the minutes of the next 
meeting, May sth, 1652, is a recital that Masters had failed to 
furnish approved securities for the rent, and on the same day he 
seemingly gave up possession of the land, and by “generall 
consent ” Mr. Henry Chapman was granted the Common at the 
reduced rent of £110 until March 25th, 1653, he agreeing to 
“the pasturinge of the ffower Oxen there,” and to give “free 
liberty for the plough to carry out stones and bring in soyle,” 
“sivinge his bonds and paying y® rent as before provided.” 
Bos Se ee 
