5°95 
The M. B. in February 1683, records: “Mr. John Masters 
bids ros, and to drowne 31 yeares and to take a new lease 
for forty two years of and in one Messuage or Inn called the 
white hart—Agreed a new lease be granted fine 20s and under 
the usuall rents and covenants.” 
Well advanced in years, Masters was Mayor in 1690-91, as 
ex-Mayor retaining position as a Justice afterwards. The M. B. 
records on the 18th of April 1692, (the day of his interment 
in the Abbey) that Mr. Benjamin Baber was appointed one of the 
Justices “in the place of Mr. John Masters, deceased.” 
' WILLY BATH 
26. 23 . O: IOHN + PEARCE «+ MERCER * = The 
Mercers Arms, 
i tN BATE « 1652 * = Te ] ts R ie 
a. 24 A variety reading MERCE for MERCER. 
The issuer of this Token probably carried on business in Cheap 
Street close to Cockes or Cocks Lane (now Union Passage). He 
was Mayor in 1650-1, 1659-60, and 1666-7. 
The following are extracts from the Abbey Registers :— 
1640. Apr. 7. John Pearce—Joane Childe Married 
1642. Sep. 11. William Son of John Pearce & Joane _—Christened 
1649. Jan. 20. ffrancis son of Mr. John Pearce & Joane 3 
1672. Jan. 27. Mr. John Pearce one of the Aldermen 
of this Cittie Burial 
Anthony-a-Wood in 1676, mentions as then in the “N. Isle” 
of the Abbey, “On another flat free stone—William the son of 
John Pearce, Aldsm: Obt 27 Dec 1671, aet 29. Ona blew 
marble stone—John Pearce one of the Ald.men & three times 
Mayor of this Citie. Ob. 17 Januar 1672, aet 58. 
John Pearce was a member of the Council in 1641, and one of 
¢ he Bailiffs in 1644, the Chamberlain then noting :— 
“Ttem of Mr. Druce & Mr. Pearce for 
the Rent of the Balywicke 10 — 00 —o0,” 
