By the Rev. J. E. Jackson, F.S.A. 279 



were the family of Webb, clothiers at Melksham, in 1650. In 1677 

 a Daniel Webb, of that town, married one of the Selfes, a family 

 of Beanacre near Melksham ; and, from certain private documents, 

 it is to be inferred that the Daniel Webb who appears as sheriff of 

 Wilts in 1711, was of Monkton Farley. 



A fragment of an old manuscript diary of 1721, lately lent to 

 me, happens to contain a few references to this place. The writer 

 was a Mr. Thomas Smith, of Shaw House, near Melksham, a gentle- 

 man of property. The journal chiefly records how, in the year 

 1721, the families in the neighbourhood ate, drank, and were merry; 

 that Mr. Webb, of Monkton Farley, shared in those convivialities, 

 and that, being in want of a little money, he borrowed it from his 

 friend Mr. Smith of Shaw House, and mortgaged this estate to 

 him. With the money so borrowed, certain improvements in the 

 house and grounds were made. Many rare trees and plants are 

 mentioned as being brought from Woolhampton, near Newbury. 

 Mr. Webb appears to have had no son. He had a spendthrift 

 nephew. The journalist reports that, being in London on some 

 business, " he was called up early one morning, about two o'clock, 

 and, at his coming downstairs, he found Mr. Webb, nephew to him 

 of Farley, in an extreme necessitous condition, having spent his 

 whole substance, and perfectly in want of the necessaries of life, 

 though not above twenty-six or t went)'- seven years of age ; a great 

 example of a base profligate temper. He came in a begging man- 

 ner, but I could have little time with him, the coach being ready." 

 On returning to Wiltshire, he goes over to Farley to speak with 

 the uncle upon the subject. 



Under June 22nd, 1721, is the following entry: — " I went to Mr. 

 Webb, of Farley, the report being that his house had been searched 

 for arras. At my coming there, I found one Mr. Gibbs, that is 

 Mayor of Westbury, and a farmer that had taken part of Mr. Webb's 

 estate ; and Mr. Webb told me that the day before, Mr. Duckett (of 

 Hartham), a Colonel of Militia, had been there with a warrant to 

 search, signed by himself, Mr. Montague (of Lackham), and Mr. 

 Long (of Rowdon), three Justices and Deputy-Lieutenants. Mr. 

 Duckett had come in a very civil manner, and so behaved himself 



