126 HISTORY OF HARTING. 



Harting, nor do I remember ever to have reed y 6 

 writings concerning them : but it appears to me very 

 certain that they must have been left in the custody of 

 Mr. Phillips : so that his chamber at Harting sh d - be 

 well searched : as also the closet within my father's 

 chamber there in w ch - he used to keep many of his 

 writings. I cannot possibly imagine upon what 

 grounds your troublesome adversary (Pa/son Tench) 

 should come to pretend any title to those lands : for 

 tho' before Harry y 6 8th they may possibly have 

 been Church Land, yet their very name shews they 

 could never belong to y 6 parsonage of Harting w*- is 

 a parochial Church and never had Canons belonging 

 to it : and I beleeve those lands formerly belong'd to 

 y* Abby of Durford w^ was of Canon Regulars. 

 Now, since you are in possession, he must shew his 

 title, w ch - I think it is impossible for him to do. 



" I have been in some paine concerning y e young 

 gentleman (the elder Pretender ?) who I formerly told 

 you was going into Italy because he was to go part of 

 journey by sea, and y e season has been very stormy, 

 nor did I hear any news of him in three weeks or a 

 month's time : but last night I received a letter \v ch - 

 tells me that he was safely arrived at Genoua after 

 having 'scap'd great danger by sea ; when he is at his 

 journey's end I suppose you will hear from him. 

 Coihend me kindly to all y 6 family, and believe me 

 to be, " Y re - always, 



"J. SOUTH."* 



A vigorous letter for an old gentleman of fourscore : 

 written in a clear upright hand, without a mistake. 

 The Parson's claim to Canon lands seems to have 

 been disposed of. 



Parson Tench was always in difficulties. His 

 creditors interrupted him, apparently on his way to 

 Church, and in 171 1 he offered his resignation to the 



* Add*- 28, 226, p. 1 10. 



