sporting and Rural Records of the Cheveley ^Estate. 105 



Sir, 



If I should not see you before I go towards Newmarket (the end of 

 this month), don't think me ill-natured or disrespectful. I shall for near a 

 fortnight be tumbling up and downe in Dorset and Wilts, till I have got up 

 some money to take up part of my engagements, but I doubt I shan't 

 all. I could lodge a night with good content at your house, were my friend 

 Mrs. Nancey well, to help prattle with me, and had I new half ginney to be 

 out of my maid Mary's debt, which, indeed, 1 tried to get in London, of the 

 quiners, of whom I am promissed. I shall thinke of providing some present 

 for her father, to reimburs him for his trouble and charge to feed and take 

 care of my loose hawkes ; but, that you may take no advantage of any 

 promise, and another reason more powerful, I only add that I am your 

 nameless friend. 



September i6 — 90. 



Saxton Hall. 



Tregonwell 

 Frampton. 



In the absence of an\' authentic information, it is impossible 

 to say when Mr. Frampton first assumed the duties of Governor 

 or Keeper of the Racehorses of WilHam III.; an appointment 

 which he undoubtedly held at Newmarket under that King, Queen 

 Anne, George I., and George II. No patent, sign manual, or 

 warrant of any description can be found by which he or his prede- 

 cessors, or his successor, were appointed to that office. It Is 

 probable the situation was filled, and the duties of it exercised, by 

 different persons from the time of James I. ; nevertheless, the 

 holders of it do not appear to have been officially recognised, nor 

 to have had any locus standi in that capacity in any branch or 

 department of the Royal Household. 



In 1685 Andrew Cockayne, gentleman, presented a petition 

 to James II., in which he states that he was Yeoman Rider of 

 the Hunting Horses and Governor of the Running Horses at 

 Newmarket ; and that another person being made Governor of the 

 Running Horses, he became entitled to a pension of ;^i5o a year 

 out of the Privy Purse. That, having built a house at Newmarket, 

 Sir Stephen Fox, by his late Majesty's command, agreed with 

 him for it for ^^300, which was never paid, only the interest out 

 of the Cofferer's Office ; and he now prayed that there being due 



Keeper of the 



Racehorses of 



William III. 



His 



Predecessor in 



that Office. 



