404 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



be acquired an ample fortune which he blamelessly and reasonably enjoyed 

 and generously dispensed for the reward of merit and the relief of misfortune. 

 His mind was inventive and original, yet perfectly sober and well regulated. 

 His character was decisive and commanding, without rashness or arrogance. 

 His probity was inflexible, his kindness unwearied, his manners simple and 

 dignified, and the cheerfulness of his temper was the natural reward of the ac- 

 tivity of his pure and useful life. He was most loved by them who knew him 

 best ; and he has left indelible impressions of affection and veneration on the 

 minds of his family, who have erected this monument to his memory." 



We insert the following account of former sittings in Stoke 

 Church, in order to preserve an evidence of the primitive distribu- 

 tion of seats in regard to rank, age, and worth, as well as the sepa- 

 ration of the men from the women in ancient places of public worship. 



April 3d, Anno Domini 1634. 



" By virtue of an order made by Robert, (by the Divine Provi- 

 dence of God,) Lord Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, John Mam- 

 waring, rector of the Parish Church of Stoke-upon-Trent, in the 

 county of Stafford, William Allen, and William Hill, Church- 

 wardens ; their and others their assistants, with the consent of all 

 or most of the parishioners, have placed the ancient householders of 

 the said parish in the seats in the said church as ensueth. 



Lichfield, July 12th, 1664. 



" If this be the right copy of the order of my worthy predecessor 

 the Lord Bishop Wright, I confirm it, appointing that the elder 

 parishioners, according to their deserving, be seated and preferred 



before the younger. 



"JOHN LICHFIELD AND COVENTRY. 



" The names of the parishioners of Stoke-upon-Trent, appointed to 

 place the parishioners in their seats, that have [so done] by com- 

 mon consent, and [whose arrangement was] allowed by my Lord 

 Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, Anno Domini 1668. 



" Imprimis. Robert Clayton, Thomas Tittensor the younger, 

 Thomas Barratt, Thomas Murhall, John Bucknall of the Gate, 

 John Bucknall of Bentiley, Robert Hunt, John Brown, John Hill, 

 Thomas Ames, Henry Brookes, and Richard Meire, who have 

 placed the parishioners as followeth : 



The South Side Men's Seats. 



11 1. Churchwardens for the time being. 



2. Thomas Hunt, Gent. John Brown, Gent. Thomas Fenton, John 

 and Thomas Lea. 



3. William Bagnall, John Machin, Richard Lovatt, Sir Richard Leveson's 

 tenement, and Robert Bagnall. 



