TIIF. TOWN OF PELHAM. 55 



Among the Pell papers occurs the following letter from his curate, 

 the Rev. John Nye, dated: — 



Laindex, Feb. 10, 1677-8. 



Reveeexd Sir: — You expect, I presume, some intimations concerning the 

 place and people where, as your substitute, I serve the cure ; after tedious delib- 

 eration, I thought togive your worship the following notice, viz. : — As far as the 

 winter extremities, the incontiguity of country houses, and private necessities 

 do permit, our churches enjoy full congregations, the people being reverent and 

 observant, and lovers of the desk as well as pulpit. I know not one perfect dis- 

 senter; only Mr. Andrews, of Lainden, once held a conventicle in his house 

 since my coming. The appearance at Christmas communion was tolerable — 

 about twenty persons ; and we hope Easter will exceed. Our school is occupied 

 by a licensed, grave, and good man. All officers for church and town are legal- 

 ly qualified, i. e. men honest, able, judicious. All church ornaments and repairs 

 are exact, except only Barseldon, where two casualties are fallen, viz. : the bell 

 roof is ready to drop, and one side of the church needs shoring ; the total charges 

 are pre-estimated about fifty pounds. As for my own acceptance and success, it 

 is not wholly in vain, praised be God! I know not one drunkard nor swearer 

 amongst us, except only Gaffar Fryer of Lainden — who on many accounts for- 

 gets piety, but especially by swearing and miserableness. My Lord Bishop of 

 London urges the duty of catechising with much fervor ; I shall begin on the 17th 

 of Feb. next, being the first Sunday in Lent; but my lord (when I sued out a 

 license,) did profess Lent season too short for such a work, and hardly endured to 

 have the matter contested. Our parishes have not observed perambulations for 

 several years ; I suppose it will be convenient to stir them thereto against the 5th 

 of May next, Rogation Sunday, Reverend sir, I know your minutes are pre- 

 cious, your importances constant ; ergo, it is duty and love without rhetorical am- 

 bages, to profess myself, as I ought to appear, 



Tour worship's humble servant and ready curate. JOHN ISTE. 



Mr. Andrews (of whom my letter speaketh,) is a constant church- 

 man, attentive and observant at the common prayer, and carefully 

 avoideth sly reflections against the government ; but, as it seems, best 

 satisfied with the Presbyterian discipline. 



The same year of his appointment to Laindon he was made domestic 

 chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury. " It was expected he would 

 have risen to some of the highest dignities of the Church ; but, careless 

 of his interests, and neglectful of his pecuniary resources, he was 

 cheated by his tenants, and defrauded by his relatives, and never 

 attained to a higher rank than D.D. Finally, he was roused to a sense 

 of his imprudence in devoting all his time to study, by actually wanting 

 the necessaries of life ; but it was too late, he was committed to the 

 King's Bench prison for debt ; and though speedily released by those 

 who admired his talents, it seems to have had a fatal influence upon his 



