330 



The Churches of Devizes. 



conceive, to the great abuse and disgrace of the honourable Parliament. By- 

 means whereof our preacher fearing, as was too much cause, what dangerous 

 effects such indecent and impious demeanours might produce, was enforced to 

 depart and dares not to come in sight ; so that we were destitute of preaching 

 this day. Whereof we thought good, being thereto, as we believe, bound in 

 duty and good conscience, to acquaint your worship withall, hoping by your 

 industrious means, these, our most intolerable grievances, may be taken into 

 religious consideration, and we thereof eased ; which we earnestly beg of you 

 our approved good friend and countryman may be effected. 



These aforesaid abuses can be (if occasion) witnessed by the whole congrega- 

 tion. From the Devizes, this present Sunday, 6th of September, 1646." 



1652. 29 April. Henry Johnson, 1 A.M.; presented on the death 



of John Shepherd. 



In Trinity Term, 14 Chas. II., [1674], an action of Debt was commenced in 

 the Court of King's Bench by this Rector, [through John Horton his Attorney], 

 against William Powell, an owner and occupier of 30 acres of Land and 29 acres of 

 Meadow, in the Old Park, to recover the sum of £180, being the treble value of 

 the Tithes subtracted according to the Statute. On Trial, however, by a Special 

 Jury at the Assizes in Wilts, a Verdict appears to have been returned in 

 favour of the Defendant, 



He died in 1681, and was buried in the Church of St. Mary, where a Monu- 

 ment of black marble was erected to his memory. This remained affixed to the 

 wall of the Chancel until 1854, when, notwithstanding its inscription " Post 

 tantos labores, $-c." it was, during some alterations, removed from thence, and 

 substituted for a paving stone in the floor of the nave. As the inscription 

 threatens, at no distant period, to be wholly obliterated, it has been carefully 

 copied, and will be found printed at length in a former Paper, p. 248. 



1655. In " Dring's Catalogue of the Lords, Knights, and Gen- 

 tlemen that have compounded for their estates" published 

 at this date, occurs the name of " Robert Bing, D.D., of 

 Allcannings, sometime Rector of Devizes." 



The date of his death 1658, is recorded by a rude inscription on one of the 

 walls of St. John's Church, where he was buried. 



1681. 24 Nov. James Dyer, clerk ; presented by the king 

 [Charles II.], on the death of Johnson. 



1 In an inquisition taken 1655 — it is reported that there is one Vicarage 

 with cure of Souls — number of families in both Parishes, 485 — Vicarage worth 

 £9 10s. 4<£. per annum ; the rest dependeth on good will of Inhabitants. Mr. 

 Henry Johnson, Incumbent, a diligent preacher once a Lordsday at each Church, 

 invested 29 April, 1652. Two augmentations were granted in 1646 of £50 per 

 annum to each Church — £30 of which presently fell away, and was never paid, 

 — £70 per annum paid for some time, but soon after £30 (sic) more fell away, 

 but £50 (sic) was still paid till about 18 months back by Eichd. Phelps of New 

 Sarum, but now detained for what reason we know not. 



