62 
JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
tion for seven years, or a fine of £100. The new Act reduced the 
fines for the first and second offences to 5s. and 10s.; but fined 
the preacher and the house-owner £20 for the first offence, and 
£40 for the second ; and there was a clause declaring that all 
doubts were to be given against the conventicles. 
William Jennens was again in his element. He fortified him- 
self by advice from the recorder, Sir John Maynard, as to the 
effect of the Act, and set heartily to work. So he and the mayor, 
"William Symons, were very busy, in August and September, going 
about with a body of soldiers hunting out and breaking up meet- 
ings, and committing the conventiclers to prison. Allen records 
the breaking up of one meeting at Robert Mening's, and of another 
at Mr. T y's ; which means I presume, Trelawny's. Then there 
was another meeting proceeded against at Thomas Yeabsley's. 
Several Quakers were sent to gaol, and special mention is made 
of one Abigail Libby. 
In 1672 Charles issued his famous declaration of indulgence, 
which allowed the license of Nonconformist preachers and meeting- 
houses. Under it there were licensed in Plymouth not only 
Sherwill and Martyn, but the younger Hughes, John Quicke, and 
George Mortimer, who had been ejected from Harberton, and 
apparently returned thither to minister. John Glanville, who had 
been proceeded against for not coming to church, had his house 
licensed for worship, as did Thomas Yeabsley. A house near 
Charles Church was also licensed, and the widow Menir's at 
Stonehouse. 
This illegal indulgence was speedily revoked, and persecution 
again broke out ; but I am unable for the next ten years to trace 
the course of events. During this period there were times when 
the Nonconformists practically enjoyed considerable liberty. There 
were also special local influences at work in their favour. The 
tone and temper of the corporate body changed gradually as the 
commission-intruded corporators died off, and new men were chosen 
to take their places. Moreover, powerful friends were not wanting. 
Chief of these was Brett, a wealthy merchant, who had served his 
apprenticeship with Samuel Northcote, the mayor removed and 
imprisoned in 1659, for scrupling to publish a proclamation of 
parliament in church. Brett was a great supporter of Noncon- 
formist ministers; and not only maintained whole families of 
Nonconformists in their need, but furnished them with means to 
