THE CHURCH OF ST. ANDREW, PLYMOUTH. 225 
upon it. In 1652 twelve yards of green double baize were pur- 
chased for £1 7s. for lining Major-Gen. Desborough’s wife’s pew. 
The general’s pew took only 103 yards, and cost but 17s. 6d. In 
1653 two new pews were built in the chancel; and in the same 
year are several entries for work done to pews, for locks, keys, 
cramps, &c. Among other items charged are for four locks and 
sixteen keys for the mistresses’ pew doors, the mistresses being, as 
far as I can understand, the wives of the aldermen. These mis- 
tresses’ seats were behind the seats of the mayor and corporation. 
Query, was it in one of these seats that the altercation took place 
between my Lady Hawkins and Mrs. Downman, her former servant, 
the wife of the mayor, which ended in her ladyship boxing the 
ears of the lady mayoress, an insult to the town which Sir Richard 
was obliged to compromise by the gift of a house? 
For a sitting in the new pew in the chancel I find £3 charged 
the following year; and Mr. Hughes, probably moved with envy 
at the appearance of the pews of the Major-General and his wife, 
had his seat covered also with baize. Five new pews in 1658 
were erected in the gallery, and the following year four more in 
the south aisle. In 1661 and the following year many new seats 
were constructed, and there was constant dealing, chopping and 
changing, with regard to the pews generally. In 1672, £1 5s. 10d. 
was paid to William Boone for removing and making up the mid- 
wives’ seats near the font. We shall hear more about seats of this 
kind by and by. 
In 1679 isa very particular entry: ‘ Received of Thomas Spencer, 
doctor of physick, seven pounds in money, for the sitting of him- 
self, Sarah his wife, and their ten children; viz., Sarah, Bridgett, 
Rachell, Penelopy, Ann, Jane, Ulalia, Thomas, Samuel, and Henry, 
in a Seat in the Chancel in St. Andrew’s Church, in Plymouth, by 
him at his own cost erected and finished, with the approbation and 
consent of the Maior of this borough and the Churchwardens of 
the said parish, into which seat, during the lives of the said Doctor 
and his wife, or either of them, nor as long as five of his said 
children shall be living, no other person or persons are or is to be 
placed.” 
Dr. Durston also paid 5s. for adding a foot breadth to his seat ; 
and similar entries to these often occur. In 1682, paid Mr. Moore, 
the upholsterer, for new lining and fitting the midwife’s seat, at 
the request of the vicar, Mr. John Gilbert, £1 10s. 
