1

CLXXVIII

2

HENRY OXINDEN TO HIS WIFE

3
5    I did write to thee by the Fryday post, and since by
6the Tuesday post, and have not omitted writing to thee by
7the Fryday and Tuesday Post since I came to London.

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8My mind is with thee howsoever I am forced to be absent
9from Thee. I see thy care and vigilance and thank Thee;
10mine is not wanting wherein I may. I have received thy
11Letter of Saturday last and Tuesday morning with the half
12shirt, band and cuffes and handkerchiffe.
13    If others I have to do with were as reall to mee as is Dr
14Hardres, Dr. Reading, Mr Aldy and Mr. Hannington I could
15not do amisse. Men here ar of another temper and a Man
16knows not how to beleive anie of them. I went to Lambeth
17with thy Noate of Cranbroke with my Brother Barrow
18and desired Dr. Porie, who hath Ickham and is a kinsman
19and favorite of the Archbishop, to help mee to either. Hee
20sayd Smarden and Cranbroke ar disposed of and the other
21dubious; but none know when these Men speake truth.
22Mr. Aylmer told my brother Richard and mee yesterday
23of a Divine came to a Bishop so often as being wearie
24is resolved to attend no longer. And my Brother told
25another storie of another Divine came to a Bishop, viz the
26Bishop of London (but I suppose it was some other Bishop,
27for hee is reputed to be honest) and told Him that hee came
28to acquaint Him of a liveing was said lately to be fallen by
29the Incumbent's decease and desired hee might have it:
30t'is said hee told Him it was true, but the liveing was disposed
31of the Night before; whereupon the Gent replyed
32that the Incumbent was as live as either of them, and hee
33sayd it to see their tricks etc and so in an anger departed.
34Whether this be true or noe in this particular these courses
35ar much in use. I thinke I may have some small Liveing:
36great ones ar exceeding difficult to be had. I have spoken
37with Sir Tho: Peyton twice and find him in such passions
38as I have no manner of hopes of his assistance; hee doth mee
39twice as much hurt as good; some bodie hath incensed Him
40very much against mee, you may quesseguesse who hath done it,
41the partie being not far from you. Wherby you may the
42lesse Wonder of the Indifferent Ladie's not giveing you a
43better answere, and that Charles Nichols is so silent;

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44for I beleive nobodie can perswade Him into a good temper
45towards mee.
46    My Brother and Cozin Dalison surely ar right enough
47in their Wishes as concerning somewhat so not in Kent;
48but all the assistance I do expect and find is from my Brother
49Barrow as yet; but if I get one step in the way I doubt not
50of getting farther, notwithstanding the difficulties I have as
51yet met with; and I am in some hopes that by the next Post
52I shall give Thee an account of somewhat done or likely
53to be done. I have yet had onely to doe with Billop, Mr.
54Wren's Secretary; and with Dr. Porie who hath Ickham
55and is a kinsman of the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, who
56tells mee that my Lord hath set down my name in Order
57to somewhatt. The Bishop of Winchester is not yet come
58to Town, so that I can make no tryall with him; but I beleive
59I must of Necessitie have my Orders up, whereby my Ordination
60may appeare as to the Arch Bishop of Canterbury or the
61Lord Chancellor. Trulie my Deare, I must have monie
62sent mee now out of hand or I shall be in straits as well for
63my occasions in being here as in way of attainment of what
64I aime at, for beleive mee I am as sparing as I can and yet
65by reason of going by water 4 or 5 times in a day, sending
66of Porters up and down etc, I am at more expence then you
67can imagine.
68    My Cozin Dallison had letters by the Tuesday post of
69Henry Oxinden's being very ill and that hee is grown as
70big as Sir George, whereby his long life is doubted of. Be
71sure, however you come not by my letters, that I write
72constantly by every Tuesday and Fryday post. Mr. Barling
73will keep in, do what anie can against Him; he will do anie
74thing rather then lose his liveing; however I beleive that
75is not intended mee. I read thy Letters over and over and
76over, for in them I see thee as well as I can. I am thine
77as much as possibly. I hope our Children are well. My
78service to all you think fitting to speake it to.
79    The rent of the red House and pasture feild to it
80is six pound the yeare; Hammond's close 6^l the yeare

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81and the wo Maydekens 12 shillings the Acre; it is 24
82acres.
83    If 12s the Acre cannot be had, rather then faile, eleven
84shilling the Acre.
85    It is now past 11 of the clock and I am invited to dine
86with Mr. Carpenter to a peice of venison where Mr
87Worstnam and Mr. Tho: Andrews ar allso invited and may
88not be absent. If Mr. John Andrews had been in Town
89to have spoke to my Lord Chancellor, something considerable
90might have been don with Mr Billop; as the case now stands
91I know no way under heaven so effectually probable as for
92thee to send to my brother Richard or my Cozin Dalison to
93lay out the 16^l adventured with my Cozin George to my
94best advantage and in case you do not pay it them againe in
95good time, they to have the benfitbenefit of it.
96    Surely, surely, without considerable monie nothing can
97considerably be done. The way is for a friend (as Ned
98Swan sayes and others beside him) to put a matter of 50 or
9960 peices into the secretarie's hand and not let the party that
100is to have the liveing know of it. I thinke thou wert best
101send up the silver Tanker to my brother to that effect:
102however if thou send mee no mony I can subsist no longer
103here; for to borrow will spoile all. I cannot say all I have
104a mind to say because letters ar broken open. I am in such
105hast as I know not what I have wrot. Dr. Gauden, Bishop
106of Worcester, is dead; Dr. Bargrave is newly chosen Prebend
107of Canterbury in roome of an old Prebend lately deceased
108and is now uppon going to Argiers to redeem some Captives.
109I met him at Lambeth upon Tuesday last. The Lord
110blesse you and preserve you and mee and ours. In extreme
111hast I rest Thine inexpressibly
112
114
115UNDATED. SEPTEMBER 1662
116

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117

CLXXIX

118

HENRY OXINDEN TO HIS WIFE

119

Sep 29. 1662

120
122    Mr. Hannington came to mee at 9 on Saturday. I
123thank thee for thy care in sending to mee. Be sure that
124nothing shall be squandered away can be prevented. I
125sent a letter to thee by the Fryday post. I will assure Thee
126that I have had such care in sending to Thee that I usually
127do not defer writing till the last houre and am as carefull to
128send them in good time as may bee. If there be any fault
129it is in some who are inquisitive to see into them. Dr.
130Pash wrot sure enough touching Norton and Stouermouth,
131and there was nothing omitted in mee could have been done
132concerning Stowermouth. Why Sir Tho. Peyton should
133tell anie bodie that I refused a liveing of a 100^l by the yeare
134I knowe not; for I have not refused anie: and none that I
135know of hath been offered mee. You know that you may
136beleive mee, how little truth soever there be in other men.
137I have 4 times waited upon Sir Tho. The first time hee
138tooke little notice of mee though I ernestly solliceted him:
139hee expressed his dislike of things too long to relate. However
140I pressed him in my behalfe and spake to him to speak

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141to the Lord Chancellor ect. What his answeres were and
142what were my replies will be to long to relate.
143    The second time my brother Barrow in like manner pressed
144him in my presence, but hee was then much at one as before.
145Then I wrot a letter to his lodgeing to him, so hee sent for
146mee, and wee had some discourse in a more friendly manner.
147The 4 time I was with Him hee spake to mee to dine with
148him and then hee at dinner before some strangers began my
149Lord Chancellor's health to mee and said that might signify
150somewhat. This is all the account I can give thee as concerning
151Him. T'is said hee and his family comes up to
152London upon Wedensday next, in order to go into Kent.
153His daughter, viz his 2^d daughter is upon recovery so as to
154come: and it is thought that his third daughter hath a
155sutor.
156    I intend to try Sir Tho. once more if I see Him. I think
157verily hee is better contented that I shall be neerer home then
158those you and I have said are not contented, whose design
159is to have mee placed as far as may be. You have advised
160mee well in being my own secretarie; howsoever I think
161Sir Robt Hales, Mr. Hannington and Ch. N. are some of
162our truest friends. Mr. Hannington and I were a Sunday
163last and heard a sermon at White Hall before the King.
164Dr. Bolton preached and that you may know that Mr. Hannington
165is of no ordinary esteeme, I will assure thee hee
166had such a presence with him as though a stranger to every
167one in the Church, hee was ushered in from his standing
168amongst severall gentlemen and seated next to the Bishop
169of London himselfe, and I finde him much in esteem amongst
170all them that have any acquaintance with Him. Smarden
171and Cranbrook are disposed of, Smarden is the best. Hedcorne
172is not as yet disposed of. I cannot as yet say farther
173then I, God willing, will not come home without doing
174somewhat, but of what consideration it will be I may get,
175I cannot tell. My Lord Bishop of Winchester came not
176to Town untill Saturday night last; his Secretary came upon
177Fryday last, and I have spake with him, and just as I met

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178him - I ment to have said a little before I met him - I
179MS. torn was a speaking to Dr. Gibbs who is brother to
180the Lady Deering; hee is now become Prebend of Westminster,
181who told mee the Lord Bishop of Winchester that
182ordeyned mee enquired of him concerning mee. I find by
183him that hee spake well of me to the Bishop: that which
184enduces mee to beleive as much is because hee gave mee his
185hand to my certificate. The Secretary aske mee if I were
186acquainted with him. I told him yes. The Secretary
187answered that if hee did but speake to the Bishop in my behalfe
188I could not faile. After which I spake to Dr. Gibbs to
189speak to the Bishop in my behalf: hee hath promised mee
190to speake: so that Mr. Swan being to go to him as yesterday,
191I provided a Maze ring of a noble price and sent it to him
192in a letter by Capt. Swan, in token of thanks for his love to
193mee. What the effect of this Negociation will be time will
194demonstrate. I foresee that I cannot possibly do what I
195would to the purpose I feare this fourth night at least (as
196you say now or never I must endeavour) SIX LINES OMITTED
197    The rent of the heder Horselease and farther horselease
198are, one with the other, 10^s or 11^s the Acre, as you can get,
199remembring that they that hire them pay for what is plowed
200and the carriing up of the dung; or else condition to plow so
201much and carry out so much dung; the upper Regdens and
202the long slip of Summerland, about that rate; the Heder
203and farther Cowleases about that rate, and the little field
204adioining to Cowlease, formerly called Giles pees - I refer
205things to thy discretion, knowing Thee to be careful and
206knowing how to advise with old Robt Jull or some others
207thou thinkest most fitt. As you find occasion do with the
208house at Barham and land, remembring that you do not give
209way to have the pasture feild next the house broke up SIX LINES OMITTED
210This day as I came from Westminster I saw the King and
211the Queen at dinner. I have received my Orders and what
212Thou didst send and give thee thanks for thy love. I
213have now bought mee a change. I hope that Thou and

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214our Children are in good health. I pray God blesse
215thee and them.
216
220
221

222

CLXXX

223

HENRY OXINDEN TO HIS WIFE

224
228    Saturday last thy Taffety came to my lodgeing in
229my absence. I sent a letter by the Tuesday and Fryday
230post whereby you may perceive that I could not come home
231without leaving my busines undon, which to tell thee the
232Truth was in no such for such forwardnes as Mr. Hannington thought.
233TWO LINES OMITTED Uppon Fryday my Brother Barrow and I were with
234Dr. Porie at Lambeth, and then hee told my Brother
235Barrow so much as hee and I gave it over, and so I went
236to my Brother Richard and told him that I had no hopes,

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237and that Dr. Porie's reason was, and all the reason hee could
238give; hee thought I was of a weakly and sickly constitution
239and preaching was a laborious work and would quickly bring
240mee to my end; or else I must be necessitated to keepe a
241Curate. But my Brother understood the matter aright and
242found that could not be his reall reason, and my Cosin
243Dalison told mee plainely nothing was to be done without
244mony; and therefore my Brother Richard should negociate
245the busines with my Brother barrow without mee, and try
246what might be done that way, so that I find my Brother
247Richard and my Cozin Dalison now to bee my most reall
248friends SIX LINES OMITTED A Fryday Night I went againe to Dr. Porie's
249house in Warwicke Court and asked him what hee could
250obiect agt mee, or whether anie body had said anything agt
251mee. Hee said nobody had said anything agt mee. I
252asked him if hee could object agt mee for learning: hee said
253hee was satifyed in that; I asked him if he could object agt
254my life and conversation; hee said, no; only he spake as
255before FIVE LINES OMITTED I met Sir Tho: Peyton today in Fleete
256street; hee asked mee if I were still in Town and called me
257Doctor, and so spake to a gentleman close by, so hee and I
258had no more words. Hee went at 3 of the clock to Twickenham.
259I would faine have spoken with Him before he went
260but could not; but sure enough hee will do mee no good.
261Thus far Saturday night. It is said that Dunkirk is sold
262to the French for four hundred thousand pound. Sir Tho.
263Peyton's daughter is not thorowly recovered. It is hoped
264shee will recover.
265    It is now about 12 of the clock, Mooneday noone and my
266Cozin Dalison is going to take water for Gravesend. Shee
267will bee at Deane Tuesday night.
268    I have wrot a letter by her to thee; there is nothing in it
269but what is in this, only something of my acknowledgement
270of My brother Richard's Love to mee and her Reality FOUR LINES OF REPETITION OMITTED
271Mr. Hannington had fifty shillings of you and mee; suppose

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272the dying of your silk come to 5^s, the horse 10^s, his meate
2733^s 6^d; that is 18s 6d. I know not how it could stand him
274in 31 shillings 6d more; unless hee spent more then hee
275needed. It may be hee was out of purse last time hee came
276to London with mee; yet I paid for him and mee that as I
277thinke mattered in everything except where hee would
278fling away his monie. I cannot tell with whom hee left
279my daughter Hobart's ring. My Cozin Dalison intends
280to stay about 10 dayes as shee sayes. T'is shee that must
281do mee what kindnes is to be done when all comes to all;
282and therefore may observe her what you can, as indeed wee
283ought.
284    My Horse is at Mr. Marlo's at the dark house in Gravesend:
285I wish I had sent for him home within 3 or 4 dayes after I
286left him there: he will have been 5 weekes there next Wedensday
287or Thursday noone. I know not what to ad but that
288I am Thine truly.
289
292

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293

CLXXXV

294

HENRY OXINDEN TO KATHERINE OXINDEN

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295    My dere beyond all expression, this is to desire Thee
296not to be troubled in the least Measure at that which joyes
297mee, which is our removal to thy red house; before wee were
298sure of Nothing, now we are of somewhat; for I have all ready
299setled it so uppon Thee as it lyes not in my power to unsettle
300it. This paper will not hold all the inconveniencies I lay
301under before I came up to London, which now are in a great
302Measure abated. It is probable that time will worke to our
303advantage. I pray let this suffice for the present.
304    Now my mind is wholy set upon comeing to see Thee,
305in order to which pray let my Horse (if I have one) be sent
306to the Dark House at Gravesend by Thursday Night, if
307not Wedensday Night. If Thou canst not send him thether,
308yet I pray send him to Ospring to our Brother Cater's; but
309I had rather Thou would send him to the Dark House.
310    I heare that Mr. Hales went home last Fryday. I now,
311thanks be to God, ow not Mr. Carpenter or Ms Andrews
312or any of them one penny. Mr. White of Dover and Mr.
313Roberts will be paid in the County.
314    My Cozin Val Pettit is paid his debt. Mr. Trusser's bond
315and Mr. Dickenson's bond I intend, God willing, to pay
316tomorrow being Mooneday; if I see Mr. Twiman I intend
317to pay him what is due to Him; and if Mr. Crux his bond
318be sent up, I intend to pay that, so that I shall not be troubled
319with their summons any further.
320    I am offerd an Advowsen of what is sayd to be worth
321seavenskore pound by the yeare for 40^l to be paid in hand:
322the incumbent is said to be 80 yeare old etc, but shall not
323make any agreement till I speake with thee. It lyes in
324surry about 20 miles from London.
325    I suppose that Mr. Ady and his Family set out from Greenwich
326upon Wedensday morning in two Coaches. I spake

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327to Him to be kind to Thee. Hee sayes he will: and expresses
328his sorrow for Mr. Barling's leaving Denton SIX LINES OMITTED
329    I have not been very wel these two dayes, however I
330am glad that I have setled my busines so well as I have, so
331that what ever come of mee, things will be better for Thee
332and Thine then they would have been in case I had not made
333any agreement. It is late this Sunday Night and so I shall
334commit Thee and Thine to his Protection who alone is able
335to preserve us, whose Name be praysed for ever.
336    Now I proceed in my letter, it is Moonday, past 6, and I
337am somewhat better then I was and so much as I intend
338to make what hast I can home, in order to which pray observe
339my directions in this letter at the other side of the paper.
340    This hath been a very wet day here at London.
341    I shall now say no more then that no man can have a more
342real heart toward any then hath to Thee and Thine
343