IF there is one respect in which the present age is an inprovement on the past, it is the intelligent appreciation shown for the remains of antiquity. And this virtue of our day is very different from the artificial idolatry which, during three centuries, Europe affected for the classic era, the only antiquity for which it then professed the slightest regard. At the present time, all men of culture take an interest in whatever speaks to us of that human life which has been lived, and now exists no more except in its results.

     It is only of late years that England has come to realize the immense historical value, and the interesting character, of her thousands of ancient parish registers and books of municipal records. Without this appreciation of their value, one would hardly be tempted to go systematically through these ancient documents, for the faded ink is often all but illegible on their blackened pages, and, even when it is distinct, the handwriting is sometimes such as baffles the ingenuity of the most consummate expert. The old "court hand," it is true, is not in itself by any means difficult to master, but the extraordinary form which it assumed under the hands of half-educated churchwardens and burgesses is quite another thing. Then, too, the obsolete words and phrases which recur are, although interesting in one way, great obstacles to a rapid transcript of a municipal document two centuries old.

     So much by way of introduction to the venerable quarto preserved in the office of the Town Clerk of St. Ives, and which, with a very flourishy initial letter commences thus:—

     "A Register and booke of recorde for the Towne and parrish of St Ives in the Countie of Cornewall made and written the ffower and twentieth day of October in the viijth yere of the raigne of our Soueraigne Lord Kinge Charles; and in the yere of or Lord god: 1638. M^r John Sterrie then beinge Portreife there."

     "Primo die Nouembris 1638. The account of M^r John Sterrie Portreife of y^e Towne and pish. of St Ives for all receipts and disbursements of monie for and to the use of y^e said Towne and pish. for one whole yere ended y^e day and yere aforesaid."

     "Imprimis received of y^e ffarmers of y^e Market for one yeres rent y^e sume of 22 . 10 . 0."

     "Item received of y^e key wardens for a quarters rent due y^e second of ffebruarie 3. 2. 6."

[From these two entries we learn that the custom of farming the tolls of the market and of the quay, and the office of quay-warden, are of some antiquity. From this point the entries here selected are not necessarily consecutive.]

     "I. more of M^r Thomas Syse for rent of y^e key 16^s./-"

[The Sises were a wealthy merchant family during the whole of the seventeenth century. Their monumental slab, with rhyming epitaph commencing "Neere to this bed six Sises late were laid" is affixed to the wall of the Trenwith aisle in the parish church, and their old house in Pudding-bag lane, with date and initials is still standing.]

     "Disbursements. Imprimis, y^e ffifth day of November to y^e Ringers in Candles and drinke 1^s./-"

[This entry occurs every year.]

     "I. payd Mr. Thomas Jackson for y^e whole whole yere £14."

[He was the Vicar.]

     "I. to Andrew Lawrie for his wages being Towne Clarke 8^s./-"

     " I. to y^e Organist £2 . 12^s./-"

[At this time organs were not the huge mechanical prodigies to which we are now accustomed in England, but more of the size of what we call "chamber organs," However, the S^t Ives' organ was of unusual bulk for those times, and, when it was removed by the Puritans in 1648, its great pipes excited general wonder. They were still to be seen in the town at the end of last century. The organ was set up in the fifteenth century.]

     "I. spent att S^r ffrauncis Goldolphins being in Towne 7/6^d."

     "I. more at Captaine Bassetts cominge to our Towne from Sillye 2^s./-"

     " I. payd for carrieing of letters to M^r Bassett about Towne buisness 1/6^d."

[Godolphin and Bassett were Royalist leaders in the Civil War; the first was a member of Parliament for the borough at the time we are writing of.]

     " I. to certaine English and French Travellors which had passes to travell y^e countrye 4/8^d."

[Down to nearly the end of the last century, destitute persons were sent alone on foot to the parish of their birth, and received passes which entitled them to relief in the various towns through which they journeyed. Before being assisted, such people were very often whipped, pour encourager les autres. Those presenting fraudulent passes were severely punished.]

     "I. to y^e masons for their work about y^e Key £1 . 15^s./-"

[This was not the present quay, but its predecessor. The next entry is an illustration of the prevalence of drinking among our ancestors, who considered that nothing of any importance could be accomplished without a solemn libation.]

     "I. in expence makinge y^e Bargaine and about y^e worke 2/4^d."

[Here is mention of an obsolete horror, the cage in which offenders were imprisoned, which stood on the market place.—]

     "Anno 1638. Disbursements about y^e Kaidge and marked howse:"

     "Imprimis for a beame for y^e cadge (at this time variety in spelling was considered charming) 4^s./-."

     "I. for 9 bords at 1/4^d y^e bord 12^s./-"

     "I. more for a Locke and Key 1/10^d."

     "I. payd for y^e culleringe of y^e cadge 12^s./-"

     "I. for oyle in workinge y^e cullers 1^s./-"

     "Charges about y^e kings hye Wayes:—"

     "Item payd John Anthonie in anno 1636 for his wages and for stones 8^s./-"

     "I. more in Anno 1638 y^e same worke beinge broken by violence of waters and newly amended payd y^e said John Anthonie 8^s./-"

     "I. more payd M^r Richard Gould for a new booke for y^e Townes use (the book before me) 12^s./-"

     "I. for my charge and expence Riding to M^r Bassett for buisiness concerning y^e Pish. (parish) for my paynes and horse hyre 3/6^d."

     "I. Spent when Mr Pennyke payd in y^e parte for y^e poore 9^s./-"

     "I. to John Penbeagle (a hamlet in this parish) for clensinge y^e Markett Howse 5^s./-"

     " I. payd to Joⁿ Hawke (the constable) for goeinge to Lanceston with a ffellon, 14^s./-"

     "Primo Die Novembris 1638., Anno Regni Doi nri Charoli Dei gra Anglie Scotie ffrauncie et Hibernie fidei defensoris etc. decimo quarto. Mr Thomas Stevens is chosen Portreeve."

[He was the last who held this office, his successor being the first of the mayors, as we shall presently see.]

     " The accounts of M^r Thomas Stevens late Portreeve for one whole yere ended 1st November 1639:—"

     "Payd for a newe chest and 4 locks and keys for y^e same 10^s./-"

[I believe this has been lost.]

     "I. spent when he was chosen Portreive 14/6^d."

     "I. to Irish men and Irish women that came here by passes 3/6^d."

     "I. more to an outlandish man 2/6^d."

     "I. for a silver Bole y^t was brought to Towne 6/6^d.''

[This was the renowned wishing-cup presented to the borough by Sir Francis Bassett, on which is engraved a friendly verse to the following effect:—

This interesting vessel is of massive metal, about a foot in height. It is preserved in the house of the mayor for the time being. On solemn occasions it was handed round and its contents sipped by mayor and burgesses.]

     "Item to Robert Bolithowe for worke aboute y^e Key 11/6^d."

     "I. to John Trerie for working about y^e key and chaple £1 1^s./-"

     "I. spent upon y^e company y^t went to shewe y^e bounds 4^s./-"

[This refers to the ancient custom of "beating the bounds" on Ascension Day: it is partly a survival of the old procession in which the parish priest went round the parish sprinkling houses and fields with holy water, and partly a means of handing down by tradition the exact limits of the parish. (See Chambers' Book of Days, Vol. I., p. 582.)]

     "I. for hellen stones 10^d."

[As this item would puzzle anyone not a Cornishman, we had better note that helling stones (the above is the local pronunciation) are flat stones used in roofing houses.]

     " I. given to 8 distressed ffrenchmen 4^s./-"

     "I. given to y^e Porters for puttinge y^e postes into y^e grounde 7/6^d."

     " I. to Ephraim Syse for beames to make y^e postes £1."

[He it was who put up the monumental slab, already referred to, in the Trenwith aisle.]

     "I. to Thomas Paynter for making y^e Bords and Beames. 12^s./-"

     "I. to 2 Irishmen with their wives and child 2^s./-"

     "I. spent at Mr Hamonds when y^e charter was brought 5/6^d."

[By King Charles the First's Charter the Borough and Parish of Saint Ives were incorporated. The Corporation was to have a common seal, be governed by a Mayor, twelve capital burgesses or Aldermen, twenty four ordinary Burgesses, with a Town Clerk, Recorder, and some other officers. The Mayor, Aldermen, and Recorder were to be ex officio Justices of the Peace. There were established two annual fairs and two weekly markets, together with certain further important privileges. For this charter the town was mainly indebted to the influence of Sir Francis Bassett. (See Hicks, quoted by Gilbert in his History of the County.)]

     "I. to a distressed scholler (scholar) that came from Scotlande 2/6^d."

[Probably some poor student of divinity.]

     "I. for repayring y^e Iland Chaple 13/6^d."

[It is centuries old, and was dedicated to Saint Nicholas. It now exists only as a ruined cottage.]

     "I. more given at Mr. Bassetts howse. 14/6^d."

[The Bassetts entertained the corporation annually at Tehidy, and the latter always "tipped" the servants.]

     "Richard Hext gentleman was elected and chosen to be Maior of the Towne and Burrough of St. Ives by our souvraigne Lorde Kinge Charles and sworne in the Towne Hall there the first day of November Anno Domini Christi 1639."

     "Imprimis received of M^r Thomas Stevens late Porthreife the sume of £7 . 12 . 9."

     "Received of M^r William Tregosse and Henrie Stevens for the Key 13^o Aprilis 1640. £5 . 19 . 6."

[This M^r Tregosse got into hot water by trying to prohibit the huers from going on his property on Porthminster Hill.]

     "Disbursements. Imprimis spent upon M^r Stoan the judge of the Admiraltie with the consent of M^r John Payne and others of the twelve (aldermen, not apostles.)"

     "I. more given amongst the servants att Tehiddie on Christide 10/-"

     "I. given to a poore distressed man y^t lay long in M^r Dale's Prison . 2^s./-"

[Query; who was M^r Dale, and why had he a prison?]

     "I. more spent intertayninge of S^r ffrauncis Godolphin the 23^rd of January att his coming from Sillye £1 . 0 . 4^d."

     "I. more given to a poore man that came to the Towne the second of ffebruarie being bounde for wales havinge no monie to pay for his passadge 2/^s.-"

[If this paid for his "passadge," he went cheap.]

     "I. more to William Leonard for carrieinge my Lord Marquis is letter concerning the Burgesses to M^r Recorder the 7^th of ffebruarie 1^s./- (to London.)"

     "I. for goeinge next day for M^r Townclarke to come to Towne 6^d. "

     " I. payd M^r Hammand for our expences the 15^th of ffebruarie when M^r Recorder pressed o^r Saylers for his Ma^ties service £2 . 3/-"

[We will not call this custom of pressing men obsolete, for it is still part of the common law of England.]

     "I. more given to a poor distressed scholler that came to our Towne from Germaine the 27^th of ffebruarie to seeke passadge home for Ireland 2^s./-"

     "I. payd the post for carridge of o^r letters in answere to the Prince is commissioners . 6^d."

     "I. payd Thomas Killington and others of the ffishermen for carrieinge of clay and rubble from the key to Porthmeor . 5^s./-"

     "I. more spent the 16^th of March when M^r Pennicke was in Towne to knowe howe manie would ride to give their voyces for y^e knights of the sheere (shire.) 7/-"

     More disbursements hereafter followeth:—

     "I. more given to a distressed gent that came with his wife to looke passadge for Irelande 1^s./-"

     "I. more to two distressed ffrenchmen that were taken by the Dunkarts (Dunkirk pirates?) and came to seeke passadge 1/-"

     "I. spent att Midsommer Sessions £1 . 15 . 4."

     " I. more given to M^r Robert Arundle when he brought the cupp given by his Maister to our Towne . £2."

     "I. more at that time at M^r Hammands spent 16^s./-"

     "I. more payd the Gunner for clensinge of the three gunns and for powder to try them £1 . 13 . 4."

     "I. payd Nicholas Prigge for two loaves of sugar which were presented M^r Recorder £1 . 10^s./-"

[This was evidently a rare treat in the seventeenth century.]

     "I. payd the glaziar for mendinge of y^e widdowe Spriggs windowes beinge broaken with y^e sounde of y^e Gunns 1^s./-"

[Doubtless when the sugar was being purchased at M^r Sprigg's, his mother took occasion to inform the mayor that the result of "trying" the three "gunns" had been to damage her glass.]

     "I. more given a ffooteman that brought my Lord Marques letter the 4^th of October 2^s./-"

[Pawlet, Marquis of Winchester became Lord of part of the Manor of Saint Ives upon his marriage with one of the two daughters (coparceners) of the second Lord Broke.]

     "I. given to them that brought the writs from M^r Recorder for the Election of the Burgesses 6^d.'

     "I. more given to an Irish gent and his wife one M^r Makarto (MacCarthy) whoe came to our Towne to seeke passadge being in pouertie 1^s./-"

     I. more payd Arthur Wescott for carrieinge of the three guns to the fforte 7/6^d."

[The fort referred to was, and is still known as, the "Castle," though it was never more than a mere platform for a few guns, commanding the entrance to the little harbour.]

     "I. payd M^r Christopher Cock for monie disbursed as by his notes doe appeare. £10."

     ST. IVES. The account of Mr. Thomas Stevens merchaunt Maior of the Burough of St Ives aforesaid for all receipts and disbursements of monie ffor and to the use of the said Borough for one whole yeare ended the ffirst day of November Anno Doⁱ 1641."

     "Received of William Phillips for 3 quarters rent for the key the sume of £15."

     "I. Received of Richard Peter for his ffreedome 6^s./8^d."

[This is the first entry of payment for the freedom of the Borough, which was granted at the same time to William Allan, John Sampson, Richard Pollard, Alexander Penticost, and Christopher Morrish, for sums varying between 10^s. and 5^s.]

     "I. more received from the Lord and Ladie last yeare past, 8^s./-"

     "Disbursements to ballance the former accounte hereafter followeth:—"

     "To a man that brought a pclamation to O^r Towne the x^th of December, 1^s./-"

     "I. bestowed at Tehiddie in guifts att Christmas, 18^s./-"

     "I. more att M^r Praed's the same tyme, 3/-"

     "I. for ordinaries and expenses att Christmas quarter Sessions, £3 : 1^s. : 9^d."

     "I. spent in wyne at the ffeast of All Saints before when the Maior was elected £1 : 1^s. : 0^d."

     "I. payd for puttinge of Geoffrie Nance to Hayle, £1 : 7^s. 2^d."

     "I. payd Henrie Williams for horse hire to carrie him to Hayle, 5^s./-"

     "I. given to M^r Bassetts gardner with the consent of the xij. men (aldermen) 6^s./-"

     "I. given to an Irish man and his wife that came to looke passadge for Irelande, 1s /-"

[Entries similar to the last abound. Saint Ives was at that time, and for long after, a regular port of embarkation for Ireland.]

     "I. to the Organist for playeinge upon the Organs, 1^s./-"

[The plural form of the word was formerly always used, as in French and Latin.]

     "I. payd for pitch and tarr to putt upon the ornance (ordnance) & carriadges with beere spent, 5^s./-"

     "I. payd for sugar and sweet meats presented to our Burgesses, £1 : 3^s. : 6^d."

     "I. to an Irish man that came here by passe from the Low Countrie, 5^s./-"

     "I. payd Mr Jackson (the vicar) to send to the proctor att Exon about Mr Treunwth buisiness."

[Trenwith had some quarrel with the Corporation in connection with the Charter. He was of the ancient family of that name which gave its title to the Trenwith aisle or chapel in the parish church, and which was seated for centuries at the hamlet of Trenwith, within the Borough. The last of the Trenwiths died early in the present century.]

     "I. payd M^r Hamond o^r ordinarie and expences att Easter Sessions £3 : 3^s. : 4^d."

     "I. to Henrie Treweeke for nayles aboute the Markett howse, 2/-''

     "I. to M^r Hamonde for ordinaries and expences &c att Midsomer Sessions £2 : 19^s. : 0^d."

     "I. payd to the Serjeants att mace for their attendance for half a yeare att May, £1"

     "I. to Mr. Hamond for ordinaries at Michaelmas Sessions and the Maiors goeing out, £5 : 5^s. : 9^d.

[I give these entries of Sessions expenses for this year only, as a specimen.]

     "His receipts towards the building of the gallerie followeth:—"

     " Imprimis of John Player in money pins and a beame 4^s./- the whole is £1."

     "Item of Mathew Treunwith gent, £1."

     "I, of Mr Thomas Edwards for building the gallerie, 5^s./-"

     "I. of the pishoners by a collection made in the church, £10 : 18^s. : 9^d."

     "The whole is £23 : 3^s. : 3^d."

     "His disbursements by the gallerie are more than receipts by £17 : 18 : 9."

     "So resteth due £6 : 6 : 11."

[This gallery is well remembered by many persons living, and was known as the "singen loft." The royal arms figured prominently in front.]

     "1645. The Accompts of M^r Edward Hamonde late Maior of the Burough of Saint Ives aforesaid for one whole yeare ended the ffirst of November Anno pred."

     "Disbursements. When M^r Rich. Cowch and M^r Reginald Paynter went to S^r Rich. Grenvill £2 - 3^s. - 0^d."

     "I. more when hee and other of the xij. went to Bodmin to have the garrison confirmed under the Princes hande with charge for men horses and Equipts £6 : 17 : 3."

     "I. payd men for carrieinge stones that fell from the key to the key againe, 4^s./-"

     "I. more for ffurse and tymber to the Match maker 13^s./10^d."

[He was the man who supplied matches, or fuses, for the guns of the Castle.]

     "I. spent the day of his election with the xij. & xxiv. (i.e., the aldermen and the burgesses) £1 : 8^s. : 0^d."

     "I. spent upon M^r John Bassett and M^r Praed with some of the Magistrates, 10^s./4^d."

     "I. spent upon the Earle of Antrim with some of the brethren, 8^s./-"

     "I. more when we did receive the charter and other writings, 2^s./6^d." (The Charter was was forfeited this year.)

     "I. to one that did whipp the mayde that would drowne her selfe, 6^d."

     "I. more spent on M^r Bassett & manie other gents, the brethren beinge present, £3 : 10^s 0."

     "I. more to six distressed Bristoll men their vessell beinge taken att Sea, 4/6^d."

     "I to men in bread and beere aboute the bulworks (i.e., when the Castle wall was undergoing repairs), 17^s./4^d."

     "I. more in meate & wyne when S^r ffrancis Bassett, S^r ffrancis Molsworth and their followers, with the brethren, £2 : 2 : 9^d."

[We are not informed what happened to occasion this festive outlay.]

     "I. more in wyne upon S^r Rich. Grenvill with the brethren, 9^s./-"

[Probably the above-mentioned royalists were at this time engaged in fixing the rates by which the town was to supply the king's forces with provisions. Saint Ives, says Hicks, furnished daily 46 lbs. of bread, 40 lbs. of butter, 30 lbs. of cheese, 30 lbs. of beef, and 50 lbs. of bacon. The severities of Sir Richard Grenville must have gone far to alienate our borough from the royal cause. After suppressing the rising at Lelant, he lodged at the mayor's house, and, whilst at Saint Ives, hanged a constable named Phillips, of Zennor.]

     "I. more spent on my Lord Hopton and his followers with consent of the brethren, £1 : 1 : 3."

[Sir Ralph Hopton commanded the royalist cavalry and was mainly instrumental in reducing all Cornwall for a time to the king's obedience.]

     "I. more spent on Mr Predeaux the sheriffe and his followers with consent of the brethren, 17^s./8^d."

     "I. more in bolts for the Turne Piks, 2^s./6^d."

     "I. more to distressed men that begged beinge in want, 2/3^d."

     'I. for his kitchinge allowance for the whole yeare, being Maior, £12."

     "I. for drawinge and publyshinge this accompt, 2^s."

[The first time this charge occurs. The account was usually made out by the Town Clerk.]

     "I. for 18lbs. of ledd for the gunns, 3^s./-

     Primo die Novembris Anno Dni: xpi: 1645. Ephraim Sise mchant: Maior. His Account. Disbursements:—

     "Paid Richard Pollard for candlelight for the watch £1 : 3 : 10."

     "Payd for bread and beere for the watch men from tyme to tyme £1 : 1 : 9."

     "Payed Mr Cocke for vewinge (viewing) our Charter 10^s./-"

     "Payd for one hhed: of wyne sent to our Recorder £3 : 0 : 0."

     "Payd 7 watch men att the troopers beinge here 17/6^d." (Under Sir Ralph Hopton. See ante.)

     "Payd for beere att halinge & examininge our gunns 4/2^d."

     "Payd posts for carrieinge of letters att the tyme of the Irishe beinge here 4/8^d."

[Probably some of the Irish troops sent over by the Duke of Ormond in 1643, to support the King's cause.]

     "Given distressed seamen beinge taken by the Irish 3^s./-"

     "P^d Paynter for 82 scouringe rodds for Musketts 6/2^d."

     "P^d for 2 Deales workemans wages and nayles for the guard howse & 3 bush: of coles 14/4^d."

     "I. for my expences & other charge on gentlemen all sundrie tymes £2 : 10 : 0."

[Here follows the first of the written laws or constitutions of the seine fishery, made at Saint Ives at various times by the municipal authorities, which were subsequently sanctioned by a special Act of Parliament.]

     "S^t Ives. The ffifteenth Day of December 1646."

     "Whereas itt is considered That our Towne of S^t Ives aforesaid hath been a verie good place of hooke fishinge, And hath been verie beneficiall and helpfull to the countrie, and also to the inhabitants, And wee contrarie to our auncient custome have hyred our men for weeklie pay And have taken them in att Saint James Tyde in the cheepe tyme of hooke ffishinge, w^ch is and hath been great dammadge to the Common good and contrarie to the custome of all our ffellow Sayners and neighbours throughout the countie"

     "We doe therefore constitute and order, That no owner of Sayne or saynes within our Towne of what condition soever shall take or hyer any seaman or ffisherman into his service for weeklie wages to serve in the sayninge crafte; ffor our constitution is, That the man that is owner of Sayne or saynes that soe doth shall pay unto the Maior of the Borough for his default the sume of twentie pounds to the use of the Towne and Borough To be leavyed on him by way of Action to be expended by the Maior Butt wee constitute and order That itt shall bee lawfull for any owner of sayne or saynes to hyer ffishermen for Rewards accordinge to our Auncient custome; And not to give aboue twentie shillings reward for any sayner of what condition soever hee bee, eyther directlie or indirectlie. And for the confirmation of this constitution we have subscribed our names."

[The signatures are the following, placed one under the other in the original].—

     "Thomas Sprigge maior, Ephraim Syse, Rich: Hext, Thomas Stevens, Henry Hickes, J^no Payne, Edward Hammond, Alexander James, John Hichins, Henry Stevens, Tho^s Goode, John Player, Rich: Hicks, Alexander Bishopp, Henry Sterrie, George Hammond, Thomas Hicks, Reignald Paynter, Arthour Westcott, John + Cussens, Nich: Prigge, Andrew + Phillipps, Rob^t Arundell, Peter Gibbs, George Hicks, Thomas Purefoy, John Cocking, Thomas Painter, John Ann, Thomas Dayowe, John Noall, John + Perken."

     [Of these names, about twelve are, I believe, still to be found at Saint Ives, namely, Stevens, Hickes, Payne, James, Hichens, Player, Westcott, Cussens, Phillipps, Cocking, Dayowe, Noall, and Perken, now Perking. Of the others, Syse, Hext, Sterrie, Arundell, and Purefoy, have not been represented in our borough for above a century. The memorial of Ephraim Syse in the parish church has been already referred to. Thomas Stevens was the last Portrieve and second Mayor of Saint Ives, and ancestor of the Stephens of Tregenna. John Payne was elected to Parliament for this borough in 1627. Edward Hammond was chosen Portrieve in 1636, and was afterwards Mayor. The name of Purefoy was long preserved in the designation of a piece of ground in the town, now built upon, which was called "Purfle's Plot." The family became allied with the Carnes of Penzance at the commencement of the 18th century. The above-named Thomas Purefoy is the person referred to by the manuscript of Hicks, quoted in Gilbert's History thus:—"In 1654, Thomas Purefoy, captain of a small privateer of four guns, belonging to Ceely, captured and brought to St. Ives two fine Breton barques laden with salt." It will not be out of place to remark here that an aged woman, still living at Saint Ives, told me that the names of the oldest families in the town were the following, the first being the oldest:—

     "Thomas Sprigge mayor, 1646."

     "Profits of the quay let to Thomas Purefoy and Nicholas Prigge for the sum of £20."

     "Received of W^m Nance for goods which were John Hawk deceased £4 : 19 : 10."

     [Hawk was the constable for several years, and probably fell a victim to the terrible plague which visited the parish at this time. See Gilbert's History:—"The Stevenses shut themselves up in their country house at Ayr, and escaped the contagion. More would have died of famine than plague, had not a ship belonging to M^r Opye of Plymouth come into the harbour, laden with wheat and some butts of sack. The cargo was purchased for £196 by the Mayor and other gentlemen." Some of our extracts will illustrate this gloomy bit of history]:—

     "Received at seuerall tymes of M^r George Hicks for Corne monie £142 : 11 : 4."

     "I. more of Stephen Harris by Georg Hicks order for corne £1 : 5 : 8."

     "I. more of M^r George Hicks upon Major Ceelye Tickatts for corne £4. : 11 : 6."

     "I. more of M^r Henry Sterie for a collection in S^t Just pish: £1 : 17 : 8."

     "I. more sent into by M^r Sterie by the Towne post £3 : 0 : 0."

     "I. received of M^r W^m Paynter who hath att London given to the use of the towne £1 : 0 : 0."

     "I. more of M^r Arthur Westcott for puision: solde in the Markett £11 : 0 : 0."

     "I. received of M^r Richard Pollard for the pish: howse £2 : 9 : 10."

[No name figures more largely in these records than that of Richard Pollard, successive eldest sons being so called from end to end of the book.]

     "I. rec^d of M^r Harrison for the Towne upon our agreement for ffish £5 : 0 : 0."

     "I. rec^d of M^r Hammond for a Butt of the Towne sacke £18 : 0 : 0."

     "I. rec^d of M^rs Newman for 3 butts of sacke and p^te of a 4^th that she drew £80 : 7 : 5."

     "I. rec^d of Henrie Hutchins for monie by him collected due to the Towne £3 : 12 : 2."

     "I. receiued of the Towne Serjeants for puision: by them deliuered £2 : 4 : 6."

     "P^d M^r Hugget and M^r Whitworth for servinge the cure for a yeare £14 : 0 : 0."

     "I. p^d Dorothie Morrish for two souldiers dyet that lay there sicke 9/4^d."

     "I. payd for 30 bushells of coles for the guard att 12^d the bushell £1 : 10: 0."

     "I. deliuered the constab: Bishopp for carrieinge of Liuetinant symons (who was he?) before the committee 4^s./-"

     "I. Spent att the tauern upon our Recorder M^r S^t Awbin and other gents with consent of the brethren 16^s./-"

     "I. payd for caring of Thomas Creed to his graue 2^s./-"

     "I. Layd out for John Hicks and Thomasin Philipps in time of sicknes 1^s./-"

     "I. delu^d then to constable Bishope to buy puision: for them time of their sicknes £6 : 0 : 0."

     "I. delu^d Tho: Painter to deliu: Tho: Worvas (Gwavas) in Tim of his sicknes 2/6^d."

     "I. payd to Major Ceelye to wards the corne for M^r Opie £135 : 0 : 0."

     "I. P^d then to Mr Opies footeman £30 : 0 : 0."

     "I. P^d M^r Trout (the said footman) towards the Corne and wine for his master £31 : 0 : 0."

[He seems to have absconded with this money.]

     "I. p^d M^r Trout towards his cost for aresting him at Trerow (Truro) 12/2^d."

     "I. p^d his atturnie, the serjeante and deliberating him out of that routh 14/4^d."

[I am not sure about the last half of this sentence, but the above appears to be the reading.]

     "I. p^d for keeping of sixe bullocks for 7 weeks which were destramed by the S^t Earth constables £1 : 0 : 0."

     "I. p^d M^r Prad (Praed) for toe bushells of wheat and two bushells of barley £2 : 6 : 0."

     "I p^d the Serjeants for collectinge of monie about the town 5^s./-"

     "I. p^d John Thomas for three bushells of barley for the use of the poor & a quart of aquevite (brandy) for the sek (sick) £1 : 10: 6."

[John Thomas was Hawke's successor in the office of parish constable: he died 1670, and his eldest son, John, was born 1651.]

     "I p^d M^r Hamond for racking the sack and trimige (trimming) the butts £2 : 0 : 0."

     "I. p^d M^rs Trewman for drawing of the buts of sack for the towns use £7 : 0 : 0."

     "I. p^d the porters for carrieinge them from the sellor (cellar) to her house 10^s./-"

Extracted from The Western Antiquary, Vol. 5, No. 2, July 1885, p33-37; Vol. 5, No. 4, September 1885, p77-79; Vol. 5, No. 9, February 1886, p198-200.