John Frederickwas a son of Christopher Frederick, Barber-Surgeon. A minute of the 9th June, 1595, states that “the said Xpõfer ffrederick being a strainger borne had his ffreedom geven him of the Cittie of London by vertue of her Matiesmost gracious Lrẽs to the Lord maior and Corte of Aldrem̃e directed and was made fre of this Companie and after chosen of the lyvery and then one of Thassistance.”
Christopher Frederick was on more than one occasion at serious variance with the Court, as also with some of its members, and a resolution was passed, evidently with pointed allusion to him, viz., that in future aliens should be ineligible for the Court. He was Serjeant-Surgeon to James I, and probably to Elizabeth also; Master in 1609 and again in 1616. His son William was admitted to the freedom by service 27th October, 1607. Christopher Frederick was buried 10th October, 1623, in the church of St. Olave, Jewry, where also Mary, his widow, was interred on 6th June, 1636. They had issue six sons and six daughters.
John Frederick, the fourth son, was baptized 25th October, 1601, and educated at Christ’s Hospital. On 17th July, 1632 he was admitted to the freedom by patrimony, on the 13th November, 1635 elected to the Livery, and on 30th January, 1645 made an Assistant. He was a successful merchant and resided in a large mansion on the site of what is now Frederick’s Place, Old Jewry (which he rebuilt after the Great Fire in 1666). This house was afterwards used as the Excise Office, upon the removal of which to Broad Street, the building was taken down and the present houses erected. He was elected Alderman of Vintry September, 1653, and in 1660 removed to Coleman Street Ward. He was Master of the Barber-Surgeons in 1654 and again in 1658; he served as Sheriff, 1655–6, and was then knighted. The Barber-Surgeons attended Sir John in their barge to Westminster when he went to be sworn in as Sheriff, and ordered his portrait to be painted at a cost of £15. This fine picture representing the Sheriff in his robes and with a flowing wig, is preserved at Barbers’ Hall. In 1661 Sir John was translated to the Grocers’ Company to enable him to take upon him the office of Lord Mayor, which he served 1661–2. The pageant performed at the expense of the Grocersupon his accession to the Mayoralty was entitled “Londons Tryumphs presented in several delightfull Scænes,” and was composed by John Tatham; a copy of this very rare tract is preserved in the Guildhall Library. Pepys, under date 29th October, 1661,writes—
This day I put on my half cloth black stockings and my new coate of the fashion, which pleases me well, and with my bever I was (after office was done) ready to go to my Lord Mayor’s feast, as we are all invited; but the Sir Williams were both loth to go, because of the crowd, and so none of us went. My mind not pleased because I had proposed a great deal of pleasure to myself this day at Guildhall. This Lord Mayor, it seems, brings up again the custom of Lord Mayors going the day of their instalment to Paul’s and walking round about the Crosse, and offering something at the Altar.
This day I put on my half cloth black stockings and my new coate of the fashion, which pleases me well, and with my bever I was (after office was done) ready to go to my Lord Mayor’s feast, as we are all invited; but the Sir Williams were both loth to go, because of the crowd, and so none of us went. My mind not pleased because I had proposed a great deal of pleasure to myself this day at Guildhall. This Lord Mayor, it seems, brings up again the custom of Lord Mayors going the day of their instalment to Paul’s and walking round about the Crosse, and offering something at the Altar.
In 1662 Sir John was elected Master of the Grocers’ Company and also President of Christ’s Hospital, which latter office he held until 1683. In the Parliament of 1660 he represented Dartmouth; on the 10th March, 1663, he was elected one of the Members for the City and so continued until the dissolution in January, 1679. In 1674 he gave £100 towards rebuilding Barber-Surgeons’ Hall; he also repaired and fitted up the Great Hall at Christ’s Hospital at a cost of £5,000. In 1664 he bore the expense of bringing the Conduit Water from Gray’s Inn Fields to the Hospital. In 1667 he gave £50 and twenty chaldrons of sea coal, and by his Will bequeathed £500 to the Hospital. In 1654 he gave a handsome silver loving cup and cover weighing about 38 oz. to the Barber-Surgeons; this cup is still used on festive occasions. There is a portrait of Sir John at Christ’s Hospital, which represents him as seated in an arm chair, in his civic robes, with an open letter in his hand, on his head is a full bottomedwig and a black cap, he has white whiskers and a tuft of white hair on his under lip.
In the “Gentleman’s Magazine” for November, 1769, is a copy of a document prepared for Charles II, giving the characters of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, which says of Sir John Frederickthat—
by reason of his age, he is apt to be ledd by others, especially by Sir John Lawrence, a man of little dispatch, very readie to run into mistakes; he hates a souldier, and cannot endure to see any of the King’s guards.
by reason of his age, he is apt to be ledd by others, especially by Sir John Lawrence, a man of little dispatch, very readie to run into mistakes; he hates a souldier, and cannot endure to see any of the King’s guards.
Sir John married Mary Rous by whom he had issue four sons and nine daughters. Judith, his eldest daughter, married Sir Nathaniel Herne (Alderman and Sheriff 1674 and Master of the Barber-Surgeons 1674), who, dying in August, 1679, she married secondly, Robert Hooker, of Hatton Garden. Her Will, dated in 1688, was proved 30th June, 1691.
Sir John Frederick was buried in the Church of St. Olave Jewry 19th March, 1685, where his widow was also interred 19th December, 1689; she bequeathed £300 to Christ’s Hospital. His eldest son Thomas was the father of John Frederick who was created a baronet 10th June, 1723. Sir John gave marriage portions of £3,000 apiece to his daughters Judith and Elizabeth, who married respectively Sir Nathaniel Herne and Sir Joseph Herne, and he covenanted to give £2,000 apiece more either in his lifetime or by will; it seems that he did this by will, which led to litigation, his relict (to whom he left about £10,000) laying claim to some portion of these legacies by the custom of London.
Arms(granted by Sir Ed. Walker, Garter, 22nd October, 1661). Or on a chief gu. three doves ar. beaked gu. legged or.
Crest.On a cap of dignity az. turned up ermine, a dove ppr. holding a laurel branch vert.
SirNathaniel Hernewas the son of Nicholas and grandson of Richard Herne (Alderman and Sheriff in 1618). He was born in 1629 and in 1646 apprenticed at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall to Sir John Frederick, one of the merchant-princes of London at that time. Herne was admitted to the freedom on 7th May, 1655, and, like the typical industrious apprentice, he married his master’s daughter, Judith Frederick, by whom he had (among others) a daughter Judith who married William, second Earl of Jersey, and thereby was one of the ancestors of the present Earl. Sir Nathaniel Herne was a most successful merchant and amassed a large fortune. In 1674 he was Sheriff of London (being knighted at Windsor on the 9th August) and Master of this Company. On the 11th April, 1676, he was elected Alderman of the Ward of Billingsgate. He was sometime M.P. for Dartmouth, and a Governor of the East India Company. He died 16th August, 1679, being then fifty years of age and was buried at St. Olave Jewry, where there is a monument to his memory, with his arms impaling Frederick, and thisinscription:—
M S.Here lyeth in hopes of a Glorious Resurrection the body of SrNathaniel Herne Knight late Sherife And at his death Alderman of this Famous Citty and Governour ofthe Honourable East India Company, Son to Nicholas and Grandson to Richard Herne sometimes Alderman allso of this Citty A Person of great Prudence and Indefatigable Industry in the Management of all Publick Affairs, of Exemplary Piety, Spotless Integrity and Diffusive Charity having with his owne hand dispenced very considerable summes to many Charitable uses Particularly to the reliefe of poore Seamen & Educating of their Children. He tooke to wife Judith Eldest Daughter of SrJohn Frederick Knight Alderman and sometimes Lord Mayor of London, his now sorrowfull Widdow by whome he had divers Children and left three hopefull Sons surviving viztFrederick, Nathaniel, and Thomas, to whose and to this Cittyes & Nations great loss as allso to yegriefe of all them that knew him He departed this Life ye16thAugust, 1679 Ætat 50.
M S.
Here lyeth in hopes of a Glorious Resurrection the body of SrNathaniel Herne Knight late Sherife And at his death Alderman of this Famous Citty and Governour ofthe Honourable East India Company, Son to Nicholas and Grandson to Richard Herne sometimes Alderman allso of this Citty A Person of great Prudence and Indefatigable Industry in the Management of all Publick Affairs, of Exemplary Piety, Spotless Integrity and Diffusive Charity having with his owne hand dispenced very considerable summes to many Charitable uses Particularly to the reliefe of poore Seamen & Educating of their Children. He tooke to wife Judith Eldest Daughter of SrJohn Frederick Knight Alderman and sometimes Lord Mayor of London, his now sorrowfull Widdow by whome he had divers Children and left three hopefull Sons surviving viztFrederick, Nathaniel, and Thomas, to whose and to this Cittyes & Nations great loss as allso to yegriefe of all them that knew him He departed this Life ye16thAugust, 1679 Ætat 50.
Sir Nathaniel by his Will dated 12th April, 1677, left a large property between his wife and children, and legacies to Sir John and Lady Frederick, Ephraim Skinner and numerous other friends and relatives.
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Nicholas Herne==of Tybenham,Norfolk.Richard Herne==Alice dau. ofSheriff 1618 andAlderman, lived atthe Blue Anchor inCheapside.John Pasck, D.D., of Cambridge.1st. Elizabeth==Nicholas Herne==Sarah dau. ofdau. of Nicholas Hooker of London Goldsmith.of London,s. & h.RichdIronside of London.1 Richard Herne2 NicholasHernes.p.3 JohnHerne.Susan.Mary.Katherine.4 Sir Nathaniel Herne==Judith dau.5 James Herne.6 Sir Joseph Herne==Elizabeth d.7 Basil Herne==b. 1629, d. 1679.Alderman of LondonBarber-Surgeon.of Sir JohnFrederickLord Mayor.of London Merchtof Sir JohnFrederick.of Hampstead.Fredk Herne, of==. . . . d. of LileNathaniel==. . . . d. ofThomasHerned. unm.Judith m.==WilliamLondon, Esqr. bur. at StBrides.of Northamptonshire.Herne, Esq., M.P.Sir Arthur Ingram of London.22 March, 1704, at Hampstead.2ndEarl ofJersey.a son diedyoung.a daughter==Edward VilliersEarl of Jersey.. . . . Herne==“worth £40,000.”son and heir of the Earl of Jersey.. . . . Herne==Sir William Herne, born, 1745, Alderman of Castle Baynard and Sheriff in 1797. d. 20 Dec., 1838, bur. in the Chancel at Bray Church.
SirJohn Lethieullier, who was born in 1633, was descended from the Le Thieulliers, an old Protestant family in the Low Countries; his great grandfather John was burnt at Valenciennes for his religion by the infamous Duke D’Alva. His grandfather John was a merchant at Cologne and died there in 1593. His widow survived him thirty-eight years and came over to England in 1605 with her only son John, who was born in 1591. In 1620 he was established as a Merchant in London, but on the breaking out of the Civil Wars he went over to Amsterdam and returned to England at the Restoration; he lived at Lewisham, where he died on 2nd November, 1679, having married Jane, daughter of John de la Fortre, of London, by whom he had five sons and three daughters. His eldest son, Sir John Lethieullier, was apprenticed to Sir John Frederick (Barber-Surgeon) and admitted to the freedom by servitude 11th November, 1657. He served the office of Master in 1676, having been Sheriff of London in 1674. He was a successful merchant and a rich man, having a great fortune by his wife Anne, daughter of Sir William Hooker, who was Lord Mayor in 1673. Sir John was a free brother of the Company of Merchant Adventurers of England, and of the Society of Merchants of London Trading to the Levant Seas and the East Indies. His third brother, Sir Christopher Lethieullier was Sheriff of London, 1689, and died 1690. On the 20th November, 1707, Sir John wrote to the Court asking to be relieved from the office of an Assistant on account of his indisposition and age (he was then 74), but the Court, out of a feeling ofrespect towards him, refused to accept his resignation, and ordered that the Wardens should have a personal interview with him to know his pleasure. This was done, and on the 15th January following his resignation was accepted. Sir John, who resided at Greenwich, died there on the 4th January, 1719, having had two sons, John and William (both of whom were free of the Company), and three daughters.
Sir John Lethieullier’s will, of prodigious length, is dated 6th May, 1709, and he therein directs that he shall be buried in the vault in Greenwich Church with his late wife. To his two daughters, Letitia and Leonora he gave £10,200 each, and to his married daughter, Lady Ann Dodwell, whom he had previously provided for, £1,000. To all his grandchildren £100 each. To Christ’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals and to the French Congregation in Threadneedle Street £100 each, numerous gifts to the poor in various parishes, and bequests to friends, relatives and servants for mourning and rings. All his lands and houses in the City of London (except two) and in the county of Essex to his son John. Two houses on College Hill, late in the occupation of Sir Henry Furnese and Sir Alexander Cairnes, to his two daughters, also his house and land at Lewisham, his best coach and chariot horses, live stock, &c. All his other freeholds and houses in Beckenham, Lewisham and Battersea, his lands at Dartford and his manor of Sutton at Hone and Wilmington to his son William. There are four codicils to this Will and by one of them (19th July, 1714) he gave the manor of Rowhill, which he had then lately purchased to his son William. His two sons were appointed executors.
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Ephraim Skinnerwas born at Barnstaple 30th November, 1637. In 1652 he was apprenticed to Sir John Frederick, and afterwards became a wealthy Merchant trading with Spain. He was sometime the British Consul at Livorne. On 25th April, 1665, he was admitted to the freedom of the Barber-Surgeons, and in 1673 gave us the chimney piece in the Court Room, where there is a three-quarter portrait of him in his livery gown, with full wig and rich lace bands; on the portrait is this inscription: “MrEphraim Skiner Marcht. & one of yeAssistants of this Compy: of Barbersurgeons Lond: gave ymbesides other gifts 300£ for 20 years.”
By his Will, dated 27th December, 1677, he gave to the Governors of Christ’s Hospital (of which he was a member) five acres of pasture in Islington, also £700 in trust for them to lend the Barber-Surgeons £300 for 20 years without interest to help them to pay their debts, and also for a payment of 5s.a week to the Minister of Islington for him to expound and “chatecize” every Sunday afternoon and to pay £5 a year to the poor of Islington, to whom he also bequeathed a sum of £50. To the poor of the Old Jewry £50. To the poor of Barnstaple £200. To the rebuilding of St. Paul’s £50. To his father-in-law Peter Rowe £25 per annum for life. To severalmembers of the Barber-Surgeons, including Sir J. Frederick, Sir N. Herne, Sir J. Lethieullier and their children £10 each, and numerous legacies of money to friends and relations. The residue of his Estate to his wife.
On the south wall of St. Olave Jewry is a tablet to his memory;
Neer this PlaceLyeth the body of Ephraim Skinner MerchantSometimes his Majesties Consul at LivorneWhoseExemplaryPiety Towards GodIntegrity towards ManCharity to the PooreHumility towards allMade himLive desiredby all that knew himDie LamentedHe was born in the Town of BarnstableIn Devon on StAndrews Day. Ann.MDCXXXVII Died at Islington May VItMDCLXXVIII in the XLI yeare of hisAgeA kind Husband toAnn: hisConsort who in memory of himerected this Monument but nowcaused his Body to be removedhence to the Parish Church of GreatStHellen’s and layd in the Vault ofRobart Foot Esqrher present HusbandJanuary 1712.
Neer this PlaceLyeth the body of Ephraim Skinner MerchantSometimes his Majesties Consul at LivorneWhose
Neer this Place
Lyeth the body of Ephraim Skinner Merchant
Sometimes his Majesties Consul at Livorne
Whose
ExemplaryPiety Towards GodIntegrity towards ManCharity to the PooreHumility towards allMade himLive desiredby all that knew himDie Lamented
He was born in the Town of BarnstableIn Devon on StAndrews Day. Ann.MDCXXXVII Died at Islington May VItMDCLXXVIII in the XLI yeare of hisAgeA kind Husband toAnn: hisConsort who in memory of himerected this Monument but nowcaused his Body to be removedhence to the Parish Church of GreatStHellen’s and layd in the Vault ofRobart Foot Esqrher present HusbandJanuary 1712.
He was born in the Town of Barnstable
In Devon on StAndrews Day. Ann.
MDCXXXVII Died at Islington May VIt
MDCLXXVIII in the XLI yeare of his
Age
A kind Husband toAnn: his
Consort who in memory of him
erected this Monument but now
caused his Body to be removed
hence to the Parish Church of Great
StHellen’s and layd in the Vault of
Robart Foot Esqrher present Husband
January 1712.
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SirHumphry Edwin, descended from an old Herefordshire family, was born at Hereford in 1642. He was the only son of William Edwin (sometime Mayor of Hereford) by his wife Anne Mansfield, and grandson of William Edwin of the Field next Hereford. One of his sisters (Mary) was married to Sir Edward Dering. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Sambrooke, a London merchant, and a sister of Sir Jeremy Sambrooke; by her he had four sons, born between 1671 and 1677, viz., Samuel, Humphry, Thomas and Charles.
On the 3rd February, 1679, he was admitted to our freedom; on 11th October, 1687, he was sworn in Alderman of Tower Ward on the direct appointment of James II; on the 18th November following he was knighted at Whitehall, and a few weeks later appointed Sheriff of Glamorganshire, in which county he had purchased considerable estates. In 1688 Edwin was chosen Sheriff of London and Master of the Barber-Surgeons. In 1689 he took official part in the Proclamation of William and Mary in the City, and shortly after was appointed a Commissioner of Excise with a salary of £1,000; he was also an officer in the Honourable Artillery Company, and a Colonel of the Trained Bands.
In 1691 Edwin was the victim of a malicious prosecution; he was indicted for perjury, and a true bill found against him, but on his trial was acquitted, Lord Chief Justice Holt not calling on him to swear all his witnesses. Sir Humphry owned extensive property near Westminster Hall, he also had a mansion at Kensington, andadded to his Glamorganshire property the castle and lordship of Ogmore. In 1697 his eldest son Samuel was married to Lady Catharine Montagu, daughter of the Earl of Manchester, and the same year Sir Humphry was elected Lord Mayor of London, having been previously translated from the Barber-Surgeons to the Skinners’ Company. The customary mayoralty pageant was omitted, owing, doubtless, to Edwin’s religious scruples, he being a Nonconformist. Soon after his admission as Lord Mayor, he gave great offence by attending Nonconformist worship at a conventicle on the afternoons of Sunday, 31st October and 7th November, in full civic state. A meeting of the Court of Aldermen was held 9th November to consider a complaint of the Swordbearer against the Lord Mayor, for compelling his attendance on the occasion when the Lord Mayor was deserted by all his officers except the Swordbearer, whom one of the chapel officials had locked in a pew! According to the minute, the Court took notice that the Lord Mayor had “for two Lords dayes past in the afternoones gone to private meetings with the sword,” whereupon his Lordship promised to forbear the practice for the future. Edwin’s action roused all the bitterness of the High Church party and caused an angry literary controversy in which Dr. Nicholls, James Peirce, Calamy and Defoe joined, and in which the question of “occasional conformity” was raised. Edwin had on his election received the Sacrament in accordance with the rites of the Church of England, and his friend Defoe took him very severely to task for this, charging him with having “played bo-peep with God Almighty.”
On the 19th April, 1694, Sir Humphry Edwin was dismissed from the Court of Assistants of our Company on account of his continued non-attendance. He died 14th December, 1707, at his country seat at Llanmihangel, intestate, administration being granted to his son Charles on 19th February following. His widow died inLondon 22nd November, 1714. Besides the children already mentioned he had four daughters and a fifth son John, from whom is descended the present Earl of Crawford and Balcarres.
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SirWilliam Stewartwas admitted to the freedom 22nd July, 1686, by redemption. In 1706 he was one of the Directors of the East India Company. On 31st July, 1711, he was elected Alderman of Cripplegate, and the following year was knighted.
21st July, 1720. The Master acquainted the Court That SrWilliam Stewart Kntand Alderman of the City of London a Freeman of this Company being the Senior Alderman under the Chair of this City except one Did make it his request to this Court That he might be translated from this Company to the Company of Goldsmiths forasmuch as it was required by the Custom of London That he should be free of one of the first twelve Companys of this City before he could be put in elecc͠on to be Lord Mayor.
21st July, 1720. The Master acquainted the Court That SrWilliam Stewart Kntand Alderman of the City of London a Freeman of this Company being the Senior Alderman under the Chair of this City except one Did make it his request to this Court That he might be translated from this Company to the Company of Goldsmiths forasmuch as it was required by the Custom of London That he should be free of one of the first twelve Companys of this City before he could be put in elecc͠on to be Lord Mayor.
Sir William was Lord Mayor for the year 1721–2, and died at his house in Mark Lane, 29th April, 1723. His corpse was carried, preceded by a hundred boys of Christ’s Hospital and fifty boys belonging to the London Workhouse, each with a wax taper in his hand, and was interred at Guildhall Chapel 7th May following.
His Will is dated 28th March, 1723, and by it he bequeaths various legacies of £2,000 each to nephews and nieces, and sundryother smaller legacies to friends and servants, etc. £700 to St. Bartholomews, and £100 each to St. Thomas’, Christ’s and Bethlem Hospitals. £50 to the London Workhouse, £500 to his housekeeper Mrs. Ann Smedley, etc.
Arms. Or a fesse chequy ar. and az. over all a bend engr. gu.
Charles Bernard, who was born about 1656, was a son of Samuel Bernard, D.D., of Croydon. On 16th August, 1670 (his father being then dead), he was apprenticed to Henry Boone, Surgeon, for seven years, and on 4th December, 1677, was admitted to the freedom of the Barber-Surgeons; on 25th October, 1697, he was chosen an Assistant, and on 8th November, 1700, an Examiner of Surgeons in the place of Thomas Lichfield. In 1702 he was appointed Serjeant-Surgeon to Queen Anne, and in 1703 he was Master of the Company. One of his brothers, Dr. Francis Bernard, was physician to James II, and he had another brother, Dr. William Bernard. Charles Bernard died at Lord Weymouth’s house, Long Leate, Wilts, on 9th October, 1710, and shortly afterwards the Company caused his portrait to be painted. There is a Latin inscription below it which is highly eulogistic of Bernard, the following being atranslation:—
This portrait of Charles Bernard Esquire, Royal Surgeon in Chief, most learned in Greek and Latin letters, most experienced, candid and upright in his profession, enjoying the greatest favour with the Most Serene Queen Anne, the greatest fame amongthe laity, the greatest authority among his fellows, the greatest esteem among all, in consideration of the remission by the same Most Serene Queen at his prayer of a heavy sum of nearly one thousand pounds in which this Company was bound to the Royal Exchequer, and in consideration of his advancement of Surgical science, his assertion and augmentation of its dignity, and other brilliant services to the Surgeons, the Company caused this portrait to be painted after his death 1711.
This portrait of Charles Bernard Esquire, Royal Surgeon in Chief, most learned in Greek and Latin letters, most experienced, candid and upright in his profession, enjoying the greatest favour with the Most Serene Queen Anne, the greatest fame amongthe laity, the greatest authority among his fellows, the greatest esteem among all, in consideration of the remission by the same Most Serene Queen at his prayer of a heavy sum of nearly one thousand pounds in which this Company was bound to the Royal Exchequer, and in consideration of his advancement of Surgical science, his assertion and augmentation of its dignity, and other brilliant services to the Surgeons, the Company caused this portrait to be painted after his death 1711.
Mr. Bernard possessed a valuable library containing a curious collection of the best authors in Physic, Philology, Antiquities, &c., together with many ancient manuscripts, all of which were sold by Auction in March, 1711, at the Black Boy Coffee House in Ave Maria Lane. Swift in his Journal to Stella, March 19th, says,
I went to-day to see poor Charles Bernard’s books, and I itch to lay out nine or ten pounds for some fine Editions of fine authors * * * I walked to-day into the City, and went to see the auction of poor Charles Bernard’s books. They were in the middle of Physic books, so I bought none, and they are so dear I believe I shall buy none.
I went to-day to see poor Charles Bernard’s books, and I itch to lay out nine or ten pounds for some fine Editions of fine authors * * * I walked to-day into the City, and went to see the auction of poor Charles Bernard’s books. They were in the middle of Physic books, so I bought none, and they are so dear I believe I shall buy none.
A catalogue of these books is in the Sloane collection (1770).
In Nichols’ Literary Anecdotes is a story of Mr. Edward Thwaites, M.A., Fellow of Queen’s College, Oxford, which characteristically introduces Mr. Bernard.
Mr. Bernard’s daughter Elizabeth was married to Ambrose Dickins, Esquire (who was Master in 1629 and Serjeant-Surgeon).
By his Will, dated 7th November, 1707, he bequeathed to his wife Susan, £500 and his houses in Broad Street, Pissing Alley and Milk Street. To his daughter Susan £1,000, and other bequests to his daughters Elizabeth and Mary, his son Charles and his sister Jane. He desires to be buried privately and late at night, makes his children residuary legatees and appoints his brother, Dr. William Bernard and his kinsman, Thomas Sisson, executors. By a codicil 3rd October,1710, he revokes the appointment of executors and makes his son, Henry Bernard, and Charles Bernard (Clerk of the Barber-Surgeons) his executors with £100 each.
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SirJohn Bullwas the son of Richard Bull, of Stonall, Staffordshire, and was admitted to our freedom 6th April, 1714. He was susequently translated to the Clothworkers’ Company, and nominated Sheriff of London, 22nd April, 1718, which office he served during the Mayoralty of Sir John Ward.
Arms. Or. three bull’s heads gu.
Claudius Amyandwas the second son of Isaac Amyand, of Mornac, Xaintonge, a Hugenot refugee who was naturalized in London 10th October, 1688, and was living there in 1699. Claudius Amyand’s birth is not recorded. He was elected a Director of the French Protestant Hospital (La Providence) 2nd January, 1723. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society and Serjeant-Surgeon to George II. On 7th May, 1728, he was admitted to the freedom of the Barber-Surgeons,examined and approved touching his skill in surgery, admitted to fine for all offices to the Parlour door, and elected on to the Court of Assistants. It was ordered on the same day “in regard to the dignity of their offices” that Mr. Serjeant Dickins and Mr. Serjeant Amyand should hereafter take precedence next after the Governors for the time being. Mr. Amyand served as Warden in 1729 and 1730 and was Master of the Company in 1731. He was Surgeon to St. George’s Hospital 1733–1738. By his wife, Mary Rabache, he had three sons and six daughters. The eldest son Claudius was Under-Secretary of State in 1750 and an M.P.; he married Frances widow of George, 6th Earl of Northampton. The second son George who was also an M.P. and a Director of the East India Company was on the 4th August, 1764, created a baronet. The third son Thomas was in holy orders. The eldest daughter Anne married John Porter, M.P., Alderman and Sheriff of London; another daughter, Mary Catherine married Sir Richard Adams, Recorder of London and a Baron of the Exchequer; and the youngest daughter Judith, was married to the Rev. Thos. Ashton, D.D., Rector of St. Botolph, Bishopsgate.
Sir George Amyand (son of Claudius) was succeeded by his eldest son, Sir George Cornewall, Bart., M.P., who on his marriage with Catherine daughter and heiress of Velters Cornewall, M.P., assumed the name and arms of Cornewall and was the ancestor of the present baronet of that name. Sir George Amyand’s second son John Amyand, M.P., died in 1780 unmarried; his daughter Anna Maria married Gilbert, Earl of Minto, and another daughter, Harriet Mary, married James, Earl of Malmesbury.
Serjeant-Surgeon Amyand died at his house in Castle Street, St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields, 6th July, 1740, having met with an accident in Greenwich Park on the day previously, and his Will was proved afew days afterwards. He bequeathed to each of his children £1,000, he left £300 for apprenticing poor boys, and his lands in Hampshire and at Sidlesham, Sussex, and the residue to his wife Mary.
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SirThomaswas the son of Thomas Challoner, of Woodbridge, Suffolk. On 4th July, 1699, he was apprenticed to January Farmer (who was a Barber by trade), and was admitted to the freedom 4th March, 1707. He left the trade of a Barber and became a Wholesale Grocer and Merchant in Leadenhall Street, where he traded in partnership with Mr. Lethieullier. On the 2nd December, 1760, he was elected Alderman of the Ward of Aldgate, served the office of Sheriff in 1762 (when the celebrated William Beckford was Lord Mayor), and was knighted 4th October in the same year. In 1761, he was Master of the Barbers and living at Walthamstow, where dying 8th May, 1766, he was buried there.
By his Will dated 5th March, 1766, he gave his sister Rachel Challoner £20 per annum for life. To Mr. William Lethieullier and Rachel his wife £100 each, and to their daughters Rachael and Margaret £50 each. Residue to his wife Mary Challoner.
Arms. Ar. on a fesse betw. three fleur de lys gu. another fleur de lys or.
Thiseminent Surgeon was the son of George Cheselden, and born 19th October, 1688, at Somerby, near Burrow-on-the-Hill, Leicestershire. He was at an early age studying anatomy with William Cowper, the celebrated anatomist, but appears to have left him when fifteen years old, for on the 7th December, 1703, he was bound apprentice for seven years to James Ferne, the Surgeon to St. Thomas’ Hospital, under which distinguished man he made rapid advance in his profession. On 5th December, 1710, he was admitted to the freedom and livery of the Barber-Surgeons, on the 29th January following he had a full certificate to practise as a Surgeon, and he then (being but twenty-two years of age) began his lectures on anatomy, and the following year was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
By a minute in our books of 25th March, 1714, it seems that Mr. Cheselden had often procured the bodies of malefactors and privately dissected them at his own house, and that at times when lectures and dissections were proceeding at the Hall, whereby the attendance at the Hall was diminished, and moreover contrary to the express laws of the Company; whereupon he was summoned before the Court and reproved, when he promised not to offend again in like manner. A less influential man would probably have been fined.
In 1719 he was elected Surgeon to St. Thomas’ Hospital, where he highly distinguished himself in his operations for the stone. He was also consulting Surgeon to St. George’s and the WestminsterInfirmary. In 1727 he was appointed principal Surgeon to Queen Caroline, and ten years later was chosen Head Surgeon to Chelsea Hospital, which post he held till his death. He married Miss Deborah Knight of London, by whom he had an only daughter. His practice was both extensive and lucrative, and his works on Surgery are numerous, besides which he was a frequent contributor to the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. Mr. Cheselden died at Bath on the 10th April, 1752.
Dr. J. F. Payne says that he will always be regarded as, beyond dispute, one of the greatest of British surgeons, being one of the most brilliant operators whose achievements are upon record; he was a keen patron of athletic sports, especially boxing; his disposition was gay and genial, he was fond of society, and evidently popular, while to his patients he was always kind and tender-hearted.
On the separation of the Surgeons from the Barbers in 1745, Mr. Cheselden was named in the Act of Parliament one of the Wardens of the new Company of Surgeons, he having been Junior Warden of the Barber-Surgeons that year. His will is a remarkable specimen of brevity and absence offormality:—
Being in perfect health I write this with my own hand and declare it to be my last Will and Testament. I give to my daughter W. J. Cotes five hundred pounds and all the rest and residue of my estate of what kind soever to my wife and make her full and sole Executrix administratrix and assign Witness my hand and seal. WillmCheselden (L.S.) 24th March 1749/50.
Being in perfect health I write this with my own hand and declare it to be my last Will and Testament. I give to my daughter W. J. Cotes five hundred pounds and all the rest and residue of my estate of what kind soever to my wife and make her full and sole Executrix administratrix and assign Witness my hand and seal. WillmCheselden (L.S.) 24th March 1749/50.
Arms. Quarterly 1 and 4 Ar a chev. betw. three crosses moline gu. (Cheselden). 2. Ar. on a fesse indented sa. three bezants (Brough). 3. Or. an eagle displayed az. beaked and feet gu. (Mongomery).
Ambrose Dickins(sometimes spelt Dickens) was the son of George Dickins of Riplington, in East Meon, Hampshire, gentleman, and was probably born about 1687. On the 17th February, 1702, he was apprenticed to Serjeant-Surgeon Charles Bernard for seven years, and on the 16th February, 1709, he was admitted to the Freedom and Livery of the Barber-Surgeons, when he was residing in James Street, Covent Garden. He married (before the 24th March, 1709) Elizabeth, daughter of Charles Bernard. On December 20th, 1721, he was elected Surgeon to Westminster Hospital. His old master, Charles Bernard, died in October, 1710, and it seems that Dickins succeeded him when quite a young man in the important office of Serjeant-Surgeon. In 1728 he was Warden of the Barber-Surgeons, and in 1729 Master of the Company. He was Surgeon to St. George’s Hospital 1733–38. On the separation of the Surgeons from the Barbers in 1745, Mr. Dickins became an Assistant of the Surgeons’ Company and an Examiner of Surgeons. He probably died in 1747, as on 7th September in that year Mr. Cæsar Hawkins was appointed Serjeant-Surgeon in his place.
Dr. John Douglas, Bishop of Salisbury, in “The Criterion,” introduces Mr. Dickins’ name in an interesting paragraph. Dr. Douglas was a firm believer in the efficacy of the Royal touch for the King’s evil, and he gives some curious particulars of Mr. Dickins’ experience in this matter which are well worth referring to.
Arms. Ermine on a cross fleury sa. a leopard’s face or.
Thiseminent Surgeon (the son of Mr. Cæsar Hawkins, a Surgeon at Ludlow, Shropshire) was born 10th January, 1711, and by his great ability, at a very early age secured a large and lucrative practice; he was the inventor of the cutting gorget, and a remarkably dexterous operator.