List of Forty-Five Vicars of Tilmanstone. Compiled, with Notes

( 104 ) LIST OE EORTY-EIVE VICAES OE TILMANSTONE.* COMPILED, WITH NOTES, BY REV. THOMAS SHIPDEM FRAMPTON, M.A., F.S.A. VICAES. PATRONS. MILO DE LILLENGESTAN, pres. 20 Oct. 1271. The King. (Pat. 56 Hen. IIL, m. 2.) l N. DE KTSISINGBIE', inst. 23 Dec. 1280. (Regist. The Archbishop. Peckham,! 50b.) 2 * It is on record that there was a church at Tilmanstone in the time of Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1185-90. But certain architectural features in the present building—especially the south doorway—shew beyond doubt that it existed in the Norman, and not improbably also in the Saxon period. In the time of Cardinal and Archbishop Stephen Langton, 1207-28, there were throe claimants for the patronage of this church, the Knights Hospitallers of Jerusalem, who derived their claim indirectly from some of the Archbishop's predecessors ; Roger de Insula, clerk, who asserted that he had obtained it from Archbishop Baldwin; and the Archbishop himself. The other contending parties agreed to submit to his decision, and he .gave it in favour of the Hospitallers, retaining for himself and his successors the right of instituting the vicar. At the same time he settled the endowment, decreeing that the vicar should have the whole of the "altarage," and a moiety of all ecclesiastical tithes, except that of certain land which was the church's demesne ; also a certain messuage, which had been that of Alredus the clerk. The Archbishop likewise determined to what dues the vicar should be subject. (Lamb. Lib., Chartce Miscell., vol. xi., No. 74.) 1 MILO DE LILLENGESTAN. He was presented by the King, the Archbishopric being vacant. On September 16 in the same year he had letters of presentation from the King to tho vicarage of " Pageham," in Sussex, a Peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury. 2 N. DE KYSISINGBIR'. The date here given is really that of the Archbishop's mandate to the Dean of Sandwich to induct the FORTY-FIVE VICARS OF TILMANSTONE. 105 VIOABS. PATBONS. GEOEFRET DE LEWES, inst. 16 July 1286. (Ibid., The Archbishop. f. 31 a.)» WALTER, C. 1313. (Placita Corone, Kent, 6 Ed. IL, m. 31.) * RALPH DE HULCOTE, in 1336. (Hasted, iv., 208.) 5 WILLIAM ELYS, pres. 14 July 1349. (Pat. 23 The King. Ed. III. , pt. ii., m. 23.) JOHN DE BERHAM, preB. 6 Oct. 1349. (Pat. 23 The King. Ed. III. , pt. iii., m. 30.) new vicar, but this was usually issued at the time of institution. In this instance the Archbishop presented, and the same right was exercised by his successors until after the year 1449, notwithstanding Stephen Langton's decision in favour of the Hospitallers. 3 GEOFFREY DE LEWES. In the Taxatio Ecclesiastiea of P. Nicholas IV., in 1291, the church of Tilmanstone is returned as worth £10. * WALTER. Mentioned only in connection with the untoward event which led to his retirement from the parish. The following is a literal translation of the account given in the Assize Roll:—" Walter, vicar of the church of Tylmanstone, and Thomas, clerk of the said vicar, and Robert de Raundes, were together in the borough of Tylmanstone, and a dispute having arisen between them, the aforesaid Robert would have killed the aforesaid Walter, the vicar; and seeing this the said Thomas, the clerk, both drew his knife and struck the aforesaid Robert in the back; whereupon on the eighth day after he died therefrom. Afterwards it was found by the Coroner's Rolls that Eleanor, who was the wife of Robert de Raundes, who is dead, appealed in the County [Court] the aforesaid Walter, vicar of the church of Tylmanstone, and Thomas, clerk of the said Walter, touching the death of the aforesaid Robert her husband, and followed up her appeal against them unto the fourth County [Court], at which the aforesaid appeal was removed by King's writ to the Court of our lord the King; and the aforesaid Thomas was delivered up as a convicted clerk to the Bishop, and died in prison. And whereas nothing is known of the delivery of the aforesaid Walter, who is still remaining in the country, therefore let him be taken. Afterwards the Sheriff testifies that the aforesaid Walter is not found, but has withdrawn himself. And the jurors suspect him touching the death of the aforesaid Robert; therefore let him be exacted and outlawed. He had no chattels." 6 RALPH DE HULCOTE. In the Report of Prior Philip de Thame to the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitallers, Elyan de Villanova, for the year 1338, the moiety of the church of Tilmanston is returned as amounting to £8. 106 FORTY-FIVE VICARS VICARS. WILLIAM JORDAN, adm. 9 Oct. 1349. (Regist. G-., Ch.Ch. Cant., f. 68 a.) « ROGER, exch. with the last, 6 Oct. 1356. (Regist. Islep, f. 272 I.) JOHN HAMOND, inst. 21 Dec. 1369. (Regist. Whittlesey, f. 74 b.) WILL, DE BUKYNGHAM, inst. 28 Oct. 1372, on resig. of the last. (Ibid., f. 92 b.) WILL. HOBKYNG, exch. with the last, 23 Mar. 1393-4. (Regist. M. D. B. and O, f. 217 a.) 7 JOHN WYNNER, inst. 28 Dec. 1402, on d. of the last. (Regist. Arundel, i., f. 286 a.) 8 WILLIAM SWAN, inst. 7 Eeb. 1415-6, on d. of the last vicar. (Regist. Chichele, i., f. 71 a.) THOMAS WYSTOWE, inst. 31 Oct. 1416, on d. of the last. (Ibid., f. 78 a.) ADAM SKELTON, exch. with the last, 30 Oct. 1417. (Ibid., f. 90 b.) 9 ROBERT CEHAM, inst. 10 June 1429. (Ibid., f. 176 «.) THOMAS KYMBERLEE, inst. 15 Apr. 1431, on resig. of the last. (Ibid., f. 190 a.) WILLIAM THOMAS, inst. 19 Mar. 1435-6. (Ibid., f. 210 b.) WILLIAM BREMANANGYR, inst. 12 Dec. 1449. (Regist. Stafford, f. 101 b.) THOMAS MAKALAN. JOHN OKEBOUENE, inst. 21 Nov. 1468, on resig. of the last. (Regist. Bourgchier, f. 99 b.) 10 PATRONS. The King. The Archbishop. The Archbishop. The Archbishop. The Archbishop. The Archbishop. The Archbishop. The Archbishop. The Archbishop. The Archbishop. The Archbishop. The Archbishop. The Archbishop. Prior of S. John of Jerusalem. 0 WILLIAM JORDAN. The presentation of three clerics to Tilmanstone within as many months points only too plainly to the terrible pestilence known as the Black Death, which visited the country between July 1348 and October 1349, and is computed to have carried off more than half the population. Jordan, after holding the vicarage seven years, exchanged with Roger, rector of the neighbouring church of " Chillyngden." 7 WILLIAM HOBKYNG. Previously vicar of " Siberteswald," then in the patronage of the Abbot and Convent of S. Radegund. 8 JOHN WYNNER. Described as capellanus, as were also his two successors. 9 ADAM SKELTON. Previously perpetual vicar of Glen Magna, iu the diocese of Lincoln. 10 JOHN OKEBOURNE. This is the earliest instance mentioned iu the Episcopal Registers of the Prior of S. John of Jerusalem exercising the right of presentation. The will of Richard Harvy, 30 December 1471, throws a little light on church OF TILMANSTONE. 107 VlCAB. PATEON. JOHN SMALE, inst. 24 May 1474, on d. of the Prior of S. John last. (Ibid., f. 110 a.)11 of Jerusalem. matters in the time of this vicar. He directed that his body should be buried in the graveyard of the church of S. Andrew, near " le Porche;" to the high altar he left 3s. 4d.; to the fabric of the church, to cover " le churchrove," 40s. ; also to the same church a missal, and a uew chalice. Testator likewise arranged for a chaplain to hold memorial services in the church for a whole year, at a salary of ten marks. 11 JOHN SMALE. Three extracts from an early Court Roll iu the possession of L. L. Duncan, Esq., E.S.A., and kindly communicated by him, reveal a curious picture of the relations existing between this vicar aud his parishioners shortly after his appointment. Court held at Tilmanstone, 25 April 1476: "Item [juratores] presentantquod Dominus Johannes Smale insultum fecit et traxit sanguinem super Willelmum servientem suum contra pacem domini Regis. Ideo in misericordia— xxd." Court held there, 10 October 1476: " Item [juratores] presentant quod Dominus Johannes Smale, vicarius de Tilmaston, fecit insultum cum baculo contra Jacobum Medilton sissor' (scissorem) ibidem contra pacem domini Regis. Ideo ipse in misericordia—iijs. iiijd." Court held there, 19 October 1480: " It'm the Tenttnts hath presentyd by there hothes that they have sworne that the vykeer Sir John Smale came to the alehous at mydnyght and his man w* hym seyng this wordys to his man Go yn and geve a blowe. A pou the whyche wordys there was a fray aud lykely to a bene manslawter. Eerd'more whan the man was hurt and lay in poynt of Dethe he said unto the vekery Corsyd be thu vykere thow art caws of my hurt aud of this fray wherfore thow art wordy to be hangyd for this mater. Ideo in misericordia— xs." Thirteen Tilmanstone wills, now in the Archidiaconal Registry at Canterbury, but made during the forty-one years of Mr. Smale's incumbency, testify to the affection of the parishioners for their ancient church, and to their desire that its services should be upheld in a becoming manner. Among the numerous bequests the following may be noticed: John Hervy, of " Barfeld," 10 September 1479, left to the high altar 3s. 4d.; to the work of the church 5 qrs. of barley; also to the light called the " Hokeday light," and to the Torch light, 1 qr. of barley. Richard Knott by his will dated 10 April 1480, and proved 12 June 1498, besides leaving 12d. to the high altar, made the bequest: " It'm to the reparation of the body of the seid churche xiid It'm I bequethe to the churche aforseid iij ewes and iij11 wex to th'entent that the iij11 wex may be maynteyned and light yerely over the sepulchre of our Lord at Estertyme." Matthew Selby, 25 March 1491, left to the 108 FORTY-FIVE VICARS VlOAB. PATEON. JOHN AEMAYN, inst. 24 Oct. 1515, ou d. of the Prior of S. John last. (Regist. Warham, f. 359 a.) of Jerusalem. high altar 6s. 8d.; aud to the fabric of the church 13s. 4d. Also for the support of the light of the Paschal Taper six wether sheep or one cow, as the churchwardens, or two other discreet parishioners, might think best. Also for the repair of the noisome ways leading to " Sandwyc," 6s. 8d., or twenty cart-loads of stone. John Pittok, 1 October 1493, left for the repair of the church 2 qrs. of barley. Richard Knott, 31 August 1503, left to the high altar one sheep, and to the light called " Hopday light " a bushel of wheat. Tho. Gybbys, 28 February 1506-7, left to the " hye auter " two bushels of " barle." " It'm I bequeith to the Hocday light in the seid cherche also ij busshellis of barle." Under special contingencies testator provided that certain of his lands and tenements were to be sold for the most profit, " and the money therof cumyng to be devided equally, half to bye keene for a stok to maynten' the lightes of the p'ishe chirche of Tylmanston, and the other half to repayre the fowule weys betuex Eastre and Sandwiche wher as is moste nede." A witness to this will was " Sir John Congragh than beyng Curate." Mr. Smale was by this time probably too infirm to sway the rod of empire without assistance. Nicholas Pyttocke by his will, 4 May 1508, bequeathed " to the hygh auter of Seint Andrewe aforeseide viijd., also to the Rode lyght ij buschellys of barley." Michaell Cooke, 20 March 1508-9, left directions for his body to be buried in the church " coram imagine Crucifixi." He also left 6s. 8d. for tho purchase of a missal; a quarter of barley to the light of the Holy Cross ; also 40s. for the repairs of the church ; and a cow with six sheep for the light of S. Mary and S. Nicholas. Hen. Hamond, 7 August 1509, left to the high altar and to the light of S. Andrew, severally, four bushels of barley; also one bushel of barley to every other light in the church. This testator also left 12d. to the high altar of " Norborne," and provided that if his maidservant remained with his wife until Michaelmas 1510, she was to have a sheep, a lamb, four bushels of wheat and four of barley. Will of Thomas Churche, of " Thorneton," 5 June 1511: " Also I bequeth to the buyng of a Coope (cope) a seme of whette. Also I bequethe to the Hokdaie light iiij ewes." One of the witnesses to the will of Tho. ffygge, 10 December 1514, was Sir John Clynston, curate. In the wills here cited mention is made of some half a dozen lights, which were formerly maintained in the church. With some of these would be connected minor altars, two of which were on either side of the chancel arch beneath the side windows in the north and south walls of the nave, which have every appearance of having been altar lights, and close to one of which the outline of a piscina was discovered during the late Restoration. The Hockday Light may have been sustained by some local guild, which kept their annual f6te at that season. Authorities are not agreed OF TILMANSTONE. 109 VIOAES. PATRONS. RALPH ROGER, inst. 15 Jan. 1518-9, on d. of the Prior of S. John last. (Ibid., f. 367 a.) 12 of Jerusalem. HENRY HUDSPETH, inst. 17 Eeb. 1524-5, on d. The Archbishop. of the last vicar. (Ibid., f. 383 b.) " JAMES NICHOLSON, in 1535-6. (Valor Eccles.) u WILLIAM COCKES, inst. 1 Mar. 1545-6, on d. of The Archbishop. the last. (Regist. Cranmer, f. 399 a.)16 as to the origin and meaning of the term, but the day seems to have been the third Tuesday after Easter, and in former times it was marked by collections made for church purposes. 12 RALPH ROGER. This vicar by his will, dated 13 July 1524, and proved four days later, left in reference to the place of his interment the following direction: " My body to be buried yn the chauncell afore Saynt Andrew there." This implies the existence of an image of S. Andrew, who was the Patron Saint, which was in accordance with a decree of Archbishop Winchelsea, ordering that the image of the saint in whose name the church was dedicated should be carefully preserved in the chancel of every parish church. Testator likewise gave directions, and left a bequest, for memorial services in the church. This is the earliest will of a vicar of Tilmanstone that has been found. 18 HENRY HUDSPETH. The entry in Archbishop Warham's Register states that Hudspeth was instituted on the death of the last vicar, but unfortunately the name is not mentioned. There is no doubt, however, that he came next after Ralph Roger, as only a few months intervene between the death of the latter and Hudspeth's institution. Mr. Hudspeth had previously been rector of Shadoxhurst, to which he was instituted 7 September 1523. By his will, dated on the Eeast of S. Margaret, 1530, he left directions for his body to be buried in the chancel of Tilmanstone Church. The supervisor of his will was John Solme, vicar of Northbourne, and the witnesses were Sir John Denby, parson of " Rypull," Sir James Nycolson, parson of " Schadockysherst," and William Kyrkbye. 14 JAMES NICHOLSON. The institution of this vicar seems never to have been entered in the Archbishop's Register. Like his predecessor, he was previously rector of Shadoxhurst, and the vacancy iu that living caused by his resignation was filled up by the appointment of George Walyngiam, on 7 Eebruary 1531-2. (Regist. Warham, f. 414 b.) He held Tilmanstone till the time of his death, which probably occurred at the end of 1545, or early in the next year. 16 WILLIAM COCKES. He was already rector of Betteshanger, having been collated to that living by Archbishop Cranmer, 11 April 1540. He was a witness to the will, dated 9 March 1546-7, of " Thomas Pyttocke th'eldre of the parishe off 110 FORTY-FIVE VICARS VICAR. PATBON. THOMAS LILFORD, inst. 29 May 1554, on depriv. The Queen, of the last. (Regist. N., Ch. Ch. Cant., f. 68 a.) 16 Tylmanston," who bequeathed to the " high aulter of the church aforesaide for my tythes forgotten two ewes." Testator likewise made provision for a memorial service iu the church. On the accession of Queen Mary, William Cockes was deprived of his living. 16 THOMAS LILFORD. He was presented to Tilmanstone by Queen Mary, in the vacancy of the See of Canterbury. A few wills yield some additional information about the church and parish during his incumbency. Will of John Den, 1 February 1556-7 : " It'm I wyll have at my forthfare a trentall of masses wythe dyridge, at my monthes mynde as manye wl dyrydge, and at my twelvemonthes mynde lekewyse a trentall w' dyrge after the moste solempne fashyon vsyed in the churche. It'm I bequethe to the poore peple at my forthfare, monthes mynde, and twelve monthes mynde, at everye tyme xxs., and as for mete and drynke for the people I putt yt to the dyscretyon of my executors as they maye be honestlye refreshed It'm I bequethe xl ewes to the poore people of this p'ishe of Tylmaston after this sorte that the moste honest men of substans shall putt them owte to farme for the moste vantage for the poore w* the advysement of the vycar for the tyme beynge for ever. And the monye therof cumynge to be delyuered to the poore people at ij tymes in the yere (that ys to saye) on Saincte Thomas Avynes daye before Christmas and on Good Erydaye, by even porcyons, these to be delyuered at Myghelmas nexte after my decease." (Archd. Court, Cant., xxxii., 6.) Thomas Cockes by his will, dated 4 September 1558, and proved 10 March following, left these bequests : " Item I bequethe to the vicare of Tylmanston aforesaied for tythes and oblac'ons forgotten and necgligently w'houlden, if any suche be, in dyschardge of my soule and conscience xxs. sterlinge Item I give and bequethe towardes the payling of the churche yarde of Tylmanston aforesaied xxs. sterlinge. . . . . Item I will that my executrix herafter named at her proper costes and charges euery yere during her lyfe naturall shall cause to be caried and layed in the highe waye btw'ne Sandwch and Eastrye one hundrethe loads of stones." (P.C.C, 55 Welles.) John Cullynge by his will, 27 July 1563, left to the " vycar of Tylmeston xiid.," to "the poore mens boxe xiid.," and to " the reparac'on of the churche xiid." Will. Boys, gent., by his will, 26 March 1572, left " to the poore of the parysshes of Nonington, Tylmanstone, Eastrey, and the Castell of Cantorburye, syxe quarters of wheate yerelye durynge three score yeares." Thomas Lylford, the vicar, by his will, 10 May 1586, left directions for his body to be buried OF TILMANSTONE. I l l VICABS. PATEONS. EDWARD MUNDY, M.A., inst. 10 June 1586, on The Archbishop. d. of the last. (Regist. Whitgift, i., f. 474 5 . ) " FRANCIS DALTON, S.T.B., inst. 20 Dec. 1597, The Archbishop. on resig. of the last. (Ibid., iii., f. 246 a.)18 JOHN BOYS, M.A., inst. 11 Oct. 1599, on resig. The Archbishop. of the last. (Ibid., f. 254 a.) " in the chancel of the church. He also left the following bequests: " Item I give to the poore of the said parrishe of Tylmanstone xs., to be pd. wthin one whole yeare next after my decese. Item I give to the reparations of the said p'ishe churche of Tylmanstone xxs. Item I give towardes the reparations of Bettishanger churche and there (their) bookes needefull for the same vjs. viijd. Item I give to the poore of St. Margarettes vs. Ite' I give to Mr Mundy for a funerall sermon to be preached by him at my buryall a dubble duckett of gold And thus the Lord of his infinite greate mercye and grace receyue my soule into his blessed tuition, and the same to place amonge his electe children in his blessed kingdome of heaven : To whome be all laude praise and everlastinge glory for ever and ever Amen." (Archd. Court., Cant., xlvi., 98 b.) The entry of the burial of this vicar occurs in the oldest Register, which commences in 1558, as follows: " 1586, Item the xvijlh of May Thomas Lilforth vicar of the parishe of Tilmanstone was buried, whom the Lord of his mercie hath receyved into his kingdome." Mr. Lilford held for some years the rectory of Betteshanger, to which he was admitted 4 November 1564, on the presentation of William Boyse, Esq. 17 EDWARD MUNDY. According to Hasted he also held Betteshanger, and resigned it with Tilmanstone in 1597. 18 FRANCIS DALTON. He was rector of S. Dionis Backchurch, one of the Archbishop's Peculiars, 1592-6. In 1599, he resigned Tilmanstone; but some years elapsed before he obtained the rectory of Hope All Saints, to which he was instituted 27 March 1606, on presentation by King James. He retained it only about two years. 19 JOHN BOYS. He was the son of Thomas Boys, Esq., of Eythorn, where he was born in 1571. He was probably educated at the King's School, Canterbury, whence he proceeded, in 1585 to Corpus Christi Coll., Camb. He subsequently became a Fellow of Clare Hall. His first preferment was the rectory of Betteshanger, obtained for him by his uncle, John Boys, Esq., to which he was instituted 8 August 1597. Archbishop Whitgift gave him the Mastership of Eastbridge Hospital; and, in 1599, the vicarage of Tilmanstone. In the year 1610 he was appointed by King James I. one of the Fellows of Chelsea College, then lately founded. Arch112 FORTY-FIVE VICARS VICARS. PATBONS. WILLIAM TURNER, M.D., inst. 7 Nov. 1618, on The Archbishop. resig. of the last. (Regist. Abbot, i., f. 436 a.) MOSES CAPELL, M.A., inst. 30 Apr. 1630, on The Archbishop. resig. of the last. (Ibid., iii., f. 188 5.)20 NICHOLAS BILLINGSLEY, M.A., adm. 12 July The Parliament. 1644, on resig. of the last. (Vide Hist. MSS. Coram., Report vi., pt. i., p. 18 «.)21 bishop Abbot presented him with the sinecure rectory of HoUingbourne; and, in 1618, with the rectory of Great Mongeham, on which he resigned Tilmanstone. On the death of Dr. Fotherby he was promoted by the King to the Deanery of Canterbury, and was installed 3 May 1619. He held office a little more than six years, and died suddenly in his study 26 September 1625. He was buried in the Dean's Chapel in the Cathedral, where a handsome monument was erected to his memory by his widow, Angela, daughter of Robert Bargrave, Esq., of Bridge. Dr. Boys was distinguished as a preacher. The same year that he obtained Tilmanstone he was called on to preach at S. Paul's Cross, though he was then only twenty-eight years of age. Two years later he again occupied the pulpit there. He then preached at S. Mary's, Cambridge; and ou the 11th September 1607 he occupied the pulpit at Ashford, when Archbishop Abbot held his primary visitation there. On 14 June 1625 he preached, as Dean in his Cathedral Church before King Charles I. and Henrietta Maria, who had landed two days previously at Dover. Dr. Boys's Commentaries, Expositions of the Liturgy, and Sermons, were most valuable contributions to the theological literature of the day, and are still regarded as standard works. The churches of Betteshanger and Tilmanstone were formally united 11 October 1599. (Regist. Whitgift, iii., f. 253 b.) 20 MOSES CAPELL. With this living he held the rectory of Betteshanger, to which he had been instituted 6 August 1628. The entries of numerous " domestic events " in the Tilmanstone Register shew that Mr. Capell was resident throughout his incumbency here. In one of the entries, under 3 August 1634, his wife's name is mentioned as Mary Boyse. 21 NicnoLAS BILLINGSLEY. Previously Master of Faversham Grammar School, where he was succeeded, in 1644, by Penitence NichoUs. The Parish Register of Faversham contains the following baptismal entry: " 1633, 1 Nov. Nicholas son of Nicholas and Letitia Billingsley." His name occurs in the Parish Register of Tilmanstone under 10 October 1647, when his daughter Lettice was buried. He held also the rectory of Betteshanger, which he resigned 4 July 1651, according to an entry in the Register of that parish. He probably resigned Tilmanstone at the same time. It appears OF TILMANSTONE. 113 VIOAES. PATEONS. HUMPHRY DICUS.2 2 JAMES BURVILL, B.A., inst. 6 Nov. 1675, ou d. The Archbishop. of the last. (Regist. Sheldon, f. 365 a.) 23 THOMAS MAUNDER, or MANDER, M.A., iust. The Archbishop. that he did not live many years after leaving Tilmanstone, as his son Nicholas in the introductory epistle to one of his literary productions, entitled The Infancy of the World, written in 1656, speaks of his late reverend father. 22 HUMPHRY DICUS. There seems no reason to doubt that he came next after Mr. Billingsley, though the date of his being admitted to the living has not been found. His name appears in the Parish Register under 7 June 1652, when his son Humphry was baptized. Entries of the baptism of five other of his children also occur in 1658, '60, '63 (two), and '68. The following entry in the Register refers to the replacing of the font, which had been removed in the Comnionwealfch period: " Mary the daughter of Christopher Ellis and Jane bis wife was baptized Dec. 28th being Innocents Day 1662, and was the first child that was baptized in the font newly set up again." The entry of the burial of Sarah, wife of Mr. Dicus, occurs under 19 July 1673 ; and the entry of his own burial is given thus : "Mr. Humphry Dicus, minister of this parish, was buried 22nd of Oct. 1675." In MS. 1126, in Lambeth Palace Library, the following account is given of Mr. Dicus and of his parish, under date of October 1663 : " A man of good parts and principles, but in some things indiscreet. He is tennant to y° Arch. Bp. at £6 rent. Improued rent £50. Twenty Houses in ye Parish, but not aboue 20 p'sons that come to ye Commun. Sr. Tho. Peyton, Ld of y° Mannor. Mr Fogge yc chiefe man in ye parish. Wm Neale taylor, John Ayres carpenter, notorious Anabaptists. Church much out of repayre. Chancell well. No Surplice." The value of the living is entered as £40, and as augmented by a like sum. Mr. Dicus also held "Beauxfeild alias Whitfeild," respecting which there is the entry: " About 30 Families in y° p'ish. Communicants about 60, but not aboue 10 last Easter. Church and Chancell in good repayre. A surplice in making." The Family Chronicle of Richard Fogge, of Dane Court, contains much interesting local information about this period (see Archceologia Cantiana, V., 112—132). 23 JAMES BURVILL. Of Queen's Coll., Camb., B.A. in 1672. Entries of the baptism of five of Mr. Burvill's children indicate that he resided here. On the day of his institution he received a licence from the Archbishop to serve also tbe cure of " Whittfeild." The entry of his burial occurs under 6 April 1697. VOL. XX. I 114 FORTY-FIVE VICARS VICABS. PATEON. 6 July 1697, on d. of the last. (Regist. Tenison, i., f. 196 b.) w NICHOLAS CARTER, M.A., inst. 20 Apr. 1716, The Archbishop, on d. of the last. (Regist. Wake, i., f. 295 a.)25 24 THOMAS MANDER. Of Magd. Coll., Ox., B.A. 1677, M.A. 1679. On the day of his institution he also obtained the Archbishop's licence to serve the cure of Whitfield. He was domestic chaplain to Charles, Earl of Lauderdale; and, on 25 November 1714, he obtained a dispensation to hold the rectory of Little Mongeham, value £40 per annum, with Tilmanstone, which was of the same value. The entry of the burial of his wife Anne occurs in the Register under 24 October 1700 ; his own burial took place on 1 April 1716. There is also iu the Register the following interesting reference to work done in the church during his incumbency: " Memorandum : That the Chancel of the parish Church of Tilmanstone was fully & wholly repaired in the year of our Lord 1698 at the sole cost, and proper charge of Mrs. Jane Bray, widow, being the then owner and proprietor of all the Glebe Land belonging to, and lying in the said parish of Tilmanstone : it being found to be an ancient custom, time out of mind, that the Proprietor, Owner, & Possessor of the Glebe Land lying in the said Parish of Tilmanstone did always keep and maintain in due repair the whole Chancel of the said parish Church of Tilmanstone. Witness our hands— Tho. Mander vicarius ibidem. Richard Hills, churchwarden same year. Thomas Turner, John Wood, Thomas Mummery." The oldest existing portions of the communion plate date from the time of this vicar, the paten bearing marks which point to its manufacture in 1703-4, while the chalice appears to have been made in the following year. 25 NICHOLAS CARTER. Of Emmau. Coll., Camb., B.A. 1710, M.A. 1714, S.T.P. 1728. A few days after his collation to Tilmanstone he obtained the Archbishop's licence to serve the cure of Sutton, near Dover; and about two years later he was appointed to the Perpetual Curacy of Deal Chapel, which he held for more than fifty years. In 1734 he obtained the rectory of Ham ; and on resigning Tilmanstone he was collated to the rectory of Woodchurch, which he held by dispensation with Ham. He was also one of the Six Preachers in Canterbury Cathedral. He died at Deal, 23 October 1774, in the 87th year of his age, and was buried at Ham. He was father of the celebrated and learned Mrs. Elizabeth Carter, whose " Memoirs," written by her nephew, the Rev. Montagu Pennington, rector of Northbourne, went through four editions within a few years of her death, which took place in 1806. In the year 1719 Mr. Carter obtained a licence to OF TILMANSTONE. 115 VIOAES. PATRONS. JOHN JACOB, M.A., inst. 23 Oct. 1755, on cess. The Archbishop. of the last. (Regist. Herring, f. 308 a.)26 EGERTON LEIGH, inst. 26 Jan. 1764, on d. of the The Archbishop. last. (Regist. Seeker, f. 311 b.)27 take down the old vicarage house at Tilmanstone, and erect a new one. An interesting plan of the new house is preserved in Archbishop Wake's Register, pt. i., f. 379 a. 26 JOHN JACOB. Of Univ. Coll., Ox., B.A. 1717, M.A. 1723. With this vicarage he held the living of S. John Baptist, Margate. He was also domestic chaplain to Selina, Dowager Countess Ferrers. He died 21 December 1763, and was buried at Margate. In the Library at Lambeth Palace are preserved Mr. Jacob's answers to the " Inq uiries" of Archbishop Seeker, issued 1 May 1758. Speaking of residence and services, he says : " Besides Tilmanstone I have yG Living of Margate, where I reside, but have a curate at Tilmanstone always resident, & allow him 20 Pounds a Tear & ye Surplice Fees ; he is in Priest's Orders. I go over at proper times as oft as conveniently I can. The curate is vicar of Waldershare ye adjoyns Parish, where he has no House, & but 6 or 7 Houses in ye Parish. The Living [of Tilmanstone] being but small, there has been for time im'emorial but Service once a Day & always a Sermon ; has been always supply'd wth some other Church ; has no Weekly Prayers. There is no Chapel in ye Parish. The Children are always Catechis'd in Lent. Tbe Sacram1 is administred 4 Times in y° year, aud generally between 20 & 30 Communicauts." (MS. 1134*, vol. iv., p. 238.) 27 EGERTON LEIGH. He was the son of the Rev. Thomas Leigh, patron and rector of Murston. He was of Emman. Coll., Camb., B.A. 1756. Deacon 18 December 1757, by James Johnson, Bishop of Gloucester. Priest 11 March 1759, by Thomas Seeker, Archbishop of Canterbury. The day following his ordination as priest he was licensed to serve the perpetual curacy of Minster, in Shepey, at a salary of £40 per annum. On 24 August 1763 he was instituted to the vicarage of S. Mary, Sandwich, which he appears to have resigned on being collated to Tilmanstone, as he was again instituted to the same on 4 February 1764. He finally resigned S. Mary's on succeeding his father as rector of Murston, to which he was instituted 12 October 1774. While vicar of S. Mary's, Sandwich, he presented to that church two handsome service books, which have been in use for more than a century. To the church of Murston he gave a small silver chalice, which is still in use. It bears the inscription : " Ex Dono Revdi Egertoni Leigh Huj. Eccl. Rectoris, Oct1 ' 12. 1774." Mr. Leigh died 13 April 1788, at the age of 53, leaving a widow and four children, and was buried at Murston. i 2 116 FORTY-FIVE VICARS VIOAES. PATEONS. NEHEMIAH NISBETT, inst. 23 May 1788, on d. The Archbishop. of the last. (Regist. Moore, f. 519 b.)28 CHARLES BAKER, B.A., inst. 21 Apr. 1803, on The Archbishop. cess, of the last. (Ibid., f. 571 a.)29 ROBERT TWIGG, M.A., inst. 22 Oct. 1842, on The Archbishop. d. of the last. (Lamb. Lib., Entry Book, xvi., 144.)so 28 NEHEMIAH NISBETT. Of Glasgow College. He received priest's orders 21 December 1777, at the hands of the Bishop of London, by letters dimissory from the Archbishop, and on the following day was licensed to the curacy of Eastry with Worth. On resigning Tilmanstone he was collated to the rectory of Tunstall, 21 December 1802. On the same day he resigned the perpetual curacy of Ash. With the rectory of Tunstall he also held the curacy of Newington next Sittingbourne. The following entry in the Tilmanstone Register, made during Mr. Nisbett's incumbency, bears testimony to the loyalty of the parishioners: " Memorandum. That the parish of Tilmanstone was illuminated on the 18th day of March 1789, in honour of His Majesty King George the 3rd's recovery of his health." 29 CHARLES BAKER. Of Jesus Coll., Camb., B.A. 1800; subsequently Fellow of Clare. M.A. 1803. Deacon 5 October 1800, by Richard Beadon, Bishop of Gloucester; Priest 19 December 1802, by James Yorke, Bishop of Ely. On 6 January 1803 he was instituted to the rectory of Charlton, near Dover, in the gift of John Monins, Esq. He also held the perpetual curacy of Ash, near Sandwich, and the rectory of Knowlton. In the year 1813 Mr. Baker added about 2r. 19p. of land to the vicarage garden. A. few years after his decease this was purchased of his representatives for the sum of £100, half of which was contributed by the Archbishop, and the remainder by the Rev. Robert Twigg, and permanently annexed to the vicarage. In the year 1816 the church bell was recast by T. Mears, of London. Mr. Baker died 22nd August 1842, and was interred in the church. A marble tablet to his memory is on the north wall of the nave. 3" ROBERT TWIGG. Of S. Peter's Coll., Camb., B.A. 1826, M.A. 1830. In the year 1842 the east wall of the chancel was rebuilt at the expense of Edward Royd Rice, Esq., whose family have been liberal benefactors to this church. The communion plate was also restored, the old paten being enlarged at Mr. Rice's expense, and the chalice repaired; while a handsome silver flagon was presented by his daughter, Lady Winchilsea. In the year 1846 the church underwent extensive repairs, costing about £150, which sum was raised by voluntary subscriptions; and twelve years later the west OF TILMANSTONE. 117 VICAE. PATBON. JAMES HENRY JAQUET, M.A., inst. 26 Aug. The Archbishop. 1880, on d. of the last. (Ibid., xix., 220.) S1 tower was heightened by the addition of a plain parapet. In 1870 Mr. Rice presented a piece of ground for enlarging the churchyard, which was consecrated by the Bishop of Dover on 3rd May. In the year 1872 the Ecclesiastical Commissioners augmented the value of the living by £30 tithe rent charge on certain lands, and by annual tenths or payments, amounting to 15s. 7d., which had formerly been received by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Mr. Twigg died 22 July 1880, and was buried in the churchyard, where a marble cross marks the place of his interment. A brass plate against the south wall, within the sanctuary, records his long labours in the parish, as well as the death of two sisters in the year 1874. 81 J. H. JAQUET. Of Clare Coll., Camb., B.A. 1864, M.A. 1874. In the year 1881 the old vicarage house, which was the one built by Mr. Carter in 1719, was taken down, and a more commodious one erected on the same site, towards which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, who are lay rectors and owners of the chancel, made a grant of £1500. In 1884 the church underwent a complete restoration, .and was reopened for divine service on October 21st. Several features of the building in its earlier state were brought to light as the work progressed, among which were the priest's doorway in the chancel, a part of the rood screen, an arch with squareheaded altar light, the impression of a piscina, the outline of some small and early windows, traces of fresco colouring, the impression of a stoup, or holy water basin, a small incised Maltese cross, which may have been one of the dedication crosses, and two Saxon tombstones, with a stone coffin lid, imbedded in the walls. The work of restoration included, among other things, the re-roofing of the chancel with oak, the introduction of choir-seats of the same material, and the paving of the floor with encaustic tiles. Also the entire re-seating of the nave with oak, and erection of an oak screen, separating the body of the church from the tower, which is now used as a vestry. The removal of the gallery, which was at the west end of the nave, displayed to view the fair proportions of the tower arch. The fine old Norman font, and the tympanum over the south door, of the same period, were also judiciously restored. The entire work was carried out under the direction of Mr. Ewan Christian. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners undertook the restoration of the chancel, at an outlay of more than £328. The remainder of the work was effected at the cost of upwards of £870, which was raised by a grant from the Diocesan Church Building Society, and 118 VICARS OF TILMANSTONE. by subscriptions from numerous friends. In addition to which many costly gifts were presented to the church, among them being the holy table, by Admiral Rice, in memory of his mother, a carved oak lectern by Mr. Foreman, with books for its use by Miss C. Boteler, a lich gate by Mrs. Cooper, a daughter of the late vicar, an oak font-cover, and other things, by the Hon. Mrs. Somerset Warde, and a stained glass window for the nave, representing the Holy Women at tbe Sepulchre, by the Dowager Countess of Winchilsea. On Thursday, 30 October 1890, a service was held to mark the completion of the reredos. The central figure, in a setting of alabaster, representing the Saviour after His Resurrection, is from a design by a Florentine artist, Taddio Gaddi The work was carried out by Messrs. Powell of Whitefriars, at the cost of about £114, which was defrayed by subscription.