Against the south wall of the chancel was another monument of wood, made with doors after the form of a cupboard or closet. The inscriptions, &c. were painted upon the wood.

On the East Door.

Sacrum piæ memoriæ Johanna Jackson, filiæ Radulphi Bowes, armigeri, uxoris Johannis Jackson, theologi. "Mulier timens Dominum, ipsa laudabitur." (Pro. xxxi, 30.)

A woman in the act of prayer. Within, a figure of death.

"Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die." (1 Cor. xv. 36)

On the West Door.

A death's head with arrows in the mouth. The usual crest of Bowes. The arms of Bowes, Ermine, 3 bows, gu., stringed, sable.

Within, the arms of Jackson, Arg., on a chevron sable, between 3 hawks' heads erased of the second, as many cinquefoils of the first. Crest, a horse arg, impaling Bowes, ermine, 3 bows bent in pale, gules. Motto, Vertute non sanguine. (Job. iii. 13, 14.)

Within the recess was this inscription.

VERTUE IS THE BEST MARBLE.

Notwithstanding lie heere the pietie of John Jackson, divine and pastor of this church, toward his most decre and blessed wife Johanna, with whom hee lived in chast & holy wedlock a just decade of yeeres, mutually moderating ye joyes, & becalming ye sorrowes of eche other. Her father was Ralphe Bowes, of Barnes, Esquire, who was only son & heyre to Robert Bowes of Ask, Esquire, a gentleman of great wisdom & bounty, & of signall note in our English annals for his services both to state & country. Hir mother was Mris. Johan Hedlam, the sole inheritrix of all the lands and possessions of the cheife of that house & name. Shee was a gentlewoman well bredd & educated, excellently catechized and principled in religion; of a regular & blameless conversation, a plaine & open hart, a tender conscience, a loving & kind disposition, & lastly, for conjugall love and bowells of mercy shee was much more then vulgar. Shee had notable gusts & præ instincts of hir desolution, singular præoccupations and ante pasts of hir future happiness. In the latter end of her sickness her soule grew truly divine & spiritualized, powring forth many devout prayers, psalmes, hymnes, and ejaculations, with unexampled fervour of spirit, and uttering fayr & godly sentences & apophthegmes, worthy to be written in golden characters. So as, indeed, hir last act deserves to be a patterne or prototype to dying Christians for a whole succeeding age or century of the church. And being thus ceased upon by heavenly-mindedness, and by gratious illapses of the spirit into her soule, shee finally payed her debt to nature, on the vigil of St James, July the 24th, and in the yeere of the last patience of the saints, 1639. Reader, if thou wert about to marry, thou wouldst wysh such a wife; if to dye, such a death. O God, let hir soule incessantly prayse thee: fill hir brimmfull of the beatificall vision; and tho' hir body be sowen in weakeness and corruption, yet raise it again to immortalite and glorie; and (lastly) gather in peace unto hir me her desolate husband: I. I.1

1 My authorities for these two inscriptions, both of which are now gone, are Dr. Whitaker, an account of Marske Church in the Northern Star, ii., 100, 101, and some church notes made by the late Mr. Richard Dixon of Middleham, which have been kindly shewn to me by my friend Mr. Hailstone.

On a marble tablet fixed against the north wall of the chancel, and surmounted by a bust, is the following inscription. Below it are the family arms.

To the memory of John Hutton of Marske, Esqre., M.A. of Christ's College, Cambridge, A.D. 1797, and High Sheriff of Yorkshire, A.D. 1825. The generous patron of Societies for Agriculture, Literature, and Science: the liberal landlord and kind encourager of all practical improvements: the steady supporter on every occasion of political reform, and the hospitable gentleman in the hall of his ancestors, honored and beloved by all who entered it as guests and as friends. He was born the 24th day of September, A.D. 1774, and he died the 14th day of August, A.D. 1841.

Close to it is another inscription, and there is no other in the church. Sacred to the memory of the Rev. John Fisher, B.A., rector of this parish, who died Sep. 12, 1808, æt. 38. Also of Eliza Fisher his daughter, who died Jan. 23, 1820, æt. 23. Also of Judith Fisher his widow, who died June 3, 1846, æt. 76.

In the churchyard there is no monument of any moment, these two excepted.

Mary wife of the Rev. Wm. Kendall, rector of Marsk, died Feb. 12, 1845, aged 72. The Rev. William Kendall, rector of this parish, died Sep. 2nd, 1855, aged 72 years. "What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." St. Mark, 13 chap. 37 ver.

In memory of William Rookby, aged 37, and Joseph Rookby, aged 33 years, who were drowned in Clapgate beck on Saturday the 16th day of November, 1771. They were the only sons of William and Jane Rookby of Greta Bridge. Also, of Margaret the widow of William Rookby above mentioned, and daughter of John and Elizabeth Mewburn of Skelton, who died the 29th day of October, 1826, aged 86 years.

RECTORS.-R. CAPELLANUS DE MERSC, occurs in a charter circa 1225. SAMUEL, PERSONA DE MERSC, Occurs in a Marrick charter circa 1240. JOHN, PERSONA DE MERSC, witnesses one of the Marske charters, together with John, clericus de Mersc, circa 1270. He occurs also in other deeds.

PHILIP DE SAPERTON, occurs as rector in no less than twenty-seven of the Marske deeds between 1294 and 1302. He was a trustee, and something more, in the sale of the estate.

STEPHEN DE SCROPE, brother of Sir Henry le Scrope and uncle of Harsculph de Cleseby, occurs as rector in 1310. In 1320-21 he is mentioned in a legal document at Marske relating to Feldom common. He, also, occurs as rector in the Scrope and Grosvenor Roll. He became rector of Wharram Percy 15 kal. Sep. 1323, and was, I believe, prebendary of Welton Paynshall at Lincoln from 1322 to his death in 1327. (MSS. Harl., 6954, 53, a.)

THOMAS DE LATON, son of Robert de Laton of West Laton, near Richmond. He is mentioned in 1354, and in other years, among the Laton and Marske charters. On 12 Apr. 1347, the Archbishop of York granted letters dimissory to Thos. de Laton, rector of Marsk. The Latons had at this time some property in Clints.

JOHN DE PRESTON, inst. 24 Oct. 1362, at the presentation of Harsculph de Cleseby. (Reg. Archid. Richmond.)

JOHN DE CLESEBY, inst. on the death of Preston, 21 June, 1394, Thomas de Cleseby his brother presenting him. On 13 March, 1399-1400, a John de Cleseby was ordained sub-deacon by the Archbishop of York, the hospital of St. Nicholas', near Richmond, giving him a title. He was made deacon 13 Apr. 1400. In 1429 Robert Place of Egton makes him one of his executors and leaves him "optimum ciphum meum, murram, argento ligatam." (Test. Ebor. ii. 10.) He occurs frequently among the Marske deeds. In 1401 he acquires lands in Cleasby lately belonging to Thos. Cleseby of Cleasby. In 1476 John Trollop of Thornley, co. Durham, Esq., leaves a sum of money to the friars of Hartlepool to pray for Cleseby's soul. Trollop's grandmother was Cleseby's niece, and he had been a trustee in the marriage settlements. (Wills and Inv., 97: Surtees's Durham, i. 193.)

JOHN DOBLEY, inst. 23 Feb. 1440, per mort. Cleseby, Chr. Conyers, Esq., of Hornby, presenting him in right of his ward Eliz. dau. and heir of Robert Cleseby: ob. 23 May, 1446. (Reg. Archid. Richmond.)

RICHARD BENNOK, inst. 31 May, 1446, per mort. Dobley, Conyers again presenting. (Reg. Archid. Richmond.) Occurs as rector 1451.

JOHN PLACE, Occ. as rector in a Marske charter in 1476. There was a close connection, probably of blood, between the Places and Clescbies.

JOHN WEDDALL, occurs Jan. 1531-2, in the will of Wm. Conyers, Esq. MATTHEW BLAYMYER, occurs as rector, in 1552 and 1559, in wills at Richmond. On 23 Nov. 3 Eliz., Rolland and Richard Huchonson of Skelton, yeo., lease to James Phillip of Brignell, gen., the church and parsonage of Marske, and the glebe land, for 9 years, as they then had it by grant from Sir Matthew Blamyer, parson of Marske.

ANTHONY ADDISON. It is not known when he obtained the living. On March 9, 1603-4, he makes his will, nuncupatively, which was proved at Richmond in December. It is very short. He mentions in it his wife, and leaves his children to the care of Henry Phillip, gen., and Robert Willance of Richmond, draper. He was buried at Marske

on the 11th." Five days after this his inventory was made, and all his effects were valued at the trifling sum of 317. 19s., but he had 457. 68. in gold and silver in the rectory house. The schedule of his debts gives us some interesting information, especially as to the income of the rector at that time. Roger Beckwith owes him 207. "Mr. Henry Phillippe of Wensley, 207. Mr. Hutton, parson of Barningham, 208. Mr. Hutton, for the rent of Orgate Spring, 10s. Cuthbert Richardson, 2 yeares' tythe, 12d. Thomas Dente, for haye tythe, 6d. Edmond Higton, for oblacions, 6d. Thomas Temple, for a henn, 6d. Ewen Berie and Thomas Husband, their tieth woole, Ewen 2 yeares, and Thomas 1 yeare. Rowland Langley, for tyeth of sheep of Skelton mower goinge. Nicholas Smithson of Moulton, for tyth of his weathers. Mr. Hutton, for tythe woole of his sheepe of Maske moore, and for haye tithe of Orgate close, and for his oblacions." He owes 20s. to Mrs. Bradley for rent, and 307. to Agnes Phillip for her portion. He had probably been a trustee under the will of one of the Phillip's.

JOHN PRICE, A.M., said to have succeeded on the presentation of Timothy Hutton, Esq., 21 Nov. 1603. In the Hutton Correspondence, p. 205, is an amusing letter from him to Sir Timothy Hutton when he was at Chelsea in April 1607. It is full of those laborious witticisms that characterise the period, and which were so much encouraged by Archbp. Matthew. One or two extracts from it will suffice. He is not complimentary to the Richmond postmen. As an

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excuse for his silence he says our trotters of Richmond (sic mendicunt!) make so light of our letters in winter, that they make light of them indeede; in soommer season they are so importable, that they still consecrate them to Vulcan or to Deucalion. Now havinge met so meete a messenger, I may not permit him to part illiterat out of our coasts." He now tells him of one of his youngest sons, then a mere infant, "Little John Hutton is well at Marricke; I saw him upon Thursday the 16th of April." He then slips into his gaiety again, "Your colledge of crowes multiply so exceedingly that we stand (almost) in as great aw of them as those nanes and pigmies do of the cranes. All Marske parish have concluded (to the utter impoverishinge of the poore parson) not to plough one forrow this yeare for feare of the crowes, which will hinder me more than I speake of." The rooks would now be in the middle of the breeding season; they are still domiciled in the lofty sycamores that overhang the hall.

2 Anth. Addison, quondam rector ejusdem ecclesiæ bur. His dau. Eliz. was bap. on Sep. 28, 1598, and his son Timothy on 22 Sep. 1601. The children bear the names of the lord and lady of Marske, who probably stood for them at the font-a high honor in those days, and the names shew that the rector appreciated it.

JOHN JACKSON, A.M., p. m. Price 28 Aug. 1623. son of John Jackson,3 rector of Melsonby, and was received his education at Lincoln College, Oxford. he was master of the free school at Richmond.

He was the second born in 1600. He From 1618 to 1620

Jackson seems to have been a man of piety and learning, and these qualifications recommended him to the notice of Sir Timothy Hutton and his son. He had his residence occasionally with the family in the hall, and at Sir Timothy's death there was a room there called "Mr. Jackson's chamber." He witnesses the will of that worthy knight, who leaves to "my very good friend, Mr. John Jackson, preacher at Marske, one twenty shillings peece of gould to make him a ringe." The testator charges his son "that he will alwaies keepe a Levite in his house," and we may infer, therefore, that Jackson continued to be closely connected with the family after his benefactor's decease. He was probably the writer of the inscription upon Sir Timothy's monument in Richmond church, and, perhaps, drew up his will. With Matthew Hutton, Esq., Sir Timothy's son, Jackson was on the most familiar terms. There are two letters from him in the Hutton Correspondence, which give us a very favourable notion of his epistolary powers.*

3 He became rector of Melsonby in 1573, and held it till he died. He was buried at Richmond Feb. 20, 1606-7. His widow survived him more than 20 years. She makes her will at Richmond, where she seems to have resided, on Nov. 3, 1628. It was drawn up, I should imagine, by her son John. "Jesu direct me. I legacye and bequeath that parte of me which is immortall, my soule, into His hands Who elected me before time, redeemed mee in the fullness of tyme, created me in time, Who hath mercifully preserved me from tyme to tyme, and Who shall glorifie me when time shall be noe more; Him doe I humbly beseech in all tearmes of holy abasement before Him, even for His Sonne's sake and my dear Saviour's sake, Jesus Christ, to be with mee to the end, and in the end preservinge my soule because it belongs to Him, and preservinge my body as belonginge to ye soule. I say noe more, but I am Thine, O save me.' Psal. 119. Secondly, for my corps, the lay parte of me and sheath of my soule, I will that my bones be laid beside the bones of my deare husband in the church yard of Richmond with such decent solemnitye as my children shall thinke fittinge, knowinge yt suche things are not to be neglected of them, though they be to be contemned of mee. My eldest son Timothy Jackson (clerk) and John his son. To my younger sons John and Nathaniel my burgages and lands in Richmond. And thus, my lovinge children, the blessinge of your mother's death bed be with you, commendinge my motherly love to you, and you to God, with whose mercifull providence I durst well have trusted you, if I had had noethinge at all to have given you. Moreover, in token of my loyall love and affection to my dead husband, I gyve his daughter Dorothy a small house at Brignell and, after her death, the rent thereof to be distributed among the poore of Richmond and Melsonby. To our godly pastor, Mr. Thomas Rookesby, 5 marks." Her burial is thus recorded by the " godly pastor." "Hanna Jackson vidua pia ac valde beneficens, quondam uxor magistri Johannis Jackson, rectoris ecclesiæ de Melsonbe, sep. 7 Nov., 1628."

Timothy Jackson was, I am inclined to think, the author of an Exposition on the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, published in 4to at London, in 1621. His son John was also in orders.

4 Cf. Hutton Correspondence, 259, 260.

Both of these letters were written in the year 1637, when Mr. Hutton was from home. A letter in those days was quite an