Chapter V: Part 5

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His father was [a divine] but a kind of Non-conformist; of the Pells of Lincolnshire, an ancient familie; his mother [of the Hollands of Kent]. His father dyed when his son John was but 5 yeares old and six weekes, and left him an excellent library.

<He> went to schoole at the free-schoole at Stenning, a burrough towne in Sussex, at the first founding of the schoole; an excellent schoolmaster, John Jeffreys. At 13 yeares and a quarter old he went as good a scholar to Cambridge, to Trinity Colledge, as most Masters of Arts in the University (he understood Latin, Greek, and Hebrew), so that he played not much (one[519] must imagine) with his schoolfellowes, for, when they had play-dayes, or after schoole-time, he spent his time in the library aforesaid.

He [never[520] stood at any election of] fellow[s] or scholar[s of the House at] Trinity College.

Of person he was very handsome, and of a very strong and excellent habit of body, melancholic, sanguine, darke browne haire with an excellent moist curle.

[Before[521] he went first out of England,] he understood[522] these languages (besides his mother-tongue), viz. Latin, Greek, Hebrue, Arabique, Italian, French, Spanish, High-Dutch, and Low-Dutch.

Anno Domini 1632 he maried [Ithamara Reginalds, second daughter to Mr. Henry Reginalds of London. He had by her 4 sonnes and 4 daughters borne in this order[523] S., D., D., S., D., S., D., S.].

Dr. Pell haz sayd to me that he did believe that he solved some questions _non sine divino auxilio_.

Anno Domini 1643 he went to Amsterdam, in December; was there Professor of Mathematiques, next after Martinus Hortensius, about 2 yeares.

1646, the prince of Orange called for him to be publique professor of Philosophy and Mathematiques at the _Schola Illustris_ at Breda, that was founded that yeare by his Highnesse; vide the Doctor's inaugurall oration[524] there, printed--the first thing printed that his name was to.

He returned into England, 1652.

In 1654 Oliver, Lord Protector, sent him envoyé to the Protestant cantons of Switzerland; resided chiefly at Zurich. He was sent out with the title of _ablegatus_, but afterwards he had order to continue there with the title of _Resident_.

In 1658 he returned into England and so little before the death of Oliver Cromwell that he never sawe him since he was Protector.

Memorandum--when he tooke his leave from Zurich, June 23, 1658, he made a Latin speech, which I have seen.

Memorandum that in his negociation he did no disservice to King Charles IIᵈ, nor to the church, as may appeare by his letters which are in the Secretarie's Office.

[525]Richard Cromwell, Protector, did not fully pay him for his business in Piedmont, wherby he was in some want; and so when King Charles II was restored[526], Dr. Sanderson, bishop of Lincoln, perswaded him to take Holy Orders. He was not adroit for preaching.

[527]When King Charles II had been at home ten months, Mr. John Pell first tooke Orders. He was made deacon upon the last of March, 1661, by bishop Sanderson of Lincoln, by whom he was made priest in June following.

Gilbert Sheldon, bishop of Lundon, [procured[528] for] him the parsonage of Fobbing[AO] in Essex, 1661, and two yeares after (1663) [gave him] the parsonage of Laindon cum annexa capella de Bartelsdon in eodem comitatu, which benefices are in the infamous and unhealthy (aguesh[529]) hundreds of Essex.

Mr. Edward Waller on the death of the countesse of Warwick:--

Curst be alreadie those Essexian plaines
Where ... Death and Horrour reignes.--
etc.

[At Fobbing, seven curates dyed within the first ten yeares]; in sixteen yeares, _six_ of those that had been his curates at Laindon are dead; besides those that went away from both places; and the death of his wife [servants, and grandchildren].

Gilbert Sheldon being made archbishop of Canterbury, 16--[530], John Pell[XLVI.] was made one of his Cambridge[XLVII.] chapleines; and complaining one day to his Grace at Lambith of the unhealthinesse of his benefice as abovesayd, sayd my Lord, 'I doe not intend that you shall live there.' 'No,' sayd [Doctor] Pell, ('but[531] your grace does intend that) I shall die there.'

[XLVI.] Quaere, when Doctor[532].

[XLVII.] He haz 2 Oxford chaplaines and 2 Cambridge.

Now by this time (1680), you doubt not but this great, learned man, famous both at home and abroad, haz obtained some considerable dignity in[533] the church. You ought not in modestie to ghesse at lesse then a deanery.--Why, truly, he is stak't to this poor preferment still! For though the parishes are large, yet (curates, etc., discharged) he cleares not above 3-score pound per annum (hardly fourscore), and lives in an obscure[XLVIII.] lodging, three stories high, in Jermyn Street, next to the signe of the Ship, wanting not only bookes but his proper MSS. which are many, as by and by will appeare. Many of them are at Brereton at my lord Brereton's in Cheshire.

[XLVIII.] Ut saepe magna ingenia in occulto latent.--PLAUTUS, _Captivi_.

Memorandum:--... lord Brereton[534] was sent to Breda to recieve the instruction of this worthy person, by his grandfather (George Goring, the earle of Norwich) anno 1647, where he stayed ...[535], where he became a good proficient, especially in algebra to which his genius most inclined him and which he used to his dyeing day, which was 17 March, 1679/80: lies[536] buried in ...[537] St. Martin's church in-the-fields. I cannot but mention this noble lord but with a great deale of passion, for a more vertuous person (besides his great learning) I never knew. I have had the honour of his acquaintance since his comeing from Breda into England. Never was there greater love between master and scholar then between Dr. Pell and this scholar of his[538], whose death March 17, 1679/80[539] hath deprived this worthy doctor of an ingeniose companion and a usefull friend.

Scripsit[540].

His[541] table of squares, printed at London, 1672; 8 sheetes fol.

Rhonius's Algebra, in High-Dutch, was (indeed) Dr. Pell's; is translated into English, halfe.--Rhonius was Dr. Pell's scholar at Zurich and came to him every Friday night after he (J. Pell) had writt his post-lettres.

Controversia de vera circuli mensura inter Longomontanum et Pellium, Amstel. (?) Blaeu, 1651/2.

J. Pellii Idea of[542] Mathematicks printed in English and in Latin at the same time, 16mo.

Inaugural oration, p. 33[543].

{ Ψαμμίτης, a quarter of a sheet of paper one
Both MSS. { side; and also
{ Euclid's[544] Xᵗʰ Element(orum liber) (vide
infra) which is in Cheshire at my lord Brereton's.

He hath written on the tenth booke of Euclid, which is in Cheshire at the lord Brereton's, and he hath also done[545] the greatest part of Diophantus[546], which is there[547]--both unprinted[548].

Also he hath donne[549] the second booke of Euclid in one side of a large sheet of paper most clearly and ingeniously.

He hath donne most succinctly and clearly Archimedis Ψαμμίτης in one side of an 8vo paper.

Also he hath demonstrated the proportion of the diameter to the circumference, and shewes what was the reason why Archimedes did use these two numbers--he did it at the instance of Sir Charles Scarborough--one sheet.

☞ In the booke called Branker's Algebra that which is purely Dr. Pell's beginnes at p. 79 and so continues to FINIS--this I had from his owne mouth.--Desire Mr. A. Wood to take some paines to enquire for Mr. Turner, M.A. at Oxon (I thinke of Exon. Coll.), who tooke some paines about Branker's Algebra.

Dr. Pell haz often sayd to me that when he solves a question he straines every nerve[550] about him, and that now in his old age it brings him to a loosenesse.

[551]Dr. J. Pell was the first inventor of that excellent way or method of the marginall working in algebra.

I have heard him say several times that the _Regula falsi_ was falsly demonstrated by Mr. William Oughtred (quod N.B.) and that Petiscus hath donne it right.

See Dr. Pell's letter, printed by Joachim Jungius in his Doxo ... in 4to at Hamborough--Mr. Cluverus haz it.

He could not cringe and sneake for preferment though otherwise no man more humble nor more communicative. He was cast into King's Bench prison[552] for debt Sept.[553] 7, 1680.

[554]In March 1682 he was very kindly invited by Daniel Whistler, M.D., to live with him at the Physitians College in London, where he was very kindly entertained. About the middle of June he fell extreme sick of a cold and removed to a grandchild of his maried to one Mr. Hastings in St. Margaret's Churchyard, Westminster, neer the tower, who now (1684) lives in Brownlow Street in Drury Lane, where he was like to have been burnt in his bed by a candle. Nov. 26, fell into convulsion fitts which had almost killed him.

[555]Gilbert Sheldon, Lord Bishop of London, gave Dr. Pell the parsonage of Lanedon[C] cum Basseldon in the Hundreds of Essex (they call it _kill-priest_[556], sarcastically); and king Charles the Second gave him the parsonage of Fobing[XLIX.], 4 miles distant. Both are of the value of two hundred pounds per annum (or so accounted); but the Doctor was a most shiftless man as to worldly affaires, and his tenants and relations cousin'd him of the profits and kept him so indigent that he wanted necessarys, even paper and inke, and he had not 6_d._ in his purse when he dyed, and was buried by the charity of Dr. Richard Busby and Dr. <John> Sharp, Rector of St. Giles-in-the-fields and Dean of Norwich, who ordered[557] his body to lye in a vault[558] belonging to the Rector (the price[559] is x _li._).

[XLIX.] Vide the booke called _Valor Beneficiorum_.

I could not persuade him to make a will; so his books and MSS. fell by administratorship to Capt. ... Raven, his son-in-law.

His son (John) is a Justice of Peace in New Yorke[560], and lives well. He thought to have gonne over to him.

This learned person dyed in St. Giles' parish aforesaid at the house of Mr. Cothorne the reader in Dyot Street on Saterday December the twelfth 1685, between 4 and 5 P.M. Dr. Busby, schoolmaster of Westminster, bought all his bookes and papers of Captain Raven, among which is the last thing he wrote (which he did at my earnest request) viz. THE TABLES, which are according to his promise in the last line of his printed tables of squares and cubes (if desired) and which Sir Cyrillus Wych (then president of the Royall Society) did license for the press. There only wants a leafe or two for the explanation of the use of them, which his death hath prevented. Sir Cyril Wych, only, knowes the use of them. I doe (imperfectly) remember something of his discourse of them, viz. whereas some questions are capable of severall answers, by the help of these tables it might be discovered exactly how many, and no more, solutions, or answers, might be given.

I desired Mr. Theodore Haake, his old acquaintance, to make some additions to this[561] short collection of memoires of him, but he haz donne nothing[562].

He dyed of a broaken heart.

[563]Dr. Whistler[564] invited Dr. Pell to his house in anno ..., which the Dr. likt and accepted of, loving good cheer and good liquour, which the other did also; where eating and drinking too much, was the cause of shortning his daies.

Dr. Pell had a brother a chirurgian and practitioner in physick, who purchased an estate of the natives of New-York and when he died he left it to his nephew John Pell, only son of the Doctor. It is a great estate 8 miles broad and ... miles long (quaere Capt. ... Raven).

He had 3 or 4 daughters.

[565]_This <is> writt by Mr. Theodore Haake._

In the year 1638 I came first to be acquainted with Mr. Pell by Mr. S. Hartlib's meanes, who having heard of his extraordinarie parts in all kinde of learning, especially the mathematics, perswaded that the same might be farre more usefully employed and improoved for the publick advancement of learning, he never left soliciting and engaging frends heer to perswade Mr. Pell instead of keeping scool, as he then did at ... in Sussex, to come up to London, where he soon got into great esteem among the most learned, both natives and forreigners, with whom he conversed. But he so minded and followed still the cultivating of his more abstracting studies, and naturally averse from suing or stooping much for what he was worthy of, it was a good while before he obtained any suteable place or settlement.

I recommended him once to my Lord Bishop of Lincoln[566] (quondam Lord Keeper of England), who became very desirous to see the man, inviting us of purpose to dine once with his lordship for the freer discourse of all sorts of literature and experiments, to get a touch and taste that satisfaction Mr. Pell could give him. Which proved so pertinent and abundant that my lord put the question to him whether he would accept of a benefice which he was ready, glad, and willing to bestow on him for his encouragement. Mr. Pell thankd his lordship, saying he was not capacitate for that, as being no divine and having made the mathematics his main studie, for the great publick need and usefullnesse therof, which he had in a manner devoted himself to improve and advance to the uttmost of his reach and abilities. Which answer pleased my lord so well that he replyed, 'Alasse! what a sad case it is that in this great and opulent kingdome there is no publick encouragement for the excelling in any profession but that of the law and divinity.[567]Were I in place as once I was, I would never give over praying and pressing his majesty till a noble stock and fund might be raised for so fundamentall, universally usefull, and eminent science as mathematicks.' And therupon his lordship requested Mr. Pell to befriend him with his visits as often as he could spare time, promising him always a very hearty welcome. Yet Mr. Pell who was no courtier came there no more.

In the mean time he communicated to his friends his excellent _Idea Matheseos_ in half a sheet of paper, which got him a great deal of repute, both at home and abroad, but no other special advantage, till Mr. John Morian, a very learned and expert gentleman, gave me notice that Hortensius, mathematical professor at Amsterdam, was deceased, wishing that our friend Mr. Pell might succeed. Sir William Boswell, his majestie's ambassador in Holland, being here then, I conferred with him about it, who promised all his assistance; and between them, and by these two, a call was procured from Amsterdam for Mr. Pell, in 1643: and in May 1644 I met him settled there on my return out of Denmarke. Where he was, among others, dearly welcome to Gerardus Joannes Vossius. And soon after his fame was much augmented by his refuting a large book of Longomontanus _Quadratura_, which caused the Prince of Orange (Henry Frederick) being about to erect an Academic at Breda, borrowed[568] Mr. Pell from the magistrate of Amsterdam, to grace his new Academy with a man of that fame for a few years. And there being comfortably stayed, the most learned of the then parliament heer, jealous that others should enjoy a countryman of their own, they never left offers and promises till they got him hither to be--they gave out--Professor Honorarius heer. But the sucesse prov'd soon deficient, and reduced him to much inconvenience, as having now a charge of a pretty large family, viz. his wife with 4 or 5 children. And this continued till T. H.[569] was offerd by Th.[570] to be employed in Swisse and about the E.[571] collection for Pyemont; who excused himself it and recommended Mr. Pell.

This[572] account of Dr. John Pell I had from my worthy friend Mr. Theodore Haak, whose handwriting it is.

[573]John Pell, D.D., was borne at Southwick in Sussex on St. David's day, anno Domini 1611; his youngest uncle ghesses about noon.

Anno 1632 he maried.

1643, went to Amsterdam and was there professor of Mathematiques.

1646, the Prince of Orange called for him to be publique professor at Breda.

1654, Oliver, Protector, sent him envoyé to the cantons of Switzerland.

1661, Gilbert Sheldon, bishop of London, gave him a scurvy parsonage in Essex ('kill-priest').

1680, August last, he was arrested and layd in prison.

_Notes._

FOOTNOTES:

[AN] Aubrey quotes, as applicable to Pell:--

'Ingenium ingens
Inculto latet hoc sub corpore.

Horat. _Sat._ I. iii. 34.'

He gives a derivation of the name 'Pell, i.e. a poole--Sussex.' He gives also the coat: 'Ermine, on a canton ... a pellicane (but not feeding her young ones) ... [Pell].'

[AO] Fobbing was a Crown living--net annual value, in 1893, £534: Laindon-cum-Basildon was in the gift of the see of London--net annual value, in 1893, £491. The figures suggest that Pell had a good appetite for preferment, to ask for more.

=William Penn= (1644-1718).

[574]William Penn natus Oct. 14, 1644, horâ 7 mane, Londini.

[575]William Penn[AP], the eldest son of Sir William Penn, knight, [admirall[576] both of the English navy before the restauration of the king, and commanded as captain-generall under the D. Y.[577] in 1665 against the Dutch fleet[578]], was borne in London, at Tower hill, the 14[579] day of October 1644. 'Twas upon a Monday he thinkes; but 'twas about 7 a clock in the morning.

(His father was a very good man, but no Quaker; was very much against his sonne.)

Went to schoole in London, a private schole on that hill, and his father kept a tutor in the house: but first he went to school at Chigwell in Essex.

<He was> mighty lively, but with innocence; and[580] extremely tender under rebuke; and very early delighted in retirement; much given to reading and meditating[581] of the scriptures, and at 14 had marked over the Bible. Oftentimes at 13 and 14 in his meditations ravisht with joy, and dissolved into teares.

The first sense he had of God was when he was 11 yeares old at Chigwell, being retired in a chamber alone. He was so suddenly surprized with an inward comfort and (as he thought) an externall glory in the roome that he has many times sayd that from thence he had the seale of divinity and immortality, that there was a God and that the soule of man was capable of enjoying his divine communications.--His schoolmaster was not of his perswasion.

To Christ's Church in Oxon anno 1660, anno aetatis 16; stayed there about two yeares.

Anno 1662, went into France; stayd there two yeares.

Returnd and was entred of Lincoln's Inne.

About the plague, growing entirely solitary, was again diverted. Was employed by his father in a journey into Ireland to the duke of Ormond's court: the diversions of which not being able to keepe downe the stronger motions of his soule to a more religious and retired life, upon the hearing of one Th<omas> Lowe, a tradesman, of Oxon, at Cork, 1667, was so thoroughly convinced of the simplicity and selfe-deniall of the way of the people called Quakers that from thence he heartily espoused that judgment[582] and beliefe.

Since which time he haz passed a life of great variety of circumstances[583], both with respect to good and evill report, divers controversies orall and written[L.], severall imprisonments[LI.] (one in Ireland, one in the Tower, <a> 3ʳᵈ in Newgate).

[L.] Ben Clark the bookseller[584] will give me a catalogue of all his writings.

[LI.] Quaere annum et diem of his imprisonments and his sicknesses and dangers.--MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 34ᵛ.

Travelled into Germany, Upper and Lower, annis 1671 and 1677, where severall were affected with his way[LII.].

[LII.] Did he gaine any to him in France? Neg.[585]--MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 34ᵛ.

Notwithstanding those many odd adventures of his life, he hath severall times[586] found favour from his majestie and also the D. Y.[587], with divers of the nobilitye[588], and men of quality and learning in this kingdom.

His majestie owing to his father 10,000 _li._, 16--, (which, with the interest of it, came not to lesse than 20,000 _li._,) did, in consideration therof, grant to him and his heirs a province in America which his majesty was pleased to name Pensylvania[AQ], the 4th day of March 1680/1, to which he is now goeing this next September 1681.

[589]His patent for Transylvania[590] is from the beginning of the 40th degree to 43 degrees in latitude, and 5 degrees in longitude from Chisapeak-bay.

E. W.[591] <says[592] that there are> 2 or 3 things, e.g. military, mighty necessary <for the colony>--quaere some proposalls.

He speaks well[593] the Latin and the French tongues, and his owne with great mastership. He often declares[594] in the assemblies of his Friends, and that with much eloquence[595] and fervency of spirit--by which, and his perpetuall attendances on K<ing> and P<rince> for the reliefe of his Friends, he often exposes his health to hazard.

He was chosen (ballotted) November 9th, nemine contradicente, admitted Fellow of the Royal Societie, London[596], with much respecte.

[597]August 26, 1682, Saturday. This day about 4 a clock P.M. W. Penne, esq., went towards Deale to launch for Pensylvania. God send him a prosperous and safe voyage.

Last Wednesday in August (scil. Aug. 30, 1682) about noon he tooke shippe at Deale.

He returned into England, October (about the middle[598]) 1684--quaere diem.

[599]W. Penn, esq., married Gulielma Maria Springet, daughter of Sir William Springet, of the Springets of the Broyles in Sussex.

She was a _posthuma_ of her father, a young gent. of religion and courage who dyed at the siege of Arundel. His daughter was his image in person and qualities, virtuous, generous, wise, humble[600]; generally beloved for those good qualities and one more[601]--the great cures she does, having great skill in physic and surgery, which she freely bestows.

She early espoused the same way[602], about anno 1657. She was a great fortune to her husband, being worth _de claro_ above 10,000 _li._ Her fortune, quality, and good humour gave her the importunity of many suitors of extraordinary condition, e.g. lord Brookes and lord J<ohn> <Vaughan>, etc.; but valueing the unity of beliefe and the selfe deniall of her profession above the glories of the world, resisted their motions till Providence brought a man of equall condicion and ⦻[603] to herself to the syncere embracing of the same fayth, whose mariage haz been crowned with a continued affection.

[Sir William Penn, knight[604],] his father, was a man of excellent naturall abilities, not equalled in his time for the knowledge of navall affayres and instrumentall to the raysing of many families. Bred his son religiously; and, as the times grew loose, would have had his sonne of the fashion, and was therfore extreme bitter at his sonne's retirement. But this lasted not alwayes; for, in the conclusion of his life, he grew not only kind, but fonde; made him the judge and ruler of his family; was sorry he had no more to leave him (and yet, in England and Ireland, he left him 1500 _li._ per annum). But, which is most remarkeable, he that opposed his sonne's way because of the crosse that was in it to the world's latitude, did himselfe embrace this faith, recommending to his son the plainesse and selfe deniall of it, sayeing 'Keep to the plainesse of your way, and you will make an end of the priests to the ends of the earth.' And so he deceased, desiring that none but his son William should close his eies (which he did). Obiit anno aetatis 49, 4 months.

[606]_A Catalogue of William Penn's writings._

SHEETS. NO.

8. 1. The guide mistaken, being an answer to J. Clapham, 1668, 4to.

6. 2. The sandy foundation shaken, or an answer to
Vincent, etc., 1668, 4to.

2. 3. An apology for the sandy foundation, 1669, 8vo.

3. 4. Truth exalted, or a testimony to rulers, preists,
and bishops, 1669, 4to; addit. <16>71.

24. 5. No cross, no crowne[607], 1669, 4to. Reprinting.

36. 6. A serious apology for <the> people cal'd
Quakers; answer to Taylor and Tyms of
Ireland; 1-1/2 written by G. Whithead, 1669, 4to.

1. 7. A letter of love to the young convinc'd, 1669, 4to.

8. 8. A seasonable caveat against popery, 1669, 4to.

8. 9. The[608] ancient liberties of the people asserted in
W. P. tryal, 1670, 4to.

6. 10. Truth rescued from imposture, being an answer
to S. Sterling[609], 1670, 4to.

6. 11. The great case of liberty of conscience asserted, 1670, 4to.

4. 12. New wittnesses proved old hereticks, being an
answer to Mugleton, 1672, 4to.

10. 13. The spirit of truth vindicated, being an answer
to a Socinian, 1672, 4to.

2. 14. Plaine dealing with a traducing Baptist; answer
to Morse, 1672, 4to.

1 larg 15. A winding-sheet for controversy sheet. ended; answer to Morse, 1672, 4to large.

1. 16. Propos'd comprehension seriously to be considered,
1672, broadside.

18. 17. Quakerisme, a new nickname for old Christianity,
answer to Faldo, 1672, 8vo large.

32. 18. The invalidity of J. Faldo, being a rejoynder
in answer to him, 1673, 8vo large.

12. 19. Wisdom justified of her children, or an answer
to Hallywell, 1673, 8vo large.

16. 20. Reason against rayling, or an answer to Hicks
Dialogues, 1673, 8vo large.

12. 21. The counterfitt Christian detected, answer to
Hicks 3d. Dialogue, 1674, 8vo large.

2. 22. A briefe returne to J. Faldo's curbe, 1674, 8vo large.

169. 23. The Christian Quaker and his divine testimony
vindicated, 1674, folio.

2. 24. Vrim and Thummim or light and righteousness
vindicated, 1674, 4to.

4. 25. A just rebuke[610] to 21 divines that vindicated
J. Faldo's book, 1674, 4to.

1. 26. Christian liberty desired, in a letter to the
States at Emden, 1674, 4to.

1. 27. A solemn offer to the Baptist to vindicate
truth, 1674, broadside.

1. 28. Naked truth needs no shift, being an answer to
The last shift, 1674, broadside.

1. 29. Libels no prooffs, 1674, broadside.

1. 30. A returne to Jer. Jues sober request, 1674, broadside.

24. 31. A treatise of oathes or not-swearing vindicated,
1675, 4to.

6. 32. England's present interest, with honour to the
prince, and safty to the people, 1675, 4to.

2. 33. Saul smitten to the ground, or Mathew Hide's
remorse, 1675, 4to.

5. 34. The continued cry of the oppressed, or Friends'
sufferings presented, 1675, 4to.

1. 35. Epistola consulibus Emdeni, 1675, 4to.

6. 36. The skirmisher defeated or an answer to ... 1676, 4to.

2. 37. An epistle to the churches of Jesus, 1677, 4to.

4. 38. A briefe answer to a foolish libell, 1678, 4to.

1. 39. To the children of light in this generation, 1678, 4to.

3. 40. One project more for the good of England, 1679, folio.

3. 41. An account of the province of Pensilvania[AQ], 1681, folio.

1. 42. An abstract of the province of Pennsilvania, 1681, folio.

_Notes._

FOOTNOTES:

[AP] The face of the leaf is frayed, and two notes in the top margin have become illegible: one said something about 'navy'; the other ended 'anno in Sept. 1670.'

On fol. 34ᵛ of MS. Aubr. 8 Anthony Wood notes 'Will. Pen, the coryphaeus and pride of the Quakers.' A comparison of this life with the notice of Penn in the _Athenae Oxonienses_, and of the life of John Pell with the notice in the _Fasti_, shows how large is Wood's debt to Aubrey in that work.

[AQ] At MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 37, is found this pamphlet, 'A brief account of the province of Pennsylvania, lately granted by the king ... to William Penn,' folio, 8 pages, 'London, printed for Benjamin Clark in George Yard in Lombard Street, 1681.'

=Sir Thomas Penruddock.=

[611]<It was a> capital <offence> for a native Irishman to come to Dublin without a passe.

Sir ... espying ... went into the corne ... found him and hung him up immediately--Mr. Anderson.

=Sir William Petty= (1632-1687).

<_His coat of arms_[612]: MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 12ᵛ.>

Ermine, on a bend gules[LIII.], a <magnetic> needle, pointing to the Polar Star, or, for _Petty_: impaling, sable three walnut leaves, between 2 bendlets, or, for _Waller_[613].

[LIII.] I have given this bend of Sir William Petty's coate of armes a false colouring, scilicet red (but it was my lady's mistake[614]); for I find in his scutchin at his house at his death it is azure.

The crest is a beehive, or, with bees about it: the motto is

_Ut apes Geometria._

<_His horoscope_[615]: MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 12ᵛ>.

Monday, Maii 26to, 1623: 11ʰ 42´ 56˝ P.M., natus Gulielmus Petty, miles, sub latitudine 51° 10´ (tempus verum), at Rumsey in Hants.

This was donne, and a judgement[616] upon it, by Charles Snell, esq., of Alderholt neer Fordingbridge in Hampshire--'Jupiter in Cancer makes him fatt at heart.' John Gadbury also sayes that vomitts would be excellent good for him.

[617]Sir William Petty, knight, was the [eldest[618], or only,] son of ... Petty, of Rumsey in Hampshire, by ... his wife.

His father was borne on the Ashwednsday, before Mr. Hobbes, scil. 1587; and dyed and was buryed at Rumsey 1644, where Sir William intends to sett up a monument for him. He was by profession a clothier, and also did dye his owne cloathes: he left little or no estate to Sir William.

He[619] was borne at his father's house aforesaid, which is ..., on Monday, the twenty-sixth of May 1623, eleven houres 42´ 56˝ afternoone (vide Scheme[620]): Xtⁿᵉᵈ on Trinity Sunday.

Rumsey is a little haven towne, but hath most kinds of artificers in it. When he was a boy his greatest delight was to be looking on the artificers,--e.g. smyths, the watch-maker, carpenters, joyners, etc.--and at twelve years old could have worked at any of these trades. Here he went to schoole, and learn't by 12 yeares a competent smattering of Latin, and was entred into the Greek. He haz had few sicknesses. About 8, in April very sick and so continued till towards Michaelmas. ☞ About 12 (or 13), i.e. before 15, he haz told me, happened to him the most remarkable _accident of life_ (which he did not tell me), and which was the foundation of all the rest of his greatnes and acquiring riches.

He[621] enformed me that, about 15, in March, he went over into Normandy[622], to Caen, in a vessell that went hence, with a little stock, and began to merchandize[623], and had so good successe that he maintained himselfe, and also educated himselfe; this I guesse[624] was that most remarkable _accident_ that he meant. Here he learn't the French tongue, and perfected himselfe in the Latin, and had Greeke enough to serve his turne. Here (at Caen) he studyed the arts. Memorandum:--he was sometime at La Flesshe in the college of Jesuites. At 18, he was (I have heard him say) a better mathematician then he is now: but when occasion is, he knows how to recurre to more mathematical knowledge. At Paris he studyed anatomie, and read Versalius with Mr. Thomas Hobbes (vide Mr. Hobbs' life), who loved his company. Mr. H. then wrot his Optiques; Sir W. P. then had a fine hand in drawing and limning, and drew Mr. Hobbes's opticall schemes for him, which he was pleased to like. At Paris, one time, it happened that he was driven to a great streight for money, and I have heard him say, that he lived a weeke on two peniworth (or 3, I have forgott which, but I thinke the former) of walnutts. Quaere whether he was not sometimes a prisoner there?

Anno Domini 164- he came to Oxon, and entred himselfe of Brasen-nose college. Here he taught[625] anatomy to the young scholars. Anatomy was then but little understood by the university, and I remember[626] he kept a body that he brought by water from Reding a good while to read on, some way preserv'd or pickled[627].

Anno Domini <1650> happened that memorable accident and experiment of the reviving Nan Green[628], which is to be ascribed and attributed to Dr. William Petty, as the first discoverer of life in her, and author of saving her. Vide and insert the materiall passages in the tryal, and anatomicall experiment of Nan Green at Oxon: vide the narrative.

Here he lived and was beloved by all the ingeniose scholars[629], particularly Ralph Bathurst of Trin. Coll. (then Dr. of Physique); Dr. John Wilkins (Warden of Wadham Coll.); Seth Ward, D.D., Astronom. Professor: Dr. <Robert> Wood; Thomas Willis, M.D., &c.--Memorandum:--about these times experimentall philosophy first budded here and was first cultivated by these vertuosi in that darke time.

Anno Domini ... (quaere) he was chosen musique professor at Gresham Colledge, London, v. pag.[e] 2.

Anno Domini ... (quaere Edmund Wyld, esq., when) the Parliament sent surveyors to survey Ireland; vide pag.[630] 2.

[631]Dr. Petty was resident in Oxon 1648, 1649, and left it (if Anthony Wood[632] is not mistaken) in 1652. He tooke his degree of Dr. of Physique anno Domini ... at ... (quaere).

He was about 1650 (quaere) elected Professor of Musique at Gresham Colledge, by, and by the interest of, his friend captaine John Graunt (who wrote the Observations on the Bills of Mortality), and at that time was worth but fourtie pounds in all the world.

Shortly after (scil. anno Domini 1652 in August, he had the patent for Ireland) he was recommended to the Parliament[LIV.] to be one of the surveyors of Ireland, to which employment capt. John Graunt's interest did also helpe to give him a lift, and Edmund Wyld, esq., also, then a member of Parliament, and a great fautor of ingeniose and good men, for meer meritt sake[LV.] (not being formerly acquainted with him) did him great service, which perhaps he knowes not of.

[LIV.] Quaere annum.--E. W. esq. respondet 'circiter 1651.'

[LV.] Severall made offers to the Parliament to survey it (when the Parliament ordered to have it surveyed) for 4000 _li._, 5000 _li._, 6000 _li._; but Sir William (then Dr.) went _lower_ then them all and gott it. Sir Jonas More contemnd it as dangerous, loving to sleepe in a whole skin: he was afrayd of the Tories.--From Edmund Wyld, esq. Vide pag.[633] 2.--MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 13ᵛ.

To be short, he is a person of so great worth and learning, and haz such a prodigious working witt, that he is both fitt for, and an honour to, the highest preferment.

By this surveying employment he gott an estate in Ireland (before the restauration of King Charles II) of 18000 _li._ per annum, the greatest part wherof he was forced afterwards to refund[634], the former owners being then declared innocents. He hath yet there 7 or 8000 _li._ per annum and can, from the Mount Mangorton in the com. of Kerry, behold 50000 acres of his owne land. He hath an estate in every province of Ireland.

The kingdome of Ireland he hath surveyed, and that with that exactnesse (quaere Sir J. H. de modo), that there is no estate the<re> to the value of threscore pounds per annum but he can shew, to the value, and those that he employed for the geometricall part were ordinary fellowes, some (perhaps) foot-soldiers, that circumambulated with their _box and needles_, not knowing what they did, which Sir William knew right well how to make use of.

Anno Domini 1667 (vide his Scheme[635]), he maried on Trinity Sunday ... the relict of Sir <Maurice> Fenton, of Ireland, knight, daughter of Sir Hasdras Waller of Ireland by ..., a very beautifull and ingeniose lady, browne, with glorious eies, by whom he hath ... sonnes, and ... daughters, very lovely children, but all like the mother. He has a naturall daughter that much resembles him, no legitimate child so much, that acts at the Duke's play-house, who hath had a child by ... about 1679. She is (1680) about 21.

[636]I remember about 1660 there was a great difference between him and Sir ... ..., one of Oliver's knights, about.... They printed one against the other: this knight was wont to preach at Dublin. The knight had been a soldier, and challenged Sir William to fight with him. Sir William is extremely short sighted, and being the challengee it belonged to him to nominate[637] place and weapon. He nominates, for the place, a darke cellar, and the weapon to be a great carpenter's axe. This turned the knight's challenge into ridicule, and so it came to nought.

He can be an excellent droll (if he haz a mind to it) and will preach extempore incomparably, either the Presbyterian way, Independent, Cappucin frier, or Jesuite.

[638]He recieved the honour of knighthood Anno Domini....

He had his patent for earle of Kilmore and baron of ... 166- which he stifles during his life to avoyd envy[LVI.], but his sonne will have the benefitt of the precedency.--[I expected[639] that his sonne would have broken-out a lord or earle: ☞ but it seemes that he had enemies at the court at Dublin, which out of envy obstructed the passing of his patent.]

[LVI.] Χρυσᾶ ἔπη Pythagorae: Πέφυλαξό γε ταῦτα ποιεῖν ὁπόσα φθόνον ἔχει.

Anno 1660 he came into England, and was presently recieved into good grace with his majestie, who was mightily pleased with his discourse.

Anno Domini 1663 he made his double-bottom'd vessell (launched about new-yeere's tide), of which he gave a modell to the Royall Societie made with his owne hands, and it is kept in the repository at Gresham College. It did doe very good service, but anno 16--happned to be lost in an extraordinary storme in the Irish sea. (Memorandum:--there is yet a double bottomd vessell in the Isle of Wight, made by one Mr. ... ... which, they say, sailes well: quaere capt. Lee.)

[640]Anno Domini 1675/6 (vide the yeare of T. Deer's lettres), March 18, he was correpted by the Lord Chancellor Finch, when the patent for the farming of Ireland was sealed, to which Sir William would not seale. Monday, 20th March, he was affronted by Mr. Vernon: Tuesday following Sir William and his ladie's brother (Mr. Waller). Hectored Mr. Vernon and caned him.

[641]He went towards[642] Ireland in order to be a member of that Parliament, March 22, 1679/80--God send him a prosperous journey.

1680[643] ..., he went to Rumsey to see his native country, and to erect a monument to his father.

He is a person of an admirable inventive head, and practicall parts. He hath told me that he hath read but little, that is to say, not since 25 aetat., and is of Mr. Hobbes his mind, that had he read much, as some men have, he had not known so much as he does, nor should have made such discoveries and improvements.

I remember one St. Andrewe's day (which is the day of the generall meeting of the Royall Society for annuall elections), I sayd, 'methought 'twas not so well that we should pitch upon the Patron of Scotland's day, we should rather have taken St. George or St. Isidore' (a philosopher canonized). 'No,' said Sir William,' I would rather have had it[644] on St. Thomas day, for he would not beleeve till he had seen[645] and putt his fingers into the holes,' according to the motto _Nullius in verba_.

He haz told me that he never gott by legacies in his life, but only x _li._ which was not payd.

[646]He has told me, that wheras some men have accidentally come into the way of preferment, by lying at an inne, and there contracting an acquaintance; on the roade; or as some others[LVII.] have donne; he never had any such like opportunity, but hewed out his fortune himselfe--quod N.B.

[LVII.] E.g. my cosen Rowland Plattes, whom the lord Cottington never having seen before, liked so well, that he made him his gentleman of the horse when he went his embassy into Spaine[647]. This was on ship-board.

He is a proper handsome man, measured six foot high, good head of browne haire, moderately turning up: vide his picture as Dr. of Physique. His eies are a kind of goose-grey, but very short sighted, and, as to aspect, beautifull, and promise sweetnes of nature, and they doe not decieve, for he is a marveillous good-natured person, and εὔσπλαγχνος. Eie-browes thick, darke, and straight (horizontall). His head is very lardge, μακροκέφαλος. He was in his youth very slender, but since these twenty yeares and more past he grew very plump, so that now (1680) he is _abdomine tardus_. This last March, 1679/80, I perswaded him to sitt for his picture to Mr. Loggan, the graver, whom I forthwith went for myselfe, and he drewe it just before his goeing into Ireland, and 'tis very like him. But about 1659, he had a picture in miniture drawne by his friend and mine, Mr. Samuel Cowper (prince of limners of his age), one of the likest that ever he drew.

_Scripsit:_

1. W. P.'s Advice concerning the Education of Youth[648], sticht, 4to, printed.

2. [A[649] contest and controversie between him and Sir ...: about which Sir William printed a little discourse in 8vo: quaere nomen libri.]

3. Historie or Discourse of Taxes, 4to.

4. Duplicate Proportion, 8vo., printed. [G.[650] 28, p. 5.]

5. Politique Arithmetique, MS. [vide[651] part 3, p. 2a: G. 28, 6.]

6. Politique Anatomie of Ireland, MS.

7. A treatise of building shippes, which he presented to the Royall Societie about 1661; which the lord Brounker was pleased to keepe to himselfe, and never returned it; a MS.

_Observations on the Bills of Mortality_[652] were really his.

Translation of ... Psalme in Latin hexameter, stitch't, folio, printed, London, 1677 (quaere[653]).

Since his death I have seen, in his closet, a great many tractatiuncli in MS.--e.g. Religio Christiana Puerilis; Via brevis ad Medicinam; An Essay to know or judge the Value of Landes; His owne life in Latin verse; De Connubiis; Severall Epigrammes and Verses by him; Of Mills; An Engine very usefull for raysing of water; _cum multis aliis_ that have slipt out of my memorie. Memorandum: his 2 last printed tracts were comparisons or paralleling of London and Paris, stitcht, 8vo.

[654]I have heard Sir William say more than once, that he knew not that he was purblind till his master[LVIII.] (a master of a shippe) bade him climbe-up the rope ladder, and give notice when he espied such a steeple (somewhere upon the coast of England or France, I have forgot where), which was a land-marke for the avoyding of a shelfe; at last the master sawe it on the deck, and they fathom'd and found they were but ... foot water, wherupon (as I remember) his master drubb't him with a cord.

[LVIII.] He was first bound apprentice to a sea-captaine.

Before he went into Ireland, he sollicited, and no doubt he was an admirable good sollicitor. I have heard him say that in solliciting (with the same paines) he could dispatch severall businesses, nay, better than one alone, for by conversing with severall he should gaine the more knowledge, and the greater interest.

In the time of the warre with the Dutch, they concluded at the councell-board at London, to have so many sea men out of Irland (I thinke 1500). Away to Irland came one with a commission, and acquaints Sir William with it; sayes Sir William, 'you will never rayse this number here.' 'Oh,' sayd the other, 'I warrant you, I will not abate you a man.' Now Sir William knew 'twas impossible, for he knew how many tunne of shipping belongd to Ireland, and the rule is, to ... tunnes so many men. Of these shipps halfe were abroad, and of those at home so many men unfit. In fine, the commissioner with all his diligence could not possibly rayse above 200 seamen there. So we may see how statesmen may mistake for want of this Politique Arithmetique.

Another time the councell at Dublin were all in a great racket for the prohibition of coale from England and Wales, considering that all about Dublin is such a vast quantity of turfe; so they would improve their rents, sett poor men on worke, and the city should be served with fuell cheaper. Sir William _prima facie_ knew that this project could not succeed. Sayd he, 'If you will make an order to hinder the bringing-in of coales by foreigne vessells, and bring it in vessells of your owne, I approve of it very well: but for your supposition of the cheapnesse of the turfe, 'tis true 'tis cheape on the place, but consider carriage, consider the yards that must contayn such a quantity for respective houses, these yards must be rented; what will be the chardge?' The<y> supputated, and found that (every thing considered) 'twas much dearer then to fetch coale from Wales, or etc.

Memorandum:--about 1665 he presented to the Royall Societie a discourse of his (in manuscript, of about a quire of paper) of building of shippes, which the lord Brounker (then president) tooke away, and still keepes, saying, ''Twas too great an arcanum of state to be commonly perused'; but Sir William told me that Dr. Robert Wood, M.D., aforesayd, has a copie of it, which he himselfe haz not: quaere Dr. Wood for it.

Sir William Petty died at his house in Peccadilly-street (almost opposite to St. James church[655],) on Fryday, 16th day of December, 1687, of a gangrene in his foot, occasioned by the swelling of the gowt, and is buried with his father and mother in the church at Rumsey in Hampshire. ☞ See his will.

My lady Petty was created baronnesse of Shelburn in Ireland, and her eldest sonne baron of the same, a little before the comeing-in of the Prince of Orange.

[656]Sir William Petty had a brother ..., like him, who dyed sine prole: he has his picture.--Quaere if I have mentioned Nan Green[657] out of the printed narrative?

[658]His picture by Fuller in his Dr. of M<edicine> gowne, a skull in his hand; then a spare man; <with a> little band; Veslingius' Anatomie by him. 'Twas he (Sir William) that putt Fuller to drawe the muscles as at Oxon gallery[659].

[660]Quaere nomen of the knight his antagonist, Sir ... ...? Resp.--'Twas Sir Hierome Sanchy that was his antagonist: against whom he wrote the 8vo booke, about 1662. He was one of Oliver's knights, a commander and preacher and no conjuror. He challenged Sir William to fight with him. Sir William being the challengee named the place, a darke cellar, the weapon, carpenter's great axe; so by this expedient Sir William (who is short-sighted) would be at an equall tourney with this douty knight.

[661]Sir W. Petty was a Rota man, and troubled Mr. James Harrington with his arithmeticall proportions, reducing politie to numbers.

[662]Sir W. P. 18 March <1675/6> correpted by the Lord Chancellor when the patent was to be sealed, which he would not seale. Monday, 20th, he was affronted by Mr. Vernon; Tuesday, he hectored him.

[663]Sir William Petty scripsit _A Politicall Anatomie of Ireland_. He assured me by letter from Dublyn, July 12, 1681:--'I am not forward to print this Politicall Arithmetique but doe wish that what goeth abroad were compared with the copie in Sir Robert Southwell's hand, which I corrected in March 1679.' He told me some yeares since, before the copie was dedicated to the Royal Societie, that 'the doeing of it would cost 50,000 _li._, but Ireland will be donne.'

[664]Sir William Pety--his eldest sonne is baron of Shelbrooke in Ireland; and his lady (widow) is baroness by patent from king James the 2ᵈ, anno 1688.

[665]In the _Paris Gazette_ about January, 1687/8, 'Monsieur Coussin travaille pour faire éloge de Sir W. Petty which will be inserted in the _Journal de Scavans_'--which see.

[666]Sir William Petty had a boy that whistled incomparably well. He after wayted on a lady, a widowe, of good fortune. Every night this boy was to whistle his lady asleepe. At last shee ... marries him.... This is certeyn true;--from himselfe and Mrs. Grant[667].

=Fabian Philips= (1601-1690).

[668]Fabian Philips[AR]--from himselfe, 1682--borne hard by Prestbury in Gloucestershire, anno Domini 1601, in September, on Michelmas-Eve. His mother's name was Bagehott (an heire to a younger brother); his father was Andrew Philips, of an ancient familie in Herefordshire, seaven descents, who sold 600 _li._ per annum in Herefordshire, in Leominster; some of it his sonne Fabian (of whom I write) bought again. He was of the Middle Temple, London; a filizer of London, Middlesex, Cambridgeshire, and Huntingdonshire. Of great assiduity, and reading, and a great lover of antiquities. He haz a great memorie, which holds still well now in his 80th yeare. He told me St. Austin wrote at 90; judge Coke at 84; and bishop Hall, of Norwych, at 8-. His house is over against the middle of Lincoln's Inne garden, in Chancery Lane. Two dayes before king Charles 1st was beheaded, he wrote a 'protestation against the intended murther of the king,' and printed it, and caused it to be putt upon the posts. When all the courts in Westminster-hall were voted-downe by Barebones Parliament, he wrote a booke to justifie the right use of them, and Lenthall (the speaker) and the Keepers of the Libertie did send him thanks for saveing of the courts.

_Scripsit:_

... ...

[669]M.S. Fabiani Philipps, armigeri, Medii Templi socii, qui
quosdam perfidos et ingratos nimium amando seipsum non (uti
potuit) amavit, curis librisque consenuit, aliorum totus vix
suus, tandem per varios vitae vortices et aerumnarum anfractus
ad amoris et lucis aeternitates coeli sedesque beatissimas
transmigravit ... die ... aerae Christianae millessimo
sexcentessimo ... cum ... soles vixisset.

Qui vero fidus veri Fabianus amator
Decumbens requiem morte Philippus agit.

<_Catalogue of his writings._>

[670]1. King Charles the First no man of blood, but a martyr
for his people.

2. The antient legall fundamentall and necessary rights of
courts of justice in their writs of capias arrests and proces
of outlawry against peremptory summons and citations: printed
1676.

3. The reforming registry, against publick registries; printed
1678.

4. Reasons for the continuance of the writs of capias and
proces of arrest against peremptory summons, etc.: printed 1675.

5. A view of the chancery.

6. The pretended perspective glasse.

7. Tuenda non tollenda.

8. Ligeancia lugens.

9. The antiquity of fines and amerciaments.

10. The mistaken recompence.

11. Restauranda.

12. Monenda.

13. Ursa major et minor.

14. Investigatio jurium et antiquorum et rationalium regni
etc.: printed 1687.

15. Legale necessarium: about estreateing and leavying fines
and amercements and other profits of the king's casuall
revenues.

Tristia diffugiunt, paupertas, cura, labores,
Quae tulit ingratis gratior urna tulit.
O miseris miserans, Jesus, miserere Philippo;
Defesso Fabian sanguine parta tuo,
Sanguine parta tuo, da gaudia luce perenni,
Gaudia coelicolis morte parata tua.

Oh ens entium, deus misericordiarum, amator animarum, spes
viventium et mortuorum, miserere mei et posterorum.

He dyed the 17th of November 1690, and lies buried by his wife at Twyford, a little church neer Acton in Middlesex, in the southwest part of the church at the lower end of the church.

His sonne will not be at the chardge to sett this up for his father. But I have spoken to his good daughter to sett his name and obiit. His workes will praise him in the gates[671].

--From his eldest sonne, who succeeds him in his place of filazer.

[672]Old Fabian Philips has told me severall times that it hath cost him 800 _li._ in taking paines searching and writing to assert the king's prerogative and never gott a groate. Only, when the regulation of the lawe was, he was made one of the commissioners, which was worth 200 _li._ per annum--I thinke it lasted two yeares.

_Note._

FOOTNOTES:

[AR] Aubrey gives in trick the coat: 'azure, a fess between 3 falcons argent.' This life is later than the others in MS. Aubr. 6, being written on a page originally set aside for 'Mr. John Milton.' Letters of F. Philips to A. Wood are found in MS. Wood F. 39, fol. 64, 65.

=John Philips= (1631-1706).

[673]Mr. Philips, author of _Montelion_[674] and _Don Juan Lamberto_[675], is very happy at jiggish poetrey.

_Montelion_ is happy for a jiggish phancy and gypsies and ballads.

=Katherine Philips= (1631/2-1664).

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Brief Lives, Vol. 2Chapter V: Part 5

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