No. VII.—Vol. I., p. 314.
Of the informer’s Note Book, preserved in the Record Office, I have an entire copy in my possession, made by the late Mr. Clarence Hopper, and from it I give the following extracts:—
“Brokes (Pastor)—Meets at Mr. Shaw’s, sailmaker, in Tower Wharf, sometimes at one Palmer’s Wise, [sic] and Holmes’s, who dwell all in the fields on the left hand, near Moorgate, where the quarters hang; where there is suspected some persons of note lie dormant, viz., Col. Danvers, Col. Gledman, Mr. Wollaston. The field is named ‘Phines-berry’ (Finsbury).”
“Caitnesse.—A Scotchman intimately acquainted with Lawrye the merchant (his old maid knows much of him). He dwells a little beyond Ratcliffe Church, hard by Gun Alley, next door to a shoemaker’s. Brother-in-law to Mr. Roe (formerly minister), a schoolmaster in Christchurch, within the Cloisters can tell of Caitnesse. Several of the Lord General’s old soldiers know Caitnesse; he knows Lieut.-Col. Desborough and Ellison.”
“Duckenfield.—They are 3 brothers all officers in the Army. Col. Jo Duckenfield, a stout fellow, now in Ireland, 1663, married an Exchange-woman, commanded the Foot at Winnington-bridge, 1659. Major Wm. Duckenfield in Ireland, 1663, married Franklin’s daughter, over against Salisbury House, an Exchange-man. Col. Rob. Duckenfield married Fleetwood’s sister, and hath an estate at Duckenfield Hall, in Cheshire, all 3 dangerous fellows.”
“Forbes.—Formerly in Gloucester, a Scottishman. Caitnes. Rawdon. His wife’s mother lives near Henley-upon-Thames, in Bucks. When in town, lodges behind Abchurch, going into Sherburne Lane from Cannon Street, upon the right hand, beyond the church; his landlord keeps a shop in Pope’s Head Alley. Enquire of Henley Coach, where it stands, for Mr. Forbes. His sister is an apothecary’s wife, over against Warwick House, in Holborn; and at Mr. Johnston’s, in Gr. Inne Lane, &c.”
“Thomas Goodwine (pastor).—Dwells in the fields, on the left hand near Moorgate, where the quarters stand, and meets often with Dr. Owen.”—(Vide O.)
“Mrs. Homes, at the Red Lion, a grocer’s shop, in St. Laurence Lane, is the great patroness of the worst of people now in London, and Ewell in particular. (Mrs. Holond Com. his wife), and Mr. Sheldon, prisoner in the Tower, who married Holond’s daughter; Mrs. Homes, now or lately, paid and discharged the rent for the house, which Thomas Goodwin lies in, at Bone Hill, beyond the Artillery Ground, near Cherry Tree Alley. She has a great estate; and spends it among those that lie in wait to disturb the peace of the kingdom. She is a frequent visitor of the prisons, and encourages and confirms those that are in greatest opposition to the Government. Her chief servant is called Browne, who ’tis thought, was one of the Rump Parliament. Her cash-keeper confessed, that, in six weeks after her husband died, she gave away £800. ’Tis no wonder, for she gains, with her money, several from the Church daily and under pretence of charity, corrupts many poor and wanting people.”
“Jessey, meets often at one Thomas Goodwine’s, and Dr. Owen’s in the fields, near to Moorgate, where the quarters hang; (pastor). The said Jessey meets also at the Lady Hartups, at Newington, Harfordshire, dead 1663.”
“Harwood, Jo., a merchant at Mile-end Green, a factious dangerous Independent; and the common factor for all the merchants trading especially to New England; who uses constantly to cover and disguise, the ships, goods, and persons, of those of that opinion in their voyages and passages, so as the officers of the Customs, &c., at Gravesend, and other places, are, by his interest and money, corrupted to slip the oaths, which otherwise ought to be tendered to all persons going out, &c.”
“Knowles, an Anabaptist minister, a good scholar, and a leading man, now in Amsterdam, maintained by the churches; and one Thibalds (his elder), in Tower Street, corresponds with him, (to him Mr. Riggs was recommended by Thibalds.) Knowles dwells in Wapping.”
“Meade, Pastor of the Independent Church, meets twice a week with Greenhill at Ratcliffe, and Stepney.”
“Dr. Owen (Pastor), dwells in the fields, on the left hand near Moorgate, where the quarters hang, and meets often with Goodwine.”
“Robinson (Andrew), a Scotts Quaker, dangerous young fellow; carries letters between London and Edinburgh; comes frequently to Mr. Lawrye’s.”
“Sprig, a minister, and great creature of the late usurper’s. Mr. Johnson knows him intimately. Sprig is a great acquaintance of Sir Hen. Vane’s and Ludlow’s.”